The duo is made up of brothers Gene "No Malice" Thornton and Terrence "Pusha T" Thornton, who is also currently signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music label. They met Pharrell of the producing duo The Neptunes, in 1993, he formed a working relationship with the duo and helped them secure a contract with Elektra Records. Early mixtape success on Clinton Sparks' Exclusive Audio Footage increased their fan-base, but the group's major debut single flopped. Williams resuscitated their careers by signing them to his Star Trak Label. The Clipse's debut album, Lord Willin', was released in 2002. Label woes delayed the release of their sophomore effort, Hell Hath No Fury, which was released in 2006, to much critical acclaim. During this gap, they released three We Got It For Cheap mixtapes with Ab-Liva and Sandman, the other members of the Re-Up Gang. Their third studio album, Till The Casket Drops, was released in 2009. Their songs have been remixed and mashed up on countless mixtapes, and the unreleased songs they recorded while still on Startrak are out as a mixtape called The Lost Tracks. Pusha-T released his first solo album, Fear of God, in 2011, around the same time that Malice published the book "Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind, & Naked".
Power
Clipse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, you think you got the power
You ain't got the power
You don't tell me that it's okay
I tell you that it's okay
You don't got the power
You don't have the power bitch, what
Yo, yo
(Verse 1 - Pusha T)
Everybody freeze, do what I say, do as I please
Commander every ship I steer, follow my lead
Y'all runnin' out of time, cause Terror runnin' out of speed
When I slow, blow up, guarantee makin' you bleed
This ain't about needs, it's all about greed
And showin' niggas who got the power drop to your knees
These bitches errand boys frontin' like they pushin' keys
When I catch 'em, bless 'em, start mumma-makin' they reeds
Because I won't stop firin', till I hear that siren
See your blood trickle, or hear your baby cryin'
Sick of niggas lyin', actin' like they tryin'
To be kamakazi, when they scared of dyin'
No alibi, I got the power no one will testify
Take this lead shower and the black flour where you left to die, ooh
Still life is so soothin', it hurts to see you movin'
So I counteract, take a step back and start shootin'
Terror hit a hollow-tooth frame, you and your dame
So when he wind blows, your bodies whistle likes cranes
Call me by celebrity name, I readily aim
And hit you in your chest, now your shirt redily stained
If there's one I didn't gun down, believe he'll be run down
Because I'm killin' every nigga from, sun up to sun down
Finish them, all adversaries diminishin'
And I'll flee the country before I plead guilty or innocent
(Chorus)
You don't have the power
You don't tell me it's okay, I tell you that it's okay
You don't have the power
When I say down, nigga lay down, nigga stay
You don't have the power
You don't tell me it's okay, I tell you that it's okay
You don't have the power
When I say down, nigga lay down, nigga stay
(Verse 2 - Malice)
So y'all think that you can run with us
Nigga, is your ones big enough, comin' in the sums big enough
When it's time to go to war, is your guns big enough
Or are you minor league, shit, I call your bluff
You got tough talk, but your walk, feminine
We startin' out wit' full clips, then empty 'em
From a pair of still siamese twins, that cripple men
We can handle this like outlaws to gentlemen
And I die for the love of the dough's my sentiment
But for now, we be invading your block and tenament
Opposite end of a glock gun, power, you ain't got none
Comply wit' every word that I say, your only option
And by full right, send your ass in full flight
Running over niggas like stampedes in bullfights
Power in our relationship, oh so intimate
Our love is limitless, we caress and deep kiss
Money's my only bitch so I get the stash out
Got me whipped on this shit, eat her and lick the ass out
We gon' live like it ain't no tomorrow in this shit
I'm going to wallow in it yeah, got her swallowin' my shit
Have wax and flames on her, whips and chains on her
Malice and Terror, Neptunes, runnin' trains on her
My niggas all blunt it, with stacks and four-hundreds
With no remorses, our money got blood on it
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
Listen to my machine gun
Listen to my machine gun, don't try to run
Listen to my machine gun
Listen to my machine gun, don't try to run
Listen to my machine gun
Listen to my machine gun, don't try to run
Listen to my machine gun
Listen to my machine gun, don't try to run
(Chorus)
(Bridge until fade)
The song "Power" by Clipse featuring The Neptunes is a classic and thought-provoking piece of hip-hop music that delves into the themes of power and control. Pusha T and Malice, the members of Clipse, use the lyrics to take a commanding stance and declare their superiority over those who think they also have power. The opening lines of the song, "Yeah, you think you got the power/You ain't got the power/You don't tell me that it's okay/I tell you that it's okay/You don't got the power," set the tone for the song's overarching message - those who truly do have power don't need to assert it; they hold it naturally.
In verse one, Pusha T lays out his authority in no uncertain terms. Using the imagery of a commander leading his troops, he declares himself to be the one in charge, while also making it clear that there will be consequences for those who defy him. He also touches on the theme of greed and how the desire for power can blind people to what's truly important. Malice, in verse two, takes a more confrontational approach, calling out those who talk a big game but don't have the means to back it up. He speaks of his love for money and the lengths he's willing to go to acquire it, even if it means leaving bodies in his wake.
