Song Meaning

M.I Abaga's "Flower," featuring Ruby, is not a gentle ode to nature but a declaration of dominance in the Nigerian hip-hop scene, draped in the metaphor of a blossoming, resilient flower. The repeated hook, "Open up wild flower, open up let me see," serves as both an invitation and a challenge. It's a call for authenticity and vulnerability in a landscape where many artists, in M.I's view, are artificial. But it also acts as a taunt to his rivals, daring them to expose their weaknesses. The flower, then, represents not just potential but also the unwavering strength needed to thrive under pressure. M.I positions himself as the gardener, nurturing his Choc City crew while weeding out the competition. The swagger is palpable, laced with pointed jabs at unnamed adversaries who "make it about hating." Throughout the verses, M.I weaves together themes of ambition, legacy, and the relentless pursuit of success. Lines like "We on a journey of a thousand miles / And it began with only one step" acknowledge the humble beginnings of his career while simultaneously celebrating the heights he's reached. The references to Ice Prince and J. Cole ground the track in a specific hip-hop lineage, both local and international. M.I isn't just rapping; he's staking his claim in a broader cultural conversation. He deftly balances boasts about financial success ("Choc city printing the bills") with a hunger that borders on "starvation," suggesting that even at the top, the drive to innovate and conquer remains insatiable. The flower imagery evolves from simple beauty to a symbol of fierce, unyielding growth, mirroring M.I's own trajectory. The psychological undercurrent of "Flower" lies in its exploration of ambition and the internal conflict it creates. M.I paints a picture of an artist driven by a need to prove himself, even in the face of perceived limitations and constant competition. The "comatose state of mind" suggests a hyper-focused, almost obsessive dedication to his craft, pushing him beyond the reach of his rivals. The final verse solidifies this sense of artistic isolation, where M.I views the world in stark contrasts – "black and Caucasian" – highlighting the perceived divide between those who are authentic and those who are not. The "flower," in this context, becomes a metaphor for M.I himself: a rare, resilient bloom pushing through concrete, demanding to be seen and respected on his own terms. He issues a final warning: "Game over tell them other rappers change over / Or you can be another slain soldier," driving home the point that in the cutthroat world of hip-hop, only the strongest flowers survive.

M.I Abaga & Ruby Gyang - Rap

Flower

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[Hook: Ruby] Open up wild flower Open up let me see [Verse 1: MI Abaga] We on a journey of a thousand miles And it began with only one step Now I'm two steppin in the club with my team And we ain't even have a fund yet They say it isn't smart to fly private I guess we gone have to buy a dumb jet And Ice Prince Your mom is somewhere watchin the sunrise Because she know that her sunset And that's word to J Cole Choc city fresh, like them niggas a day old Always got the vision and Paul is the payroll My niggas getting whips like a couple of slaves stole Swag is in the oven but lyrically stay cold Fungi flow, my niggas the same mold And plus I'm never scared, It's like I never switch blackberry phones cause nigga I stay bold [Hook: Ruby] Open up wild flower Open up let me see you Open up wild flower Open up let me see you [Verse 2: MI Abaga] Spit fire the incredible flame thrower The games pinnacle, the rest operate lower Just because I rhyme fine, I been flooding timelines If you watch my career arc I'm so Noah I give y'all my heart like an organ donor Hot headed on the track but a calm persona VI state of mind whenever I land Because to be the best is to be a Loner They say the game is free for all, no owner But I've been owning the game Choc city printing the bills While the competition running out of toner I go hard real hard, boner Brand is getting bigger, hand is on the trigger Life is a gamble put a grand up on my niggas Thirty some awards so far, gold figure Comatose state of mind nobody sicker, Nigga [Hook: Ruby] Open up wild flower Open up let me see Open up wild flower Open up let me see you [Verse 3: MI Abaga] I say I'm hungry but nigga it's more like starvation This hard nation has got me raising my art Taking apart rappers who make it about hating I'm taking em out, yeah nigga you hear their heart racing Snip em in the bud, sort of carnations Plus they career headed down sorta like cart racing Try relocate my locations but this is God's placing You say things behind me, but can we all face him To me things are black and Caucasian There's limitations to where I wouldn't be caught hazing Cause hating niggas always in the spot like dalmatians I only role with the realest dogs, Alsatians Plus we on all stations, inculcating all nations To become patients Admittedly infected by delivery From the choc city itinerary Nothing like an iller me, y'all niggas are killin me Nigga.. [Hook: Ruby] Open up wild flower Open up let me see you [Outro: MI Abaga] Game over tell them other rappers change over Or you can be another slain soldier And Jagz already told y'all to take cover Take over, I'm taking over, CBN Nigga

Credits

Writers: Ruby Gyang
M.I Abaga

Flower

Flower

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