Beyond the charts, the song became a staple in the sports world. It was adopted as a walk-up song for numerous MLB players and a pre-game anthem for teams like the Auburn Tigers and Virginia Tech Hokies .
Fans have cited the song as a tool for surviving personal crises, such as battling serious illness, due to its message of turning pain into power.
The song’s core story is Maino’s personal evolution. After serving a decade in prison for drug-related kidnapping, Maino turned to music as therapy while in solitary confinement.
Produced by Just Blaze and Nard & B , the song is often compared to T.I.'s "Live Your Life" (also produced by Just Blaze) due to its similar triumphalist synths and strings.
Mentions of figures like Barack Obama underscore a theme of achieving "greatness" against the odds. Creation and Impact
The lyrics detail "pain and sorrow" and "the struggle" of life on the block.