The Bigger Picture by Lil Baby Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Chronicles of Social Injustice and Empowerment


You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Lil Baby's The Bigger Picture at Lyrics.org.
Article Contents:
  1. Music Video
  2. Lyrics
  3. Song Meaning

Lyrics

Protests and growin’ national outcry continues over the death of George Floyd
(Section 8 just straight cooked this motherfucker up)
Last night, people protestin’ in Minneapolis escalated
As demonstrators were lashed by tear gas and rubber bullets
The main message here, the main message here, the main message here
Is that they want to see those officers involved
They want to see those officers arrested
Officers arrested
(I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe)

Trade my 4×4 for a G63, ain’t no more free Lil Steve
I gave ’em chance and chance and chance again, I even done told them please
I find it crazy the police’ll shoot you and know that you dead, but still tell you to freeze
Fucked up, I seen what I seen
I guess that mean hold him down if he say he can’t breathe
It’s too many mothers that’s grievin’
They killin’ us for no reason
Been goin’ on for too long to get even
Throw us in cages like dogs and hyenas
I went to court and they sent me to prison
My mama was crushed when they said I can’t leave
First I was drunk, then I sobered up quick
When I heard all that time that they gave to Taleeb
He got a life sentence plus
We just some products of our environment
How the fuck they gon’ blame us?
You can’t fight fire with fire
I know, but at least we can turn up the flames some
Every colored person ain’t dumb and all whites not racist
I be judgin’ by the mind and heart, I ain’t really into faces
Fucked up, the way that we livin’ is not gettin’ better, you gotta know how to survive
Crazy, I had to tell all of my loved ones to carry a gun when they goin’ outside
Stare in the mirror whenever you drive
Overprotective, go crazy for mine
You gotta pay attention to the signs
Seem like the blind followin’ the blind
Thinkin’ ’bout everythin’ that’s goin’ on
I boost security up at my home
I’m with my kind if they right or they wrong
I call him now, he’ll pick up the phone
And it’s five in the mornin’, he wakin’ up on it
Tell ’em wherever I’m at, then they comin’
I see blue lights, I get scared and start runnin’
That shit be crazy, they ‘posed to protect us
Throw us in handcuffs and arrest us
While they go home at night, that shit messed up
Knowin’ we needed help, they neglect us
One of them who gon’ make them respect us
‘Cause I can see in your eye that you fed up
Fuck around, got my shot, I won’t let up
They know that we a problem together
They know that we can storm any weather

It’s bigger than black and white
It’s a problem with the whole way of life
It can’t change overnight (nah)
But we gotta start somewhere
Might as well gon’ ‘head start here
We done had a hell of a year
I’ma make it count while I’m here
God is the only man I fear

Fuck it, I’m goin’ on the front line
He gon’ bust your ass if you come past that gun line
You know when the storm go away, then the sun shine
You gotta put your head in the game when it’s crunch time
I want all my sons to grow up to be monsters
I want all my daughters to show out in public
Seems like we losin’ our country
But we gotta stand up for somethin’, so this what it comes to
Every video I see on my conscience
I got power, now I gotta say somethin’
Corrupted police been the problem where I’m from
But I’d be lyin’ if I said it was all of them
I ain’t do this for the trend, I don’t follow them
Altercations with the law, had a lot of them
People speakin’ for the people, I’m proud of them
Stick together, we can get it up out of them
I can’t lie like I don’t rap about killin’ and dope, but I’m tellin’ my youngins to vote
I did what I did ’cause I didn’t have no choice or no hope, I was forced to just jump in and go
This bullshit is all that we know, but it’s time for a change
Got time to be serious, no time for no games
We ain’t takin’ no more, let us go from them chains
God bless they souls, every one of them names

It’s bigger than black and white
It’s a problem with the whole way of life
It can’t change overnight (nah)
But we gotta start somewhere
Might as well gon’ ‘head start here
We done had a hell of a year
I’ma make it count while I’m here
God is the only man I fear

