Flume & JPEGMAFIA – Is It Real: Meaning, Lyric, Quotes [ft. Ravyn Lenae]

Flume & JPEGMAFIA – Is It Real : When Success Feels Surreal

Hey there! So, have you ever listened to a song and just gotten completely lost in the sound, but then the words start hitting you, and you’re like, “Wait, what are they really talking about?” That’s totally how I feel about “Is It Real” by Flume and JPEGMAFIA. It’s got this amazing, floaty, signature Flume beat that just pulls you in, but then you have JPEGMAFIA coming in with that raw, questioning energy, and Ravyn Lenae just owning the verses.

Unpacking the Vibe: Flume & JPEGMAFIA’s ‘Is It Real’

Let’s dive into this track. On the surface, with that beat and Ravyn Lenae’s parts, it feels like a total flex anthem, right? Like, celebrating success, living it up, not caring about the haters. But right from the jump, JPEGMAFIA throws this curveball question out there that makes you pause: “Now tell me, is it real? Tell me how it feel.” He repeats it a few times, almost like a mantra or maybe even a doubt lingering in the back of the mind.

The Lingering Question: Is Any of This Real?

That hook is fascinating. It’s not just asking if the success or the moment is real in a factual sense. It feels deeper, more existential. Is this feeling of being on top, of having made it, truly authentic? Or is it fleeting? Is the experience itself genuine, or is there something hollow underneath? He’s asking for validation, maybe from himself, maybe from someone else. “Tell me how it feel” adds another layer – are you experiencing this as intensely as I am? Does the feeling match the perceived reality?

The Confident Hustle & High Life: Earning the Moment

Then Ravyn Lenae comes in, and her energy is completely different. She’s all confidence and action. She’s not questioning; she’s declaring. “I don’t even wanna brag, but I play to win,” she says. It’s not just ambition; it’s a fundamental part of her identity: “I’ma make it out because that’s just who I am.” This part feels like the journey, the grind, the determination. She’s not stressing, she’s letting go of worries (“throw up my hands”). She paid her dues. She earned this moment.

Living in the Moment, Full Throttle

The second part of Ravyn’s verse really shifts gears into the celebration. “But now I’m back and I’m out,” “I’m tryna blow a stack, make it back.” This isn’t just about making money; it’s about the freedom to spend it, to enjoy the fruits of the labor. “Life is short, spend it all, we makin’ more” – that line is a whole philosophy, isn’t it? It’s impulsive, it’s bold. “Empty my cup, we about to go up.” It paints a vivid picture of partying, of living fully in the present, surrounded by people (“Ass on the floor, we goin’ up, back ’em up”). There’s this incredible energy of release and enjoyment after the struggle.

Putting it Together: The Juxtaposition of Doubt and Bliss

So, you have JPEGMAFIA’s recurring, almost haunting question about reality and feeling, layered over Ravyn Lenae’s narrative of determined hustle leading to uninhibited celebration. What’s the connection? Maybe the question “Is it real?” isn’t just about the success itself, but about the intensity of the feeling that comes with it. When you’re living this high, earning big, spending freely, surrounded by energy – is that sheer bliss, that detachment from worry (“feelin’ way too high to be sad”), is that the real feeling? Or is the questioning, the doubt, the vulnerability JPEGMAFIA brings, also part of the reality?

So, What’s the Takeaway from ‘Is It Real’?

I think the song is subtly playing with the idea that reaching a peak, whether it’s success or just an incredible moment, can sometimes feel surreal. You worked hard (“paid my dues”), you got there, and now you’re experiencing this intense freedom and joy. But there’s that little voice asking, “Is this actually happening? Is this feeling going to last? Is this me, authentically?” It’s about the tension between the earned reality of success and the subjective, perhaps overwhelming, feeling of experiencing it.

The message, to me, feels like it encourages living in the moment, celebrating your wins because you earned them, and not letting the fear of whether it’s “real” or “lasting” stop you from experiencing the joy fully. But it also acknowledges that feeling of detachment or disbelief that can come with sudden highs. It’s okay to question, but don’t let it steal your thunder. Live it, feel it, even if it feels a little wild and unbelievable.

• Flume & JPEGMAFIA – Is It Real: Meaning, Lyric, Quotes [ft. Ravyn Lenae]
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Little Truths in the Rhythm: Inspirational Quotes from ‘Is It Real’

Beyond the main theme, this song is packed with lines you could pull out and stick on a sticky note. Even in a track about questioning reality and hitting the clubs, there are some seriously relatable and even inspiring bits tucked away in the lyrics. Let’s pull out a few that resonate.

Setting Your Intentions

Ravyn Lenae starts her verse with a line that just hits differently:

What this line totally says is, “Look, I’m not trying to show off, but let’s be clear: I’m here to succeed.” It’s about having that inner drive and not being afraid to admit you’re aiming for the top, even if you say it with a casual shrug. It’s quiet confidence, knowing your goals without needing external validation or excessive boasting. It’s about having that winner’s mindset from the start.

Embracing Your Core Identity

Right after that, she drops another gem about her inner certainty:

This is powerful stuff! It’s not about hoping to succeed or trying really hard. It’s a declaration rooted in self-awareness. “This is my nature,” she’s saying. “I overcome challenges because that resilience, that drive, is fundamentally me.” It’s a reminder that our core identity and belief in ourselves can be the strongest fuel for pushing through obstacles. It suggests that success isn’t just about external circumstances, but about our intrinsic character.

Letting Go of Worry

This next bit feels like a mantra for anyone stressed out:

Okay, maybe throwing your hands up in the air isn’t always a sign of surrender; sometimes it’s a sign of letting go! This is like saying, “I’ve done what I can, I trust the process, and I’m releasing the anxiety.” It’s a great reminder that sometimes, the best thing we can do is stop worrying about the things we can’t control and just free ourselves from that mental burden. Easier said than done, I know, but a nice thought!

Valuing the Journey and the Reward

This line speaks volumes about earning your success:

This isn’t just a lyric; it’s an acknowledgment of the hard work and sacrifices made along the way. “Paid my dues” means putting in the effort, facing challenges, learning lessons. And “make it last” adds a layer of appreciation. It’s about not taking the achievement for granted and trying to build something sustainable from it. It connects the struggle directly to the current enjoyment.

Choosing Happiness (or Hype) Over Sadness

The final couple of lines I want to pull out show a determination to focus on the positive feeling, whatever the reason:

and later she says:

The subtle change from “bad” to “high” is interesting. “Bad” could mean feeling cool, confident, maybe even a little rebellious. “High” definitely implies the elevated state of partying or success. But the core message is the same: the intensity of the current feeling, whether it’s confidence or elation, is so strong that it pushes away any possibility of sadness. It’s a declaration of choosing to focus on the positive, to let the good vibes override the bad ones. It’s about being so immersed in the positive experience that sadness just doesn’t fit in that space.

So yeah, this song has more layers than you might think at first listen. It’s a bop, sure, but it also makes you think about authenticity, the feeling of success, and those little personal truths we carry.

What do you think? Do you hear that same questioning vibe, or is it just a straight-up celebration anthem for you? Are there other lines that stood out? I’d love to hear your take on “Is It Real”!