There's quite a bit of repetition in the game these days, and specific lyrics tend to get overlooked. This is an opportunity to take a closer listen and really consider what these artists have to say. We encourage your opinions.
Keep in mind, these are the most noteworthy lyrics of the week, not necessarily the best. Also, it's hard to get everything right - if you notice any errors, don't hesitate to let us know in the comments section. Lines we're not quite sure about will be bolded.
This series is brought to you by our collaborators at gotbars.com, one of the most efficient providers of the latest hip-hop and R&B lyrics. Get familiar and create an account with them to continue the discussion directly:
Most Popular: Young Jeezy - It's A Cold World (Trayvon Martin Tribute)
On the evening of July 13th, George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the slaying of Trayvon Martin, which sent a shockwave through the Hip Hop community and the country as a whole. This track was Jeezy's response to the verdict, and his words quickly became the most popular of the week. "I am in no way, shape, form or fashion trying to capitalize off of the latest series of events. These are my true feelings and my form of expression about it," Jeezy explained upon the song's release.
Thoughts on this? Did he do the situation justice?
[Verse 1]
I said them niggas come and get ya' like them boys did Osama
Cause' I'm the motherfuckin' man, shoutout to president Obama
Spilled somethin' on my tux, I couldn't even make the dinner
My pain is they pleasure, I'm the saint and the sinner
Since the street can be the judge and the jury
'Fore I go out like a sucker, keep the fame and the jewelry
First nigga to owe me called when they killed his little brother
Met him down at Grady, now I'm prayin' for his mother
Why'd they take Lil' Cam? Wish he could have been another
I was just smokin' with him, felt like I lost a brother
They killed Mikey, he went to serve a nigga by himself
I'm losin' homies everyday, I'm like "please, somebody else"
If nothin' else, nigga, I'mma do it for Trayvon
That's on a stack of Bibles and at least 2 or 3 Qurans
And what about Albert, murked my nigga at a wing stand
Eight years in the Feds, and he came home a changed man
It's a cold word...
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Most Provocative: Stalley - Raise Your Weapons
The latest leak from Stalley's upcoming mixtape is a repurposing of Canadian house music producer Deadmau5's "Raise Your Weapon". Whether a direct response to Zimmerman's "not guilty" verdict or not, it serves as a revolutionary call to arms both literally and figuratively, provoking the powers that be. The MMG rookie asks the younger generation to continue to fight for justice instead of remaining complacent in the face of prejudice and oppression.
Thoughts on this?
[Verse 1]
They sayin' I'm the last of a dyin' breed
And this generation is in a dire need
Of a voice like me
Someone to embody the glory, I guess that's me
Someone to tell the story of the people like me
Those who came from nothin' and fought like me
They said that I'd be nothin', I'd be dead by 23
The pastor said becase I'm Muslim I'll burn eternally
And my sheik said because of my tattoos, Heaven Ill never see
So I'm out in the open, all alone, searchin' for some peace
Mentally I feel enslaved by this weak economy
So I'm thinkin' 'bout buyin' a piece
And robbin' everyone in front of me
But the funny thing is, we all feel it
I'm just speakin' of pain that we all live with
But we God's children, civilians of the ghetto
But cry so loud, I'd be damned if they throw this echo
They tellin' me to let go, ask me why am I upset for?
Yeah, I'mma upset, yo
'Cause you won't except the people that I rep for
The kids with broken hearts and torn souls that find it hard to let go
Confusin' them with your religions
And lyin' politicians - throwin' us in you prisons
Makin' us welfare recipients with no hope, so why hope?
You bastards listen before it's a nation of millions I provoke
And we show up at your front door
Weapons raised, no questions, man
You knowin' what we come for
Respect of the utmost
[Bridge]
Rippin' my heart was so easy, so easy
Launch your assault now... take it easy
Raise your weapon...
Raise your weapon...
One word and it's over
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Realest: Hopsin - Ill Mind Of Hopsin 6
The sixth instalment in Hopsin's "Ill Mind" series is a cautionary tale about the negative effects of illicit drugs, specifically meth. He vividly relates an intensely personal story of his closest friend's descent into addiction, detailing how it affected both him and those around him.
Can you relate?
