Mirror
Finding Myself: A Soulful Journey Through Reflection
Lyrics
Ladies and gentlemen
Addressing a diverse audience
Pimps and prophets
Referring to various societal roles
Queens and dope fiends
Mentioning different female archetypes and drug users
Hoes and hoteps (right on, right on, right on)
Acknowledging a variety of people (Hoteps are followers of a movement for self-improvement)
We got somethin' real special for you tonight folks
Announcing a special event or performance
Everybody from Uptown to the South End's
Referring to different areas of a city
Makin' their way on down to Lackawanna Plaza
Specific location mentioned for the gathering
I think I'm finally finding me, my whole life has been hide and seek
Expressing a sense of self-discovery
I used to suffer in silence, I never showed you that side of me
Past struggles hidden, not shown to others
Hypnotized by society, all the people I tried to be
Being influenced and misled by societal expectations
Gangsta, geek, or guerilla, I'll let you peep the psychology
Exploring different personas with underlying psychology
We packed five in a Honda, Origami behind the seat
Traveling with a group in a compact car
Smokin' strong but it got me weak 'cause this pain we feel chronically
Using substances to cope with chronic pain
I'm a star, they astonished, I never studied Astrology
Recognition of personal success and fame
I'm too pop, I'm too polished
Feeling polished and refined but with a reference to Tupac's influence
Or I'm too Pac in my policies
No apologies for one's stance or beliefs
No apologies, bitch (temperature rising we mobbin' deep, yeah)
Temperature rising, suggesting intensity and unity
I'm my poppa's lil' prodigy and my Grand momma coddled me
Acknowledging family influence and support
Said I'm born to be funky
Embracing a funky, unique identity
Baptized in pollock or collard greens
Mentions of baptism, cultural references
Coulda sworn they was British, niggas would die for this pot of tea
Humorous reference to tea, potential life-threatening situations
As for me, I haven't been myself at all lately (at all)
Expressing a recent detachment from one's true self
Runnin' low on friends to call, feel like they all hate me (goddman)
Feeling isolated and disliked by friends
Switchin' on you whenever I hit the call, waitin'
Changing behavior in response to phone calls
Sippin' on my Kool-Aid until the wall breakin'
Using Kool-Aid metaphorically, perhaps numbing emotional pain
Ooh, grass green over here though
Describing a positive environment
We some good fellas, so I need my Dinero (need my Dinero)
Emphasizing financial reward for being "good fellas"
Rain come down, get soaked til' it clear up
Weathering difficulties until they improve
Ain't no clouds, just smoke in the mirror
No external obstacles, just illusions (smoke) in the mirror
Mirror
Introduction of the central theme, the mirror
Mirror, mirror on the wall (wall)
Referencing the classic "Mirror, mirror on the wall" phrase
Tell me who the realest of them all (ay, yeah)
Asking for a judgment on authenticity
Just open your eyes
Encouraging self-reflection
Mirror, mirror on the wall (wall)
Repeating the question, seeking clarity
Tell me who the realest of them all (uh)
Continuing the quest for authenticity
Ooh
Expressing emotion or reaction
May not know
Uncertainty or lack of knowledge
Look in the mirror
Reiterating the importance of self-reflection
Ooh
(No specific content in this line)
Just open your eyes
Encouraging awareness and self-discovery
Damn, I was bad when I was younger, y'all (yeah)
Reflection on past behavior and personal growth
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