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Shake Down
Akon Lyrics


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Konvict
Stand up
Salute
Devon Stephens
Up front is in the building
It's the Konvict album
Yeah
Y'all done fucked up now
I got money now, nigga
I got enough money to free all the stars

He ain't lyin'
If you sellin', we ain't buyin'
If you got it on ya block
You best believe we supplyin'
From a key to a half a pound
A quarter to a dime
Tryin' to own a piece of Brooklyn
Like my nigga John Klein
Hey
Ya know me; I'm known to rock wit' it
Roll through your spot wit' it
Post up block wit' it
Hey, ya know me; I'm on the block with it
Non-stop wit' it
Violate and get popped wit' it
Hey
So I suggest ya keep steppin' on me
'Cause you will rarely find me
Without my weapon on me
Got the whole Konvict squad bettin' on me
And now the dots around the world
Are now connectin' on me

[Chorus]
Hey now
A bunch of gangstas strapped
So make a wish now
When they come wavin' them gats
Ya know to lay down
And give 'em all ya got
'Cause it's a shake down
Hey now
A bunch of gangstas strapped
So make a wish now
When they come wavin' them gats
Ya know to lay down
And give 'em all ya got
'Cause it's a shake down
Oh, oh, oh
'Cause it's a shake down
Oh, oh, oh
'Cause it's a shake down
Oh, oh, oh
'Cause it's a shake down
Do I make myself clear?
Oh, oh, oh, hey, hey, hey

A fleet of European cars in my driveway
Ferarri
My shorty ridin' shotgun
Bumpin' Sadie
Toes hangin' out the window
Loadin' up my army
You know I keep a bad bitch breathin' on me
Also known to have no business with no beefin' on me
And won't hesitate to cock it
When them people on me
So guess what
No exceptions to ya neither, homey
Ya know I got that African connection
Locked up in a facility correction
I'm a star, style changed
Hangin' like blow
Black royals in the front
We in the place now

[Chorus]

Now I'm a show ya how to break this down
He'll show ya how to shake this down
First nigga to create this sound
Can't believe it took a convict to shake this town
Dippin' European linen with the v-net
Diamond studded VVS
No less
Kunta Kinte bracelet
Lit up the whole set
My nigga, we on deck
Believe it's no sweat
Need street credibility who you go get
I give you that credibility for the right check
Keep your future on the shelf
Quiet where it's best kept
Don't want them upfront shooters
Bringin' red light

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Akon's "Shake Down" talk about his success and how he can now afford anything he wants, including freeing celebrities from prison. He expresses his power through money and his connections in the African community. He warns his competitors not to mess with him because he has the Konvict squad behind him, and they are not afraid to use their weapons. The chorus emphasizes the idea that there is nothing anyone can do when the gangsters come to shake down, and the only option is to give them what they want.


Akon starts the song by bragging about his wealth and how he can free celebrities from jail, which shows how money equals power, and he has it. He also talks about how he can supply people with drugs if they need them, which shows his connections with people in the drug world. Akon's reference to John Klein implies that he is looking to buy a piece of Brooklyn, which indicates that he has big plans and ambitions for his future. He ends each verse with a reminder that he is always armed and ready to defend himself. The chorus emphasizes the fear that comes when the gangsters shake down and how people have to give in to them.


Line by Line Meaning

Konvict
A reference to the name of the record label founded by Akon.


Stand up
A call to attention and respect.


Salute
A gesture of respect and acknowledgement.


Devon Stephens
A reference to a music executive who was instrumental in launching Akon's career.


Up front is in the building
A reference to Akon's record label, Upfront Records.


It's the Konvict album
An acknowledgement that the song is part of an album released under the Konvict record label.


Yeah
An expression of affirmation and agreement.


Y'all done fucked up now
A warning that the listener is about to pay for their mistakes.


I got money now, nigga
A reference to Akon's success and wealth.


I got enough money to free all the stars
An exaggeration of Akon's wealth and his ability to help free imprisoned celebrities.


He ain't lyin'
An affirmation that Akon is telling the truth.


If you sellin', we ain't buyin'
A statement that the listener is not interested in buying the artist's wares.


If you got it on ya block
A statement that the singer is aware of the illegal activities occurring in the listener's neighborhood.


You best believe we supplyin'
A threat that the singer is capable of providing the listener with the illegal contraband they desire.


From a key to a half a pound
A range of possible quantities of illegal substances that the singer is capable of providing.


A quarter to a dime
Additional quantities of illegal substances that the artist can provide.


Tryin' to own a piece of Brooklyn
An ambition to gain power and control in a particular neighborhood (Brooklyn).


Like my nigga John Klein
A reference to a friend or acquaintance of Akon's named John Klein.


Hey
A vocal filler used by the singer.


Ya know me; I'm known to rock wit' it
A statement that the artist is known for being involved in illegal activities.


Roll through your spot wit' it
A threat that the artist is capable of visiting the listener's location in order to conduct illegal activities.