[Verse 1: Hopsin]
I remember the first time you overdosed
A fuckin' overload on meth, paramedics saved your ass
You was close to ghost
You never did know which road to go
It’s like you rode the boat and sailed away
And hoped to hit the Golden Coast
But you sank like the Titanic, the incident, it left your life damaged
And that’s when I panicked, you thought you had it locked
Well you ain’t on the right planet
If you tryna live your life right, plan it
It’s like your mind vanished, you don’t even know that
I wish that we could go back
Cause’ it’s so sad when I tell jokes and you don’t laugh like you used to
I really hate to stress it, but you strange to mess with
So I keep my distance, cause’ you always got this blank expression
Like you’re confused and unaware of your surroundings
Emotions have gone, and no one’s found it
It’s overwhelmin' - your momma told you that drugs are bad
But you ain't listen 'til the fire burned your ass, now you understand
[Hook: Hopsin]
Now you always look like you don’t know me
And I’m mad at the world cause’ the meth took away my homie
Give me back my homie, please come home
I just wanna chill on the neighbourhood block like we used to (where’d you go?)
I never woulda thought my best friend'd be gone in the future
But I was wrong...
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Most Self Aware / Socially Conscious: ¡Mayday! ft. Kardinall Offishall - Unplug
Miami Hip Hop collective ¡Mayday! enlisted Canadian emcee Kardinal Offishall for this collaborative cut from their new Believers project, which is slated to drop on July 16th. The emcees reflect on drug and social media dependence (as well as a more general dependence on society), each one detailing their spiritual struggles and experiences with these particular vices. They've come to a point where they're striving for something realer, and indirectly encourage the listener to do the same on the track.
Thoughts on this one?
[Verse 2: Kardinall Offishall]
How do I unplug from the people I’ve been connected to for the longest?
Niggas that I’ve been rockin' with from the beginning of time
Knowin' damn well they ain’t the strongest
I ain’t perfect, far from Jesus
But I’m tryna change my global ovation
Things playin' over and over and over
Inside of my head but I can’t change the station nathin', damn
Maybe this blunt'll help
A little kush, but I ain’t smoked in about ten years
Used to move with a multitude of men
But now I’m down to about 10 peers
All my tears gone with beers
I ain’t equipped to deal with the way I really feel
I’m plugged into the outernet
But everything poppin' up isn't the really really real, no
Some do coke to try to escape
Some drink away the pain and rush to get baked
Shit, I gotta resist that
Gotta figure out what I’m really pissed at
My uncle told me the way the long life is to live your life stress free
So I turn the other cheek
And pretend like everything is everything, but this shit still stress me
What am I to do? How am I to beat that?
It’s like I live where the lies and the cheats at
And the good guys seem to finish last
And I haven’t figured out how I’m gonna defeat that
I'm just gonna do me regardless
Livin' the best life’s always the hardest
Tryna to chase after the martyrs
And disconnect and connect with our father
[Hook]
If we're all connected then how do I unplug?
How do I break free from all these drugs that I love?
Tryna find a place in Heaven next to the sun
And hope that I’m awake the day the end finally comes
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Most Honest: Tech N9ne ft. Kendrick Lamar, ¡Mayday! & Kendall Morgan - Fragile
The latest single from Tech N9ne's upcoming album Something Else is aimed at the media and the misconceptions they often perpetuate. In a recent interview with Hardknock TV, Tech explained how a review of his latest Paid Dues festival performance inspired the song, the journalist in question having misunderstood him, describing his lyrics as "gimmicky".
"Talking about my lyrics are gimmicky, okay then it must be the face paint," said the Strange Music emcee. "When my dead homie Brian Dennis painted my face back in '94, and he died years later to a crime of passion, I wear the face paint in memory of Brian Dennis. So, don’t say I’m gimmicky. I don’t need no face paint to bust, my nigga... When you put shit like that in the air it’s negative, man - and I don’t need that. 'Cause everybody’s looking at me, but at the same time ma'fuckas are scared of me... because I’m kind of to the left sometimes. But I think the real shit will always shine... I told him 'thank you' for inspiring that wonderful song."
Thoughts? Tech's verses can be difficult to decipher. Let us know if you have any suggestions.
