The song "Maintainin'" by GRIP tells a story about the artist's experiences and struggles while trying to maintain a certain lifestyle and mindset. The lyrics depict a group of friends who are constantly hanging out together ("Me and all my bros straight hangin'"). However, they also attract negative attention from drug addicts ("Junkie's lurkin' 'cause the dope man keep slangin'") and encounter individuals involved in gang activity ("Fools twistin' fingers, yeah them niggas gang bangin'"). Despite the challenges they face, GRIP and his friends are determined to stay focused on their goals and continue their path without getting dragged into unnecessary conflicts ("Everybody doin' somethin', we just out here maintainin'"). They aspire to maintain their current status and keep their lives on track ("My nigga we just tryna' maintain, Keep it G and never change lanes"). The artist reflects on his past, reminiscing about owning an '83 Impala and the struggles he faced trying to make money ("Now let me take you back to when I had an '83 Impala, Just got paid so I gotta couple dolla's"). He also mentions planning schemes and trying to come up with ideas to improve their financial situations ("On how to put some money in our motherfuckin' hands"). As the song progresses, GRIP reveals that he has grown older and drives an '01 Impala, but not much has changed in his life ("Now I'm a little older with an '01 Impala, Ain't shit changed 'cause the motor still [...]"). He continues to hang out with his friends, enjoying highs and dealing with lows ("We just gettin' high tryna' balance out the lows"). However, the artist emphasizes the importance of prioritizing money over chasing after romantic relationships ("Moral of the story, don't be chasin' after hoes, Better chase this money nigga, you know how it goes"). He advises listeners to focus on their financial goals rather than getting caught up in distractions. Overall, "Maintainin'" is a narrative-driven song that captures the struggles, aspirations, and mindset of GRIP and his friends as they navigate through life's challenges and try to maintain their lifestyles and ambitions.
