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C.R.E.A.M.
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What that nigga want God?
Word up, look out for the cops (Wu-Tang five finger shit)
(Cash Rules) Word up, two for fives over here baby
Word up, two for fives them niggas got garbage down the way, word up
Know what I'm sayin'?
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me
C.R.E.A.M. get)
Yeah, check this ol' fly shit out
Word up
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me) Take you on a natural joint
(C.R.E.A.M. get the money) Here we here we go
(Dolla dolla bill y'all) Check this shit, yo!

I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side
Staying alive was no jive
Had second hands, moms bounced on old men
So then we moved to Shaolin land
A young youth, yo rockin' the gold tooth, 'Lo goose
Only way, I begin to G off was drug loot
And let's start it like this son, rollin' with this one
And that one, pullin' out gats for fun
But it was just a dream for the teen, who was a fiend
Started smokin' woolas at sixteen
And running up in gates, and doing hits for high stakes
Making my way on fire escapes
No question I would speed, for cracks and weed
The combination made my eyes bleed
No question I would flow off, and try to get the dough all
Sticking up white boys in ball courts
My life got no better, same damn 'Lo sweater
Times is ruff and tuff like leather
Figured out I went the wrong route
So I got with a sick ass click and went all out
Catchin' keys from across seas
Rollin in MPV's, every week we made forty G's
Yo nigga respect mine, or here go the TEC-9
Ch-chick-POW! Move from the gate now

Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all

Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all

It's been twenty-two long hard years, I'm still strugglin'
Survival got me buggin', but I'm alive on arrival
I peep at the shape of the streets
And stay awake to the ways of the world 'cause shit is deep
A man with a dream with plans to make C.R.E.A.M.
Which failed I went to jail at the age of 15
A young buck sellin' drugs and such who never had much
Trying to get a clutch at what I could not
The court played me short, now I face incarceration
Pacin' going upstate's my destination
Handcuffed in back of a bus, forty of us
Life as a shorty shouldn't be so rough
But as the world turns I learned life is hell
Living in the world no different from a cell
Everyday I escape from Jakes givin' chase, sellin' base
Smokin' bones in the staircase
Though I don't know why I chose to smoke sess
I guess that's the time when I'm not depressed
But I'm still depressed, and I ask what's it worth?
Ready to give up so I seek the Old Earth
Who explained working hard may help you maintain
To learn to overcome the heartaches and pain
We got stickup kids, corrupt cops, and crack rocks
And stray shots, all on the block that stays hot
Leave it up to me while I be living proof
To kick the truth to the young black youth
But shorty's running wild smokin' sess drinkin' beer
And ain't trying to hear what I'm kickin' in his ear
Neglected, for now, but yo, it gots to be accepted
That what? That life is hectic

Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all

Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all

Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all

Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Wu-Tang Clan's song C.R.E.A.M. depict the harsh realities of growing up in New York City during the crack epidemic of the 1980s. The song starts with a conversation between two people, one of whom asks, "What that nigga want God?" The response is, "Cash Rules Everything Around Me (C.R.E.A.M.), get the money." This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is about the struggle to make money in a world where poverty and violence are rampant.


The first verse is about the singer's childhood in the "crime side" of New York. He describes his mother leaving his father and moving to the Shaolin neighborhood, where he started selling drugs to make money. The teenage years of drug use and violence follow, and the chorus repeats the mantra of the song - "Cash Rules Everything Around Me, get the money, dollar dollar bill y'all."


Verse two provides a glimpse into the rapper's future - he has been in and out of jail and is still just "surviving" in a world that is "deep." He reflects on his own mistakes and acknowledges the pressures of growing up in a society that is plagued by the drug epidemic. He also speaks directly to the young black youth who may be going through the same struggles, telling them to "overcome the heartaches and pain."


Overall, C.R.E.A.M. is a powerful and poignant song that exposes the harsh realities of growing up in a society that is plagued by poverty, drugs, and violence. The chorus's repetition of "Cash Rules Everything Around Me" is a stark reminder that money is often the only way to survive in such a society - and that such a reality is a tragedy.


Line by Line Meaning

What that nigga want God?
Asking what someone wants.


Word up, look out for the cops (Wu-Tang five finger shit)
Be cautious of law enforcement.


(Cash Rules) Word up, two for fives over here baby
Drugs being sold for cheap prices.


Word up, two for fives them niggas got garbage down the way, word up
The quality of drugs being bought elsewhere is poor.


Know what I'm sayin'?
Asking if the listener understands.


(Cash Rules Everything Around Me, C.R.E.A.M. get)
Money controls everything.


Yeah, check this ol' fly shit out
Listen to this great content.


Word up
Agreeing with something.


(Cash Rules Everything Around Me) Take you on a natural joint
Leading into a discussion about life experiences.


(C.R.E.A.M. get the money) Here we here we go
Refocusing on the importance of money.


(Dolla dolla bill y'all) Check this shit, yo!
Explaining how money determines everything.


I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side
Growing up in a dangerous neighborhood.


Staying alive was no jive
Surviving was difficult.


Had second hands, moms bounced on old men
Not having much growing up due to parental struggles.


So then we moved to Shaolin land
Relocating to a different area.


A young youth, yo rockin' the gold tooth, 'Lo goose
Describing a personal style.


Only way, I begin to G off was drug loot
Making money through selling drugs.


And let's start it like this son, rollin' with this one
Hanging out with various people.


And that one, pullin' out gats for fun
Being around people who carry guns.


But it was just a dream for the teen, who was a fiend
Selling drugs was a naive dream for a young drug addict.


Started smokin' woolas at sixteen
Becoming addicted to drugs at a young age.


And running up in gates, and doing hits for high stakes
Committing robberies for large amounts of money.


Making my way on fire escapes
Escaping from dangerous situations.


No question I would speed, for cracks and weed
Risking everything for drugs.


The combination made my eyes bleed
Affecting physical health from drug use.


No question I would flow off, and try to get the dough all
Continuing to prioritize money.


Sticking up white boys in ball courts
Robbing Caucasians in an attempt to obtain money.


My life got no better, same damn 'Lo sweater
Hoping for a better life, but things never change.


Times is ruff and tuff like leather
Life is difficult and challenging.


Figured out I went the wrong route
Realizing poor choices led to current situation.


So I got with a sick ass click and went all out
Joining a dangerous group for protection and profit.


Catchin' keys from across seas
Importing drugs from other countries.


Rollin in MPV's, every week we made forty G's
Making large amounts of money.


Yo nigga respect mine, or here go the TEC-9
Demanding respect and a warning of potential violence.


Ch-chick-POW! Move from the gate now
Using force to get what is wanted.


(Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me, C.R.E.A.M., Get the money, Dollar, dollar bill y'all)
Reiterating the importance of money.


It's been twenty-two long hard years, I'm still strugglin'
Life experiences continue to be a struggle.


Survival got me buggin', but I'm alive on arrival
Survival can create anxiety, but still existing.


I peep at the shape of the streets
Observing the dangers in the surrounding area.


And stay awake to the ways of the world 'cause shit is deep
Staying alert because of the complexity of the world.


A man with a dream with plans to make C.R.E.A.M.
Having ambitions and goals of making money.


Which failed I went to jail at the age of 15
Making bad choices resulted in going to prison at a young age.


A young buck sellin' drugs and such who never had much
Selling drugs due to a lack of other income sources.


Trying to get a clutch at what I could not
Desperately trying to obtain what cannot be reached.


The court played me short, now I face incarceration
Feeling wronged by the justice system.


Pacin' going upstate's my destination
Knowing the destination after sentencing.


Handcuffed in back of a bus, forty of us
Being transported to prison among many other inmates.


Life as a shorty shouldn't be so rough
Children should not have to experience difficult situations.


But as the world turns I learned life is hell
Life can be challenging and unpleasant.


Living in the world no different from a cell
Feeling trapped and confined in daily life.


Everyday I escape from Jakes givin' chase, sellin' base
Avoiding the police as a drug dealer.


Smokin' bones in the staircase
Using drugs in secret.


Though I don't know why I chose to smoke sess
Not understanding the reasons behind drug use.


I guess that's the time when I'm not depressed
Using drugs to cope with negative emotions.


But I'm still depressed, and I ask what's it worth?
Money and drugs cannot solve emotional problems.


Ready to give up so I seek the Old Earth
Looking to older wisdom to find hope and guidance.


Who explained working hard may help you maintain
Learning that hard work can lead to stability.


To learn to overcome the heartaches and pain
Finding ways to cope with emotional pain.


We got stickup kids, corrupt cops, and crack rocks
Listing the struggles of life in their community.


And stray shots, all on the block that stays hot
Living among gun violence danger.


Leave it up to me while I be living proof
Being an example of overcoming struggles.


To kick the truth to the young black youth
To share honest advice with the next generation.


But shorty's running wild smokin' sess drinkin' beer
Disappointed in the behavior of the youth.


And ain't trying to hear what I'm kickin' in his ear
Resistant to advice and guidance.


Neglected, for now, but yo, it gots to be accepted
Feeling ignored, but aware this is a part of life.


That what? That life is hectic
Accepting that life can be stressful.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Cash, Dennis D. Coles, Robert F. Diggs, Alexander M. Fitts, Gary E. Grice, Lamont Jody Hawkins, Isaac Hayes, Jason S. Hunter, Russell T. Jones, Matt Penttilla, David Porter, Clifford Smith, Corey Woods

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Anthonydu01630

Every songs is a feeling man, thats why we listen to music, because music create emotions. It's not only lyrics and melody, it's a vibe, a frequency ... You can have the best lyrics in the world but if theres no energy and harmony in it most people wont like it. Music must be a reflection of you and your emotional state, it must come from your heart.

You know im french and sometimes i dont understand everything US rappers says, but i know when its real and when its not ... When i hear Numb or savage mode from 21savage i can feel his pain, his anger, his sadness and his frustration to have been a poor ghetto kid, to have made the wrong decision, to have become a gangster, to have lost many friends, almost lost his life and to be addicted to pain killers.
Same when i hear Pain from tupac, codeine crazy from future, my life from Lil wayne and game or lord give me a sign from DMX.

Then when i hear songs like streets is watching, Black gangster, people's court, i shot ya or jigga my nigga from JAYZ i know he really lived that life, i know he was a real drug dealer/gangster ... The lyrics, the energy, the tons, the flow .. It's really like he's telling you his story.

Same with Drake when i hear songs like Marvin's room, aston martin music or find your love i know he talk about a real girl and in songs like im on one, pound cake or over i know he meant everything he said .. Drake is 100%invested in his music, he is so confident he literaly spoke things into existence in im on one he said " And what's up with these new niggas ? And why they think it all comes so easy .. But get it while you here boy, cause all the hype dont feel the same next year boy, Yeahh, and i'll be right here in my spot, with a little more cash than i already got, trippin off you cause you had your shot, with my skin tanned and my hair long and my fan who been so patient, me and forty back to work but we still smell like a vacation, hate the rumors hate your bullshit hate these fucking allegations, im just feeling like the throne is for the taking .. Watch me take it !" ...
And like he said in pound cake "you know it's real when you are who you think you are" 💯💯💯



All comments from YouTube:

@clarence_claymore.

1990 - gangsters wanted to become rappers
2020- rappers want to be gangsters

@Str1ng5

Hahaha yes !!!

@the7thfridge086

Damn that’s deep

@jimbo6519

Still some top class rappers in 2020 though. Not only that but also, Tupac did ballet... so......

@qimasktheslumpgod9246

Your pic tho😂😂

@arghydoodles1921

the year only just started fuckin wasteman

489 More Replies...

@DazzaBo

It's absolutely insane that this was off their debut album, along with so many other bangers. Unknown 23/24 year old kids basically, exploded onto the scene with what has become considered one of the all time greatest hip hop albums of all time. And the fact that there were 10 of them and not a single one of them were considered bad or holding the rest back. All of them total geniuses in their own right. There will never be another group like them. Truly one of a kind.

@sirlrado

Legit comment and respect to you 💯

@chrisbeaupre998

@@sirlrado yea, except he's kinda blowing smoke. there were definitely "lesser" members, U-God and Masta Killa were nowhere near guys like Ghost and Mef.

@seanray723

I would say it's soul assassin's that's was thier first .

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