Woke, woke waking up, waking up (woke)
Woke like that (woke) we stay up, insomniac
Shoutout the Eagles, we did it
We brought the ring back
So when I tell you change gon' come
Better believe that go get a diploma
Youngin sayin' I don't need that
He'd rather grip a thirty
Rob a nigg* with a ski mask
Streets is where the good die young
Man it’s sad to say
Just graduated Friday, got killed Saturday
If you get a job they laugh at you
That’s the petty wave
If you go to jail, they don't care
They think you passed away
Back then, nigg*s they was loyal
Not the same now
Nowadays your own man will rob you
Look at A Town
Colin Kaepernick, I support you, hands down
Taught us how to stand up
Why you think we kneel down?
Valentines Day turned to a
Massacre when shots through
Seventeen people got killed in
A Florida high school
Tell these little girls you a queen
That's the right move
More to life than twerking on the
'Gram and getting likes boo
Time to stop the hatin'
Time to make improvement now
Time to stop the killings and
Shootings and all the suicide
From the city brotherly love
You know it's do or die
Time to come together
Stick together like a unibrow
I won’t sell my soul cause
My pride won’t allow it (woke)
I ain’t selling drugs, nah
I'm just giving knowledge
Youngin had a bright future
Could've went to college
But he chilled with his boys on the corner
Then they shot him
Woke, woke, woke
Waking up (woke) , woke like that (woke)
We stay up, insomniac
Waking up (woke) , woke like that (woke)
We stay up, insomniac
We went from African auctions
To affirmative action
It's apparent they hated our parents
'cause of they black skin
I questions our actions
Like what are we doing?
Our ancestors passed on a
Fight we aren’t pursuing
We went from blacks chained up
To blacks locked up
To cops on the block trained to
Get us all shot up i question our reaction
Like why are we distracted?
Trapped in a zoo like they
Caught a blank panther
We hustle and hustle and gain no wealth
We wrestle and we crumble down
Due to bad health
We caught up in the struggle
Struggle with knowledge it'self
Don't wanna be the leader
Quick to follow someone else
Our daily dilemma seems to never be defeated
Our deadly egos, they need to be depleted
Social media activism should be deleted
'Cause the revolution won’t be a revolution
If the revolution is only
Tweeted and retweeted
In the song "INSOMNIAC" by Lgp Qua, the lyrics touch upon various social issues and personal experiences. The opening lines "Woke, woke waking up, waking up (woke) / Woke like that (woke) we stay up, insomniac" convey a sense of awareness and staying awake to confront the realities of life.
The next verse references the Philadelphia Eagles winning a championship and emphasizes the importance of change and education. It highlights the struggle faced by young individuals who feel pressured to choose between pursuing education and resorting to crime. The line "Streets is where the good die young, Man it’s sad to say" acknowledges the harsh realities of the environment they live in.
The following lines focus on the singer's personal experience of witnessing a classmate's tragic death just after graduating. They criticize society's tendency to ridicule those who choose to pursue conventional jobs while showing apathy towards those who end up in jail. The lyrics also comment on the changing dynamics of loyalty and trust among friends, giving examples of betrayal.
The next section of the song addresses prevalent societal issues like gun violence and school shootings. It mentions Colin Kaepernick and his protest against racial injustice, connecting it to the larger problem of violence in society. The lyrics implore the listener to encourage young girls to value themselves beyond superficial social media validation and to address the problems plaguing the community.
The final verse delves into the historical context of African Americans' struggle for equality and the ongoing battles faced by the community. It questions the progress made from slave auctions to affirmative action, emphasizing the continued systemic obstacles faced by black individuals. The lyrics contemplate the response of the community to these challenges, urging for a more unified and focused approach. Criticism is directed towards the trend of performative activism on social media, calling for more substantive action and a genuine revolution.
Overall, "INSOMNIAC" explores themes of social issues, personal experiences, and the need for positive change in society. The lyrics express a desire for collective action, education, and introspection to address the systemic problems faced by marginalized communities.
Woke, woke waking up, waking up (woke)
Awakening from the constraints of societal norms, becoming aware and conscious
Woke like that (woke) we stay up, insomniac
Continuing to stay awake and aware, refusing to be complacent
Shoutout the Eagles, we did it
Acknowledging and celebrating success, overcoming obstacles
We brought the ring back
Reclaiming victory, bringing back what was deserved
So when I tell you change gon' come
Assuring that progress and transformation will happen
Better believe that go get a diploma
Encouraging education and personal growth as means to improve
Youngin sayin' I don't need that
Denying the importance of education, opting for other paths
He'd rather grip a thirty
Preferring a gun, potentially leading to violence and destruction
Rob a nigg* with a ski mask
Engaging in criminal activities, causing harm to others
Streets is where the good die young
Recognizing the unfortunate reality of premature loss in dangerous environments
Man it’s sad to say
Expressing sorrow over the current state of affairs
Just graduated Friday, got killed Saturday
Tragically, barely having a chance to celebrate achievement before meeting a tragic end
If you get a job they laugh at you
Experiencing mockery and ridicule when trying to enter the workforce
That’s the petty wave
Highlighting the small-mindedness and immaturity of such behavior
If you go to jail, they don't care
Facing indifference and apathy when faced with incarceration
They think you passed away
Being regarded as forgotten or irrelevant once imprisoned
Back then, nigg*s they was loyal
Reflecting on a time when people were more trustworthy and faithful
Not the same now
Acknowledging the decline in loyalty and integrity currently
Nowadays your own man will rob you
Highlighting the betrayal and deceit that can come from those closest to you
Look at A Town
Referencing a specific example or situation in Atlanta to support the previous point
Colin Kaepernick, I support you, hands down
Expressing solidarity and admiration for Colin Kaepernick's activism and peaceful protests
Taught us how to stand up
Recognizing Kaepernick's influence in promoting social justice and taking a stand
Why you think we kneel down?
