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Mercy of the Lord on this double-edged sword Lupe Fiasco – ITAL (Roses)

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Seems like Lupe got his motif generator on in F&L2
He’s also asking Lord for help in situation where you can’t really decide what’s good and what’s not.

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587

6 years

I think this might also be a double reference to The Sword of Damocles. By trying to emulate the external status symbols of those in the spotlight, the person is ironically setting themselves up for unhappiness by chasing what they think will make them happy.

It’s a double-edged sword because the famous person they are looking up at is in the same position with the faux status and confidence they uphold. The Sword of Damocles therefore hangs above both of their heads.

They both fear the absence of this status and coolness and the fear of not looking cool is actually what keeps both parties from being truly happy which is the lesson of The Story of Damocles.

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202

10 years

For the word of God is… Sharper than any double-edged sword – it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

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116

11 years

Lupe is asking for Lord’s help because he is turning into “someone famous” himself, causing people to think “they ain’t shit if they ain’t got the latest that they saw on” him.

This also is the damage he is causing on himself with the “double-edged sword”, which represents his fame (or statements).

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Jamal

11 years

Here Lupe talk about the sword which gave to Prophet Mohammad From ALLAH and after Mohammad this sword giving in the Hand of Hazrat Ali.

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Can we get a little break
From the cocaine and the kilos?
Aiight nigga, we know
Aiight nigga, we know Lupe Fiasco – ITAL (Roses)

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Lupe wishes that rapper’s would stop every now and then and put out something other than drugs, violence, money and hoes. We all know that music “pays the bills” but they could still put forward something else every now and then.

Seriously, Pusha T. We know.

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And always remember that you're royalty
From the lions roar until it's Porky Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Poo Bear) – Heart Donor

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Remember that you are special from the beginning all the way until the fat pig(?) sings.

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143

11 years

^this keet guy is totally right, must be updated.

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wes

11 years

i agree with keet those are the correct lyrics and explanation

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keet

11 years

From the “Lions Roar” until it’s “Porky”. The lions roar signifies the beginning of the classic Warner Bros cartoons. At the end of the cartoons, Porky says “That’s all folks.” Lupe uses these to represent a life. So Lupe is saying to remember that you are special from the beginning of your life until the end. “And everything that’s in between.”

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11 years

From the lion’s roar till it’s Porgy (Porgy and Bess)

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Change it into rainbows and rubics Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Poo Bear) – Heart Donor

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Don’t stop at the music, continue changing the colors of rainbows and rubik cubes.

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But they still tryna knock you off the roof kid Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Poo Bear) – Heart Donor

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Talk about the ultimate cockblock…

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But you don't bounce, you just bond to it Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Poo Bear) – Heart Donor

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But the separation is actually strengthening the bond of the relationship. Similarly to Sean Connery (James Bond) or the bonding properties of Gorilla Glue (both mentioned in next line).

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217

11 years

it’s also a physics reference. When two molecules collide, they either BOUNCE away from each other or form a BOND. and stick together.

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josh

11 years

Could be a barry bonds reference too…you dont bounce as in give up like bonds could of did….you get stronger and become better. and bonds rarely had bounce balls…most of it was homeruns!

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227

11 years

“But you don’t bounce” means but you don’t run from the problem. “You just bond to it,” meaning you stick with it, no matter how hard it is, and fix the problem.

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Can’t forget where you came from Lupe Fiasco – Hood Now (Outro)

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Yes, we know Lupe

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This one for the hooooood! Lupe Fiasco – Hood Now (Outro)

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The Great American Rap Album takes little rest in attacking, criticizing, and examining the ills of America’s history and present. From “Ayesha Says” to “Unforgivable Youth”, Lupe lyrically paints the disparity he sees in his homeland; his portraits are bleak, but Lupe finishes the album with a hopeful message: that things do get better. Black culture -—that is, “the hood” per Lupe’s euphemism—- has pervaded many aspects of American culture and society. From fashion, sports, education, music, and politics, it is getting more difficult to discern American from Black culture. Less than 2 centuries ago, this would seem impossible, but the progression is there. Lupe sees true equality so close, attainable with active reform, that he is willing to fight for it. Hence, the motive behind TGARA.

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Or blowing out your birthday candles just to make a death wish Lupe Fiasco – Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)

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Every birthday you get one “wish”, that can be used for anything. This is an oxymoron, as birthday’s are a celebration of life and getting older, but a death wish contrasts this.

This, like the nine previous lines are Lupe discussing his feelings about protesting with the intention of getting arrested. He thinks it is a crazy technique akin to using your birthday wish, which is a celebration of continued life, for your own death. He finds that comparable to protesting for freedom with the intention of going to jail.

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Samron

2 years

usually when someone makes a birthday wish its usually for something vain which may actually lead to your death faster or death itself

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Wamut

11 years

This line also links back to the previous references of meth, porn and casual sex – all excessive and unhealthy methods of trying to ‘feel good’. People prone to such excesses would also treat birthday celebrations as an excuse for participating in excessive behaviours (e.g. drugs, sex), hence his likening it to a ‘death wish’.

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I'll never human the sung lyrics in a spirit that's
Superhuman to some, Lupe Fiasco – Lightwork

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Lupe will not tone down his music and messages because he knows some young kids look up to him as a role model. It’s Super Lupe Fiasco to the rescue!

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