Southside
Common Lyrics

I know you're thinking, thinking it must be
I understand you may be wondering if my flow is immaculate

Armor All flow cause it never get rusty
My flow is so consistent that it's like it's been treated with Armor All and never loses its shine

I ain't gotta say it, man dawg trust me
I don't need to explain or boast about my skills, just trust me

Bust somebody head, GLC where was we?
GLC and I were together when someone needed a beatdown

Still rock the Prada 'fore that, rock the Starter
Before I could afford designer clothes, I wore Starter and now I rock Prada

N****s had the Georgetown, the Magic way harder
Growing up, some people in my neighborhood had Georgetown or Magic jerseys that were much cooler than mine

Thinking back to the projects, and they way they tore 'em all up
Reflecting on my past experiences in public housing and how they were often run down and unsafe

Like when I do a project, and come back and tear the mall up
When I put in work on a new music project, I come back stronger than ever and dominate the scene

We coming from the South (side), South (side)
From the Southside of Chicago, we represent our roots and take pride in where we come from

The broads, the cars, the half moon, the stars
In this industry, there are plenty of women and cars to go around, but everyone wants to be a star

I'm like Jeff Fort the way I get behind bars
I work just as hard as gang leader Jeff Fort did when he was locked up

Burn CDs with no regard for the stars
I make music for my fans without worrying about mainstream approval or chart success

Come to the crib with conflict diamonds and they ours
I don't shy away from controversy or the use of diamonds even if they are associated with conflict

Back in '94 they call me Chi-town's Nas
In 1994, I was compared to Nas and likened to a legendary figure in the rap game

Now them n****s know I'm one of Chi-town's gods
Today, everybody recognizes me as a god-like figure in Chicago's music scene

We eating Joe, you still talking no carbs
I'm making moves and eating well, while you're still struggling and not getting anywhere

A conscious n**** with mac like Steve Jobs
I'm a socially conscious artist with as much influence and power as Steve Jobs

Your fly is open, McFly
I see your fly is open like McFly's was in Back to the Future

The crowd is open I think I know why
The crowd is receptive to my music and I know exactly why that is

I'm back from the future seen it with my own eyes
I'm confident in my abilities after seeing my own success and accomplishments in the future

And yep, I'm still the future of the Chi
I'm still the future of Chicago's music scene, just as I was when I started out

Back in college I had to get my back up off the futon
When I was in college, I had to work hard to make a name for myself instead of just sitting on my futon

I knew that I couldn't cop a coup with no coupons
I knew that I couldn't afford luxury cars without working hard and earning the money

Look at that neutron on his green like crutons
Look at that newcomer on the scene trying to make a name for himself but getting lost in the mix

People asking him, 'Do you have any grey poupon?'
People are mocking him as if he's so out of touch that he would have fancy mustard in his car

You in the building but the buildings falling
You're in the music industry, but the industry itself is struggling and declining

You wouldn't be ballin' if your name was Spalding
If you didn't have the fame and recognition, you wouldn't be successful in the industry

My mind get flooded I think about New Orleans
Thinking about the devastation and tragedy that hit New Orleans with Hurricane Katrina causes me to become deeply introspective

Bout to school y'all n****s, you should call him August
I'm about to educate people and am doing so as effectively as back to school season does in August

I'm the sun that goes down but I'm still revolving
Although I may have some setbacks or low points, I continue to move and shine like the sun revolve around the earth

Southside walk it out, while still you're crawlin'
From the Southside, I'm making moves and walking tall while others are still struggling to crawl forward

If rap was Harlem, I be James Baldwin
If rap music was a movement in Harlem in the 1960s, I would be a legendary writer and a voice of the people like James Baldwin

With money in the bank like G. Rap, we're calling
I'm as wealthy and successful as legendary rapper G. Rap, so pick up the phone and call me

With n****s masked up like Phantom of the Opera
With people wearing masks and hiding behind a facade like the Phantom of the Opera

Dreaming of the day they push a phantom to the operas
Dreaming of the day when they will become so successful and wealthy that they can afford to attend high-class events like the opera

Can't wait till they say, 'Ye ran up at the Oscars.'
I'm eagerly anticipating the day when they recognize my talent and award me with an Oscar

Poppa, I heard his life is like a movie
People talk about his life like it's a movie and full of drama and intrigue

Like when Em' played him and Mekhi played a rasta
Referring to the movie 8 Mile where Eminem played a character based on his life and Mekhi Phifer played his friend

Mexicans gonna love it like it was for La Raza
Mexicans will support and appreciate his story and art, just like how La Raza is a phrase that means 'The People' and represents Mexican pride

But this is for the mobsters, Holla
This message is meant for everyone, especially for the people who are living a certain lifestyle or come from a certain background

We some true chi-town legends, accept no imposters
We are true legends of Chicago's music scene, and there is no substitute or replacement for us

The un-American idol, tower like the Eiffel
I'm a unique and unconventional idol, standing tall and strong like the Eiffel Tower

Lean wit it, rock wit it, Black like the Disciples
I move and groove with the beat and rhythm, representing Black power like the Disciples gang

Know when to use a bible, and when to use a rifle
I am wise and discerning, knowing when to use peaceful methods and when to defend myself with more aggressive means

You rap like you should be on the back of a motorcycle
Your style is so rough and gritty that you sound like you belong on a motorcycle instead of the stage

Caught a case of robbery, and 'Beat It' like Michael
I faced a criminal charge for robbery, but I fought and overcame it, like how Michael Jackson sang about standing up against adversity in 'Beat It'

Your career is a typo, mine was written like a haiku
Your career is a mess and full of mistakes, while mine is carefully crafted and thought out like a haiku

I write to 'Do the Right Thing' like Spike do
I write and rap with the same social consciousness and messages that Spike Lee includes in his films, like 'Do the Right Thing'

Through Conflicts that's Crucial and Drama that's Psycho
I navigate through difficult situations and handle intense melodrama with ease and grace