Hands Up
Boosie Badazz Lyrics


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Mr. Officer, Mr. Officer, Mr. Officer, why you shooting?
I got my hands up (my hands up), hands up (my hands up), hands up

Don't know what they gone do man today (oh lord)
A crooked cop might try to shoot me today
Plus they dudes in the system
Acting like they ready for shit that they ain't ready for
Black power, they scared of us
"Just go kill a black", shot him through the windshield
Taraj want his brother back, fuck that, this shit real
Police killing kids, kids killing men
Broke and a fifth of gin'll make a nigga sin
You know you planted that shit on my homeboy
Motherfuckers gave the bench to my old boy
When shit real, your wrong ain't really wrong boy
So we clutching long toys dummy, bitch you see me coming

And something telling me to stand up (I'm tired of this shit)
Why you shooting? Officer I got my hands up (police)
My hands up, but something telling me to stand up (fuck that shit)

Lord knows the evil (the evil you do)
The DA fired you hot, the friends you called so that appeal get denied
I know it's hate cause when I won they had tears in they eyes
Said it's my lawyer, no that's karma for all the niggas you fried
Seen it firsthand, and man, they ain't got feelings inside
They be wanting ya boy to testify, we know he gone die
They smiled at me, it was lucifer in front of my face
Now my nephew fighting a body, how much more can I take? (fuck that shit)

And something telling me to stand up (I'm tired of this shit)
Why you shooting officer? (why you shooting?) Officer I got my hands up (police)
My hands up, but something telling me to stand up (fuck that shit, fuck that shit)

Rest in peace Michael Brown
Cold part about it (cold part about it)
He had his hands up (his hands up)
His hands up (his hands up)
His hands up (his hands up)
His hands up (his hands up)
He had his hands up
Rest in peace Trayvon Martin (Trayvon, Trayvon, Trayvon)
Cold part about it, nigga shot him cause
He had on black bruh (at nighttime), black bruh




He had a hood that was black bruh
Why they do it? cause we black bruh

Overall Meaning

Boosie Badazz's song "Hands Up" speaks on the injustices faced by black individuals at the hands of the police. The song starts with the artist addressing the police officer who is shooting at him despite having his hands up. He goes on to mention how crooked cops might shoot him today, showing the fear experienced by black individuals in the presence of the police. Furthermore, he speaks on the corrupt system where people are imprisoned for crimes they may not have committed but are unable to defend themselves against the accusations.


The song also talks about the flaws in the justice system, how some individuals with ulterior motives pose as officers who inflict harm instead of protecting citizens. Boosie Badazz mentions an incident where someone was shot through the windshield, someone's brother is gone and the police are killing innocent children, while the same children are killing other humans due to the burden they carry. He further reveals how the police may plant evidence on people of color, who have no chance of proving their innocence in court.


The heartbreaking lyrics of this song shed light on the reality faced by black people in America with regards to the police force. The song calls for justice and equality which is still being fought for by the black community.


Line by Line Meaning

Mr. Officer, Mr. Officer, Mr. Officer, why you shooting?
Questioning why cops shoot unarmed citizens


I got my hands up (my hands up), hands up (my hands up), hands up
Protesting innocence and displaying non-aggressive behavior


Don't know what they gone do man today (oh lord)
Expressing fear of unjust actions by law enforcement


A crooked cop might try to shoot me today
Highlighting the risk of police brutality and corruption


Plus they dudes in the system
Referencing corrupt officials and the broken justice system


Acting like they ready for shit that they ain't ready for
Accusing cops of excessive force and unpreparedness


Black power, they scared of us
Acknowledging the power of black unity and the fear it incites in some cops


"Just go kill a black", shot him through the windshield
Citing the disregard some police officers have for black lives


Taraj want his brother back, fuck that, this shit real
Referencing a victim's grieving family and the gravity of the situation


Police killing kids, kids killing men
Pointing out the unjust cycle of violence


Broke and a fifth of gin'll make a nigga sin
Explaining how poverty and alcohol can lead to criminal behavior


You know you planted that shit on my homeboy
Accusing cops of framing innocent people


Motherfuckers gave the bench to my old boy
Referring to an unjust legal decision against a friend


When shit real, your wrong ain't really wrong boy
Suggesting that the system is so corrupt that doing the right thing can be considered wrong


So we clutching long toys dummy, bitch you see me coming
Conveying the need for protection and resistance


And something telling me to stand up (I'm tired of this shit)
Feeling a need to stand up against systemic injustice


Why you shooting? Officer I got my hands up (police)
Questioning why police shoot even when the suspect is not displaying aggression


Lord knows the evil (the evil you do)
Acknowledging the evil actions of some police officers


The DA fired you hot, the friends you called so that appeal get denied
Suggesting that corrupt officials help each other and cover up wrongdoing


I know it's hate cause when I won they had tears in they eyes
Suggesting that some officials are biased against certain groups of people


Said it's my lawyer, no that's karma for all the niggas you fried
Highlighting the fact that some cops have used excessive force and wrongfully convicted people


Seen it firsthand, and man, they ain't got feelings inside
Asserting that some people in power are heartless and cruel


They be wanting ya boy to testify, we know he gone die
Referencing the danger that can come with speaking out against police corruption


They smiled at me, it was lucifer in front of my face
Comparing corrupt officials to the devil


Now my nephew fighting a body, how much more can I take? (fuck that shit)
Expressing frustration and sadness at the continued violence and injustice


Rest in peace Michael Brown
Paying respects to a victim of police brutality


Cold part about it (cold part about it)
Highlighting the tragedy of the situation


He had his hands up (his hands up)
Referencing Michael Brown's non-aggressive stance


Rest in peace Trayvon Martin (Trayvon, Trayvon, Trayvon)
Paying respects to another victim of racist violence


Cold part about it, nigga shot him cause
Explaining the senselessness of Trayvon Martin's murder


He had on black bruh (at nighttime), black bruh
Suggesting that wearing black clothing made Trayvon Martin a target


He had a hood that was black bruh
Referencing Trayvon Martin's hoodie and how it was used against him


Why they do it? cause we black bruh
Acknowledging the role racism plays in police brutality and violence




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEREMY REID, TORENCE HATCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Jevon Cummings

Boosie is one of the few rappers that rap about reality. This is deep.

Nik Geekdom

This video gives me goosebumps. Anybody that really listens to Boosie's lyrics knows hes one of the realest in the rap game!

Bigdickchaney Tripp

Facts im from Mississippi

RoadRunnaMark B 24

2020 & I'm back listening.

Toushia Mason

Damn Boosie did that, the whole album is fire. Track after track.

BIG GRIZZ

Man this really hit me deep lost two dearly loved ones to the same thing THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS💯💯🔥

Mr. Win

Hands Up!! the message was deep and powerful! can't wait for the album to drop! Boosie is the people! #Salute

U. Güney Karagöz

I had goosebumps the whole song. Boosie. The hardest in the game. Running the whole thing.

F.T.D Dank

Hands together for lil boosie. He has spoken some real shit for yall. Keep speakin bro the world can hear ya and the real mf are listening. Thank you for real music

Shelia Ann Spikes

I LOVE THIS VIDEO THE REALITY OF LIL BOOSIE LYRICS ARE SO DEEP & SO REAL ALL U CAN DO IS PRAY & TRUST GOD 1 JOHN 3:16

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