Slippin'
DMX Lyrics

Hahaha, uh
Introductory sound effect indicating a lighthearted mood.

See, to live is to suffer
Existence is inherently characterized by hardship and pain.

But to survive
However, enduring such suffering is the key to persevering in life.

Well, that's to find meaning in the suffering
Only by locating significance within one's pain can they continue to thrive despite it.

Ay yo I'm slippin', I'm fallin', I can't get up
The artist feels like they are losing their grip on their life, falling down and unable to stand back up.

Ay yo I'm slippin', I'm fallin', I gots to get up
The singer acknowledges their struggle and expresses a desire to rise again.

Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up
The singer's motivation for regaining their footing is to become powerful and destructive.

I've been through mad different phases like mazes, to find my way
The artist has experienced a lot of confusing and complicated situations in an attempt to discover their path in life.

And now I know that happy days are not far away
The artist has come to understand that their current struggles will eventually lead to better times ahead.

If I'm strong enough I'll live long enough to see my kids
The artist is motivated to keep going because they want to be there for their children and watch them grow up.

Doin' somethin' more constructive with their time than bids
The singer wishes for their kids to lead meaningful and productive lives rather than spending time in prison.

Now I'm in there, sit back and look at what it took for me to get there
The artist has accomplished some level of success and is reflecting on the obstacles they have overcome to reach it.

First came the bullshit the drama with my Mama
The singer's first major struggle was dealing with family conflict, specifically with their mother.

She got on some fly shit, so I split
The singer distanced themselves from their mother's negative behavior and decided to become independent.

And said that I'ma be that seed that doesn't need much to succeed
The singer decided to rely on themselves and their own abilities for success rather than external factors.

Strapped with mad greed and a heart that doesn't bleed
The artist is driven by their desire for wealth and success and feels no remorse for their actions.

I'm ready for the world or at least I thought I was
The artist believed they were prepared for anything life could throw their way, but has since realized they were wrong.

Baggin' niggas when I caught a buzz for thinkin about how short I was
The singer felt the need to prove their toughness and would start fights when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Goin' too fast, it wouldn't last but yo, I couldn't tell
The singer was moving too quickly in life and did not realize that their actions would lead to negative consequences.

Group homes and institutions prepared my ass for jail
The artist has had difficult experiences that have conditioned them for potential imprisonment.

They put me in a situation, forcin' me to be a man
The artist was thrust into difficult circumstances that required them to mature and take responsibility for themselves.

When I was just learning to stand without a helpin' hand
The artist was still growing and developing, and had to learn self-reliance early on.

Damn, was it my fault? Something I did?
The singer questions whether they alone are responsible for the difficulties they have faced in life.

To make a father leave his first kid, at seven doin my first bid
The artist's father abandoned them at a young age, and the artist has already been to prison by age seven.

Back on the scene at fourteen with a scheme
After their release, the singer formulated a plan to gain wealth and success.

To get more cream than I'd ever seen in a dream
The singer's goal is to accumulate wealth beyond even their wildest dreams.

And by all means I will be livin' high off the hog
The singer is determined to live a life of luxury and indulgence.

And I never gave a fuck about much but my dog
Excluding their pet dog, the artist does not care about anyone or anything besides themselves and their own goals.

That's the only muthafucka I'd hit off with my last
The artist would only share what they have with their pet dog, not with anyone else.

Just another little nigga headed nowhere fast
The singer is aware that their current trajectory is leading to a dead end.

Actions become bolder, heart got colder
As the singer gets older, they become more reckless and their emotions harden.

Chip on my shoulder that I dared a nigga to touch
The artist is carrying around a sense of hostility that they are unafraid of expressing and challenging others to confront.

Didn't need a clique 'cause I scared a nigga that much
The artist does not require support from a group because they are intimidating enough on their own.

One deep with the pit, startin' shit for kicks
The artist associates only with their pitbull and enjoys causing trouble for fun.

Catchin' vics, throwin' bricks, gettin' by bein' slick
The singer participates in criminal activity, taking advantage of others' weaknesses and getting away with it through cunning tactics.

Used to get high just to get by
The artist turned to drugs as a means of coping with their difficult life.

Ate somethin', a couple of forties made me hate something
The singer would drink alcohol to the point of anger and hatred towards others.

I did some coke now I'm ready to take something
The singer would use cocaine, which would make them feel powerful and confident enough to commit robbery or other violent acts.

Three years later showing signs of stress
After several years of living this way, the singer is beginning to feel the toll of their actions.

Didn't keep my hair cut or give a fuck how I dressed
The artist has begun to let their appearance deteriorate as they become increasingly apathetic.

I'm possessed by the darker side, livin' the cruddy life
The artist feels like they are being consumed by their bad side, forced to live a life of poverty and crime.

Shit like this kept a nigga with a bloody knife
The singer's experiences have led them to become violent and dangerous, capable of using weapons.

Wanna make records but I'm fuckin' it up
The singer has a desire to pursue a career in music, but their destructive behavior is preventing them from achieving this goal.

Wasn't long before I hit rock bottom
The artist has reached their lowest point in life.

Niggas talkin' shit, was like "Damn, look how that rock got him"
Others are gossiping about the artist's fall from grace.

Open like a window, no more indo
The artist has become more receptive to change and growth, and is no longer using marijuana to escape reality.

Look at a video, say to myself "that could've been yo
The singer is beginning to see the potential they had to succeed and is learning to take responsibility for their mistakes.

Ass on the TV", believe me, it could be done
The artist realizes that they have the ability to achieve their dreams and be successful, as evidenced by others who have done so.

Somethin' gots to give, gots to change 'cause now I got a son
The singer is motivated to change their ways because they have a child to take care of and set an example for.

I gots to do the right thing for shorty
The singer must make better choices and live a positive life for the sake of their child.

And that means no more gettin' high, drinkin' 40s
The singer is committing to sobriety and no longer relying on drugs or alcohol to cope with their problems.

So I get back lookin' type slick again
The artist is taking care of their appearance and regaining confidence in themselves.

Fake niggas jump back on my dick again
Phony acquaintances are now trying to associate with the artist again, hoping to benefit from their success.

Nothin' but love for those that know how it feel
The singer appreciates those who have experienced similar struggles and empathize with their journey.

And much respect to all my niggas that kept it real
The singer is grateful to those who have been honest and supportive throughout their struggles.

Kept a nigga strong, kept a nigga from doin' wrong
The love and support of others has kept the artist motivated and prevented them from making bad choices.

Niggas know who they is and this is yo fuckin' song
The artist is grateful to their true friends and dedicated this song to them.

And to my boo who stuck with a nigga through
The artist thanks their romantic partner for staying with them through their difficult times.

All the bullshit, you'll get yours because it's due
The singer promises that their loved ones will be rewarded for their steadfastness and support.