Sixteen
André 3000/Rick Ross Lyrics

When 16 ain't enough
When having only 16 bars in a song is not sufficient to express everything I want to say

It's funny niggas, it's been on my mind lately
I find it amusing how artists are limited to expressing their thoughts and it has been bothering me recently

When 16 ain't enough, having a dope beat, dope idea
Even with a great beat and concept, 16 bars are insufficient to fully convey my thoughts

16 bars ain't enough!
Simply put, 16 bars are not sufficient to capture the depth of my experiences and emotions

How the fuck can I squeeze my whole life into a 16 bar verse?
Expressing frustration at the struggle of condensing his entire life into just 16 bars of a song

You know, so many different levels, when 16 ain't enough, to living your life
It's difficult to encapsulate the intricate facets of one's life in just 16 bars

Depicting with your wordplay, when 16 ain't enough, exactly what life means to you
Using clever wordplay to vividly illustrate what life truly means to him when limited to only 16 bars

I know y'all gonna feel me on this one
He is confident that listeners will relate and resonate with his perspective

You gotta feel me on this one
He emphasizes the importance of listeners truly connecting with his message

Huh, it's funny how things change, funny how time fly
Reflecting on the irony of how things evolve and time passes

More than my feet travel, the more that I feel fly
The more he explores and experiences, the more he feels empowered and confident

More that I make now, the more that the chicks smile
With his growing success, he notices how women are more attracted to him

She call me a local nigga, I opened a Swiss account
Despite being labeled as a local artist, he has achieved financial success and opened an overseas bank account

Eisenhower status Etta James on the dash
Drawing parallels between his status and achievements and the iconic figures of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Etta James

John Coltrane cruising in the Cadillac
Imagining himself riding in a Cadillac with the legendary jazz musician John Coltrane

Seville, feel my life on the real
His life feels incredibly real and genuine while driving in a Cadillac Seville

We the Last Poets so this is a world premiere
Referring to himself and his collaborator Rick Ross as the Last Poets, signaling the significance of their music

Rolling like Mick Jagger, the women just getting badder
Drawing a comparison to Mick Jagger and how women are becoming more alluring to him

All I see is the money, cream, Eric Clapton
His primary focus is on acquiring wealth, just like how Eric Clapton sings about cream (money)

And all I wanted was one 16 ain't enough
Despite his desire for more and his dissatisfaction, he can only have one 16-bar verse

Talking that fast money 15 every month
Addressing people who boast about making quick money but are only earning $15 per month

When your people labeled poor, that motivated me more
Growing up among poverty-stricken individuals inspired him to strive for success

Everything I ever wore was once worn before
Realizing that all the clothes he wears have already been worn by someone else in the past

Roll with the punches now it's box office numbers
He can endure challenges and now achieves great success like box office hits

Dressed like Sammy Davis, steamin' my marijuana
Intertwining his fashion choices with his recreational marijuana use

Double MGs, double M fees
Being associated with Maybach Music Group and having high fees for his services

We in every hood, nigga, government cheese
Asserting their presence in every neighborhood, just like government-provided cheese is widespread

Yachts and Yacht Masters, Old Dirty Bastard
Enjoying a luxurious lifestyle with yachts and expensive watches, reminiscent of rapper Old Dirty Bastard

Floor seat for the Heat paper that I'm stackin'
Highlighting his wealth by mentioning having a floor seat at a Miami Heat basketball game and the stacks of money he accumulates

Better put away a penny for the rainy days
Advising the importance of saving money for unforeseen circumstances

Pick and roll, give and go, fuck a fade-away
Referring to basketball moves and disregarding the idea of fading away or falling into obscurity

Livin' like Scottie Pippen, dribble riddles for vittles
Living a lavish lifestyle akin to Scottie Pippen, using clever wordplay to entertain

Started off with a scribble, now I'm flowing a river
Beginning with simple ideas and now being able to express himself fluently

She say my heart cold, I'm naming my son December
A woman claims he is emotionally distant, and he responds by jokingly saying he will name his son December, a chilly month

Whitney died night before the Grammys, damn, what a memory
Reflecting on the memory of Whitney Houston's death occurring the night before the Grammy Awards

Trump Tower and I started with a 10 speed
Contrasting his current lifestyle, represented by Trump Tower, with his humble beginnings of riding a bicycle

Born broke had to use a nigga's instincts
Growing up in poverty and having to rely on his natural instincts to survive

Now I get a hundred racks for the 16
Earning a substantial amount of money for his 16-bar verses

Waking up to turkey bacon and my thick queen
Enjoying a luxurious breakfast and being in the company of a beautiful and curvaceous partner

