Hailing from Gary, Indiana, a place whose murder and crime rates have ranked it several times at the top of the "Most Dangerous Cities" list, Freddie Gibbs is the true definition of a street survivor. Raised on Gary's east side, Gibbs lived the hard life firsthand in a run-down industrial community plagued with vice and ignored by the establishment. After playing at Ball State on a football scholarship, Gibbs was kicked out of college. Over the next few years he went through court-ordered boot camp, joined and got discharged from the military, and held down a series of 9 to 5 jobs without success. Feeling like the system had failed him, Gibbs turned to hustling; pimping and selling crack out of a local house. Inspired by rappers like UGK, The Geto Boys, and 2Pac, Gibbs started rhyming about his life and the issues facing urban youth in Gary and the countless other impoverished cities just like it. Gibbs is the first rapper signed to a major label from Gary.
The Steel City's most famous musical residents to date are the Jackson 5, whose name still adorns a marquee on a falling-apart theater in Gary's blighted downtown. His desire to rep the Midwest and his city led Gibbs to start recording mixtapes and pushing them online as well as the streets, where he quickly began garnering fans drawn to his original style, diverse flows, and deeply personal lyrics about his experience as a young black man growing up below the poverty line in a forgotten American city.
Freddie has worked with respected producers like Madlib, Red Spyda, Just Blaze, Buckwild, the Alchemist, Polow Da Don, and Collipark among many others. Gibbs cites Houston rap and Pac as his major influences, and it shows in his ability to alternate between chillingly tense street stories of violence and laid back comedic tales about women and weed. Ultimately Gibbs shows and proves with his rhymes, which demonstrate the promise of a legend in the making. His skills, wit, and street credibility establish Freddie Gibbs as a true artist. He's ready to represent for Gary, the Midwest, and anyone who relates to the struggle of inner city life. As Gibbs tells it: "My music is definitely on some gangsta shit. That's what I was raised on and what I witnessed. How can I speak on anything else?" "Become a fan now, or become one later."
Bandana
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Motherfucker, I'm with it, uh
Motherfucker, I'm with it, uh
Nigga, and I ain't bullshittin', yeah
I'm in the game, fuckin' with the 'caine (Man some)
I'm in the game, fuckin' with the 'caine (Imagine now)
I'm in the game, fuckin' with the 'caine (Every 'dana)
I'm in the game, fuckin' with the 'caine (Is bandana, bandana)
Draped in all designer, draped in all designer
Kickin' off the powder, kickin' off the powder
Stuffed a half a birdie up in a piñata
And I had to ask my wifey out 'cause she a rider
Born a pebble, left the hospital, I was a whole brick
Passed the package off to Diego, he moved the whole shit
You can't claim no gang in my hood if you ain't had known it
Fuck the local police, my nigga, they can't control this
Yeah, I throw my set up, fly my bandana
I give a hater a handicap with this hand cannon
My Brooklyn bitch drove in kilos from New York to Atlanta
Everyone was 98 Foxy, I turn you white like venom
Geekers buyin' vowels, I was mixin' down
Pushing faders like Mike Dean, whippin' that light cream
Cleaner than your Gardi white jeans, my brand new hammer
Once I used it, it was dirty like the blood stain on my bandana
(Bandana)
Once I used it, it was dirty like the blood stain on my bandana
(Bandana)
Once I used it, it was dirty like the blood stain on my bandana
(Bandana, bandana)
Geekers buyin' vowels, I was mixin' down
(Uh, bandana, bandana)
Geekers buyin' vowels, I was mixin' down
Geekers buyin' vowels, I was mixin' down
(Bandana)
Geekers buyin' vowels, I was mixin' down
Yeah, batty boy with the bloodclaat
I be on the Vice Lord, 4 Crip and Blood Blovk
Catch him while he comin' from work and go take the judge out
Richest nigga in the prison, million dollar mugshot (Mugshot)