Questioning the motive behind kneeling during the national anthem as a form of peaceful protest
Valentines Day turned to a
Referring to the tragic events that occurred on Valentine's Day
Massacre when shots through
Describing the horrifying and violent act that took place
Seventeen people got killed in
Highlighting the devastating loss of multiple lives
A Florida high school
Specifying the location of the tragic event
Tell these little girls you a queen
Empowering young girls to recognize their worth and value
That's the right move
Affirming that promoting self-esteem and confidence in young girls is the correct action
More to life than twerking on the
Emphasizing that there is greater meaning and purpose beyond engaging in shallow activities
'Gram and getting likes boo
Referring to the obsession with social media validation and superficial popularity
Time to stop the hatin'
Advocating for an end to negativity and animosity
Time to make improvement now
Urging for progress and growth to take place immediately
Time to stop the killings and
Calling for an end to the senseless violence and loss of life
Shootings and all the suicide
Highlighting the pressing issues of gun violence and mental health struggles
From the city brotherly love
Referring to Philadelphia, known as the 'City of Brotherly Love'
You know it's do or die
Emphasizing the urgency and importance of taking action
Time to come together
Encouraging unity and solidarity
Stick together like a unibrow
Using a metaphor to emphasize the need for staying connected and united
I won’t sell my soul cause
Declaring a refusal to compromise one's values or integrity
My pride won’t allow it (woke)
Indicating that personal pride prevents giving in to temptations or pressures
I ain’t selling drugs, nah
Clarifying that the artist does not engage in illegal activities
I'm just giving knowledge
Expressing the intention to share wisdom and understanding
Youngin had a bright future
Recognizing the potential and promising prospects of a young person
Could've went to college
Acknowledging the possibility of pursuing higher education
But he chilled with his boys on the corner
Choosing to spend time with friends in less productive environments
Then they shot him
Tragically, being a victim of gun violence
We went from African auctions
Reflecting on the historical exploitation and dehumanization of Black people
To affirmative action
Acknowledging progress in the form of policies aimed at addressing inequality
It's apparent they hated our parents
Recognizing the systemic racism and discrimination faced by previous generations
'cause of they black skin
Identifying skin color as the basis for prejudice and exclusion
I questions our actions
Expressing doubt and concern regarding current choices and behaviors
Like what are we doing?
Asking oneself and others about the purpose and impact of current actions
Our ancestors passed on a
Acknowledging the legacy and teachings of those who came before
Fight we aren’t pursuing
Recognizing a lack of active engagement in continuing the struggle for justice
We went from blacks chained up
Referencing the history of enslavement and bondage experienced by Black people
To blacks locked up
Drawing attention to the disproportionately high incarceration rates among Black individuals
To cops on the block trained to
Observing the presence of law enforcement specifically targeting and profiling Black individuals
Get us all shot up
Highlighting the violence and harm inflicted by certain members of the police force
I question our reaction
Expressing doubt and skepticism regarding the response and action taken in these situations
Like why are we distracted?
Wondering why collective focus and attention is diverted from pressing issues
Trapped in a zoo like they
Feeling confined and restricted like animals in captivity
Caught a blank panther
Comparing the confinement to the experiences of the superhero Black Panther
We hustle and hustle and gain no wealth
Striving and working hard without reaping the rewards or financial stability
We wrestle and we crumble down
Fighting and struggling, yet still succumbing to obstacles and hardships
Due to bad health
Suffering from physical or mental health issues that hinder progress
We caught up in the struggle
Being deeply immersed and trapped in a cycle of hardship and adversity
Struggle with knowledge it'self
Encountering difficulties and challenges even in the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment
Don't wanna be the leader
Expressing a lack of desire to take on a leadership role
Quick to follow someone else
Readily and easily following the lead of others instead of forging one's own path
Our daily dilemma seems to never be defeated
Identifying the ongoing challenges and obstacles that persist in daily life
Our deadly egos, they need to be depleted
Recognizing the negative impact of ego and the need to overcome it
Social media activism should be deleted
Asserting that surface-level activism on social media is insufficient and should be disregarded
'Cause the revolution won’t be a revolution
Emphasizing the importance of genuine action and substantial change in a revolution
If the revolution is only
Highlighting the insufficiency and ineffectiveness of performative activism
Tweeted and retweeted
Referring to the limited impact of solely sharing messages on social media platforms
