Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a young artist navigating the pressures of early success and external judgment. The opening repetition of "still kinda young" immediately establishes a sense of youthful vulnerability, juxtaposed with the overwhelming demands of the music industry, humorously likened to needing "an Adderall." The narrator asserts a fierce protectiveness over her inner thoughts and creative process, refusing to let others witness her vulnerability or critique her nascent talent. This defiance is underscored by a bold declaration: "Nothing left to lose, I'm stepping with the same attire / And I know you feel the heat because I'm nothing less than fire," signaling an unshakeable confidence in her artistic power despite her youth. Killer Mike's verse acts as a powerful affirmation, directly addressing the "hating" and "freshness" of the narrator's rise. He offers a robust "Fuck 'em" to detractors, encouraging her to "Get that bullshit off your chest" and not let "a hater cause a bead of sweat." His words frame her as a "rebel" destined to "break the rules," pushing back against the "old folks" who fear her and want to infantilize her. The aggressive encouragement to "take all, bish, all" and "Ball, baby, ball" positions her as a formidable force, a "game oner" who is undeniably "the shit." The bridge and outro, with the repeated "I set it off, now carry on," serve as a mantra of self-empowerment and forward momentum. The lyrics suggest a deliberate act of initiation – "I set it off" – followed by an unwavering commitment to continue despite obstacles. This is reinforced in the final verse where the narrator declares, "The circle is smaller, smaller but focus made me a nuisance," indicating that her laser-like concentration on her craft has made her an unavoidable presence, even if it disrupts others. The repeated "Watch what you've been thinking" functions as a final, defiant command, urging listeners to acknowledge her presence and power. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw portrayal of youthful ambition meeting external resistance. The contrast between the narrator's self-proclaimed youth and her fiery self-assurance, amplified by Killer Mike's seasoned validation, creates a compelling narrative of an artist refusing to be diminished. The simple, yet potent, refrain "Carry on" encapsulates the core message: despite the noise and the critics, the creative impulse must prevail, and the artist must continue to shine.

Tkay Maidza & Killer Mike - Rap, Remix

Carry On (Vasco Remix)

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Duration: 2:22

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[Intro: Tkay Maidza] Still, still, still, still, still, still Still kinda young, still kinda young Still, still, still, kinda young, still kinda young Still kinda young, still kinda young Still, still, still, still, still, still, still kinda young [Verse 1: Tkay Maidza] All these people popping round, I swear I need an Adderall But I won't let them witness, what's enclosed, what I think Teacher keep on questioning and pointing out my novice Now they jamming to my jingles like they're on a ice rink Rocking jeans from Crossroads, and reading out the Cosmos If they're looking like an issue, wipe them off the windshield Nothing left to lose, I'm stepping with the same attire And I know you feel the heat because I'm nothing less than fire [Verse 2: Killer Mike] Hey Tkay, baby, they be hating your fresh The more you rise, they tell you compromise your best I say, "Fuck 'em", I say, "Get that bullshit off your chest" Don't let a hater cause a bead of sweat on your breast Baby, keep it cool, it's the first day of school Knowing you're a rebel and about to break the rules The old folks scared and they want you to be too Handling you like a toddler, what they want you to be to? Shit handling like pride, tell 'em, "No, bish, no" The world is for the taking, take all, bish, all You the game oner, I say, "Ball, baby, ball" You the shit, no toilet paper, no stall And baby, I'm the butt naked truth, no drawl Anybody this [?] get the ooh and the uh And that's from your brother from another mother Make sure you stunt hard and you shine on a suckmother [Bridge: Tkay Maidza] I set it off, now carry on I set it off, now carry on [Verse 3: Tkay Maidza] High like the Himalayas, I'll keep it and they be nothing Tryna get on this scale but they tripping, slipping, and puffing Killing the mic with Killer Mike, busy, and moving, moving The circle is smaller, smaller but focus made me a nuisance Witness, witness, got no business, I don't hinder, why you vicious? Minutes, minutes, I don't have, you not really fitted, then forget it Carry on, you'll never find me if you get in there You see that I don't care 'cause I'm too young to be prepared [Hook: Tkay Maidza] Watch what you've been thinking Watch what you've been thinking Watch what you've been thinking Watch what you've been thinking [Outro: Tkay Maidza] I set it off, now carry on I set it off, now carry on

Credits

Writers: Killer Mike
Tkay Maidza
Dann Hume

Carry On (Vasco Remix)

Carry On (Vasco Remix)

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Credits