Lil B “The Basedgod” has become a Hip-Hop icon due not only to his music, but to his roles as a positive and inspirational role model in society. From being on both CNN programming and ESPN programming, to giving lectures at esteemed universities, it’s undeniable that he has played a positive role in different aspects of our society and had an impact on the lives of many people. Consequently, many rappers and people in his “Task Force” feel the need to protect him and his image.

This song, and Lupe’s message of the need to protect Lil B, came into light after Lil B was jumped at the Rolling Loud Bay Area Festival on Saturday October 21, 2017. Instead of retaliating, Lil B came out on stage soon after and gave an uplifting speech about positivity.

Being the first African American president in the history of the United States, Barack Obama’s legacy will always be seen as a monumental and progressive step in the right direction toward equality by many people all over the world. However, the president who followed Barack has been off to a rough start in the eyes of many of those same people. From his discouraging statements against primarily black NFL players, to calling a group of what many believed to be white supremacists, “Very fine people,” many of Donald Trump’s actions have been shunned by the African American community and millions of other Americans alike.

One interpretation sees Lupe calling him “Uncle Trump” as a reference to the classic piece of American literature, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, intending to tie in and associate Trump with the controversial racial themes similar to those seen throughout the novel. Another interpretation sees Lupe referring to Trump alongside the “racist crazy uncle” trope that nearly everyone has encountered in their life, whether it be at a family gathering or just from association amongst peers.

The hat that makes Lupe feel so negative is Trump’s “Make American Great Again” hat. The hat has become synonymous with his presidency and his supporters, as he wore it all throughout his 2016 presidential campaign. Additionally, the fact that he calls his hat a “cap” is important as it is most likely a sly reference to Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick, or Kaep, is at the heart of Trump’s problems with the NFL and Lupe even dedicated a song to him titled, “Kneelin’ on Needles”.

Harvey Weinstein is an American movie producer and studio executive. At the time of this song’s release, he was heavily involved in an extremely controversial scandal in which Ashely Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and more accused him of inappropriate sexual conduct ranging all the way up from inappropriate gestures to attempted rape.

Additionally, Lupe uses a double entendre as he is insulting the producer by literally saying, “Fuck Harvey Weinstein”, but notes that some would find it necessary to literally have sex with Weinstein—or fuck him—to get an acting job.

This line references the online sensation Danielle Bregoli, who became famous after appearing on the Dr. Phil show and exclaiming, “Catch me outside, how ‘bout dat?”.

Since her appearance on the show, Danielle has amassed millions of social media followers and even started a rap career under the stage name Bhad Bhabie that has seen her gain millions of views on YouTube.

The “Thizzle Dance” is one of many dances created by Mac Dre aka Mac Drizzle. This dance exemplifies the Bay Area’s hyphy movement. Being that Lil B is from the Bay Area and this song was made in his honor, it makes sense that Lupe would make this connection.

As people X loved have both dissapeared from his life and forced him out of their life, it seems he is giving up on chasing after companionship. However, even with all of this negativity surrounding him, he can’t bring him self to take his own life.

In the song “777”, he states:

Wanna fuckin' end it but
I don’t have the balls to
Fuck, I’m such a pussy, fuck me up

Given the situations he has had to deal with and rather than ending his life, X believes he needs a new approach – a kind of re-birth. Prior to the release of 17 he comments during his interview with 103.5 The Beat :

I believe in past lives and in future lives, I believe in karma cycle, I believe you’ll repeat this life

The mental trauma caused by the woman X is alluding to has become inescapably overwhelming and out of control–much like a literal riot.

Gunfire inside his head could be interpreted as X having so much going on in his mind that it’s almost as if he’s constantly berated by gunfire, affected as someone with PTSD could be.

It’s worth noting that X also has a song called “Riot” that touches on hatred and violence.