Niggas hating, I'm just watchin' on the big screen
While others envy him, he remains unfazed, observing their actions from a position of success

3 stacks on the beat and the kicks mean
Referring to himself as André 3000, emphasizing his contribution to the music and the exceptional quality of the beats

When 16 ain't enough, you know how sometimes you got so much to say but
Continuing to convey the frustration of not having enough bars to express everything he wants to communicate

When 16 ain't enough, they on they only give you 16, heh
Commenting on the limitation imposed by only being allowed to use 16 bars in a song

Man it's like I mean I got so much to say ya know
Expressing his desire to share a multitude of thoughts and ideas

The world has said so much to me, I just wanna give right back to 'em you know
Feeling that the world has poured so much onto him and wanting to reciprocate through his music

When 16 ain't enough, but I only get 16, that's like a cage you know
Feeling trapped and caged by the limitation of only having 16 bars to work with

When 16 ain't enough, I really can't say what I wanna say, you know it's just a glimpse
Acknowledging that he cannot fully express his thoughts and can only provide a brief glimpse of what he wants to convey

That's all, just one uh, one little single glimpse
Highlighting the limited nature of his expression and how it represents only a small portion of his perspective

Just a page
Referring to his 16-bar verse as just a page in the larger story of his life

But I guess I'm defeating the purpose of doing all this talking
Realizing that dwelling on the limitations of 16 bars detracts from the power of his message

Summer '88, or was it '89
Reflecting on a specific summer in the late 1980s, possibly unsure of the exact year

Or was it winter-time, ah, nevermind
Considering the possibility of it being winter instead but ultimately dismissing the uncertainty

I'm in my room, boomin' drawin' LL Cool J album covers
Recalling a time when he would draw album covers of LL Cool J, suggesting his admiration for the artist

With crayolas on construction paper
Describing the materials he used for his drawings, indicating a simple and nostalgic pastime

I'm trying to fuck my neighbor, I'm tryna hook my waves up
Expressing puberty-related desires and wanting to style his hair a certain way

I'm tryna pull my grades up, to get them saddle lace ups
Striving to improve his academic performance to earn a pair of stylish lace-up shoes

Before Le marc was Jacob, before them girls wore makeup
Referencing fashion brands and trends, highlighting a time before designer Marc Jacobs and heavy makeup became popular

Before my voice would break up, before we'd tour them shake clubs
Recalling a time when his voice was still developing and before he started performing at clubs with enthusiastic crowds

Before my mama wake up, before my palms would cake up
Reflecting on moments before his mother would wake up and before his hands would become dirty or sticky

Before they told me they love me and we'll never breakup
Remembering a time before others expressed love and loyalty to him

Before the time she makes love, to someone that I thought was, my homeboy
Referencing a betrayal by a friend who had a romantic relationship with a woman he considered loyal

But boy was, I wrong now
Admitting his mistake and acknowledging how he misjudged the situation

I don't budge, don't want much, just a roof and porch
Showing contentment with simple desires, like having a home with a roof and porch

And a Porsche, and a horse and unfor-tunately
Adding on to the previous desires, including owning a luxury car and a horse, though he recognizes the unlikelihood of achieving them

But of course an assort-ment of tor-ches that scor-ches the skin, when they enter
Expressing a metaphorical desire for an assortment of experiences and challenges that can leave a lasting impact

Intru-ders, whose tutors did a lousy job
Referring to adversities and difficulties caused by individuals who were meant to provide guidance

How's he god if he let's Lucifer let loose on us
Questioning the role of a higher power if they permit evil or hardship to befall humanity

That noose on us won't loosen up but loose enough to juice us up
Comparing the oppressive nature of societal structures to a noose, which may not completely loosen its grip but can still fuel a desire for change

Make us think we do so much and do it big
Critiquing a culture that convinces people they are achieving greatness when, in reality, their accomplishments may be limited

Like they don't let us win, I can't pretend
Acknowledging the existence of systemic barriers and feeling unable to pretend otherwise

But I admit it, it feel good when the hood pseudo-celebrate
Despite the limitations and challenges, finding solace in the support and recognition received from the community

Hence why every time we dine we eat until our belly aches
Emphasizing the desire to fully indulge and savor the moments of joy and abundance

Then go grab the finest wine and drink it like
After satisfying physical hunger, indulging in the finest wine as a celebration

We know which grape and which region it came from
Showing a deep knowledge and appreciation for the origins and details of the wine

As if we can name 'em, hint hint, it ain't um Welch's
Playfully implying that the quality of the wine enjoyed is far superior to a brand like Welch's

Hell just fell three thousand more degrees cooler
Using hyperbole to express how much cooler and impressive the situation has become

Y'all can't measure my worth
Asserting that his value and worth cannot be measured by others

