Leaving Toronto Lyrics – Mustafa ft. Daniel Caesar

[Intro]
The introduction sets a tone of frustration and emotional detachment. Mustafa talks about dropping a "bag" on himself and his Glock, signifying the burden he feels and the emotional armor he carries. His statement about being a "heart, boy" but not showing much love indicates his internal conflict between being a sensitive person and his inability to express vulnerability.

[Chorus]
In the chorus, Mustafa and Daniel Caesar convey the desire to leave Toronto because the city has drained them emotionally. Mustafa expresses how he has nothing left to gain from staying, and the distance (driving to Montreal) signifies his need to physically escape to process his emotions. The feeling of loneliness becomes a constant companion, as Mustafa wrestles with his fear of being abandoned and losing himself in relationships.

[Verse 1]
Mustafa speaks of leaving behind not just Toronto but also the words he’s shared and the last of his friends. His sleepless nights indicate his deep unrest and emotional exhaustion. The mention of his eyes still being open hints at his inability to find peace, despite his efforts to disconnect.

[Pre-Chorus]
Here, Mustafa grapples with the idea of running back to the past, despite knowing that it is futile. He describes time slipping away, comparing it to water running through his hands, which only leaves bruises. This reinforces the theme of being stuck in a cycle of hurt and confusion.

[Chorus]
This repetition of the chorus amplifies the emotional weight of leaving. Mustafa’s desire to drown the entire city highlights his desperation and anger toward a place that holds so much pain for him. He feels like no place can accommodate the baggage he carries, symbolized by the reference to his “hood.”

[Verse 2]
In this verse, Mustafa reflects on relationships, questioning whether promises made to him were genuine. He feels unchanged, as life moves on around him, such as with his friend's little sister growing up. His internal world remains stagnant, illustrating how he is stuck in the past while the world evolves.

[Pre-Chorus]
The pre-chorus reiterates the running theme of being unable to escape his past. Mustafa continues to express frustration with time slipping away, unable to grasp it fully. The bruises metaphor symbolizes the emotional scars left from trying to hold on to fleeting moments and relationships.

[Interlude]
The interlude revisits the imagery of Mustafa carrying emotional baggage, as well as his self-protection (through his Glock). His heart, once vulnerable, has now hardened due to the weight of his experiences, signaling emotional detachment.

[Outro]
The outro is a powerful conclusion, where Mustafa confronts the possibility of his own death. He requests that, if he is ever killed, his body be buried next to his brother, and that his killer should be well-defended legally. This speaks to his fatalistic view on life and the systemic violence he fears. His plea to Allah for light in his grave reflects a deep spiritual reckoning, hoping for redemption and forgiveness for the good in his life, even in the face of so much darkness.