“I’m Outside” Song Lyrics Meaning | Imani Lenz

Imani Lenz breaks down “I’m Outside,” reflecting on presence, momentum, and choosing lived experience over isolation. The song captures the balance between movement and intention, celebrating being seen, participating in life, and showing up fully in real time.

Listen to “I’m Outside” song on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

• Click Here To Read Full Lyrics For "I'm Outside" Song By Imani Lenz

  Camera Rolling

  Intro:

  Ay, homie tell me where you at where you at

  I was filming for a couple hundred racks

  I was making movies yeah and they bad

  Where you at, where you at

  Hook:

  I’m outside zooming

  I’m outside winning

  I’m outside snapping

  I’m outside filming

  I’m outside flowing

  I’m outside growing

  I’m outside the matrix

  When my camera rolling

  Verse 1:

  When I’m snapping angles

  It’s a lot of data

  It’s a lot of flavor

  I charge a lot of paper

  I got double mms 

  I got a hundred lens

  And a few connections

  Ask my camera friends

  How that light bend

  How them colors blend

  You know my camera dangerous 

  It was heaven sent

  I know my camera heavy

  So I got to limp

  Never overheating 

  No need to check the temp

  Do you buy or rent

  My gear, I’m selling it

  Condition excellent

  Look how much I spent 

  I was born and raised 

  In Miami Dade

  I was filming Haitians

  Shouting sak pase

  We screaming m'ap boule 

  We out here making movies

  Sipping lemonade

  On set another day

  Wrap it up now andele 

  If we not collaborating

  Then we getting paid

  my focus sharp

  Like a ball fade

  Hook:

  I’m outside zooming

  I’m outside winning

  I’m outside snapping

  I’m outside filming

  I’m outside flowing

  I’m outside growing

  I’m outside the matrix

  When my camera rolling

  I’m outside zooming

  I’m outside winning

  I’m outside snapping

  I’m outside filming

  I’m outside flowing

  I’m outside growing

  I’m outside the matrix

  When my camera rolling

  Verse 2:

  I see them light codes keep rolling

  I’m in hype mode keep rolling

  a hundred twenty frames I’m slowing

  Focus peaking always showing

  My lil snapper don’t play around

  Freezing time when you hear that sound

  Spirit guides gone hold it down

  My eyes was bending light for a while

  Filming stock footage with a smile

  No more chains up on my feet

  No more rain up in my clouds

  My parents cheering, I made them proud

  I never fit in with those trends

  So I made up my own style

  I had to trail blaze my own road

  Built a website with no code

  They didn’t listen to me before

  Now, they silently upload

  They just follow the path I chose

  I’m just thankful for them folks

  I’m just thankful for this camera

  And when these models strike them poses

  We love celebrating these highs

  Big screen movie premieres front row

  I'm still grinding when times get low

  Meditations help me flow

  Directing energy like a show

  From my head to my toe

  Doing good where I can

  It all started with a plan

  You can find me outside

  Because I’m that camera man

  Hook:

  I’m outside zooming

  I’m outside winning

  I’m outside snapping

  I’m outside filming

  I’m outside flowing

  I’m outside growing

  I’m outside the matrix

  When my camera rolling

  I’m outside zooming

  I’m outside winning

  I’m outside snapping

  I’m outside filming

  I’m outside flowing

  I’m outside growing

  I’m outside the matrix

  When my camera rolling

“I’m Outside” is a declaration of presence, freedom, and perspective. It’s a song about movement — not just physically being out in the world with a camera, but spiritually stepping outside of limiting systems, expectations, and inherited narratives. Through this lyrics breakdown, I want to unpack what “outside” really means to me: independence, creative alignment, and choosing to see the world through my own lens.

This track lives at the intersection of filmmaking, music, culture, and consciousness. It’s about being in motion, staying curious, and letting creativity be both the tool and the path.

Intro: Where You At?

The song opens with a call-and-response energy — “Where you at?” — which immediately establishes contrast. While others might be waiting, watching, or hesitating, I’m already outside. I’m filming, creating, and building in real time.

When I say I was “making movies and they bad,” I’m not talking about bad as in flawed — I’m talking about Michael Jackson ‘Bad’. Confident. Bold. Unapologetic. The intro sets the tone: this is about ownership of craft, momentum, and showing up fully.

Being outside isn’t about flexing. It’s about being active in your purpose.

Intro moment from “I’m Outside” where Imani Lenz sets the tone of being present, visible, and in motion as a creative filmmaker.

The Hook: Outside the Matrix

I’m outside zooming / I’m outside winning / I’m outside snapping / I’m outside filming

The hook is simple, repetitive, and intentional. It mirrors the rhythm of real life when you’re locked into your flow. Outside represents freedom from the “matrix” — the systems that tell you who you’re supposed to be, how you’re supposed to work, and what success should look like.

When my camera’s rolling, I’m present. I’m observing. I’m participating without being consumed. The camera becomes both a literal tool and a metaphor for awareness — a way to move through the world with intention instead of autopilot.

Verse 1: Perspective Is the Product

This verse dives into the technical language of filmmaking — lenses, data, gear, connections — but the meaning runs deeper. Yes, I’m talking about cameras, hard drives, and light, but I’m really talking about perspective as value.

When I say I charge for my work, it’s not about ego or status. It’s about understanding that time, energy, experience, and vision have worth. Creativity isn’t free just because it’s expressive. There’s labor behind every frame.

Even lines about selling gear double as reflections on sharing perspective — what I’ve learned, what I’ve built, and what I’m offering to the world through my work and platforms.

Verse one breakdown capturing the technical confidence and creative flow behind snapping angles, lenses, and light.

Miami Roots & Cultural Memory

Being born and raised in Miami-Dade deeply shapes how I see the world. Filming Haitian communities, hearing Creole phrases on set, and blending culture into everyday work moments is part of my lived reality.

These lines are an ode to diaspora, heritage, and presence — capturing culture not as spectacle, but as life unfolding naturally. Sipping lemonade on set, wrapping another shoot, collaborating when aligned and getting paid when it’s business — it’s all part of the rhythm.

Hard work comes first. Smart work comes next.

Verse 2: Light Codes & Flow State

This verse leans into intuition and awareness. “Light codes” aren’t just technical — they’re moments of clarity. When you’re filming long enough, living intentionally enough, you start noticing patterns. Lessons. Signals.

Focus peaking, freezing time, bending light — these are filmmaking terms, but they also describe creative consciousness. Being in tune with your craft teaches you how to be in tune with yourself.

Lines about no longer carrying chains or clouds speak to generational healing. My ancestors carried weight so I could move freely. That freedom comes with responsibility — to show up with care, gratitude, and purpose.

Creating Your Own Lane

“I never fit in with those trends, so I made up my own style.”

This line sits at the heart of the song. I’ve never been interested in chasing what’s popular just to fit in. When something doesn’t exist, sometimes the only option is to build it yourself — whether that’s a sound, a platform, or a way of working.

Building a website with no code, creating spaces for Black stories, and carving out new creative paths isn’t about proving anything to anyone. It’s about responding to a gap with intention.

People may not understand your vision at first. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Often, it means you’re early.

Verse two breakdown highlighting momentum, focus, and freedom through filming, stock footage creation, and creative independence.

Gratitude, Discipline & Direction

The final sections of the song reflect gratitude — for the camera, for collaborators, for moments of celebration and moments of challenge. Even when energy dips, grounding practices like meditation help me stay aligned.

Directing energy is just as important as directing a film. Where attention goes, momentum follows.

Being “outside” is a daily choice: to move with awareness, to do good where you can, and to stay connected to why you started.

Final Reflection

“I’m Outside” isn’t just a song about filming. It’s about choosing perspective. Choosing presence. Choosing to step outside of fear, limitation, and expectation — and into movement, curiosity, and self-trust.

If this song resonates with you, I hope it encourages you to step outside too — whatever that looks like in your life. Pick up your tools. Trust your lens. And keep moving.

About Imani Lenz

Imani Lenz is a multidisciplinary music artist, filmmaker, and cultural storyteller whose work centers on perspective, preservation, and lived experience. He is the founder of Black Stock Footage, a platform dedicated to documenting and monetizing authentic Black narratives, and the creator of Film Trips — group content experiences hosted by local creators that blend community, storytelling, and visual culture. Through music, film, and photography, Imani uses the lens as both a creative tool and a vehicle for cultural memory.

Social Media: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Founder: Black Stock Footage | Film Trips