McKay Class Anthology volume 1 | Page 59

Rap/Hip-Hop

Glossed by: Catianha Saint Jean

[J. Cole:]

We don't look nothin' like the people on the screen

You know the movie stars, picture perfect beauty queens

But we got dreams and we got the right to chase 'em

Look at the nation, that's a crooked smile braces couldn't even straighten

Seem like half the race is either on probation

Or in jail; wonder why we inhale

Cause we in hell already - I ask if my skin pale

Would I then sell like Eminem or Adele?

But one more time for the 'Ville5

And fuck all of that beef6 shit, nigga let's make a mil'7

Hey officer man, we don't want nobody getting killed

Just open up that cell, let my brother out of jail

I got money for the bail now, well now

If you asking will I tell now? Hey, hell naw - I ain't snitching8 cause

Man, they get them niggas stitches now

If you was around, then you wouldn't need a witness now

How you like this crooked smile?

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 2]

[Outro: Choir]

Ohhhhhhhhhhohoh [4x]

La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la [4x]

I'm on my way, on my way, on my way down

I'm on my way, on my way, on my way down

You're the one that was tryna keep me way down

But like the sun, all you know I found my way back 'round, baby, back 'round...

You are the one that was tryna keep me way down

But like the sun, i know you I found my way back 'round, back 'round...

You are the one that was tryna keep me way down

But like the sun, i know you I found my way back 'round

1.Grill according to the urban dictionary means a. one's personal business or b. one's teeth/smile. In this song “grill” refers to teeth/smile.

2.Twisted grill refers to a bad smile/teeth

3.Derogatory term used for woman

4.Refers to beauty and the amount you hold.

5.Ville can either represent his hometown Fayetteville, North Caroline or his up and coming record label Dreamville.

6.Beef according to the urban dictionary means to have a grudge or start one with another person.

7.“Mil” is a slang term for millions

8.Snitching according to the urban dictionary refers to, when somebody runs to the police or somebody of authority to turn in somebody over something minor and can be fixed easily. Turning in somebody for something SERIOUS does NOT count as snitching.

57