Released: 2021
Label: Quality Control Music/Alamo Records/Motown Records
Featuring: Lil Durk, Travis Scott, Meek Mill, Young Thug, Rod Wave
Right from the cradle of struggle to the summit of success, ‘The Voice of Heroes’ by Lil Baby is a testament to the ethos of survival, resilience, and authenticity. This riveting album, released by Quality Control Music/Alamo Records/Motown Records, takes listeners on an intimate journey through the gritty streets and into the hearts of two of the most formidable voices in the hip-hop industry today. Co-piloted by Lil Durk, the album boasts powerhouse collaborations with Travis Scott, Meek Mill, Young Thug, and Rod Wave. Drawing from the raw, visceral realities of their past lives, each track pulls back the veil on the pain, triumph and transformation that fuels their music and ethos.
From the reflective ‘Voice of the Heroes’ to the assertive ‘2040’, the tracks serve as compelling narratives about their trials, tribulations, and the eventual triumphs. With tracks like ‘Hats Off’ and ‘Who I Want’, the dynamic duo delves into the complexities of fame, love and loyalty, providing listeners with an unfiltered view into their world. ‘The Voice of Heroes’ not only stays true to its name, but also resonates with the spirit of every individual who wrestles with life and dreams beyond the horizon. So let’s get into it. From ‘Voice of the Heroes’ to ‘Bruised Up’, here we are breaking down the album ‘The Voice of the Heroes’ by ‘Lil Baby’.
1 Voice of the Heroes
Features: Lil Durk
The track bleeds authenticity, with both artists sharing personal tales of sacrifice, loyalty, and the weight of being a beacon for their communities amidst adversity. A standout line, “I just told Durk, ‘We rich forever if we play it right,'” encapsulates the essence of their journey—acknowledging the fleeting nature of fame and fortune while emphasizing strategic moves and brotherhood over blind ambition. This line not only serves as motivation but also as a reminder of the duo’s strategic approach to their careers and lives beyond the mic.
2 2040
Features: Lil Durk
With an assertive tone, Lil Baby drops a line that captures his relentless spirit, “I’ll be ballin’ ’til 2040, I promise, I’m not for the moment.” This verse encapsulates the essence of the track, highlighting their long-term vision and commitment to thriving against all odds, marking their footprint in the game far beyond the fleeting now.
3 Hats Off
Features: Lil Durk, Travis Scott
They reflect on their journey from humble beginnings to reaching the zenith of stardom, all while remaining true to themselves and their roots. Amidst the wealth and accolades, the trio emphasizes the importance of loyalty and realness, a testament to their survival and ascent in the game. A standout line, “I’m the hero, I come through, save the day,” encapsulates the essence of Lil Baby and Lil Durk’s roles in their communities and in hip-hop, positioning themselves as beacons of hope and resilience against adversity.
4 Who I Want
Features: Lil Durk
Through verses that navigate the blurred lines between public figures and private emotions, the artists shed light on the intimate struggles of balancing love and fame. A standout line that hits hard is, “The teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I stood up and told her, ‘Big Meech,'” embodying aspirations rooted in street fame and success, while highlighting the stark realities and influences that shaped their paths from an early age. This track is more than just about romantic interest; it’s about choosing loyalty and realness in a world that constantly tests your values.
5 Still Hood
Features: Lil Durk
They reminisce on the challenges of their come-up and the realities of street life, emphasizing a relentless commitment to their roots despite their success. A standout line, “Been all over the world, but I’m still hood,” encapsulates the essence of the track, striking a powerful chord. It’s a declaration of identity, asserting that no matter the heights of fame or fortune they reach, their hearts and souls remain true to where they came from.
6 Man of my Word
Features: Lil Durk
The duo’s potent verses paint a vivid picture of their ascension from the hardships of the streets, emphasizing authenticity and the weight of their promises. Among the hard-hitting lines, “Trust you enough to fuck you more than once / And you gotta be a killer just to hang with us” stands out, encapsulating the track’s raw energy and the high stakes of their environment. Lil Baby and Lil Durk articulate a narrative where trust is earned through trials and survival is the prize for those who stand true to their word.
7 Still Runnin
Features: Lil Durk, Meek Mill
With razor-sharp verses, they navigate through their past and present, wielding their words as weapons of truth and defiance. A standout line, “Thirty million, my mind in the trenches still,” encapsulates the essence of the track, highlighting the relentless mindset and unchangeable street ethos, despite achieving monumental success. This line not only serves as a stark reminder of their roots but also underlines the complexity of transitioning from hardship to fame, maintaining authenticity in a realm where both worlds collide.
