A Deep Dive into the Lyrics of “Tree” by Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne & Smino

Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne & Smino – Tree: A Deep-Rooted Anthem of Family, Struggle, and Defiance

Ever caught a whiff of a specific scent, maybe fresh-cut grass or a particular perfume, and it instantly zapped you back to a childhood memory? A memory so vivid you can almost feel the carpet under your feet or hear the faint sound of a TV in the other room. It’s wild how our senses can hold entire stories, right? A simple thing can represent something so much bigger—a person, a struggle, a specific time in your life.

That’s the exact feeling that Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne, and Smino bottle up in their track “Tree.” On the surface, you might hear the beat, catch the references, and think, “Okay, it’s a song about smoking weed.” And you’re not wrong, but you’re also not entirely right. This track is a masterclass in storytelling, using a simple plant as a powerful metaphor for family history, systemic injustice, and the defiant spirit of a community. So, let’s peel back the layers and get into the real story they’re telling, because it’s so much more profound than you might think.

• Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne & Smino – Tree: A Deep-Rooted Anthem of Family, Struggle, and Defiance
• Meaning “Sticky” Tyler, The Creator: Lyric, Quotes [ft. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne]
• Meaning “She Will” Lil Wayne: Lyric, Quotes [ft. Drake]

Digging Deeper Than the Roots: The Real Story in “Tree” by Chance, Wayne, and Smino

The song isn’t just a casual smoke session anthem; it’s a narrative passed down through generations. It’s a commentary painted with vivid, personal imagery. Each artist brings their unique flavor, but they all contribute to a central, powerful theme: the complex relationship between the Black community, cannabis, and the systems of power that surround them.

The Matriarch’s Perspective

Chance opens the song not with a party, but with a deeply personal and warm memory of his mother. He paints a picture: “My mama used to always keep a lil’ bit of dro / The incense in the window while she foldin’ our clothes.” Right away, this isn’t about reckless indulgence. It’s woven into the fabric of domestic life, a quiet ritual for a hardworking mother. The incense isn’t just to cover a smell; it’s part of a peaceful, almost sacred, routine.

But then, his mother drops the most crucial piece of wisdom in the whole song. She tells him not to feel shame because there are “frustrations in this white man’s game.” This line is the thesis of the track. The weed isn’t the problem; it’s a coping mechanism for a much larger, systemic issue. She prophetically warns him that once it’s legalized, “they’re gonna have us tied up,” because at the end of the day, it is a tree—a natural product of the earth that was used to criminalize them and will now be used to profit from them. It’s a stunningly sharp critique of the hypocrisy of legalization, where corporations and government stand to make millions off something that has landed so many Black men in jail.

A Tribute to the Unseen Hustle

Chance’s verse then transforms into a powerful dedication. This isn’t just for him; he’s rolling one up for everyone who’s fighting their own battles. He shouts out the “pretty girls that’s on they grind getting paid” and, most movingly, the “women who life wasn’t no crystal staircase.” This is a beautiful and direct reference to the Langston Hughes poem “Mother to Son,” a classic piece about a mother telling her son about the hardships she’s endured. By using this line, Chance elevates the song from a simple tribute to a profound acknowledgment of Black women’s resilience in the face of incredible adversity.

He also contrasts the new world of legal weed with the old one. He spits, “Dispensary weed is a government scam / My cousin my weedman, the plug is my man’s.” This isn’t just a preference; it’s a statement of loyalty. It’s about keeping business and relationships within the community, trusting “his man’s” over a faceless, corporate system that he views as a “scam.” It’s a celebration of community economics and a rejection of being exploited yet again.

Lil Wayne’s Chaotic Genius

When Lil Wayne jumps on the track, the energy shifts into his signature high-octane, witty style. Yet, he’s perfectly in tune with the song’s theme. He starts with, “My step daddy had the work,” immediately connecting his experience to the same family-and-community-based hustle that Chance described. Weezy’s verse is a whirlwind of clever punchlines, comparing his smoking to a religion (“Holy smokes”) and an engine, but it’s all grounded in that same reality.

His wordplay is, as always, next-level. He turns “smoking them plants” with Chance into a “Bill & Ted” adventure and describes his blunts as “thick as legs.” It’s fun, it’s braggy, but it never loses sight of the core idea. Even his seemingly random flex, “You could pull up in a fly car / I’m a pull off in a flying car,” adds to the song’s feeling of defiant success—achieving the impossible despite the odds stacked against you.

• Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne & Smino – Tree: A Deep-Rooted Anthem of Family, Struggle, and Defiance
• Meaning “Sticky” Tyler, The Creator: Lyric, Quotes [ft. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne]
• Meaning “She Will” Lil Wayne: Lyric, Quotes [ft. Drake]

From the Branches: Inspirational Quotes in “Tree” and Their Hidden Strength

Beyond the incredible storytelling, “Tree” is filled with lines that stick with you long after the beat fades. These aren’t just clever bars; they’re powerful statements that capture the song’s essence of defiance, resilience, and community pride. Let’s look at a few that really stand out.

A Nod to the Unsung Heroines

This line is so much more than a shout-out. As mentioned, it’s a direct literary reference to Langston Hughes’ powerful poem. In the poem, a mother tells her son that her life has been full of “tacks,” “splinters,” and “boards torn up”—nothing like a smooth, easy crystal stair. By invoking this, Chance is paying the highest respect to the women who have persevered through immense struggle, poverty, and systemic barriers without giving up. It’s a toast to their strength and a recognition that their difficult journey paved the way for the next generation.

A Prophetic Warning on Control

This is arguably the most politically charged and insightful quote of the entire song. It’s a sharp, poignant critique of the cannabis industry. The irony is bitter: a natural plant, a “tree,” was used for decades to justify the over-policing and mass incarceration of Black communities. Now, as it becomes legal and profitable, the very same systems of power are creating regulations, licenses, and corporations that often exclude those same communities from participating in the boom. The line is a warning that “legalization” doesn’t automatically mean “liberation” or “justice.”

Community Over Corporation

Here, Chance draws a clear line in the sand. It’s a declaration of allegiance. In a world moving toward sterile, government-regulated dispensaries, he puts his faith and his money back into his community. The “plug” isn’t just a dealer; he’s “my man’s”—a friend, a part of the local ecosystem. This quote champions the informal economies and personal relationships that have long sustained communities, viewing them as more authentic and trustworthy than the corporate or government structures trying to take over. It’s a powerful statement about where true loyalty lies.

So, “Tree” is a track that grows on you, revealing more with every listen. It’s a family portrait, a political statement, and a celebration of survival all rolled into one. But that’s just my take on it. What did you hear in the lyrics? Did a particular line or story from one of the artists resonate with you more? I’d love to hear your perspective, as a song this layered is bound to mean something different to everyone. Let’s discuss it!