Centurion
Earl Sweatshirt Lyrics
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I'm just tryna say somethin' before I, I dropped off"
I feel like the Tom Sawyer for real niggas
Looking for a problem, revolver under the Hilfiger
No bluff needed, we will kill niggas
So try me if you want, bruh, I promise I'm with all of that
Late night shooters, got 'em thinking Johnny Carson back
Trying to win this white man game with my heart intact
All off a dollar and a dream that I really had
Kind of hard to sleep when your thoughts is in the streets
North north is the side where my family stay
Big Baby Jesus, I can't wait
Until the money coming in, spend it all on guns and rims
I ain't nothing but a nigga, ain't no reason to pretend
Kept the sticky in the Stussy pouch
Ski mask, bloody 'Preme hoodie tossing doobies out
The window of the hoopty, night black as Paul
Mooney at the movies but the moon was out
Food was always optional
Eating nothing but hard punches to that abdominal
Closed fist chronicles, sold sniff, Momma knew
Baggies laying 'round, peanut shells at a carnival
Stomping clowns, welcome pussy niggas to the romper room
Buckshot'll cover a whole torso like a parka do
In a park at 2, plotting, trying to garner loot
Split it with his big roll dog, call him Marmaduke
Searching for a shard of truth and found uh
Couple bucks bought his cousins lunch
Another Dutch, stiff collar on the button-up
Hood, rich, wild, and 'bout to run amok
Road to Hell paved with cement, covered trussled drugs, toughen up
"Well, alright, okay, if that's how you truly feel about it, then
Alright, okay, if that's how you truly feel about it, then"
Vinny Stape, they stupid, think the city safe
Until that little bindi placed, headshots, red dot
Block as hot as Denny plates, fed watch, Fed watch
Opinions only pity based, deep in the Civic with the
Evilest niggas this side of the Mississippi
All courtesy of Vincent from niggas who plot against
Ear-L-double-S, hear shells from the Tec
Hear in full-effect, eat a dick and cut a check, bitch
Few niggas I'm on a first-name basis with
Address me by the alias, that trunk weighted like he
'Bout to catch a case again, eighths louder than the voice of
Satan that be plaguing him, bruh, I'm caking
Whether Hell or bad weather, high water, I'm a sailor-type
Assailant for the paper, living like I met the maker twice
Hit it 'til I'm faded right? Mami, take a hike
Or treat it like you fucking shaking dice, bitch
"Well, alright, okay, if that's how you truly feel about it, then
Alright, okay, if that's how you truly feel about it, then"
In Earl Sweatshirt's song "Centurion," the artist is reflecting on his experiences growing up in a violent neighborhood and how that has impacted his outlook on life. The repeated phrase, "I'm just tryna say somethin' before I, I dropped off," suggests a sense of urgency and the need to speak his truth before he is silenced or erased. Earl then asserts his position as a "Tom Sawyer for real niggas," someone who, like the Mark Twain character, is a mischievous troublemaker but is ultimately respected by his peers. He also acknowledges the violence that is present in his community, with a revolver under his Hilfiger and a willingness to kill if necessary.
The second verse delves deeper into Earl's rough upbringing, with references to drug dealing, violence, and poverty. He describes keeping his weed in a Stussy pouch and wearing a bloody 'Preme hoodie while throwing out doobies from his car window. Earl also acknowledges the hardships that come with living in his neighborhood, including a lack of food and the constant threat of danger. However, he remains determined to succeed and obtain wealth, even if it means spending money on guns and rims.
Overall, "Centurion" serves as a powerful reflection on the harsh realities of growing up in a violent community and the near constant struggle for survival.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, me? Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm just tryna say somethin' before I, I dropped off
I want to make my mark before I disappear into obscurity.
