Violas and Lupitas
Danger Mouse Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I mean, if it was up to me, I'd give you jigs just enough money to function
So when I see you guys with the, with fancy suits and cars and nice houses
And I'm livin' in a fucking hovel!
I mean, that bothers me

Ayo, juke joint party lights lit the Harlem nights
Peas and rice made a Judas out of Garveyites
Mamis in the heights always call me nice
Someone all his life, rolling dice that was dirtier than gaudy ice
My only vice is fly merch
My concert fashion gotta stay up to par, we doing God's work
Forever dipped like Fonzworth
And mines got bunions because I be choppin' onions 'til my eyes hurt
The future brighter than cellos and violins fortified
With eight essential minerals and vitamins on the side
I'm overqualified, but I'ma come along for the ride
With Q 'cause I been anticipating this homicide
Never no matter like a vacuum now
I turn your speakers in the back room to mushroom clouds
We on that jet fuel, about to go to Neptune, wow
That ain't a flesh wound, they 'bout to lay your headstone down
I'm supreme, my jean jacket for the shoot was Jean Gaultier
Philly, PA, we been gettin' ours the brodie way
When it come to drama, I'm a young Sidney Poitier
Y'all know not to sleep on me like Don Quixote
Since the glory days like Springsteen, I been clean
Any garment on me, that thing mean
My inseam 32
Get it, the king, they're not worthy to
The legendary crew do more numbers than you heard we do
So tell these chauvinist crabs it's over with
I'm a globalist, rollin' that gas that's odorless
Got the bad bunnies shakin' they asses low to this
German motorist, cake and that cash could flow to this
Toss the carry-on luggage to agree to my black skin
Somewhere between Violas and Lupita, go ask them
About the gatekeeper, world leader
Kill shit quicker than Usain could run a hundred meter

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Danger Mouse and Black Thought's song "Violas and Lupitas" are rich in meaning and metaphor. The opening lines reflect on the inequality in society and how people with wealth and privilege can be insensitive to those who struggle to make ends meet. Black Thought speaks of feeling bothered when he sees people with fancy suits, cars, and nice houses, while he is barely getting by living in a "fucking hovel." The lines suggest the singer's frustration with the disparity in wealth and the lack of empathy from those who have it.


The second verse is filled with complex metaphors and imagery. Black Thought describes the juke joint party lights that light up Harlem nights, the peas and rice that make a Judas out of Garveyites, and the Mamis in the heights who always call him nice. The imagery reflects the richness and complexity of African American culture, while also hinting at the betrayals and struggles that have occurred throughout history. Black Thought describes his vice as fly merch, and he talks about staying up to par with his concert fashion, which he sees as a way of doing God's work. The verse also speaks volumes about Black Thought's skill as an MC, referencing his superior abilities with phrases like "I'm supreme," "any garment on me, that thing mean," and "kill shit quicker than Usain could run a hundred meter."


****


Line by Line Meaning

I mean, if it was up to me, I'd give you jigs just enough money to function
I believe in providing adequate financial support to those who need it


So when I see you guys with the, with fancy suits and cars and nice houses
Seeing others with luxurious material possessions bothers me


And I'm livin' in a fucking hovel!
I am living in poor housing conditions


I mean, that bothers me
It upsets me to witness such stark societal inequality


Ayo, juke joint party lights lit the Harlem nights
The atmosphere of the Harlem Nights evokes a lively and joyful sentiment


Peas and rice made a Judas out of Garveyites
The provision of basic sustenance can be used as a means of control


Mamis in the heights always call me nice
Women in the heights tend to address me in a friendly manner


Someone all his life, rolling dice that was dirtier than gaudy ice
I have been playing with risky behaviors all my life, some of which have caused harm


My only vice is fly merch
The only thing I indulge in is buying fashionable clothing


My concert fashion gotta stay up to par, we doing God's work
I strive to maintain excellent fashion standards while performing musical works that hold significance


Forever dipped like Fonzworth
I will always be stylish like Fonzworth Bentley


And mines got bunions because I be choppin' onions 'til my eyes hurt
I have developed bunions due to working tirelessly in the kitchen


The future brighter than cellos and violins fortified
The future holds greater promise than even the most beautiful of musical instruments


With eight essential minerals and vitamins on the side
Additionally, the future is fortified with essential nutrients for good health


I'm overqualified, but I'ma come along for the ride
Although I am highly competent, I am willing to participate as just one of the team members


With Q 'cause I been anticipating this homicide
I have been eagerly anticipating the successful completion of this project with Q


Never no matter like a vacuum now
There is currently no presence, like that of a vacuum


I turn your speakers in the back room to mushroom clouds
My music has the power to bring about an explosive reaction


We on that jet fuel, about to go to Neptune, wow
We are on a high, moving rapidly toward distant and impressive goals


That ain't a flesh wound, they 'bout to lay your headstone down
This is a fatal blow that will result in death and the laying of a headstone


