excerpt from link: "The lion/lying theme throughout the song is also a subtle dedication to Lupe's father, Gregory Hamza Jaco ("Hamza" means lion in Arabic and the last thing Lupe's father told him was "not to lie, tell Wasulu to tell the truth". He doesn't hide nor accept facades as he'd rather have "the scars" (which also a play on the word "disguise")"
http://sketchesofmysoul.blogspot.com/2009/07/lupe-fiasco-shining-down-breakdown-you.html
really good break down of the song in the link.
excerpt from link: "The lion/lying theme throughout the song is also a subtle dedication to Lupe's father, Gregory Hamza Jaco ("Hamza" means lion in Arabic and the last thing Lupe's father told him was "not to lie, tell Wasulu to tell the truth". He doesn't hide nor accept facades as he'd rather have "the scars" (which also a play on the word "disguise")"