On August 10, 2024, Drake surprised the rap community with the official release of “It’s Up,” a track that had previously been self-leaked on his 100GIGSFORYOURHEADTOP website.
The song, featuring heavy hitters 21 Savage and Young Thug, quickly became a topic of discussion across social media and music forums.
But beyond the hype, what do the lyrics of “It’s Up” really convey? Let’s break it down.
Background and Release Details
Before delving into the lyrics, it’s essential to understand the context in which “It’s Up” was released.
The song was part of a trio of unreleased tracks that Drake leaked on August 6, 2024, via a mysterious Instagram account named Plottttwistttttt.
This account, which had initially been private, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight when Drake shared the link on his Instagram story, giving fans access to a treasure trove of content, including behind-the-scenes footage, unused album covers, and, of course, new music.
The three tracks—“It’s Up,” “Blue Green Red,” and “Housekeeping Knows”—were quickly dissected by fans and critics alike.
However, “It’s Up,” featuring 21 Savage and Young Thug, stood out for its hard-hitting lyrics and complex themes.
Produced by a talented team including London Cyr, Ben10k, Elyas, Tom Levesque, and Gyz, the song blends a heavy trap beat with introspective and boastful lyrics, creating a layered listening experience.
It’s Up Lyrics Breakdown and Analysis
At the heart of “It’s Up” is its brilliant lyrical wordplay, with each artist delivering verses that are as clever as they are impactful.
“It’s Up” opens with a reflective verse from Drake, setting the tone for the rest of the track.
The song’s themes revolve around loyalty, success, personal struggles, and the ever-present tension between fame and authenticity.
The song begins with Drake contemplating the life he provides for his friends and the divisions that exist in the world.
Lines like “My right hand, he’s Muslim, I’ll die for him” highlight the deep sense of loyalty Drake feels towards those close to him.
This loyalty is contrasted with the challenges and divisions in life, making the listener ponder the complexities of human relationships.
Young Thug, known for his distinctive vocal style, takes control of the chorus and infuses it with a mix of swagger and indifference that perfectly matches his persona.
One of his most memorable lines is, “Take a pic, Richard Millie, no stopwatch,” which not only highlights his luxurious lifestyle but also reflects his dismissive attitude towards conventional markers of success.
This line is a prime example of Thugger’s ability to flaunt his wealth while subverting expectations.
The Richard Mille watch, often seen as a symbol of opulence and precision, becomes a tool for Thug to convey that when you’ve reached his level, traditional concepts like time and success no longer hold the same significance.
The line works as both a boast and a challenge, daring others to keep up with his fast-paced, carefree lifestyle.
Drake’s verses in “It’s Up” showcase his mastery of wordplay, blending introspection with sharp, sometimes cutting, commentary.
Toward the end of the track, Drake delivers a line that has sparked significant debate among fans:
“Knockin’ off the namebrand niggas in your crew / Heard you miss your dogs, now it’s long live who? Idiot.”
These lines are widely interpreted as a subtle jab at A$AP Rocky, referencing his fashion-forward crew and the loss of A$AP Mob member A$AP Yams.
By intertwining a tribute with a taunt, Drake blurs the line between respect and rivalry, making his wordplay all the more powerful.
The use of “long live who?” adds a layer of ambiguity, transforming what could have been a straightforward diss into a thought-provoking question.
Drake’s ability to weave such nuanced lines into his verses is what sets him apart in the rap game.
His wordplay serves not just as a display of skill but as a way to engage in a subtle dialogue with other artists, his fans, and the broader culture.
21 Savage enters the track with a gritty, no-nonsense verse that showcases his readiness to confront any threat.
His lyrics are filled with references to violence and survival, painting a picture of a life where danger is always lurking.
Lines like “Made a couple songs, think he hot now/Hit his ass up, think he ’Pac now” could be interpreted as subtle jabs at other rappers who may have gotten too comfortable in their success.
21’s verse is raw and unfiltered, reflecting the harsh realities of life in the streets.
The verse also includes a reference to Clifford the Big Red Dog, cleverly flipping it into a bar about violence: “I wanna see red, Clifford.”