I'm supreme, my jean jacket for the shoot was Jean Gaultier
I have achieved an elevated level of status and reputation, evidenced by my choice of clothing designer


Philly, PA, we been gettin' ours the brodie way
We have been achieving our success in Philly, PA in ways that are authentic and true to ourselves


When it come to drama, I'm a young Sidney Poitier
In times of conflict, I have the poise and grace of a young Sidney Poitier


Y'all know not to sleep on me like Don Quixote
You all know not to underestimate me, as was done to Don Quixote


Since the glory days like Springsteen, I been clean
I have been living cleanly since the days of Bruce Springsteen's peak career


Any garment on me, that thing mean
I bring added style and significance to any item of clothing I wear


My inseam 32
The length of my inseam on my pants is 32 inches


Get it, the king, they're not worthy to
I am the king of this realm, and no other is worthy to challenge me


The legendary crew do more numbers than you heard we do
Our achievements and popularity far surpass even what you may have heard about us


So tell these chauvinist crabs it's over with
Inform those who hold prejudiced beliefs that their time is up and must come to an end


I'm a globalist, rollin' that gas that's odorless
I have a broad, international perspective and also indulge in smoking an odorless gas


Got the bad bunnies shakin' they asses low to this
I have attracted the attention of fine women who are dancing suggestively to my music


German motorist, cake and that cash could flow to this
Even German motorists are willing to part with their money to support my endeavors


Toss the carry-on luggage to agree to my black skin
The simple act of throwing a bag at me is a symbolic endorsement of my blackness


Somewhere between Violas and Lupita, go ask them
Somewhere in the region of Violas and Lupita, there are people who could answer your questions


About the gatekeeper, world leader
Ask these people about the person responsible for controlling access and leading global movements


Kill shit quicker than Usain could run a hundred meter
I am able to obliterate any obstacle more rapidly than Usain Bolt can race a 100 meter dash




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Joseph Burton, Tarik Trotter, Tom Joe White

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Mettis3

"Violas And Lupitas"

I mean, if it was up to me, I'd give you jigs just enough money to function
So when I see you guys with the, with the fancy suits and cars and nice houses, and I'm livin' in a fuckin' hovel!
I mean, that bothers me

Ayo, juke joint party lights lit the Harlem nights
Peas and rice made a Judas out of Garveyites
Mamis in the heights always call me nice
Someone all his life, rolling dice that was dirtier than gaudy ice
My only vice is fly merch
My concert fashion gotta stay up to par, we doing God's work
Forever dipped like Fonzworth
And mines got bunions because I be choppin' onions 'til my eyes hurt
The future brighter than cellos and violins fortified
With eight essential minerals and vitamins on the side
I'm overqualified, but I'ma come along for the ride
With Q 'cause I been anticipating this homicide
Never no matter like a vacuum now
I turn your speakers in the back room to mushroom clouds
We on that jet fuel, about to go to Neptune, wow
That ain't a flesh wound, they 'bout to lay your headstone down
I'm supreme, my jean jacket for the shoot was Jean Gaultier
Philly, PA, we been gettin' ours the brodie way
When it come to drama, I'm a young Sidney Poitier
Y'all know not to sleep on me like Don Quixote
Since the glory days like Springsteen, I been clean
Any garment on me, that thing mean
My inseam 32
Get it, the king, they're not worthy to
The legendary crew do more numbers than you heard we do
So tell these chauvinist crabs it's over with
I'm a clover-list, rollin' that gas that's odorless
Got the bad bunnies shakin' they asses low to this
German motorist, cake and that cash could flow to this
Musa Keita toss the carry-on luggage to agree to my black skin
Somewhere between violas and lupita, go ask them
About the gatekeeper, world leader
Kill shit quicker than Usain could run a hundred meter



All comments from YouTube:

@Dappis

If this was dropped in the 90's it would be praised among the classics.
Fucking insane that we got a album like this now

@StuTheDon17

Agreed. Feels the similar to the Gang Starr album that came out a couple of years ago.
A trip back in time.

@AnimeisGarbage

I don't doubt that, but the reason this album exists is because of those that came before it, idk if this WOULD exist back then.

@jerseydan95

Wow first time hearing this album tonight after Listening to King Disease the past couple days you would swear we are back in the 90s and our culture never got destroyed

@neetcoomer

Is becasue most of it was made back in the mid 2000s

@archol6596

@@AnimeisGarbage this album was teased since the 2000s and Black Thought raps since the 80s

3 More Replies...

@rich45davis

This whole album is a fucking journey. Incredible beats with knowledgable MCs spitting real lyrics.

@sumwonkool

Who else is featured on it??

@sumwonkool

Jus curious honestly

@staigenerator2949

@@sumwonkool DOOM, joey badass, asap rocky, russ, rtj, Conway, Raekwon

More Comments