"Run Game" is a song by Lupe Fiasco, created in the early stages of his career, around 2003.[1] It was released as a single on June 20, 2019, for Chilly's extended play Chill's Spotlight (2020). It was titled "Gold Watch" from the fan-made mixtape, Before There Were Lasers (2010).
Background[]
Fiasco told Complex, "Chill was heavily involved in the early days of my career, and I'm glad he's highlighting it with this new project." Patton added, "I first started working with Lupe when he was about 17 [...] We recorded 'Run Game' a little later. Right now I'm working on some new projects, and whenever I work on something new I look back for inspiration. When I rediscovered this track, I knew we had to release it from the vault for the 'Chill's Spotlight' playlist."[2]
The accompanying visual video depicts a young boy who finds a pair of sunglasses in a box. Once putting it on, he sees his future self as a rapper in the music industry. Despite the initial allure of newfound fame and materialism, it goes downhill. He puts the glasses back in the box and runs away.[3]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Oh, oh, oh, oh
F and F, yeah
Lupe, yeah
Uh-huh, I'm just sayin', I'm just sayin'
You know how we do, uh (I'm just playin')
You know how we get down, uh-huh
Yeah, just a little, just a little bit (Yeah, uh)
[Verse 1]
I ain't came to do much (Uh)
Untuck my chain and spend a few bucks (Uh)
And dap a new dame and keep the jewels up (Uh)
Maintain a do and bring the shoes up
Look, uh, I'm tryna keep yo new love
You know how Lu' does, you move like I move girl
Man, she's so foxy cute, yeah
I can't wait to Versace suit her (Uh)
So in approximately five, four, three, two, one
What up, hon? What you know about your future? (Uh)
What you know about a superstar?
Like I R, your man's VIP (Uh)
Let me pour you a little more champ-ag-nee
Just from yellow bottles, I'm anti-Asti
I'm just itchin' to hand your car key
Ever driven a drop, not? Well come, give it a shot
[Chorus]
Uh, I just came to run game (Oh)
Flash my watch and show off my chain (Oh)
Yeah, let her know it's my Range (Oh)
I'm just playin', I'm just sayin'
Look, so this what we do (Yeah)
You, me, and her go back to my room (Yeah)
To chop game, pop a bottle or two (Yeah)
I'm just playin', I'm just sayin'
That ain't me (Playboy)
[Verse 2]
Playboy's back in ya ear (Uh)
Fresh from Bloomingdale's with a bag full of gear (Yeah)
Yes there's weed there, sex to sleep here (Uh)
Nah, understand, I'm just blessed to be here, yeah (Uh)
Happy to be in the same section
Now take my wallet like you're Jane Jetson (Uh-huh)
And you and your best friend go an' get dressed
In the finest designers you can find
Then let's rendezvous at the Westin
So I can do a lil' more flexin', count money in front of ya
Let you wear my chain, act funny and front for ya (Uh)
Let you tell me it's the time of the month for ya (Word)
Both y'all? (Yeah) Okay (Uh-huh, cool)
I can wait (Yeah), it's cool (Yeah)
Oh, y'all wanna go to the pool
Well, here's bikini money, more bank for some shoes
[Chorus]
I just, I just came to run game (Oh)
Flash my watch and show off my chain (Oh)
Yeah, let her know it's my Range (Oh)
I'm just playin', I'm just sayin'
Look, so this what we do (Yeah)
You, me, and her go back to my room (Yeah)
To chop game, pop a bottle or two (Yeah)
I'm just playin', I'm just sayin'
[Verse 3]
The reality is I know exactly what my salary is
And I can't afford to play myself
Rather play myself, trick off, and pay myself
Before I break myself to make her take off belt
Nah, we can go shoppin', yeah
And we can roll around in the drop, boo, yeah
But you can't hold it down from the top, boo (Yeah)
So please understand that my buck stops here
I don't need you, why should I succumb
To the power of the P U, frontin' to intrigue you
Something for your peoples, I seen it coming like previews
So I started dumbing to deceive you (Uh)
And make you fall for the okie-doke (Uh-huh)
Boo, I must admit this was mostly hoax
I mean, I stopped pushing Ranges when I was 17
Now it's about Porsches, forest green (Uh)
[Chorus]
I just came to run game (Oh)
Flash my watch and show off my chain (Oh)
Yeah, let her know it's my Range (Oh)
I'm just playin', I'm just sayin'
Look, so this what we do (Yeah)
You, me, and her go back to my room (Yeah)
To chop game, pop a bottle or two (Yeah)
I'm just playin', I'm just sayin'
(That ain't me)
References[]
- ↑ "Lupe Fiasco (@lupefiasco)". Instagram. June 22, 2019.
- ↑ Setaro, Shawn (June 20, 2019). "Premiere: Lupe Fiasco's Label Releases One From the Vaults With "Run Game"". Complex.
- ↑ Rosario, Richy (June 21, 2019). "Lupe Fiasco Holds Down Longtime Friend Chill With Unreleased Gem "Run Game" (Video)". Vibe.