Buckshot, buckin' out my 12 gauge
You can't kill what's already dead, boy, look what hell made
Never let them crackers refer to me by a slave name
Black Caesar, Young Gangsta G, I make the game change
Uh, I throw my set up, fly my bandana
Hard still sellin' so the crack glass matter
Ghetto beamin' up the Scotty through the car ante-nae
Give a nigga 30 years for the cell phone chatter
If you kill another nigga, you might get manslaughter
If you watch, you gon' get life and murder, won't beat the charges
Do it right, it ain't no witness, ain't no weapon, ain't no evidence
Wipin' off the motherfuckin' fingerprints with my bandana
(Ay, bandana, bandana)
Said, I be wipin' off the motherfuckin' fingerprints
With my bandana
(Ay, bandana, bandana)
And I be wipin' off the motherfuckin' fingerprints
With my bandana, yeah
Ay, bandana, bandana, bad manner, bad manner
Me no care 'bout no other, yeah
Bandana, they watchin' out, they singin' out
I say, the system got you living in a free man's cell
Original yardie so a weed man sell
We no care if him farm I see
No, I am no dealer, I'm a pharmacy
That medical marijuana, get it if you wanna
But try to start no drama 'less you wanna be a gonner
Banana, clip if run up on my corner
You end up at the coroner with severe head trauma
'Memba the yama cause the lama nah guh stamma'
Full stop ya breathe, I coulda comma, remember I'ma
Real gal is razor sharp like a katana
So you know what we after the way I smash ya baby mama, uh huh
Material girl like Madonna, what she wouldn't do
Dolce & Gabana, yes she love the baller ting
With me and Maradona, seh she want me blindfold her with mi bandana
The song "Bandana" by Freddie Gibbs featuring Assata Jones talks about his life growing up dealing cocaine and drugs on the streets, and the prideful way he represents his set or gang. The lyrics in the chorus reaffirm Freddie’s commitment to the game and his lifestyle within it. He is a part of the game, dealing drugs, and living a certain way of life. The chorus states that every day is a "bandana" day, which means that every day requires the same level of risk-taking and commitment in order to survive.
Throughout the verses, Freddie Gibbs details the dangerous life of a drug dealer, showing the harsh realities of the world he grew up in. He talks about the violence of the game and the need to protect oneself at all times. In addition, he shows the pride he takes in his set and his clothing, such as signing his gang up through his bandana which serves as an allegory for loyalty and dedication. He presents himself as a confident, charismatic leader in his set through his lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmm, I'm with it, uh
I'm ready for anything
Motherfucker, I'm with it, uh
I'm definitely in for this
Motherfucker, I'm with it, uh
I'm totally committed
Nigga, and I ain't bullshittin', yeah
I mean business
I'm in the game, fuckin' with the 'caine (Man some)
I'm involved in the drug game
I'm in the game, fuckin' with the 'caine (Imagine now)
Dealing with large amounts of cocaine
I'm in the game, fuckin' with the 'caine (Every 'dana)
Every bandana represents cocaine
I'm in the game, fuckin' with the 'caine (Is bandana, bandana)
My bandana is my symbol for the cocaine trade
Draped in all designer, draped in all designer
I wear only designer clothes
Kickin' off the powder, kickin' off the powder
Starting a drug deal
Stuffed a half a birdie up in a piñata
Hiding cocaine in a piñata
And I had to ask my wifey out 'cause she a rider
My girlfriend is a loyal and trustworthy partner
Born a pebble, left the hospital, I was a whole brick
I was born to succeed
Passed the package off to Diego, he moved the whole shit
Diego successfully distributed the drugs I gave him
You can't claim no gang in my hood if you ain't had known it
You can't pretend to be part of my gang if you don't know the rules
Fuck the local police, my nigga, they can't control this
I don't recognize the authority of the local police
Yeah, I throw my set up, fly my bandana
I display my gang affiliation proudly
I give a hater a handicap with this hand cannon