I feel like the Tom Sawyer for real niggas
Looking for a problem, revolver under the Hilfiger
No bluff needed, we will kill niggas
So try me if you want, bruh, I promise I'm with all of that
Late night shooters, got 'em thinking Johnny Carson back
Trying to win this white man game with my heart intact
All off a dollar and a dream that I really had
Kind of hard to sleep when your thoughts is in the streets
North north is the side where my family stay
Big Baby Jesus, I can't wait
Until the money coming in, spend it all on guns and rims
I ain't nothing but a nigga, ain't no reason to pretend
I am a true Tom Sawyer of the streets, always looking for trouble. I never lie and I'm always prepared to kill. I'm trying to succeed in a white-dominated society with my integrity intact. Even though I came from nothing, I don't lose sleep over it. I'm from the north side, and I can't wait to have money to spend on luxury items. I don't try to pretend to be anything other than what I am.
Kept the sticky in the Stussy pouch
Ski mask, bloody 'Preme hoodie tossing doobies out
The window of the hoopty, night black as Paul
Mooney at the movies but the moon was out
Food was always optional
Eating nothing but hard punches to that abdominal
Closed fist chronicles, sold sniff, Momma knew
Baggies laying 'round, peanut shells at a carnival
Stomping clowns, welcome pussy niggas to the romper room
Buckshot'll cover a whole torso like a parka do
In a park at 2, plotting, trying to garner loot
Split it with his big roll dog, call him Marmaduke
Searching for a shard of truth and found uh
Couple bucks bought his cousins lunch
Another Dutch, stiff collar on the button-up
Hood, rich, wild, and 'bout to run amok
Road to Hell paved with cement, covered trussled drugs, toughen up
I had drugs on me, and I was wearing a ski mask and bloody hoodie. We were in a beat-up car at night, throwing out weed from the window. I wasn't sure when my next meal would come, as I was often beaten in the stomach. My mom knew I was selling cocaine. I had baggies lying around like peanut shells at a carnival. I was ready to fight anyone who challenged me, and I didn't care about the consequences. I was in the park at 2 a.m. trying to come up with a scheme to make money. I shared the profits with my friend, who I call Marmaduke. In the end, my road to success was paved with drug dealing and crime.
Vinny Stape, they stupid, think the city safe
Until that little bindi placed, headshots, red dot
Block as hot as Denny plates, fed watch, Fed watch
Opinions only pity based, deep in the Civic with the
Evilest niggas this side of the Mississippi
All courtesy of Vincent from niggas who plot against
Ear-L-double-S, hear shells from the Tec
Hear in full-effect, eat a dick and cut a check, bitch
Few niggas I'm on a first-name basis with
Address me by the alias, that trunk weighted like he
'Bout to catch a case again, eighths louder than the voice of
Satan that be plaguing him, bruh, I'm caking
Whether Hell or bad weather, high water, I'm a sailor-type
Assailant for the paper, living like I met the maker twice
Hit it 'til I'm faded right? Mami, take a hike
Or treat it like you fucking shaking dice, bitch
Vinny Stape is foolish to think the city is safe, as I am always watching and ready to act. I run with a group of sinister individuals, all thanks to Vincent, who helps protect me from those plotting against me. I don't hesitate to use my Tec-9 to shoot at those who cross me. I'm friends with only a few people, who address me by my nickname. I'm always making money and I'm not afraid of anything, not even the devil. I'm an assailant for money, living my life like I've encountered death twice. I'll keep smoking weed until I drop or I'll keep living life like a gamble.
"Well, alright, okay, if that's how you truly feel about it, then
Alright, okay, if that's how you truly feel about it, then"
I'm not going to argue, and I'll respect your opinion.
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: Thebe Kgositsile, David Axelrod, Holger Czukay, Irmin Schmidt, Kehinde Hassan, Taiwo Hassan, Vince Staples, Jaki Liebezeit, Michael Karoli, Damo Suzuki, HOLGER SCHUERING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
In 2018, he released his third studio album, Some Rap Songs, which was his last album with Columbia; following it up with the EP Feet of Clay in 2019 on Warner Records. His latest album, Sick!, was released in 2022, also on Warner Records.