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."
Stay Down
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jumped on that ass 65 and take
That trip back to Gary granny just passed
My uncle 'bout here smoking blast
But I still could fuck babies crib I
Gots to get to this cash
Forgive me father cause I'm so wrong
But I know through your ghost in my
Been no waddle when working and the lights
Bizarre we could barely hold on
So I took off that pauldron wake up
That york and got my role on
Then I hit myself with reasons
Little J's and Jesus pieces
Fresh lights and a brand new polo
LP nigga take that logo in the
Club it's like a ho show
These ho sure often meeting
And the bitches in my past they just
Didn't know what I could be
Freddie G, hit the booth pick up my penny
And I pimp it like right consistent
And the rugers and the beeper
My ruger my life expanded
For at least 10 more shots should
I get going or get gut
But on the other hand I got a burnt
Hand and then a rubber band on my
I've been up, baby I've been down
Feels good enough
Baby ain't enough in my town
Gotta get my things right
So I can start the day right
Cause I fucked up baby I been fucked round
And it feels good enough
Ain't enough in my town
Shawty get my things right
So I can start the day right
We been to corners and caprices
We cut thousand Caddilacs that don't
Check I'm cashin that
And I'm chocking smoking on that gasoline
And also huff back on my hoopdie
But my feet just got petite
Had a dream that I would get rich and
Famous all up on this rapping shit
And the older niggas laughing me I'm
A gonna make it happen bitch
And you can't used to write on my
Raps and dead is the synonym bro
And say my nigga check this I'm gonna
Check this when I get home
Be lil crazy paper do what I
Gotta take to make it
Cause enough of these CD's and MP3s
Tryna to shake these haters
Plus I slanging just to
Maintain the gimmick investigation
Every year niggas only fear the face cases
Living in this industry ghetto please
Come with smiley faces
But I feel like fuck all these
Rappers they up on no altercation
Baby face gangster I earn my stripes
Out on the devil's playground
Peace to all my real niggas that stay down
The lyrics to Freddie Gibbs's song "Stay Down" depict his personal struggles and determination to rise above his circumstances. The opening lines refer to his loyalty to his friends in prison, as he sends them money for their commissary. He then reminisces about a trip back to his hometown of Gary, Indiana, after the passing of his grandmother. Despite the hardships he has faced, such as family members engaging in destructive behaviors, he remains focused on making money and progressing in life. Freddie acknowledges his wrongdoing and seeks forgiveness, also recognizing the influence of his past actions on his mindset.
The lyrics further describe Freddie's dedication to his craft and his aspirations to be successful in the music industry. He mentions his expensive possessions, such as Jesus pieces and a brand new polo, symbolizing his newfound success. In the club, he is surrounded by women, emphasizing his popularity and the perks that come with his fame. Despite facing doubts and ridicule from older individuals, Freddie is determined to prove them wrong and achieve his dreams. He also addresses the challenges of maintaining his street credibility while navigating the music industry.
Overall, "Stay Down" is a testament to Freddie Gibbs's resilience and ambition. It showcases his willingness to navigate through difficult circumstances and his determination to rise above them.
