Traditions

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone focused on personal advancement and financial gain, framing it as a core part of their identity. The repeated hook, "Hi shawty can I fuck with your system? Big bags, then a brief intermission," suggests a transactional approach to relationships or interactions, where the primary goal is acquiring "big bags" (money) before moving on. This pursuit is so central that the narrator declares, "I can't fuck with nobody," indicating a deliberate detachment from deeper connections in favor of this ambition. The central tension arises from the narrator's unwavering focus on their own ascent, even when others express emotional needs. When someone is "sad" or crying, the narrator's response is dismissive: "Cry it out someplace else why you sad." This highlights a perceived imbalance where the narrator's "energy surpass[es]" the emotional needs of others, prioritizing their own upward trajectory. The phrase "If I'm going up, then I need badly" underscores the urgency and perhaps desperation behind their drive. The most striking element is how the narrator redefines "traditions" through the lens of their hustle. The line "Shawty said I always got it, traditions" is repeated, but the verse clarifies this by stating, "Cause making big bags a tradition." This subverts the common understanding of tradition as something passed down through generations or rooted in history, instead making the continuous acquisition of wealth their personal, self-imposed custom. This redefinition is further emphasized by the comparison to a relationship: "Stay with a girl like you, I would be sinning," implying that any deviation from their path of accumulation would be a transgression. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their blunt portrayal of a singular, almost ruthless ambition. The narrator's self-awareness, as expressed in the outro's "Rare Akuma is real / He's real with what he says and what he feels," suggests a conviction that this directness and focus on personal success are authentic. The lyrics resonate by presenting a clear, albeit potentially cold, philosophy where financial success is not just a goal, but a deeply ingrained, personal tradition that dictates their interactions and priorities.