En altitude

Song Meaning

This track paints a picture of ascension, both literal and metaphorical. The narrator, Mister You, kicks things off by distinguishing himself from the "dogs that bark," opting instead to focus on "lions that roar." He recounts a past rooted in the "street" and "Fleury-Mérogis," a place that clearly shaped him. Now, he’s focused on accumulating wealth, rejecting offers of personal connection for financial security. The lyrics suggest a deliberate detachment from his past struggles, evidenced by his declaration of being "rich" and paid "in black" at showcases, with a dismissive "fuck whoever wants to test." He even jokes about meeting challengers "at Everest," implying he's far beyond their reach, enjoying simple pleasures like "eating strawberries" while they struggle below. The core tension here is the shift from a life of hardship to one of elevated status and financial independence. The refrain, "I'm at altitude, negro / Change of attitude, igo / As usual / I won't tread this dirty asphalt anymore, deko," hammers home this transformation. It’s not just about physical height; it’s a complete reorientation of perspective and priorities. The "dirty asphalt" represents the grime and struggle of his past, something he’s actively leaving behind. This isn't a temporary escape but a fundamental change in his way of being, a new normal he’s embracing. Mister You’s craft shines in his use of contrasting imagery and his confident, almost boastful, tone. He positions himself above the fray, literally and figuratively, by referencing "Everest" and eating "strawberries." The line, "I'm all spooky but I fuck you up," juxtaposes a sense of unease or perhaps a hidden danger with aggressive dominance. Keblack’s verse echoes this sentiment, stating, "The summit for us is accessible" and that he's "in the game / To commit homicides," suggesting a ruthless ambition. The recurring theme of people being "liars" and "mythos" reinforces the idea that the narrator has outgrown or seen through the fakery of his previous environment. What makes these lyrics resonate is the raw depiction of ambition and the unapologetic embrace of success after struggle. The narrator isn't just saying he's made it; he's showing it through his elevated perspective and his rejection of the past. The contrast between the "dirty asphalt" and the "altitude" creates a powerful emotional arc. It speaks to the universal desire to rise above circumstances, to shed the weight of past difficulties, and to establish a new, more powerful position. The lyrics capture that feeling of looking down from a great height, no longer bound by the limitations of what lies beneath.