"Fundamentals" is a song by American rapper Billy Blue featuring fellow American rapper Lupe Fiasco. It was released as a non-album single on June 24, 2016, through Perspective Music. Produced by Freeway TJay, it contains a sample of "Tezeta" by Seyfou Yohannes.
The two performed the song live during Fiasco's Tour for the Fans.[1] The song was later added to Blue's album, The Life of Pedro, released on March 21, 2025, through 1st & 15th Entertainment and distributed by Thirty Tigers.
Background[]
In November 2015, it was reported that the two recorded the song in a Miami studio for Billy Blue's upcoming project, Revelations.[1] However, only the song "OMW" made the tracklist. On June 10, 2016, Blue announced that the single would be released later that month, on the 24th.[2]
The accompanying music video was uploaded to YouTube on December 8, 2017, though became privatized for unknown reasons.[3]
Personnel[]
- Joey Fernandez – mastering
- Pedritho "Billy Blue" Dorsonne – lead vocals, writing
- Tony "Freeway TJay" Walker, Jr. – production
- Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – featured vocals, writing
- Yuki Tasaka – mixing
Lyrics[]
[Hook: Lupe Fiasco, Billy Blue]
I just keep it real n****, fundamentals
If she ain't got no chill, give her fundamentals
She ain't got no problems, she got fundamentals
N****s need some dollars, they need fundamentals
G-code, G-code, G-code n****, fundamentals
Keeping it a hunnid, that's so fundamental
If you ain't got no money, stick to fundamentals
That's the key to life, n****, fundamentals
[Verse 1: Billy Blue]
Boy, I pick up when I call now stick to fundamentals
Playing with my gangstas, now that ain't the type of shit I'm into
Ridin' with that .44 loaded, 'cause that shit's essential
Mess around me, I, n****, squeeze a bullet in your temple
How you trapping? You ain't got no cash n****
But you got them J's, you's a ass n****
You ain't paying bills, ain't got no stash n****
Your stupid ass ain't learned from the last n****
Stick to fundamentals, key to life ain't sentimental
(?) governmental, that is not coincidental
Keep your life confidential, n****s watching incidentals
Making it past twenty one in my hood, that is monumental
[Hook: Lupe Fiasco, Billy Blue]
I just keep it real n****, fundamentals
If she ain't got no chill, give her fundamentals
She ain't got no problems, she got fundamentals
N****s need some dollars, they need fundamentals
G-code, G-code, G-code n****, fundamentals
Keeping it a hunnid, that's so fundamental
If you ain't got no money, stick to fundamentals
That's the key to life, n****, fundamentals
[Verse 2: Lupe Fiasco]
May you die a death of like a hundred pistols
If you out here faking on your flex and being unofficial
Careful what you wear and where you are and who you running into
Think it's accidental then a n**** sent to come and get you
Bitches wanna play, I tell them it's essential
Tell that bitch don't say no more, be instrumental
Pull up in the car, it better not be no rental
Unless you out here serving, then my nig', continue
I can see it in you that you got potential
If you take the time, you will get credentials
We ain't got no patience for no imitations
Well, I know innovations see my demonstrations
[Hook: Lupe Fiasco, Billy Blue]
I just keep it real n****, fundamentals
If she ain't got no chill, give her fundamentals
She ain't got no problems, she got fundamentals
N****s need some dollars, they need fundamentals
G-code, G-code, G-code n****, fundamentals
Keeping it a hunnid, that's so fundamental
If you ain't got no money, stick to fundamentals
That's the key to life, n****, fundamentals
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ju, Shirley (August 22, 2016). "Billy Blue & Lupe Fiasco Give You the 'Fundamentals'". HipHopDX.
- ↑ "Billy Blue (@BILLYBLUE305)". Twitter. June 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Billy Blue - Fundamentals featuring Lupe Fiasco [Official Video]". YouTube. December 8, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023.