8 Medical
Features: Lil Durk
They touch on themes of trust, betrayal, and the voracious quest for authenticity in an environment riddled with superficial alliances. A standout line, “All these drugs, I want medical / So high, I’m on cloud nine, I need a parachute,” encapsulates the song’s essence — a search for relief and love in a high-stakes lifestyle where genuine connections are rare, and survival hinges on staying medicated, both physically and emotionally.
9 How It Feels
Features: Lil Durk
Lil Baby and Lil Durk unite to verse about personal hardships, from the sting of betrayal to the pressure of rising from economic hardship. What hits hardest is the raw authenticity in lines like “I know how it feels to stay down and run you some bands up,” capturing the essence of their journey from the bottom to the pinnacle of success. It’s a testament to their resilience, a narrative that many can find pieces of their own stories within, making it not just a track but an anthem of survival and victory.
10 Lying
Features: Lil Durk
The track is a raw dissection of authenticity versus perception, as they expose the gap between real life and social media flexing. This anthem resonates for its blunt honesty, serving as a reality check in a genre often clouded by braggadocio. A standout line, “All these rappers act like killers, I be tryna bite my pride,” underscores the tension between maintaining integrity and getting caught up in the industry’s hype.
11 Okay
Features: Lil Durk
Addressing the challenges of staying true to oneself and one’s roots while navigating the trappings of success, they blend personal tales of hardship with aspirations of wealth and freedom. A line that encapsulates the song’s essence is “I’m rich as fuck I can do what I wanna. Came over sober, she left here a stoner,” highlighting the transformative, often seductive power of success and the choices it affords them, questioning the loyalty and intentions of those around them in their ascent.
12 That’s Facts
Features: Lil Durk
Stitched within their vivid narrative of success, struggles, and street politics is the ferocity of their hustle and the non-negotiable loyalty of their inner circle—”All my hitters gon’ stay with a bag (stay with a bag)/ They know how to jugg (jugg).” This line not only highlights their unwavering commitment to ensuring their team’s prosperity but also encapsulates the essence of their journey from the trenches to the top, maintaining their code amidst the glittering chaos of fame and fortune.
13 Please
Features: Lil Durk
The rhyme schemes deliver punchy reflections on trust, ambition, and the cost of climbing to the top. Their candid storytelling is punctuated by real-talk on loyalty, sacrifice, and the complexities of love and life in the limelight. A standout line, “It was crowded on the elevator, I took the stairs / Lost some people on the way up, but I don’t even care,” encapsulates the essence of their journey—choosing the harder, lonelier path to authenticity and success, undeterred by the losses along the way.
14 Up The Side
Features: Lil Durk, Young Thug
This collaboration highlights their journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of success, emphasizing resilience and loyalty. A standout line, “Half a million on me right now / Hundred thousand on me, count it right now / Know you run up, you get gunned down,” encapsulates the mix of pride in their achievements and the ever-present dangers of their past lives. Through their bars, the trio communicates a relentless pursuit of success while cautioning the consequences of street life, blending bravado with cautionary tales.
15 If You Want To
Features: Lil Durk
This track encapsulates the spirit of autonomy and empowerment, striking a chord with lines that resonate with those hustling to make their mark. A standout line, “I’m startin’ to feel like a god, I’m like, ‘What would Jesus do?'” underscores a contemplative reflection on navigating newfound power and influence, juxtaposing their past struggles with their current successes. Through their lyrical prowess, they articulate the essence of ambition and resilience, making “If You Want To” a powerful anthem for the motivated.
16 Rich Off Pain
Features: Lil Durk, Rod Wave
Their lyrics traverse the gritty realities of coming up from the trenches, using pain as a catalyst for success. A standout line that encapsulates the essence of their collective journey is, “Young nigga out that bottom, use my tears to motivate.” It’s a powerful declaration of how they’ve channeled deep personal hardships into motivation, ultimately achieving riches not just in material wealth, but in experiences and resilience.
17 Make It Out
Features: Lil Durk
They touch on themes of loyalty, survival, and the relentless pursuit of success amidst adversity. Amid the raw emotion and gritty realities, a line stands out for its sheer resolve and ambition, “Every day I’m tryna break this curse, I gotta make it out.” It encapsulates the song’s essence, highlighting a shared determination to transcend the circumstances of their upbringing and make a lasting impact.
18 Bruised Up
Features: Lil Durk
Delving into the darkness of being let down by those closest, the track exposes the raw edge where personal loyalty intersects with the perils of fame. It’s a narrative that’s unflinchingly honest about the isolation and dangers lurking when the spotlight fades and real life intrudes. A standout line, “They say I’m one of the leaders ’cause I’m the one that’s famous,” cuts deep, spotlighting the burden of influence and the solitude that often accompanies success. This track doesn’t just resonate; it reverberates with the truth of lived experience.
