Ensalada Lyrics – Freddie Gibbs, The Alchemist

Ensalada Lyrics Meaning

[Intro: Freddie Gibbs]
Freddie’s just warming up here, setting the mood. The repeated “it’s a lotta” hints that he’s about to unpack some heavy stuff—trauma, pain, and chaos. It’s like he’s taking a deep breath before diving into a world full of struggles.

[Verse 1: Freddie Gibbs]
Freddie’s painting a raw and dark picture of life in the streets. He’s been through long, cold nights where pain was the only constant. He talks about cooking and selling drügs, and when there’s nothing left to sell, people turn to robbery just to survive. It’s a place full of tears, death, and mental struggles. The thought of murder keeps creeping into his mind, and love feels completely out of place in that world.

He wakes up drenched in sweat, clearly haunted by the life he’s living. His mind and body are worn out, and he’s seen people he cares about, like a friend’s mom, trapped in that same drug cycle. There are guns everywhere, and things feel exciting until someone ends up needing help and has no money to get out of jail. He calls out people who only show up when they’re broke, and makes it clear that the only person he truly trusts is himself.

Freddie’s always ready to defend himself, and even if someone catches him off guard, he’ll never be seen as someone who ran from the fight. He’s mixing with dangerous stuff like fentanyl, and dealing with the dirty side of the game. He talks about death like it’s routine, even bragging about flashy moments like being in a car with spinning rims and ignoring the fakeness of people trying to catch him on video. Again, he drives the point home—he trusts no one, not even the women around him.

[Chorus: Anderson .Paak]
Here, Anderson .Paak steps in with a soulful voice that adds emotion. He’s basically saying he wants to escape from the mess he’s stuck in. This place feels cursed, and it’s draining him. He warns others not to get too close unless they’re ready to deal with the weight of this life. He’s heartbroken seeing gangsters he once knew end up dead.

Despite everything, he’s still grateful—he’s made it through and wouldn’t trade what he’s learned. He also shows a softer side, saying he wants to be there for people he cares about, especially his kids. There are lots of women around, but none of that matters compared to seeing his babies. He just wants to leave, quietly and without attention, heading far away from all the pain.

[Verse 2: Freddie Gibbs]
Freddie dives even deeper into the darkness here. He talks about how scary his world is—death is common, and bodies are added to the streets like another newspaper headline. He’s still mixing drügs and dealing with the consequences, both physically and mentally. He’s got scars and wounds to prove what he’s been through. People want to break him or take him out, but even after getting hit, he stays loyal and doesn’t rat anyone out.

He’s traveled far just to handle enemies and settle scores. His mind is full of violent memories, like seeing dead people in his sleep. He calls out others who pretend they’re drug lords online but don’t really live that life—they’re all fake Pablos. He repeats how he sees those dead faces with his eyes closed, like the trauma never goes away.

There’s also bitterness toward people who once claimed to be loyal, but now just use his name for clout on Instagram. He knows many are against him, but he’s not backing down. If anyone wants to stop him, they’ll have to kill him first. He reflects on how much this life has changed him, taken from him.

Dreaming doesn’t feel possible when life is this rough. Instead of chasing dreams, he focused on staying alive and stacking cash. He calls out those who betrayed him by joining law enforcement, and he ends by saying again—he doesn’t chase dreams, he just made sure his money and safety were secure.

[Chorus: Anderson .Paak]
This chorus circles back with the same powerful emotions. He’s still begging to get out of the life he’s stuck in. There’s a real sadness to how trapped he feels. Again, he warns that this life isn’t for everyone. Seeing gangsters die never gets easier—it breaks his heart every time. Still, he holds onto his thankfulness, knowing his pain gave him perspective.

He mentions wanting to bring some people into a better life with him, but above all, what really matters is seeing his kids. That’s his real motivation. He’s not showing off or trying to impress—he just wants to disappear from all this chaos and head somewhere quiet, like Vegas, but in the opposite direction. He’s tired and ready for a new chapter.