[Verse 1: Tech N9ne]
Some of the people are Pulitzer at giving opinion
Never do get it
I want you to come on and gobble a jimmy and... die
Need to be given the remedy and why?
Critics are really the enemy and I
Can't stand the way they slam today's gifted
Effin' incredible, get fanned away with grands to pay
This jam Wale scripted
Def and impeccable
Write a rhyme and I put everything in a flow
I'm the N9ne, I'mma look very mean when I flow
...has never been at a show
By the times it'll be better, leave it in the stove
'Cause they wrote nothin' but lies, quotes stuck in my eyes
Amateur writer dissin'
He's a beginner and hopes for your demise, folks I'mma despise
Never do try to listen
It's real - I'm mad
Clueless when you scribble on your pad
How you gonna criticize now with a chisel on you now sizzling your ass?
You don't really get why I'm so pissed? Understand this:
I'm an artist, and I'm sensitive about my shit, yes I'm fragile...
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Best Wordplay: Alchemist ft. Freddie Gibbs, Domo Genesis & Hodgy Beats - Tesla
A standout cut from Alchemist's new maxi single with street wear brand SSUR. With no hook or frills, this is pure lyricism - three solid verses spit back-to-back over a mob flick instrumental from the maestro.
Anyone disagree?
[Verse 3: Hodgy Beats]
And I just broke up with my bitch
Told her get the fuck out my whip
Yellow bricks to the money, her name is Rich
You'll get clothesline stitched if you snitch, snitch
I've got one clip and I don't miss, bitch
You're like a bird to the scarecrow, a pharaoh I am
Hit a nigga with a rare bow, bow and arrow
Prepare to release through narrow ghettos
My position is bear flow, Flintstone rocks, I know you smell me, nigga
I'm gettin' money, money's good, what can you tell me, nigga?
Nothin', comprendre? I'm poppin', see me the sensei?
I cover my mouth and hold my tongue for shit I can't say
Ate a couple of mushies now this couch feelin' hella squishy
Pussy, don't try to push me, I'm sky divin', free fallin'
Get off of who? These nuts, free ballin'
You got one phone, I've got four - number three's callin'
Keep it 300 or 3 stacks...
I never act, but I'm 'bout that action when I react, negro
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Trippiest / Most Multisyllabic: Earl Sweatshirt ft. Casey Veggies & Vince Staples - Hive
The third single from Earl Sweatshirt's upcoming Doris album, which drops August 20th. With assistance from Vince Staples and Casey Veggies, Earl provides "the backdrop music for them crack rock users", taking the listener on a murky, intoxicated trip through the back alleys of rap.
How does this track make you feel?
[Verse 1: Earl Sweatshirt]
Promised Heron I'd put my fist up after I get my dick sucked
A quick buck... maybe a gold chain...
With that fuckin' flow the system so belittles
Man, they tentatively tend to turn and go when I am finished
Stone cold, hardly fuckin' with these niggas, nigga listen
The description doesn't fit, if not a synonym of menace
Then forget it, in turn these critics and interns
Admittin' this shit spit, it just burn like six furnaces
Rid it, I'll fix - learnin' them digits and simultaneously
Dispellin' one-trick-pony myths, isn't he?
One adolescent, fuckin' six nigga energy
And crawlin' down 'Fax like a rich nigga centipede
Crack ceramic and slap a hand out a cash account
Stampin', shoutin', thrashin', these niggas done let the Kraken out
Crack-a-lackin', like snap, crackle, poppin' your ammo off
Hide your face and throw your flannels off, Sweatshirt, nigga
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No Comment: Chief Keef: April Fools
The latest track/visual from Chief Keef, which will assumedly appear on one of his upcoming mixtapes. We'll leave the commentary on this one up to all of y'all.
Stay tuned for next Friday’s Lyrics of the Week, folks. Thanks for joining the discussion.
[Verse 2: Chief Keef]
Boy, you ain't gettin' money, should've ate your food
Say you gon' make a move, nigga? ... April Fools'
Boy, you hang around a bunch of April Fools
Niggas say they gon' do what they ain't gon' do
Ten grand a lot of money, nigga... April Fools'
I hit the Louis store, spend that on Kay Kay's shoes
A hundred grand a lot of money, nigga... April Fools'
I spent that on a foreign, just to make a move
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