Song Meaning

Trae tha Truth's "Alleviation" isn't just another track; it's a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the psyche of an artist wrestling with survival, loyalty, and the ever-present specter of loss. The song, featuring Kim, opens with a stark declaration of purpose – to inspire, yet acknowledging the potential for destruction. Kim's verse lays bare the internal conflict: a desire to give up versus the responsibility to family and community. The lyrics hint at past struggles ("slit wrist") and the constant pressure to succeed, to avoid slipping up. This vulnerability, juxtaposed with a defiant rejection of societal norms ("fuck your standards"), sets the stage for a broader exploration of pain and resilience. Kim's contribution frames 'alleviation' not as a cure, but as a facing of fears, a daily negotiation with inner demons. The very act of speaking, of rapping, becomes a form of self-therapy. Trae's verses amplify these themes, grounding them in the realities of street life and the ever-present threat of violence. He speaks as "a voice of the struggle," a role he seems to carry with both pride and weariness. The loss of his brother to homicide casts a long shadow, a wound that refuses to heal. The desire to connect with his brother's ghost underscores the profound sense of grief and the search for meaning in the face of senseless tragedy. This longing for connection extends to a hypothetical meeting with Tupac, a fellow artist who understood the burdens of fame and the dangers of the streets. Trae's lyrics paint a picture of a man caught between honoring the dead and protecting the living, between the desire for peace and the necessity of violence. The chorus, repeated throughout, serves as a kind of mantra, a reminder of the journey "out the mud" and the frustration with those who misunderstand the true nature of that struggle. The repetition of "Why the fuck is everyone lying" suggests a deep-seated distrust, a sense that the world is filled with deception and betrayal. The song's title, "Alleviation," takes on a complex meaning within this context. It's not about escaping pain, but about finding ways to cope, to survive, to find moments of peace amidst the chaos. The song's power lies in its honesty, its willingness to confront the darkness without flinching, and its unwavering commitment to the values of loyalty and resilience. Trae tha Truth offers no easy answers, only a visceral portrait of a life lived on the edge, where every day is a battle for survival and every verse is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.

Trae tha Truth & Kim - Rap

Alleviation

2 Plays

Duration: 4:26

[Verse 1: Kim] Speak to inspire, built to destroy I was placed in a situation that seeded me, not a matter of choice Although I wanna give up, gotta live for the fam Gotta look out for all my niggas, yeah, gotta meet the demands And the people who need a reason to wake, my soul I take to give to you before I meet the mans I can see this wrist, now bigger than a slit wrist Man, I sware I can't aford to slip up Got my shoes tied, when the game's tied Will I stay in neutral, will I hit clutch These are questions I ask, if I'm the man to be Standin the test of time, a testamint the type that'll test standards Texin like Tony Danza, I'm livin free, so excuse my manners Excuse my french, but fuck your standards I don't live in it, I'm infinat I don't have limmits, I don't flex, and I don't do gimics I guess what I'm sayin, I say for myself, I say for my health I'm facing my fears, simple alleviation to pain [Chorus: Trae Tha Truth] This one here for my thugs, I finally made it out the mud Sick of people seein this love And they don't even know what that was That's all that been on my mind Why the fuck is everyone lying Fuck you niggas up, with mine I'm guessin I'm gettin older with time [Verse 2: Trae Tha Truth] Gettin older, but still in my prime Fuck it, I have a toast, I'm a voice of the struggle, those who feel it the most Better the host, never brag, never boste Gettin I'm holy, never leavin my post Before my brother's homicide, the pain was never so close Sometimes, I wish I could talk with him, his ghost Maybe it was a wake-up call, no one tells me get more sleeping pills, another dose Gettin this money, leave me alone Before I have niggas pop up on you, just to pull up in something you ain't seen before We learkin, watchin where you're standin, stay out or lane Gotta feed my kids, so they kids grow 4 clips for this 4 4, just tryna go Know what niggas thinkin, but I ain't no hoe Survivin, until I'm sober That's word to Pac, and all them hustlers Never met him, but I wish I could've brought him something, alive So we could fuck over the world, cookin and ridin I go to the safe, while you niggas in hidin Better feel what I spit, the truth on this shit, fuck nigga, get the fuck off my dick I'm solid like bricks, I hit you where it can't be fixed Once I start, I ain't goin end till you sleep in the ditch [Chorus: Trae Tha Truth] This one here for my thugs, I finally made it out the mud Sick of people seein this love And they don't even know what that was That's all that been on my mind Why the fuck is everyone lying Fuck you niggas up, with mine I'm guessin I'm gettin older with time

Credits

Writers: Kim
Trae tha Truth

Alleviation

Alleviation

Lyrics

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Credits