Sacrifices
Dreamville & J. Cole Lyrics

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and agreement with what is about to be said

That nigga back from the dead
Referring to a person who has overcome adversity and is back in action

I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
Expressing uncertainty or confusion

Nigga almost lost his head, yeah
Referring to a dangerous situation where someone was close to being harmed

Gotta run, gotta fly, gotta float
Having the need to be always on the move and adapt to different situations

Channels on top of the dresser
Stack of TV channels on top of a piece of furniture

Baby, you down, need to bless up
Asking for support and encouragement from a loved one

Gotta watch how you address us
Advising others to be cautious and respectful when addressing them

Playing no games, no dress-up
Being serious and not engaging in playful or superficial activities

I got an idea
Having a creative or innovative thought

'Less you wildin' out in my hood, dawg ain't right here
Unless you are causing chaos or disturbance in their neighborhood, you are not welcome

Caption me as world nominated before I miss, yeah
Considering oneself as deserving of recognition and accolades

Let the AK spray straight before I'm finished, yeah
Using the metaphor of a firearm to indicate they will fight back until the end

As a monologue, talking to the fog, fuck a ho and miss, yeah
Engaging in self-reflection while dismissing distractions or negative influences

I make sacrifices, bloody sacrifices
Referring to the act of making difficult choices and giving up something valuable

Cutthroat, grab his toe, I suppose
Being ruthless and willing to harm others for personal gain

Maybe that's what life is
Considering that making sacrifices and being ruthless is part of the essence of life

Ay, man, caveman
Addressing someone in a casual and informal manner

Two drink, cave in
Indulging in excessive alcohol consumption

Two blunt, ease up
Smoking two marijuana cigars to relax

Booyah, leaves up
Exclaiming in excitement, causing the leaves to rise up

Who care? Who there?
Expressing indifference towards someone's opinion or presence

Do what? Wake up
Asking for clarification or repetition of a statement

The hell, happened
Expressing confusion or disbelief about a situation

We want, hands up
Requesting an audience to raise their hands in a show of agreement or support

Pay you, dare you
Challenging someone to pay attention or take action

Motherfuck, motherfuck
Using strong language to express frustration or anger

Sister fucked, granny fucked
Using explicit language to emphasize negative experiences

System, get some
Encouraging others to take advantage of the system or society

Yeah, you, day two
Referring to someone who has been present or involved since the beginning

Yeah, you, you, you
Addressing someone directly or emphasizing their importance

You a van, through the van
Metaphorically comparing a person to a vehicle, suggesting they are strong or influential

Stripper, good Lord
Expressing surprise or shock at someone's profession

Top chi, not me
Acknowledging that someone else is in a higher position

Boy, please, whatever
Dismissing someone's statement or request as unimportant

You next, to death
Implying that someone is destined to face negative consequences or danger

To go, ooh, oh
Expressing excitement or anticipation

Who's that? Ring ring
Asking about the identity of the person calling

Your number, bang bang
Indicating the act of shooting someone, metaphorically linked to the phone call

Callin' up, talk it up, move over
Making a phone call to engage in a conversation and requesting the attention of others

Shit lookin' all red from the North with the power
Referring to a situation or environment influenced by strong and influential individuals

It ain't Santa Claus
Contrasting the situation with the traditional idea of generosity and joy associated with Santa Claus

Brought my gifts to Atlanta, I'm Atlanta Claus
Celebrating the artist's own contributions and impact in a specific location

I can smell you pussy with the panties off, I
Using figurative language to imply that they can perceive someone's true intentions or character

Been gettin' to the bread, tryna keep this shit low
Working hard to accumulate wealth while avoiding unnecessary attention

But it ain't workin', my
Acknowledging that their efforts to keep a low profile have not been successful

Circle on fire like a circus now
Referring to a close-knit group of friends or associates who are highly energetic and active

Around the same niggas I been around, so
Being surrounded by the same people they have known for a long time

