The music video was directed by Joseph Kahn and produced by Lanette Phillips and Stefan Belafonte.
Who We Be
DMX Lyrics
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Another one of those
(This is for my nigga Q)
Down to earth joints
(Rest in peace, baby
You know how we roll)
There's so many that don't know (you knew I could do it)
They don't know who we be (this goes out to my nigga Q, rest in peace, baby)They don't know who we be (but you still here with me)
What they don't know is
The bullshit, the drama (uh), the guns, the armor (uh)
The city, the farmer, the babies, the mama (what)
The projects, the drugs (uh), the children, the thugs (uh)
The tears, the hugs, the love, the slugs (come on)
The funerals, the wakes, the churches, the coffins (uh)
The heartbroken mothers, it happens too often (why?)
The problems, the things we use to solve 'em (what)
Yonkers, the Bronx (uh), Brooklyn, Harlem (come on)
The hurt, the pain, the dirt, the rain (uh)
The jerk, the fame, the work, the game (uh)
The friends, the foes, the Benz, the hoes (what)
The studios, the shows, comes and it goes (come on)
The jealousy, the envy, the phony, the friendly (uh-huh)
The one that gave 'em the slugs, the one that put 'em in me (woo)
The snakes, the grass too long to see (uh, uh)
The lawnmower sittin' right next to the tree (come on)
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be
What we seeing isThe streets, the cops, the system, harassment (uh-huh)
The options, get shot, go to jail, or getcha ass kicked (aight)
The lawyers, the part they are of the puzzle (uh-huh)
The release, the warning, "Try not, to get in trouble" (damn)
The snitches, the odds (uh), probation, parole (what)
The new charge, the bail, the warrant, the hole (damn)
The cell, the bus, the ride up north (uh-huh)
The greens, the boots, the yard, the court (uh)
The fightin', the stabbin', the pullin', the grabbin' (what)
The riot squad with the captain, nobody knows what happened (what)
The two years in a box, revenge, the plots (uh)
The twenty-three hours that's locked, the one hour that's not (uh)
The silence, the dark, the mind so fragile (aight)
The wish that the streets would have took you when they had you (damn)
The days, the months, the years, despair
One night on my knees, here it comes, the prayer
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be
This here is all about
My wife, my kids (uh-huh), the life that I live (uh-huh)
Through the night I was his (uh-huh), it was right what I did (uh-huh)
My ups and downs (uh), my slips, my falls (uh)
My trials and tribulations (uh), my heart, my balls (uh)
My mother, my father, I love 'em, I hate 'em (uh)
Wish God, I didn't have 'em, but I'm glad that he made 'em (uh)
The roaches, the rats, the strays, the cats (what, what)
The guns, knives and bats, every time we scrap
The hustlin', the dealin', the robbin', the stealin' (uh)
The shit hit the ceilin', little boy with no feelin's (damn)
The frustration, rage, trapped inside a cage
The beatings 'til the age I carried a twelve gauge (aight)
Somebody stop me (please), somebody come and get me (what)
Little did I know that the Lord was ridin' with me
The dark, the light (uh), my heart (uh), the fight (uh)
The wrong (uh), the right (uh), it's gone (uh), aight
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be (come on)
(They don't know who we be) Man, listen
(They don't know who we be) These motherfuckers don't know who we are, they don't know
(They don't know who we be) They couldn't possibly fuckin' know, dog)
That's from the heart
(Come on)
(Dog, this shit is crazy)
In DMX's song "Who We Be," the rapper confronts the listener with the harsh realities of life in an urban setting. The song serves as both a tribute to a friend who has passed away (Q) and a warning to those who may underestimate the struggles faced by African-American communities. DMX lists various challenges that he and others must endure, including poverty, police brutality, gang violence, and incarceration. He also touches on the emotional toll that these experiences have on individuals, such as heartbroken mothers and feelings of frustration and rage.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the complexities of urban life and highlight the resilience of those who continue to endure despite the odds against them. DMX is known for his raw and emotive delivery, and in this song, he provides a powerful commentary on the difficulties faced by those in marginalized communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, yeah
Beginning of the song
Another one of those
Introducing another song about the realities of life
(This is for my nigga Q)
Dedication to a departed friend
Down to earth joints
A realistic song
(Rest in peace, baby
You know how we roll)
Offering condolences and a reminder of their bond
There's so many that don't know (you knew I could do it)
People being unaware of their true selves
They don't know who we be (this goes out to my nigga Q, rest in peace, baby)
Their true selves that Q knew
They don't know who we be (but you still here with me)
Q's memory is still alive
What they don't know is
People don't know about their struggles
The bullshit, the drama (uh), the guns, the armor (uh)
Problems in life that require protection
The city, the farmer, the babies, the mama (what)
Life's cycle that affects many types of people
The projects, the drugs (uh), the children, the thugs (uh)
Issues in low-income areas
The tears, the hugs, the love, the slugs (come on)
Emotions felt in violent circumstances
The funerals, the wakes, the churches, the coffins (uh)
Services to mourn the dead
The heartbroken mothers, it happens too often (why?)