This line, while seemingly playful, carries a darker undertone, emphasising the constant presence of danger in 21’s world.
The Production: Trap Beats and Atmospheric Synths
The production of “It’s Up” plays a crucial role in setting the mood for the track.
The heavy trap beat, characterised by deep bass, sharp hi-hats, and snappy snares, provides a solid foundation for the lyrics.
Subtle, atmospheric synths add a moody backdrop, enhancing the introspective and boastful themes explored by Drake, 21 Savage, and Young Thug.
One of the standout moments in the track is the beat switch, which catches the listener off guard and adds a dynamic element to the song.
This switch mirrors the thematic shifts in the lyrics, moving from introspection to aggression seamlessly.
Potential Disses: Is Drake Taking Shots?
One of the most talked-about aspects of “It’s Up” is the potential subliminal disses embedded in the lyrics.
Many fans and critics have speculated that Drake might be taking shots at A$AP Rocky with lines like “Knockin’ off the namebrand niggas in your crew/Heard you miss your dogs, now it’s long live who? Idiot.”
These lines appear to reference Rocky’s fashion sense, his crew (A$AP Mob), and his 2013 album Long Live A$AP.
Similarly, 21 Savage’s line “Made a couple songs, think he hot now/Hit his ass up, think he ’Pac now” has led some to believe he might be referencing Kendrick Lamar, though this remains unconfirmed.
The Legacy of “It’s Up”
Drake’s “It’s Up” collaboration with Young Thug and 21 Savage comes at a time when the YSL trial looms large over the hip-hop community.
Drake’s line, “I can’t sleep at night with Thug at Cobb County Corrections / I think he did enough reflectin’, I think my brother learned his lesson,” reflects not just his support for Young Thug during this challenging period, but also a deeper commentary on loyalty and the pressures that come with success in the rap game.
For those anticipating a direct response to Kendrick Lamar, “It’s Up” doesn’t seem to be targeting K. Dot directly.
However, Drake’s approach to releasing this track, along with the others from his vault, suggests a more calculated, strategic move—one that keeps his audience engaged while subtly addressing various undercurrents in the rap world.
The treasure trove of unreleased content from the “100GIGSFORYOURHEADTOP” leak offers fans more than just new music.
Hidden among the photos and videos are moments that shed light on Drake’s creative process, including a clip where he brainstorms the hook for what would later become Kanye West’s “Yikes.”
This clip not only revisits a key moment in Drake’s history with Kanye but also reminds fans of the complexities and tensions that have shaped his relationships within the industry.
In recent months, Drake has been relatively quiet on the release front, making guest appearances on tracks with artists like Sexyy Red, Camila Cabello, and Gordo, but avoiding official solo releases.
This period of silence seems intentional, as he now employs a strategy of purposeful leaks, keeping his fans on edge and the music industry guessing about his next move.
As “It’s Up” circulates and fans continue to dissect every line, it’s clear that Drake is playing the long game—balancing loyalty, rivalry, and his ever-evolving artistic identity in a way that keeps him at the forefront of the hip-hop narrative.
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Drake, Young Thug & 21 Savage Its Up Lyrics
Intro: Drake
I love all my friends
Thinkin’ about this life I provide for them
This world has some real things dividin’ them
My right hand, he’s Muslim, I’ll die for him
My road manager is drunk as hell at 5 p.m.
