Nike Boots
Wale Lyrics

I'm just doin' what I gotta' do flyin' with the rest of em' still got my Nike Boots
I'm continuing to succeed and remain grounded while rising up alongside others

South side what up
Acknowledging the community of the South side

Uptown What up
Acknowledging the community of Uptown

B&g what up
Acknowledging the community of Benning Road and Gainesville

The revolution will proceed
Striving for change through unified action

Unification of the dmv I will achieve indeed
I will bring people together to create positive change in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area

I decree I'm forming a new alliance
I declare that I am creating a new coalition

Oppose the one poisoning the minds
Rejecting those who promote negative or harmful messages

They lying
Calling out deceitful behavior

I am only a fighter
I am a warrior who uses my writing and poetry as my weapon

In the form of a writer
As a writer, I have the power to create impact and change

In the form of a poet
As a poet, I have the power to speak truth and inspire others

Potency in the mic
My words have power and significance

I blank out then I approach it
I become fully immersed in my creative process and produce my best work

Turn me up and I go in
If you amplify my voice, I will give my all

Haters learn to Bear
Those who dislike me will have to learn to tolerate me

I'm Lovie Smith with the vocals
I am a skilled wordsmith and musician like the NFL coach Lovie Smith

Lord I'm so focused more focused than I ever been
I am currently extremely driven and concentrating on my goals

So slightly passed em, like the letter 'n'
I have surpassed my competition effortlessly

It's DC, black jeans, black tee
In Washington DC, it's fashionable to wear black jeans and a black t-shirt

This that North Face rap, WALE, you better get me
This is cold, tough music like North Face gear, and the listener should pay attention

PG, Riverdale, Largo, Temple Hills, Cap Heights, 124, Landover, Everywhere
Referencing various neighborhoods in Maryland and DC - this is an all-encompassing message for the entire area

Saratoga, 640, Berry Farms, 1-4, KDY, every corner, everybody got em on
These neighborhoods show unity because everyone wears Nike boots - showing that everyone is on the same level, united through fashion

no congressional reppers, no respectable rappers
The community has no agreed upon figureheads or leaders

It's the way we've adapted, don't forget I made it happen
Although there is no clear leadership, people have found a way to succeed despite hardship, and the singer himself has achieved success

The most opinionated city you can make it in
DC is a city full of diverse and vocal people who aren't afraid to speak their minds

And still a nigga made it here
Despite the odds and obstacles, the singer (who is a Black man) has succeeded in the city

I'm Neo in the matrix
I am skilled, gifted, and can see things at another level

Knees dug deep into the pavement
The artist is grounded and committed to their path

DMV so we used to the waiting
People in the DC metro area are accustomed to waiting for things

Nobody seems to care we so complacent with the vacancy
There is a lack of motivation and apathy in the community

See, the love is gone with one another, it's hard
The community has lost unity and compassion for each other

Nobody rep for the skins, they busy cheering them stars
There is a lack of support for the local sports teams and too much idolizing of big-name celebrities

It's ironic, it's the same for the artists
The lack of support is also found within the local music scene

Rather than buy our songs, they busy cheering the stars
People are more concerned with listening to mainstream artists than supporting local ones

A lot of drama
There is a lot of conflict and issues within the community

A lot of beef
There are many rivalries and disputes

We have so much in common, starting at the feet
Although there is division, the community shares something in common - their love of Nike boots

Goadome Nikes, the cortazone of the poem writer
Nike Goadome boots are a staple of DC-area writers and poetry performers

None like us
The community is unique and individualistic

So none like us
Because of this uniqueness, there is no one else like the DC community

this where the haters is
Referring to the negative attitudes and energy surrounding the community

This why they hate us here
The haters dislike the community's confidence and pride

This why I hate it here
The artist acknowledges that the community has its flaws and struggles

Though love it, I made it here
Despite the hardships and negativity, the artist feels love for the city because of their success within it

We all here, from the dealers to the kids
The community is inclusive of all ages and people, including those who may be involved in illegal activities

To the squares to the fly
The community is made up of people from all levels of the social hierarchy

One thing we are aligned with
Despite our differences, the community shares a love for Nike boots

Black on black Nikes
The community's love for wearing all black Nike boots

That represent the lifeless lives
The all-black uniforms represent a sense of dark conformity

And it reflects the plight of those fighting so
The uniform represents the struggle and fight of those trying to succeed in the community

If we ain't right and always at the throats
If we don't address our issues and stop fighting amongst ourselves

Of one another at least we got our Goadome Nikes a
At the very least, we share a common bond of wearing Nike Goadome boots

Metaphor, for the insecure
The all-black uniform is a metaphor for people's insecurity and lack of individuality

If you ain't wearing no color, can't nobody say nothing
If you dress like everyone else, no one can criticize you

One can never be judged when he dress like his brothers
If you dress like others, you blend in and aren't singled out for scrutiny

Melancholy we are though we all learn to love it
The community is full of sadness and sorrow, but they embrace it and find a way to love their lives anyways

Pessimistic we are
The community is often negative and lacking in hope

Carry odds like luggage
People in the community have to overcome odds and adversities as if they are carrying heavy bags with them

And through all our troubles
Despite all the hardship and struggle we experience

We still walk around walk around
We still persist and continue to live our lives

Flyer than the rest of em
We still manage to exude confidence and style, as demonstrated by our love for Nike Goadome boots

Flyer than the rest of em
Despite our issues and problems, we remain unique and distinct from others

Flyer than the rest of em
Once again emphasizing the community's distinctiveness and individuality

And still got my Nike Boots
The artist still proudly wears Nike Goadome boots as a symbol of their connection to the DC community