Purpose
nobi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Been trapped in a maze and
Been patiently waitin' for
A day when the rain gon', stop
I'm caught in a Matrix plot
Been dodgin' the system that tar'
That target our pigment and they
They harbor the intent
That leave us poverty stricken and I

I'm caught in a glitch where I
Slang rocks to our children on
The same block where they picketed fo'
The right for our children to go
Get an education, schoolin'
Now they place us in institutions
Pay us for complacency
That's why so many players hoopin'
And it's like my life don't matter
Ended up lookin' up to the skyline
And I tried to climb the ladder
Ended up goin' down the pipeline
Sat in my cell and reflected
Picked up my pen and wrote a letter askin'
What your purpose is
Go and find it
Chase ya dreams for us that don't got time left
Let ya voice be heard for those that silent
Let these words be your strength
Let ya legacy define ya
What your purpose is
Go and find it
Chase ya dreams for us that don't got time left
Let ya voice be heard for those that silent
Let these words be your strength
Let ya legacy define ya
Yeah, uh
Feel like I'm refinin' my purpose
Been tryna find what my worth
'Cuz servin' time as a servant
Just to get by isn't workin'
Defined by the crime and the verdict
Or a nine to five and a purchase
Perfect person of interest
Lyin' up under the surface
We grew our roses from concrete
Life is exhausting
They shot my homie and I wish he rose from the concrete
Never winnin' can't compete no
It ain't right
What's our purpose if they purposely sabotagin' our lives
Lives, lives, lives
Lives, lives, lives
Lives, lives, lives
Lives, lives, lives
Lives, lives, black lives
What's your purpose
Go and find it
Yeah, what your purpose is
Go and find it
What's your purpose
Go and find it
Yeah, what your purpose is
Go and find it
Tell me what's your purpose
Go and find it
Yeah, what your purpose is
Go and find it
What's your purpose
Go and find it

Yeah, what your purpose is
Go and find it

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Purpose" by nobi delve into the struggles and obstacles faced by individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities, and the importance of finding one's purpose in the face of adversity.

The opening lines depict a sense of being trapped in a metaphorical maze, symbolizing the challenges and barriers faced by the artist and others alike. The rain represents hardships, and the hope for it to stop implies a desire for a break from these difficulties. The mention of being caught in a "Matrix plot" alludes to being trapped within a system that targets people of color and perpetuates inequality. "Dodgin' the system" refers to attempting to evade the unfair treatment and discrimination that is aimed at marginalized communities. The artist highlights the intent of the system to keep them in poverty, expressing the frustration and impact of such circumstances.

The lyrics also touch on the limitations and lack of opportunities faced by these individuals. The artist reflects on witnessing children being raised in the same block where protests for educational rights were once held. This reinforces the systemic inequalities that persist, as schools fail to provide adequate education and instead push marginalized individuals into institutions or offer low-paying jobs to keep them complacent. The mention of basketball players as an example highlights how some individuals may see sports as a means of escape and success.

Continuing, the artist states a sense of despair, feeling as though their life doesn't matter. Looking up at the skyline and attempting to climb the ladder symbolizes searching for a way out, but ending up going down a destructive path instead. The mention of sitting in a cell and reflecting could imply personal experiences with incarceration. However, the act of writing a letter reflects a moment of hope and introspection, as the artist seeks to understand their purpose in life. This is emphasized by the call to action for others to chase their dreams, speak up for the silenced, and let their words become their strength and legacy.

The second part of the song focuses on nobi's personal journey in finding purpose. The artist describes the process of refining their purpose and seeking their worth despite societal expectations. The lyrics highlight the struggle of being defined by past mistakes or societal roles, whether it be criminal activity or a mundane 9-to-5 job. The desire to rise above these labels is portrayed by the idea of growing roses from concrete, symbolizing resilience and finding beauty in harsh conditions. The mention of a lost friend and the wish for them to rise from the concrete emphasizes the pain of loss and the longing for a better reality.

The repetition of the question "What's your purpose" throughout the song serves as a reminder and a call to action for listeners to reflect on their own purpose and journey. It urges them to actively seek it out, overcome the obstacles, and define their own legacy. The song ultimately encourages individuals to find their purpose and use it as a driving force to create positive change, not only for themselves but also for those who are oppressed and silenced.

