Recognize
DJ Premier ft. The Lox Lyrics

Ruff, Ruff, Ruff, Ruff, Ruff, Ruff, Ruff, Ruff
Intense, rugged, and rough.

Uh, Ruff Ryders
Referencing the Ruff Ryders hip hop collective, which the artists are affiliated with.

Uh-huh, yeah, yeah, yeah (don’t get it twisted y’all)
Affirmative agreement to previous statements, with a warning to not misunderstand.

Ruff Ryders, ha
Again referencing the Ruff Ryders collective.

Fuck I’m talkin’ about right here (don’t get it twisted y’all)
Exclamation to establish that the following statement is serious and should not be misunderstood.

Recognize, recognize, recognize
Demanding to be acknowledged or respected.

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Affirmative agreement to previous statements.

Yo (don’t get it twisted y’all)
Informal greeting, again with a warning to not misunderstand.

Now I know y’all couldn’t wait to hear Kiss over Premier
Acknowledging the anticipation and excitement for the collaboration.

Kill you on tape, then watch it over a beer
Threatening violence and bragging about taking pleasure in it.

‘Cause you ain’t nothin’ but a movie with expensive footage
Insulting the target by comparing them to merely a façade or image with little true substance.

That’s the reason they gon’ leave you with expensive bullets
Implying that those who put forth a false image cannot expect protection or respect.

Ain’t none of y’all better than LOX
Asserting that their group is superior to the target(s).

Have all of y’all dressed up in a suit, dead in a box
Threatening to kill and use the target(s) as a display.

Me and my niggas get redder than fox
Boasting about being aggressive and dominant in their actions.

And I don’t care if I love you, I still want head of the drop
Implying that even if they have connections to the target(s) or feel fondness, they will still seek power over them.

Niggas runnin’ round talkin’ that Y2K shit
Referencing the hysteria surrounding the year 2000 and using it to belittle the target(s).

Crackheads’ll still gon’ want that gray shit
Implying that even with societal change or advancements, certain desires remain the same.

That’s why I’ma always cop the yay quick
Insinuating drug dealing and asserting an ability to act quickly.

So I suggest all of y’all stay on J dick
Encouraging those who may oppose to stay quiet and/or cooperate.

Too hard for MTV, not black enough for BET, just let me be
Expressing discomfort with fitting into mainstream media spaces.

Give me all my royalty money and let me re
Demanding rightful payment and the ability to produce music as desired.

And I’ma have O’s for six and halves for three, uh
Boasting about potential drug sales and profits.

L to the O to the X
Spelling out LOX’s initials.

(Ruff Ryders, ha)
Repeating reference to Ruff Ryders.

Uh-huh
Affirmative agreement to previous statements.

L-O-X niggas
Abbreviating and asserting their group name.

Ayo, I give it to you point blank, in your moms place
Threatening extreme violence and/or asserting ability to inflict violence.

So like point break, with a mask on with the presidents face
Making a reference to a film and implying a similar style of bold aggression.

Clear my space, when big Sheek crash the boards
Asserting dominance and ordering others to give them room.

Y’all ain’t just mark niggas, y’all Hallmark niggas
Insulting the target(s) by comparing them to a commercial card company.

With all that soft ass writin’ might as well be in cards
Dismissing the target’s value and relevance, implying that their “soft” writing does not belong in the music industry.

You don’t gamble with your life, when I launch these torpedoes
Warning the target(s) of potential danger if they attempt to threaten the LOX.

That’ll shoot the crack out your ass at Foxwood casinos
Making a violent threat and referencing a casino.

Just me and my Gambinos drunk as fuck
Boasting about drinking and associating with a powerful crime family.

Winter time parking lot, DVD in the truck
Describing a situation that is colder physically and metaphorically.

I been drunk most my life, don’t ask me why
Acknowledging a personal issue or struggle.

Through ninth grade, I ain’t go to high school, I went to school high
Describing a lifestyle of using drugs and not prioritizing education.

And I don’t care what y’all got, that shit don’t excite me
Dismissing the target(s) and indicating a lack of need for their amenities or luxuries.

I’m black and deadly and my burner just like me
Boasting about being dangerous and armed.

And I’m quick to stick one of y’all on tour at the Sheraton
Threatening to harm the target(s) while they are supposedly in a safe place.

See what’s yours can be mine without inherittin’
Asserting that they can acquire what they want by force or through other means.

Give up your chains and them little diamonds in your ear
Demanding the target(s) relinquish their possessions.

Is it worth your family cryin’ and the doctor yellin’, “Clear!” huh?
Asking if the target(s) really want to put themselves and their families in danger.

ha, don’t get it twisted y’all
Informal expression with a warning to not misunderstand.

If I knew heaven had a ghetto that was sweeter than here
Expressing desire to live in a place that is both euphoric and similar to their current environment.

You know the P’ll pack his bag and just leave next year
Implying that the artist may abandon their current lifestyle someday.

But I got a son to raise so I’ma stay in this hell
Acknowledging a sense of responsibility and/or necessity to stay in their current environment.

And I gotta gun to blaze if you play with the L, dot O, dot X, dot at the end
Warning against provoking the group and threatening that they are armed.

We the niggas that’s gon’ leave with the pot at the end
Asserting that they will come out on top and succeed.

Never too young to die or too old to live
Acknowledging that anyone can die at any time, but asserting that they will always live on.

Ain’t it hard to buss your gun? Go home and mold your kid
Reflecting on the difficulties of their lifestyle and encouraging others to prioritize raising their children.

I’m ashamed I sell crack, but I’ma ride for the moment
Acknowledging moral ambiguity and the idea of “survival mode”. Suggesting that in the current circumstances, drug dealing is necessary for survival.

Know the consequence, I’ma die with the omen
Acknowledging the risks of their lifestyle and implying that they have accepted it.

Two is better than one, there’s three of The LOX
Asserting the strength and power of their group dynamic.

Key in the pot, key in the drop, key to the top
Making a pun out of the word “key” and asserting that they have keys to power and money.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost of rap
Comparing themselves to a holy trinity and asserting their importance in the rap industry.

Three into one, seein’ a gun and usin’ it dog
Metaphorically describing themselves as one united entity that is capable of wielding weapons.

Dope in the six, coke in the five, weed in the four
Listing various drugs they have access to and can sell.

The ice is for my niggas but the heat is for y’all
Asserting that their wealth and luxuries are only for those in their group, but their weapons are for anyone who opposes them.

Recognize
Demanding once again to be acknowledged or respected.