Cataracts
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib Lyrics

Yeah, check, check, yeah, uh
Opening line/interjection, no deep meaning.

Chillin' in my, uh, uh
Relaxing/laying low.

Chillin' in my, chillin' in my, uh
Repeating relaxation/laying low.

Old school
Riding in a vintage car.

Chevy thang, Cadillac
More description of the vintage car.

Smokin' on that good, good
Using marijuana.

Good for my cataracts
Marijuana is believed to help with cataracts, but he's using a lot.

Fuckin' up this bad food
Eating unhealthy food.

Fast food, gettin' fat
More details on unhealthy eating habits.

Nine, extended clip attached
Carrying a weapon with a long magazine.

Swingin' it like a battle axe
Brandishing the weapon aggressively.

Livin' la vida broke-a
Living in poverty.

Fuckin' these smokers up and baggin' crack
Probably selling drugs to get by.

Antonio Montana dream
Reference to Scarface character and living like him.

Mama wasn't havin' that
Family didn't approve of his lifestyle.

Niggas ain't know no better
Justifying his criminal behavior.

We fuck 'em and pass 'em
Using people and discarding them.

We was passin' rats
Rats meaning informants and enemies.

Bitch, you wet my 'Wood up
Someone got the blunt/marijuana wet.

Dry my shit off 'fore you pass it back
Asking for the blunt/marijuana back dry.

Bitch, pass it back, pass the Act'
Asking for the blunt/marijuana back again.

Codeine got me passin' out
Codeine is a powerful drug that makes him sleepy.

Crown mix it with cranberry
Mixing Crown Royal whiskey with cranberry juice.

Tryna see what that about
Experimenting with new drinks.

'Member we hit that lick and tied up them Crips in that Atlanta house
Robbery at the expense of violence and gang culture.

Had to smoke that nigga that came along with us 'cause he was gon' rat us out
Silencing a witness.

Seem like my actions was devil sin, I can't sympathize
Starting to see that his actions are wrong.

Fuck generation next, this generation genocide
Condemning the generation he comes from.

Your social stat make you fantasize about a homicide
Social status causing people to act out violently.

To me, the guy that lie is the black man personified
The stereotype of black men as liars.

Anticipatin' and killin' my own in search of wealth
Killing those in his community for money.

Should he come knockin' at the door of your home, you know, for death
Being prepared for danger at all times.

Knew the Lord was in the room when my daughter took her first breath
A religious reference to his daughter's birth.

Cold turkey on the dope, had to gain the knowledge of self
Quitting drug addiction to focus on self-improvement.

Wish I could put that pussy off in my pockets, I would leave with that
Lamenting the fact that he can't have sex without repercussions.

Hit my after your cycle, I need that pussy with no string attached
Asking for sex on the woman's terms.

Fiendin' to get it, won't hit it, against my religion, a nigga won't bleed for that
Wanting sex but refusing unsafe sex due to diseases or risk of pregnancy.

You lucky enough to get you a nigga with morals, you needed to heed to that
Glad that he has morals and women should respect that.

Turkey bacon, bitch, like my toast buttered on both sides
Describing a preferred breakfast.

Chevy dipped in liquid cocaine, my Casper the Ghost ride
Describing his car and its drug connection.

I let some people go from my company and they sold out
Fired disloyal employees who then betrayed him.

I know that they jumpin' straight into Hell, I pray that they nosedive
Wishing bad luck on the former employees and hoping they fail.

Mama said don't leave out the house if you ain't got Jesus with you
Taking his mother's advice to heart.

Last Supper, you might get fucked by niggas that's eatin' with you
Being wary of those around him.

Side bitch was trippin', I fucked but won't spend the evening with her
Not interested in a relationship with his mistress.

My baby mama switched up her diet, I'ma go vegan with her
Eating healthier for his child's mother.

Father, please deliver us niggas, carnivorous niggas
Asking for help for himself and other violent men.

I walk amongst the dumb, deaf, and blind, and them frivolous niggas
Describing the people he surrounds himself with.

And dope, rap, and basketball punchin' a ticket for niggas
The lack of opportunities for young black men.

You put it in the book then I guess you done hid it from niggas
Conspiracy theory that important information is kept from black people.

Mashallah, rest in peace to Tha Jacka
Respect to the late rapper.

Paradise, the next life, I'll see you in the hereafter
Hope for an afterlife.

I'm in that ebony Instagram, my nigga was mad I ain't smashin'
Discussing an encounter with a woman.

Nigga, I don't need you for the feature, really don't fuck with no rapper
Not interested in collaborating with other rappers.

I don't got no problem with these niggas wearin' they dresses and skirts
Not bothered by people wearing unconventional clothing.

When you pop up with an opinion and drag your name through the dirt
When people are ridiculed for having an opinion.

On the Day of Judgement, niggas gon' pay for they dirt
Belief in karma.

Including me
Acknowledging his own faults.

Couldn't push my boat through the lake of fire 'cause my paddles was burnt
Difficulty overcoming difficulties because of past mistakes.

Uncle was smokin' that work
Family member using drugs.

Can't come in the crib, I serve you through the gate
People selling drugs through a gate or window without inviting anyone inside.

Smell the dope off in the air
Describing the environment.

Jimmy Duggan, shake and bake
Reference to the movie Talladega Nights.

Used to walk a dog with H
References his past and his connection to H.

In and out, Empire State
Traveling to New York often.

'68 Chevalle, don't need no Bentley truck or fuckin' Wraith
Proud of his vintage car and doesn't need new, expensive cars.

2014, addicted to lean, I was depressed as fuck
Admitting to addiction and depression.

Duckin' shots and wonderin' if my own niggas set me up
Paranoia and uncertainty about his circle of friends.

And if they knock me down, I wonder would one of my niggas help me up?
Loyalty and the fear of being abandoned by friends.

Pockets, they finger-lickin', they honey kettle chicken, breaded up
Describing wealth.

Bitch, get your bread up, bitch
Telling someone to get money and improve their situation.

I say my pockets, they finger-lickin', honey kettle chicken, breaded up, bitch
Repeating the description of wealth.

This that new shit
Bringing in a new sound and style.

Madlib, that new shit
Giving credit to the music producer.

Takin' over, new king, woo
Confidence and becoming a new leader in the music scene.

Let that shit ride out
Ending the song.

You better pray twice, nigga
Closing warning.