Understand Rap

by William Buckholz

  Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and

  may be obtained from the Library of Congress.

  ISBN 978-0-8109-8921-4

  Copyright © 2010 William Buckholz

  Published in 2010 by Abrams Image, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved.

  No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted

  in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording,

  or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

  Printed and bound in U.S.A.

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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  This book is dedicated to Mom and Dad for always encouraging me,

  and my brother, Tom, for renewing my interest in rap music.

  CONTENTS

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  MONEY

  DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

  INSULTS

  CARS

  SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS

  CRIME AND WEAPONS

  FASHION

  SKILLS AND PRIDE

  PEOPLE

  PLACES

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  UNDER STAND RAP is a work of music scholarship that attempts to creatively translate interesting and confusing rap lyrics into language those unfamiliar with rap culture and slang can understand.

  While at times humorous because of the contrast between the artists’ language and the language of the author, the intention of this book is not to poke fun at rap music. Rather, it is to highlight some of the more creative artists and lyrics in the genre today and to bring a basic understanding of concepts and themes in rap music to the attention of an audience who may not otherwise be exposed to these lyrics or give them a second thought. It is not the intention of the author to glorify drug use, violence, crime, or sexual promiscuity, even if such themes or concepts are analyzed in this book. It should also be noted that guests often appear on other artists’ albums and therefore the artist or artists listed beneath a lyric may not be the artist who authored or recited the lyric. Each explanation presented for a lyric in this book represents one of many possible interpretations of these musical works of art, and they are not meant to be taken as fact or to represent the artists’ points of view in any way whatsoever. Any inaccuracies in the lyrics are unintentional. If used or implied, the first person point of view does not necessarily reflect the views of the artist and is used purely for illustrative purposes. Please support all the artists referenced in this book by purchasing and listening to their albums.

  GOT SO MUCH CHIPS, I SWEAR THEY CALL ME HEWLETTPACKARD

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “LOLLIPOP (REMIX)” ON ALBUM: THA CARTER III (ITUNES BONUS TRACK) BY ARTIST: LIL WAYNE

  I am so wealthy that people might mistakenly refer to me by the name of a large multinational computer manufacturer whose integrated circuits are commonly referred to by the same name that I and others use for money.

  I GOT RUBBER BAND BANKS IN MY POCKET

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “WHATEVER YOU LIKE” ON ALBUM: PAPER TRAIL BY ARTIST: T.I.

  I carry such large amounts of cash around with me that a wallet would quickly wear out as it would be stretched beyond the capacity to hold the currency for which it was designed. A common alternative to the wallet, the money clip, is pushed beyond its mechanical limit as well. Therefore, a large rubber band will be employed, as it can expand with increased capacity.

  IT AIN’T MY BIRTHDAY BUT I GOT MY NAME ON THE CAKE

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “STUNTIN’ LIKE MY DADDY” ON ALBUM: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON BY ARTIST: BIRDMAN AND LIL WAYNE

  One of the names for money is the same as the dessert that is eaten in celebration of another year a human has lived. While no one would observe an annually occurring day 365 times a year, each day is equally joyous to me because of the income that is constantly flowing in, and is therefore worthy of celebration.

  AFTER BIG BUCKS, NO WHAMMY

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “WEED & MONEY” ON ALBUM: GHETTO D BY ARTIST: MASTER P

  There are some risks when it comes to the pursuit of financial success in the rap industry, just as contestants on 1980s television game show Press Your Luck risked losing all their money at the hands of a creepy red cartoon character.

  SWIMMING IN THE MONEY, COME AND FIND ME, NEMO

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “FOREVER” BY ARTIST: DRAKE ON ALBUM: MORE THAN A GAME (SOUNDTRACK)

  It is possible that you could have so much money that there would be nowhere practical to store it all and eventually every room of your house would be filled with paper currency. Anyone who stopped by to visit you in this virtual ocean of money would have as much trouble finding you as an animated talking cartoon fish father had finding his animated talking cartoon fish son.

