Natural Causes

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has clawed their way up from hardship, acknowledging personal responsibility for their current success. The narrator reflects on past struggles, like sleeping in a car with friends who had nowhere to go, and expresses a sense of gratitude for those who supported them, particularly their mother. This acknowledgment of past difficulties and the support received grounds the present-day confidence and the declaration that "it's all on me." The central tension arises from the contrast between past struggles and present success, and the narrator's evolving relationships. There's a clear division between those who supported them and those who doubted or mocked them. The line "I know some niggas who laughed, I was on my ass, them niggas can't play wit' me now" highlights this shift, emphasizing that past detractors no longer hold any sway. This is juxtaposed with the hope for those friends from harder times, "I'm still hoping you makin' it far," showing a lingering loyalty despite personal advancement. A striking element is the blunt mention of "My daddy died from natural causes, he had a tumor inside of his lung." This stark, factual statement appears amidst reflections on personal hardship and the narrator's own resilience. It serves as a grounding, perhaps even a catalyst, for the narrator's resolve to not dwell on past pain, stating, "I can't just cry about all of the shit that I been through, I know the world go 'round." This acceptance of life's harsh realities, including loss, fuels the determination to keep moving forward and not be held back by sorrow. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw honesty and the grounded perspective they offer. The narrator's self-awareness, their acknowledgment of both past struggles and present achievements, and their pragmatic approach to adversity create a compelling narrative. The blend of gratitude, defiance, and acceptance of life's "natural causes" resonates, showcasing a hard-won self-reliance and a clear-eyed view of the world.