National Anthem
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics


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Back when I was younger
Very ambitious but often blinded by my hunger
Some say I dream too big
And my dream gon' take me under
Beneath the streets of Gary
Would I make it out, I wonder
Could my obituary be the next they read amongst the
Niggas I came up with and fell victim to this dope game
Poverty stricken so our economy is cocaine
Ecstacy, heroin, marijuana ain't no hope man
Absentee fathers and dope fiend mamas
Got my hood turned out to the point that a nigga wanna go and get paid
Fuck sittin' on the bench I'mma go on
To the next lick til I'm goin' in my grave
Then I figured after that I could make a livin'
Off makin' words rhyme it was all in my mind
Everybody in the G went to Finger Roll studio
Nobody had a flow quite like mine
But along with the fame came a whole lot of
Hate from the hood, everyday I would fight
Mama can't sleep cause I'm way to deep in the streets
She would pray through the night
Every rhyme that I spit's real shit
Cause its just another day in my life
Niggas better keep a vest test to my testicles
They be vegetables, they gonna respect the flow 'til I'm gone

One for the money
Two for the motherfuckin' haters keep my name in the game
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)
I keep three bad bitches for all my niggas
Wave your fingers if you're feeling the same
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)
One for the money
Two for the motherfuckin' haters keep my name in the game
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)
I keep three bad bitches for all my niggas
Wave your fingers if you're feeling the same
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)

Player haters fuck'em
Record label fuck'em
Radio fuck'em
All my shit still be bumpin'
Never change my style up for any of them
I'm strictly thuggin'
Lotta niggas made a name off banging
And hustling but really wasn't
I built my name with no features
Or some expensive budget
Go for mine cause a co-sign can't coincide with the shit I'm bustin
You see more fear and your pockets start to see a reduction
See how true your crew is, never new they was frontin'
And I bet a nigga told you, that whatever
You go through, we got your back 'til the end
When I came upon a deal, niggas that I never knew
I could blew, wanna come be my friends
Then the boy got dropped and the friendship stopped
In a flash I was back on my own
Put a strap on my lap and the stash in the back
Cause the fact I was wrappin them stones
Got back to the rap cause its all that
I got in the mid west streets be my voice
I dont think another dude could do what I do
So it seem like I ain't got no choice
Then the hoes gon' choose the dudes that come through
Get them groovin and get that shit moist
Niggas knowin, I be runnin them hoes, and never lovin them hoes
You be up under them hoes, I hit up buncha them hoes and im gone

One for the money
Two for the motherfuckin' haters keep my name in the game
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)
I keep three bad bitches for all my niggas
Wave your fingers if you're feeling the same
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)
One for the money
Two for the motherfuckin' haters keep my name in the game
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)
I keep three bad bitches for all my niggas
Wave your fingers if you're feeling the same
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)

I'm GI thuggin', I'm Chi town thuggin'
I'm Detroit thuggin', one time fuck'em
I'm NY thuggin', I'm Illadelph thuggin'
I'm DC thuggin', one time fuckin'
I'm Englewood thuggin', I'm South Central thuggin'
I'm O-town thuggin', one time fuck'em
I'm ATL thuggin', I'm Memphis Tenn' thuggin'
I'm H-town thuggin', one time fuck'em

One for the money
Two for the motherfuckin' haters keep my name in the game
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)
I keep three bad bitches for all my niggas
Wave your fingers if you're feeling the same
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)
One for the money
Two for the motherfuckin' haters keep my name in the game
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)
I keep three bad bitches for all my niggas




Wave your fingers if you're feeling the same
(I'm screamin' fuck the world)

Overall Meaning

In Freddie Gibbs's "National Anthem" song, the rapper reflects on his past and how he overcame the struggle he faced growing up in Gary, Indiana. He raps about his ambition, dreams, and the obstacles he had to overcome to get to where he is today. He talks about the poverty, drugs, and violence he saw every day in his community, which made it hard for him and those around him to succeed. The lyrics speak to the harsh reality of life in the inner city and the pressure that comes with trying to make it out.


Throughout the song, Gibbs references his love for music and his passion for rapping, which he believes is his ticket out of poverty. He raps about his ability to write rhymes and make music that appeals to people and connects them to his story. He also touches on his struggles with fame and how it has affected his relationships with those from his past.


Overall, "National Anthem" is a reflection on the struggles Freddie Gibbs faced growing up in a tough environment and the success he achieved through hard work and dedication to his craft.


Line by Line Meaning

Back when I was younger
Reflecting on his past when he was youthful


Very ambitious but often blinded by my hunger
He had big dreams but was sometimes too focused on material possessions


Some say I dream too big
People often criticize him for having unrealistic goals


And my dream gon' take me under
His dreams are so consuming that they may hinder his ability to be successful


Beneath the streets of Gary
Gary, Indiana is where he grew up.


Would I make it out, I wonder
As a child, he often worried about whether he would be able to leave his hometown and achieve success.


Could my obituary be the next they read amongst the
He is worried about dying young, like many of his peers who fell victim to the drug game.


Niggas I came up with and fell victim to this dope game Poverty stricken so our economy is cocaine
Growing up, many people in his neighborhood fell victim to the drug game because there were few opportunities to make money outside of selling drugs.


