SOUND OF DA GUN
C.R.I.$.I.$. Lyrics

Woop-woop! That's the sound of da police! That's the sound of the beast!
The police, who are supposed to protect and serve citizens, are compared to beasts, implying that their actions are ruthless, violent, and oppressive.

Stand clear! Don man a-talk
Warning to clear the way for someone who speaks truth to power.

You can't stand where I stand, you can't walk where I walk
The singer is addressing a person who is not familiar with their lived experiences, emphasizing that they cannot understand the struggles of the oppressed.

Watch out! We run New York
A declaration of power and control over their territory by the oppressed.

Police man come, we bust him out the park
The oppressed will not allow the police to enforce unjust laws and will resist their attempts by any means necessary.

I know this for a fact, you don't like how I act
The singer acknowledges that the police dislike their behavior and actions, implying that it is because they challenge their authority.

You claim I'm sellin' crack / But you be doin' that
The police accuse the singer of a crime that they are also guilty of committing, exposing their hypocrisy.

I'd rather say "see ya" / Cause I would never be ya / Be a officer? You wicked overseer
The artist would rather leave or die than become like the police, who are compared to wicked overseers that oversaw slaves on plantations.

Ya hotshot, want to get props and be a savior / First show a little respect, change your behavior
The artist challenges the police to earn respect by changing their behavior and becoming true saviors, rather than trying to claim respect and power for themselves.

Change your attitude, change your plan / There could never really be justice on stolen land
The artist calls for a change in the system and the way that justice is carried out, emphasizing that true justice can never exist in a society built on stolen land and oppression.

Are you really for peace and equality? / Or when my car is hooked up, you know you want to follow me
The singer questions whether the police are truly committed to peace and equality, pointing out that they frequently target and harass people who they perceive as different or wealthier.

Your laws are minimal / Cause you won't even think about lookin' at the real criminal
The artist accuses the police of having minimal laws that do not address the root causes of crime and instead target marginalized communities.

This has got to cease / Cause we be getting hyped to the sound of da police
The singer calls for an end to police brutality and oppression and emphasizes that they will not be silenced or passive in their resistance.

Now here's a likkle truth / Open up your eye / While you're checking out the boom-bap, check the exercise
The singer tells the listener to pay attention to the message in the music, which is critical of the police and their actions.

Take the word "overseer," like a sample / Repeat it very quickly in a crew for example / Overseer / Overseer / Overseer / Overseer / Officer, Officer, Officer, Officer!
The singer uses a musical technique to compare the words "overseer" and "officer," emphasizing that the two are interchangeable and that the police are no different from overseers who enforced slavery.

Yeah, officer from overseer / You need a little clarity? / Check the similarity!
The artist clarifies that police officers are descended from overseers and that there is a clear similarity in their actions and behavior.

The overseer rode around the plantation / The officer is off patrolling all the nation / The overseer could stop you what you're doing / The officer will pull you over just when he's pursuing
The artist highlights the similarities between overseers and police officers, emphasizing that both have the power to stop people at will and enforce laws without consequences.

The overseer had the right to get ill / And if you fought back, the overseer had the right to kill / The officer has the right to arrest / And if you fight back they put a hole in your chest! / (Woop!) They both ride horses / After 400 years, I've got no choices!
The singer highlights the violent and oppressive nature of the police and their ancestors, emphasizing that they have always had the power to use violence to enforce their will and that after 400 years of oppression, the oppressed have very few options or choices.

The police them have a little gun / So when I'm on the streets, I walk around with a bigger one / (Woop-woop!) I hear it all day / Just so they can run the light and be upon their way
The singer challenges the notion that the police have a monopoly on violence and points out that they, too, have the ability to use weapons and protect themselves. They also criticize the police for using their sirens to break the law and avoid accountability.

Check out the message in a rough stylee / The real criminals are the see-O-P / You check for undercover and the one PD / But just a mere Black man, them want check me
The artist tells the listener to pay attention to the message in their music and points out that the real criminals are not the oppressed, but rather the police who abuse their power. They also criticize the police for targeting Black men for no reason.

Them check out me car for it shine like the sun / But them jealous or them vexed cause them can't afford one / Black people still slaves up 'til today / But the Black police officer nah see it that way / Him want a salary / Him want it / So he put on a badge and kill people for it
The artist exposes the racism and jealousy of the police, who are critical of Black people for having nice things and use their power and authority to kill people and protect their own interests instead of fighting against systemic oppression.

My grandfather had to deal with the cops / My great-grandfather dealt with the cops / My great grandfather had to deal with the cops / And then my great, great, great, great, when it's gonna stop?!
The artist highlights the intergenerational nature of police brutality and oppression and suggests that unless something changes, it will continue for generations to come.