Kick, Push by Lupe Fiasco Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Metaphorical Ride
Lyrics
Soundtrack what’s popping baby?
Y’all ain’t know, I go by the name of Lupe Fiasco
Representing that first and fifteen
Jyea, uh!
And this one right here
I dedicate this one right here
To all my homies out there grinding
You know what I’m saying?
Legally and illegally
Hahaha.
You know what I’m talking about?
So, check it out
First got it when he was six
Didn’t know any tricks
Matter of fact first time he got on it he slipped
Landed on his hip
And bust his lip
For a week he had to talk with a lisp
Like this
Now we can end the story right here
But shorty didn’t quit there was something in the air
Yea, he said it was something so appealing
He couldn’t fight the feeling
Something about it
He knew he couldn’t doubt it
Couldn’t understand it
Brand it, just the first kickflip he land it
Uh, labeled a misfit, a bandit
Kakunk Kakunk Kakunk!
His neighbors couldn’t stand it so
He was banished to the park
Started in the morning wouldn’t stop ’til after dark
Yea, when they said, “It’s getting late in here.
…so I’m sorry young man there’s no skating here”
And so he kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, coast
And away he rolled
Just a rebel to the world with no place to go
And so he kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, coast
So come and skate with me
Just a rebel
Looking for a place to be
So let’s kick… and push… and coast
My man got a little older
Became a better roller
Yea, no helmet, hellbent on killing himself
That’s what his mama said, but he was feeling himself
Got a little more swagger in his style
Met his girlfriend she was clapping in the crowd
Love is what was happening to him now
Uh, he said I would marry you
But I’m engaged to these arials and variels
And I don’t think this board is strong enough to carry two
She said Bow, I weigh 120 pounds
Now, let me make one thing clear
I don’t need to ride yours
I got mine right here
So she took him to a spot
He didn’t know about
Something odd in the apartment parking lot
She said I don’t normally take dates in here
Security came and said, “I’m sorry there’s no skating here”
And so they kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, coast
And away they rolled
Just lovers intertwined with no place to go
And so they kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, coast
So come and skate with me
Just a rebel
Looking for a place to be
So let’s kick… and push… and coast
Before he knew he had a crew
That wasn’t no punk
And they spitfire shirts
And SB dunks
They would push ’til they couldn’t skate no more
Office building lobbies wasn’t safe no more
And it wasn’t like they wasn’t getting chased no more
Just the freedom was better than breathing they said
Any escape route they used to escape out
When things got crazy
They needed to break out
They head to any place with stairs
Any good grinds
The world was theirs
Uh, and their four wheels would take them there
Until the cops came and said, “There’s no skating here”
And so they kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, kick push, coast
And away they rolled
Just rebels without a cause with no place to go
And so they kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, kick push, coast
So come roll with me
Just a rebel
Looking for a place to be
So let’s kick… and push… and coast
When Lupe Fiasco released ‘Kick, Push,’ it wasn’t just a song about skateboarding; it was a layered narrative, rich with metaphorical significance that resonated with a generation of dreamers, outliers, and anyone who ever felt displaced. This poignant track from his 2006 debut album, ‘Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor,’ encapsulates a coming-of-age story that uses skateboarding as a vehicle for much deeper themes.
‘Kick, Push’ is an anthem of perseverance, love, and freedom. It’s about carving out a space in a world that often tells you there’s no room for you. It’s not just about the physical act of skateboarding but also about the journey of life and finding your way, despite the odds stacked against you.
The Youthful Gleam of Rebellion and Resilience
Fiasco introduces us to a young boy who falls the first time he tries to skateboard but gets back up, undeterred. It’s a universal moment of resilience that speaks to the broader human experience. Despite the physical injury, there’s something alluring about the freedom of skateboarding – the ‘something so appealing’ – that keeps him pushing forward, both literally and metaphorically.
Through this character’s journey, Lupe illustrates that stumbling is a part of growing, and that the determination to rise after a fall is what defines our spirit. The boy doesn’t simply learn to skate; he learns to navigate his world on his own terms, in the face of naysayers who ‘couldn’t stand it’ and authorities who regularly insist there’s ‘no skating here.’
A Love Story on Wheels — Romance and Independence
As the boy grows into a man and becomes a ‘better roller,’ he meets a young woman at the skate park who’s every bit his equal. This is a love story, but not in the traditional sense. It’s not just about two people falling for each other, but also about falling for what they love – skateboarding – and sharing that passion.
Her response to his half-serious marriage proposal – ‘I don’t need to ride yours, I got mine right here’ – speaks to the kind of partnership that Lupe probably envisions; a relationship where both parties remain distinct and self-sufficient, united by a shared zeal rather than dependency. Their mutual defiance against being told where they can’t skate is symbolic of what every strong relationship should possess: solidarity.
Culture and Community — The Skater’s Tribe
The skater boy’s solo journey eventually leads him to a ‘crew’ – a community that wears their indentations like a uniform. They ‘spitfire shirts and SB dunks,’ a vivid depiction of the distinct skate culture. This community is a refuge for misfits who find solace in the camaraderie and the shared love for their sport.
When Lupe talks about their actions in the face of opposition, ‘Just the freedom was better than breathing they said,’ it’s a profound expression of prioritizing personal liberation over conforming – a sentiment that rings true for countercultures across the globe. The community they form is based on a collective understanding of the challenges they face and the triumphs they experience together.
The Song’s Hidden Meaning – A Skating Allegory for Life
While the story seems literally tied to skateboarding, ‘Kick, Push’ can be interpreted as an allegory for life’s journey. The recurring motif of being turned away from places (‘there’s no skating here’) is a metaphor for societal rejection and the challenges of finding one’s place in the world.
Every ‘kick, push, and coast’ symbolizes an attempt to move forward, a progression through stages of life. In this interpretation, the skateboard represents individual control and the pursuit of passion despite the restrictions imposed by authority or traditional norms. The rebellious spirit of the skaters represents the individual’s fight for personal expression and identity.
Memorable Lines and Timeless Impact
‘Just a rebel to the world with no place to go’ – this line speaks volumes. It underscores a sensation of drifting often felt by young people on the cusp of adulthood. Lupe’s protagonist is a rebel not by choice but by necessity; his rebellion is a search for a place of acceptance and freedom.
The impact of ‘Kick, Push’ goes beyond its catchy chorus and smooth flow. Lupe Fiasco created an anthem that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt marginalized or fought for a space to just be. It’s a reminder that life, like skateboarding, is about the push to find our path and the balance to maintain it. This line, among others, cements ‘Kick, Push’ as a timeless ode to the undaunted human spirit.
