1-9-9-9
Common Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

"Still gettin mine, in the" "ONE" "NINE" "NINE" "NINE"
*sample cut and played in background*

[Talib Kweli]
Yo, just relax, take it easy slow down
I had this, I had this friend of mine
Who just, you know, he was movin too fast, yaknawimsayin?
I told him to slow down, he said the sun don't chill
I said, I said still, I said still, you gotta
Just appreciate life, sit back, don't let it fly right past you
No matter what go on I'm still gettin mine
No matter the year, no matter the place, no matter the time

[Common]
Check it, it's like I'm fightin for freedom, writin for freedom
These record company niggas I don't like when I see em
My ancestors, when I'm writin I see em, and talk wit em
Hopin in the promise land I can walk wit em
Shitted on, so many rappers it's like I'm in the stall wit em
Molest concepts, start rhythm, paid dues, bought wisdom
As legends fall my godmother answer heaven's call
Preachers' daughters get fucked in the reverand's hall
MC's reckless ?I ball? why y'all wanna go and do that?
Must've thought I was solo, the name just ain't the U-Ac
No mo', still together
Like in the ghetto photo wit one nigga in the chair
Holdin liquor in despair, gang signs in the air
I shine in spaces where time is just a glare
Hold the mic like a memory
Niggas say I'm nice wit metaphors but these are similes
Street ministry, my poetry's a penitentiary, track is visitation
Sentences is life, I'm like chief up in this demonstration
Still...

"Still gettin mine, in the" "ONE" "NINE" "NINE" "NINE"
*sample cut and played in background 4X*

[Sadat X]*in background during sample*
Check it out, everyday ha yeah
This how we gon' do it for y'all
Common Sense, Sadat X puttin something in your ear
Something for you to grab
For the whole world, yaknowimsayin, but it ain't free
It's a fee, check it out

You squirm wit this coughin, whippin cough
Six days of madness and you might throw me off
On this great ball of stress that they call the earth
I'ma show y'all in rhyme just how much shit I been through
And all the place I went to, always played the low
It's like a competition, this mission here I'm tellin you
Slip up and rhyme-ass niggas here is fellin you
Crash courses, slow down you can't learn that quick
Cuz I'm the dead eye, wit the red eye, from Chi to L-I
I thought y'all knew, every year I grew, I'm still growin
And in a year or two I hope my girl'll be showin
A male seed, praise God I name him Moses
I lead people I want him to, that's why I chose this
Now is the glass half-full or half-empty
Common, why they tempt me?
The king of the simply, bore in mic
I always stay on top cuz I give niggas what they like
I know y'all hate that why I feel I owe y'all everyday
If y'all hear it a thousand times, it's gon' be the same way
The 'Dat-Father, go farther, why bother
Now I'm a peaceful man, I don't want no stress
You know I'm still...

"Still gettin mine, in the" "ONE" "NINE" "NINE" "NINE"
*sample cut and played in background 3X*

[Common]
Yo yo, some get Range Rovers, some religion change-over
Angel on my main shoulder tellin me remain sober
Token nigga, game's over ain't no payola in freestyle
In battles, I'm warring/Warren like a G-Child
Searchin for the child in me, this style in me
This release is like the piece that's now in me
They tried to 'sassinate me god, like Martin on the bal-cony
Lyrically I put a hit on em, cuz I'm the style-Nitty
Catch a flick at the Liquid Kitty
Tryin to get a chick to kick it wit me till the tilt
Told her my Chamber's like Wilt
Built wit her for a sec, let her know I had respect
Less than a hour she was givin me neck, yo I'm still gettin mine...





"Still gettin mine, in the" "ONE" "NINE" "NINE" "NINE"
*sample cut and played in background 4X*

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Common's song "1-9-9-9" are about persevering and "still gettin mine" no matter the circumstances. The song features Common and Talib Kweli in the first verse, with Common discussing his struggles as a rapper and how he continues to fight for his freedom and respect in the industry. He recognizes his ancestors and hopes to walk with them in the promised land after facing mistreatment from record companies and other rappers. Common also acknowledges the fall of legends and the tough realities of life in the ghetto. However, he shines through with his metaphors and similes, using his poetry and street ministry to create a visitation in his music.


The second verse features Sadat X and Common, with Sadat X discussing his hardships and the stress of life. He talks about his experiences and how he always played the low, treating life like a competition but continuing to learn as time goes on. He also expresses his hope for a child in the future and his desire to lead people to greater things. Common joins in with his own verses, discussing how some people choose to splurge on material things while others like him remain focused on their craft. He references his battles and how he always stays on top by giving the people what they like. He describes his search for something deeper in himself and how he builds relationships with women before still getting his own.


Overall, the lyrics to "1-9-9-9" are a representation of the struggles and perseverance of Common, Talib Kweli, and Sadat X in the music industry and in life in general. The song is a reminder to stay focused on one's craft and to remain true to oneself, even when faced with adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Still gettin mine, in the ONE NINE NINE NINE
No matter what happens or what year it is, I am still making progress and succeeding.


Yo, just relax, take it easy slow down
It is important to slow down and appreciate life, even when it feels like time is slipping away quickly.


These record company niggas I don't like when I see em
I strongly dislike the executives who run the music industry and the way they treat artists.


My ancestors, when I'm writin I see em, and talk wit em
I feel a strong connection to my ancestors and seek inspiration from them when I am writing music.


MC's reckless ?I ball? why y'all wanna go and do that?
Other rappers are behaving recklessly and putting their careers in jeopardy. Why would they want to do that?


Niggas say I'm nice wit metaphors but these are similes
People often compliment my use of metaphors, but in reality, I am using similes to create images in my lyrics.


It's a fee, check it out
I am providing this music to the world, but it is not free. There is a cost associated with it.


On this great ball of stress that they call the earth
The world is a stressful and challenging place to live in.


Slip up and rhyme-ass niggas here is fellin you
Other rappers will not hesitate to criticize and ridicule me if I make a mistake when performing or recording music.


I'ma show y'all in rhyme just how much shit I been through
Through my lyrics, I will demonstrate all of the challenges and difficulties I have faced in life.


It's like a competition, this mission here I'm tellin you
The music industry is extremely competitive, and I must work hard to succeed in my mission of creating meaningful music.


Now is the glass half-full or half-empty
When faced with a difficult situation, it is important to have a positive outlook and see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty.


Common, why they tempt me?
Why do people try to tempt me or distract me from my goals?


Angel on my main shoulder tellin me remain sober
I am trying to stay sober and make positive decisions, and I am guided by a spiritual force.


Told her my Chamber's like Wilt
I am comparing my sexual prowess to that of basketball player Wilt Chamberlain.


Built wit her for a sec, let her know I had respect
I built a rapport with this woman quickly, and made sure she knew that I respected her.




Contributed by Henry N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@UPROXXVideo

Was this your favorite track from Rawkus' Soundbombing 2?

@maimelamodiba3159

Mine has to be WWIII- Pharoahe Monch

@andoldschool

1999

@jo0onvel

gotta be that Diamond D

@jsmak7617

I love this one. Btw Hi-Tek on the cut killing it too. For me it's a toss up between this one and 7XL.

@bigelakafatdaddychannel5002

Any man by Eminem

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@sebbyvancity

Hi-tek is mad underrated as a producer

@uptowngregory6947

Thats cuz the world ain't never ready for the real, and positivity 💯

@kelvinharris7338

Factz!!

@g0ldie89

Sirenz80 all of those was hitters too 💪🏽

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