kiaraflantroy

[kiaraflantroy]

Lyrics:

Come on come on I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself Is life worth living should I blast myself? I'm tired of bein' poor and even worse I'm black My stomach hurts so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch Cops give a damn about a negro Pull the trigger kill a nigga he's a hero Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares One less hungry mouth on the welfare First ship 'em dope and let 'em deal the brothers Give 'em guns step back watch 'em kill each other It's time to fight back that's what Huey said Two shots in the dark now Huey's dead I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere Unless we share with each other We gotta start makin' changes Learn to see me as a brother instead of two distant strangers And that's how it's supposed to be How can the Devil take a brother if he's close to me? I'd love to go back to when we played as kids But things changed, and that's the way it is

That's just the way it is Things will never be the same That's just the way it is Aww yeah

That's just the way it is Things will never be the same That's just the way it is Aww yeah

I see no changes all I see is racist faces Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races We under I wonder what it takes to make this One better place, let's erase the wasted Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right 'Cause both black and white is smokin' crack tonight And only time we chill is when we kill each other It takes skill to be real, time to heal each other And although it seems heaven sent We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact The penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks But some things will never change Try to show another way but you stayin' in the dope game Now tell me what's a mother to do Bein' real don't appeal to the brother in you You gotta operate the easy way "I made a G today" But you made it in a sleazy way Sellin' crack to the kid. " I gotta get paid, " Well hey, well that's the way it is

That's just the way it is Things will never be the same That's just the way it is Aww yeah

That's just the way it is Things will never be the same That's just the way it is Aww yeah

We gotta make a change It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes. Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live And let's change the way we treat each other. You see the old way wasn't working so it's on us to do What we gotta do, to survive.

And still I see no changes can't a brother get a little peace It's war on the streets and the war in the Middle East Instead of war on poverty they got a war on drugs So the police can bother me And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do But now I'm back with the blacks givin' it back to you Don't let 'em jack you up, back you up, Crack you up and pimp smack you up You gotta learn to hold ya own They get jealous when they see ya with ya mobile phone But tell the cops they can't touch this I don't trust this when they try to rush I bust this That's the sound of my tool you say it ain't cool My mama didn't raise no fool And as long as I stay black I gotta stay strapped And I never get to lay back 'Cause I always got to worry 'bout the pay backs Some buck that I roughed up way back Comin' back after all these years Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat that's the way it is uhh

That's just the way it is Things will never be the same That's just the way it is Aww yeah

That's just the way it is Things will never be the same That's just the way it is Aww yeah

Some things will never change

Analysis:

Tupac’s song ‘Changes’ gives us an overview of his current life struggles as well as what he sees for the future. “I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself/Is life worth living should I blast myself?” Tupac sees no changes in society at the time that he made this song and this society still continues to deliberately oppress the black community. Unfortunately, it makes him question the value of his own life. “I'm tired of bein' poor and even worse, I'm black” It’s one thing to be white and poor, but it’s a completely different problem to be poor and black. “My stomach hurts so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch” Tupac is now rapping about the reality that low income communities face in America. Crime isn’t just an everyday pastime, for some people it’s a means of survival. This gives way to the cycle of oppression that African-Americans unfortunately get trapped in.

“Cops give a damn about a negro/Pull the trigger kill a nigga he's a hero” At the time that this song was written the Rodney King beating and the subsequent LA Riots had taken place. This line is still relevant years later when you take note of the repeated murders of African Americans by the hands of police officers. “It's time to fight back that's what Huey said/Two shots in the dark now Huey's dead” Huey P. Newton, the founder of the Black Panthers, was shot dead by a drug dealer in Oakland in 1989. Tupac was also referring to the FBI’s history of targeting and monitoring influential black leaders and revolutionary figureheads to either eliminate them or demolish their public image.

“I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere/Unless we share with each other/We gotta start makin' changes” Tupac makes it known that he has nothing but love for both blacks and whites, but we will not get anywhere unless we learn to work together and more importantly love one another. “Learn to see me as a brother instead of two distant strangers/And that's how it's supposed to be/How can the Devil take a brother if he's close to me?” We must all learn to be tolerant of those who don’t look exactly like us. “I'd love to go back to when we played as kids” Children will play with anyone because they still have that innocence about them. Kids do not automatically see differences unless they’re pointed out by someone.

“And although it seems heaven sent/We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh” This is one thing Tupac did not anticipate. We were ready to see a black president. Twice actually.

“That's just the way it is/Things will never be the same/That's just the way it is/Aww yeah” Some may hear this chorus and think that it is negative however, I hear this chorus and think that the line “things will never be the same” is a look to the future and a positive thing. If something isn’t the same as the last outcome that’s progress to me.

[kiaraflantroy]

Lyrics:

[Intro - Eastbound & Down (Kenny Powers):] The only thing I'm seein' I'd like to put an amend on, perhaps a little more room here for the fixins, you know what I'm talkin' about? Oh, we gon' have a lot of fixins. We gonna have so many fuckin' fixins up in this motherfucker, this shit gon' go through the roof. Got damn I'm shittin' gold these days [Hook - Soulja Boy:] Nigga we made it, hey We made it Nigga we made it, hey Damn, we made it Nigga we made it, hey We made it, aye Nigga we made it, hey We made it [Verse 1 - Drake:] She said she workin' for Walgreens but not in the store, at the head office The head was so good it makes sense why you work at the head office In 2007 I sat in the lobby of Motown and waited Now I walk into the buildin' and go off like "Nigga we made it!" When I walk through these halls, man this beat should be playin' I just came to make sure you not missin' no payments Now turn this shit down while I issue my statement It needed a moment of silence, nigga we made it! You fly out your lady, I fly out my latest Bitches can't front on the kid anymore, man they know what my name is And if by chance she don't know who I am, she just know that I'm famous Imma just hand her a business card and say "Nigga we made it!" And she gotta come through the hotel and pop it off for me Then she gon' text her best friend like "Girl he got some good dick and money" Her friend hit her back like "I know that already, that nigga's amazin'" Then I send a message to both of they asses like "Nigga we made it!" [Interlude - Kenny Powers:] Kinda makes me wonder why the hell so many people are tryna tell me to slow down. Seems like motherfuckers should be shuttin' the hell up and enjoyin' the show [Hook - Soulja Boy:] Hey We made it Nigga we made it, hey Damn, we made it Nigga we made it, hey We made it, aye Nigga we made it, hey We made it [Verse 2 - Drake:] If they with me, just know that they wit' it and 'bout it If I said it, I meant it, it's no way around it OVO, Reps Up, and P. Reign is next up watch Gway go crazy When Baka came home for the holidays, I was like "Nigga we made it!" And all of those lawyer fees, nigga I paid it My family get all of my loyalty, all of my patience My life for your life, man I wouldn't trade it I would just look at you dead in yo' face and say "Nigga we made it!" I swear that we made it, sell out that ting, I'm the king in Jamaica But I've been on that wave, that's why this year I tell yah, I don't need no favors (Damn, Soulja Boy stunt on them haters) And my resolution for New Years is nigga we made it! You don't know how long I waited, I coulda been waitin' on tables, my karma's amazin' I'm out in the Caymans, rented a 12-bedroom house just to sleep all the women we came with That's ignorant, ain't it? Sometimes I question myself when I think 'bout the pictures I painted Then I pick up my brush and I sign at the bottom like "Nigga we made it!" [Hook - Soulja Boy:] Hey We made it Nigga we made it, hey Damn, we made it Nigga we made it, hey We made it, aye Nigga we made it, hey We made it [Verse 3 - Soulja Boy:] I remember standing in the hood Tellin' my partner, and my momma, everything gonna be all good Nigga we made it! Damn, I'm up in Las Vegas Damn, I never was supposed to have shit, now my life is lavish Every night, fuckin' a bad bitch, nigga we made it! Coppin' a Lambo, cash, the Bentley, 2 times I crashed Ha, nigga we made it! Look at them niggas' faces, them niggas, they hate it I look a nigga in his face and say "Nigga we made it!" Soulja Boy stunt on them haters And these days I don't need no favors Nigga we made it!

Analysis:

‘We Made It (Freestyle)’ – Drake ft. Soulja Boy is a song that I deemed by celebration song three years ago when it was released in 2013. The song opens with a cut from a popular show “Eastbound & Down” and Kenny Powers saying how he is doing awfully well in life these days.

Next, Soulja Boy starts the chorus which is a repetition of, “N*gga we made it, aye/we made it”. Soulja Boy in his career has “made it” his single “Crank That” reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. Drake has also “made it” and has multiple number one records.

“She said she workin' for Walgreens but not in the store, at the head office/The head was so good it makes sense why you work at the head office” Drake opens up his first verse talking about a woman he is currently involved with who works at Walgreens Corporate Office instead of just an associate in a store. He goes on to agree with her current job placement because of her brains and talents.

“In 2007 I sat in the lobby of Motown and waited” Before Drake became acquainted with Lil Wayne he took a trip to Motown’s New York headquarters to audition for Sylvia Rhone in hopes of getting signed, but Rhone passed on drake at the time. “Now I walk into the buildin' and go off like "N*gga we made it!"/When I walk through these halls, man this beat should be playin'” 5.5 million records later and Drake now walks into the building with no problems. “I just came to make sure you not missin' no payments” YMCMB is notorious for not willingly paying their artists, and this may be what Drake was referring to.

“Now turn this sh*t down while I issue my statement/It needed a moment of silence, n*gga we made it!” Drake at the time was the best in the game and he knew it. Whenever he got on a track every other rapper needed to just be quiet and listen to what he has to say. On the song itself the beat faded away for a few seconds during this line.

“You fly out your lady, I fly out my latest” He does things just because he can. “Bitches can't front on the kid anymore, man they know what my name is/And if by chance she don't know who I am, she just know that I'm famous” Even if a girl doesn’t know exactly who Drake is she could probably assume he is someone of important based on his entourage and the swarm of fans.

“Kinda makes me wonder why the hell so many people are tryna tell me to slow down. Seems like motherfuckers should be shuttin' the hell up and enjoyin' the show” This is another cut from the show “Eastbown & Down” however, it applies to Drake’s current lifestyle. It’s hard to believe that people would actually want drake to slow down his momentum and not be successful. Drake feels like everyone should relax and just continue to watch what he does next.

[kiaraflantroy]

Lyrics:

[Intro] Baby squirrel, you's a sexy mother-f*cker [Verse 1] Gimme your, gimme your, gimme your attention, baby I gotta tell you a little somethin' about yourself! You're wonderful, flawless, ooh you're a sexy lady But you walk around here like you wanna be someone else [Pre-Chorus] I know that you don't know it, but you're fine, so fine Oh girl I'm gonna show you when you're mine, oh mine [Chorus] Treasure, that is what you are Honey you're my golden star You know you can make my wish come true If you let me treasure you If you let me treasure you [Verse 2] Pretty girl, pretty girl, pretty girl you should be smiling A girl like you should never look so blue You're everything I see in my dreams I wouldn't say that to you if it wasn't true [Pre-Chorus] I know that you don't know it, but you're fine, so fine Oh girl I'm gonna show you when you're mine, oh mine [Chorus] Treasure, that is what you are Honey you're my golden star You know you can make my wish come true If you let me treasure you If you let me treasure you [Interlude] You are my treasure, you are my treasure You are my treasure, yeah, you you you, you are You are my treasure, you are my treasure You are my treasure, yeah, you you you, you are [Chorus] Treasure, that is what you are Honey you're my golden star You know you can make my wish come true If you let me treasure you If you let me treasure you

Analysis:

Bruno Mars song Treasure is an upbeat song with an encouraging message. He starts out with " Baby squirrel you's a sexy mother-f*cker” Apparently, Bruno calls his fans squirrels quite often and no one really knows why.

