| DMX – Who We Be Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I think McShine is partly right... in that its an indictment of the system which X feels victimised by... and is based on the reasoning behind the crimes. However, there is more to it. If you look at certain segments, you see deeper connotations. For example, the end of the first verse... I think thats one of two things... firstly it could be a reference to certain guys on the street (snakes in the grass), where things are so difficult (grass too long), people dont realise that there is another way out (the lawnmower). Or possibly it could be a reference to the system itself. the snakes being the corrupt people within it, the long grass being a reference to the seemingly never-ending slew of crime and criminals, while the lawnmower is the obvious answer - change the system. I can't be sure though because the lines before suggest its the first, and the lines after suggest its the second... Other parts, I think, are references to X's personal struggles. The comments about his parents are an obvious one. The last six lines of the second verse are perhaps a reference to how he "found God" while in jail. I'm not sure if he did, just speculating. But it sounds like he was imprisoned, and it was driving him crazy when he found that prayer gave him relief. Putting it in the song seems to be a kind of "yeah to you im just a criminal, but im trying... i have problems of my own" in a sort of extension of the first verse. The end of the third verse is interesting too. More religious overtones and references to salvation. It all kind of adds to the whole 'you judge me, but you dont know me. who are you to judge me? to judge us?' attitude. There are many instances in the song where X uncovers harsh truths from the streets that those who run the system are unaware of. I think the point of the track is that he wants them to know who we are so they can react accordingly, and the system can work better... rather than lock guys up and release them later with only "try not to get in trouble" for help. ...maybe |
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| Cunninlynguists – Seasons (feat. Masta Ace) Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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this is quite possibly the most incredible extended metaphor in hip hop i have seen in a long time. its genius. pure f'n genius. i shouldnt need to explain that the seasons are metaphors for the stages in the life of hip hop and the several allusions to things characteristic of them. eg. spring...fresh...new...when hip hop first arrived on the scene it was fresh and new. summer...golden...golden era of hip hop... fall...start of a decline in sunlight (hope?) and more death seen...hip hop began to decline into mindless party music, more rappers killed... winter...cold, dead, "icy" (nice double entendre) and so on. winter is desolate and people are forced to make their own warmth (hope)...etc etc i could write for days on this track its that good. |
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| Cunninlynguists – Falling Down Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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its based on the 1993 film of the same name. it highlights the struggles and stresses that the everyday working man can face, and how it can force him past his breaking point as a result. of course its a worst case scenario, but its written (and performed) to invoke sympathy, pity and understanding when he finally does flip out and start wounding and killing. i like this track because it shows that even the most mild-mannered of people have a limit (note how the second and third verses are guys who seem to have taken a lot of crap already) and care should be taken so they dont reach said limits |
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| Cunninlynguists – The Gates (feat. Tonedeff) Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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jjjonatron pretty much got it. its a critique on hypocrisy as well as highlighting not just the racism in the protagonist, but that of society as a whole. had society as a whole been more accepting about his "inter-racial" relationship, he may never have developed such antipathy as a result. it seems to me, to be a criticism of the cyclical nature of racism in society also in that respect... those who are a victim thereof, then victimise others. |
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| Cunninlynguists – Beautiful Girl Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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yeah this song is pretty clearly about marijuana addiction, and the negative effects on life, both socially and emotionally note the paranoia references |
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