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Down Bad
Dreamville Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tell 'em, slime

Yeah, I am the king of the E.A.
Get this bitch screwed like the DJ (Big slime)
Yeah, I am the shit where we play
We got the chalk where we play (okay)
Yeah, come through the city
We gon' chop your ass up just like some sushi (yeah)
Ak47, stick go stupid (yeah)
Draw the money out, all the way

Okay, lil' dirty, nappy-headed East Atlanta nigga
Father said that I was a force
.44, Hank Aaron chrome
Wanna make it home, then get out the Porsche
Let a nigga cover FADER 'fore I have to fade a nigga at the FADER Fort
It's tomato or tomato, either way, the boy the greatest
Play it, I won't say it no more
I was just fucked up, I was just down, down bad
I had to tighten the fuck up, but I'm here for the crown
Board of Education vs. Brown
I was bored of education, left the town
Fuck a résumé and fuck a cap and gown
Fuck a background check, back 'round when I get the check
Nigga, that's now

I was just fucked up, I was just down, down bad
I had to tighten the fuck up, but I'm here for the crown, crown (oh, shit)
I was just fucked up, I was just down, down bad
I had to tighten the fuck up, but I'm here for the crown, crown, crown, crown

I was just fucked up, I was just down, down bad
Picked up the pad, picked up the slack, pick of the litter, don't litter no bag
Bassy been pickin' up racks, raps come in clearer than Acuvue 2
When I'm back in the booth
Got 'em hackin' a Shaq 'cause they lackin' the juice
Niggas droppin' the ball, they on Shaqtin' a Fool
Activis drool out the side of yo' face
We ain't jackin' it, we ain't dappin' them fools
Get a napkin, you dudes is embarassin'
Who going crazy like us? No comparison
Dreamville like Marion Jones on the steroids
Y'all niggas slow as a heroin high
Y'all had a year, y'all had a year
Y'all had a year, but you let it go by, yee

I was just fucked up, I was just down, down bad
I had to tighten the fuck up, but I'm here for the crown, crown (oh, shit)
I was just fucked up, I was just down, down bad
I had to tighten the fuck up, but I'm here for the crown, crown, crown, crown

Dreamville head honcho
Bitch, we came from nothin' just like the big bang theory
That poverty stains kept the pain buried
And covered the shame with a dream
We would have fortune and fame
A mil' in the bank, chameleon paint turned cranberry
Now little Jermaine got the same story
As that boy out of St. Vincent-St. Mary, G.O.A.T.
All hail King Cole, first of his name, long may he reign
The boy got the throne, but you know it ain't a game
'Ville nigga, I was born in the same
Pressure cooker that's been known to bust a lump of coal and make a diamond
Two six, we enrolled in Reaganomics
Crew sick, we the Golden State of rhyming, on God

You could die today, so be hell to pay
I'm a livin', breathin', schemin' testimony
So don't test me, homie, put that D in horny
Put a foot up that ass, you a steppin' stone (yeah)
All my niggas ain't gettin' no sleep (yeah)
All of my niggas be chasin' their dreams (yeah)
Ooh, I'm a force of nature, I can't wait to date ya
I was havin' problems 'til I had to break through
All my tattoos for sure (fuck it up), they ain't never for show (fuck it up)
Might get tattoo'd on today (fuck it up), ya ho get the dope (fuck it up)
Spend my time makin' love to your thoughts (fuck it up)
Gon' get in line, baby, slut up your mind (fuck it up, fuck it up)
It's a brand new season, I'm a righteous heathen
I take on the challenge and I leave it bleedin'
I was down bad, now I'm Even Steven
And I'm leavin', leavin' every fuckin' weekend (oh)

I was just fucked up, I was just down, down bad
I had to tighten the fuck up, but I'm here for the crown, crown (oh, shit)
I was just fucked up, I was just down, down bad
I had to tighten the fuck up, but I'm here for the crown, crown, crown, crown

Overall Meaning

Dreamville's "Down Bad" is a song that captures the moment of the Dreamville crew, especially from the viewpoint of the featured rappers JID, Bas, J. Cole, EarthGang, and Young Nudy. The song is about how these rappers had once struggled with their lives and finances, but they pulled through and rose to success. The first verse, delivered by JID, features lines about coming from East Atlanta and having to work hard in life to attain success, and the second verse features Bas rapping about the same thing.


