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."
Still Livin'
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm still livin like a dope dealer
And these streets they got no mercy on a broke nigga
Gangsta Island so all my niggas gang bangers
Girls come get your cook up
I came up with the cain slangers
And I grew up next door to the dopeman
DEA been doing surveillance they in the dope van
Nowadays they pay Walter Payton that's 34 bands
Yea, I'm still living like a jack boy
Got your family wrapped up in tape, I'm 'bout the sack boy
And I heard it ain't where you from it's where you at boy
Make sure every place that I'm at next to the strap boy
Killing em, shit from these verses put holes in hearses
And these truckers need some product to purchase some at their service
Used to sale my yellow and nextel play for the chirpers
Ain't no doubt we don't check out CTE they close the curtains
And I'm still, still livin like a dope dealer
Finger on the trigger I ain't taking shit from no nigga
Still, I'm still living like a dope boy
Wrapping up the pack of drugs traffic what you know boy
And I'm still, still livin like a dope dealer
Finger on the trigger I ain't taking shit from no nigga
Still, I'm still living like a dope boy
Wrapping up the pack of drugs traffic what you know boy
Still cashing that dope check
Guns and contraband on deck
Street said that I marked for death
And might be the one to give smoked next
Might fuck around might beat it down
That ass round and that throat wet
You a pussy boy straight cold Tecs
Got a hundred rounds bitch hold that
Bitch hold that, bitch hold up
Bitch know what that 4 bust
Bought a 14 of that straight hard
And served every geeker that rolled up
That straight trap with no raps with me
OT but they pack with me
Moonwalking on dope, bitch, I know real niggas on Jackson Street
25th, 49th, cali kush over night
Come back to my store dawg but make sure you got your order right
And my shop might close up so make sure you put your orders in
Just another day another dollar ducking court again
Wrapping up the pack of drugs traffic watching out
Winter summer spring fall nigga shovel snow
And if I could I'd dig a tunnel straight to Mexico
Pass me my strap I think the police at my door because I'm
And I'm still, still livin like a dope dealer
Finger on the trigger I ain't taking shit from no nigga
Still, I'm still living like a dope boy
Wrapping up the pack of drugs traffic what you know boy
And I'm still, still livin like a dope dealer
Finger on the trigger I ain't taking shit from no nigga
Still, I'm still living like a dope boy
Wrapping up the pack of drugs traffic what you know boy
The lyrics of Freddie Gibbs's song, Still Livin', is a vivid portrayal of a life lived in the fast lane of the drug game, where street credibility is everything and living to see another day is never guaranteed. Gibbs is a gangster rapper known for his gritty, authentic lyrics about the harsh realities of street life. In this song, he talks about how he is still living as a dope dealer despite the risks and dangers involved. He is proud of his hustling lifestyle and will stop at nothing to protect his interests.
The opening lines of the song, "What you know boy/I'm still living like a dope dealer," sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. Gibbs is unapologetic about his life choices, and he knows the consequences of his actions. He talks about the unforgiving nature of the streets and how they show no mercy to those who are not vigilant. He also emphasizes the importance of being a member of a gang, Gangsta Island, and the risks that come with it, as being a gang banger can get you killed.
He recalls his humble beginnings when he started as a cain slanger and grew up next door to the dopeman. Along the way, he's picked up some skills, such as acquiring a clean cherry red CL coupe as a way of blending in with the high-rollers of society. He's also experienced brushes with the law, with the DEA doing surveillance in a dope van and having to pay off Walter Payton with 34 bands.
Gibbs also references his willingness to resort to violence to get what he wants. He has no qualms about holding someone's family captive until he gets his money. He's come to realize that it's not where you're from; it's where you're at, making sure he's always next to his firearm. He's not ashamed of his actions, knowing that the content he shares through his verses puts holes in hearses.
Lastly, he embraces the reality of the drug game, knowing his future is uncertain. He mentions that he might be the one next to get smoked or end up with a life sentence, but with the drug game comes the love of the hustle.
Line by Line Meaning
What you know boy
Addressing the listener and setting the tone for the song.
I'm still livin like a dope dealer
'Dope dealer' refers to selling drugs and maintaining a dangerous lifestyle despite the risks.
And these streets they got no mercy on a broke nigga
The streets are unforgiving to those who lack financial resources, especially in a life of crime.
Gangsta Island so all my niggas gang bangers
Referring to the dangerous neighborhoods filled with gangsters where the artist comes from.
