"Break the Chain" is a song by Lupe Fiasco, released as the 10th track from his third studio album, Lasers (2011). It features guest vocals from Eric Turner and Sway. It addresses the sociological perspective of crime-ridden areas, where social backgrounds affect the rate. To "break the chain" means discontinuing and becoming free from this pattern.
Background[]
AllHipHop asked Sway how the collaboration came about, to which the UK rapper revealed:
When it came to 'Lasers'—he hit me up Twitter, even though he's got my number, saying; "Sway, I wanna get you on a verse for the album." I was like "cool lets do it!" no questions asked. Whatever the tune was going to be about I was going to do it, because it's Lupe and he's my people and I respect him and I respect his judgement musically. He gave me the record and it was produced by Ishi and features Eric Turner.
I was like; "It's got me written all over it" and he said the same thing. "You are the only person I could think of to be on this record." I didn't even know that I was the only (other) rapper on the album—it was only until he made the press release that I was like "woah!"[1]
Eric Turner told Directlyrics.com, "we had been going back and forth with Lupe on several tracks writing over Skype. He was originally gonna do "Stereo Sun" but it got dropped with all the controversy with releasing Lasers. [...] We worked on a song called "Voices of Fire" which was awesome and really rootsy then finally settled on "Break the Chain". It's probably one of my favorite songs I ever wrote 'cause it really says what I wanted it to say. I don't know if it will be a single, difficult to predict, my "hit song" center thinks they are crazy not to release it. It's a sleeper but it would def rise up the charts, like an Adele song."[2]
Personnel[]
- Derek "Sway" Safo – vocals, writer
- Eric Turner – vocals, writer
- Eshraque "iSHi" Mughal – writer, producer, instruments
- Greg "G-Ball" Magers – recording
- Joe Peluso – mixing, additional engineer
- Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – vocals, writer
Lyrics[]
[Hook: Eric Turner]
I waited all my life to play
I still can't find a way
But if I work it one more day
I might just break the chain
I might just break the chain
I might just break the chain
[Verse 1: Lupe Fiasco]
Freedom, we can use some of that especially where we from
Where we grew up like a green thumb
It's like a criminal is the only thing you can become
Look at what I became
Something like a phenom, Nuthin' but a G Thang
Things I've seen when I'm looking out of these frames
Pictures I painted on the walls where we hang
From the trees we hung
Strange fruit man look at how we swung
How the hell you gonna tell a son
Who ain't have a father
How to try to grow up and be one
See, um, feel it in my bones
That I'm sitting on a throne
Like a killer with a chrome
When I spit another poem
Shed a whole lot of light on a little bit of home, pow!
[Hook: Eric Turner]
I waited all my life to play
I still can't find a way
But if I work it one more day
I might just break the chain
I might just break the chain
I might just break the chain
[Verse 2: Sway]
Super Swah, the cape remains, thought I was M.I.A no paper?
Planes, I'm fly plus I don't write no more, its all off of the top I shaved the braids
And stayed sharp mother knew how to raise-a-blade (Razor Blade)
I paid my dues now I wait for change and the flows so rude it goes without...
Ask Lupe I'm Sucre, I aid the break
Quick to cut off any baggage like some samurai, I like to travel light
I've gotta leave you at home Delilah
This is Samson-ite
No case for the police
Said I know Killah's, I never seen them
Ghostface, only time I'm watching is my Panerai
I've got an alibi
I was taking pics in Chicago, call me Camera Chi
[Hook: Eric Turner]
I waited all my life to play
I still can't find a way
But if I work it one more day
I might just break the chain
I might just break the chain
I might just break the chain
[Verse 3: Lupe Fiasco]
Chain broke, nicorette for your chain smoke
No cigarrettes on my plane, yo
Snatching herringbones from the game throat
Put it on mine, take a long time
B.A. Baracus is how I'm looking online
In the webisode, necklace stole, let 'em know
That I put up the footage that I'm takin' your shine
Wanna see the real chains? Look in your mind
Your brain look like Keenan Wayans, brother
Overgold, overload, broken soul
N***as playing games in the hood they got you stuck-up
Playa thinkin' that its cool to be a pimp still
We gon' set it free like a fish in a pimp heel
Take this home, rearrange it, change it
Danger, Sway-zer, Lupe Laser. Pow!
[Hook: Eric Turner]
I waited all my life to play
I still can't find a way
But if I work it one more day
I might just break the chain
I might just break the chain
I might just break the chain
References[]
- ↑ "UK Week on AllHipHop.com: Fast-Rapping Sway From Across the Way". AllHipHop. November 20, 2011.
- ↑ Apaza, Kevin (March 3, 2012). "KEVIPOD Interviews Eric Turner...". Directlyrics.com.