A standout moment in the song is J. Cole's verse where he announces himself as the Dreamville head honcho and compares himself to LeBron James, stating that he is the G.O.A.T. Cole concludes with mentioning various achievements, including the release of his platinum album "2014 Forest Hills Drive" and his role in getting Dreamville to a higher level.


"Down Bad" showcases Dreamville's prowess in flow and delivery, having a powerful hook and a catchy beat that complements the rappers' vocals seamlessly. The song's theme correlates with Dreamville's collaborative spirit and individual growth, as they come together to tell their stories of overcoming hardships and achieving greatness.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell 'em, slime
Introducing oneself as the king of the EA, also called the 'shit' where we play.


Get this bitch screwed like the DJ (Big slime)
A boastful statement, meant to illustrate the successful execution of domination akin to a DJ mixing tracks.


We got the chalk where we play (okay)
Indicating possession and authority through access to chalk, a symbol of power and creative liberty in basketball.


We gon' chop your ass up just like some sushi (yeah)
A promise to obliterate difficult obstacles or people (who oppose or are seen as competition) with precision and efficiency.


Ak47, stick go stupid (yeah)
References an Ak47 assault rifle, known for its high rate of fire and its devastating impact.


Draw the money out, all the way
Encouraging the listener to fully access the resources they have worked for and earned.


Father said that I was a force
Relating a father's recognition of the performer's innate strength and potential as a harbinger of greatness.


.44, Hank Aaron chrome
Likely referencing the .44 caliber magnum revolver, made famous by Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry films, to denote lethal force.


Let a nigga cover FADER 'fore I have to fade a nigga at the FADER Fort
Stating that one would rather have the opportunity to be featured by a music media company than to resort to violence to make a statement or earn respect.


It's tomato or tomato, either way, the boy the greatest
Asserting that one's greatness can be appreciated regardless of different interpretations or opinions.


Fuck a résumé and fuck a cap and gown
Rejecting the idea of conforming in order to achieve success or prosperity.


I had to tighten the fuck up, but I'm here for the crown
Admitting past mistakes and blemishes but asserting current purpose in achieving success and acclaim.


Board of Education vs. Brown
Referencing the landmark court case that mandated the desegregation of American schools, and possibly alluding to education as a means of transcendence.


Dreamville head honcho
An acknowledgement of the performer's leadership and dominance.


That poverty stains kept the pain buried
Suggesting that painful elements of one's life are forgotten or overshadowed by poverty.


All hail King Cole, first of his name, long may he reign
Praising J.Cole's success and dominance in music.


I'm a livin', breathin', schemin' testimony
Highlighting one's willingness to overcome obstacles to achieve success.


All of my niggas be chasin' their dreams (yeah)
Surrounding oneself with motivated, dream-chasing individuals.


It's a brand new season, I'm a righteous heathen
Asserting a new beginning and a newfound morality in spite of mischievous tendencies.


I was down bad, now I'm Even Steven
Admitting previous difficult times followed by newfound equilibrium.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, YOUNG NUDY PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jermaine Lamarr Cole, Abbas Hamad, Quantavious T. Thomas, Destin Route, Olu O. Fann, Eian Undrai Parker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@BrydellCocky

JID is still underrated

@anthonymartinezzavala28

"U r correct my brotha

@emeraldg1727

Fr

@m4rce1

Down Bad remix anyone? 👀 https://youtu.be/Na4Aehx4gw0

@ciaranbarr8474

Yessir

@JCK-ds6sg

Fax fax

147 More Replies...

@lawnmoey3558

Everyone talking about J.I.D and Bas’s verse but I’m here still laughing at Cole trying to roll the blunt

@haitian35

Bruh if this ain't the most relatable comment in this whole comment section

@josephmerritt5815

He was like, “I- I don’t know how to roll it 🥺” 😂😂😂

@alpacalipsprofit9610

Couldnt tell cause it cuts out too soon, was it a backwood? Or is it just cause cole dont really be smoking like that

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