"Big Energy" is a song by Lupe Fiasco, released as the second track from the film companion compilation album, The One And Only Dick Gregory (Album Inspired By the Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2021). It celebrates the life and career of comedian and civil rights activist, Dick Gregory (1932-2017).[1]
Film director Andre Gaines said of the project, "This album, and all of the artists who contributed to it, only served to amplify the spirit of Dick Gregory and his mission," while record producer Kyle Townsend noted of the hope to "bring an awakening to listeners echoing the resounding message of the late Dick Gregory."[2]
Personnel[]
- Abel Garibaldi – recording engineer
- Floyd "Flip" Wilcox – mixing
- Kyle Townsend – writer, producer, recording arranger
- Mike Chehade – A&R
- Renaissance Mic – saxophone
- Seth Foster – mastering engineer
- Tyler "Tycoon" Coomes – percussion
- Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – writer
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Yeah
Yeah
Uh-huh, uh-huh
Here we are, uh
[Verse 1]
Portrait of Dick Gregory, the myth, the legendry
Mister, you gotta listen to this shit carefully
'Cause comedy's a therapy comforting as
That I know somebody death of me to provide, revive
Like a paramedic putting air in me
In the face of scarcity, legacy, breathe
Stand up, handle the set like it's leg day
Drop the gym still stand up knowing the dead lay
Shed light back on them bones just like an x-ray
Teach you how to fight for your life in a fed case
'Bout to get heavy, hope you ready, go get your neck brace
I'll try and fit his entire life inside your headspace
[Verse 1]
Born in St. Louis, moved to Illinois to schooling
Came up to Chicago for professional comic pursuance
Told jokes in the army, not your average Amish mami
Your proof the type of content he was doing more complementary to the movement and the times
When n***ers still had a line
Started to get some shine around 1959
In the 1960s is when he really was in his prime
Had a break playin' in Playboy, even ended up in Times
Wrote N***er in '64 and then wrote many more
Extending proficiency to flip obscenity to lore
The war wasn't ignored, he consistently objected
Political activism where his energy would be continuously directed
Ethics, hunger strikes and methods of going the extra mile to make sure civil rights respected
Even ran for president, evidently wasn't elected
That's just evidence that he'd put his flesh where his intellect is
[Chorus]
See that's Gregory
Use a microphone like it's weaponry
Really got eclectic in the 70s
Advocated for nutrition very heavily
Practiced doing fasting quite regularly
Treated eating like it's something medically
[?] wrote the recipe
One time made his own money like the treasury
[Verse 3]
In summary, his life was quite fascinating
From the rare hostage crisis to Kennedy assassination
He was there, present in probably every affair
From Selma to telling Kentucky Fried treat their chickens with care
Rare, yeah, so please don't forget him
The more that you dig, the more you gonna dig him
He gonna break you out your prison
I ain't sayin' he religion
But all school books should have a little Dick in him
[Chorus]
That's Gregory
Treat the microphone like it's weaponry
Hope he resting somewhere very heavenly
Glad to be a part of his pedigree
Lupe on the mic, you know I set you free
Beamin' right into your mind like telepathy
Grab you by the spine make you step with me
Let's do it one time for the legendry
References[]
- ↑ Bustard, Andy (September 24, 2021). "Lupe Fiasco Drops New Song 'Big Energy' as 'Food & Liquor' Celebrates Double Milestone". HipHopDX.
- ↑ Schube, Will (September 24, 2021). "Lupe Fiasco, Bobby Sessions, and Terrace Martin Featured on 'The One and Only Dick Gregory Soundtrack'". Udiscovermusic.