Of course I (Of course I), endorse my (endorse my)
Expressing confidence in their own abilities and choices

Reggie lil' nigga from the North Side (North Side)
Referring to oneself as a small-time hustler from a specific neighborhood

It's astigmatism, you got poor sight (poor sight)
Suggesting that others have a limited or distorted understanding of the situation

Let the bitches forget it, I do it Alzheim'
Ignoring or disregarding the opinions or actions of others

Of course I (of course I), I divorce my (divorce my)
Reiterating their confidence and self-reliance

Opinion on advance when you walk past
Judging others based on their appearance or behavior

(On bro, that shit groovy, I made it)
Expressing satisfaction and pride in their own achievements

Niggas pull strings like a guitar
Manipulating or controlling others like playing a musical instrument

Guitar, G-Star jeans on my sneakers
Wearing fashionable clothing and accessories

I'm a real soulful nigga
Referring to themselves as someone who embodies emotions and depth

Collared greens inside your speakers (yeah, yeah)
Producing music that is culturally and emotionally resonant

Ferguson days on Castro
Referencing a specific time and place associated with protest and activism

Wasn't no cash flow
Reflecting on a period of financial struggle or lack of resources

But I'm good for the arch, I'm Dr. Scholl's
Asserting their ability to provide support or comfort in difficult situations

I'm good for your whore, let me snatch your soul, soul, soul
Claiming to be skilled in the act of seduction or manipulation

Yeah, ay, look at what a motherfucker do for the cash intake
Reflecting on the extreme actions one might take for financial gain

They'll be right across your head like it's Ash Wednesday
Warning others that they are at risk of harm or danger

You got to just get off your ass like your ass is fake
Encouraging someone to take action and stop being lazy

You can't sit, and if we ain't siblings, then I can't relate
Expressing the importance of taking initiative and not being complacent

Today's shit, I'm Asic, I run shit, I got it jumpin' like pump fake
Asserting dominance and control over a situation

I don't need nothing but one take
Confident in their ability to succeed with minimal effort

I'm from the part of the city
Claiming to be from a specific neighborhood or area

Where young nigga keep him a nine like one plus eight
Referencing a high crime rate and the prevalence of firearms

Our politician a fuckface
Showing disdain and criticism towards politicians

Corrupt like a Dogg Pound Gangsta
Drawing a parallel between corrupt politicians and gang members

We do it like a small town wager
Engaging in risky or questionable activities like a small, close-knit community

How I'm the dropout major
Emphasizing that despite not completing formal education, they have achieved significant success

Success stories, I favor
Appreciating and supporting stories of success and achievement

Used to cover my scars, out here tryna cover The Fader
Symbolic references to hiding emotional wounds and the desire to gain recognition in the music industry

Yeah, Pro Tools, knobs, and the faders
Referring to the process and tools used in music production

Tail picks, as-salamu alaykum
Acknowledging and greeting others in a playful manner

You ain't 'bout static like AM radio, ain't even playin'
Implying that someone lacks the ability to handle conflicts or confrontations

I put my heart and my all in my art, I'm alternate
Devoting passion and dedication to their craft, considering themselves unique and unconventional

All of them are the same, it's harder to tell 'em apart some days
Noticing that many individuals in the industry lack distinctiveness and originality

I thought I'd call 'em out altogether
Deciding to address and criticize them as a group

Rather than waste the amount of bars it'll take for me to call 'em out by name
Preferring to conserve time and effort by not individually calling out specific people

Caught a glimpse of the alternate world I've introduced to you
Reflecting on the different perspective or lifestyle they have presented to their audience

Via the studio, got 'em studying our mixtape
Implying that their music is influential and thought-provoking

I'm from the hood like my mama, put that on my mama
Acknowledging their upbringing and connection to their community

I lay the law down like parliament, all just with a pen and page
Asserting their authority and influence through their lyrics and writing

You can't be everything to everybody
Recognizing that it is impossible to satisfy everyone's expectations