Girls come get your cook up
Calling for women to come get their drugs from him.
I came up with the cain slangers
He made a living from selling cocaine.
And I grew up next door to the dopeman
He identifies with his childhood proximity to a drug dealer and the influence it may have had on his life decisions.
Cherry red CL coupe clean as a coke can
Referring to his luxury car, which is as clean and shiny as a freshly opened can of Coke, a common street drug reference.
DEA been doing surveillance they in the dope van
He's aware that he's being watched and possibly targeted by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Nowadays they pay Walter Payton that's 34 bands
Referring to the high amount of money paid by law enforcement informants such as Walter Payton for tips on drug dealers.
Yea, I'm still living like a jack boy
'Jack boy' is a term for a robber or thief who preys on drug dealers.
Got your family wrapped up in tape, I'm 'bout the sack boy
Threatening to harm the families of those who owe him drug money or profit.
And I heard it ain't where you from it's where you at boy
Location is more important than where you come from in surviving on the streets.
Make sure every place that I'm at next to the strap boy
He's always ready for violence, or 'strapped,' to protect himself.
Killing em, shit from these verses put holes in hearses
His music is so deadly that it puts holes in hearses, referencing how his lyrics glorify violence and death.
And these truckers need some product to purchase some at their service
Truckers and other service workers are potential drug buyers for him.
Used to sale my yellow and nextel play for the chirpers
Yellow and Nextel phones were popular among drug dealers and chirpers, or customers looking for drugs.
Ain't no doubt we don't check out CTE they close the curtains
He's affiliated with CTE, or Corporate Thugz Entertainment, and they don't hesitate to take out their enemies.
Still cashing that dope check
He's still profiting from drug sales and living the dangerous lifestyle that accompanies it.
Guns and contraband on deck
He has a ready supply of illegal firearms and other illegal goods available.
Street said that I marked for death
He's been targeted for murder by rival gangs or law enforcement agencies due to his lifestyle.
And might be the one to give smoked next
He's aware that he might be killed and become the next statistic in gang violence.
Might fuck around might beat it down
He's prepared to assault anyone who crosses his path or disrespects him.
That ass round and that throat wet
Vulgar reference to sex with women who are attracted to his dangerous image.
You a pussy boy straight cold Tecs
He questions the bravery of his enemies and suggests they're weak compared to him.
Got a hundred rounds bitch hold that
He has a gun with a large magazine capacity and is threatening to use it.
Bought a 14 of that straight hard
He purchased 14 grams of uncut cocaine, also known as 'hard,' to sell.
And served every geeker that rolled up
He's willing to sell to every customer, regardless of their drug addiction.
That straight trap with no raps with me
He's a true street hustler and doesn't need to rap or rely on music to make a living.
OT but they pack with me
He has a crew of people who travel with him and are armed with guns.
Moonwalking on dope, bitch, I know real niggas on Jackson Street
Reference to drug use impairing one's ability to walk straight, and that he knows tough guys from his neighborhood.
25th, 49th, cali kush over night
Different street corners and intersections where drugs are sold, with mention of a particular brand of marijuana.
Come back to my store dawg but make sure you got your order right
He's running a drug-selling business and expects correct orders from customers.
And my shop might close up so make sure you put your orders in
He's constantly at risk of being shut down by law enforcement, so customers should buy while they still can.
Just another day another dollar ducking court again
He spends a lot of time in court fighting charges related to his illegal activities.
Wrapping up the pack of drugs traffic watching out
Packing drugs for sale while being cautious of law enforcement and other risks.
Winter summer spring fall nigga shovel snow
Rap analogy for making money year-round, even in difficult times when snow needs to be shoveled.
And if I could I'd dig a tunnel straight to Mexico
He'd do anything to avoid being caught by law enforcement, even fleeing the country.
Pass me my strap I think the police at my door because I'm
Paranoia and fear that the police are about to raid his home or business.
And I'm still, still livin like a dope dealer
Reiterating that despite the risks, he's still living the illegal, drug-selling lifestyle.
Finger on the trigger I ain't taking shit from no nigga
Always ready for violence and won't back down from confrontation.
Still, I'm still living like a dope boy
'Dope boy' refers to someone who sells drugs on the street, further emphasizing his criminal lifestyle.
Wrapping up the pack of drugs traffic what you know boy
Continuing to prepare drugs for sale and addressing listeners directly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Frederick Tipton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind