Big Energy

## Song by Lupe Fiasco

"**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).

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."

## 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

**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

1. ↑ Bustard, Andy (September 24, 2021). "Lupe Fiasco Drops New Song 'Big Energy' as 'Food & Liquor' Celebrates Double Milestone". *HipHopDX*.
2. ↑ Schube, Will (September 24, 2021). "Lupe Fiasco, Bobby Sessions, and Terrace Martin Featured on 'The One and Only Dick Gregory Soundtrack'". *Udiscovermusic*.