Ecstacy, heroin, marijuana ain't no hope man Absentee fathers and dope fiend mamas
Drug addiction is rampant in his community and many children do not have a positive influence in their lives because of absent fathers and drug-addicted mothers.


Got my hood turned out to the point that a nigga wanna go and get paid
His poverty-stricken neighborhood has pushed him to pursue success and make money by any means necessary.


Fuck sittin' on the bench I'mma go on To the next lick til I'm goin' in my grave
He is determined to keep hustling and making money until the day he dies.


Then I figured after that I could make a livin' Off makin' words rhyme it was all in my mind
He realized that he could pursue a career in music and be successful through his talent for rapping.


Everybody in the G went to Finger Roll studio Nobody had a flow quite like mine
His talent for rapping sets him apart from others in his community and he gains recognition through his unique style.


But along with the fame came a whole lot of Hate from the hood, everyday I would fight Mama can't sleep cause I'm way to deep in the streets She would pray through the night
Success brings criticism from those in his community and his mother worries about him getting involved in dangerous situations.


Every rhyme that I spit's real shit Cause its just another day in my life
His lyrics are based on his real experiences and struggles growing up in his community.


Niggas better keep a vest test to my testicles They be vegetables, they gonna respect the flow 'til I'm gone
He warns his enemies to be ready for a fight because he will always stand up for himself and his talent will be respected even after he's gone.


One for the money Two for the motherfuckin' haters keep my name in the game (I'm screamin' fuck the world)
He's not going to let haters stop his pursuit of success and will continue to work hard no matter what.


I keep three bad bitches for all my niggas Wave your fingers if you're feeling the same Player haters fuck'em
He doesn't let haters get in the way of his personal life and relationships.


Record label fuck'em Radio fuck'em All my shit still be bumpin' Never change my style up for any of them
He doesn't care about pleasing the powers that be and will always stay true to himself and his style.


Lotta niggas made a name off banging And hustling but really wasn't I built my name with no features Or some expensive budget
He doesn't rely on gang affiliations or excessive spending to gain popularity in the rap game. He is self-made.


Go for mine cause a co-sign can't coincide with the shit I'm bustin See more fear and your pockets start to see a reduction
He chooses to work hard and make it on his own without relying on the help of others, as their fear may limit his potential earnings and success.


See how true your crew is, never knew they was frontin' And I bet a nigga told you, that whatever You go through, we got your back 'til the end
He has learned to tell who his true friends are- not everyone is genuine and he must be selective of those he lets into his inner circle.


When I came upon a deal, niggas that I never knew I could blew, wanna come be my friends Then the boy got dropped and the friendship stopped In a flash I was back on my own
People suddenly come out of the woodwork to befriend him after he signs a record deal, but they disappear just as quickly when he is no longer successful.


Put a strap on my lap and the stash in the back Cause the fact I was wrappin them stones Got back to the rap cause its all that I got in the mid west streets be my voice
He returns to his career in music after a period of drug dealing and relies on rapping to be his voice.


I dont think another dude could do what I do So it seem like I ain't got no choice Then the hoes gon' choose the dudes that come through Get them groovin and get that shit moist
He has a confidence in his abilities and knows that women are drawn to him because of his talent and success.


Niggas knowin', I be runnin them hoes, and never lovin them hoes You be up under them hoes, I hit up buncha them hoes and im gone
He doesn't have time for committed relationships and prefers to have casual encounters with women instead.


I'm GI thuggin', I'm Chi town thuggin' I'm Detroit thuggin', one time fuck'em I'm NY thuggin', I'm Illadelph thuggin' I'm DC thuggin', one time fuckin' I'm Englewood thuggin', I'm South Central thuggin' I'm O-town thuggin', one time fuck'em I'm ATL thuggin', I'm Memphis Tenn' thuggin' I'm H-town thuggin', one time fuck'em
He represents a variety of cities and takes pride in his street credibility as a thug.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIDNEY ANTHONY MILLER, JOSHUA FADEM, FREDRICK JAMEL TIPTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

droski

10 straight years of listening to this man's music and he hasn't fell of since

Tucked Visuals

First song I heard by Gibbs, still a fan to this day.

Another One

Same its timeless classic

0XXXYYYXXX0

Dude same as you still the best song to end the night

my comedy channel

This is the first song I heard by Freddie Gibbs. I was up one morning getting ready for work and this video was on MTV about a decade or so ago. I've been a fan ever since. This is one of the best music videos I've ever seen. 💯

THEKINGSLAPPA

This track tells a great story, listen to the lyrics and a picture is painted in your mind, this guy is a true genius.  

Ross w

true dat, respect

MrJoeyBrat

Didn't actually bother giving this guy a chance when I heard about him in the "XXL 10 Freshmen of '10" issue, but after hearing this, I must say he is easily the best out of all of them. The beat, the flow, the lyrics...this dude rips it straight away! Interesting countryside video as well Unfortunately I can't see him becoming a superstar...this music is simply too good to be heard in today's autotuned, mobile phone signal-soundscape! Hope he drops an album though!

C B

Revisiting this is 2020.
Always thought the video was mad underrated.

Rosvaldas Nudas

it's 2021 bro

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