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."
The game
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't nothing staring me, apparently, till they bury me
I'm serving, working, Chevy hugging this curb and
Got to watch out for them jackers cause you know they stay lurking
And they itching to plot a scheme, but I won't let them stop my dream
Can't leave my crib without my toolie stuffed in my jeans
They keep banging, slanging, on them corners we hanging
Get twisted in the wrong situation and leave you stanking
My focus in this rap shit just to get me off this block
And mama, she broke her neck to make sure I didn't want for nothing
But I was so self-destructive, I had to wish off the hustling
I'm thugging, rolling the dice with my life on a nightly basis
See if I crap out, I'll probably be trapped out, I should be patient
And paper ain't never promised, so product I push that
I just pray my baby brother don't follow my footsteps
I'm in the game, I live the game
Think about the pain, it's a shame that I can't shake the game
Everybody and they mama asking why
But I'm in the game, live by the game and in the game I'mma die
I'm in the game, I live the game
Think about the pain, it's a shame that I can't shake the game
Everybody and they mama asking why
But I'm in the game, live by the game and in the game I'mma die
This life I'm living like a magnet for drama
All night I fight with all my might to get that almighty dollar
I be hustling, struggling, out here thirsty and thugging
Got to watch the way I move, I got enemies by the dozen
It's cold but I wish it wasn't, the chopper's constantly busting
These niggas that barely know me will smoke me all over nothing
They hating, waiting to put me under the pavement
Ask God to walk with me through the dark cause my heart was aching
On every single occasion I swear my conscience was gone
Ain't no excuse for my actions, I know I was doing wrong
Lord I just pray you forgive me, I got blood on my hands
Tryna find a way to wipe them clean but I don't understand
How I maneuver through this game, with no fear, risking it all
When it's check out time, you best be prepared when you get the call
Now everybody and they mama asking why
But I'm in the game, live by the game and in the game I'mma die
I'm in the game, I live the game
Think about the pain, it's a shame that I can't shake the game
Everybody and they mama asking why
But I'm in the game, live by the game and in the game I'mma die
I'm in the game, I live the game
Think about the pain, it's a shame that I can't shake the game
Everybody and they mama asking why
But I'm in the game, live by the game and in the game I'mma die
The lyrics to "The Game" by Freddie Gibbs describe the harsh realities of living in the ghetto and being a part of the street life. Gibbs describes how he had no choice but to carry a gun and be on constant watch for danger as he navigates the streets. He acknowledges the risk he is taking every time he goes out, but he refuses to let anyone stop him from achieving his dreams. Despite trying to leave the game, he feels trapped by it and ultimately accepts that he will likely die in it.
The song also portrays the struggle with guilt and remorse that comes with living a life of crime. Gibbs acknowledges the harm he has caused and wishes he could undo his actions, but feels trapped in the cycle of the game. He prays for forgiveness, but knows that he will be judged for his past mistakes.
Overall, "The Game" offers a raw and honest look into the difficult realities of street life and the emotions that come with it. It touches on themes of regret, danger, and the struggle to break free from a life of crime.
Line by Line Meaning
Came up on this ghetto street, no choice but to carry heat
I grew up in a dangerous neighborhood and carrying a weapon was necessary for survival.
Ain't nothing staring me, apparently, till they bury me
There's no guarantee in life, and danger could be lurking around any corner.
I'm serving, working, Chevy hugging this curb and
I'm selling drugs out of my car and living life on the edge.
Got to watch out for them jackers cause you know they stay lurking
I have to be cautious because there are people who will rob me for my drugs and money.
And they itching to plot a scheme, but I won't let them stop my dream
There are people who want to harm me, but I won't let them get in the way of my goals.
Can't leave my crib without my toolie stuffed in my jeans
I can't go anywhere without my gun because of the danger that surrounds me.
They keep banging, slanging, on them corners we hanging
My friends and I are selling drugs on the street corner, risking our lives for money.
Get twisted in the wrong situation and leave you stanking
Making the wrong move could lead to injury or death.
I was built for this, but I must admit it's just too hot
I'm accustomed to this dangerous life, but it's becoming too much to handle.
My focus in this rap shit just to get me off this block
I'm hoping to make it as a rapper so I can leave this dangerous neighborhood.
And mama, she broke her neck to make sure I didn't want for nothing
My mother worked hard to provide for me and give me the best life possible.
But I was so self-destructive, I had to wish off the hustling
I was making dangerous choices that would only lead to trouble, so I had to stop selling drugs.
I'm thugging, rolling the dice with my life on a nightly basis
I'm living a dangerous life and taking a risk with my life every day.
See if I crap out, I'll probably be trapped out, I should be patient
If I make a mistake, I could be trapped in prison, so I need to be careful and patient.
And paper ain't never promised, so product I push that
Money isn't guaranteed, so I have to sell drugs to make a living.
I just pray my baby brother don't follow my footsteps
I hope my younger brother doesn't get involved in the same dangerous lifestyle that I did.
I'm in the game, I live the game
I'm involved in the dangerous lifestyle of drug dealing and I'm fully committed to it.
Think about the pain, it's a shame that I can't shake the game
I understand the suffering and pain that comes with this lifestyle, but it's difficult to get out of it.
Everybody and they mama asking why
Everyone is questioning why I choose to live a life of crime and danger.
But I'm in the game, live by the game and in the game I'mma die
I'm fully committed to this lifestyle even if it's likely to lead to my death.
This life I'm living like a magnet for drama
My lifestyle attracts drama and trouble, and I constantly find myself in dangerous situations.
All night I fight with all my might to get that almighty dollar
I'm willing to work hard and take risks to make money, even if it's illegal.
I be hustling, struggling, out here thirsty and thugging
I'm working hard to make ends meet and stay alive.
Got to watch the way I move, I got enemies by the dozen
I have to be cautious of my actions because I have many enemies who want to harm me.
It's cold but I wish it wasn't, the chopper's constantly busting
The violence and danger in my life are constant, and I wish things were different.
These niggas that barely know me will smoke me all over nothing
People I barely know might kill me for no reason other than the fact that I'm involved in the drug game.
They hating, waiting to put me under the pavement
My enemies want to kill me and they're constantly plotting against me.
Ask God to walk with me through the dark cause my heart was aching
I pray to God to give me strength and guidance because I'm going through a difficult time.
On every single occasion I swear my conscience was gone
I did many bad things and didn't feel guilty at the time because I was caught up in the lifestyle.
Ain't no excuse for my actions, I know I was doing wrong
I take full responsibility for my actions and know that what I did was wrong.
Lord I just pray you forgive me, I got blood on my hands
I ask God to forgive me for the harm I've caused others in my life.
Tryna find a way to wipe them clean but I don't understand
I'm trying to make things right and find forgiveness, but I'm not sure how to do it.
How I maneuver through this game, with no fear, risking it all
I take dangerous risks and make bold moves even though I know the danger involved.
When it's check out time, you best be prepared when you get the call
When death comes, you need to be ready and prepared for it because it could happen suddenly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Cory Parham, Freddie Gibbs, Leighton Hicks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Damon Spangle
Damn a full version would be so fire.
Chronic Blunts27
Make a full version yo
Adrian Gill
Slept on all day Gibbs rep. G.I. just murkin clowns
J 20
Jesus