After performing for some time in the Boston underground, the duo, known at the time as God Complex, released their first single in 1996 to critical acclaim. This lead to the release of the Rebel Alliance LP, a compilation of Boston talent that featured acts such as Virtuoso, Mr. Lif, Tony Infamous and Force Five. Also at this time the two dropped the God Complex moniker becoming simply 7L & Esoteric.
Warning
7L & Esoteric Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You motherfuckers
This is some murderous shit right here
It's the E-S, 7L on the track
Potent somethin' through ya bean hat
Don't try to pigeon hold me baby
You know the deal
About to black out on these motherfuckers
[Verse 1]
We don't pussy foot around shit, we beat down shit
We ain't the cats that you wanna fuck around with
Straight up, like a jump off
you make my skin crawl like a snake
I hold my weight like Triple H, the cerebral assassin
I beat you, defeat you wid the passion
Cash and girls are what motivates me
A small rapper like yaself is needin' safety
I don't claim to be a thug
But that would mean a slug
For any faggo that's givin' or receivin' love
I keep a glove in my right hand
So when I murder wid the mic
they won't trace it when they pull it out ya diaphram
You're in the fryin' pan
I'm a violent man watchin' silence of the lambs
Ready to go out, and stab the jaws off ya mouth
I'm not the one to dis
I'm fearless like Parker than the deer hunter is
No doubt
[Hook]
You thug it out, cut it out
You fuck around we gon' slug it out, club it out
You playin' games we gon' shut you out
So now you know what we about
Pimp slap a thug beyond the shadow of a doubt
[Talking]
Y'all motherfuckers is actin' real fake right
Ya man's land ain't even that man
You ain't livin' that life
You ain't ready for that man, fall back
[Verse 2]
Bitch ass rapper, fake act clapper
Can't fuck around with the underground jaw tapper
Raw rapper, rugged like a Landrover
Handover the mic ya plan's over tonight
Ain't nobody flowin' as tight in y'all click
I'm to sick, to eat a dick
Ya can't get wid the words that I spit
I rip, can't stand none of this fake shit
This side of stupid weak shit, you a baby, go back to Old Navy
Yo I shop Newbury, now you walk new bury
While I'm spendin' cash on Fifth Ave you get tabbed, not a clue
Or the slightest inklin' of who you talkin' to
I slaughter you, my crew hit's you on the face off
First of all shake the hate off
Claimin' that you paid when it's my plates you ate off
The truth is you can't afford to take a day off
You stay soft like my purple label face cloth
My dick you need to stay off
If punch lines were punch clocks you'd be laid off
[Hook x2]
In "Warning," 7L and Esoteric make it clear that they mean business. They're not afraid to beat down anyone who tries to mess with them, and they're not interested in playing games. Esoteric's verse is particularly aggressive, with lines like "I hold my weight like Triple H, the cerebral assassin" and "I'm a violent man watchin' silence of the lambs." He's clearly not a rapper to be messed with, and he makes it clear that anyone who tries will end up in the frying pan.
Throughout the song, 7L and Esoteric make it clear that they're not interested in pandering to anyone or fitting into any particular box. They refuse to be pigeonholed, as Esoteric puts it, and they're not concerned with trying to be something they're not. They rap about their love of cash and girls, and they're not afraid to call out anyone who tries to act tougher than they are. In the end, "Warning" is a warning to anyone who thinks they can mess with 7L and Esoteric: don't even try.
Line by Line Meaning
We don't pussy foot around shit, we beat down shit
We don't avoid conflict, we confront it head-on and decisively.
We ain't the cats that you wanna fuck around with
You don't want to mess with us.
Straight up, like a jump off
We're straightforward and direct.
you make my skin crawl like a snake
You disgust me.
I hold my weight like Triple H, the cerebral assassin
I am powerful and strategic, like a professional wrestler known for his intellect and dominance.
I beat you, defeat you wid the passion
I will defeat you with intense enthusiasm and vigor.
Cash and girls are what motivates me
My primary motivators are money and women.