I get knocked down, they help me rise again
Ref 1 leave the game, I’m sayin’ bye with him
Drake, turn this shit the fuck up
Chorus: Young Thug
I don’t care about my opps (I don’t care about my opps)
I don’t care about my opps (I don’t care about no opps)
I don’t care about my opps (I don’t care about no opp)
Yeah, take a pic (Take a pic), Richard Millie, no stopwatch (Let’s go, uh-uh)
Take a pic of your lips gobblin’ on my cock (Let’s go, uh-uh, shit)
I don’t care ’bout no motherfuckin’ watch, nah (I don’t care ’bout no, uh, nah)
I don’t care ’bout no high-end thot (Nah, nah, nah)
Bitch, you just a (Bitch, you just a), bystander
Christian Dior pajama, Gucci up under, body number
Post-Chorus: Drake
I just picked up somethin’ from Mercedes, it’s a one of one
Black exterior the one that I want, red inside like that time of the month
Blood money, that’s how I got this, blood money, that’s how I got this
We can vacation wherever we want ’cause I don’t care where none of my opps is
Verse 1: Drake
I told the promoter tonight, put me across from they section
We don’t play patty cake, they just be lettin’ us in, we don’t do the inspection
I can’t sleep at night with Thug at Cobb County Corrections
I think he did enough reflectin’, I think my brother learned his lesson
It’s all just a part of the game, we all gotta roll with protection
And just like the motherfuckin’ judge, the hammers come out for objections
Nigga, what’s up? A hundred and forty-three Rolexes in my collection
I put the horns on the front of the ‘Bach, you know Drizzy gon’ roll like a Texan
She textin’ she love me, the Mexicans love me, I’m out here just makin’ connections
And Junior Boy rollin’ like Cinco de Mayo, he may hold a fifth in possession
The way that I’m used to playin’ the politics, swear I could win the election
You niggas is overprotective with hoes, I’m already over the next one
I’m at 48 with Ty and the vino, we drunk, it’s not even a question
These niggas tryna send a message, well, leave that shit down at reception, ayy
Chorus: Young Thug
I don’t care about my opps (I don’t care about my opps)
I don’t care about my opps (I don’t care about no opps)
I don’t care about my opps (I don’t care about no opp)
Yeah, take a pic (Take a pic), Richard Millie, no stopwatch (Let’s go, uh-uh)
Take a pic of your lips gobblin’ on my cock (Let’s go, uh-uh, shit)
I don’t care ’bout no motherfuckin’ watch, nah (I don’t care ’bout no, uh, nah)
I don’t care ’bout no high-end thot (Nah, nah, nah)
Bitch, you just a (Bitch, you just a), bystander
Christian Dior pajama, Gucci up under, body number (Woo)
Post-Chorus: Drake
I just picked up somethin’ from Mercedes, it’s a one of one
Black exterior the one that I want, red inside like that time of the month
Blood money, that’s how I got this, blood money, that’s how I got this
We can vacation wherever we want ’cause I don’t care where none of my opps is
Verse 2: 21 Savage
You hang around too many niggas that’s pussy, you gotta be pussy
If it’s on sight, up your gun on me, all that muggin’ and lookin’
Yeah, niggas doin’ all that woofin’, pussy
4L bomb shit, walk inside the store, that switch in my armpit
I go wherever, I keep a Beretta, and niggas ain’t on shit
My opps together, but I don’t discriminate, I got ’em both hit
Them niggas be lyin’, they niggas be dyin’ and they don’t never post shit
No rap cap come out my mouth, made a couple songs, think he hot now
Hit his ass up, he think he Pac now, broad daylight, he got shot down
Chopper bullets make his ass hop ’round, bloodshed, ain’t no way to stop now
Goin’ live’ll get your ass popped now, seem like everybody want an opp now
Leavin’ him flatline, Slaughter Gang, knife in the back, I’m on that time
Turn him to a hashtag, make him a “long live,” niggas ain’t my kind
Tried and true, I’ma pop mine, I was seventeen with a Glock 9
I wanna see red, stop sign, I wanna see red, Clifford
She keep tryna rip off my zipper, I moved to LA, I’m a Clipper
He think with his dick, he a tricker, get your bitch out the car ‘fore we blick her
We put an AirTag on his car, he in Miami by Brickell
Say hello to the four-nickel, I got a magazine, who got an issue?
Givin’ out smoke, pussy, my trigger finger broke
Don’t try me like no ho, I always let it blow
I pull up, fah, score, nigga, we caught him by that store
How much you wanna bet they ass won’t stand right there no more?
I’m Slaughter Gang OVO
A half a million a show, but I still walk in with that pole, idiot
Outro: Drake
Ayy, I’m feelin’ like 2 Chainz, T.R.U.
Bitch, I’m 21, bitch, I’m not 22
Knockin’ off the namebrand niggas in your crew
Heard you miss your dogs, now it’s long live who?
Idiot
Yeah
