The Lounge
Asher Roth Lyrics
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[Asher Roth]
What's up? What's up?
I want to welcome everybody to the Lounge
[Asher Roth]
You've heard of Rapper's Delight? Well, I'm delightful. I got my buddy Asher Roth with me, straight out of the Philadelphia, PA. Here's a little Ham 'N' Eggs coming right at you...
[Asher Roth]
Yo, I got a question (what's that?)
What's a rapper look like?
Is he tan? Is he black? White?
Is he blacked out, high on the crack pipe?
Or more the cats that'll ride on the half-pipe?
Don't want to act like I know about the rap type
'Cause matter of fact I can't grasp who rap likes
With their cash do they stash for retirement?
Or go for finer things like rides and diamonds and...?
Another question (what's that?)
How do they dress?
Are they best cut threads or are they spend less
I'm interested, it's caught my attention
Yo, does everybody rap get arrested?
And with they sex, do they all have hoes?
Or do some have a girl that they learn and they grow with?
I like to know, what makes a rapper?
It might be me, but I don't think it matters
[Chorus]
What does he look like?
Nobody knows?
He's just a rapper in plain clothes
When the curtain falls, after the show
Where does he go? Nobody knows
[Asher Roth]
Yo, now it's your call, short, fat, or tall?
What if he's a she and not a he at all?
Or does a broad have to a be a C at least?
Or can it be decreased if she real up on the beat?
And is she realer if she raised in the street?
Or can they still feel her if she raised in CT?
And if they spit do they have to have kids?
Or can they have a mom, a dad, and little sis?
And in the morning do they have to have grits?
Or can they favorite breakfast be eggs Benedict?
It makes me think, is there a rapping type?
And if so, yo, what's a rapper like?
And do they sell drugs, orr go to school?
Cocaine or college, tell me what's the rule
I'd like to know, what makes a rapper?
It might be me, but I don't think it matters.
[Chorus]
What does he look like?
Nobody knows?
He's just a rapper in plain clothes
When the curtain falls, after the show
Where does he go? Nobody knows
[Asher Roth]
My name's Asher (hi, Asher)
And those who care to ask, I tell them I'm a rapper
But I don't look like it, not one bit
I'm short and thin with some pale-ass skin
Got one girlfriend and I love her
With two sisters, a father, and a mother
I guess I'm different, like no other
But you can't judge a book by it's cover
I write about what I feel, see, live
My boys like to say I'm the realist it gets
Sometimes I feel like Boston gets
Maybe flip the script on some ROYGBIV
Whatever the mood, no matter what I listen to
I always do me, never do you
I'd like to know, what makes a rapper?
It might be me, but I don't think it matters.
[Chorus]
What does he look like?
Nobody knows?
He's just a rapper in plain clothes
(Johnny, I'm loving that piano)
When the curtain falls, after the show
Where does he go? Nobody knows
Oh yeah, once again this is Pete Rockwell, Asher Roth. The Leopard Lounge, everyone. In the back room... gets a little pep in your step, as the homies say: this thing is jamming. Pour me another Scotch, Margot. I'm just loving this right now. Thirty years in the business; still banging out the hits. This Pete Rockwell, baby, Asher Roth, signing off.
In Asher Roth's "The Lounge" he ponders about what a rapper looks like and what qualities they carry. He questions if a rapper is defined by their appearance, financial status, or lifestyle. He notes that people can't judge a book by its cover and that he represents a unique type of rapper. His lyrics celebrate an individual’s right to choose their own path, rather than fitting into a preconceived notion of what a rapper should be. Roth's song encourages the listener to focus on the music and message, rather than external factors.
Overall, "The Lounge" is a love letter to hip-hop and the culture surrounding it. The song questions what it means to be a rapper, while also celebrating the art form. Furthermore, the song encourages individuality and celebrates the idea that there is no one "right" way to be a rapper.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny, get on the piano, let's do this. Thirty years in the business...
A declaration to start the performance backed by 30 years of experience
I want to welcome everybody to the Lounge
A greeting to the audience
You've heard of Rapper's Delight? Well, I'm delightful. I got my buddy Asher Roth with me, straight out of the Philadelphia, PA. Here's a little Ham 'N' Eggs coming right at you...
Introduction of himself and Asher Roth and the song being performed
Yo, I got a question (what's that?) What's a rapper look like? Is he tan? Is he black? White? Is he blacked out high on the crack pipe? Or more the cats that'll ride on the half-pipe? Don't want to act like I know about the rap type 'Cause matter of fact I can't grasp who rap likes With their cash do they stash for retirement? Or go for finer things like rides and diamonds and...?
A series of questions to ponder about the stereotypical rapper
Another question (what's that?) How do they dress? Are they best cut threads or are they spend less? I'm interested, it's caught my attention Yo, does everybody rap get arrested? And with they sex, do they all have hoes? Or do some have a girl that they learn and they grow with? I like to know, what makes a rapper? It might be me, but I don't think it matters
More questions about the rapper's attire and his/her lifestyle choices
What does he look like? Nobody knows? He's just a rapper in plain clothes When the curtain falls, after the show Where does he go? Nobody knows
The chorus that emphasizes the uncertainty of the rapper's true identity
Yo, now it's your call, short, fat, or tall? What if he's a she and not a he at all? Or does a broad have to be a C at least? Or can it be decreased if she real up on the beat? And is she realer if she raised in the street? Or can they still feel her if she raised in CT? And if they spit do they have to have kids? Or can they have a mom, a dad, and little sis? And in the morning, do they have to have grits? Or can they favorite breakfast be eggs Benedict? It makes me think, is there a rapping type? And if so, yo, what's a rapper like? And do they sell drugs, or go to school? Cocaine or college, tell me what's the rule I'd like to know, what makes a rapper? It might be me, but I don't think it matters
Continuation of the questions about the rapper to prompt self-introspection
My name's Asher (hi, Asher) And those who care to ask, I tell them I'm a rapper But I don't look like it, not one bit I'm short and thin with some pale-ass skin Got one girlfriend, and I love her, with two sisters, a father, and a mother I guess I'm different, like no other But you can't judge a book by it's cover I write about what I feel, see, live My boys like to say I'm the realist it gets Sometimes I feel like Boston gets Maybe flip the script on some ROYGBIV Whatever the mood, no matter what I listen to I always do me, never do you I'd like to know, what makes a rapper? It might be me, but I don't think it matters
Personal reflection on how someone like him can also be a rapper and his take on what matters about being a rapper
Oh yeah, once again, this is Pete Rockwell, Asher Roth. The Leopard Lounge, everyone. In the back room... gets a little pep in your step, as the homies say: this thing is jamming. Pour me another Scotch, Margot. I'm just loving this right now. Thirty years in the business; still banging out the hits. This Pete Rockwell, baby, Asher Roth, signing off.
Closing remarks from Pete Rockwell and Asher Roth, thanking the audience and describing their passion for the profession
Contributed by Wyatt D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.