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."
Iodine Poison
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm blowed off in this motherfucker
Puffin chad back in the zone
Off in this motherfucker
Chopper go off and reload
Off in this motherfucker
NIgga might see something explode
Off in this motherfucker
Motherfuckers in A they dropped the
Yak in my Caprice
Let the moonlight hit the sky then
I went yakkin up the street
Did an 85 and left them niggas
Wrapped up in a sheet
Motherfuckers know it's:
FG, I keep my money on my mind
Gorilla on the track and keep
A swisha full of pine
A pack out on the strip and a
Bitch or two on the grind
Got niggas in my clique that'll kill
You and do the time
So violate me baby and I bet
You make the front page fuck my PO
I'm stayin blazed till the last age
Give me some kushy and some purple to sip
And let me check out on the sunset strip
Like a motherfucking pimp
Pimp C I keep my money on my mind
Bitch I'm too hard to swallow
The son is super tight
Was raised on riding dirty
Dirty money off the white
Kept a couple side hustles
Thought rapping was just a dream
Later snapped on the track like
I was an UnderGround King whatchu mean?
You bitches act like I'm fresh on the scene
Brought Canadian bud across the border at 17
Wholly moley dotey and that
Proper drug methazine
Come down to my basement and all you
See is a sea of green
Bitch I'm on that grown shit
Had to grow my own shit
Got those P-zo's and those zippers hit
Me on the phone bitch
If you need it then I got it
Just don't say the wrong shit
Too much yappin at the trap'll send
Us on a long trip
Fuck polices and politicians perpetrating
That punk shit
I'm coming down on candy paint
Like "smoke some bitch"
Give me some kushy and some purple to sip
And let me check out on the sunset strip
Like a motherfucking pimp
Pimp C I keep my money on my mind
The lyrics to "Iodine Poison" by Freddie Gibbs convey a sense of rebellion, confidence, and self-assuredness. The persona in the song, expressed through powerful and assertive language, is unapologetic about their lifestyle and choices. The opening lines immediately set the tone, with the repeated phrase "Motherfucker Goddam" signaling a defiant and rebellious attitude. The persona is intoxicated, feeling invincible and in control, puffing on marijuana, armed with a chopper, and ready to explode if crossed.
Throughout the song, there is a strong emphasis on money and power. The persona values money above all else, keeping it on their mind and associating it with their identity. There is a sense of pride in their ability to make money and their connection to a criminal lifestyle. The reference to Pimp C, a legendary rap artist known for his extravagant and flashy persona, reinforces the persona's desire for wealth and success.
The second verse highlights the persona's background and journey to becoming a successful rapper. They reminisce about their youth and involvement in illegal activities, such as smuggling drugs across borders. They brag about their ability to navigate the criminal world while still pursuing a rap career, ultimately becoming a respected figure in the underground scene. The persona's confidence is evident as they assert themselves as an established artist, dismissing any notion that they are new or inexperienced.
Overall, "Iodine Poison" speaks to the persona's rebellious nature, their pursuit of money and success, and their unapologetic attitude towards their past and current lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Motherfucker Goddam
Expressing frustration and anger
I'm blowed off in this motherfucker
Feeling intoxicated
Puffin chad back in the zone
Smoking marijuana to relax
Off in this motherfucker
Engaged in the current environment
Chopper go off and reload
Firearm being used and reloaded
NIgga might see something explode
Expecting a potentially violent situation
Snapped up strapped to the teeth
Armed and ready for a confrontation
Motherfuckers in A they dropped the
People in the neighborhood worsening the situation
Yak in my Caprice
Driving under the influence of drugs
Let the moonlight hit the sky then
Enjoying the nighttime atmosphere
I went yakkin up the street
Driving recklessly and fast
Did an 85 and left them niggas
Driving at high speed and escaping from enemies
Wrapped up in a sheet
Leaving enemies dead and covered
Motherfuckers know it's:
The reputation is well-known
FG, I keep my money on my mind
Focused on earning and securing wealth
Gorilla on the track and keep
Using a powerful and aggressive approach in music
A swisha full of pine
Smoking marijuana using a cigar filled with pine-flavored tobacco
A pack out on the strip and a
Involved in selling drugs on the streets
Bitch or two on the grind
Having women working hard to make money
Got niggas in my clique that'll kill
Having loyal friends who are willing to commit violence when necessary
You and do the time
Being ready to accept the consequences of illegal activities
So violate me baby and I bet
Challenging someone to provoke a negative response
You make the front page fuck my PO
Causing trouble that will attract media attention and anger one's probation officer
I'm stayin blazed till the last age
Remaining high on drugs until old age
Give me some kushy and some purple to sip
Requesting marijuana and a type of lean (cough syrup) to consume
And let me check out on the sunset strip
Enjoying the ambiance of an iconic location while under the influence
Like a motherfucking pimp
Feeling confident and in control like a successful sex worker
Pimp C I keep my money on my mind
Comparing oneself to rapper Pimp C, emphasizing a focus on wealth
Bitch I'm too hard to swallow
Being too difficult or intense for others to handle
The son is super tight
Referring to oneself as talented and exceptional
Was raised on riding dirty
Growing up in an environment of illicit activities
Dirty money off the white
Earning money from illegal drug sales
Kept a couple side hustles
Engaging in multiple illegal business endeavors
Thought rapping was just a dream
Initially considering a career in music as unrealistic
Later snapped on the track like
Impressing everyone with one's skill and delivery in music
I was an UnderGround King whatchu mean?
Asserting oneself as a successful and respected figure in the underground music scene
You bitches act like I'm fresh on the scene
People acting as if one is new and inexperienced
Brought Canadian bud across the border at 17
Engaging in drug smuggling at a young age
Wholly moley dotey and that
Expressing surprise and excitement
Proper drug methazine
Referring to the drug codeine
Come down to my basement and all you
Inviting someone to see a large quantity of marijuana
See is a sea of green
Witnessing a vast amount of cannabis
Bitch I'm on that grown shit
Engaging in mature and serious endeavors
Had to grow my own shit
Cultivating one's own marijuana plants
Got those P-zo's and those zippers hit
Having access to codeine and baggies of drugs
Me on the phone bitch
Contacting someone over the phone, often for drug-related matters
If you need it then I got it
Offering availability and supply of drugs
Just don't say the wrong shit
Warning others to be careful about what they say
Too much yappin at the trap'll send
Talking excessively about illegal activities can attract attention
Us on a long trip
Facing legal consequences and potentially going to prison
Fuck polices and politicians perpetrating
Disregarding and expressing disdain for corrupt law enforcement and politicians
That punk shit
Their attempts to deceive and manipulate
I'm coming down on candy paint
Driving a car with shiny and colorful custom paint
Like 'smoke some bitch'
Asserting dominance and demanding respect
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
UmpireRandall
This song deserves far more love.
Karina
8 years later, still on heavy rotation
Max Rabkin
Only Freddie Gibbs could do the Pimp justice like this. Great track.
KnownEpidemic
Can't wait to see this dude live in London next month! One of my favourite MCs of all time.. Alongside eLZhi, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Rakim, Pharoahe Monch, etc. Classic LPs on classic LPs everyday, and KRIT has stacks of great tracks too. Fucking legends!
KnownEpidemic
Gibbs = Modern Day 'Pac.
steph
this song is so underrated <3
Tyquion Fisher
Freddie Gibbs... Some new gangsta music I can finally respect. Thank you!
Kobe Berg
Best Rapper Alive.
Louis Miller
F.GIBBS IS THE FORMULA NEEDED IN THE RAP GAME/REAL SHIT....
DeeJaay
Still jammin