The Grind
Erykah Badu Dead Prez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every day is a struggle
How to hustle some doe
If you was raised in the hood
Well then you already know
It be days that be good
But mostly money be slow
Have you ever been hungry before?
'Cause I got to make it happen
My family depending on me
Steady on the grind steady on the grind
'Cause I got to make it happen
Ain't nobody gone do it for me
Ha ooh wa ooh ha ooh wa ooh
Ha ooh wa ooh ha ooh wa ooh
Steady on the grind
Daily on the grind
Money on my mind
So heavy on my mind so heavy on my mind
Mommy got a job makin' 'bout six-somethin' an hour
She became the breadwinner when daddy was unemployed
Working forty-plus hours and kissing ass
Seeming like the only honest way she can get some cash
She struggglin' she don't know I be hustlin' pulling my own weight
I be hearing them fuss and fightin' at night mad late
Over economics; it's logic meaning they don't got it
Living in the projects, money's the only object
She makes $280 a week, standing on her feet
The ends ain't even meeting the family ain't eatin'
'Cause if taxes is 10%, and the rest if for the rent
Then crime is what you get and niggaz is innocent
See it really ain't about if you eatin' or not eatin'
It's breathin' or not breathin' freedom or not freedom
'Nother day, 'nother way, 'nother dollar spent
Gotta make a revolution out of fifteen cents.
In the song "The Grind" by Erykah Badu and Dead Prez, the artists express the struggle of trying to make ends meet while living in poverty. The lyrics describe the strain of daily life in impoverished areas, and the constant need to work hard and hustle in order to survive. The chorus emphasizes the importance of staying committed to the grind, because nobody else is going to do it for you. The first verse tells the story of a family whose mother is working long hours at a low-paying job, struggling to provide basic necessities for her children. The second verse speaks to the systemic problems of poverty and crime in underprivileged areas, and the difficulty of breaking free from the cycle.
This song is a poignant commentary on the struggles of poverty that affect many people, particularly those who come from low-income neighborhoods. It highlights the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, and the need for social and economic change in order to improve the lives of those who are struggling. The lyrics are well-written, with powerful imagery and a clear message that is delivered effectively through the rhythm and melody of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Steady on the grind
Consistently working hard
Every day is a struggle
Each day presents its own difficulties
How to hustle some doe
Finding ways to make money
If you was raised in the hood
If you grew up in a disadvantaged area
Well then you already know
You are already familiar with the struggles
It be days that be good
Some days are better than others
But mostly money be slow
Money is often scarce
Have you ever been hungry before?
Do you know what it's like to be hungry?
Steady on the grind stead on the grind
Continuously working hard
'Cause I got to make it happen
I have to make things work
My family depending on me
My family needs me
Ain't nobody gone do it for me
I'm on my own in this
Mommy got a job makin' 'bout six-somethin' an hour
My mom has a low-paying job
She became the breadwinner when daddy was unemployed
She had to support the family when my dad lost his job
Working forty-plus hours and kissing ass
She works long hours and has to put up with unfair treatment
Seeming like the only honest way she can get some cash
It seems like the only way she can make money honestly
She struggglin' she don't know I be hustlin' pulling my own weight
My mom is struggling and doesn't know that I'm also trying to contribute
I be hearing them fuss and fightin' at night mad late
I hear my parents arguing late at night
Over economics; it's logic meaning they don't got it
They fight over money because they don't have enough
Living in the projects, money's the only object
Living in low-income housing, the only priority is money
She makes $280 a week, standing on her feet
My mom earns $280 per week, and has to stand for her job
The ends ain't even meeting the family ain't eatin'
We can't make ends meet and struggle to afford food
'Cause if taxes is 10%, and the rest if for the rent
Most of our money goes to taxes and rent, leaving little for other expenses
Then crime is what you get and niggaz is innocent
When people can't afford to survive, they often turn to crime, even if they are not inherently bad people
See it really ain't about if you eatin' or not eatin'
It's not just about having enough to eat
It's breathin' or not breathin' freedom or not freedom
It's about being able to live and breathe freely without financial oppression
'Nother day, 'nother way, 'nother dollar spent
Every day, we spend another dollar trying to get by
Gotta make a revolution out of fifteen cents.
We have to make big changes even when we have very little money
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DWAYNE CARTER, BRYAN WILLIAMS, NICHOLAS WARWAR, CHAZ MISHAN, DAVID DELGADO, BRITCHELL MITCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind