What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
You are unlikely to find the 1% sipping on syrup.
Although if they are in America, there’s a definite possibility they are abusing prescription medication. Just because it’s produced legally by a pharmaceutical company doesn’t mean it’s good for your health.
Note also that “coughing proof” sounds like “coffin roof” – Lupe is reminding the 1%‘ers that they are not immortal.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
The wearing of hoodies by young people has become a political issue in some countries. Trayvon Martin was wearing a hoodie at the time he was killed.
The hoodie is a response to a problem, not a problem in itself. We – the people in suits – often see hoodies as aggressive, the uniform of a rebel army of young gangsters. But, for young people, hoodies are often more defensive than offensive. They’re a way to stay invisible in the street. In a dangerous environment the best thing to do is keep your head down, blend in, don’t stand out.
(from a speech by British Prime Minister David Cameron)
Neighborhood is also a Tokyo based streetwear brand, which is not widely distributed outside of Japan.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
#The non-drug related explanation
#The drug related explanation
Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff was a notorious drug lord who is now incarcerated.
Imagine Supreme serving skaters in front of the OF store.
But from your perspective it might seem Lupe Fiasco – Peace of Paper/Cup of Jayzus
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
To give a taste of how Lupe would have done it if “Kick Push” was about drugs, the following four lines are about skateboarding AND drugs.
Nose grinders and grinding up
Nose powders with ether Lupe Fiasco – Peace of Paper/Cup of Jayzus
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
#The non-drug related explanation
Keeping your nose to the grindstone is to work hard (put in work).
A ‘nosegrind’ is a specific skate trick, where you grind while balancing just on the front truck(set of wheels):
#The drug related explanation
Keeping your nose to the grindstone is to work hard (put in work). i.e. deal drugs
Nose powder refers to Bolivian marching powder i.e. cocaine.
Skiers can be used to describe people who sniff cocaine. When someone says they’re “going skiing”, they are going to go sniff some cocaine (snow).
Ether is used in conjunction with ammonia on powder/crystallized cocaine to release/separate the cocaine base from the hydrochloride to create free-base cocaine which can then be smoked creating a quicker high. Baking soda is used similarly to make crack cocaine.
Ether which is used as a solvent and was once used as a general anaesthetic, can also be used to get high by itself.
Grinding up can refer to grinding a number of different types of drugs e.g. cannabis
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
#“At any street corner the feeling of absurdity can strike any man in the face”.
Albert Camus
Certain fan’s expectations are clearly ridiculous. Lupe clearly can’t stay the same age and in the same place musically forever.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
This both continues and contrasts with the previous line.
Lawyer fees i.e. bills need to be paid
The lawyer fees that need to be paid may be for his homies who are locked up (contrasting with “freedom” in the last line).
The Windy City is of course Lupe’s hometown Chicago. The breeze in this line contrast to the tornado (twister) in the following line.
By implication rapping is a breeze (is easy) compared to some other alternative ways of making a living in Chicago, where gang related violence is rife.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
A reference to:
The rapper Twista who is from Chicago and who once held the title for being the fastest rapper in the world.
and to a twister (continuing the weather wordplay) which is another name for a tornado.
and a reference of course to Lupe who can spit, twist and morph words like no other rapper
"Nigga tell em time machine or Fuck-You, Pay-Me Lupe Fiasco – Fountain OF Youth
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
#If you want old school Lu then you can either,
A.) Pay him what he wants to give you what you want to hear, rather than what he wants to deliver. Jay-Z had a skit on his 1998 “Volume 2 Hard Knock Life” album which is a reworking of Ray Liotta’s “fuck you, pay me” speech from the movie Goodfellas. Other rappers have also used this meme.
OR
B.) Build a time machine and go back to when Lu was new to the scene.
0