I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use it
My Brooklyn bitch drove in kilos from New York to Atlanta
My partner transported cocaine from New York to Atlanta
Everyone was 98 Foxy, I turn you white like venom
Everyone was scared of me and I'm very dangerous
Geekers buyin' vowels, I was mixin' down
Customers were buying drugs, and I was preparing them
Pushing faders like Mike Dean, whippin' that light cream
I was mixing the drugs expertly
Cleaner than your Gardi white jeans, my brand new hammer
I have a new gun and it's cleaner than anything you own
Once I used it, it was dirty like the blood stain on my bandana
After I used my gun, it became just as dirty as my bandana
Yeah, batty boy with the bloodclaat
Insult directed towards someone who is weak and unimportant
I be on the Vice Lord, 4 Crip and Blood Blovk
I have gang affiliations with multiple gangs and territories
Catch him while he comin' from work and go take the judge out
I will commit violent acts against anyone I perceive as against me
Richest nigga in the prison, million dollar mugshot (Mugshot)
I am wealthy and powerful, even in prison
Buckshot, buckin' out my 12 gauge
I am shooting my gun
You can't kill what's already dead, boy, look what hell made
You can't destroy me, I'm indestructible
Never let them crackers refer to me by a slave name
I refuse to let anyone disrespect me
Black Caesar, Young Gangsta G, I make the game change
I am a major player in the criminal underworld
Hard still sellin' so the crack glass matter
Drugs are still in high demand, despite the risks
Ghetto beamin' up the Scotty through the car ante-nae
The car antenna is being used to remotely light up drug pipes
Give a nigga 30 years for the cell phone chatter
They will give you a long prison sentence for drug-related communication on your phone
If you kill another nigga, you might get manslaughter
Killing someone could lead to a lesser charge of manslaughter
If you watch, you gon' get life and murder, won't beat the charges
Being involved in a murder gives you a high chance of spending the rest of your life in prison
Do it right, it ain't no witness, ain't no weapon, ain't no evidence
If you do something right, there will be no evidence, witnesses, or weapons left behind
Wipin' off the motherfuckin' fingerprints with my bandana
Cleaning my fingerprints off of any evidence with my bandana
Me no care 'bout no other, yeah
I don't care about anyone else
Bandana, they watchin' out, they singin' out
People are aware of my actions and are talking about me
I say, the system got you living in a free man's cell
The government has made us feel free, but it's a false sense of security
Original yardie so a weed man sell
I am an original Yardi, so I sell drugs
We no care if him farm I see
We are not concerned about the police
No, I am no dealer, I'm a pharmacy
I am not a drug dealer, I am a drug store
That medical marijuana, get it if you wanna
You can choose to buy medical marijuana if you want to
But try to start no drama 'less you wanna be a gonner
Don't provoke me unless you want to suffer the consequences
Banana, clip if run up on my corner
I have a gun that is loaded and ready if I am confronted
You end up at the coroner with severe head trauma
You will be killed with violence and expertise
Full stop ya breathe, I coulda comma, remember I'ma
I have the power to stop your breath with one hand
Real gal is razor sharp like a katana
A real woman is strong and powerful like a samurai sword
So you know what we after the way I smash ya baby mama, uh huh
You know what we want after I have sex with your girlfriend
Material girl like Madonna, what she wouldn't do
My girlfriend is a materialistic and greedy person
Dolce & Gabana, yes she love the baller ting
She loves the luxurious lifestyle
With me and Maradona, seh she want me blindfold her with mi bandana
She wants to engage in sexual acts with me and will use my bandana as a blindfold
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Jeffrey Ethan Campbell, UNKNOWN WRITER, FREDRICK TIPTON, OTIS LEE JR JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dhanush Prasad
