Roadrunner
Chi-Ali Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(feat. Dove)

[Verse 1: Chi-Ali]

I be the Chi, oh who I be
No matter cause the serve say tre on a dime platter
Batter up batter boy, joy to the world
Get goosed by the Footloose crew and the youth
Back your brother Bam Bam, here comes the stool with more
What you hear will come clear
Fix up the mommy doo, jams that I adore
Making it clear to all ears
You wanna grab a yolk, don't choke on the young one
Come here I come, here I kiddy come come
Me notΒ ??? yo ways in the days
That come, lay low, and then you get some
I'm around you on the neck for respect
You didn't want to cash in, so I'm mashin
Level from the low mumbo jumbo
They be splashing, and I be asking
Wanna swing a chop-shop rhyme by the pack?
That's a no no coyote, look how ya act
After I step on, you'll be stepping all in it
Cause I'm the roadrunner running things

[Chorus: Dove]

Cool it coyote, I'm the roadrunner running things [x4]

[Verse 2: Chi-Ali]

So on after Jabberjaw and for sure
I rhymes any rhymes, I rhyme for sure
Pashes to bashes, bigger figure here
Ashes to ass, I trigger niggas here
Coyotes learn I burn every time
It's my turn, seems like a perfect
But is it worth it? Better be, better G
Than the next wrecks, or else I get vexed
No how did this adept kid turn rap?
All hips wanna flip when they check the stat
But 40 ain't the shorty to be guzzling with
I'm out to get paid so I sip lemonade
The ruffian youth with the pocket full of poof
So don't check the label, you're liable to goof
I work wonders, put a drumbeat to thunder
Rhyme like a rain, lay low and maintain
Break the batter boy with my rat-tat-tatta toy
Don't block the roadrunner boy, son enjoy
A talk from a New York brother in a swing
It's the roadrunner running things

[Chorus]

[Verse 3: Chi-Ali]

My problem coyote? I wrote this hit
This for the doggy doggy step right out
Don't flow the ritual puppy just sit
Soon comes a mini rhyme, in styles out
I funk the whole pile, wicked and wild
Must I profile? Well not by the mile
I got you nagging, bragging, that the Chi was raggin
But I grin and just smile
So listen real close, the brother might boast
Although I appear as the guest and the host
No need for all the lingering and loitering
When the roadrunner's running things





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Chi-Ali's "Roadrunner" are full of playful wordplay and rhymes that display the rapper's skills and confidence. In the first verse, Chi-Ali introduces himself and his crew as the Footloose crew and confidently rhymes about his love for jams, eggs, and his ability to run things. He advises listeners not to get in his way and warns anyone who tries to come at him that they will regret it. The chorus, sung by Dove, further emphasizes Chi-Ali's dominance and warns any potential adversaries to cool it.


In the second verse, Chi-Ali boasts about his ability to rhyme and disses his competition, particularly coyotes who try to chase after him. He rhymes about getting paid and enjoying lemonade, showing his carefree and confident attitude. He asserts his dominance once again and warns anyone who blocks his path that they will regret it.


In the final verse, Chi-Ali takes credit for writing the hit song and tells his detractors to sit down and listen. He rhymes about his wild and funky style and his ability to host and entertain. He warns anyone who loiters or lingers around him that they should move out of his way because he is the roadrunner running things. Overall, the lyrics to "Roadrunner" display Chi-Ali's playful, confident, and skilled approach to rapping.


Line by Line Meaning

I be the Chi, oh who I be
Introducing himself as Chi-Ali, he doesn't care who recognizes him


No matter cause the serve say tre on a dime platter
Chi-Ali isn't worried about recognition because he knows his rhymes are top-notch


Batter up batter boy, joy to the world
Chi-Ali is ready for whoever wants to step up and challenge him


Get goosed by the Footloose crew and the youth
The Footloose crew and young people are hype and pumped up from Chi-Ali's music


Back your brother Bam Bam, here comes the stool with more
Chi-Ali is supporting his friend Bam Bam and has more rhymes to back him up