“Give me all, give me all, give me all your attention baby (attention baby)/I got to tell you a little something about yourself (self)/You're wonderful, flawless, oh you're a sexy lady (sexy lady)/But you walk around here like you wanna be someone else (else)” Bruno nexts asks for the full attention of the lady that he is pursuing and begins showering her with compliments. However, he also lets her know that he has picked up on her insecurities and how she doesn’t seem comfortable with herself, and he wants to let her know that she is perfect just the way she is. This character building technique seems to be a running theme in Bruno’s music.

“I know that you don't know it, but you're fine, so fine (fine so fine)” He’s again encouraging her that she has no reason to be insecure about herself and the way she looks. “Oh girl I'm gonna show you when you're mine, oh mine (mine oh mine)” Here he’s letting us know that once he gets her he plans to show her how amazing she really is.

“Treasure, that is what you are/Honey you're my golden star/You know you can make my wish come true/If you let me treasure you/If you let me treasure you oh” Bruno is using “treasure” as a metaphor to portray his affection towards the lady who has captured his eye. He has decided that she is beautiful and precious like gems, gold, and rubies, and he will treat her like his treasure if she will just allow him an opportunity.

“Pretty girl, pretty girl, pretty girl you should be smiling (you should be smiling)/A girl like you should never live so blue (blue)/You're everything I see in my dreams/I wouldn't say that to you if it wasn't true (true)” Bruno Mars is absolutely sprung over this girl, and he is showering her with compliments. He tells her that she would be even cuter if she would show off her beautiful smile. He has finally found the girl of his dreams.

This song has the dual purpose of comparing the girl to something of value as well as telling her that he really wants the opportunity to show the girl how much he wants to be with her. The lyrics are very simple but the upbeat nature of the song puts you in such a happy and joyful mood. This is a song that I would play and could see being played at a party or celebratory event.

[kiaraflantroy]

Lyrics

What's wrong with the world, mama People livin' like they ain't got no mamas I think the whole world addicted to the drama Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma

Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism But we still got terrorists here livin' In the USA, the big CIA The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK

But if you only have love for your own race Then you only leave space to discriminate And to discriminate only generates hate And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah

Madness is what you demonstrate And that's exactly how anger works and operates Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight Take control of your mind and meditate Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin' Children hurt and you hear them cryin' Can you practice what you preach? Or would you turn the other cheek?

Father, Father, Father help us Send some guidance from above 'Cause people got me, got me questionin' Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love) [2x] Where is the love, the love, the love

It just ain't the same, old ways have changed New days are strange, is the world insane? If love and peace are so strong Why are there pieces of love that don't belong?

Nations droppin' bombs Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone

So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin' in Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover

The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug If you never know truth then you never know love Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know) Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know) Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin' Children hurt and you hear them cryin' Can you practice what you preach? Or would you turn the other cheek?

Father, Father, Father help us Send some guidance from above 'Cause people got me, got me questionin' Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)? [6x] Where is the love, the love, the love?

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder Most of us only care about money makin' Selfishness got us followin' the wrong direction

Wrong information always shown by the media Negative images is the main criteria Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema

Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity Whatever happened to the fairness and equality Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity

That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under Gotta keep my faith alive 'til love is found Now ask yourself

Where is the love? [4x]

Father, Father, Father, help us Send some guidance from above 'Cause people got me, got me questionin' Where is the love?

Sing with me y'all: One world, one world (We only got) One world, one world (That's all we got) One world, one world And something's wrong with it (Yeah) Something's wrong with it (Yeah) Something's wrong with the wo-wo-world, yeah We only got (One world, one world) That's all we got (One world, one world)

Analysis

Although this song is from 2003 it still mirrors the status of our world today. The lines “People livin' like they ain't got no mamas; I think the whole world addicted to the drama; Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma” This mirrors the idea unfortunately our society is only interested in getting involved in things unless it serves some kind of entertainment purpose. The media plays up this same sad scenario. You can turn on the news and see one or two happy stories but 80% of the stories will carry a negative connotation.

“Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism; But we still got terrorists here livin'” We are our own worst enemies. We have allowed people to come into our countries and turn against our own nations. To attack our own people. “In the USA, the big CIA; The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK” These lyrics elude to the fact that our biggest problems are right here at home. The CIA’s past is checkered with controversies, ranging from overthrowing legitimate democracies, assisting in assassinating black leaders, and even experimenting on civilians without consent. Its behavior is not too far from that of a terrorist organization. The Bloods and the Crips are two prominent gangs in America, and the violence that they wreak on neighborhoods can be likened to terrorism. The KKK advocates extremist white nationalism racism, and from the 1860s until the 1930s (and even beyond that), committed acts of terror against Black people, Jews, Roman Catholics, and others it considered enemies of White people. The colors of the Bloods, Crips and KKK form the blue, red and white of the American flag, making this line more clever than it at first glance appears.

“But if you only have love for your own race/Then you only leave space to discriminate/ And to discriminate only generates hate/And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah” Discrimination due to the racism is the main issue discussed in these lyrics. Having love for only ones’ own race proves to be disastrous and can only lead to the discrimination and hate for other races. This feeling of inequality within the community often results in ethnic revolts and ensuing pandemonium. These lines tell you that you should love everybody the same, regardless of their skin color of the place that they come from. 

“Madness is what you demonstrate” Racism is equal to madness here. “And that’s exactly how anger works and operates” Racism equals madness which equals anger. “Man, you gotta love, this’ll set us straight” Again implying that as long as everyone exudes love the world one step at a time will become a better place. “Can you practice what you preach?” American often times preaches love, peace, and unity but out actions often show the exact opposite.