Overall, "Power" is a forceful and uncompromising commentary on the nature of power and control, and the lengths some will go to attain and maintain it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, you think you got the power
You believe that you have control and authority
You ain't got the power
You are mistaken, you do not have control or authority
You don't tell me that it's okay
You do not have the right to give me permission
I tell you that it's okay
It is my decision to approve or disapprove
You don't got the power
Again, you do not have control or authority
You don't have the power bitch, what
Reiterating that you lack control, adding emphasis with an insult
Everybody freeze, do what I say, do as I please
I am giving orders and expecting everyone to obey without question
Commander every ship I steer, follow my lead
As an authoritative figure, I am leading and making decisions for everyone
Y'all runnin' out of time, cause Terror runnin' out of speed
You are quickly running out of time because I am moving quickly
When I slow, blow up, guarantee makin' you bleed
When I decide to take action, it will be explosive and harmful to you
This ain't about needs, it's all about greed
It is not about what is necessary, it is about what I want and desire
And showin' niggas who got the power drop to your knees
Asserting my dominance and demanding submission
These bitches errand boys frontin' like they pushin' keys
Referring to others as incompetent and implying that they are pretending to have power
When I catch 'em, bless 'em, start mumma-makin' they reeds
Threatening violence and harm to those who cross me
Because I won't stop firin', till I hear that siren
I will continue to cause chaos and harm until I see signs of the authorities getting involved
See your blood trickle, or hear your baby cryin'
Painting a graphic and violent picture of the consequences of opposing me
Sick of niggas lyin', actin' like they tryin'
Expressing frustration with those who pretend to be challenging me
To be kamakazi, when they scared of dyin'
Calling out those who act brave but are actually afraid of the consequences
No alibi, I got the power no one will testify
I have authority and control, and no one will challenge this or speak against me
Take this lead shower and the black flour where you left to die, ooh
Threatening lethal force and death to those who oppose me
Still life is so soothin', it hurts to see you movin'
Enjoying the peace after causing chaos and harm to others
So I counteract, take a step back and start shootin'
Reacting to any challenge or threat with violence
Terror hit a hollow-tooth frame, you and your dame
Referring to oneself in third person and implying that no one can escape harm
So when he wind blows, your bodies whistle likes cranes
Threatening to cause mutilation and disfigurement to opponents
Call me by celebrity name, I readily aim
Reveling in one's fame and reputation for being dangerous
And hit you in your chest, now your shirt redily stained
Threatening and bragging about inflicting violent harm
If there's one I didn't gun down, believe he'll be run down
Asserting that no one can escape the wrath of those in power
Because I'm killin' every nigga from, sun up to sun down
Boasting about one's power and willingness to cause harm to others
Finish them, all adversaries diminishin'
Determining to eliminate all opposition and become more powerful
And I'll flee the country before I plead guilty or innocent
Willing to escape punishment for one's actions and crimes
When I say down, nigga lay down, nigga stay
Demanding submission and obedience
So y'all think that you can run with us
Challenging others and dismissing their abilities
Nigga, is your ones big enough, comin' in the sums big enough
Questioning others' wealth and financial abilities to face one's power
When it's time to go to war, is your guns big enough
Challenging others' capabilities to face violence and danger
Or are you minor league, shit, I call your bluff
Calling out others' incompetence and pretending to face confrontation
You got tough talk, but your walk, feminine
Denigrating those who talk the talk but cannot walk the walk
We startin' out wit' full clips, then empty 'em
Showing preparedness and willingness to cause violence
From a pair of still siamese twins, that cripple men
Referring to oneself and one's companion as dangerous and inescapable, and harming others
We can handle this like outlaws to gentlemen
Willing to confront other people in a violent and lawless way
And I die for the love of the dough's my sentiment
Implying that one is willing to die for one's love of money and power
But for now, we be invading your block and tenament
Announcing that one's power and authority are reaching others' territories
Opposite end of a glock gun, power, you ain't got none
Imposing the superiority of one's own power and control
Comply wit' every word that I say, your only option
Demanding submission and obedience, with no other choices available
And by full right, send your ass in full flight
Asserting one's right to inflict harm and punish those who disobey
Running over niggas like stampedes in bullfights
Portraying oneself and one's companions as dangerous and unstoppable
Power in our relationship, oh so intimate
Affirming the close and intense relationship between oneself and an object of power, such as money
Our love is limitless, we caress and deep kiss
Romanticizing one's love for money and power
Money's my only bitch so I get the stash out
Affirming one's dependence and love for money
Got me whipped on this shit, eat her and lick the ass out
Porraying oneself as subservient and adoring toward money
We gon' live like it ain't no tomorrow in this shit
Enjoying one's power and money without regard for consequences
I'm going to wallow in it yeah, got her swallowin' my shit
Enjoying and exaggerating one's power and dominance over money
Have wax and flames on her, whips and chains on her
Portraying oneself as dominant and controlling over money
Malice and Terror, Neptunes, runnin' trains on her
Bragging about one's companions and associates, and their shared enjoyment of money
My niggas all blunt it, with stacks and four-hundreds
Affirming that one's companions are financially successful and powerful
With no remorses, our money got blood on it
Lacking guilt for one's actions and crimes committed for money and power
Listen to my machine gun
Proudly announcing one's willingness to use violence to maintain one's power and control
Don't try to run
Threatening those who may oppose or flee from one's power and control
Contributed by James A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jsandoval423
Classic Neptune’s sound love it
@Pharoah510
Kid Pusha T was 🔥,he gassed this beat
@svn2cool
Flow wise this is P at his best, just crazy. This is another stellar verse in Malice's career.
@DRobShorts
This beat=inspiring
@courtneyvanburen1589
Pharrell goin crazy on the snares 🔥🔥🔥
@abrahampalmer8761
Very beautiful 💫😇😇🔥🔥
@31804dodds
2023 and still bangs
@lorenzoholmes2034
I remember rockin this back in the day whipping my maro. Thank you for uploading! Drake killa!!!
@TEXAStoYOU
how can people sleep on this real shit
@elitenig4
kinda funny soundin wen i 1st heard it back in 2004 but i started to like it later!