Engaging Intro: A Spiritual Welcome
"9 Mile" by Ab-Soul from the album Soul Burger begins with a skit featuring Joey Bada$$, who invites the rapper to the stage in a lighthearted manner. This intro sets a casual, intimate tone before the depth of Ab-Soul's lyrics takes over. The track slowly builds with a gospel-inspired sample that fades in and out, creating a spiritual atmosphere. Ab-Soul's flow feels effortless, yet powerful, drawing listeners in with his signature blend of introspective lyricism and laid-back delivery.
Lyrical Depth and Eminem Homage
The title "9 Mile" clearly references Eminem’s 8 Mile, and throughout the track, Ab-Soul peppers nods to Eminem, creating a unique connection between the two artists. The song explores themes of identity, success, and doubt, with Ab-Soul grappling with his role in the rap game. His introspective lyrics sound almost scriptural, as he poses existential questions about his worth, his journey, and his place in the world, making the track feel like a personal gospel.
Part II: An Emotional Shift
When the track moves into Part II, the tone shifts significantly. The song becomes more urgent, interpolating the famous beat from Eminem's "Lose Yourself." Ab-Soul's flow accelerates, matching the intensity of the instrumental. The shift mirrors the seriousness of the lyrics, as Ab-Soul opens up about his 2022 suicide attempt, delivering lines with a weight that could easily be missed due to the rapid-fire delivery. The use of the "Lose Yourself" reference adds to the theme of survival and seizing life’s moments.
Balancing Complexity and Vulnerability
One of the most impressive aspects of "9 Mile" is how Ab-Soul manages to balance lyrical complexity with raw emotional vulnerability. His fast-paced delivery in the second part of the track may cause some listeners to miss the gravity of his words on the first listen. However, upon deeper inspection, it becomes clear that Ab-Soul is unpacking personal trauma, particularly his struggles with mental health, addiction, and his near-death experience. This creates a rich contrast between the smooth flow of his verses and the hard-hitting realities he addresses.
A Powerful Start to Soul Burger
"9 Mile" is a masterful introduction to Soul Burger, perfectly setting the stage for the rest of the album. The track showcases Ab-Soul’s skill in blending intricate wordplay with profound introspection, making it a standout piece that invites listeners into his world. It also serves as a reminder of his resilience, highlighting that his survival is nothing short of a blessing. With "9 Mile," Ab-Soul not only delivers a great track but also hints at the depth and weight the rest of the album is likely to explore.
Listen to Ab-Soul 9 Mile
Ab-Soul 9 Mile Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "9 Mile" by Ab-Soul is a complex exploration of the rapper's internal struggles, personal growth, and his relationship with fame and faith. Through a blend of introspective lyrics and cultural references, Ab-Soul reflects on his battle with addiction, his near-death experiences, and his place in the rap game. The song draws heavily on themes of resilience, loyalty, and existential questioning, while also paying homage to Eminem's 8 Mile and the broader hip-hop tradition. With wordplay and sharp metaphors, Ab-Soul navigates the tension between confidence and vulnerability, crafting a deeply personal narrative.
Introduction
Ab-Soul’s "9 Mile" from his album Soul Burger opens with an intimate introduction by Joey Bada$$, setting a casual yet reflective tone. The introduction of "Soul Burger" as a moniker reflects a fusion of soul and wisdom, a theme that persists throughout the track. This intro establishes the camaraderie between the two artists, preparing listeners for the introspective sermon that follows.
First Verse: Confidence and Vulnerability
In the first verse, Ab-Soul immediately asserts his confidence with the line, “I like to call myself the God of rap / And all of y’all should call me that,” a callback to his track "Gotta Rap" from Herbert. This declaration is contrasted with his subsequent confession, “I hit the studio and talk like that / Leave that motherfucker and feel like a fraud,” where he reveals moments of doubt and imposter syndrome. The tension between his self-assured public persona and private insecurities becomes a recurring theme throughout the song. He then reflects, “In all honesty, I believe, the truth will set you free,” emphasizing his belief in the liberating power of truth, which he often uses to explore his own vulnerabilities.