Lyrics :
Mmm, I'm with it, uh
Motherfucker, I'm with it, uh
Motherfucker, I'm with it, uh
Nigga, and I ain't bullshittin', yeah
Off in the game, fuckin' with the Kane (
Man some)
Off in the game, fuckin' with the Kane
(Imagine now)
You in the game, fuckin' with the Kane
(Every 'dana)
Off in the game, fuckin' with the Kane
(Is bandana, bandana)
Draped in all designer, draped in all designer
Kicking off the powder, kicking off the powder
Stuffed a half a birdie up in a piñata
And I had to ice my wifey out 'cause she a rider
Born a pebble, left the hospital,
I was a whole brick
Passed the package off to Diego
He moved the whole shit
You can't claim no gang in my hood
If you ain't had known it
Fuck the local police, my nigga
They can't control this
Yeah, I throw my set up, fly my bandana
I give a hater a handicap with this hand cannon
My Brooklyn bitch drove them kilos from New York to Atlanta
Heroin was 98 Foxy, I turned it white like Vanna
(White like Vanna)
Geekers buying vials, I was mixing down
Pushing faders like Mike Dean
Whipping that light cream
Cleaner than Yo Gotti white jeans
My brand new hammer
Once I used it, it was dirty like the blood stain
On my bandana
Once I used it, it was dirty like the blood stain
On my bandana
(Bandana)
Said, once I used it, it was dirty like the blood stain
On my bandana
(Ayy, bandana, bandana)
Geekers buyin' vials, I was mixin' down
(Uh, bad manner, bad manner)
Geekers buyin' vials, I was mixin' down
Geekers buyin' vials, I was mixin' down
(Bandana)
Geekers buyin' vials, I was mixin' down
(A-roger now)
Yeah, batty boy with the bloodclaat
I be on the Vice Lord
Four Crip and Blood block
Catch him while he comin' from work and go take the judge out
Richest nigga in the prison, million dollar mugshot
(Mugshot)
Buckshot, buckin' out my 12 gauge
You can't kill what's already dead
Boy, look what Hell made
Never let them crackers refer to me by a slave name
Black Caesar, Young Gangsta G.I., yeah
I make the game change
Uh, I throw my set up, fly my bandana
Hard still selling so the crack lives matter
Ghetto beamin' up the Scotty through the car antenna
Give a nigga 30 years for the cell phone chatter
If you kill another nigga
You might get manslaughter
If you watch, you gon' get life
And murder, won't beat the charges
Do it right, it ain't no witness
Ain't no weapon, ain't no evidence
Wipin' off the motherfuckin' fingerprints with my bandana, yeah
Said, I be wipin' off the motherfuckin' fingerprints
With my bandana
(Ayy, bandana, bandana)
And I be wipin' off the motherfuckin' fingerprints
With my bandana, yeah
Yeah, bandana, bandana, bad manner, bad manner
Me no care 'bout no other, yeah (Yeah)
Bandana, imagine now, they singin' out
I say, the system got you living in a free mansion
Original yard, this our weedman sale
Now, hear what?
We no care if informer see
Yo, I am no dealer, I'm a pharmacy
That medical marijuana
Get it if you wanna
But try nuh start no drama
'Less you wanna be a gonner
Fo', banana clip if you run up on me corner
You end up at the coroner
It's yo' favorite charmer, you're a-
'Member the armor pon the law, me nah go storma
Full stop the brake, I couldn't come, remember I'ma
Real gyalis, razor sharp like a katana
So you know after we gone
We a-smash ya baby mama, uh-huh
Material girl like Madonna
What she wouldn't do for Donna, Dolce & Gabbana
Yes, she love the balla ting, make me a Maradona
Seh she waan me blindfold and rip me bandana
bat
how did the title track not even make the album lmao this is fire
demari johnson
😂😂😂😂 for real tho. This shit IS fire
B.R.A.$.$.
Maaaan who knows anymore😂
Branden apexo
Didn’t fit the overall tone of the project tbh fire ass track tho
Giles Peterson
Madlib's production is truly immortal.
Beat Dude
@Junji cant comprehend from whats right and wrong
DillaDawg88
Michael Carlin or it's just yourself. Just a guess from a free mind.
DillaDawg88
Word.
Mirror face
@Zo Brantley MADLIB??? More like MADLOOP!
Rob Scott
It always makes me smile how the credits are so simple. One rapper, one producer.