Mothers grieving for their children who are killed too frequently
The problems, the things we use to solve 'em (what)
The ways people try to fix problems
Yonkers, the Bronx (uh), Brooklyn, Harlem (come on)
New York City neighborhoods with unique problems
The hurt, the pain, the dirt, the rain (uh)
Life's difficulties
The jerk, the fame, the work, the game (uh)
The ups and downs of life
The friends, the foes, the Benz, the hoes (what)
Associations and possessions
The studios, the shows, comes and it goes (come on)
The entertainment industry and its fleeting nature
The jealousy, the envy, the phony, the friendly (uh-huh)
People who love you and people who don't
The one that gave 'em the slugs, the one that put 'em in me (woo)
Those responsible for harming others
The snakes, the grass too long to see (uh, uh)
People who are deceptive
The lawnmower sittin' right next to the tree (come on)
The solution is nearby, but not obvious
They don't know who we be
People don't understand their struggles
What we seeing is
A recount of their experiences
The streets, the cops, the system, harassment (uh-huh)
Struggles faced on the streets and with law enforcement
The options, get shot, go to jail, or getcha ass kicked (aight)
Outcomes of dangerous situations
The lawyers, the part they are of the puzzle (uh-huh)
The role of legal professionals in navigating the system
The release, the warning, "Try not, to get in trouble" (damn)
The messages people receive after serving time
The snitches, the odds (uh), probation, parole (what)
The difficulties of serving time and getting out
The new charge, the bail, the warrant, the hole (damn)
The ongoing cycle of legal trouble
The cell, the bus, the ride up north (uh-huh)
The different stages of serving time
The greens, the boots, the yard, the court (uh)
Life in jail
The fightin', the stabbin', the pullin', the grabbin' (what)
Violence in jail
The riot squad with the captain, nobody knows what happened (what)
The chaos and confusion of riots in jail
The two years in a box, revenge, the plots (uh)
Long periods of time locked up and plotting revenge
The twenty-three hours that's locked, the one hour that's not (uh)
The limited time spent out of a cell
The silence, the dark, the mind so fragile (aight)
The damaging effects of being locked up alone
The wish that the streets would have took you when they had you (damn)
Regret for the actions that led to time in jail
The days, the months, the years, despair
The heavy feeling of time spent locked up and the emotion that comes with it
One night on my knees, here it comes, the prayer
Turning to faith during difficult times
This here is all about
Reflecting on their lives
My wife, my kids (uh-huh), the life that I live (uh-huh)
Their family and their choices
Through the night I was his (uh-huh), it was right what I did (uh-huh)
Recalling moments of support from loved ones
My ups and downs (uh), my slips, my falls (uh)
The highs and lows of their lives
My trials and tribulations (uh), my heart, my balls (uh)
The challenges faced and the character needed to overcome them
My mother, my father, I love 'em, I hate 'em (uh)
Complex emotions towards their parents
Wish God, I didn't have 'em, but I'm glad that he made 'em (uh)
Gratefulness despite the difficulties
The roaches, the rats, the strays, the cats (what, what)
Living conditions and wildlife encountered
The guns, knives and bats, every time we scrap
Weapons used in confrontations
The hustlin', the dealin', the robbin', the stealin' (uh)
Criminal activities engaged in
The shit hit the ceilin', little boy with no feelin's (damn)
Hitting rock bottom and feeling numb
The frustration, rage, trapped inside a cage
The emotional turmoil of being trapped
The beatings 'til the age I carried a twelve gauge (aight)
Carrying a weapon for protection
Somebody stop me (please), somebody come and get me (what)
The need for help to escape a chaotic life
Little did I know that the Lord was ridin' with me
Finding faith in difficult moments
The dark, the light (uh), my heart (uh), the fight (uh)
Dualities faced in life and the battles they fight
The wrong (uh), the right (uh), it's gone (uh), aight
The impermanence of life's moments
They don't know who we be (come on)
Repeating the message that others don't understand them
(They don't know who we be) Man, listen
Reiterating the message
(They don't know who we be) These motherfuckers don't know who we are, they don't know
Calling out those who don't understand them
(They don't know who we be) They couldn't possibly fuckin' know, dog)
Emphasizing the difficulty of truly understanding someone's life story
That's from the heart
The song is a reflection of their true selves
(Come on)
Encouraging listeners to keep going
(Dog, this shit is crazy)
Acknowledging the craziness of life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mickey Davis, Earl Simmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GRIMEREPORTTV
This is one of the hardest tracks ever recorded
@pathfinder9mainramos189
Yes
@martinwhite8503
EVER💯
@dantegreen4094
Without QUESTION
@jairolicona5736
Yes sir
@seanjenkins331
Nobody had more energy in the studio. He went HARD
@dmy101184
“The snakes, the grass too long to see. The lawnmower sitting right next to the tree.” Sometimes the solution to our problems be right in front of our face unwilling to be used.
@isaacmbela8196
Deep
@Mana-with-Heather
This year, let's remember, the 2nd Amendment is for ALL OF US in the US.
Be smart, be prepared. 💚💚💚
Peace.
@alissagirlofwonder
@@Mana-with-Heatherthank you for this