Post up block wit' it
An assertion that the artist is capable of conducting their illegal activities without being conspicuous.


Hey, ya know me; I'm on the block with it
A statement that the singer is actively involved in illegal activities on the street corner (the block).


Non-stop wit' it
An assertion that the artist conducts their illegal activities without interruption.


Violate and get popped wit' it
A warning that breaking the law in the singer's presence will result in violence.


So I suggest ya keep steppin' on me
An instruction that the listener should avoid interacting with the singer.


'Cause you will rarely find me
A statement that the singer is not easy to find or locate.


Without my weapon on me
An assertion that the artist carries a weapon for protection.


Got the whole Konvict squad bettin' on me
A claim that Akon's associates believe in his abilities and support him.


And now the dots around the world
A reference to the network of people and organizations that Akon is connected to around the world.


Are now connectin' on me
An assertion that Akon's reputation and success are attracting new supporters around the world.


Hey now
A vocal filler used by the artist to introduce the chorus.


A bunch of gangstas strapped
A reference to the artist and their associates carrying weapons.


So make a wish now
A sarcastic remark suggesting that the listener is in a hopeless situation.


When they come wavin' them gats
A warning that the singer and their associates are prepared to use their weapons.


Ya know to lay down
An instruction that the listener should surrender.


And give 'em all ya got
An order to the listener to hand over any valuables they possess.


'Cause it's a shake down
A reference to the act of robbing someone (shaking them down) for their possessions.


Oh, oh, oh
A vocal filler used by the singer.


Do I make myself clear?
A rhetorical question used by the artist to assert their dominance and control over the listener.


A fleet of European cars in my driveway
An assertion of the artist's wealth and status.


Ferarri
A reference to a brand of luxury car.


My shorty ridin' shotgun
A reference to the singer's girlfriend riding in the front passenger seat of their car.


Bumpin' Sadie
A reference to the song being played loudly in the car (not necessarily a specific song).


Toes hangin' out the window
A description of the laid-back, carefree lifestyle of the artist.


Loadin' up my army
A reference to Akon's associates preparing for a mission or activity (possibly illegal).


You know I keep a bad bitch breathin' on me
An assertion that the singer has a beautiful girlfriend who is attracted to them.


Also known to have no business with no beefin' on me
An assertion that the artist prefers to avoid conflict and does not engage in arguments or fights.


And won't hesitate to cock it
A warning that the singer is prepared to use their weapon if necessary.


When them people on me
A statement that the singer is aware of the police or other authorities watching them.


So guess what
An assertive statement, possibly leading to a threat or warning.


No exceptions to ya neither, homey
A warning that the listener is not exempt from the artist's power or influence.


Ya know I got that African connection
A reference to Akon's African heritage and his connections to people and organizations in Africa.


Locked up in a facility correction
A reference to Akon's criminal record, including time spent in jail or in correctional facilities.


I'm a star, style changed
An assertion that the singer is a celebrity and their style or behavior has changed along with their success.


Hangin' like blow
A reference to the artist's wealth and success.


Black royals in the front
A reference to the artist's associates, who are loyal and respected.


We in the place now
A statement that the artist and their associates have arrived or established themselves in a particular location.


Now I'm a show ya how to break this down
A statement that the singer is going to explain something in detail.


He'll show ya how to shake this down
A reference to the artist's ability to rob or intimidate others to obtain what they want.


First nigga to create this sound
An assertion that the singer was one of the first to create a certain type of music or sound.


Can't believe it took a convict to shake this town
An assertion that the singer's background as a convicted criminal was instrumental in their success in the music industry.


Dippin' European linen with the v-net
A reference to the singer's fashionable clothing.


Diamond studded VVS
A reference to the artist's expensive jewelry, which is decorated with diamonds of a certain clarity (very, very slightly included).


No less
An assertion that the quality of the artist's possessions is high (and not lower).


Kunta Kinte bracelet
A reference to the main character of the book and miniseries Roots, who wore a distinctive metal bracelet.


Lit up the whole set
An assertion that the singer's jewelry is flashy and attracts attention.


My nigga, we on deck
A statement that the artist and their associates are prepared for action or trouble.


Believe it's no sweat
An assertion that the artist is confident and capable in any situation.


Need street credibility who you go get
A statement that the artist is able to provide credibility or respect in the streets to those who need it.


I give you that credibility for the right check
An assertion that the singer is willing to provide credibility or respect to others for a price.


Keep your future on the shelf
An instruction to the listener to avoid taking risks or pursuing uncertain goals.


Quiet where it's best kept
An assertion that it is important to keep certain things (possibly illegal or embarrassing) quiet and out of the public eye.


Don't want them upfront shooters
A warning that the singer does not want their associates to engage in violent or confrontational behavior.


Bringin' red light
A reference to the police or other authorities becoming involved due to violent or illegal behavior.


[Chorus]
A recurring section of the song featuring the main melody and lyrics.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ALIAUNE THIAM, GIORGIO TUINFORT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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