I wanna be your lover, your best friend
Expressing a desire to fulfill multiple roles in a person's life

Your Batman, Spiderman
Willingness to be a hero and protector

Fight to polish who and now your rival's in
Working hard to improve oneself, especially in light of competition

I wanna damn near kill you to be the one that heal you up
Expressing a willingness to go to extreme lengths to help someone recover or find solace

I wanna be the one that feel you up
Wanting to provide emotional support and intimacy

On nights when you need good dick to cheer you up
Acknowledging the importance of sexual satisfaction in a relationship

I wanna be the one to build you up
Desiring to contribute to someone's personal growth and development

A wall worth five billion bucks to keep out the rah-rah
Symbolizing their protective nature and willingness to provide a secure environment

And the blah-blah-blah so nobody try to steal your thunder
Acknowledging the importance of protecting someone's accomplishments and preventing others from taking credit

Pull you under
Protecting someone from negative influences or harm

Toss my hopes out, Royal Rumble
Metaphorically discarding any expectations or doubts and embracing chaos or uncertainty

We done moved out to the Boondocks
Having relocated to a remote or isolated area

Built a big house, there he wonders
Reflecting on the material success they have achieved

How somewhere along the way
During the course of their journey or growth

He went from Huey to Eddie Wuncler
Using characters from a TV show to illustrate a change in personality or values

I been so disconnected, my perspective is ignorant
Admitting a lack of understanding or awareness due to being disconnected from reality

When you rich, niggas don't wanna correct you
Commenting on how wealth and success can isolate someone from constructive criticism

Say something crazy, they won't interject
Indicating that others are hesitant to challenge or contradict them

Do every drug that you want, they gon' let you
Acknowledging that people will enable their harmful behaviors or habits

Dangerous when it's nobody to check you
Highlighting the potential risks and negative consequences of lacking accountability

I be havin' to check myself
Actively monitoring and evaluating their own behavior

Nigga, stop holding that money, you know you got plenty
Encouraging someone to be more generous and share their wealth

I be havin' to spread my wealth
Acknowledging the need to share their resources with others

I used to be at the crib myself
Reflecting on a time when they were alone or struggling

Seven years old, off of Bragg Boulevard
Referring to a specific location and a time from their childhood

Where they bag up the raw
Alluding to a place associated with illegal activities

They gon' stand on the corner, one hand on they balls
Describing the behavior of individuals involved in illegal activities

And they ran when the cops come, there go the laws
Highlighting the fear and avoidance of law enforcement

Then I packed up a bag and I trapped it up North on the path of a star
Describing their journey of leaving their hometown to pursue success

And I ran into you like I met you before
Expressing a strong connection or familiarity with someone

Now damn, me and you goin' half on a boy, sing
Celebrating a shared experience or endeavor, potentially referring to having a child together

Huggin' the block, huggin' the block all day
Spending a significant amount of time in a particular neighborhood or area

I had nowhere to go, she gave me a place to stay
Expressing gratitude for someone providing shelter and support

She gave me her heart to hold, I still got that shit to this day
Referring to someone who has given them emotional support and love

She ridin' with me on the road, she ridin' with me in the A
Having a supportive and committed partner who is there through various aspects of life

Huggin' the block, huggin' the block, okay
Continuing to spend time and be involved in their community

She gave me the gift of my son, and plus we got one on the way
Expressing gratitude for parenthood and anticipating the arrival of another child

She gave me a family to love, for that, I can never repay
Appreciating the love and support of their partner and family

I'm crying while writing these words
Expressing strong emotions while writing these lyrics

The tears, they feel good on my face, hey
Finding solace or relief through releasing emotions

And yesterday could feel just like a waste, yeah
Reflecting on past experiences that may have been unfulfilling or unsatisfactory

If I don't love you, how I'm supposed to?
Asking a rhetorical question about the importance of love in a relationship

I make sacrifices, bloody sacrifices
Referencing the act of making difficult choices and giving up something valuable