No Church In The Wild
Frank Ocean/Jay-Z/Kanye West Lyrics

Human beings in a mob
When we are in a group, we can lose our individuality and become part of a collective mentality.

What's a mob to a king?
Even though a large group may feel powerful, they are still subject to the rule of a higher authority, such as a king.

What's a king to a god?
Even though a king may wield considerable power, they are still inferior to a deity.

What's a god to a non-believer?
If you do not believe in a higher power, then it holds no sway over your life.

Who don't believe in anything?
Some people may be so disillusioned or cynical that they do not have faith in anything.

We make it out alive
Despite the difficult circumstances we may find ourselves in, we manage to survive.

All right, all right
We can take comfort in knowing that everything will be okay.

No church in the wild
This phrase is repeated throughout the song and implies that there is chaos and a lack of order or structure in society.

Tears on the mausoleum floor
Crying and mourning over the dead, which can leave a lasting impact on the environment.

Blood stains the Coliseum doors
The violence of ancient Rome is still present in our society, whether physically or metaphorically.

Lies on the lips of a priest
Religious figures may hide their true intentions or manipulate others for their own gain.

Thanksgiving disguised as a feast
Celebrations and gatherings may have hidden motives or problematic origins.

Rollin' in the Rolls-Royce Corniche
Living a life of luxury, possibly obtained through questionable means.

Only the doctors got this, I'm hidin' from police
The singer may have a dangerous addiction and is trying to evade the law.

Cocaine seats
The singer is driving a car with seats covered in white leather, resembling the color of cocaine.

All white like I got the whole thing bleached
The artist is dressed in all white, indicating purity or innocence. However, this may contrast with their actions or lifestyle.

Drug dealer chic
Having a fashionable style associated with the drug trade or gang culture.

I'm wonderin' if a thug's prayers reach
The singer may question the effectiveness of prayer or religion in a violent or dangerous environment.

Is Pious pious 'cause God loves pious?
The singer is questioning whether being devoted or religious is a genuine expression of faith, or simply a way to receive rewards or favor from a deity.

Socrates asks, "whose bias do y'all seek?"
The philosopher Socrates posed this question to challenge the perspectives or motives of those around him.

All for Plato, screech
The artist is referencing the TV show 'Saved by the Bell' and implying that they are trying to educate and enlighten others through their words or actions.

I'm out chere' ballin', I know y'all hear my sneaks
The artist is enjoying their success and wants others to notice and respect their achievements.

Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy, laid beats
The singer is likening themselves to Jesus through their creative abilities and contributions to society.

Hova flow the Holy Ghost, get the hell up out your seats, preach
Jay-Z's flow is compared to the Holy Spirit, and he encourages the audience to stand up and be inspired by his words.

I live by you, desire
The singer may be in a romantic or intimate relationship with someone they are deeply attracted to.

I stand by you, walk through the fire
The singer is willing to support and protect their loved one through difficult or dangerous situations.

Your love, is my scripture
The singer finds inspiration, guidance, and fulfillment in their relationship and the love they share with their partner.

Let me into your encryption, yeah yeah
The artist desires to deepen their connection with their partner, to understand and know them on a deeper level.

Coke on her black skin made a stripe like a zebra
The artist is describing a sexual encounter that may involve drug use and references the pattern created by the cocaine.

I call that jungle fever
This phrase can be interpreted in different ways, but it may refer to a fetishization of black women or the illicit and animalistic nature of their intimate encounter.

You will not control the threesome
The singer is asserting their dominance and agency in a sexual situation, possibly involving multiple partners.

Just roll the weed up until I get me some
The artist wants to get high and is relying on their partner to prepare the drugs.

We formed a new religion
The artist is using hyperbole to describe their lifestyle or group as something revolutionary, transformative, or even divine.

No sins as long as there's permission'
The artist believes that any action is morally acceptable as long as all parties involved have given consent or approval.

And deception is the only felony
The singer sees honesty and transparency as meaningless or unattainable, and perceives the only transgression worth condemning as being caught in a lie.

So never fuck nobody without tellin' me
The artist is possessive and jealous, and wants to be kept informed about their partner's sexual activities with others.

Sunglasses and Advil
The singer is hungover and using these items to hide their appearance or alleviate their symptoms.

Last night was mad real
The singer had a wild, unforgettable experience the previous night.

Sun comin' up 5 a.m.
The singer stayed up all night, partying or engaging in other activities.

I wonder if they got cabs still
The artist is unsure if transportation is still available and may have to walk or find another means of getting around.

Thinkin' 'bout the girl in all-leopard
The artist is reminiscing about a woman they saw or spent time with, who was wearing leopard-print clothing and left a lasting impression on them.

Who was rubbin' the wood like Kiki Shepard
The woman mentioned before was touching a wooden surface in a sensual manner, like a television host named Kiki Shepard often did on her show.

Two tattoos, one read "no apologies"
The singer notices the body art of the woman in leopard print and reads one of her tattoos, which seems to indicate defiance or confidence in her choices.

The other said "love is cursed by monogamy"
The woman's other tattoo expresses a cynical or rebellious attitude toward traditional ideas of love and relationships.

That's somethin' that the pastor don't preach
The artist sees these tattoo messages as unconventional or taboo, something that would not be acknowledged or endorsed by a religious leader.

That's somethin' that a teacher can't teach
The artist believes that these nonconformist thoughts or behaviors cannot be learned or instilled in a person through academic education alone.

When we die, the money we can't keep
No matter how much wealth or material possessions we accumulate, we cannot take them with us when we die.

But we prolly spend it all 'cause the pain ain't cheap, preach
The artist acknowledges that despite understanding the impermanence and futility of wealth, they still indulge in excessive spending as a way to escape or alleviate their personal pain or suffering.

No church in the wild
This phrase is repeated at the end of the song to emphasize the lack of structure, morality, or divine presence in society, and the chaotic nature of human experience.