But when you try, you'll need a ruler made by all the Greek gods
Mocking the idea that someone would require an extraordinary measuring tool to grasp his true worth

Because the odds have always been stacked against me when back's against the wall
Highlighting the adversity he has faced throughout his life and career when confronted with challenges

I feel right at home, y'all sitting right at home
Feeling comfortable and capable in difficult situations, while others may feel powerless

All Kelly green with envy while I'm jelly beans descending
Picturing others being envious and resentful as he experiences joy and success

Into the palm of a child, looks up at mama and smiles
Symbolizing the simple and innocent pleasures of a child, bringing joy to their mother

With such a devilish grin, Like 'where the hell have you been'
Describing the mischievous smile of a child, appearing as if they are questioning someone's absence

She yelling that selling's a sin, well so is telling young men
Referencing a mother figure expressing disapproval of selling illegal substances, but also acknowledging the negative impact of storytelling that influences young men

That selling is a sin, if you don't offer new ways to win
Highlighting the importance of providing alternatives and opportunities for success to individuals to discourage them from resorting to illegal activities

A dolphin gone shake his fin, regardless if he is in
Drawing a parallel to a dolphin shaking its fin, representing freedom and determination to thrive regardless of the circumstances

Or out of water, most important thing for him is to swim
Stressing the significance of persistence and adaptation, regardless of the environment, to survive and thrive

And flipper didn't hold his nose, so why shall I hold my tongue?
Using the example of a dolphin not holding its nose underwater to justify why he should speak freely and express himself without reservations

I miss the days that O' and Market Hole had scowl on his arm?
Nostalgically reminiscing about the past when someone named O' and their group Market Hole had a sense of defiance or toughness

And I set off these alarms, when camera's snap snap snap snap
Eliciting attention and causing a commotion when cameras continuously take pictures of him

Return fire, pa-pa-pa, pa, pa-pa, pa, pa, pa
Employing a metaphor of engaging in a verbal battle or confrontation, represented by returning fire with rapid gunshot sounds

They'll learn why, near privacy, so essential
Indicating that individuals who invade his privacy will come to understand the importance of privacy to his well-being

They won't make no laws, I break their laws till they see out our window
Asserting that he will continue to defy and challenge unjust laws until those in power observe the reality faced by marginalized communities

I take the fall to make them all treat human kind more gentle
Willing to accept blame or consequences if it leads to a more compassionate treatment of humanity

Forsake them all, I hate them all, don't like em don't pretend to
Expressing strong negative feelings towards certain individuals or groups and refusing to pretend otherwise

Yea something tells me, we ain't in Kansas anymore
Using a reference to The Wizard of Oz to imply that they have moved beyond a familiar or comfortable environment

All that shit that used to be cool ain't cool anymore
Reflecting on the changing perception of things that were once considered cool but no longer hold the same status

All the women you been pursuing, now they want more
Realizing that the women he previously pursued now desire greater qualities or accomplishments

And they deserve it all, don't settle for what ain't yours
Acknowledging that these women deserve the best and emphasizing the importance of not accepting anything less

Does your mama know you see me, does she know you're freaky?
Asking if the listener's mother is aware of their interest or attraction towards him and their inclination for unconventional behavior

Does she ever wonder if it's 'bout ya I am speaking?
Questioning if the listener's mother wonders if he is referring to her when he mentions someone in his songs

Do you ever ponder where I'm at when you get sleepy?
Asking if the listener ever thinks about his whereabouts when they are about to fall asleep

How the hell I'm gonna tell the youth don't be me?
Expressing the difficulty of advising young individuals not to follow his path or adopt his behavior

Yea, ha ha
Ending the song with a casual laugh, displaying a sense of amusement or satisfaction

(I love it) Does your daddy think you perfect, does he know for certain?
Wondering if the listener's father perceives them as flawless and if he is confident in this belief

Does he know how you act when you pull back all them curtains?
Questioning if the listener's father is aware of their true behavior or personality when no one else is around

Do he think I'm 2Pac 'cause I'm black and put them works in?
Contemplating if the listener's father sees him as a figure like 2Pac, who was renowned for his activism and impactful music

Does he know his daughter might have caught a real merman yeah?
Suggesting that the listener's father may not be aware that she has captivated the attention of someone exceptional, like a merman

When 16 ain't enough, when 16 ain't enough, ooh yeah, oh yeah
Reiterating the central theme that 16 bars are insufficient and do not fulfill the need to express oneself fully

When 16 ain't enough, when 16 ain't enough, ooh (When 16 ain't enough) yeah, oh yeah (When 16 ain't enough)
Stressing the frustration and dissatisfaction with the constraint of only having 16 bars to communicate