Released: 2018
“Alan Forever” by Lupe Fiasco featuring Crystal Torres is a touching and imaginative track that combines themes of youth, potential, and heroism. Through the character of Alan, Lupe explores a world where childhood innocence meets courageous acts, delivering a narrative filled with metaphor and imagery, inviting listeners to reflect on life, death, and legacy.
The song kicks off with an upbeat tone as the hook introduces Alan. Here, Lupe sets the stage by portraying Alan as vibrant, confident, and carefree. With “Blue shorts, red shirt,” he paints a picture of a boy enjoying his day at the beach. Alan’s feeling “blessed” conveys a sense of happiness and fulfillment in simple pleasures. The repetition of “Go Alan” functions as both an encouragement and a celebratory chant.
The verses take us on a journey through Alan’s imaginative and adventurous day. Lines like “The moon turns into a disco ball” convey a whimsical transformation of ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. The use of dance moves like “whip” and “nae-nae” tap into contemporary pop culture, illustrating Alan’s joyful energy and universal love for dance.
Alan’s interactions with Jonylah are quite significant. Jonylah challenges him about school and religion, referencing “Ain’t you Muslim?—you can’t talk ’til you marry me.” This part introduces a cultural context and adds depth to Alan’s character, highlighting everyday life dilemmas he faces, even as a child.
Lupe introduces a fantasy world for Alan with his “submarine” and “Dairy Queen.” Here, it’s all about unbridled imagination, the capacity of a child to build worlds within worlds. These imaginative explorations can be seen as a metaphor for the limitless potential of a child’s mind, unfazed by the world’s complexities.
Transitioning to the next phase, Lupe narrates a fictional future where Alan achieves great success, joining the “Canadian Olympic swimming team” and breaking “world records.” The references to “Michael Phelps” and “Steve Zissou” signify greatness and adventure, symbolizing dreams Alan could potentially achieve.
In the following sequence, Alan is depicted as a hero who saves a “little boy” from drowning, displaying an act of bravery and selflessness. Lupe’s depiction of this act signifies more than just a literal rescue—it’s a metaphor for making a difference and impacting lives, embodying both real-world action and deeper symbolic meaning.
Crystal Torres adds her ethereal vocals in the chorus, wrapping Alan’s tale with a warm, dreamy feel. Her voice softens the narrative, creating a peaceful transition between verses, underlining the song’s thematic essence of care, growth, and the joyous spirit of youth.
Lupe wraps up with a sense of satisfaction and achievement, urging listeners to recognize the impact of selfless actions, “Bet you ain’t even know that you saved yourself.” It’s a reminder of the virtuous cycle of giving and receiving, as helping others ultimately enriches one’s own life.
In the historical context, “Alan Forever” is part of Lupe’s album “DROGAS WAVE,” where he consistently addresses social issues and underlines unsung heroes’ narratives. This track, inspired by Alan Kurdi—a Syrian boy whose image sparked global awareness of the refugee crisis—serves as a poignant reminder of lost potential and a tribute to the power of imagination and heroism.
