You & the 6 by Drake Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Intimate Portrait of the Artist’s Roots

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Drake's You & the 6 at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Having conversations with mama, man my life is a mess
Ain’t been returning the texts, so she been reading the press
She got Google Alerts, them shits go straight to her phone
She worry ’bout me from home, you know she raised me alone
She said, “I heard you back with you know who
I told her, “Girl, I’m always back with you know who”
And she like, “Who are we kidding
You’re twenty-seven, you just being you
You’re your father’s child, man thank God you got some me in you”
At least I always, at least I always see it through
At least I’m always being true to what you taught me
Retired teacher but your words still got me evolving
Never get sloppy drunk, but alcohol is problem solving
And look I hate it when you hate on all my girlfriends
And assistants always convinced that there’s always someone better
Like that girl from that gym who trains you
I know you wanna arrange it, you told me she’s free Thursday
And I’m sure that she’s a angel but she don’t want this life
The timing ain’t right
Maybe one day but even one day with us is a time of a life
We do things that people pay to document
You got the sweetest heart but I’m not here to give out compliments, or boost nobody confidence mama
I got no friends in this mama
I don’t pretend with this mama
I’on joke with this mama
I pull the knife out my back and cut they throat with it mama
I’m Game of Thrones with it mama
I’m Home Alone with it mama
I’m t-
I really hate using this tone with you mama
I really hate getting aggressive on this phone with you mama
I really hate wasting your time to check a clone or two mama
It’s just they cloning me mama
Them niggas wannabes mama
It’s like, I’m the one they wanna be mama
I just- I- I can’t be out here being vulnerable mama
I mean I kill em every time they do a song with me mama
I sing a hook they sing along with me mama
What more they want from me mama?
Yeah, this is a crazy life
But you and the six raised me right
“Don’t ever take advice,” that was great advice
You and the six raised me right, that shit saved my life

Having conversations with mama, we start talkin’ ’bout dad
You know he dropping a single, he saying this is his window
That nigga still wearing linen, that nigga still in the club
Call him after we get off the phone and show him some love
That nigga Memphis for real, girl he love you to death
He made mistakes throughout his life that he still doesn’t accept
But he just want our forgiveness, and fuck it, look how we living
I’m content with this story, who are we not to forgive him?
At least I been to a prison, at least I know what it’s like
I used to rap on the phone, one of his friends doing life
And now I got me a Grammy, that could be part of the reason
Let’s just call this shit even, we got some things to believe in
Do you remember back to Weston Road, Scarlett Road?
Hangin’ with Aaron Bell and Reny shit could’ve gone south for me, he looked out for me ma
He never let me do drugs
He let me shoot a gun one summer but out there everyone does
He made me listen to his music, old music, soul music
Shit that can only be created if you go through it
I used to get teased for being black, and now I’m here and I’m not black enough
‘Cause I’m not acting tough or making stories up ’bout where I’m actually from
But I just roll with it mama, rolling stone with it mama
Gotta be careful around rolling stones or anyone that’s tryna throw stones at me mama
I’m not condoning it mama
They will not tear nothing down I built this home for you mama
Know I don’t call enough mama
I just been working with so little time for personal mama
Hard labor let me pay the price
You and the six raised me right that shit saved my life

Drake’s ‘You & the 6’ is more than just another track in the Canadian artist’s expansive catalog—it’s a heartfelt homage to the two prevailing influences in his life: his mother and his hometown, Toronto (the titular ‘6’). Amidst the syrupy beats and autobiographical verse, Drake lays bare the emotional scaffolding that shapes his persona, both in the public eye and within the sanctity of familial bonds.

As listeners, we’re invited not just to peer through the keyhole of Drake’s celebrity but to walk the hallways of his vulnerabilities and triumphs, witnessing the intimate dialogues and life lessons that resonate in each bar. The following exploration dives into the underlying messages stitched into the fabric of ‘You & the 6,’ peeling back the layers of celebrity to reveal the relatable son and citizen beneath.

Ode to the Matriarch: Decoding Drake’s Tribute to His Mother

At the heart of ‘You & the 6’ is the undeniable bond between Drake and his mother, Sandi. It’s a complex interplay of gratitude, frustration, and understanding. We see an adult Drake still grappling with the protective instincts of his mother, who keeps close tabs on him via Google Alerts. The dynamic reveals how fame hasn’t diluted the quintessential parent-child relationship filled with concern, advice, and the inevitable generational gap that often entails misunderstanding.

The song’s narrative pushes past the cliché of maternal idolization, acknowledging the simultaneous beauty and imperfection inherent in all familial love. It’s a window into how his mother’s influence starkly contrasts with his father’s approach, showcasing how the strength of one parent often complements the failings of the other.

The 6ix God’s Confessional: Unraveling the Duality of Fame

Drake’s verse traverses the terrain of his personal and professional life, uncovering the duality of his existence. This isn’t the bravado-spilling Drake from anthems like ‘Started From the Bottom’; it’s a Drake who openly discusses the perils of being in the limelight—where every move is scrutinized, every relationship a headline, and every colleague a potential ‘cloning’ threat.

He’s candid about the alienation that comes with his territory, about having ‘no friends in this’ aside from his mother, who remains his north star amidst the disorienting whirlwind of fame. The constant public pressure is a life that even angels, he muses, might balk at when faced with the real deal.

From Weston Road to Grammy Gold: A Homage to Hometown Roots

‘You & the 6’ serves as an audio map of Drake’s evolution from the streets of Toronto to the global stage. He name-drops locales like Weston Road and Scarlett Road, anchoring his journey not in the abstract, but in the concrete corners and communities that informed his upbringing. It humanizes the rapper, tying his superstardom back to an origin story marked by familiar places and faces.

These geographical anchors echo the experiences that sculpted him, from avoiding drugs to confronting racism. They’re reminders that though he’s soared far beyond, he still carries within him the lessons and love of the 6, his unwavering foundation.

Profound Lines That Echo Through Generations: The Making of a Hip-Hop Testament

‘Don’t ever take advice,’ that was great advice. The paradox of these words pulls at the listener, offering a glimpse into the ultimate advice bestowed upon Drake by his mother: the importance of integrity and charting one’s own path. This line and others become a mode of transgenerational transmission—wisdom distilled into lyrical form.

Drake constructs a hip-hop testament, a living document that captures the intersection of his personal philosophy with the street smarts and acute maternal insights that guided him. These outstanding lines hold the weight of an artist’s psychological blueprint, mapping out the personal principles that govern his life and work.

Unwrapping the Hidden Meaning: When Drake’s Lyrics Speak Volumes

Beyond the immediate narrative of familial ties and reflection on his past, ‘You & the 6’ subtly addresses broader themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Drake’s description of his father—’That nigga still wearing linen, that nigga still in the club’—complements the mention of his father’s quest for forgiveness, reflecting the human propensity to cling to bygone lifestyles and the struggle to move beyond past mistakes.

This layer of the song speaks to the universal experience of dealing with flawed parents and the complex process of understanding and accepting them. It allows listeners to find solace in Drake’s personal confessional and perhaps find parallels within their own familial narratives, emphasizing that in the calculus of real life, love—and forgiveness—is often the sum of our stories.