Real Talk
B.o.B Lyrics

First you get the money, then the power come (power come)
Success and influence follow wealth and financial prosperity.

Then respect (then respect)
After gaining power and success, one earns the admiration and esteem of others.

When you in the street and you a real nigga (real nigga)
In the rough environment of the streets, authenticity and credibility earn one respect and recognition.

Yeah, you get more respect (more respect)
Being a genuine and trustworthy individual in the streets garners even greater respect from the community.

I've been in the streets since I was a youngin' (I was young, yeah)
I have been involved in the street life and faced its challenges since a young age.

Posted at the store when I ain't had nothing (that's on God)
I used to spend my time standing outside the store when I had nothing, highlighting my struggles.

Mama always told me I was gon' be something (swear)
My mother constantly believed and assured me that I had potential to achieve something great.

I ain't never tried to listen to a youngin' (I ain't listen)
I have never paid attention to the advice or opinions of young people.

Since a youngin', yeah, I've been popping my own gun
From a young age, I have taken matters into my own hands and protected myself by using firearms.

I remember times my daddy, he wasn't there for me
There were moments when my father was absent from my life, leaving me to face challenges alone.

They say I'm up, now the nigga tryna care for me
Now that I have achieved success, people who previously neglected me are trying to show concern and support.

Grandmama always told me that my uncle gonna be something
My grandmother always believed that my uncle would achieve great things in life.

Now I look at him now, he a mothafuckin' star
Looking at my uncle's current success, it's evident that he has become a prominent and successful figure.

Young crew on the block, we was playin' burglar bars
As a young group in the neighborhood, we used to pretend to be burglars for fun and excitement.

Hate the fact that Phil flipped in that mothafuckin' car
I despise the unfortunate incident where Phil was involved in a car accident and flipped the vehicle.

Partna running to the door saying bitch, I run you off (where you at?)
My friend hurriedly went to the door and warned someone, confidently asserting that he would drive them away.

Yeah, I was on the block totin' big fire at a young age (at a young age)
I used to carry and handle powerful weapons when I was very young in my neighborhood.

Yeah, yeah, I ain't never listened to an old head
I have never heeded the advice or wisdom of older, more experienced individuals.

Yeah, I give a fuck what they say
I do not care or attach importance to their opinions or criticisms.

Remember them days at the bottom
I recall the difficult times when I was at my lowest point.

Yeah, we were breakin' into houses (we were breakin' into houses)
We used to illegally enter and steal from houses.

We were walkin' on our feet like we was in a track meet
We had to walk extensively, as though participating in a track meet, due to lack of transportation.

Late nights, we ain't had nowhere to go, yeah (on God)
During the late hours of the night, we had no place to go, emphasizing our homelessness or lack of proper shelter.

We were walking to my partner's house
We had to walk to my friend's house as that was our meeting spot or hangout location.

Everybody gangin' up on the floor (gang up on the floor)
All of us would gather and spend time together on the ground, possibly due to limited furniture or resources.

Back then we wanna be some ball-boys (ball-boy)
In the past, we aspired to become basketball players or be associated with the sport as ball boys.

Then we hit the block and we turned into some tall boys (tall boy)
However, when we entered the neighborhood and became involved in street activities, we transformed into tough and formidable individuals.

Talk a nigga down, we was on the slime shit (slime shit)
We would speak negatively or disrespectfully about someone, engaging in dishonest or deceitful behavior.

We were wearing the same clothes, we ain't never had shit (never)
We used to wear the same outfits repeatedly, highlighting our lack of material possessions or resources.

Then it came to the point where a nigga got shit (fuck)
Eventually, we reached a stage where we acquired material belongings and possessions.

Put my bros in a position now everybody lit (we lit)
I elevated the status and conditions of my friends, leading to collective success and enjoyment.

Yeah, I left a brick on that dashboard (woo)
I notably placed a brick of drugs on the car's dashboard, symbolizing my involvement in illegal activities.

I got game from my pop and didn't ask for it (oh)
I acquired valuable skills and knowledge from my father without actively seeking or requesting them.

I've been chasin' this cash, I need tankers
I have been relentlessly pursuing money and financial abundance, requiring large quantities of it.

Got the ohd on the front with the long sword
I proudly possess a weapon, specifically a firearm, which is readily accessible and has an extended barrel.

Lot a boogers, they tryna get me on for it
Many law enforcement officials or authorities are attempting to apprehend me due to my involvement in illegal activities.

Lot a hookers, they pass me they thongs, boy
I encounter numerous prostitutes who tempt me or offer sexual favors.

I treated them, it's a long tour
I entertained or engaged with the prostitutes, indicating a lengthy and continuous indulgence.

Hundred red bandanas at a resort
I possess a large quantity of red bandanas, often associated with gang culture, even while on vacation.

I'm 'bout to see 'bout it (yeah yeah)
I am prepared to take action or evaluate a situation to determine the appropriate course of action.

I was Bali, no Reebokin'
I was present in Bali, without the need for external validation or comparison, especially to the Reebok brand.

I was balanced and detoxin' (whoa)
I achieved equilibrium and detoxified myself from negative influences or substances.

Forty Xanax got me higher (Xans)
Consuming forty Xanax pills intensified my state of intoxication or euphoria.

Take a flight, I'm like good-bye ya
I often choose to escape or depart by boarding a flight, bidding farewell to the present situation or location.

1.8 for the Bugatti (yeah, yeah)
I spent a substantial amount, around 1.8 million, to acquire a luxurious Bugatti sports car.

I hit from the side like a hook
I attacked or engaged from an unexpected angle or direction, similar to a hook in boxing.

Kool-aid pack got these lil' niggas shook (ay)
Possessing a packet of Kool-aid mixes instills fear or intimidation in young individuals.

School everyday got my pockets on books (got my pockets on my books)
Attending school diligently allows me to accumulate wealth or money.

Yeah, yeah, yeah (I got my pockets on books)
Yes, indeed, I have successfully accumulated wealth and financial resources.

I know lil' baby can't find me
I am aware that the young girl or woman cannot locate me, implying hiding or evasiveness.

I've been smokin' this kK like a pine tree
I have been consuming large quantities of a drug called KK, comparable to how one might smoke a pine tree.

And I've been prepared since the nineties
I have been ready and equipped for various situations since the 1990s, implying experience and preparedness.

I call her short, she wan' bite me
I jokingly refer to a woman as being short in stature, and as a result, she desires to nibble or bite me affectionately.

Shit, I caught my first lick
I successfully committed my first robbery or theft.

I shot him and stained up his white tee
I shot an individual and left bloodstains on his white t-shirt.