Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne & Smino – Tree. Lyrics Meaning: More Than Smoke, It’s a Symbol of Roots and Rebellion

Ever have one of those days? The kind where the weight of the world, your job, your bills, and just… everything feels like it’s pressing down on your shoulders? We all have a little ritual to shake it off, right? Maybe it’s a long walk, blasting your favorite music, or just finding a quiet corner to breathe for five minutes. It’s that small, personal act of rebellion against the stress.

Now, imagine that simple act of unwinding was tangled up in generations of struggle, family love, and sharp social commentary. That’s the exact story Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne, and Smino are telling in their incredible collaboration, “Tree”. On the surface, it’s a track about weed. But if you listen closely, you’ll find it’s about so much more. This isn’t just a song; it’s a story rooted in family history and defiance.

Digging into the Roots of “Tree” by Chance, Smino, and Lil Wayne

The entire song is anchored by its powerful and deeply personal chorus, delivered by Chance. It sets a scene that’s both nostalgic and incredibly profound. It’s not a party anthem; it’s a warm memory.

A Mother’s Wisdom and a Warning

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The chorus isn’t just lyrics; it’s a full-blown scene. You can almost smell the incense and see the warm light coming through the window. It paints a picture of home, of safety, and of a mother’s love.

My mama used to always keep a lil’ bit of dro
The incense in the window while she foldin’ our clothes
And though life will have its issues, there will never be
A problem with the weed

This isn’t a story about reckless behavior. It’s about a mother finding a moment of peace while doing the endless work of caring for her family. Chance’s mom frames the weed not as a vice, but as a simple, natural way to cope. The real “problem,” as she explains, lies elsewhere.

She told me, “Son, don’t worry, don’t you have no shame
There’s gonna be frustrations in this white man’s game
And they’re gonna have us tied up once it’s legalized
Because it is a tree!”

And boom, there it is. The song’s true thesis. The frustration isn’t the plant; it’s the systemic prejudice, the “white man’s game.” His mother’s wisdom is twofold: she gives him a tool for personal peace while also arming him with a sharp critique of the society he lives in. She predicts the hypocrisy of legalization, where the very thing that was used to criminalize Black communities would be commercialized and controlled by the system. Her final declaration, “Because it is a tree!”, is so powerful in its simplicity. It’s a call to see things for what they are: natural, simple, and unjustly complicated by man-made systems.

A Tribute to the Grind

The verses expand on this theme of struggle and resilience. Both Chance and Smino use their space to honor the people, especially the women, who work tirelessly. Smino’s opening verse is a raw glimpse into this reality:

My mama had to work
My mama had to birth (Two kids)
My mama drove to church and ironed shirts and kept a smirk
And I think my mama must of work at Saltine at the factor-
Y?
She came home crying said, “I’m tired of these crackers!”

That final line is a punch to the gut. It’s a moment of unfiltered exhaustion and frustration with the daily racism she endured. The song then transforms the act of smoking into an act of tribute. This isn’t just getting high; it’s a salute.

I roll up

For pretty girls that’s on they grind getting paid (Hu!)
I roll up
For women who life wasn’t no crystal Staircase (Hu!)

This is for the matriarchs, the grinders, the survivors. The reference to Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son” with the “crystal staircase” line is just brilliant, connecting the song to a long history of Black struggle and perseverance. It’s a beautiful, moving dedication.

Tunechi’s Turn: A Whirlwind of Wit and Weed

And then, Lil Wayne enters the chat. As always, he brings a completely different, chaotic energy that somehow fits perfectly. His verse is a dizzying display of punchlines and clever wordplay, a signature of the legendary rapper.

My step daddy had the work
Don’t expect me to pass the purp
‘Cause Pastor Purp ain’t at this church
Oh God forgive me, God forgive me
Holy smokes, like religion

Wayne’s verse feels like a freestyle session that’s both hilarious and incredibly skilled. From comparing his smoking to a religion (“Holy smokes”) to his wild weight-loss simile (“Blow a pound like I’m Jenny Craig”), he reminds everyone why he’s one of the greats. While Chance and Smino ground the song in heartfelt tribute, Wayne injects it with pure, unapologetic fun and bravado. He even playfully shouts out his collaborator: “And Chance gave me a 3 cap to cover up all these naps.” It’s a moment of camaraderie that makes the track feel even more genuine.

At its core, “Tree” is a song about roots. It’s about family roots, the natural roots of a plant, and the deep-seated roots of social injustice in America. It champions finding peace in the small things while never losing sight of the bigger fight. The song is a powerful reminder that sometimes the simplest things hold the most complex and meaningful stories. It’s a celebration of resilience, a critique of hypocrisy, and a tribute to the mothers who teach us how to navigate it all.

So, what’s your take on “Tree”? Do you see it as a family story, a social critique, or just a great track to vibe to? I’d love to hear how you interpret the layers in this song. Maybe you caught something I missed!