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The grave gets deeper the further we go down, it's— Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Bishop G & Nikki Jean) – Little Weapon
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Wonderful imagery by Lupe here. He means “the further we go down” i.e. the younger the kids are, the deeper the graves of those they have killed, meaning the more people they have killed.

Also, by saying “we”, Lupe is nodding to the global implications of rebel armies and their use of child soldiers. Children represent a new generation of rebels and the perpetuation of violence. With a new generation to carry on the rebel cause, the movement can grow and become stronger, eventually challenging the established geopolitical landscape. By the time the rebels become enough of a concern to attract international attention, they will have become stronger and more entrenched in society.

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'Cause being poor also teach you how to hustle Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Sarah Green) – Real
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Being born without a silver spoon or with low income forces you to learn how to survive in life whether through legal or illegal means. There is empirical evidence that increases in income actually leads to laziness and less willingness to work!

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F5c5f3317bf5df5b59e00c4d10bf0c52

101

2 years

@Luis5813 I believe the movie was released two years after the album so I doubt that this was a reference, although it would tie in nicely

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Default_avatar_100

11

8 years

Lupe says po' for poor to create a double entendre. In Kung Fu Panda, the main protagonist Po flees (runs away, which is the literal definition of hustle) the town with his mother at a young age.

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A lot of scars, they did this without pads Lupe Fiasco – Kick, Push II
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The “scars” here means two things

1) The crew skateboard without armpads etc which ofcourse is dangerous so as a result they pick up a few injuries that leave scars

2) Scars from internal wounds that they were not protected/padded from either by their parents or society

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When I be home I resist it like it's Ohms Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Pharrell Williams, Q-Tip & Sarah Green) – Paris, Tokyo (Remix)
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The ohm (symbol: Ω) is the SI unit of electrical resistance, named after Georg Simon Ohm

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But, but it's beautiful here
There's nothing like the feeling when you do it from here Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Anthony Hamilton) – Coming From Where I'm From
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There is no better feeling or achievement than going through such a neighboorhood unscarred and able to make something good out of your life

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On the stand 'cause what another drug dealer told Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Anthony Hamilton) – Coming From Where I'm From
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On the stand presumably meaning being charged in court because another dealer snitched on him

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Through the back alleys and the black markets Lupe Fiasco – Put You On Game
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Essential conditions for the proper functioning of any underground business!

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The dro grows from my footsteps Lupe Fiasco – Put You On Game
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An allusion to the fact that the game guides their path but also that it’s presence is felt everywhere it goes

As the Game’s metaphysical character walks, weed grows from his footsteps (in comparison to the fruitless effects of the “smartest”).

Also, dealers and gangsters are followers of The Game because he “provides” them with something to sell.

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AHAP
5 years

and follow not the footsteps of Shaytan (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy (2:168)

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Through the mazes of the queens
The pages of the sages and the chambers of the kings Lupe Fiasco – Put You On Game
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Lupe is speaking on how widespread the reach of the game is. It can reach rich and poor (veins of fiends to mazes of queens)

“Queens” and “kings” may also refer to the New York neighborhoods (a little knows fact is that Brooklyn is also Kings County, NY).

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Lord Lovehandles
6 years

Reference to “oldest most ancientist of things” – chambers of kings = the pyramids. Evil and greed has been around since our earliest civilizations.

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1b559aeaa5d380d7f3ca6b8fb656854f

11,328

8 years

might have something to do with it

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Default_avatar_100

332

11 years

“Pages of the sages” refers to intellectuals and scholars

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3004816aea1872fec3554b718ad3aead

199

12 years

Play on Queens, NY AND- the pages of the sages… line hints that the game has been around long before modern civilization.

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I am the American dream
The rape of Africa, the undying machine
The overpriced medicine, the murderous regime Lupe Fiasco – Put You On Game
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Lupe explains that the underlying motive for these seemingly contracting concepts are actually very similar.

The America dream is linked to capitalism, which by nature leads to the exploitation of the weak, i.e overpriced medicine.

Classic example: Diamond companies funding murderous regimes in African countries in order to control the market price for diamonds.

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5828816f513c88b19ed5a40f07a7caf6

121

9 years

I also think that this may have a deeper meaning/history. The American Dream started with a desire of land, money, and “freedom” which is clearly ironic. I believe the evil that came when the Europeans brought in slaves to do their work and create the start to their empires is a part of the American dream, hence the rape of Africa.

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