“Nations droppin' bombs/ Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones /With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young / So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone” This stanza is completely about the war and the violence that ensues because of it. Part of it eludes to the war in Iraq. “A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover/ The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug/ If you never know truth then you never know love” The U.S. Government forced us all into a war, we never knew the full truth about why we were in a war.

“Most of us only care about money makin'/ Selfishness got us followin' the wrong direction” These lines elude to the fact that everyone is just concerned with getting rich, and seldom stops to think about the poor people that are struggling every day. “Wrong information always shown by the media/Negative images is the main criteria /Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria / Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema” The media is manipulated depending on who is running it, and this is poisoning the minds of the youth. They jump at the opportunity to act out what they see portrayed to them daily.

“Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity/ Whatever happened to the fairness and equality/ Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity /Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity” If we can’t settle our differences then we will never be able to come together and live in harmony.

This song serves as a blueprint for how we can get our world back on track.

[kiaraflantroy]

Lyrics Now, who's hot who not Tell me who rock who sell out in the stores You tell me who flopped who copped the blue drop Who jewels got robbed who's mostly Goldie down To the tube sock, the same ol pimp Mase, you know ain't nothing change but my limp Can't stop till I see my name on a blimp Guarantee a million sales pulling all the love You don't believe in Harlem World nigga double up We don't play around it's a bet lay it down Nigga didn't know me ninety-one bet they know me now I'm the young Harlem nigga with the Goldie sound Can't no PHD niggas hold me down, Cooter Schooled me to the game, now I know my duty Stay humble stay low blow like Hootie True pimp niggas spend no dough on the booty And then ya yell there go Mase there go your cutie

I don't know what, they want from me It's like the more money we come across The more problems we see [2X]

Yeah yeah, ahaha, I'm the C-to-the-A-to-the-D-D-Y Know you'd rather see me die than to see me fly I call all the shots Rip all the spots, rock all the rocks Cop all the drops, I know you thinking now's When all the balling stops, nigga never Home gotta call me on the yacht Ten years from now we'll still be on top Yo, I thought I told you that we won't stop Now what you gonna do when it's cool Bag a money much longer than yours And a team much stronger than yours, violate me This'll be your day, we don't play Mess around be D.O.A., be on your way Cause it ain't enough time here, ain't enough lime here For you to shine here, deal with many women But treat dimes fair, and I'm Bigger than the city lights down in Times Square Yeah, yeah yeah

I don't know what, they want from me It's like the more money we come across The more problems we see [2X]

Uhh, uhhh B.I.G., P-O, P-P-A No info, for the, DEA Federal agents mad cause I'm flagrant Tap my cell, and the phone in the basement My team supreme, stay clean Triple beam lyrical dream, I be that Cat you see at all events bent Gats in holsters girls on shoulders Playboy, I told ya, being mice to me Bruise too much, I lose, too much Step on stage the girls boo too much I guess it's cause you run with lame dudes too much Me lose my touch, never that If I did, ain't no problem to get the gat Where the true players at? Throw your rollies in the sky Wave em side to side and keep their hands high While I give your girl the eye, player please Lyrically, niggas see, B.I.G. Be flossing jig on the cover of Fortune Five double oh, here's my phone number Your name, I got to know, I got to go Got the flow down phizat, platinum plus Like thizat, dangerous On trizack, leave your ass kizzack

I don't know what, they want from me It's like the more money we come across The more problems we see [3X]

What's going on? What's going on? I don't know what, they want from me It's like the more money we come across The more problems we see [3X]

Analysis:

Biggie looks at the evil side that can come with making money. Mo Money Mo Problems.

“Now, who’s hot who not” Now that Biggie has been on the scene and has a few hit records he’s asking an albeit rhetorical question. Obviously, the answer is Biggie. “Who jewels got robbed who’s mostly Goldie down” This line was a shot at a rival rapper that had recently had his jewelry stolen. “True pimp n*ggas spend no dough on the booty” This was one of the mottos that Biggie and his crew lived by. You were never to pay for the company of a woman. Not when you had the type of popularity and means that their crew did.

“I don’t know what, they want from me/It’s like the more money we come across/The more problems we see” This is the chorus of the song and it has also become a life motto for some. Often among members of the black community, and even those that just enjoy hating on blacks, when we reach a higher economic status in life those powers that be in life begin to conspire against us. That is the message of this chorus.

“Know you’d rather see me die than to see me fly” This is a sad realization that many people would rather see a black man dead than to see him out doing well for himself in the world. At age 19 Mase had already realized and internalized this. “Ten years from now we’ll still be on top” Many of the members of the record label were still on top, but their most profitable artist, Biggie, was unfortunately murdered.

“Federal agents mad cause I’m flagrant/Tap my cell, and the phone in the basement” Biggie is still into unsavory dealings and knows that his phones are still being tapped by the federal agencies. However, … “My team supreme, stay clean” He also lets them know not only is he aware of what is taking place under his roof, but that he has the best of the best handling all his business dealings.

“Where the true players at?/Throw your rollies in the sky” Rolex’s start at $15,000. You must have some serious cash to be walking around with a real Rolex on. “Be flossing jig on the cover of Fortune Five double oh” The Fortune magazine is a multinational business magazine, most notably known for its Fortune 500 list.

The moral of this track is that at the end of the day all Biggie wanted to do was make money, party, enjoy women, and live his life. However, jealousy is a terrible thing and when people see you coming up in the world they want what you have.

