---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This game wears on you. It tears you…"
description: "\"This game wears on you. It tears you down. It's perpetual motion for some people who've achieved a level of independence, like Madonna and Jay-Z - they..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/lupe-fiasco-1146_achieved_this-game-wears-on-you-it-tears-you-down_263253.png"
---

#  This game wears on you. It tears you down. It's perpetual…

![“This game wears on you. It tears you down. It's perpetual motion for some people who've achieved a level of independence, like Madonna and Jay-Z - they don't need to do music anymore. But there's people who need it. And in that need, that's when it's tough and it tears you to pieces.” quote by Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/lupe-fiasco-1146_achieved_this-game-wears-on-you-it-tears-you-down_263253.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/lupe-fiasco-1146_achieved_this-game-wears-on-you-it-tears-you-down_263253.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/lupe-fiasco-1146_achieved_this-game-wears-on-you-it-tears-you-down_263253.png)

> “This game wears on you. It tears you down. It's perpetual motion for some people who've achieved a level of independence, like Madonna and Jay-Z - they don't need to do music anymore. But there's people who need it. And in that need, that's when it's tough and it tears you to pieces.”

[Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Some artists become detached from creating music after achieving fame, while others rely on it for identity and purpose.

**In simple terms:** Fame can make music feel optional for some.

Key Takeaway

Find purpose beyond external validation.

Themes

art fame identity psychology

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

musical psychological

When to use this quote

- career planning
- mental health support
- creative workshops

Key Concepts

creative burnout self‑worth

Questions to Reflect On

- What drives your creative work?
- How does success affect your motivation?

A Different Perspective

Not all artists fit this pattern; personal factors vary.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Motion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motion/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Perpetual motion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perpetual-motion/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Tears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tears/)

## Related quotes

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> [I have respect for the greats, like Jay-Z.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-barnes/i-have-respect-for-the-greats-like-jay-z/)

[Harrison Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-barnes/)

> [Jay-Z has always been a huge figure in hip-hop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabolous/jay-z-has-always-been-a-huge-figure-in-hip-hop/)

Fabolous

> [I'm the female Jay-Z. I never compared myself to other women artists. I compared myself with the best, and the best is Jay-Z.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/estelle/i-m-the-female-jay-z-i-never-compared-myself-to-other-women-artists-i/)

[Estelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/estelle/)

> [I respect Jay-Z. I like him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-anka/i-respect-jay-z-i-like-him/)

[Paul Anka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-anka/)

> [When I'm not in the booth, I'm one of the most laid-back guys. But growing up, I liked DMX, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and T.I.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meek-mill/when-i-m-not-in-the-booth-i-m-one-of-the-most-laid-back-guys-but/)

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> [I'm a fan of Jay-Z, I'mma always be a fan of Jay-Z.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-pain/i-m-a-fan-of-jay-z-i-mma-always-be-a-fan-of-jay-z/)

[T-Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-pain/)

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## More by Lupe Fiasco

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[Explore all 282 Lupe Fiasco quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/)

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Browse all 410 Achieved quotes

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