Industry Baby

Meaning of Industry Baby by Lil Nas X, and what it is about

Lil Nas X posted a letter to his 20-year-old self ahead of the song's release, stating that it's one "for us". He writes on a variety of topics, such as being stuck during the COVID-19 pandemic, being shunned because of his sexual orientation, and persevering through hardship to see his future achievement.

Regarding the involvement of Kanye West, David Biral of Take a Daytrip told Rolling Stone in September 2021:

[Me] and Denzel [Baptiste] didn’t get to meet Kanye, but Nas had the opportunity to sit down with him and play him a bunch of records from the album, maybe two months ago now...Kanye specifically picked out 'Industry Baby' and just from what Nas told us, Kanye gravitated to that one just because it reminded him of some of his anthemic moments, like 'All of the Lights.' He just wanted to come in and really give it an overall finishing touch. So he came in and helped layer some instruments and really helped beef up the production.

Industry Baby lyrics by Lil Nas X

D-D-Daytrip took it to ten, hey

[Lil Nas X:]

Baby back, aye

Couple racks, aye

Couple Grammys on him

Couple plaques, aye

That's a fact, aye

Throw it back, aye

Throw it back, aye

And this one is for the champions

I ain't lost since I began, yuh

Funny how you said it was the end, yuh

Then I went did it again, yuh

I told you long ago, on the road

I got what they're waitin' for

I don't run from nothin', dog

Get your soldiers, tell 'em I ain't layin' low

You was never really rootin' for me anyway

When I'm back up at the top I wanna hear you say

"He don't run from nothin', dog"

Get your soldiers, tell 'em that the break is over

Uh, need to

Uh, need to get this album done

Need a couple number ones

Need a plaque on every song

Need me like one with Nicki now

Tell a rap nigga, "I don't see ya", ha

I'ma pop nigga like Bieber, ha

I don't fuck bitches, I'm queer, ha

But these niggas bitches like Madea

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Ay, oh let's do it

I ain't fall off, I just ain't release my new shit

I blew up now everybody tryna sue me

You call me Nas, but the hood call me Doobie, yah

And this one is for the champions

I ain't lost since I began, yuh

Funny how you said it was the end, yuh

Then I went did it again, yuh

I told you long ago, on the road

I got what they're waitin' for (I got what they're waitin' for)

I don't run from nothin', dog

Get your soldiers, tell 'em I ain't layin' low

(Bitch, I ain't runnin' from no one)

You was never really rootin' for me anyway (Ooh, ooh)

When I'm back up at the top I wanna hear you say (Ooh, ooh)

"He don't run from nothin', dog"

Get your soldiers, tell 'em that the break is over (yeah)

[Jack Harlow:]

My track record so clean

They couldn't wait to just bash me

I must be gettin' too flashy

Y'all shouldn't let the world gas me (woo)

It's too late 'cause I'm here to stay and these girls know that I'm nasty

I sent her back to her boyfriend with my handprint on her ass cheek

City talkin', we takin' notes

Tell 'em all to keep makin' posts

Wish he could but he can't get close

OG so proud of me that he chokin' up while he makin' toasts

I'm the type that you can't control

Said I would then I made it so

I don't clear up rumors (aye)

Where's y'all sense of humor? (aye)

I'm done makin' jokes 'cause they got old like baby boomers

Turn my haters to consumers

I make vets feel like they're juniors (juniors)

Say your time is comin' soon but just like Oklahoma

Mine is comin' sooner

I'm just a late bloomer

I didn't peak in high school, I'm still out here gettin' cuter (woo)

All these social networks and computers

Got these pussies walkin' 'round like they ain't losers

[Lil Nas X:]

I told you long ago, on the road

I got what they're waitin' for (I got what they're waitin' for)

I don't run from nothin', dog

Get your soldiers, tell 'em I ain't layin' low

(Bitch, I ain't runnin' from no one)

You was never really rootin' for me anyway

When I'm back up at the top I wanna hear you say

"He don't run from nothin', dog"

Get your soldiers, tell 'em that the break is over

Yeah

I'm the industry baby

I'm the industry baby

Yeah