Ab-Soul questions his own morality and worth with the line, “Am I an inmate? I got secrets I’ma die with,” suggesting a sense of entrapment by the secrets he holds. He continues, “I’ll be sippin' Apothic Red but I won’t be wining,” playing on the dual meanings of "wining" (drinking and complaining), reinforcing his resilience in the face of adversity. In a clever religious nod, he juxtaposes, “No boo-hoo’s / More like BeBe and CeCe, church on the move,” referencing the gospel duo BeBe and CeCe Winans, tying in themes of faith and perseverance.
Pop Culture and Hip-Hop References
Later in the verse, Ab-Soul skillfully blends references to hip-hop and pop culture, including, “It ain’t hard to tell like Sonic’s little homie,” a line that puns on Nas’s classic song "It Ain’t Hard to Tell" while referencing Sonic the Hedgehog’s sidekick, Tails. This blend of nostalgia and homage to rap’s history underlines the song’s multi-layered narrative. Ab-Soul continues to wrestle with his inner conflicts, stating, “Rhyming like I’m flying with angel wings, I just be crawling,” where he contrasts his potential for greatness (flying) with his perception of falling short (crawling). His existential struggle deepens with, “Jesus Christ, am I designed to compete or am I just appallin’?” raising questions about his purpose and his place in the rap game.
Humility and Reflection
In a shift toward humility, Ab-Soul declares, “These days, I rather work out my flaws than flex on y’all,” highlighting his focus on self-improvement rather than bragging about his success. His playful wordplay continues with, “Hope you read between the lines like when we be spelling wrong,” encouraging listeners to look deeper into his lyrics for hidden meanings.
Second Part: Personal Struggles and Loyalty
The second part of the song dives deeper into Ab-Soul’s personal struggles, beginning with, “I am broke, I am on fucking drugs / Don’t owe shit, I’m paying rent but my baby’s mom.” This is a direct nod to Eminem’s character B-Rabbit in 8 Mile, mirroring the raw vulnerability of Eminem’s self-deprecating confessions. Ab-Soul follows with, “I take a 7.62 for Top Dawg,” a testament to his loyalty to TDE, symbolizing his willingness to take a bullet for his label.
In one of the song’s most revealing moments, Ab-Soul confesses, “I did jump off a bridge on Del Amo Boulevard / I’m blessed but question why God would have mercy on a junkie.” This line references his 2022 suicide attempt, where he survived a leap from a bridge in Carson, California. His survival, which he refers to as a "blessing," is followed by his questioning of divine mercy, reflecting his deep struggle with self-worth and his battle with addiction. He ties this personal trauma into a broader social commentary with, “I’m still standing here screaming ‘Fuck the whole system,’” echoing Eminem’s famous line from 8 Mile and maintaining his defiance against societal expectations.
Cultural References and Fusion
Further references to pop culture surface as Ab-Soul continues, “I got the game in a headlock, I’m like Draymond,” referencing NBA player Draymond Green’s notorious headlock incident during a game in 2023-2024. The line suggests Ab-Soul’s dominance in the rap game, as he likens himself to Green’s aggressive and commanding presence on the court. Another standout cultural reference comes in, “Now we just a fusion like Trunks and Gohan,” a Dragon Ball Z nod where Ab-Soul and Doe Burger are metaphorically fused into one entity, "Soul Burger." Though he mistakenly swaps Gohan for Goten, the message of unity remains clear.
Ab-Soul closes with, “Huey and Riley combined, knowledge and 9's,” a comparison to the two brothers from The Boondocks, a show known for tackling complex social and racial issues. By combining the intellectualism of Huey with the rebellious nature of Riley, Ab-Soul portrays himself and Doe Burger as a formidable duo of wisdom and street toughness.
