Song Meaning

The track opens with a barrage of shout-outs and playful boasts, setting a confident, almost defiant tone before diving into the lyrical content. The first verse immediately establishes a competitive landscape, dissecting and dismissing other female artists with sharp, dismissive commentary. The narrator questions their authenticity, their career moves, and even their sexuality, framing them as imitators or lacking substance. This aggressive posturing serves to elevate the narrator by comparison, positioning them as the genuine article in a scene rife with phoniness. The underlying sentiment is a fierce defense of one's own position against perceived rivals and industry gatekeepers. The central tension arises from the narrator's struggle against a music industry that seems perpetually unimpressed, as stated in the chorus: "Nothing I do ever is good enough for the music biz." This fuels a defiant resilience, encapsulated by the repeated refrain, "Still I rise, still I fight." The lyrics suggest a constant battle for recognition and validation, where external criticism and doubt are met with an unwavering determination to persevere. The narrator acknowledges the negativity but refuses to be defined or defeated by it, choosing instead to focus on their own upward trajectory. A key craft element is the narrator's masterful use of disses and comparisons to assert dominance. By dissecting other artists' perceived flaws and lack of originality, the narrator carves out their own unique space. Phrases like "She tryna be like Lil' Kim—her picture looks the same" and the pointed questions about nationality and signing deals serve to highlight the perceived shortcomings of others. This technique not only creates a sense of superiority but also underscores the narrator's keen observational skills and their ability to weaponize perceived weaknesses in the industry against their competitors. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw, unapologetic delivery and the palpable sense of self-belief they convey. The narrator's ability to articulate frustration with the industry while simultaneously exuding confidence in their own talent is compelling. The repeated assertion of rising and fighting, despite the industry's perceived indifference, creates an anthem of resilience. It's this blend of vulnerability regarding external judgment and an ironclad internal resolve that makes the track resonate, offering a powerful narrative of overcoming obstacles through sheer force of will and talent.

1017 Records - Rap, In English

Still I Rise

117K Plays

Duration: 3:09

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[Intro] Pay attention, biatch (Uh-huh) Shout out Young Steff for the assistance (Yeah) Scotty the engineer, what up? (Yeah, oh) All my niggas throwin' it up on them bikes, I see you (The Aphilliates, nigga) Nicki, I told you I got you, baby Gucci got you, baby (Yeah, yeah, yeah) Weezy got you We gon' hold you down Get 'em (Yo, yo, uh-huh) (Holiday season) [Verse 1] "She said, 'Fuck Fendi,' but I think she was playin' I heard she move them things,, I think she fuckin' Wayne She call herself Lewinsky—that means she give him brain She tryna be like Lil' Kim—her picture looks the same Why she ain't signed with G-Unit? She from Queens, right? And what's her nationality? She Chinese, right? I mean, she okay, but she ain't all that She ain't the next bitch—tell that bitch fall back See, I'm a hater, I go hard, listen, let's begin You know her last name Minaj—she a lesbian And she ain't never comin' out, look at Curren$y But every time she do a interview, you know I run and see" (Trap-A-Holics, Holiday Season!) "She get me so sick, it make me vomit That's why I spend my time online, leaving comments And you know that I got some more haters with me Might hit up ThisIs50, MTV, hit up BET Tell 'em pretty, pretty please don't play Nicki" [Chorus] Still I rise, still I fight, still I might crack a smile Keep my eyes on the prize, see my haters, tell 'em "hi" One day you'll remember this, one day when we reminisce Nothing I do ever is good enough for the music biz Still I rise, still I fight, still I might crack a smile (Yeah, yeah, yeah) Keep my eyes on the prize, see my haters, tell 'em "hi" (Da-da-da-da-da-da-da, yeah) One day you'll remember this, one day when we reminisce Nothing I do ever is good enough for the music biz (Nothing I ever do is good enough for you) [Verse 2] Bitches is like crabs in a bucket You see a bad bitch gettin' shine, you should love it 'Cause every time a door open for me that means you Just got a better opportunity to do you They don't understand, these labels look at numbers and statistics I lose, you lose, ma, it's just logistics Anyway, real bitches listen when I'm speakin' 'Cause if Nicki win, then all of y'all gettin' meetings (Kyuh) Ask L.A. Reid, ask Jay Then hit up Universal, see what Sylvia Rhone say Ask Craig Kallman, you can ask Chris— Lighty; when you're done, just salute a bad bitch (Kyuh) Only underground bitch around that's ducking the paparazzi In and outta town, be swervin' the Maserat-si Stay around the white like a Nazi Pussy p-p-popping on my poppers so the cops see, bitches [Chorus] Still I rise, still I fight, still I might crack a smile (Still I might) Keep my eyes on the prize, see my haters, tell 'em "hi" (I'ma keep my eyes on the prize) One day you'll remember this, one day when we reminisce (Oh, oh-oh) Nothing I do ever is good enough for the music biz (Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) Still I rise, still I fight, still I might crack a smile (Yeah, da-da-da-da-da-da) Keep my eyes on the prize, see my haters, tell 'em "hi" (Tell 'em "hi" from me) One day you'll remember this, one day when we reminisce (When we reminisce, reminisce, baby) Nothing I do ever is good enough for the music biz

Credits

Writers: T.I.
Danja
Marcella Araica
Nicki Minaj

Still I Rise

Still I Rise

Lyrics

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Credits