Black Habits I
D Smoke Lyrics

Mm, Supa Good
The song starts with a positive affirmation and sets a good mood for the listener.

Inglewood
Refers to the artist's hometown, Inglewood, California.

Purple rain fallin' down on a prince of the coast where the sun shine
Uses a metaphor to describe the artist's experiences as a talented musician from a sunny coastal city who faces challenges just like Prince did in his career.

All year 'round (mm)
In Inglewood, the sun shines all year round, which the artist appreciates and wants to acknowledge with this line.

Purple haze over landscapes, still I hydrate in a lunch line
Describes how the artist navigates through urban landscapes of smog and clouds, but finds peace and hope in small moments of getting hydrated while standing in a lunch line.

With the smog and clouds (what?) Start me out (uh)
Continues to describe the artist's environment in Inglewood, where pollution and low-income areas are prevalent, but he is still motivated to start his music career and succeed.

This song's in the key of life and love is in need of more
Compares this song, and implicitly all of the artist's music, to the positive and healing aspects of life, and suggests that more love is always needed in the world.

Young nigga from Inglewood, barefoot on a cedar floor
Describes the artist's humble beginnings in Inglewood, where he grew up without many luxuries, but also notes a moment where he stood out by standing on a nice cedar floor.

If black music is the blood, then my heart has been beatin' more
Compares black music to the life force of blood, and emphasizes how much the artist is inspired and connected to it.

Rapidly, happily, I look back on Afeni Shakur
Acknowledges the influence and legacy of Afeni Shakur, and notes how grateful the artist is to have been impacted by her and her son's music (2Pac).

Her son paved the way, now all eyes on me
Refers to the iconic phrase/album title of 2Pac, and how the artist feels that he is now carrying on the torch that Pac lit for young black musicians and activists.

'Cause I'm young, black and gifted, Nina, all eyes gon' see
References another iconic black artist, Nina Simone, and positions the artist himself as gifted, proud, and ready to be recognized by the larger world.

If you swung back when faced with a challenge that's meant to break you, unbalanced
Suggests the importance of resilience, and how bouncing back from challenging situations requires a lot of strength and balance.

Scales, you ain't average, now throw your hands on three
Continues the metaphor of balance, and encourages the listener to recognize their own unique talent and worth, while also calling them to action (throwing their hands up).

Go on and put 'em up for
Sets up the refrain that starts with 'Black magic, black excellence...'

Black magic, black excellence
Highlights the power and beauty of blackness, particularly in terms of talent and achievement.

Black habits, this black medicine, everything
Positions black culture as a source of resilience and healing, and important aspect of personal identity.

Black Chucks, black tux, everything, everything
Celebrates black fashion and style, and links it to the larger concept of embracing and representing one's culture.

Black hug, black love, everything
Puts emphasis on the importance of love and affection within the black community, and how it can be healing and uplifting in challenging times.

Praise black Jesus, play black Moses
References two important figures in black history and culture (Jesus Christ and Moses/Cedric the Entertainer) to uplift and praise blackness as a whole.

Give 'em flowers while they still here, black roses, everything
Stresses the importance of showing appreciation to loved ones while they are still alive, using the metaphor of giving flowers to black people (black roses) who have made a positive impact.

Black tie, black ride, everything, everything
Links transportation and fashion to blackness, emphasizing the beauty and individuality in black culture.

Black pride, black lives, everything
Emphasizes the importance of pride and unity within the black community, and the value of black lives (especially in the context of police brutality and systemic racism).

Skin noir, friends noir, here you are, black
Repeats a phrase that celebrates the essence and beauty of black skin and black people in general.

Everything you need, better believe you are that
Encourages listeners to believe in their own potential, their own worth, and to embrace their blackness as a source of strength and identity.

Every time they hear this, they gon' say "He made a anthem"
Predicts that this song will become an anthem for black people, a celebration of their culture and identity.

Life ain't a panda, shit ain't black and white, it's a canvas
Uses a clever metaphor to acknowledge the complexity and nuance of life, and reminds listeners that there are many colors and possibilities in their lives.

Spike Lee your dreams and Bruce Lee your tantrums
References two famous black and Asian artists (Spike Lee and Bruce Lee), and encourages listeners to be creative and bold in pursuing their dreams, while also maintaining discipline in handling any setbacks.