[kiaraflantroy]

Lyrics:

Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama) Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (white) Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama) Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (yeah)

Young nigga poppin' with a pocket full of cottage (ay) Woah kemosabe, chopper aimin' at your noggin (ay) Had to cop the Audi, then the top I had to chop it (skrt skrt) Niggas pocket watchin', so I gotta keep the rocket (glaw)

Neck water faucet (water), mocking birds mocking (woo) Act pint, stocking (act), nats keep thotting (nats) Wrist on hockey (hockey), wrist on rocky (Rocky) Lotta niggas copy, name someone can stop me (no one) Bitches call me papi, (bitch!), 'sace that's my hobby ('sace) Scotty on the molly, pocket rocket from O'Reilly One off in the chamber, ain't no need for me to cock it Niggas get to droppin' when that Draco get to poppin' All I want is cottage, roll a cigar full of broccoli (Cookie) No check, want all cash, nigga I don't do deposits Bitches cross the border, nigga, bitches from the tropics I'mma get that bag nigga, ain't no doubt about it (yup) I'mma feed my family nigga, ain't no way around it (family) Ain't gon' never let up nigga, God said show my talent (show it) Young nigga with the anna, walkin' with the hammer Talkin' country grammar nigga Straight out north Atlanta (north side)

Young nigga poppin' with a pocket full of cottage (ay) Woah kemosabe, chopper aimin' at your noggin (ay) Had to cop the Audi, then the top I had to chop it (skrt skrt) Niggas pocket watchin', so I gotta keep the rocket (ay)

Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama) Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (white) Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama) Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (yeah)

Mama told you Mama told me (mama) not to sell work Mama told you Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (white)

1995 (nineties) 2005 (two-thousands) Seen it with my eyes (seen it), dope still alive (dope) Real mob ties (mob), real frog eyes (frog) Real whole pies (woah), all time high (high) Do it for the culture (culture) They gon' bite like vultures (vulture) Way back when I was trappin' out Toyotas (skrr skrr) I'mma hit the gas (gas), 12 can't pull me over (12) Space coupe, Quavo Yoda, pourin', drankin' sodas

I get high on my own sir, heard you gon' clone sir Stop all that flexin', young nigga don't wanna go there Never been a gopher, but I always been a soldier Young niggas in the cut, posted like a vulture Divin' off the stage in the crowd it's a mosh pit Yeah shawty bad but she broke 'cause she don't own shit Mama asked me "son, when the trappin' gon' quit?" I been ridin' 'round through the city in my new bitch

Young nigga poppin' with a pocket full of cottage (ay) Woah kemosabe, chopper aimin' at your noggin (ay) Had to cop the Audi, then the top I had to chop it (skrt skrt) Niggas pocket watchin', so I gotta keep the rocket (ay)

Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama) Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (white) Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama) Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (yeah)

Mama told you, mama told you

Analysis:

This song is an overall look at the Migos daily life. Their day to day activities include them selling cocaine, occasionally having to fight for their lives, and dealing with a multitude of women. “Mama told me not to sell work” This line insinuates that their mothers always told them to never get into selling drugs as a means of surviving, so they know right from wrong. “Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (white)” this line lets you know that they deal exclusively in cocaine. Cocaine is a high-priced street drug and brings large amounts of income wherever and in whatever form it is sold whether it be crack or cocaine. Seventeen five means $17,500, which is more than likely the amount of money that they made on that weight of product.

“With a pocket full of cottage” This insinuates that he is now a young man who has a pocket/wallet full of cash where he may not have been before. “Chopper aimin’ at your noggin” this is letting any other potential enemies know that they do have guys on standby to take out threats. “Had to cop the Audi, then the top I had to chop it” He procured an Audi and then removed the top of it turning it into a convertible. “N*ggas pocket watchin’, so I gotta keep the rocket” They know that the streets are aware of how much money they are making as artists and whatever side businesses they are involved in so they do have protection on them.

“Neck water faucet” They have lots of jewelry on. “Mocking birds mocking” The women are steadily flocking. “Act pint, stocking” Activist is a component of the popular drink “Lean” enjoyed by many rappers. “Nats keep thotting” another reference to the women. “Wrist on hockey, wrist on rocky” Another reference to his wrist being icy. “All I want is cottage, roll a cigar full of broccoli” His motive is the money and he enjoys rolling up cigars full of marijuana. “No check, want all cash, ni*gga I don’t do deposits” He doesn’t want to fuss around with banks and money trails and would much rather receive all payments in cash.

“1995 2005/ Seen it with my eyes, dope still alive” This is around the time that the cocaine boom started in the United States, and they have noticed that regardless of the time it is still a very popular drug of choice for a lot of people. “Real mob ties, real frog eyes/ Real whole pies, all time high” This cocaine market is extremely profitable for those that can get into it, and they are insinuating that you need a very old and well known tie to even begin to delve into this world.

“Heard you gon’ clone sir” There has been word in the music world that other record labels are trying to bite the swag of the Migos because they are such a profitable and well known look. They have such a unique style. “Mam asked me ‘son, when the trappin’ gon’ quit?’” At this point in the song you realize that he went against his mother’s wishes and trapped anyway and she knows this and asked him when he will stop, but he never gives her a straight answer.

The song ends with him repeating the fact that his mother told him to never begin selling work in the first place, and that is the daily life of the Migos.

[kiaraflantroy]

Lyrics Old pirates, yes, they rob I Sold I to the merchant ships Minutes after they took I From the bottomless pit But my hand was made strong By the hand of the Almighty We forward in this generation Triumphantly Won't you help to sing These songs of freedom? 'Cause all I ever have Redemption songs Redemption songs

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds Have no fear for atomic energy 'Cause none of them can stop the time How long shall they kill our prophets While we stand aside and look? Ooh Some say it's just a part of it We've got to fulfill the Book

Won't you help to sing These songs of freedom? 'Cause all I ever have Redemption songs Redemption songs Redemption songs

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy 'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time How long shall they kill our prophets While we stand aside and look? Yes, some say it's just a part of it We've got to fulfill the book Won't you have to sing These songs of freedom? 'Cause all I ever had Redemption songs All I ever had Redemption songs These songs of freedom Songs of freedom

Analysis:

Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” is a story of slavery, political prosecution, and finding the strength to free yourself from the “mental slavery”. At the time that this song was written, Bob Marley, a practicing Rastafarian, was battling cancer. 

“Old pirates, yes, they rob I/ Sold I to the merchant ships” This eludes to the Europeans who came and took the Africans from their homelands and sold them into slavery. “But my hand was made strong/ By the hand of the Almighty” By keeping the faith Bob tells us that the slaves made it through this torturous process and came out stronger in the end.

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery/ None but ourselves can free our minds” This comes from the orator Marcus Garvey who held views on uniting all those of African descent were a strong influence on Rastafarian principles. 

“Have no fear for atomic energy/ 'Cause none of them can stop the time” With these lines, Marley suggests that even though there may be many technological advances being made none of this compares to what is already destined to happen. In essence, what will be will be. 

“How long shall they kill our prophets” He is bringing attention to the fact that our modern day prophets such as John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King have been killed off at the hands of men. He calls on his brothers to meet the high standards that are set out in the Bible, “We've got to fulfill the Book”

Bob Marley consistently returns to his simple plea of his listeners: “Won't you help to sing/ These songs of freedom?” Either Bob Marley was asking because he knew how important these songs were or because he knew that he may not be around much longer to sing them himself.

[kiaraflantroy]

Lyrics Right about now, N.W.A. court is in full effect Judge Dre presiding In the case of N.W.A. vs. the Police Department Prosecuting attorneys are MC Ren, Ice Cube And Eazy-motherfucking-E Order, order, order Ice Cube, take the motherfucking stand Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth And nothing but the truth so help your black ass? You goddamn right! Well won't you tell everybody what the fuck you gotta say? Fuck the police coming straight from the underground A young nigga got it bad cause I'm brown And not the other color so police think They have the authority to kill a minority Fuck that shit, cause I ain't the one For a punk motherfucker with a badge and a gun To be beating on, and thrown in jail We can go toe to toe in the middle of a cell Fucking with me cause I'm a teenager With a little bit of gold and a pager Searching my car, looking for the product Thinking every nigga is selling narcotics You'd rather see, me in the pen Than me and Lorenzo rolling in a Benz-o Beat a police out of shape And when I'm finished, bring the yellow tape To tape off the scene of the slaughter Still getting swoll off bread and water I don't know if they fags or what Search a nigga down, and grabbing his nuts And on the other hand, without a gun they can't get none But don't let it be a black and a white one Cause they'll slam ya down to the street top Black police showing out for the white cop Ice Cube will swarm On any motherfucker in a blue uniform Just cause I'm from the CPT Punk police are afraid of me, huh A young nigga on the warpath And when I'm finished, it's gonna be a bloodbath Of cops, dying in L.A Yo Dre, I got something to say Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Pull your god damn ass over right now Aww shit, now what the fuck you pullin me over for? Cause I feel like it! Just sit your ass on the curb and shut the fuck up Man, fuck this shit Aight, smartass, I'm taking your black ass to jail! MC Ren, will you please give your testimony To the jury about this fucked up incident? Fuck the police and Ren said it with authority Because the niggas on the street is a majority A gang is with whoever I'm stepping And the motherfucking weapon is kept in A stash box, for the so-called law Wishing Ren was a nigga that they never saw Lights start flashing behind me But they're scared of a nigga so they mace me to blind me But that shit don't work, I just laugh Because it gives them a hint not to step in my path For police, I'm saying, "Fuck you punk!" Reading my rights and shit, it's all junk Pulling out a silly club, so you stand With a fake-ass badge and a gun in your hand But take off the gun so you can see what's up And we'll go at it punk, and I'ma fuck you up! Make you think I'mma kick your ass But drop your gat, and Ren's gonna blast I'm sneaky as fuck when it comes to crime But I'ma smoke them now and not next time Smoke any motherfucker that sweats me Or any asshole that threatens me I'm a sniper with a hell of a scope Taking out a cop or two, they can't cope with me The motherfucking villain that's mad With potential, to get bad as fuck So I'ma turn it around Put in my clip, yo, and this is the sound {​*BOOM, BOOM*}​ Yeah, something like that But it all depends on the size of the gat Taking out a police would make my day But a nigga like Ren don't give a fuck to say Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Yo man, what you need? Police, open out! Aww shit We have a warrant for Eazy-E's arrest Get down and put your hands up where I can see 'em (Move motherfucker, move now!) What the fuck did I do, man what did I do? Just shut the fuck up And get your motherfucking ass on the floor (You heard the man, shut the fuck up!) But I didn't do shit Man just shut the fuck up! Eazy-E, won't you step up to the stand And tell the jury how you feel about this bullshit? I'm tired of the motherfucking jacking Sweating my gang, while I'm chilling in the shack, and Shining the light in my face, and for what? Maybe it's because I kick so much butt I kick ass -- or maybe cause I blast On a stupid-ass nigga when I'm playing with the trigger Of an Uzi or an AK Cause the police always got something stupid to say They put out my picture with silence Cause my identity by itself causes violence The E with the criminal behavior Yeah, I'm a gangsta, but still I got flavor Without a gun and a badge, what do ya got? A sucker in a uniform waiting to get shot By me, or another nigga And with a gat it don't matter if he's smaller or bigger (MC Ren: Size don't mean shit, he's from the old school fool) And as you all know, E's here to rule Whenever I'm rolling, keep looking in the mirror And ears on cue, yo, so I can hear a Dumb motherfucker with a gun And if I'm rolling off the 8, he'll be the one That I take out, and then get away While I'm driving off laughing this is what I'll say Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police The verdict The jury has found you guilty of being a redneck White bread, chickenshit motherfucker But wait, that's a lie! That's a god damn lie! Get him out of here! Get him the fuck out my face! I want justice! Out, right now! Fuck you, you black motherfuckers! Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Fuck Tha Police Analysis: "F tha Police" stands out in particular because it highlights many of the tensions between black urban youth and the police. The song is particularly controversial because areas of it such as "Beat a police out of shape; And when I'm finished, bring the yellow tape; To tape off the scene of the slaughter" condone violence towards police authorities. In 1984 and 1989, there was a 33% spike in citizen complaints of police brutality, complaints that went largely ignored by the LAPD. This song highlighted the large amounts of social injustice that was going on. It gave blacks and others an outlet. Unfortunately for them it was viewed in a more negative light because of the language being used in the song. However, when you are fed up and have been mistreated and abused for so long this is how people will begin to react. Although the song is vulgar, it does it's job by inciting in not only blacks, but all people, that this social injustice is not something that will continue to be tolerated. They gave firsthand examples of scenarios that blacks face on a daily basis just because they happen to be black. For instance, being victimized and targeted in traffic stops. All in all the song perfectly characterizes what it is like to be black in America.