  YOU ON THE INTERNET PRICING

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “HE TRIED TO PLAY ME” ON ALBUM: KILLA SEASON BY ARTIST: CAM’RON

  It is funny that you are using a vast network of computers in order to find the most affordable items as you research bargains and compare the costs associated with shopping at various stores, while other people simply purchase whatever they want immediately upon seeing it and without regard for cost.

  IT’S A BLESSIN’ TO BLOW A HUNDRED THOU’ IN A RECESSION

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “KINDA LIKE A BIG DEAL” ON ALBUM: TIL THE CASKET DROPS BY ARTIST: CLIPSE

  One must believe God is looking favorably upon oneself to be able to frivolously spend $100,000 without worrying about how their bank account balance will be affected during a time when most of the population is struggling financially due to an economic crisis.

  USED TO MAKE A THOUSAND DOLLARS EVERY TIME I PLAYED HOOKY

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “FEEL ME” ON ALBUM: THA CARTER II BY ARTIST: LIL WAYNE

  It is possible that while skipping school, rather than going to the mall, watching a movie, or socializing with friends, one could be engaging in lucrative activities, such as drug dealing, that might yield amounts of money much greater than the average student’s allowance or summer job.

  GRINDIN’ DAILY TO STACK MY BREAD

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “THEY DON’T KNOW” ON ALBUM: THE PEOPLES CHAMP BY ARTIST: PAUL WALL

  I work hard every day, earning income by doing whatever I have to do to get by. As a result of my effort, I am able to pile up the money I make as if it were slices of food made by mixing water with ground flour.

  MORE CHEESE THAN LAMBEAU

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “CHECK 1, 2” ON ALBUM: OUT OF BUSINESS BY ARTIST: EPMD

  The amount of money I have is much greater than the number of hats shaped like a type of milk-derived, protein-rich food worn by fans in support of the Green Bay Packers football team in their stadium in Wisconsin, a state known for its dairy products.

  NEEDED MONEY OF MY OWN, SO I STARTED SLANGIN’

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “DEAR MAMA” ON ALBUM: ME AGAINST THE WORLD BY ARTIST: 2PAC

  For some people, there comes a time during their youth when they realize they can no longer live the lifestyle they want based solely on the support of individuals such as their mother who may provide for them, so they begin selling drugs as a way to survive and secure their own financial well-being.

  BAG FULL OF CHIPS—WE AIN’T TALKIN’ RUFFLES

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “THROW IT IN THE BAG” ON ALBUM: LOSO’S WAY BY ARTIST: FABOLOUS

  I have a bag that contains a large amount of paper money that I am describing by using a term that
stems from the circular disks casinos use as in-house currency, clarifying that it is not a particular brand of thin crinkle-cut potato slices that you may have thought I was referring to.

  THAT PABLO ESCOBAR CRACK MONEY

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “MONEY” ON ALBUM: LAX BY ARTIST: THE GAME

  I am striving to accumulate the same amount of wealth an infamous Colombian drug lord had at the height of his career—somewhere in the billions of dollars.

  YOU CAN CALL ME SCROOGE, ’CAUSE I’M SWIMMIN’ IN BUCKS

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “TALKIN’ ABOUT IT” ON ALBUM: THE LEAK BY ARTIST: LIL WAYNE

  Since I have a great deal of money, you may wish to refer to me by the first name of a talking duck from comics and cartoons who has a vault room filled with gold coins, jewels, and cash, which he swan-dives into and tunnels through like he’s swimming, since I might be able to do the same.

  I GOT A POCKETFUL OF BENJAMINS

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “AIN’T SAYIN’ NOTHIN’ (REMIX)” BY ARTIST: FAT JOE

  A compartment sewn into my clothing is full of hundred-dollar bills, which is the largest denomination currently in circulation and upon which are printed the face of Benjamin Franklin.

