Strangers
Danger Mouse Black Thought & Danger Mouse and Black Thought Lyrics

Yeah, while y'all was sufferin' for future shot
While others were struggling to prepare for the future,

Hurtin' and hatin', waitin' for that other shoe to drop
And experiencing pain, resentment and in anticipation for something worse to happen

I was relocatin' this whole operation to the top
I was moving up the ranks and expanding my success

For you to copy and paste, in case you forgot
So that others can follow in my footsteps, and use my achievements as a blueprint for their own success.

I'm super hot and beyond your range
I am incredibly successful and beyond your reach.

It's kinda strange how to change a climate
It's strange how the climate of the area has changed.

Ain't because of climate change
It's not due to a change in the earth's climate.

I acquired this affinity for finer things
I have developed a strong preference for luxury items.

Like big folds, Range and Rolls from gold chains
Such as large amounts of money, expensive cars (Range Rover, Rolls Royce), and gold jewelry.

And dangers when niggas get high, then die fame-less
But these luxurious items also pose danger when people become obsessed with them, and ultimately perish without leaving a legacy.

Slugs spark louder than chain, we fly aimless
The noise of bullets when fired is unmistakably more impactful than the sound of gold chains. As a result, our lives may be directionless and uncertain.

I was too wise to the game, and try candy from strangers
I was too experienced to fall for tricks or manipulation, and therefore avoided putting myself in suspicious or unknown situations.

And speak anything with my language
And I am proud of the way I express myself through my speech.

Oud from the Indian trees is my fragrance
I enjoy wearing a certain fragrance that comes from trees in India called Oud.

Fool I consider these thieves, that's not gangsters
I view people who steal, cheat or deceive others as foolish, and not truly worthy of being called a gangster.

So many fuck boys actin' like they tough guys
So many men act like they are strong, but are actually just weak cowards.

I'ma call your bluff guys, let me see you walk right
I am going to challenge them to show their true strength, and let me see them stand up for themselves.

Bark, bark, bark
Mocking someone's cowardice.

Tough guy, ah?
Are you really a tough guy?

You can tell me, you can tell me what
You can confide in me, and tell me anything.

I keep the .45 close, get your Lo-Fi smoke
I always keep a gun nearby, in order to deal with problems in a blunt, no-nonsense way.

Like the Wi-Fi broke, get your wise-guy jokes
And if someone tries to make clever and witty comments, it won't do them any good, as if the Wi-Fi were broke and they couldn't effectively connect.

Got mob ties bro, financial status and them old tie
I have connections with the criminal underworld and have great wealth that I've carried on from generation to generation.

Get ya familiar smoke, on both sides though
I have an influence that is broad and pervasive, and can help someone get ahead in any situation.

Oh my, now reachin' in to your pockets, pay homage
The listener is taking out their money, and will give it to the singer as tribute.

Pay me hunnids, or pay me no mind, bro
Either pay me money or don't waste my time.

And my screen don't work, got an iPhone 4
My phone is old and outdated, but I still have it because it serves my purposes.

Like the Wi-Fi broke, it's still a smartphone though
Just because something is outdated or doesn't work properly, doesn't mean it can't still be useful.

Okay, like qué pasó, maricón cabrón
Spanish words meaning 'what's going on' and two curse words said to someone who is annoying.

'Kay tough guy, don't take me for no fungi
'Okay' to someone who thinks they are strong but are really weak, and not being a coward.

See you with my third eye, peepin' just with one eye closed
I can see through this person's facade or mask with my intuition and my close scrutiny.

One time when I was duckin' from the one time
One time when someone almost caught me who shouldn't have.

This one time weapon on my left side, I'm gun shy
I am wary or afraid of using a weapon after a time when I needed it but never used it.

Swimmin' in my new Benz, doors open up like two fins
I am driving around in my new luxury car, which has doors that open up like the fins on a fish.

New whips on Dr. Seuss', one fish, two fish, red whip, blue whip
I am constantly upgrading to new and more luxurious cars, much like characters in the Dr. Seuss books.

This motherfucker does not give a fuck about you
The rapper/hood celebrity is claiming that others do not care enough about the people who idolize them and their music.

He is in his mansion, playin' his XBOX (you never listen, you never listen)
The artist is saying that other performers are often preoccupied with playing video games and not paying attention to their fans or their responsibilities.

And look at you, look at where you are
He is making a statement that their audience is struggling while successful performers are living in luxury

Yeah, straight out the flames of this city of mine
I came from the tough streets in my city, which served as a motivation to succeed.

Since double planes hit the risers pain on graph been on rise
Ever since 9/11, pain and suffering in the world has consistently increased.

With cyclops' eye strays stay shattering lives
The cyclops references someone who makes large, impactful decisions, often with a single-minded focus, and this has led to painful and destructive outcomes.

Out where the poltergeists of history haunt the alive
These painful histories of the past never fade, they seemingly haunt those who continue to feel their effects even now.

Monster of art don't start
The artist is warning others not to start a pointless, wasteful fight with them.

Your little drive die dark, put you in long term park
Your small amount of drive will lead you nowhere, leaving you motionless like a car parked for a long time.

Hardly a mark, play your spiderweb like a harp
The artist is not easily intimidated, and belittles someone else's attempts to draw in victims like a spider.

Sharp with a bodega cat claw slash at the rat's heart
They are sharp and adaptable in their environment, and they can pounce like a bodega cat on anyone who threatens them like a rat.

Relax, let it happen, it's automatic, I'm tapped in
The artist is experienced enough to know how situations will play out, so they can just relax and let things happen.

Scrap like I'm facing a mouth of a starved kraken
I am an experienced fighter, much like someone facing a ferocious monster like a kraken.

Facts, man, I actually made the cash they imagined
The singer is insisting that they actually made the large sums of money that others envy.

The kid who never compromised, out-racked you bastards
The artist is boasting about their stance and success, even as they have remained their true self.

Slid into the vacuum they left stabbing at random
I took advantage of the empty space they opened up and reigned victorious by defeating others with tactics like cunning and deception

Abracadab-'em, got these maggots tracking the magic
I have outsmarted and surprised many, much like a magician.

It's vapid, how you speak, not deep, you lacking the fathoms
They are saying that another rapper's lyrics are mostly empty words that lack the depth of meaning that great music embodies.

While tough guys dreaming of smashing thots, I smash atoms
I am literally breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries in ways that powerful, strong-minded people only dream of.

Are you serious with this?
A question expressing disbelief.

This is what it's come to?
This is what has become of everything? This is what has become acceptable?

We're gonna have to walk around outside like we're fuckin' gangsters?
Is it really necessary to act or pretend like we're tough criminals in order to get respect?

(ay)
An exclamation expressing disgust, shock or agreement.

The bar killer, I stole a demon from God's dealer
I am really good at creating rap bars, and I have stolen something from the person/entity that others consider the most powerful.

A God body with temperament of a Godzilla
My power and influence are like that of a god or a monster.

Man, you ain't shit, you fuck her barely, I far fill her
Others pale in comparison to me, they can only provide partial pleasure, while I can thoroughly satisfy.

A dictator with hard heart, I starve niggas
I am ruthless and cold-hearted, willing to do whatever it takes to succeed and win, even at the expense of others.

I'm out with Lenin and writin' in red ink again
Drawing inspiration from radical political figures of the past, and writing in ways that express my power and aggressiveness

And I'm on linen with women pleasurin' pink again
I am with beautiful women, enjoying pleasures (sex) and living life to its fullest.

End of discussion, the world seems on the brink again
No further debate or conversation is needed, and it seems like the world is once again on the brink of disaster.

You think you got me? Ay, papi, you better think again
The singer warns their opponent that they are not so easily defeated, hoping to prevent further threats

I leave you shot in the seat that they sat Lincoln in
They are capable of committing murder, even to the extent where they would shoot someone in the same seat where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

I pop you with the same pistol they popped Regan with
And they are willing to use significant events in history (like the assassination of President Reagan) as a way to distinguish themselves and show their strength.

I'm audacious, so fuck me with on a cash basis
I am not afraid to ask for money if I believe I am worth it.

I'm outrageous, slap faces to tongue tasters
I am unruly and extreme, and will aggressively shut down people who speak nonsense to me.

I rock stages rappin' bar for all races
I am a versatile and talented rapper, and I can appeal to a wide range of audiences.

No patience for racism, they damn Satan
They are against racism and see those who practice it as evil.

Cold races, I stay in God's divine graces
And I am confident that I am in line with God's beliefs, and therefore am acting in a way he would approve of.

And all my chains on when I rap, bitch, I'm Ghostfacin'
Even when I am performing, I wear my gold chains (indicating my power and success), and embody that same aura that is present when rapper Ghostface Killah performs.