Released: 2012
“Grown Up” by Danny Brown is a reflective track that captures his journey from hardships of youth to his current successes as an artist. The song paints a vivid picture of Brown’s evolution, not only in terms of his career, but also in his personal growth and maturity.
The first verse kicks off by reminiscing about Brown’s struggles in his early years, evident in the lyrics “Remember when my first meal was school lunch”. He navigates through his past, noting his change from a kid whose only meal was a free school lunch and dinner being cereal, to a successful artist who can afford luxuries like brunch. The lines “Went from good fella to commissary slips / Now I got back up man every time I slipped” highlight resilience, underlining his ability to bounce back from setbacks. The verse concludes with him reminiscing about his young stoner days, as he moved from beginner smoker to now consuming a substantial amount in one sitting. The chorus “Rushin’ out of kids just be grown up / Whoever thought I’d be the greatest growing up?” underscores his unexpected ascent to success.
The second verse has Brown exerting a newfound confidence in his abilities. The line “I can eat opponents get sixty four quarters” showcases Brown’s bravado, metaphorically stating he can consume his competition and still want more. The lyrics “Hotter than a Hot Pocket out the double microwave / Model bitches begging just be a nigga’s sex slave” further amplifies this swagger, portraying his magnetic appeal and suggesting his music is hot property. His previous struggles, like returning bottles for cash, contrast with his current scenario of basking in limelight with a jealous audience, captured in “Used to take bottle back, waitress bring the bottle back / Now they see me shining and they looking like a Sour Patch”. The verse ends echoing the chorus again, underscoring the depth of his journey from a kid rushing to grow up, to being regarded as one of the greatest.
“Grown Up” manifests Danny Brown’s evolution as an artist and as an individual, outlining his journey from struggle to success, while keeping it real with past memories. The track interweaves his path from a humble beginning to transforming into a powerhouse within the Hip Hop scene, serving as a stark reminder of Brown’s growth, not just as an artist but fundamentally as a person.
