Damian Lillard reacts to Bucks trade by dropping single 'Farewell'
Damian Lillard reacted to his long-expected trade to an unexpected destination, the Milwaukee Bucks, with a musical response from his alter ego.
The former Portland Trail Blazers guard, who moonlights as a rapper by the name Dame D.O.L.L.A., dropped a single on social media hours after news broke that he was on the way to Milwaukee as part of a three-team trade also involving the Phoenix Suns.
The title: "Farewell."
‘Farewell’ out on @AppleMusic and @TIDAL now. Hitting the rest of the platforms soon. #DameDOLLA
🫡 @EMPIRE for turning this around.
💿 https://t.co/2yhhL5wHkh pic.twitter.com/jFTpLslzqX— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) September 27, 2023
The lyrics in "Farewell" feature a number of pointed references to the circumstances of Lillard's exit. It was no secret Lillard wanted out, but his trade request came after years of frustration as a superstar on a team that struggled to build a true contender around him. Additionally, the Blazers drafted G Leaguer Scoot Henderson, who also plays point guard, with the No. 3 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft.
Lillard has lines such as “I said vows just to watch it ended abruptly" and "Amazing what I get in return for this labor," but his feelings are most clear with the final words, "You should know they're the ones who chose another mission."
You can read the song's full lyrics below.
Lillard's trade represents a massive shift for a number of NBA teams, including his preferred destination, the Miami Heat. The Bucks are swapping All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday as well as depth and draft picks for one of the best point guards of the last 10 years, but are further breaking up a core that won a championship in 2021 in the process.
The Suns sent center Deandre Ayton, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, to Portland in exchange for veteran center Jusuf Nurkić and some decent depth pieces, which could be a solid fit for a roster already headlined by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Meanwhile, the Blazers get younger with two tentpole pieces — Henderson and Ayton — while the Heat dwell on what they missed by playing hardball with the Blazers, a process that includes star Jimmy Butler calling for a tampering investigation.
As of now, Lillard figures to enter the 2023-24 season with his best-ever chance at his first NBA title. It's a better situation for him all around, but as "Farewell" showed, it's a bittersweet moment for a man with a claim as the best player in Blazers history.
Damian Lillard's 'Farewell' full lyrics
The early parts of the song focus more on Lillard's personal life, with a quick reference to welterweight champion Terence Crawford (Lillard is a noted boxing fan). He starts focusing on basketball with "All this pain I done endured but you won’t see no grimace."
I be in pocket most days but I got some nutty in me
That’s why I pull up in that butter Bentley
Yeah, it's that perfect balance s*** that all you busters envy
And I'm still cooking s*** just like my cousin Kenny
Passed the stage of thinking about who wasn't, wasn't with me
Solo mission with my kids I know they f*** with Disney
Cut from a cloth that guarantee we cut in history
The way these dreams is unfolding gotta pluck or pinch me
Big Dolla not the lil one, come and eat just like a pilgrim
Whole entire family, know I willed 'em out the ghetto
But can’t take it out a n****, every state they cop a picture
Lot of grace in my charisma. I was heaven sent
The accolades across my letterman indicative of blesses and
Touched by the man, not a reverend
All the times that I been severin’
Ain't worthy to follow me in the rooms that I'm excelling in
It's nothing fake people can offer
If they get boxed in with me I may turn into Crawford
All the s*** that's on my plate, it won't fit on a saucer
I know all this s*** was written and know who the author
I get low for the Father
Yeah
Not as devout as I should be
Falling victim to the flesh like I'm a kid or a rookie
Do I get in line with him or do I get some p****
And all my cousins thuggin’ and they know how to boogie
A lot of praise but still a lot of sinnin’
Questioning my own walk watching Gino Jennings
I mastered bein’ P and now I see no limits
All this pain I done endured but you won’t see no grimace
I'm solid to the finish
Been at the top for a minute, still I’m the real me
I can't get caught up in the s*** that didn't build me
Cause it can kill me, more pricey than my bills be
Only my loved ones make me feel free
I said vows just to watch it ended abruptly
Let some people in and now these n***** disgust me
I learned that a wolf can sometimes resemble a husky
Swear that you’re their dog, then sell you shorter than Muggsy
You live and learn and I know it, that’s why I roll with punches
With each attack, all of my gifts you see grows in abundance
It gets spicy when a n***** get told he was munchin’
When you play with good people, your goals in the dungeon
I can never be replaced, they'll know sooner than later
An arrow pointed at who assumed it was greater
Amazing what I get in return for this labor
I continue leaving trails, but it won’t be for the Blazers
To the fans, man, I love you, it’s unconditional
Reasons for me leaving this city is nothing typical
So it’s imperative not to believe their narrative
Just know that what I left is better than what I inherited
I leave at peace because I know at the end that this is business
Hope you remember all the things you got to sit and witness
In the future, man, I hope we greet with hugs and kisses
But you should know they’re the ones who chose another mission
They fishin'