What you hear will come clear
Listeners will understand his message clearly


Fix up the mommy doo, jams that I adore
Chi-Ali loves the music he's creating and wants it to sound good for all listeners


Making it clear to all ears
Chi-Ali wants everyone to hear and understand his message


You wanna grab a yolk, don't choke on the young one
If you want to compete with Chi-Ali, don't let his youth fool you


Come here I come, here I kiddy come come
Chi-Ali is ready for anyone who wants to challenge him


Me notΒ ??? yo ways in the days
Chi-Ali isn't sure what the missing word is, but he doesn't follow old traditions


That come, lay low, and then you get some
He's working hard to get recognized and will eventually see success


I'm around you on the neck for respect
Chi-Ali is demanding respect from those around him


You didn't want to cash in, so I'm mashin
If you don't want to participate, he's going to continue on his own


Level from the low mumbo jumbo
He's not interested in superficial rhymes


They be splashing, and I be asking
While others are showing off, Chi-Ali is questioning why they're doing it


Wanna swing a chop-shop rhyme by the pack?
Do you want to compete with Chi-Ali's fast-paced rhymes?


That's a no no coyote, look how ya act
Chi-Ali isn't letting anyone get the best of him, especially his competitors


After I step on, you'll be stepping all in it
Once he wins, his competitors will be embarrassed


Cause I'm the roadrunner running things
Chi-Ali is the one in charge and making moves


Cool it coyote, I'm the roadrunner running things [x4]
The chorus is reinforcing the message that Chi-Ali is the one in charge and winning


So on after Jabberjaw and for sure
He's confident in himself after seeing other successful artists


I rhymes any rhymes, I rhyme for sure
Chi-Ali can make any rhyme work and is sure of his abilities


Pashes to bashes, bigger figure here
He's rising in fame and influence


Ashes to ass, I trigger niggas here
He's provoking reactions from others


Coyotes learn I burn every time
His competitors learn that they'll always lose to him


It's my turn, seems like a perfect
He's confident that it's his time to shine


But is it worth it? Better be, better G
He's taking this opportunity seriously because it could change his life


Than the next wrecks, or else I get vexed
He'd rather be successful than a failure and get upset


No how did this adept kid turn rap?
He's surprised he's become so skilled at rapping


All hips wanna flip when they check the stat
People are impressed by his skills


But 40 ain't the shorty to be guzzling with
He's not someone to underestimate


I'm out to get paid so I sip lemonade
He's looking to make money and is staying cool and calm


The ruffian youth with the pocket full of poof
He's a tough and rebellious young person with confidence


So don't check the label, you're liable to goof
Don't judge him based on his appearance, you might be wrong


I work wonders, put a drumbeat to thunder
He's proud of his work and creates powerful music


Rhyme like a rain, lay low and maintain
He's consistent and steady in his rhyming


Break the batter boy with my rat-tat-tatta toy
He's taking out his competition with his quick and powerful rhymes


Don't block the roadrunner boy, son enjoy
Don't try to stop him and instead just enjoy his rhymes


A talk from a New York brother in a swing
He's representing New York and taking control


It's the roadrunner running things
He's repeating that he's in charge and calling the shots




Contributed by Chase R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

SheepdoggXL

Yet another GREAT production by Q-Tip, I like this version way better than the first one. This song takes me back to the better days of Hip-Hop! Chi-Ali was niiice!!

NORTHPHILLYCRYPTOBULπŸ‘ŠπŸΎ

DanuCreid Nah Beatnuts on this one

John Phillips

nez born q tip did this one fam this is the remix

Brian John

ALI

David Robinson

These vids are so much better than the ones today.
I remember recording Rap City and Yo MTV Raps and just playing em back all day. The vibe always left you feeling full, the complete opposite of music today.

cecil marshall

Man there's nothing like old school rap

100% Deutscher Backpacker Rap

Wooooord!

DarkBehindFlat

This song and video is so cool

Andrew That one and only guy

This song was the reason why i completed my last 4 miles in my marathon, can’t wait for the nostalgia from this song in the future; this is art people ✌🏼

J

I loved this video so much when it came out, wow πŸ€—πŸŽ—οΈ Native Tongues #1

More Comments