Line by Line Meaning

Been trapped in a maze and
I have been stuck in a complex and confusing situation, unable to find my way out.

Been patiently waitin' for
I have been patiently anticipating and longing for

A day when the rain gon', stop
The day when the hardships and difficulties will finally come to an end.

I'm caught in a Matrix plot
I am trapped in a deceptive and manipulative system that controls and influences me.

Been dodgin' the system that tar'
I have been avoiding and evading a system that unfairly targets and discriminates against me.

That target our pigment and they
A system that specifically discriminates based on the color of our skin, and

They harbor the intent
They hold deep-seated intentions

That leave us poverty stricken and I
Intentions that result in us being trapped in poverty and

I'm caught in a glitch where I
I am caught in a malfunctioning system where

Slang rocks to our children on
I sell drugs to our children on the streets

The same block where they picketed fo'
In the very same neighborhood where they protested for

The right for our children to go
The right for our children to have

Get an education, schoolin'
Access to quality education and schooling.

Now they place us in institutions
Now they place us in oppressive and restrictive systems, such as prisons

Pay us for complacency
They pay us to remain passive and not fight against the system

That's why so many players hoopin'
That's why so many people turn to sports as a way to escape and make a living

And it's like my life don't matter
It feels as though my life is not valued or significant

Ended up lookin' up to the skyline
In the end, I find myself looking up towards the distant horizon

And I tried to climb the ladder
And attempting to achieve social and economic success

Ended up goin' down the pipeline
But instead, I find myself following a predetermined and disadvantageous path

Sat in my cell and reflected
Sitting in a prison cell and contemplating deeply

Picked up my pen and wrote a letter askin'
I picked up my pen and wrote a letter, questioning and seeking answers about

What your purpose is
The true meaning and purpose of life

Go and find it
Go out and search for it

Chase ya dreams for us that don't got time left
Pursue your dreams and aspirations, representing those of us who are running out of time

Let ya voice be heard for those that silent
Make your voice heard loud and clear, advocating for those who cannot speak up

Let these words be your strength
Let the power and meaning behind these words empower and motivate you

Let ya legacy define ya
Let the impact and lasting impression you leave behind shape and define your life

Feel like I'm refinin' my purpose
I feel like I am continuously improving and honing in on my true purpose in life

Been tryna find what my worth
I have been attempting to discover and understand my own value and significance

'Cuz servin' time as a servant
Because I am trapped in a cycle of serving others and wasting time

Just to get by isn't workin'
Merely surviving and getting by is not enough and not fulfilling

Defined by the crime and the verdict
Defined and judged solely based on the crimes I have committed and the legal decisions that have been made against me

Or a nine to five and a purchase
Or stuck in a monotonous nine-to-five job and constantly seeking happiness through material possessions

Perfect person of interest
Considered a prime target for scrutiny and investigation

Lyin' up under the surface
Lies and hidden truths lurking beneath the visible surface

We grew our roses from concrete
We managed to thrive and succeed despite the challenging and harsh environment we grew up in

Life is exhausting
Life is draining and tiring

They shot my homie and I wish he rose from the concrete
My friend was killed, and I deeply wish he could have overcome the difficult circumstances and succeeded

Never winnin' can't compete no
Always feeling defeated and unable to compete with others

It ain't right
It is unfair and unjust

What's our purpose if they purposely sabotagin' our lives
What is the point and meaning of our existence if they deliberately undermine and sabotage our lives

What's your purpose
What is your true purpose in life

Go and find it
Go out and discover it for yourself

Yeah, what your purpose is
Yes, the true meaning and purpose of your life

Let me know what your purpose
Please inform me about your personal purpose in life

Go and find it
Go out and search for it

What's your purpose
What is your true purpose in life

Go and find it
Go out and discover it for yourself

Yeah, what your purpose is
Yes, the true meaning and purpose of your life

Tell me what's your purpose
Please share with me your personal purpose in life

Go and find it
Go out and search for it

Yeah, what your purpose is
Yes, the true meaning and purpose of your life

What's your purpose
What is your true purpose in life