A small rapper like yaself is needin' safety
A lesser rapper like you needs protection.
I don't claim to be a thug
I don't pretend to be a criminal or gangster.
But that would mean a slug
But if necessary, I would use a gun to shoot someone.
For any faggo that's givin' or receivin' love
For any homosexual man, whether giving or receiving affection.
I keep a glove in my right hand
I am prepared to commit violence, even deadly violence.
So when I murder wid the mic
So when I am rapping aggressively and with power.
they won't trace it when they pull it out ya diaphram
My rapping will be so forceful that it will cause internal injuries, but the instrument (the mic) won't be detected as the weapon.
You're in the fryin' pan
You are in a dangerous or vulnerable position.
I'm a violent man watchin' silence of the lambs
I am prone to violence and find enjoyment in watching disturbing movies like Silence of the Lambs.
Ready to go out, and stab the jaws off ya mouth
I am willing to use violence to silence you.
I'm not the one to dis
I am not someone to disrespect or underestimate.
I'm fearless like Parker than the deer hunter is
I am as fearless as one of the main characters in the movie The Deer Hunter, known for its brutal violence and psychological intensity.
You thug it out, cut it out
If you are trying to act tough, stop it.
You fuck around we gon' slug it out, club it out
If you keep messing around, we will fight until someone is seriously hurt.
You playin' games we gon' shut you out
If you are acting dishonestly or disrespectfully, we will ignore or isolate you.
Pimp slap a thug beyond the shadow of a doubt
To assert dominance over someone who is acting tough or violent, especially with an open hand slap rather than a closed fist punch or more serious attack.
Y'all motherfuckers is actin' real fake right
You are being hypocritical or dishonest.
Ya man's land ain't even that man
Your territory or influence is not as great as you think it is.
You ain't livin' that life
You are not actually experiencing the kind of lifestyle you claim to be living.
You ain't ready for that man, fall back
You are not prepared to handle the consequences of your actions, so retreat or back off.
Bitch ass rapper, fake act clapper
Insulting a rapper who is inauthentic or a poser.
Can't fuck around with the underground jaw tapper
Should not mess with the underground hip-hop artist who can deliver a great rap performance.
Raw rapper, rugged like a Landrover
An authentic and hard-hitting rapper, similar in style to a durable vehicle brand.
Ain't nobody flowin' as tight in y'all click
No one in your group is rapping as well as we are.
I'm to sick, to eat a dick
I am too good at rapping for anyone to insult or criticize me.
Ya can't get wid the words that I spit
You can't compete with my rapping skills.
I rip, can't stand none of this fake shit
I rant against fake rappers and hypocritical people.
This side of stupid weak shit, you a baby, go back to Old Navy
You are behaving like an immature child or a beginner, and should go back to a clothing store known for selling affordable, basic clothing.
Yo I shop Newbury, now you walk new bury
I shop at trendy boutiques in the upscale Newbury Street neighborhood, while you shop at a generic store in a more suburban area.
While I'm spendin' cash on Fifth Ave you get tabbed, not a clue
While I am spending money at expensive boutique stores on Fifth Avenue in New York City, you are getting arrested or losing money, and are oblivious to your own shortcomings.
Or the slightest inklin' of who you talkin' to
You have no idea who you are insulting or disrespecting.
I slaughter you, my crew hit's you on the face off
I will defeat you with ease, and my group will support me in doing so.
First of all shake the hate off
Before continuing to argue or fight, calm down and let go of your negative emotions.
Claimin' that you paid when it's my plates you ate off
You are taking credit for my success or accomplishments.
The truth is you can't afford to take a day off
You need to keep working hard to maintain the level of success or respect you have achieved.
You stay soft like my purple label face cloth
You are weak or fragile, like a soft cloth used for cleaning one's face.
My dick you need to stay off
Metaphorically or literally, you should not try to compete with me or challenge my masculinity.
If punch lines were punch clocks you'd be laid off
If rap lyrics were job positions, you would be fired or laid off due to your lack of skill.
Contributed by Jasmine E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.