  Y’ALL THINK I’M GONNA LET MY DOUGH FREEZE?

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “FORGOT ABOUT DRE” ON ALBUM: 2001 BY ARTIST: DR. DRE

  I am not asking your opinion on whether or not I should preserve a mixture of flour and water at cold temperatures for future use, but I would like to know if you think my savings balance will stay fixed at its current amount or if such an assumption could be false, considering that I am obviously going to continue making a lot of money.

  MY BANK ROLL’S ON SWOLL

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “WHO AM I (WHAT’S MY NAME)?” ON ALBUM: DOGGYSTYLE BY ARTIST: SNOOP DOGGY DOGG

  The pile of bills I have rolled up and placed in my pocket and to which I add newly acquired currency, that I later withdraw money from like someone might use a lending institution, has increased in size as a result of my repeated business dealings.

  I’M HOOD RICH

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “STILL FLY” ON ALBUM: HOOD RICH BY ARTIST: BIG TYMERS

  Although not considered especially wealthy when compared to the likes of those in the upper echelon of society, I do well in comparison to the others in my neighborhood. Some signs of my wealth may include having a very expensive car yet not being able to afford to fill the tank with gas, or making all large purchases by obtaining loans using my mother as a cosigner.

  GOT A HANDFUL OF STACKS, BETTER GRAB AN UMBRELLA

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “MAKE IT RAIN” ON ALBUM: ME, MYSELF & I BY ARTIST: FAT JOE

  When someone has a handful of paper money that is taken from piles that are considered disposable income and throws it above your head to create an effect that somewhat resembles rain falling from the sky, and you are an attractive female or an adoring fan, you may want to protect yourself by holding a canopy attached to a rod.

  FROM A CAPER GOTTA BLOW THAT PAPER

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “CARTER II” ON ALBUM: THA CARTER II BY ARTIST: LIL WAYNE

  If money in your possession has made its way to your pocket either directly from a crime you committed or indirectly through your association with someone who may have committed a crime to obtain it, you should spend it as quickly as possible in case it can be traced and implicate you.

  SAW ME COOKIN’ EGGS, SHE THOUGHT I WAS BACK AT IT

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “STUNTIN’ LIKE MY DADDY” ON ALBUM: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON BY ARTIST: BIRDMAN AND LIL WAYNE

  After spending the night with a woman, waking up in the morning, and making my way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, I was seen standing in front of the stove by my female guest. Rather than investigating the situation to see that I was merely being a good host and cooking a meal for her and myself, she jumped to the conclusion that I was using the skillet in the manufacture of crack cocaine.

  COUPLE BRICKS STACKED ON THAT TRIPLE BEAM

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “MAKE IT RAIN” ON ALBUM: ME, MYSELF & I BY ARTIST: FAT JOE

  I casually observe that among my surroundings are two large, rectangular solids of cocaine placed on the same type of very accurate scale used by scientists to measure the masses of things, either to make sure that enough product has been received in exchange for money spent, or that excess product is not provided when dividing up large quantities of a drug into smaller amounts for sale or distribution.

  STANDIN’ IN MY BATHROOM MIRROR, I LOOK AT THE SOAP

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “DUMMY MAN” ON ALBUM: THUG MENTALITY 1999 BY ARTIST: KRAYZIE BONE

  During a moment of self-reflection while readying myself for the day, an idea strikes me: Because I am willing to risk my reputation and possibly even my life in order to obtain the funds required to purchase some marijuana, I might be able to cut a bar-shaped cleaning agent into tiny pieces, rub them with a slice of bread, and coat them in a numbing agent to make them resemble rocks of crack cocaine that I can sell to an unsuspecting individual.

  BE FLIPPIN’ THEM FLOUNDERS

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “REPPIN MY CITY” ON ALBUM: TRILLA BY ARTIST: RICK ROSS

  A concept I may or may not be familiar with is the act of receiving, processing into solid form or dividing into smaller quantities, and selling (resulting in orders that are placed for this product being filled) a high-quality type of cocaine named because in its shiny appearance it may seem to some to resemble the scales of a species of fish commonly found in the ocean.

