The Boogieman
Esham Lyrics

Hey boys and girls today we're gonna play a game
The singer is introducing the song and asking the listeners to participate in a game.

What's your name son you look kinda strange, what's your name?'
The singer is addressing a person who looks unusual and asking them for their name.

'They call me the boogieman'
The person being addressed reveals that they are the 'boogieman,' a possibly scary figure.

Let's play dead, and give ya a second to die
The artist suggests a game where the listeners pretend to be dead, and they will have one second to come back to life if they 'die.'

And if I do or die, I sing a lullaby
The artist will soothe the listeners with a lullaby if they are unable to 'come back to life' in the game.

I'm not a crime fighter, I'm like a ghost writer
The singer is not a hero, like a crime fighter, but more like a behind-the-scenes writer ('ghost writer').

And then my rhyme is like a chip ahoy, I bet'cha bite uh
The singer is confident that the listeners will enjoy their rapping ('rhyme') as much as they would enjoy a cookie ('chip ahoy').

And they don't understand, a rock and roll band
The listeners may not understand the style of music the artist represents (rock and roll band).

I'm not the KK Klan, more like the boogie man
The artist clarifies that they do not represent the Ku Klux Klan, but rather a different kind of figure- the boogieman.

And Satan's in the mix and you don't want to diss
The artist suggests that Satan is involved in their music, and advises the listeners to avoid disrespecting them.

Because this is for all the suicidalists
The singer is dedicating this music to those who may struggle with suicidal thoughts ('suicidalists').

I'd rather be dead, I'm knockin' 'em dead
The artist would prefer to be dead, but will still perform very well ('knockin' 'em dead') in their current state of being alive.

Before you live, ya die, roll over play dead
The singer believes that one must experience death before truly experiencing life, and suggests that the listeners pretend to be dead in the game.

I'm the be-Double O-G-I-D-M-A-D-M-A-N
The singer is spelling out their name ('Boogieman') in a creative way.

Amen, another sin, here we go the fuck again
The singer is acknowledging that they are committing another 'sin' with this song, and may receive criticism for it.

Takin' to the T-O-P, you don't want to fuck with me
The artist is confident that they will become successful ('T-O-P') and warns others not to mess with them.

'Cause I'm the boogie man and I'm M-A-T-G
The artist is restating that they are the 'boogieman' and emphasizing their importance ('M-A-T-G').

Now you want to know, how we go a here we go
The singer anticipates that the listeners are curious about their music, and is about to explain it.

Unholy's my scenario, kickin' it in stereo
The singer's music is described as 'unholy,' and is being played in stereo (dual speakers).

Style is stick, kickin' the ballistics
The artist's musical style is aggressive ('kickin' the ballistics') and has a strong impact ('stick').

Kinda magnificent, but always stayin' distant
The artist's music is impressive ('kinda magnificent'), but they tend to keep themselves at a distance from others.

You don't understand, 'cause you can't and I can
The artist acknowledges that the listeners may not understand their music, but they are confident in their own understanding.

I got the whole world in my hand
The singer believes they have a lot of power and influence.

'Oh shit I'm scared, God damn boogie man'
A listener is expressing fear towards the artist (the 'boogieman').

I'd rather be dope, then prayin' and wishin' on a ho
The singer would prefer to have success without relying on luck ('prayin' and wishin' on a ho').

That's all she wrote, so fuck John the Pope
The singer is saying that their message is clear ('that's all she wrote') and refusing to acknowledge the authority of the Pope (John the Pope).

And if I do that, I give a clue jack
The singer is dropping a hint ('give a clue jack') about their true intentions with this music.

I'm the unholy but you already knew that
The artist is admitting that their music is dark and goes against religious beliefs ('the unholy'), which the listeners may already have known.

I'm a black devil, black sheep
The artist is describing themselves as an outsider ('black sheep') who is seen as evil ('black devil').

Black rhythm, black rhyme, black beat, yo
The singer's music is described as having a 'black' style ('black rhythm, black rhyme, black beat').

I never went pop with acid hip hop
The singer has never 'sold out' or become mainstream ('went pop') with their music, which has a psychedelic ('acid') hip hop influence.

A with a 1, 2 and ya don't stop
The artist references the beginning of the alphabet ('A') and the classic hip hop phrase ('and ya don't stop') to emphasize their roots in the genre.

I keep it goin' I, I know you're knowin' I
The artist is aware that the listeners are aware of their ability to create consistent music ('keep it goin').

The way I'm goin' I'm showin' ya how I'm flowin' I
The artist is confident in their unique style of rapping ('flowin') and is showcasing it to the listeners.

I hold my black dick just like a pool stick
The singer is comparing their sexual prowess ('black dick') to the way one would hold a pool stick.

My cue balls in my corner pocket so watch it
The artist is implying that they have control ('my cue balls') in the game of life, and the listeners should be aware of it ('so watch it').

But you don't understand 'cause you can't and I can
The singer believes that the listeners may not fully comprehend their message or their music, but they themselves do.

I got the whole world in my hand, 'cause I'm the boogieman
A repetition of the idea that the singer has a lot of influence and power ('the whole world in my hand') because they are the 'boogieman.'