Released: 2017
Aight, let’s dive into “Freestyle” by Lil Baby and break down what he’s spittin’. In this track, Lil Baby is coming straight from the heart of his experience, flexing on his rise from the depths of the struggle to the heights of success and luxury. He lays down bars about loyalty among his crew, his financial gains, and how he maneuvered through the street life to sit pretty atop his empire.
Lil Baby kicks off by giving props to his label, ’cause it’s self-made success – that’s real. When he’s rolling with TB and Four-trey, that’s his inner circle, his brothers in arms, if you will. Pouring up an eight refers to lean, a symbol of how he’s unwinding in this moment of reflection. Them “real nigga all in my face” lines? That’s about recognizability; his authenticity attracts real ones while he’s sitting on a cool half a mil in his safe – that’s clout.
Talking ’bout “500 racks to the plug” shows the scale of his street operations before the rap fame—bread for the connect as a nod to his past hustle. From whippin’ up in Bentley trucks (an emblem of his newfound wealth) to making fans out of anyone he encounters, Baby’s showing us how money can flip the script. The loyalty of his crew is non-negotiable; they’ve come up together, sharing clothes and experiences, standing solid. Despite snitches in the mix, Baby maintains his allegiance to his day ones and especially to his hood: the four.
Lil Baby then paints a picture of his lifestyle, draped in ice (“froze”), and his independence in the game (“big boss”). Those “Dracos on Dracos” lines? That’s about being heavily armed, a metaphor for being ready for all challenges. And when he splashes on “new water,” he’s talking about buying new ice, jewelry that’s dripping, drawing a parallel to the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina – heavy stuff.
Flexing continues as Lil Baby proclaims his team is on the rise, untouchable in their ascent. A shoutout to John Wall indicates they’re playing the game with that same all-star intensity. “Geekin’ off trees” is about getting high, and in finding a better source (a new plug), they’re taking everything, asserting dominance in the competitive drug game. The rest of the verse showcases his resilience and the respect he commands – from shutting down adversaries with a single call to his indifference to the envy his success brews.
As the track closes, Lil Baby delves deeper into the transformation his success has wrought: a spiral into a harder, colder persona (“turned to a savage”), evidenced by his stashes of cash and disregard for the false gangster façade others might put on. He acknowledges he ain’t a killer but warns not to test him, a sentiment echoed in the streets and in life – keep it respectful, or face consequences. Finally, he acknowledges his status as untouchable, experiencing a life so cinematic it feels like a movie, all while maintaining a sense of mystery and keeping haters guessing.
In summary, “Freestyle” is Lil Baby’s testament to his rise and his staying power, both in the streets and in hip-hop. It’s a celebration of overcoming and shining, with all the trappings that success brings – loyalty, luxury, and a legacy solidified.
