Addiction doesn’t just affect the person hooked on drugs or alcohol. It obliterates friendships, marriages, and families, and that’s what rapper Joyner Lucas explores on his new single “Best For Me”, featuring country-rap superstar Jelly Roll. The somber track debuted inside the Top 10 of the Genius Top Songs chart.
“Best For Me” features production by Leo Son, ADHD Productions, Young Lime, Young Taylor, Nox Beatz, Chezka, Ayoley, and Charlie Chronopolous. The song is essentially a dialogue in two verses, with Lucas playing both the addict and a friend or loved one going through the range of emotions that come with watching someone destroy their life. But first, Jelly Roll takes the chorus and ponders the mysteries of love.
How can you love someone and learn to let them go?
How can we fall apart on things we’ll never know?
In the first verse, Lucas confronts the addict with a mixture of concern and anger. He doesn’t really understand what this person is going through, and his frustration is boiling over.
You’re losing a fight (Damn)
I never thought I’d see the day that you let addiction ruin your life
Everyone calling that shit a disease and you making feel like you in the right
But I hate the fact that you really be using that as an excuse to do what you like
By the end of the verse, Lucas has decided he can’t watch this sad story reach its inevitable conclusion.
And I’ma be next to leave
I know that God got a plan and He ain’t fulfilling your destiny
Much as I need you, I will not be sticking around or watching you rest in peace
I promise, I love you, but I gotta do what’s best for me
Lucas shifts to playing the addict in the second verse. This person is in way over his head—“I hate when these demons get into my soul”—and the last thing he needs is someone preaching to him.
And how you gon’ tell me addiction’s not a disease? Fuck do you mean?
If it’s not a disease, then why has it gotten to me? It’s not what it seems
But you always be making me feel like the problem’s me
The verse ends with Lucas’s addict character telling his friend to accept his faults or move on.
So you could just quit addressing me
I guess it’s just my destiny
So take me as I am or let me be, I’m tired of you stressing me
’Cause shit, I gotta do what’s best for me
“Best For Me” arrives with a pretty intense music video depicting the conflict at the heart of the song. The track is set to appear on Lucas’s new album Not Now, I’m Busy, due out March 22.
You can read all the lyrics to “Best For Me” on Genius now.