Line by Line Meaning
Slammin' money all my big homie commissary
I'm sending money to my incarcerated friends to support them
Jumped on that ass 65 and take
I hopped on the freeway in my '65 Chevy and headed back home
That trip back to Gary granny just passed
I'm going back to my hometown of Gary because my grandmother recently passed away
My uncle 'bout here smoking blast
My uncle is out there smoking drugs
But I still could fuck babies crib I
Despite the hardships, I can still have a good time and enjoy myself
Gots to get to this cash
I need to hustle and make money
Forgive me father cause I'm so wrong
I acknowledge my mistakes and ask for forgiveness from a higher power
But I know through your ghost in my
I feel the presence and guidance of my deceased loved ones
Mind been doing it for so long
I've been living this lifestyle for a long time
Been no waddle when working and the lights
I've been struggling financially and barely able to keep the lights on
Bizarre we could barely hold on
Our situation is strange and precarious, we're barely managing
So I took off that pauldron wake up
I removed the burden and started taking action
That york and got my role on
I got up and started hustling in the streets to survive
Then I hit myself with reasons
I convinced myself of the justifications for my actions
Little J's and Jesus pieces
I found solace and comfort in material possessions and drugs
Fresh lights and a brand new polo
I have new and trendy clothes and accessories
LP nigga take that logo in the
I proudly represent my crew and their logo
Club it's like a ho show
The club scene is full of promiscuous behavior and attention-seeking
These ho sure often meeting
These promiscuous women are constantly seeking encounters
And the bitches in my past they just
The women I used to be involved with didn't see my true potential
Didn't know what I could be
They underestimated my abilities and potential for success
Freddie G, hit the booth pick up my penny
As Freddie G, I enter the recording booth and pick up my earnings
And I pimp it like right consistent
I confidently and skillfully promote myself and my music
And the rugers and the beeper
I carry firearms and a pager
My ruger my life expanded
Having a gun has expanded and complicated my life
For at least 10 more shots should
I have enough ammunition for at least ten more rounds
I get going or get gut
I have to make a decision whether to flee or fight
But on the other hand I got a burnt
However, I also have a history of legal trouble
Hand and then a rubber band on my
I have scars from burns and wear a rubber band as a symbol of my hustling lifestyle
I've been up, baby I've been down
I've experienced both highs and lows in life
Feels good enough
Despite the challenges, I find contentment in my current situation
Baby ain't enough in my town
However, the satisfaction I find is not sufficient in my local community
Gotta get my things right
I need to focus on getting my life together
So I can start the day right
To ensure a better future, I need to begin each day on the right path
Cause I fucked up baby I been fucked round
I made mistakes and have been mistreated in the past
Ain't enough in my town
The opportunities and satisfaction available locally are limited
Shawty get my things right
I need to focus on getting my life together with the help of my partner
So I can start the day right
To ensure a better future, I need to begin each day on the right path
We been to corners and caprices
I've experienced the rough and dangerous streets
We cut thousand Caddilacs that don't
We customized and modified many Cadillac cars that are not in good condition
Check I'm cashin that
I'm successfully collecting money and profiting from my endeavors
And I'm chocking smoking on that gasoline
I'm inhaling and enjoying the effects of smoking marijuana
And also huff back on my hoopdie
I also smoke marijuana while driving my old and beat-up car
But my feet just got petite
However, my progress and success have been limited
Had a dream that I would get rich and
I had a dream of becoming wealthy and successful
Famous all up on this rapping shit
I aspired to become famous through my career as a rapper
And the older niggas laughing me I'm
Despite ridicule from older individuals, I'm determined to prove them wrong
A gonna make it happen bitch
I'm determined to make my dreams come true, regardless of obstacles
And you can't used to write on my
And you can't write my lyrics for me anymore
Raps and dead is the synonym bro
My raps are synonymous with realness and authenticity, bro
And say my nigga check this I'm gonna
And tell my friend to check out my new music when I get home
Check this when I get home
Listen to my new music when you have the chance
Be lil crazy paper do what I
I have to take unconventional and risky measures to achieve success
Gotta take to make it
I have to do whatever it takes to succeed
Cause enough of these CD's and MP3s
Releasing CDs and digital music files alone is not enough
Tryna to shake these haters
I'm trying to overcome and prove wrong the people who dislike me
Plus I slanging just to
In addition, I'm involved in illegal activities to
Maintain the gimmick investigation
Keep up the appearance of being involved in criminal activities, attracting police attention
Every year niggas only fear the face cases
Every year, people only fear getting caught by law enforcement
Living in this industry ghetto please
Being a part of this industry is like living in a disadvantaged neighborhood
Come with smiley faces
People in this industry put on fake smiles and pretend to be friendly
But I feel like fuck all these
I'm fed up with all these fake individuals
Rappers they up on no altercation
Rappers are not involved in any real conflict or confrontation
Baby face gangster I earn my stripes
Despite my young appearance, I've earned my respect and reputation
Out on the devil's playground
Navigating the dangerous and tempting world of drugs and crime
Peace to all my real niggas that stay down
Respect and recognition to all the genuine individuals who remain loyal and true
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind