Recently I've been listening to his song entitled ITAL (Roses) which is going to be on Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Album. Ital is a food diet deriving from Rastafarian culture in which one tries to increase their Livity, or life energy Rasta's believe are found within all human beings. And Ital diet is similar to a wholesome vegan diet consisting fruits, vegetables, and some fish. They do not eat meat because meat is something dead, which in turn would work against Livity.
Initially, I really enjoyed the song. The song is a satire on the current state of hip-hop but also goes past music. Although the caliber of his lyrics in this song are not up to par with his previous work, I feel that he intentionally dumbed the lyrics down and placed them in a context that most people can understand meanwhile trying to convey a positive message. I appreciate that Lupe has fought against the label and has managed to regain some of his creative freedom again. I feel that Lupe is trying to apply this Ital lifestyle to a mental well-being through his lyrics, to increase the Livity of one's mind not just a physical well-being. Just from the first four bars of the first verse Lupe raps
"Hey shawty, ain't no future in no gang-bang and ain't no manhood in no bang-bang.
Ain't no honor cleanin' interstates in a chain gang. Know some rap niggas put that shit inside your mainframe."
He's using typical language found in many of today's rap/hip-hop songs while also being conscious, a feature rarely found. In the chorus of the song he raps
"May we have some roses for the ladies. A little appreciation for the gentlemen.
And here's some kisses for the babies. Some peace and humanity for the whole wide-wide-wide world."
Lupe stated that the title Roses comes from a Women's Right Strike. These women's rights workers had a slogan in which they would say "Give me bread, but give me roses." Its as if they were saying they want something to increase their Livity, hence Ital, but at the same time beautiful. It's clear Lupe's intelligence still brightly shines within his lyrics and the meaning behind them. Overall, Lupe is clearly trying to get a positive message that extends beyond the boundaries of hip-hop, and stimulate the minds of his listeners while also trying to captivate a portion of listeners he barely caters too. Hip-Hop is his craft, and he's going to try be a positive driving force via what he does best.
"Hey shawty, ain't no future in no gang-bang and ain't no manhood in no bang-bang.
Ain't no honor cleanin' interstates in a chain gang. Know some rap niggas put that shit inside your mainframe."
He's using typical language found in many of today's rap/hip-hop songs while also being conscious, a feature rarely found. In the chorus of the song he raps
"May we have some roses for the ladies. A little appreciation for the gentlemen.
And here's some kisses for the babies. Some peace and humanity for the whole wide-wide-wide world."
Lupe stated that the title Roses comes from a Women's Right Strike. These women's rights workers had a slogan in which they would say "Give me bread, but give me roses." Its as if they were saying they want something to increase their Livity, hence Ital, but at the same time beautiful. It's clear Lupe's intelligence still brightly shines within his lyrics and the meaning behind them. Overall, Lupe is clearly trying to get a positive message that extends beyond the boundaries of hip-hop, and stimulate the minds of his listeners while also trying to captivate a portion of listeners he barely caters too. Hip-Hop is his craft, and he's going to try be a positive driving force via what he does best.
I invite anyone to also listen to this song and give me their thoughts and feelings. A song can be interpreted in a million different ways and I would like to hear other peoples perspectives whether they coincide with mine or not. And I also appreciate anyone taking the time out of their day to listen the songs I post and blog about. Hope you guys dig the song!
