Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of daily life in a neighborhood where marijuana is a constant, almost ritualistic presence. The opening dialogue sets the scene: a casual offer of "grass" that leads to a revelation of its true nature, "marijuana." This immediately establishes a relaxed, everyday vibe, but also hints at a cultural divide or unfamiliarity with the substance for some. The narrator, Awon, frames his pursuit of "that good" as a routine, a necessity for his creative process, "gotta flow, I gotta blow," and a common thread in his community, despite perceived "droughts." The act of acquiring weed is intertwined with mundane errands like grocery shopping, highlighting its integration into the fabric of his existence. The central tension arises from the narrator's deep reliance on smoking, which he performs "everyday every night" before nearly every activity, from writing and performing to eating and sleeping. This repetition in the hook underscores a habitual, almost compulsive, relationship with marijuana. However, this routine is constantly threatened by external factors. The paranoia of being profiled due to the smell of his car and the presence of a scale, the anxiety of police encounters, and the unexpected crisis with Ms. Pearly all create a precariousness around his lifestyle. These moments inject a dose of reality and consequence into the otherwise laid-back narrative, suggesting that his chosen comfort is fraught with potential danger and judgment. A striking element is the juxtaposition of casual indulgence with serious potential repercussions, particularly in the third verse. The elderly neighbor, Ms. Pearly, not only partakes but casually reveals a history of smoking predating the narrator, subverting expectations about who uses marijuana and why. Yet, this moment of shared experience quickly turns dire when she passes out, leaving the narrator in a panic. The fear of facing severe legal consequences-"If I call the police then I might get life"-for a situation he feels is only partially his fault, starkly contrasts with the earlier, lighthearted exchanges about "good time" and "grade A shit." This twist underscores the precariousness of his situation, where a simple act of sharing can lead to life-altering trouble. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they capture a specific, lived experience with a candidness that feels both familiar and surprising. The detailed, almost conversational recounting of errands, encounters, and anxieties grounds the narrative in a tangible reality. The repeated emphasis on "lighting up" before everything else, coupled with the sudden, intense fear of legal repercussions, creates a powerful emotional arc. It's this blend of routine comfort and the ever-present threat of external judgment or accident that makes the narrator's world feel so immediate and compelling, revealing the complex, often risky, undercurrents beneath seemingly simple habits.

Thomas Prime & Awon - Rap

Light It Up

2 Plays

View Album

Intro "Go ahead George light it up Oh no thanks I got some uh store bought over here No man this is grass You mean marijuana? Yeah Lord have mercy is that what that is? Lemme see that" Verse 1: Awon Just another day in the hood Creeping through the streets for a sack of that good Middle of the summer everybody fresh out Every year around here seem like it's a damn drought So I ran into my man at the store Same nigga that copped me a zo from before Gotta hit the studio, I gotta flow, I gotta blow Though it's only right for me to ask him about the split up He said "hey don't worry A I got you But lеmme grab me some snacks, gеt me some nachos" Smart Water, easy culatto and cigarello I hit the parking lot to politick with the fellow In the whip, the lie said hello And la-la-la-la-la to Carmelo Days getting better then I thought if I'm rappin No trees to smoke to some strawberry cough Hook: Awon I light it up everyday every night Even before I write, before I get up on the mic I light it up before I eat, before I sleep Before I do the whoop dee woo and get some bleep bu de bleep (x2) Verse 2: Awon Hit Trader Joe's for some bottles of Theosteen A block of that good ass cheese that hard voty Some wolf back from bumpin that La Di Da Di The Snoop Dogg version, the sirens start turnin And damn, I got the smoke in the snacks And a book full of raps, stereotypical cat Motherfuckers done profile me I'm goin to jail Cuz my car smell loud and I got a digital scale I mean these days you can't trust niggas Damn right put it on my clock, fuck niggas But back to the boys in blue, I was stressing It was a police aid directin a funeral possession Paranoid confession, I wasn't even been yet Even twist up, it was a money well spent yet I just hit the crib them I'ma tighten up Twist the L, play some Madden then I light it up Yeah Hook: Awon I light it up everyday every night Even before I write, before I get up on the mic I light it up before I eat, before I sleep Before I do the whoop dee woo and get some bleep bu de bleep (x4) Verse 3: Awon I hit the crib, wife gone no kids Cut on SportsCenter just sparked up the spliff Sax so loud must've went through the vent Cuz the doorbell rang I can't get peace for shit It was Ms. Pearly from upstairs talkin about "I know you sparkin that good time, smokin me out Without offering me a hit, or that grade A shit Where yo manner young boy, now pass that spliff" Mind you Ms. Pearly is like eighty She said she was smokin way before I was a baby We laughed, we giggled, and she took another toke And just my luck she passed out from the dope And tried to wake her up she had no signs of life If I call the police then I might get life For a blunt I ain't finished, I ain't even half baked I might need to find another way to escape Hook: Awon I light it up everyday every night Even before I write, before I get up on the mic I light it up before I eat, before I sleep Before I do the whoop dee woo and get some bleep bu de bleep (x2) Outro "Go ahead George light it up I couldn't do that I mean I've got enough problems brewing With the booze and all I can't afford to get hooked Huh, you won't get hooked Yeah I know but it leads to harder stuff"

Credits

Writers: Awon

Light It Up

Light It Up

Lyrics

Rate this song

Credits