Friend
Beats And Styles feat. Justin Taylor Lyrics

D-Block, uh, so raspy, ice pick forever
Introducing the artist and his personality

Harlem, I'm ready
Proudly representing his place of origin

Probably got animals but you don't tame 'em (nah)
Referring to unruly friends who cannot be controlled

When you ride with ya dogs you gotta train 'em (mmm)
To keep your friends in check, you need to teach them how to behave

'Cause if it get outta hand you can't restrain 'em
When your friends cross the line, you cannot control their behavior

Niggas will do dumb shit thinkin' that you gon' save 'em
Friends often take unnecessary risks with the expectation of help from others

Now they think you betrayed them (facts)
When you do not save them, they feel betrayed and let down

When that bag on the line you gotta play chess
When money is involved, strategy and wisdom are needed

Doin' niggas dirty for nothin', how you gon' stay fresh?
You cannot thrive by acting dishonestly without a cause

Heard they pray on my downfall, but I'ma stay blessed
Despite the negative energy from others, the artist will remain successful

Now it's quiet for them, like they takin' a state test
The people who were negative before are now quiet because the artist is successful

Don't play in my life go play Cee-lo, that thing gon' stutta like dutta man, don't play Nino
Don't interfere with my life or you will face the consequences

Niggas runnin' around like goons thinkin' that we know
People making assumptions about others' knowledge and behavior without any evidence

'Til I get 'em clapped on Friday for playin' Deebo!
People who act tough and bully others may face retaliation

Cut class but after school wasn't mackin'
The artist was not spending time flirting with girls after missing class

When niggas was in after-school I was trappin' (yup)
While others were hanging out after school, the artist was selling drugs

When you see frauds act a fool, they just actin'
Fake people pretend to be something they are not

Nah we don't scrap with dudes, we just clap 'em (boom)
To defend oneself, using a weapon is preferred over hand-to-hand combat

Niggas hate me 'cause I floss too much (yup)
Some people are envious and dislike the artist's success and flashy lifestyle

But they didn't hate me when they used to cost too much (whoo)
The same people did not have a problem when the artist was struggling and could not afford things.

That's why I keep a small circle, people cross too much
The artist only trusts a few people because many have betrayed him before

Yeah they was winnin' but lost they touch
People who were once successful sometimes lose their way

I'm Nino Man
The artist announces his stage name

Distinctive voice is clearly how most remembered me
The artist is known for his unique and memorable voice

I'm deep like them Instagram posts from Emery
The artist's lyrics are thought-provoking and profound like some Instagram posts

Blood make you related but I go off energy
Genetics do not determine who you consider to be family; it is solely based on the energy and bond shared between people

Back and fourth with Nino, to show off chemistry
The two artists have good rapport and are displaying their connection

Grown man, I don't bust down my watches
The artist has matured and does not feel the need to buy flashy jewelry pieces

I wear classic pieces, nothin' obnoxious (classic)
The artist prefers traditional and timeless items

Long as the streets need this, nothin' can stop this
As long as people in the community relate to his music, the artist will continue making it

Goggles over the skully with the Gucci golashes
The artist is wearing multiple expensive and stylish items

More men in Grammys, no Oscars
The Grammys are given to musicians, while Oscars are for actors. The artist is referencing that more rappers have won Grammys than rappers who have won Oscars.

Calamari and Salmon, no Lobsters
The artist is listing his food preferences

Know the big homies, I know mobsters
The artist has connections with important and powerful people

That cooked up families and hold them hostage
Some of the big homies he has met in his life have controlled and manipulated others for their own gain

Sign the hitlist? Just mind ya business
The artist is warning people not to get involved in conflicts that do not concern them

'Cause you know they can't wait to line the witness
Many people are happy to provide information to the police involved in crime investigations

The clock might stop but the time is endless
Even though life itself is fleeting, the artist's impact on the world and the legacy he leaves behind will endure forever.

They want us to lose but we designed to win this
Despite attempts to bring them down, the artist and his friends will always end up succeeding.

Not enough bitches and too many bitch niggas
There are not enough women and too many weak men in the community

That's why you gotta leave 'em in a hole, bitch niggas
You need to get rid of negative people who bring you down

Too many fake Rico and Mitch niggas
People who pretend to be gangsters like Rico and Mitch from the movie Paid in Full are common and are unwanted in the artist's life.

The shoes is your size, they don't fit niggas (they don't fit)
Some people try to act and dress like someone they are not, but it is not a good fit for them

With my own eyes I seen it (I seen it)
The artist witnessed the actions or events he is describing

Neva call a nigga ya friend if you don't mean it
It is not wise to call someone your friend if you do not genuinely consider them as such

I don't do that friend shit I do fam
The artist only considers people he is very close to as family

Niggas'll go half with you try to clip ya grams
Some people will deceive you and work against you for their own benefit

Niggas'll see the blueprint, try to switch the plans
People will steal your ideas and try to pass them off as their own

Niggas'll add their two cents, ain't shit to scan
People will give their own thoughts or opinions on something when they do not know what they are talking about

Trust is something you earn, the pussy nigga wrong and he ain't gonna something to burn
Trust needs to be earned, and people who are not trustworthy are the ones who are usually left to the consequences of their actions.

Yeah the colder the streets, well it's something to learn
Living in a difficult environment like the streets can teach you valuable life lessons

As a youth, like you can't go to jail if they don't got proof
Young people often think that they can do crime without being held responsible if there is not enough evidence against them

Moet on the roof, marijuana in the lobby
The artist is listing some of the things that he and his crew do for fun

That's your friend but you can't trust 'em to catch a body
Although you may consider someone your friend, you cannot trust them to commit a crime with you

But you in the Benz 'cause you got similar hobbies
You may have expensive tastes and hobbies that you share with your friends

Like similar hoes, like similar parties
You may also have the same preferences when it comes to women and partying.

That buddy buddy shit will get you murked in the place
Being too friendly or close with people can often lead to danger or betrayal

Monkey see, monkey do, don't work with the apes
If you have goals to achieve or a plan to follow, do not associate with people who will distract or demotivate you

It's a jungle out here, can't work with the jakes
The police are the enemy and will work against you, so it is best not to collaborate with them

Either get them long things or you work with the eights
In order to succeed, you either need to have weapons for self-defense or work with people who provide protection

These niggas is too soft these rappers are too friendly
Many rappers are not true to themselves or their background, and are too friendly and fake when in reality they should be tough

The old me I would have smacked 'em with two Henny's
The artist used to be violent and aggressive but he's changed.

But now I'm being positive
The artist has decided to embrace a more positive attitude and outlook

The cognitive skills just seems anonymous
Some people do not have the mental capacity to think beyond their physical senses. They are clueless about life.

And I'm anonymous, but not behind a keyboard
The artist is working and making an impact, but he is not on social media or in the limelight.

Violate my homie and get a keloid
If anyone disrespects or harms the artist's friend, they will regret it

Now that's a frienship
The bond between the artist and his friend is so strong that it is worth protecting at all costs

And we ain't blood but this is kinship
Although they are not related by blood, the friendship between the two artists is strong enough to consider them family

Before we go any further
Ending the song with an invitation to be friends