Between 2007 and 2011, Tinashe was a member of the girl group the Stunners. Following their disbandment, she released the positively-reviewed self-recorded mixtapes In Case We Die (2012) and Reverie (2012). Following their success, Tinashe signed with RCA Records and released her third mixtape, Black Water (2013). Her debut single, "2 On" (featuring Schoolboy Q; produced by Mustard), reached number one on the Rhythmic airplay chart, and peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] Her debut studio album, Aquarius (2014), was noted by music critics as one of the most "solid" debuts by a new female artist in years. The album garnered her nominations for Soul Train and BET Awards.[5] Her collaboration with Snakehips and Chance the Rapper, "All My Friends", won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song in 2016.[6] The same year, Tinashe appeared on Britney Spears' single "Slumber Party", which topped Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart. Tinashe's second studio album, Nightride (2016), reached number eight on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the US. Joyride (2018), her third studio album, peaked at number 58 on the Billboard 200 chart and reached number six on the UK R&B Albums chart. After departing RCA, Tinashe independently released the albums Songs for You (2019), 333 (2021) and BB/Ang3l (2023).
2 On
Tinashe feat. Schoolboy Q Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, might go down for this shit, nigga
Gang, gang bangin' that crip shit
Niggas said cuz in the first grade
In the shade where the cops can't see us
Eighteen, tryna dodge the cage
It was cool 'til that gang sweep
Now I'm in back of a van
And my wrists got a band
Got a number for a name
No name on the visa, no card get accepted
Now I'm forced to a man
Murder raps, where you from?
Put the nigga on his pockets
Watch the cos, they be watchin'
County news for the hustle
County spread for the muscle
Couple marks on my knuckles
Puttin' niggas on bunk status
Shoulda been with the bitch ass
Now he on a mattress that we bench press
Pc, get the fruit loops
Keep tellin' on niggas
Why I fuck with that nigga?
Nigga made bail but I'm still at rage
Should I thank god for the hell I raised?
Cause the nigga that snitch is gonna feel that grave
Like, ain't nothin' to a locc, huh?
Went missin' to his folks, I ain't in, I ain't know, huh?
They ain't show up to the court, huh?
But then charges gotta go, huh?
A young nigga back on fig
H-crown on wig
Shoe strings say where I'm from
On probation and got my gun
Other side goin' for that thumb
Motherfucker, I'm gangbanging
Nigga I'm blue'd up, blue chucks
Blue tee, nigga I keep it g
Nigga, in the streets is where I be
I'm up like breakfast while niggas sleep
Me and floyd posted on fig
Getting it in and movin' it out
Getting it in and movin' it out
I'm holdin' the heat, he's watchin' the block
I'm watchin' for cops, I'm holdin' these rocks
Fiends keep comin', this shit don't stop
When it's war time, niggas get popped
We might die for this shit off tops
My nigga gonna ride for this crip, no lie
But I ain't dead, yeah, nigga, thank god
Money got niggas lookin' at me all odd
Punk ass niggas better go get a job
Run up on me wrong, bitch, nigga get popped
I'm gon' ride for this shit, on crip
A nigga gon' die for this shit then trip
4/5th extendo, with fifty in the clip
Tf by my side, he stupid with this shit
Q in the ride grippin' on the fifth
Run up on me wrong
My nigga, my nigga, my nigga, I'm gang banging
Uh, might go down for this check, nigga
Uh, I might die for this set, nigga
I ain't trippin nigga, I ain't slippin'
Niggas lyin' sayin' I ain't crippin'
Back to back, me and tiny smack
I said back to back, straight cups of 'gnac
Niggas ask, what he signed for?
I got an eight ball, I got a rondo
I got an ak when that bitch spray
It's like pullin' strings on a lawnmower
Last time I seen jail, nigga
I was cell livin', getting mail in it
I ain't even talkin' mail, nigga
Pay-pals for the cell, nigga
Hit the streets and cause hell, huh?
School of hard knocks, fuck yale, huh?
See me and traffic like a orca nigga
And the black and whites love whale watch
Front line like mailboxes
5-12, that's the numbers on it
May first, may deuce, may twelfth, members only
.45, no numbers on it
Scratched down, I'm strapped down
Might go down for this shit
If I don't then I'm racked down
Rank up there with shaq crown
I got a benji button like brad pitt
I press that, I'm gettin' rich
I might go down for this shit
We might die for this shit nigga
Might go down for this shit nigga
Gang, gang bangin' that crip shit
We might die for this shit nigga
Might go down for this shit nigga
Gang, gang bangin' that crip shit
We might die for this shit nigga
Might go down for this shit nigga
Gang, gang bangin' that crip shit
We might die for this shit nigga
The lyrics of "2 On" by Tinashe (Feat. ScHoolboy Q) focus on the lifestyle of gang members and the choices they make that could lead to their deaths or imprisonment. The song starts with Tinashe rapping about how they might die or go to jail for the gang lifestyle that they have chosen. She then goes on to describe the situation of how she got into the gang life, having been raised around it since the first grade. The lyrics continue as she recalls being swept up in a gang sweep and being put in the back of a police van with her wrists shackled.
