Gladiator
Common Feat. Pharrell Williams Lyrics

Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Empty silence before the start of the song.

Nothing you can do [Repeat: x4]
The chorus repeats the line to emphasize that Common is undefeatable.

They say he's a radical, he don't fit the game
Common is seen as a radical who stands out from the traditional rap genre's typical style and rules.

A heart full of glory and a fist of pain
Common's music is full of passion and energy, bridging powerful emotions and crafty lyricism.

A couple of battle scars but shit's the same
Being a successful rapper does not change the fact that Common has gone through struggles and traumatic experiences, but his willpower remains firm.

Are you not entertained
A question directed at the audience, signifying Common's impressive performance should leave them entertained.

So all the onlookers and the bystanders
The audience watching Common's performance.

Wait til intermission, run buy your camera
An invitation to the audience to capture the memorable moment during intermission.

Record the moment, cause it'll be platinum
Common's performance is top-notch and will undoubtedly become a hit record.

And you could say you seen Common rock the stadium
The audience would be able to say that they witnessed Common's incredible performance at a huge venue.

I was told by a wise old to come from the heart
Common was advised by a wise elder to speak from his heart and to be honest when making music.

Though I might've did The Light, I don't run from the dark
Common's previous hit song 'The Light' featured a romantic theme, however, he is not afraid to delve into darker and heavier topics in his music.

The dark knight to spark mics, and start fights
Common is a master of words and can ignite and captivate his audience with his rapping skills.

The warrior archetype like Kimbo Slice
Common embodies the characteristics of bravery and strength like the late MMA fighter Kimbo Slice.

It's strength in the beard, am I loved or feared
Bearded men are usually seen as rugged, tough and powerful, Common is asking if he is seen as either a lovable or a feared person.

A beast amongst boys like Paul I'm revered...
Paul Bunyan, a famed American lumberjack known for his strength and stature, is being referred to as being revered like himself.

Well,
A pause indicating a change in thought or topic.

Like Jacob Jewel, I keep clientele
Jacob Jewel is a minor character from the TV series 'The Wire' who operates a corner store drug trade, it is not made clear how much Common relates to him.

You frail on the mic like you might break a nail
Common is noting that some rappers are weak on the mic, like they might be delicate enough to break a nail.

I might smoke a joint but I won't take the L
Common is saying that he may indulge in smoking weed but will not lose at any cost.

I knew a fat girl who broke the scales
Common is reminiscing about a girl who exceeded the weight limit of a weighing scale.

Still touched down cause I was off Artell
Artell is a street in Common's hometown, he is saying that he took inspiration from his roots and still made it big.

Had dreams of breaking Mike Vick out of jail
Common once had the absurd dream of breaking NFL quarterback Michael Vick out of prison.

Took the underground rail to the NFL
Common started from the bottom and used the underground rail (subway) to metaphorically reach the top or NFL.

I rebel, NYSL
As part of the rap game, Common is a rebel, making waves and taking the New York City rap scene by storm.

Here to leave a trail like Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela, the late South African president, left a lasting legacy and influence for future generations, just as Common hopes to do in his rap career.

My words is the sword, my skill is the shield
Common's mastery of language (words) is his weapon, and his skill at maneuvering emotions and thoughts like a shield.

My life is the style I stay dressed to kill
Common carries himself with style, literally and figuratively, in his music and in his life, ready to impress and make a statement.

A legend like Will Smith with the steel
Common is stating that he is a living legend, with the same level of acclaim and fame as Will Smith, known for his charm and wit.

I could save the world when shit get for real
Common claims he has the ability and charisma to help in challenging situations.

Skinny George Foreman, all in your grill
Common is likening himself to George Foreman, a former heavyweight champion who was also known for his inventing and pushing of the George Foreman Grill.

My rhyme style is blind, it's all in the feel
Common's rhyme style may not follow strict rhythm patterns, but it's raw and emotionally powerful, and comes from his intuition rather than strict adherence to the rules.

Touch it and watch the blood fall with the steel
Common's words are sharp and poignant, pierce like a blade, and can cause an emotional reaction.

The weak raps you wrote you could call that your will
Common is criticizing other rappers' weaker lyrics and saying they are nothing special.

My drive... Is how I stay the livest
Common's motivation and drive is what keeps him relevant and passionate.

Your guys got you gassed, my flow is a hybrid
Common's unique style and ability to fuse different genres together keeps him ahead of the game.

Crashed I survived it, gashes over eyelids
Common has been through tough times in his career, but he has come out on top with a few scars.

You easy to take out cause you hot garbage
Most rappers who follow the same path and style as others are seen by Common as disposable or unoriginal.

I'm amped like wattage, the truth nigga honest
Common's energy and transparency in his lyrics are what sets him apart from other rappers.

Any moment opponents drop out like college
Common's competitors are dropping out of the scene, like college dropouts.

Kneel and pay homage to the rap Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie's alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, was influential in the music industry, and Common is asking for that same kind of recognition for his contributions to rap music.

Stadium hands in the air fists balled up
Common's performance is so intense and entertaining, that his audience raises their hands in excitement and fists in support.

Feet in the dirt, blood on the shirt
Common has figurative scars from the trials and tribulations in his life.

Scars over bars, symbols of the work
Common's scars are physically evident proof of the work and dedication he has put into his music career.

Tight clothes the armor, center of the drama
Common's fashion may not be conventional, but it's his way of toughening himself up and standing out as a focal point of attention.

Defeat your whole army like this is Sparta
Common is an unstoppable force against his opponents, like how the 300 Spartans defeated the Persian army in ancient Greece.

So don't violate or you'll get violated
Common will not let anyone disrespect him, and he warns anyone against trying to do so.

Some of you model bitches is so overrated
Common is calling out the superficiality and overrated nature of some female models in the entertainment industry.

Don't mean to underrate it but damn it I made it
Common may seem like he is undervaluing his success, but he has still worked extremely hard to get to this point in his career.

In the water I waded on the corner I painted
Common has gone through hardships and stood his ground in his hometown, showing resilience even in the darkest of circumstances.

Draw blood like we related
Common can bring out an emotional and visceral reaction with his music, as if the listener is related to him.

MC's get de-decapitated
Common's skill at rapping is so sharp that he figuratively 'decapitates' other rappers or leaves them in the dust.

Syncopated is the style that I fight with, write with
Common doesn't follow a traditional rhythm with his lyrics, instead, it's displaced or off beat, throwing off his audience and competitors.

Mr. Excitement, change your face up like a white chick
Common's persona and energy is one that excites and captivates his audience, even like a white person trying on different looks and dressing up.

Then light shit up like a dread with the herbs
Common elevates his game to a higher level, akin to someone smoking marijuana (with the herbs).

Get sex in the city and head in the burbs
Common can find success in both big city life and the suburbs, and isn't limited to just one type of environment or style.

These are the words of a radical
Common's lyrics may seem controversial, especially in his approach to rap, but he stands by his words and doesn't conform to the standard.

The crowd applaud, I'm bowed, I'm proud
Common is proud of his achievement and receives acknowledgement from his audience for his hard work.

To be the gladiator
Common envisions himself to be like a gladiator or warrior, ready to fight and conquer in his music career.