[kiaraflantroy]

[Chorus: Keyshia Cole] You just played me for the last time I’m done fucking with you Keep coming with the same lines Everything but the truth You picked the wrong one, yea yea You picked the wrong one baby You just played me for the last time I’m done fucking with you

[Verse 1: Keyshia Cole] So know I’m not the one for the bullshit I empty out the closet like a full clip You tried so hard to get at me I wish you would’ve left me when you met me Whole squad said you was a hoe though Let breezy know these niggas ain’t loyal Blowin’ up my phone turn my phone off Can’t take no bitch nigga phone call

[Chorus: Keyshia Cole] You just played me for the last time I’m done fucking with you Keep coming with the same lines Everything but the truth You picked the wrong one, yea yea You picked the wrong one baby You just played me for the last time I’m done fucking with you

[Verse 2: Remy Ma] You picked the wrong one, now you pick the right one Got no love left and I ain't even tryna fight dumb You keep your birds cause I’m gone when my flight come You know what you did and honestly I been type done How you getting hoes take 'em home then you wife them It’s really no comparison cause I ain't nothing like them Bestie said fuck him, I’m like don’t get me hype cause At one point would had been gun point on site bum Now I look at it like owww, that something light hun I’m happy that its over yeah you only had a slight run I can be a fowl bitch fuck your whole life up I might spend the night with your bro out of spite cause you a fuck nigga

[Chorus: Keyshia Cole] You just played me for the last time I’m done fucking with you Keep coming in with the same lines Everything but the truth You picked the wrong one, yea yea You picked the wrong one baby You just played me for the last time I’m done fucking with you You picked the wrong one, yea yea You picked the wrong one baby You picked the wrong one, yea yea You picked the wrong one baby

[Verse 3: French Montana] You know these hoes ain't loyal Mama always told me these hoes ain't for you That’s why we never mix like water with the oil Baby keep the pu**y mine, and ima keep ya spoiled (And you know) Real one hold you down like a real army But I picked the wrong one like Steve Harvey Same boss boat dock for 8 days But you a thot selling box on the back page Sitting, reminiscing, way before I started tripping About what he said and she said But I ain't having it, your game weak like seven nights Coming with the same lines like trumps wife

[Chorus: KEYSHIA COLE] You just played me for the last time I’m done fucking with you Keep coming with the same lines Everything but the truth You picked the wrong one, yea yea You picked the wrong one baby You just played me for the last time I’m done fucking with you You picked the wrong one, yea yea You picked the wrong one baby You picked the wrong one, yea yea You picked the wrong one baby The wrong one The wrong one You know you picked the wrong one

Analysis

This text depicts a relationship gone bad. If you watch the music video you will see that it has gone downright deadly! The chorus of the song immediately lets us know that this isn’t the first time that Keyshia has been played by her man, but she does make it very clear that this will be the very last time that he will get the opportunity to play her. She has completely caught on to his game and knows that he’s been feeding her lies.

Once Keyshia realized that her guy had been playing her she emptied out everything in his closet. She also gives us some background about him and tells us that her guy tried his hardest to win her over when everybody around her was telling her that he was indeed a get around. But she went against her better judgement and gave him a chance. Now that she’s found this out he wants to call her and plead his case and she’s just not hearing it. Keyshia is playing the role of the friend who is hurt but she’s strong enough and smart enough to walk away when enough is enough.

Remy Ma is the friend who is ready to go head to head with this guy. She wants to be shady and call him out on his foolish decisions. “How you getting ho*s take 'em home then you wife them” She blatantly tells him that the women that he so foolishly decided to mess around on her with are so beneath her and are undeserving of the title that he has bestowed upon them. “At one point would had been gun point on site bum” this line is an ode to Remy’s previous street life, and to let him know that she has shot people for much less before. Remy however is happy that the relationship wasn’t something that she wasted a lot of time in. She does however threaten to get some revenge by fooling around with one of his friends.

French Montana comes and gives the guys perspective and seconds the women’s sentiments that the type of individual classified as a ho* is indeed not intended to be procured by anyone with even an ounce of standards. He says, “That’s why we never mix like water with the oil”. He likens his mistake of picking the wrong mate to Steve Harvey saying the wrong winner of the pageant last year. French Montana even brings up back page which used to be a popular craigslist type site for escorts. The last punchline French uses is telling the girl that he’s heard these same lines she’s telling him before by saying, “Coming with the same lines like trumps wife.” 

Overall the text is for relationships however, not relationships in which the truth is not being told. Communication and not only that but honest communication is such an important part of the foundation of any relationship. It’s not somber by any means, and all areas of the text are happy that they’re leaving that negative situation in the hopes of finding someone that finally appreciates them and what they bring to the table.

[kiaraflantroy]

Blaxploitation

The lyrical and musical content of the soundtrack was in a way telling black people to be proud of their color, to embrace their roots. It was also encouraging them to get out into the world, to not let yourself be run over by the whites. You mattered to the world, and it was up to you to make that clear.