The song delves deeper into the experiences of gang members like Tinashe, including how they are forced to use fake names, how they cannot use credit cards, and how they must deal with murder raps. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the risks associated with gang life, with Tinashe and ScHoolboy Q chanting that they may die or go down for this "crip shit." Despite the dangers, the character in the song is determined to continue with this life, and so the song is a commentary on why people join gangs and the harsh realities they face if they do.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, we might die for this shit, nigga
We are willing to sacrifice our lives for this lifestyle
Uh, might go down for this shit, nigga
We are prepared to face the consequences and go to jail for this lifestyle
Gang, gang bangin' that crip shit
We are actively involved in gang violence and representing the Crips
Niggas said cuz in the first grade
From a young age, we were introduced to gang affiliation
In the shade where the cops can't see us
We operate in hidden areas to avoid law enforcement
Eighteen, tryna dodge the cage
At the age of eighteen, we are trying to avoid being imprisoned
It was cool 'til that gang sweep
Our lifestyle was fine until a police operation targeted our gang
Now I'm in back of a van
I am currently being transported in a police van
And my wrists got a band
My wrists are handcuffed
Got a number for a name
In the system, I am identified by a number rather than my real name
No name on the visa, no card get accepted
My lack of official identification makes it difficult for me to access services or make transactions
Now I'm forced to a man
In this situation, I am being pushed into adulthood prematurely
Murder raps, where you from?
I am being questioned about my gang affiliation and potential involvement in violent crimes
Put the nigga on his pockets
I robbed the person and took their money
Watch the cos, they be watchin'
We need to be cautious and aware of the police who are constantly observing us
County news for the hustle
Our activities and criminal actions are being reported in the local news
County spread for the muscle
Our reputation and strength as a gang is well-known in the county
Couple marks on my knuckles
I have physical scars from engaging in fights
Puttin' niggas on bunk status
I am beating up and dominating other individuals, establishing my authority
Shoulda been with the bitch ass
The person I confronted and beat up should have aligned with me rather than opposing me
Now he on a mattress that we bench press
He is lying on a bed from being beaten up by us
Pc, get the fruit loops
We target individuals who are seen as weak or vulnerable
Keep tellin' on niggas
We gather information and snitch on other people involved in criminal activities
Why I fuck with that nigga?
I am questioning why I associate with someone who betrays our group
Nigga made bail but I'm still at rage
Despite someone getting released on bail, I am still filled with anger and resentment
Should I thank god for the hell I raised?
Should I be grateful for the chaos and havoc I have caused?
Cause the nigga that snitch is gonna feel that grave
The person who betrayed us will face severe consequences, possibly death
Like, ain't nothin' to a locc, huh?
For a gang member like me, this situation is not a big deal
Went missin' to his folks, I ain't in, I ain't know, huh?
He disappeared and his family doesn't know where he is, and I am not involved or aware either
They ain't show up to the court, huh?
His family members did not go to court to support him
But then charges gotta go, huh?
Despite his family's absence, the legal charges against him still proceed
A young nigga back on fig
A young gang member is back on the streets where Figueroa (a known gang territory) is located
H-crown on wig
Wearing a hat with a symbol of the Hoover Crips
Shoe strings say where I'm from
The way I tie my shoelaces indicates my gang affiliation
On probation and got my gun
Despite being on probation, I still possess a firearm
Other side goin' for that thumb
People from rival gangs are targeted and attacked by us
Motherfucker, I'm gangbanging
I am fully committed and involved in gang activities
Nigga I'm blue'd up, blue chucks
I am dressed in blue, representing my gang affiliation
Blue tee, nigga I keep it g
I wear a blue t-shirt to further showcase my gang affiliation
Nigga, in the streets is where I be
I spend most of my time in the streets, involved in gang activities
I'm up like breakfast while niggas sleep
I am active and busy achieving my goals while others are still asleep
Me and floyd posted on fig
Floyd (possibly another gang member) and I are stationed on Figueroa Street
Getting it in and movin' it out
Engaging in illegal activities and quickly distributing the goods
I'm holdin' the heat, he's watchin' the block
I am armed with a gun, while someone else acts as a lookout
I'm watchin' for cops, I'm holdin' these rocks
I am vigilant for law enforcement while I possess drugs
Fiends keep comin', this shit don't stop
Drug addicts continuously seek drugs, ensuring a steady demand
When it's war time, niggas get popped
During conflicts with rival gangs, people are shot and killed
We might die for this shit off tops
We are ready to sacrifice our lives in gang-related violence without hesitation
My nigga gonna ride for this crip, no lie
My fellow gang member is prepared to fight and defend the Crips without hesitation
But I ain't dead, yeah, nigga, thank god
Despite the dangers of gang life, I am still alive, expressing gratitude to a higher power
Money got niggas lookin' at me all odd
Having money from illegal activities attracts suspicion and attention from others
Punk ass niggas better go get a job
Individuals who criticize us should focus on improving their own lives and finding legal employment
Run up on me wrong, bitch, nigga get popped
If someone confronts me in a threatening manner, they will be shot
I'm gon' ride for this shit, on crip
I am willing to fight and defend the gang without hesitation, showing my loyalty
A nigga gon' die for this shit then trip
Someone will be killed in the pursuit of this lifestyle, causing chaos and confusion
4/5th extendo, with fifty in the clip
I possess a high-capacity firearm with a large magazine
Tf by my side, he stupid with this shit
I have a trusted partner who is skilled and dangerous in violent situations
Q in the ride grippin' on the fifth
ScHoolboy Q (a rapper) is in the car, holding a firearm
Run up on me wrong
If someone approaches me with ill intentions
My nigga, my nigga, my nigga, I'm gang banging
I affirm my loyalty and involvement in gang activities
Uh, might go down for this check, nigga
I am willing to face legal consequences for the money involved in illegal activities
Uh, I might die for this set, nigga
I am ready to sacrifice my life for my gang and its territory
I ain't trippin nigga, I ain't slippin'
I am confident and not worried, maintaining my focus
Niggas lyin' sayin' I ain't crippin'
Some people spread false rumors claiming I am not a true member of the Crips
Back to back, me and tiny smack
In quick succession, both I and another individual named Tiny engage in physical confrontations
I said back to back, straight cups of 'gnac
Continuously drinking cups of cognac in a row
Niggas ask, what he signed for?
People question which gang affiliation Tiny has joined
I got an eight ball, I got a rondo
I possess both cocaine (eight ball) and a firearm (rondo)
I got an ak when that bitch spray
I have an AK-47 rifle that I use when it becomes necessary to use it
It's like pullin' strings on a lawnmower
Using the firearm is as effortless as starting a lawnmower
Last time I seen jail, nigga
The most recent time I encountered jail or imprisonment, my fellow gang member
I was cell livin', getting mail in it
During my time in jail, I resided in a cell and received mail
I ain't even talkin' mail, nigga
I am not referring to receiving letters, but rather receiving money or drugs
Pay-pals for the cell, nigga
Money transfers or financial transactions are made to provide for me while I'm in jail
Hit the streets and cause hell, huh?
When I am released from jail, I continue to engage in criminal activities and create chaos
School of hard knocks, fuck yale, huh?
I have gained my education and knowledge through personal experiences, disregarding prestigious institutions like Yale University
See me and traffic like a orca nigga
I am frequently seen or involved in hectic and dangerous situations
And the black and whites love whale watch
The police are actively monitoring my movements and activities
Front line like mailboxes
I am always at the forefront of dangerous situations, similar to mailboxes at the front of houses
5-12, that's the numbers on it
A reference to a specific area code or telephone number associated with my gang
May first, may deuce, may twelfth, members only
Specific dates (May 1st, May 2nd, and May 12th) hold significance and only gang members are entitled to understand the meaning
.45, no numbers on it
My firearm is a .45 caliber pistol with no particular markings or serial numbers
Scratched down, I'm strapped down
I am prepared for any potential conflicts or confrontations
Might go down for this shit
I am willing to face the consequences and go to jail for this lifestyle
If I don't then I'm racked down
If I don't end up going to jail, I will continue facing difficult, high-pressure situations
Rank up there with shaq crown
I have attained a high level of respect and authority within my gang, comparable to Shaquille O'Neal's basketball career
I got a benji button like brad pitt
I have a button with the image of Benjamin Franklin (found on a $100 bill) similar to Brad Pitt's character in the film 'Ocean's Eleven'
I press that, I'm gettin' rich
By using or selling drugs, I generate wealth to improve my quality of life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Quincey Hanley, Mario Loving, Nesbitt Wesonga, Mychal Hatch, Derraile Cail
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind