Slow Down
Dave East Lyrics

Shorty only 19, always on the night scene
A young woman is constantly out at night and not taking the time to appreciate life

He don't know what life means
He is unaware of the meaning and value of life

He need to slow down
He should take it easy and not rush through life

Her mama says she drive her crazy
Her mother is worried about her choices and actions

She's just a baby but she 'bout to have a baby
Despite her young age, she is about to become a mother herself

He can't afford it so he wanna rob
He wants to resort to robbery because he cannot afford things legally

He'd rather trap 'cause he don't want a job
He prefers to sell drugs than get a job because it’s easier

You need to slow down
You should not be in such a hurry to live a certain lifestyle

The world is yours just take your time with it
Take your time to achieve your goals and do not rush

Get up, go out, and let your grind get it
Get out and work hard to achieve your dreams

Times changing, money motivate 'em different now
The times have changed and people are now motivated by money more than ever

I don't even see no youngings shovel when it's blizzards now
Young people are not even willing to work hard during harsh snowstorms anymore

'96 if I dug like four cars out, I'd cop some Nike kicks
In 1996, if I worked hard and dug out four cars during a snowstorm, I would have bought some Nike sneakers

And thinking Chinese chicken, wings, and rice to get
Thinking about buying Chinese food with the money

I guess the older heads ain't teaching nothing
Older people are not teaching younger people anything valuable these days

I'm burnt out myself so honestly not preaching nothing
Even I am exhausted and not preaching anything at the moment

But if that trap slow get a job buy some nice shoes
If drug dealing slows down, get a job and buy nice shoes with the money

And hit them parties down town where them wild niggas cannot get inside
Go out to parties in downtown areas where dangerous people are not allowed in

Start thinking business
Start thinking more about making money through legitimate business practices

Remember money hard to mix with friendships
Remember it is difficult to mix business (money) with friendships

Once they show your interest, get your chicken
Once people show interest in you, make sure you get paid for your work

Young, black, and rich they worst nightmare
Being young, black, and rich is a nightmare for some people

The government don't fight fair
The government is not playing fair in some situations

If your homies love you keep 'em right there
If your friends love you, keep them close

Right there
Beside you

Don't be 30 in your mother crib, that's bugged out
Do not live with your mother when you are 30 years old, it is not normal

Understand success gon' come with hate just get that love out
Understand that success will come with hate, but focus on love and positivity instead

And don't be influenced just because they pull some drugs out
Do not be influenced by drug dealers just because they have money and drugs

Stand up on your own two, know certain things you won't do
Be independent and have limits on what you will or will not do

Everybody not a shooter understand that title
Not everyone can handle the title of 'shooter' (gang member) and the associated risks

I picked the Quran up, I couldn't understand that Bible
The singer couldn't understand the lessons of Christianity, so they turned to Islam

Allah's my witness
God is the witness to the artist's words

I've been through the trenches just like most of them
The artist has been through tough times, just like most people in their community

That's why I go and smoke with them
The artist spends time with their friends to bond and share experiences

Shop and crack jokes with them
The singer also likes to shop and have fun with their friends

I'm expecting a kid though, used to watch out the window
The artist is expecting a child and has become more cautious and responsible as a result

I love when the lil homies call me big bro
The singer is happy to mentor and inspire younger people in their community

You living fast, need to slow it down
If you are living too fast, it is time to slow down and take better care of yourself

Started getting ass and got 'em open now
Getting attention from the opposite sex can be alluring, but also dangerous if you are not careful

She thought she was in love, her heart broken now
A young woman thought she was in love, but her heart was broken as a result of her actions

Diamonds what the girls love
Girls love diamonds and other expensive things

They just wanna shine
They want to show off and be seen as important or valuable

Living with his mom
A young man is still living at home with his mother

She in the club, her mother babysit
A young woman is out at a club while her mother is left to watch her child

Daddy not around
The father is not in the picture for some reason

Fast living'll catch up quick
Living life too fast can lead to negative consequences quickly

Hey young world, the world, the world
The singer is addressing the young people in the world

The world, the world, baby the world
The world is full of important and valuable things to see and do

The world, the world
The world is constantly changing

The world is yours
The world is open and accessible to you

(Slow down, slow down)
Remember to slow down and appreciate the world around you