9 Mile Meaning
In "9 Mile," Ab-Soul masterfully weaves together introspection, pop culture references, and wordplay to create a deeply personal narrative that explores his struggles with addiction, mental health, and his place in the world. Through his intricate lyricism, he invites listeners to peel back the layers of his story, offering insight into both his inner turmoil and his external triumphs.
Ab-Soul 9 Mile Lyrics
[Part I]
[Intro: Joey Bada$$ & Ab-Soul]
Settle down, settle down, y'all
I'd like to take the time to introduce to the stage this new young brother
I like this brother
He go by the name of Soul Burger
Cue the sermon (Ooh)
My daughter Carson just said "Dada" for the first time
And Cali tryna get up and run the track (Ha ha)
Ayy, man (Steady, are you ready?)
[Verse: Ab-Soul]
I like to call my self the God of rap
And all of y'all should call me that (What's goin' on?)
I hit the studio and talk like that
Leave that motherfucker and feel like a fraud
In all honesty, I bеlieve, the truth will sеt you free (Steady, are you ready?)
Am I an inmate? I got secrets I'ma die with (What's goin' on?)
Am I the greatest or an ingrate?
Am I a victim or a villain with a moral compass? (Steady, are you ready?)
Did my dirt all by my lonely, no accomplice (What's goin' on?)
So when this shit hits the fan
I'll be sippin' Apothic Red but I won't be wining (Steady, are you ready?)
Huh, no boo-hoo's
More like BeBe and CeCe, church on the move (What's goin' on?)
Right or wrong
My faith was written way before I started writing (Steady, are you ready?)
This ain't a verse, this an excerpt from a séance
Ain't really confrontational but I crave chaos (What's goin' on?)
Mayday, mayday
Melee, melee (Steady, are you ready?)
Ayy, way off the chain like a jeweler's scale
Fuck all this gold on me (What's goin' on?)
Bro (Are you ready?)
It ain't hard to tell like Sonic's little homie (Steady, are you ready?)
Got my soul glowing despite the darkness I harness
You'd think these silver linings were straps that keep me from falling
What's goin' on?
Huh, rhyming like I'm flying with angel wings, I just be crawling
Steady, are you ready?
Jesus Christ, am I designed to compete or am I just appallin'?
What's going on? Are you ready?
(Peter and Paul like, you know, that was really crazy, look)
These days, I rather work out my flaws than flex on y'all (Steady, are you ready?)
A little something's better than a whole lot of nothin' at all (What's goin' on?)
Aw well, hope you read between the lines like when we be spelling wrong
[Interlude: Ab-Soul]
Steady, are you ready?
Hahaha, spells, see what I'm saying?
What's goin' on?
Aye, ayo, Arnie, can I, can I keep it going?
I'm down, take a look around
[Part II]
[Intro]
(However do you want me?) Uh
(However do you need me?) Mic check, one two, mic check
(However do you need me?) Turn me up in this bitch
(However do you need me?)
Can I, can I talk my shit? Can I keep it going real quick?
(However do you want me?)
[Verse]
I am broke, I am on fucking drugs
Don't owe shit, I'm paying rent but my babies mom
I take a 7.62 for Top Dawg
I did jump off a bridge on Del Amo Boulevard
I'm blessed but question why God would have mercy on a junkie
Biggest lie I ever told is that it ain't about the money
Hopped out the rabbit hole, but now I'm really trippin'
I'm still standing here screaming "Fuck the whole system"
Couldn't care any less if you judge me, bitch
You don't know what the fuck I did for this shit
And I don't know much, but I do know this
I got the game in a headlock, I'm like Draymond
Yo, you think you fuckin' with the squad just a little bit? (No!)
Dream on, and then apply for your Nembership
Lil bitch, shit ain't been the same, but I'm 'bout mine
Shit we was on, you woulda thought we was out our mind
Couple of tickin' time bombs, don't step on our mine
But he the reason that me and Danny spinned the block
We lost Popeye, but really remind me of Belly with Nas
So Cain never really left my side
Now we just a fusion like Trunks and Gohan
Huh, Huey and Riley combined, knowledge and 9's
[Outro]
Hehehe, bang
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