To beat that bullshit and go Michael Jordan, go Samson
References two famous figures who overcame obstacles and became successful (Michael Jordan and Samson from the Bible), and encourages listeners to do the same in their own lives.

Knock down the walls around me, strong and dark and so handsome, uh
Visualizes overcoming barriers and obstacles, and positions the artist as strong and handsome in this victory.

Everything around me is shinin' dark and the time is divine
Acknowledges the beauty and complexity of everything around the artist, and notes that time is precious and divine.

I found a spark, when the clouds leak and the rain fall and I found peace
Describes a moment of personal realization and inner peace, and notes how it emerged from a challenging situation (rain and clouds).

I'm black as the concrete, black as the street that's lined with the palm trees
Positions the artist as a proud and grounded black person who is connected to his urban environment and its unique beauty (like palm trees).

I'm black as the night sky when you broke and your bread and your bacon just don't meet
Uses a vivid metaphor to describe struggle and hardship (when you are hungry and struggling to make ends meet), and how it can amplify the darkness and impact of blackness.

Black as the bottom of Chuck Taylors, black on some "Fuck haters"
Uses fashion as a reference point for blackness again, and acknowledges the defiance and confidence that can come with rejecting negativity or hate.

Black as the burned rubber hittin' donuts in front of the store where two months later
Another specific reference point for blackness, in the form of a car burnout in front of a store where incidents of violence or crime have occurred.

They got stopped and the cops found a black burner underneath the seat on some Nat Turner
References Nat Turner, a famous slave rebellion leader, and suggests that a violent response may be necessary or inevitable when black people face systemic injustice or violence from authority figures.

Black as the judge robe when the case closed, now your life on the back burner
Describes a moment of injustice (when black people might be unfairly convicted or ignored by the legal system), and how it can have dramatic and long-lasting consequences for their lives.

Mira negrito, puro amor pa' mis morenitos
A Spanish-language line that translates to "Look, little black one, pure love for my little dark ones," which reinforces that the artist is speaking to fans of all backgrounds and wants to uplift and celebrate dark-skinned and black fans in particular.

Hice un giro cambiando idioma',
Another Spanish-language line that means "I made a turn, changing language" and acknowledges the artist's bilingual abilities as well as his desire to connect with fans who might speak other languages.

Vuelan palomas encima del rollercoaster
Another Spanish phrase, which translates to "Pigeons fly over the rollercoaster," uses a simple image to illustrate the idea that life keeps moving on, despite its ups and downs.

Cae cerca de la playa, ocean view
Translates to "It falls near the beach, ocean view," and suggests that the artist is still finding meaning and beauty in his life in spite of its challenges.

Blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice, we dancin' to soca, too
References an old phrase that celebrates dark skin ("the blacker the berry...") and connects it to the joy of dancing to a lively, celebratory music genre (soca).

Only fuck with few real niggas that chill with us, bear with us and deal with us
Acknowledges the importance of close friendships with people who are trustworthy and supportive, even in tough times.

Never pulled a trigger aimin' at another man, but real hitters still pick up the phone
Positions the artist as someone who does not resort to violence, but still has connections to people who are differently involved in an underground world where trust and loyalty are crucial.

Ayy, Smoke, what you need? I ain't on this mission alone
A reference to the support and community that the artist has built around him, and how he feels like he has a team of people who are working with him and supporting him.

Used to dream of really stackin' my funds, now my window's just as black as my guns
Describes how the artist's life has changed as he has become more successful and has accumulated wealth, but also acknowledges the risks and dangers that come with that success.

I feel divine, it came on time, God never changes
Acknowledges a sense of spiritual fulfillment and purpose, and emphasizes the consistency and stability that faith can provide.

Ain't gon' lie, I lost faith and cried, then my faith revived
Describes a moment of spiritual crisis, where the artist lost belief in something important to him, but then regained it and felt better and stronger.

And as soon as I let go and surrendered to him my talents
Suggests that the artist came to a place of acceptance and peace after a difficult period of doubt or fear, and that he was able to give his music and his writing over to a higher power or purpose.

This young king took off like, "Go, Go Gadget", there go that
References a famous children's TV show and its catchphrase, and suggests that the artist feels like he has stepped into an empowered and successful role, as a young black musician and activist.