According to the films black life was full of sex, crime, and violence. The black man did not accomplish much more than that. The blaxploitation films gave audiences exactly what they wanted to see from blacks. No one wanted to witness black men and women in a progressive role, they wanted to further validate their already preconceived notions about the black way of life.

The black man was always in a position where they were saving someone or taking advantage of another person. These notions were recycled images of what society already thought to be true of the typical black person. These images are presently recycled in hip-hop and the culture today. This notion that blacks are consistently in trouble with the law is perpetuated by the media. Very rarely will you turn on the tv and see a positive story about a black male or woman, but if a crime has taken place their face(s) will be plastered everywhere.

This genre is called blaxploitation because Hollywood was able to make a profit off of the exploitation of blacks. The term was originally used to draw attention to the corrupt and emerging genre, but the term stuck.

[kiaraflantroy]

Prompt E - 1980s

The 1980s was a thriving as well as trying time for African Americans. The 1980s were apart of what is considered the Post-Civil Rights era in African American History.

In 1982, Michael Jackson released Thriller, which became the best-selling album of all time.

President Ronald Reagan signed a bill in 1983 to create a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King, who was assassinated in 1968 and considered a martyr to civil rights. Established by legislation in 1983, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was first celebrated as a national holiday on January 20, 1986.

Between 1984 and 1989, the homicide rate for black males aged 14 to 17 more than doubled, and the homicide rate for black males aged 18 to 24 increased nearly as much. During this period, the black community also experienced a 20%–100% increase in fetal death rates, low birth-weight babies, weapons arrests, and the number of children in foster care.

The music of this time was more hardcore rap, it mimicked the pain that it’s authors were being subjected to. The popular music of Michael Jackson offered a brighter and more encouraging side to the plight of not only black people, but people of the world.

[kiaraflantroy]

Prompt A - Rock & Roll

Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the during the late 1940s and early 1950s, from African-American musical styles such as gospel, jazz, boogie woogie, rhythm and blues, and even country. 

The book tells us that The gap between jazz-bred players and R&B music was closing quickly, as Miles Davis and his offspring, such as Herbie Hancock, in a most experimental manner, began using electronic keyboards and dance rhythms. Hancock’s Headhunters (1974) defined the funk end of this jazz-rock fusion and would be much imitated. Black musicians created all forms of music, it just took the effort of getting whites to listen to it first.

The phrase "rocking and rolling" originally described the movement of a ship on the ocean, which in turn took people back to the journey of the slaves to America.

[kiaraflantroy]

Prompt F

          Over the last four weeks I have had the chance to fully develop the issues that African Americans faced during their journey in the music industry. I have fostered a better appreciation for not only the instrumentation of a song, but also the content of the lyrics. This course has made me further appreciate the artists that were before my time.

           Racism was running rampant in America. Unfortunately, African Americans had to deal with a bulk of this. Artists were taken advantage of in every way possible. Their songs were hijacked, they were not paid fairly, and their talent was unappreciated. Due to white America’s original monopoly on the music industry these problems were hard to combat. The Federal Music Project was one of the first organizations that enabled black artists to find work during the depression, often creating art or stories which portrayed the historic and present situation of blacks in the South. Only through teamwork and pure ambition were African Americans able to begin to carve out a place for themselves in the music industry. As black businessmen acquired disposable income they partnered up to create their own radio stations, their own studios, and their own sound.

           I've also learned that, though they are two different genres, Blues and Jazz music are alike in certain ways. The blues was birthed in the Mississippi Delta just up the river from New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Blues and jazz have always influenced each other, and they still interact in many ways today.  Unlike jazz, the blues didn't spread out significantly from the South to the Midwest until the 1930s and 1940s. Shortly after this the blues gave birth to rhythm and blues and rock ‘n roll. Music has always served as an escape. The blues takes the listener on an adventure. You are privy to the thoughts and emotions of the singer. Whether they’re singing about being bored or describing a failed relationship, you get the raw emotion. The instruments play into the mood by either being slow and smooth or ramped up with horns and string instruments being used as percussion instruments.

          This course so far has allowed me to better put into words the way that music makes me feel. I have always been one to appreciate the artistry that goes into creating songs. Some songs are better for their beat and others are solely enjoyed for their lyrics. I will say that 90% of the time I will listen to a song just for the instrumentation. Doing the analysis on different songs forces you to pay attention to the entire work of art. You begin to appreciate the little nuances that producers add into it to create that discernable flair. Today so many mainstream artists are forced into this box to remain successful. There is very little room for real African American artists to flourish. Rap & Hip-Hop has condensed the African American artist to little more than a catchy chorus and a dope beat.

[kiaraflantroy]

Prompt E

One of the main things that evolved Jazz music was the implementation of instruments and the ways in which they were being played. The electric bass forever changed the way in which the other instruments played along with the beat. They ran the beat, showed it which way to turn next. 

The hiring of black DJ’s also promoted the rhythm and blues movement. Ebony reported that few of the men were even reported to be negros. This notion that voice has no color allowed the men the freedom to play records and they be listened to at face value rather than someone assuming it was only played because the DJ as well as the artists were black.

As black men and women earned more money they had more disposable income to pour back into the arts that brought them joy (as well as income). Groups of black business were pooling their resources together to jump into this business of owning a radio station. This in and of itself helped promote the reach and influence of the blues and jump blues music of the times. A radio for us and by us.

[kiaraflantroy]

I chose this song because it was so far from what I would have ever expected from a blues song. However, the music was described as mating music. Bessie comes across as a woman who was very secure in her sexuality and had no problem making her needs and desires known. It’s almost taboo for that time period.

[kiaraflantroy]

I chose this song for it’s story qualities. Julie Jones is telling us how one woman has better bread than another. She also tells you that if you don’t believe her you can go and try it.

[kiaraflantroy]

I chose this song because it was the most relaxing. It had a very defined rhythm and did not sway too far away from it’s original melody.