Tightrope (Wondamix) - Lyrics and Interpretation of Lupe's Verse

First of all, this song is the dopest I've heard (pretty cool visual, too) in quite a bit. I have an appetite for lyrics that are intellectually stimulating, and I think that the trio's words are laying on the perfect beat--especially Lupe's verse which could be heavier over anything less energetic, and punchy. As Lupe's intellect has been expanding, I've been noticing his word selection becoming more particular, and I think his latest verse is quite the piece. I mean, you gotta think about what he's saying. It's of long-term value, to be sure.

Verse as a whole first:

"Greetings. Welcome to the meeting of the minds that be thinking all the time 'bout defeating all the blind following, swallowing, drinking of the thyme, honor traditions of keeping in a line. I prefer to figure 8 in Mandelbrot. Rock all night 'til the candles on my mantle stop, and it's paid programming on every single channel. Watch televised revolutionaries on the chapel tops shouting down at Babylonian accounting. Medieval mathematics keep us average in amounting. But, I surpass that. I dropped out of they math class. I am 'cause I thought. Now, my tightrope's like a sidewalk. Blaow!"

Lyrics bolded. Interpretations italicized.

"Greetings. Welcome to the meeting of the minds that be thinking all the time 'bout defeating all the blind following, swallowing, drinking of the thyme, honor traditions of keeping in a line."

Interpretation: For simplicity's sake, Lupe establishes the existence of two groups of people: One group, who he implicitly identifies with, is meeting (which he welcomes you to) as they obsess over how they could give vision (or, light, which can translate to knowledge) to the those who are blind (or, in the dark, or unenlightened) to paths that are not already well-established, hence honoring the traditions of keeping in a line. In addition, these blind followers drink on thyme, an herb which has received a lot of attention for its healing effects for numerous ailments--implying that these blind followers who honor established traditions are attempting to heal themselves of something.

"I prefer to figure 8 in Mandelbrot. Rock all night 'til the candles on my mantle stop, and it's paid programming on every single channel.

Interpretation: As opposed to following the established linear paths that keep people from stepping beyond the single-file boundaries, Lupe prefers to "figure 8 in Mandelbrot". Mandelbrot is a mathematical program which I don't understand all the details about. However, the important point of the Mandelbrot reference, I think, is this: "When computed and graphed on the complex plane the Mandelbrot set is seen to have an elaborate boundary which does not simplify at any given magnification" (Wiki). So, no matter how much you magnify, there is no distinct boundary. Ultimately, Lupe contrasts the traditions of keeping in a line with his preference of thinking of ways to, not only do away with lines altogether doing figure-8s, but blur the lines as well. For added effect of his obsession, Lupe communicates that his philosophical endeavors go late into the early morning: this is typically when nothing is on TV but paid infomercials.

"Watch televised revolutionaries on the chapel tops shouting down at Babylonian accounting. Medieval mathematics keep us average in amounting. But, I surpass that. I dropped out of they math class. I am 'cause I thought. Now, my tightrope's like a sidewalk."

Interpretation: Now, I just don't know if this part is filled with specific references, or generalized references. I've tried to do some research on the Babylonians and their dealings of their finances, and I've become sort of reacquainted with some really, really old history classes (Code of Hammurabi - eye for an eye, establishment of written records, such as contracts, certifications, and other legal documents), but I really couldn't narrow down what Lupe was really referencing. I mean, televised revolutionaries on a chapel could be taken as some specific religious, or spiritual personalities who are in a position above those who do the accounting (or, financial record keeping). Or, maybe he's generally saying that those at the top of the church are commanding accounting from above--I just don't know. As for the "Babylonian accounting", Lupe could just be referencing the fact that record keeping in the form of legal documents became a part of societies during the period that Babylon was one of the cities of significance. As for medieval mathematics, I think Lupe references the relationship between peasants (common people who were free to leave the land their manor) and serfs (common people who were bound to the manor they lived on), and their responsibility to the manor (property owned by the local lord). During medieval times, the commoners had basically two options:

Option 1: Do the work that they were assigned to do on the manor whether they liked it or not, and receive the local lord's word that he would protect him from the dangers that lurked beyond his land.

Option 2: Risk his life and livelihood to try and find another life beyond the boundaries of the manor which could result in a better life, death, or a life identical to the one he just tried to flee.

This medieval predicament parallels the predicament that many of us still face today, which translates simply to: Either stick to the pursuit that's tried and true, or take the risk to pursue your passion. These "medieval mathematics" create a divide of values that keep the masses from amounting. Many find themselves falling in line for what's tried and true. Some take the risk and pursue their passions despite the thin probability of success. Either way, you're on some "tightrope" to success.

Lupe ends his verse announcing that he is beyond that predicament, and that he decided not to be educated in such mathematics: He is because he thought. And, because he thought, his tightrope is a more walkable, like a sidewalk.

"Blaow!"

Interpretation: Onomatopoeia for the explosion of your mind.

Yeah, I'm going to go pick up pieces of my brain now.