  BURNIN’ BUTTER GOT IT SMELLIN’ LIKE IT’S BUTTERSCOTCH

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “RICH OFF COCAINE” ON ALBUM: DEEPER THAN RAP BY ARTIST: RICK ROSS

  Someone has ignited a type of crack cocaine, presumably to inhale it, that has been refined to be more potent and is somewhat yellowish in color. The resulting scent is reminiscent of the brown-sugar-and-butter flavoring used in a variety of foods, including sundae toppings, pudding snacks, and a somewhat antiquated candy.

  THAT BIRD FLU, SHAWTY, THAT’S A TERRIBLE SICKNESS

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “BIRD FLU” ON ALBUM: BACK TO THE TRAPHOUSE BY ARTIST: GUCCI MANE

  While avian influenza is indeed a serious disease, when individuals begin selling cocaine and realize sudden and substantial financial gains are being made, it is difficult to stop what they are doing and pursue other work through traditional channels of employment.

  I GOT FIVE ON IT, GRAB YOUR FOUR-OH, LET’S GET KEYED

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “I GOT 5 ON IT” ON ALBUM: OPERATION STACKOLA BY ARTIST: LUNIZ

  I have five dollars that I will contribute toward the purchase of an amount of marijuana we can smoke, and since I’m sure you have purchased affordable malt liquor in a bottle more than a liter in size to accompany the marijuana, please retrieve it and meet me back here so we can get high and intoxicated together.

  A SCALE AND SOME ARM & HAMMER

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “B.O.B.” ON ALBUM: STANKONIA BY ARTIST: OUTKAST

  One item that is handy to have around when producing crack cocaine from powder cocaine is a device to weigh quantities of ingredients used in this manufacturing process and to measure the final product, which is often sold by weight rather than volume. Another useful item is a particular brand of sodium bicarbonate that you may keep in your refrigerator to absorb and eliminate food odors but can also be used as part of the chemical reaction that transforms said drug substance from powder to crystalline form.

  WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT PURPLE DRANK?

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “THEY DON’T KNOW” ON ALBUM: THE PEOPLES CHAMP BY ARTIST: PAUL WALL

  I wonder if you are at all familiar with a practice that was popularized in the southern United States and is common in other parts of the country whereby a person mixes prescription cough syrup containing promethazine and codeine that may be purple in color with lemon-lime soda, fruit-flavored candies, or other flavorings to make its taste more palatable.

  NO SEEDS, NO STEMS, NO STICKS

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “STILL D.R.E.” ON AL
BUM: 2001 BY ARTIST: DR. DRE

  Someone has made sure that the marijuana that has been obtained is the best value for the money, containing no undesirable parts of the cannabis plant and, being free of impurities, when smoked allows one to experience the most pleasurable effects.

  CHUMPS ACTIN’ NIMBLE ‘CAUSE THEY’RE FULL OF EIGHT-BALL

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “ICE ICE BABY” ON ALBUM: TO THE EXTREME BY ARTIST: VANILLA ICE

  Foolish individuals who may normally move and think sluggishly because of their slow reflexes or low level of intelligence are acting excitedly because they have ingested some portion of the eighth of an ounce of cocaine they have purchased.

  SMOKIN’ INDO, SIPPIN’ ON GIN AND JUICE

  LYRIC FROM SONG: “GIN AND JUICE” ON ALBUM: DOGGYSTYLE BY ARTIST: SNOOP DOGGY DOGG

  High-quality cannabis imported from the country of Indonesia has been chosen to light and inhale. While there are other varieties of marijuana that may compare to this, the aforementioned strain complements my beverage of choice for this evening: alcohol mixed with orange juice, either in a ratio that I have chosen or that has been purchased premixed in a proportion that is to my liking.