Strikin' through the deuce wit the 40 in ma mouth
The nigga wit the rep of athiest-a-mistik doubt
rippin' the label off the 4-0...based on the fact
I got respect fo ma dead folks...prop fo ma nigga loccs
187 in the hood I can't say shit
one time thinking it was premeditate it
I can eat a view from the deuce 4 blocc
40 in ma mind thinkin I'm gonna get shot
In deuce 24 deep the nigga wit the siccness
A nigga wit a hella enimies always cool and they be siccs
Niggas from the hood ended up proven they was a snitch
Fucc it...created it x-rated now I'm tryin to get rich
Ain't that a bitch, that snitch...none-a-nay
Motherfuckers mad cause they can't make tapes
and I gotta get paid so I can buy ma 4-0
to live the athiest life I was brain-washed to know
Niggas run up everyday wantin to get sum
I told them who runs the motherfucker flow and then sum
win sum... lose sum like a nightmare
I got enough shit on ma mind I just can't care
I'm on the run...runnin from who's ever gun is aimin
I'm all up in the middle of shit ain't even claimin
Tryin to survive in the hood is tough enough cause them niggas already thinkin
I'm claimin crete-ma..trippin on gettin snuffed by the view

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Brotha Lynch Hung's "24 Deep" narrate the scene of the rapper carrying a 40 oz bottle in his mouth and cruising through the Californian streets with a reputation as an atheist-mystic. While taking off the 40 oz label as an ode to his dead folks, he pays respect to his homies who run the hood. However, he is worried about being shot while being in the 'deuce', a place he associates with the number "24", and the weight of his own siccness. Brotha Lynch reflects on his nemesis, dealing with snitches and his pursuit of money. He is suspicious of anyone who comes up to him, with everyone in the hood already skeptical of him, with a constant fear of being snuffed out by the view.

In the second verse, Brotha Lynch delves more into his experience in the hood. He has endless enemies and must always appear cool to stay alive. The betrayal of those whom he thought of as homies hurts him enough to create an X-rated album. However, despite the hate from the hood, Lynch is determined to buy himself a 40 oz bottle and live his life the way he wants to. The paranoia of ending up like his dead folks, and the fear of death from someone aiming his gun at him drives him. He understands that one always wins some and loses some in life, but running away from someone aiming at him worsens it. As a result, Brotha Lynch's life is an endless cycle of running, feeling paranoid, and being afraid of getting snuffed out.

Line by Line Meaning

Strikin' through the deuce wit the 40 in ma mouth
Walking down the street holding a 40 oz. beer bottle in my mouth

The nigga wit the rep of athiest-a-mistik doubt
Known in the neighborhood for being skeptical about religion

rippin' the label off the 4-0...based on the fact
Taking the label off the beer bottle because I respect my deceased relatives

I got respect fo ma dead folks...prop fo ma nigga loccs
Showing respect for my deceased relatives and friends in the neighborhood

187 in the hood I can't say shit
Can't talk openly about murder in the neighborhood

one time thinking it was premeditate it
Police suspecting me of pre-planning a crime

I can eat a view from the deuce 4 blocc
Able to see the neighborhood from a particular street corner

40 in ma mind thinkin I'm gonna get shot
Feeling anxious and paranoid about getting shot while holding a beer bottle

In deuce 24 deep the nigga wit the siccness
Known in the neighborhood for being sick and twisted

A nigga wit a hella enimies always cool and they be siccs
Despite having many enemies, I remain calm and collected while they are twisted and sick

Niggas from the hood ended up proven they was a snitch
People from the neighborhood were caught giving information to the police

Fucc it...created it x-rated now I'm tryin to get rich
I decided to make explicit music and now I'm trying to make money from it

Ain't that a bitch, that snitch...none-a-nay
It's unfortunate that someone snitched, but there's nothing I can do about it

Motherfuckers mad cause they can't make tapes
People are angry because they can't make music like I can

and I gotta get paid so I can buy ma 4-0
I need to make money to buy more beer

to live the athiest life I was brain-washed to know
To live the life free of religious beliefs that I was taught to reject

Niggas run up everyday wantin to get sum
People from the neighborhood often approach me for various reasons

I told them who runs the motherfucker flow and then sum
I assert my dominance and let them know who's in charge

win sum... lose sum like a nightmare
Sometimes I come out on top and other times I don't- like a bad dream

I got enough shit on ma mind I just can't care
My mind is preoccupied with enough problems to not care about some other things

I'm on the run...runnin from who's ever gun is aimin
I am running away from whoever is trying to shoot me

I'm all up in the middle of shit ain't even claimin
I'm involved in troubles that I didn't even start

Tryin to survive in the hood is tough enough cause them niggas already thinkin
Trying to stay alive in the neighborhood is hard because people are already suspicious of me

I'm claimin crete-ma..trippin on gettin snuffed by the view
I'm associated with a particular gang and I'm worried about getting killed in the neighborhood

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