Ghetto Dreams
Common [Ft. Nas] Lyrics

Ghetto dreams
The aspirations of those living in poverty-stricken neighborhoods.

Ghetto ghetto dreams
Reinforcement of the idea that the dreams discussed are those of people living in the ghetto.

Ghetto niggas' dreams
Further clarification that the dreams being discussed belong to black people living in rough areas.

From the hood
Confirmation of the artists and subjects' origins and current place of living.

I want a bitch that look good and cook good
The artist desires a partner who is both visually and culinarily appealing.

Cinderella fancy, but she still look hood
The singer wants a partner that is well-kept and classy, but still retains their ghetto roots and cultural identity.

Butt naked in the kitchen flipping pancakes
The singer and their partner enjoy engaging in sexual activity while cooking breakfast in the nude.

Plus she tricking from the dough that her man makes
The partner is making extra money on the side, likely through illegal means, using the artist's financial resources.

We got our own handshake
The artist and their partner have a special physical greeting, indicating a unique and deep bond between them.

Her titties ain't fake
The partner's breasts are natural, not surgically enhanced.

Fucking in the car cause we just can't wait to get home
The singer and their partner engage in sexual activity in the car out of impatience to arrive home to engage in the act.

Early in the morn' getting stoned
The artist and their partner smoke marijuana early in the morning.

Pretty with her eyes low, runny by Bible
The partner appears beautiful, perhaps tired or under the influence, and has likely been crying if their eyes are low and runny.

The type of bitch that BIG said he would die for
Referencing The Notorious B.I.G.'s song 'Me & My Bitch', the singer is stating that their partner is of a similar caliber to the women mentioned in the song.

Is the type that I would rather stay alive for
The singer values their partner highly and would not want to live without them.

Tatts on her back, looking all tribal
The partner has tattoos on their back that appear to be inspired by tribal designs.

She know shoes like she know survival
The partner is highly knowledgeable about fashion, specifically shoes, and it is crucial to their survival in their environment.

Well put together, she weathers the storm
The partner is able to present themselves in a pristine, polished way, even in difficult or turbulent situations.

Seen her brother die so forever she's strong
The partner has endured the tragedy of losing a family member to violence, which has made them emotionally resilient.

Hear Beyonce's song and she gotta perform
The partner loves Beyonce so much that she feels the need to sing and dance along to her songs whenever they come on.

Whether fucking or fighting: we getting it on!
The artist and their partner are down for anything, whether they are engaging in sexual activity or defending themselves in a physical altercation.

I don't even say shit, she can feel it
The artist's partner is so in tune with them that they do not need to communicate verbally to understand each other.

I toss the realest, sold nails acrylic
The singer throws the most authentic, genuine raps, likening it to acrylic nails that have been professionally affixed and are unlikely to come off.

Ass is a weapon and it's hard to conceal it
The partner's buttocks are so prominent and attractive that they can be considered a weapon, both in terms of sexual allure and in potentially distracting or disarming opponents.

Baby in one arm, the other is a skillet
The partner is able to juggle carrying a child and cooking at the same time.

Frying chicken, macaroni
The partner is preparing a meal of fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.

Raise on the [?] ghetto press, she's my apolonni like Tony, Montana
The partner has likely grown up in a poor, urban environment, and she resembles Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone from the film The Godfather after Tony Montana marries her.

Reminded me of [?] or my mama
The partner has qualities that make the artist think of a past love interest or their own mother, such as being nurturing, caring, and supportive.

Knowing the drama like she know when to joke
The partner is familiar with the ups and downs of life and has a solid sense of timing when it comes to making jokes or lightening the mood during difficult times.

Steal a nigga's squares, not wanting me to smoke
The partner is protective of the singer's health and wants them to quit or avoid smoking cigarettes.

I poke my head out of Benzes
The singer pops their head out of their Mercedes-Benz vehicles, indicating they are wealthy and successful.

My beats is the streets and I know who my friends is
The artist's music is aimed at fans who come from the ghetto and the streets, and they are aware of who their true fans and supporters are.

In this love for the money, power and clothes
Speaks to a trend of valuing wealth, status, and clothing in hip-hop culture.

My ghetto housewife watch reality shows
The artist's partner is interested in watching reality shows, perhaps as a means of escaping from their everyday life.

She might get to snapping if the canvas ain't closed
The partner can become angry or upset if the sheets covering their furniture, likely hand-me-downs or lower-quality, are not properly tucked in or closed.

When the cameras snap snapping, she's ready to pose
The partener likes to be photographed and is always ready to pose when cameras are around.

I notice all my flaws when it comes to writing rhymes
The singer is highly critical of their own work and recognizes their weaknesses in their writing abilities.

Subject matter be changing too quickly at times
The singer can sometimes struggle with staying on topic or keeping their subject matter consistent throughout a song.

So I keep it strictly 'bout dimes and stick to the story
The singer limits their songs to topics about attractive women and maintains a coherent narrative throughout the track.

Call me a pro in the pussy category
The artist is highly skilled when it comes to seducing and pleasing women, likening themselves to a professional in that regard.

Had explicit experiences I shouldn't mention
The artist has had sexual experiences that are inappropriate or not suitable to discuss publicly.

For me, getting women turn from sport to addiction
The act of pursuing and sleeping with women has turned from a hobby or pastime to an addiction for the singer.

Powerful women playing the roles of submission
The singer is often attracted to and sleeps with women who are typically in a dominant position, but act submissive around them.

Lawyers on leashes
The artist is involved with powerful women, possibly lawyers, that he has control or power over in the relationship.

Congress women inflicting pain onto my game
The artist has been involved with powerful women, possibly members of Congress, who have caused harm to his reputation or career.

Warned that I'm sadistic
People have cautioned the artist that they exhibit cruel, violent tendencies in their relationships.

They liked it, they diked it, devices twisted
The singer's partners, both men and women, enjoy their sadistic tendencies and perverse sexual proclivities.

Til I get a nice chick, to get me on some nice shit
The artist is waiting to find a partner who is more wholesome and can introduce him to more positive lifestyle choices.

Crib raising kids, slap a door behind a white fist
The singer wants to have a family and live in a nice house, but will not tolerate any form of racism or discrimination.

But I'm still single, looking for Cleopatra
The singer is currently unattached and searching for a partner who embodies the qualities of Cleopatra, such as beauty, intelligence, and strength.

African Queen, yo look at me, I'm a bachelor
The singer is highlighting his status as an eligible, wealthy bachelor who is looking for a suitable partner.

Y'all niggas in trouble, keeping girls behind closed doors
The artist is warning other men who keep their partners hidden or behind closed doors, possibly out of shame or to keep them from him.

Cross your fingers, be happy I haven't chose yours
The artist is warning other men to be grateful that he has not targeted or stolen their partners for himself.

She loves glamor bought Vera Wang sandals
The singer's partner enjoys luxury and high-end fashion, as seen through her purchase of designer sandals.

Valentino bags is my etiquette
The singer and his partner believe that carrying luxury fashion brands, such as Valentino, is a mark of proper social etiquette.

My man is half hood half class
The artist's partner sees him as having equal parts ghetto and upper-class qualities.

Photographers cameras caught us out there
The artist and his partner have been photographed by paparazzi during public outings.

The spotlight, I hope she can handle
The artist's partner is in the public eye with him and he hopes she can handle the attention and scrutiny that comes with it.

She can join me, red carpet at my next non-profit
The singer's partner is invited to attend a glamorous, red-carpet event with him, likely for a charity or philanthropic cause.

Event having sponsored by some alcohol product
The event may be sponsored by an alcohol brand or similar company.

Jumping out a Bentley with some fresh red bottoms
The singer and his partner will likely arrive at the event in a Bentley car, and both will be wearing new pairs of luxury shoes with red soles, likely by Christian Louboutin.

You live the dream with me when you are just in the projects
The singer is inviting his partner, who likely comes from a poverty-stricken neighborhood, to live the life of luxury and success with him.