They trainin’ officers to kill us, then shootin’ protesters with these rubber bullets
They regular people, I know that they feel it
These scars too deep to heal us
What happened to COVID? Nobody remember
It ain’t makin’ sense, I’m just here to vent
It happen to one of your people, it’s different
We get it, the system is wicked, just learn how to pick it
Knowledge is power, I swear I’m a witness, I know that I’m gifted
I won’t go too deep ’cause I’m scared they’ll get me
Ain’t scared to admit it, some shit I can’t mention
It’s people who can, well, here’s the chance
I won’t take the stand, but I’ll take a stand for what I believe
Must not be breathin’ the air that I breathe
You know that the way that I bleed, you can bleed
I never been a fan of police
But my neighborhood know I try to keep peace
So it’s only right that I get in the streets
March for a reason, not just on GP
Our people died for us to be free
Fuck do you mean? This was a dream
Now we got the power that we need to have
They don’t want us with it and that’s why they mad, yeah

It’s bigger than black and white
It’s a problem with the whole way of life
It can’t change overnight (nah)
But we gotta start somewhere
Might as well gon’ ‘head start here
We done had a hell of a year
I’ma make it count while I’m here
God is the only man I fear
It’s bigger than black and white
It’s a problem with the whole way of life
It can’t change overnight (nah)
But we gotta start somewhere
Might as well gon’ ‘head start here
We done had a hell of a year
I’ma make it count while I’m here
God is the only man I fear

Full Lyrics

In the midst of a global pandemic and a resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Lil Baby released ‘The Bigger Picture,’ a track that not only captures the zeitgeist of the times but also situates itself as an essential anthem of protest and expression for the black community and their allies.

‘The Bigger Picture’ is more than a song. It’s a cultural timestamp that documents the feelings, struggles, and determination of a generation clawing for change. Like a mirror held up to the society, it reflects the systemic issues and personal experiences that feed the fire of resistance and the thirst for a fairer world.

Breaking Down the Siren Call for Justice

The opening lines of ‘The Bigger Picture’ don’t pull any punches. Starting with news clips about George Floyd’s death and protests, Lil Baby cements his narrative within the realistic and brutal events of racial injustice and police brutality. It’s a call-to-arms, one that underlines the urgency for change and the communal desire for accountability and reform within the forces that are supposed to protect citizens.

As the title suggests, Lil Baby spurs listeners to look beyond the immediate – to understand the systemic issues that allow such tragedies to repeat themselves and to acknowledge the role everyone has in forging a different path forward. The track taps into a shared weariness, while simultaneously providing a backdrop for understanding and action.

A Dive into the Emotional Resonance

One can’t ignore the palpable emotion within every verse of ‘The Bigger Picture.’ From the perspectives of grieving mothers to the fear that plagues black individuals in their daily lives, the song resonates on a deeply personal level. It’s a testament to the lived experiences of people dealing with racial profiling, injustice, and the psychological toll that comes with it.

The raw honesty presented in the lyricism invites empathy and compels engagement. Lil Baby isn’t just talking about an external issue; he relays inner turmoil, family struggles, and a community’s cry for existence unmarred by prejudice and violence.

Peeling Back Layers of the ‘Bigger Picture’

Hidden within the fabric of the track lies a deeper critique of societal structures. Lil Baby uses his lyrics to peel back the layers of racial dynamics, examining the interplay of power, privilege, and systemic disenfranchisement. He acknowledges the dichotomy of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ within all communities, thereby refusing to feed into a narrative of oversimplification.

The hidden meaning comes through in his recognition of the need for internal change within communities plagued by violence, even as he calls out external forces for their role in perpetuating a cycle of oppression. He advocates for a nuanced approach – one that addresses both personal responsibility and societal reform.

Lines That Echo the Cries of a Movement

‘It’s bigger than black and white, It’s a problem with the whole way of life.’ This hook encapsulates the essence of ‘The Bigger Picture.’ It’s a recognition that racism isn’t just a black issue but a human issue that affects the fabric of our collective existence. It transcends simple binaries to examine the roots of division and injustice.

‘We gotta start somewhere’ isn’t just a line; it’s a call to action. Lil Baby recognizes that systemic change is a gradual process, but it’s one that needs a beginning, propelled by the conscious efforts of individuals. The line is a reminder that no action towards progress is too small and that every step counts.

Elevating from Lyricism to Activism and Back

‘The Bigger Picture’ does not just serve as a reflection of the times; it doubles as a canvas for Lil Baby’s own evolution from an artist to an activist. He is a man who acknowledges his part in perpetuating certain narratives and now chooses to use his platform and voice to inspire a different future.

By making a commitment to tell his ‘youngins to vote,’ he signifies a shift from a passive bystander to an active participant in societal change. His willingness to be vulnerable, to admit fear, and to stand for his beliefs contributes to the song’s power and its ability to inspire others to take their own stand.

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