I Seen a Man Die
Freddie Gibbs Feat. Lil Sodi Lyrics
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Ten deep on enemy turf, me and the homies 'bout to mash
Where that glass? Glock was plastic, smoking that gas, puff with the fastest
Bitch get wilding, Gangsta Island, Gary
Smiling in my casket with my eyes wide open
I'ma make my enemy look me straight in my face before they closing
I'ma pierce right through his soul and take control of his emotions
Let it haunt you in your dreams
Before I seen a nigga cry, I seen a young nigga die
Over a Georgetown Starter jacket and some new Jordan 5s
Blessed in this shit, blessed in this shit, question is, will I survive?
Laid out with a hot gun smoking, on his own blood choking, Gangsta Gibbs, bitch
Before I seen a nigga cry, I seen a young nigga die (gotta live my life)
Four, five niggas smoking weed in my Cadillac
Six, seven straps with the beam, that's a matter of fact
Eight, nine geekers, make 'em fiend for a piece of crack
Got ten, eleven youngsters in my kitchen, watch me teach 'em that
You call that reaching back? You call that building up?
Fried bologna and a cracker, that was the meal for us
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I, born and die a sinner, but
Blessings over bullets, I pray the Lord deliver
Gibbs, I'm gangbanging, caine slanging
Before I seen a nigga cry, I seen a young nigga die (gotta live my life)
Four, five niggas smoking weed in my Cadillac
Six, seven straps with the beam, that's a matter of fact
Four, five niggas smoking weed in my Cadillac
Six, seven straps with the beam, that's a matter of fact
Four, five niggas smoking weed in my Cadillac
Six, seven straps with the beam, that's a matter of fact
Four, five niggas smoking weed in my Cadillac
Six, seven straps with the beam, that's a matter of fact
Fucked with him since day one, nigga
Gangsta Gibbs
Living our life in this cold world, nigga
Take a slug, and still at this shit, nigga
You already know, Lil' Sodi
All the neighbors know, L.A.
Gibbs, love you 'til the end, nigga
You my bro
You already know
Love you homie
The lyrics of "I Seen a Man Die" by Freddie Gibbs and Lil Sodi is a vivid reflection of life in the streets, the struggle for survival, and the reality of death. Freddie Gibbs starts his verse by describing a drive-by shooting where he and his homies are on enemy turf, packing heat, and ready to kill. He then juxtaposes this with smoking weed and enjoying life's pleasures. He goes on to talk about how death is ever present in his life, and he wants his enemies to look him straight in the face before he dies. He ends his verse by referencing the movie "Juice" in which Bishop kills Raheem, implying that he is willing to kill and even kill someone's loved ones.
The chorus, "Before I seen a nigga cry, I seen a young nigga die", emphasises the harsh reality of life in the streets, where one is exposed to violence from a young age, leading to a desensitization to death and suffering. Lil Sodi's verse is about his upbringing in poverty and how he had to learn to survive by engaging in gangbanging and drug-dealing. He talks about the cycle of poverty and the meals that they had to eat growing up, which was not exactly nutritious. He ends his verse by acknowledging the harsh reality of life in the streets but chooses to hold on to his faith and blessings over bullets.
Overall, "I Seen a Man Die" is a song that highlights the realities of life in the streets, the hopelessness and violence that come with it, and the importance of holding on to something beyond the harshness of reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten bullets in his ass, hit the gas
Fleeing from a drive-by shooting after inflicting ten gunshots on the victim's body.
Ten deep on enemy turf, me and the homies 'bout to mash
Arriving in a large group in enemy's territory with the intention of causing damage.
Where that glass? Glock was plastic, smoking that gas, puff with the fastest
Asking for a bong while smoking marijuana from a plastic Glock and inhaling quickly to get the highest.
Bitch get wilding, Gangsta Island, Gary
A female acting recklessly in a neighborhood called Gangsta Island in Gary, Indiana.
Smiling in my casket with my eyes wide open
Feeling complete and content with the idea of death and being buried while still showing a wide smile.
I'ma make my enemy look me straight in my face before they closing
Wanting the enemy to witness the killer's face and identity before they die.
I'ma pierce right through his soul and take control of his emotions
Intending to have a profound impact on the enemy's feelings and state of mind before they die.
Let it haunt you in your dreams
Wishing for the fear and memory of the crime to torment the enemy in their sleep.
Bitch kill you, kiss your mama, just like Bishop did Raheem
Referencing a scene from the movie Juice where the character Bishop kills Raheem and kisses his mother as a taunt.
Before I seen a nigga cry, I seen a young nigga die
Experiencing violent death before witnessing an emotional breakdown from someone.
Over a Georgetown Starter jacket and some new Jordan 5s
The victim died due to a materialistic conflict over expensive clothing items.
Blessed in this shit, blessed in this shit, question is, will I survive?
Acknowledging the positive factors in life but still unsure about surviving the dangers and obstacles.
Laid out with a hot gun smoking, on his own blood choking, Gangsta Gibbs, bitch
Being victorious in a violent situation where the enemy is fatally injured and dying from their own gunshot and blood.
Four, five niggas smoking weed in my Cadillac
Being in the enclosed space of a car with four to five people smoking marijuana.
Six, seven straps with the beam, that's a matter of fact
Confirming the existence of six or seven firearms equipped with sighting lasers.
Eight, nine geekers, make 'em fiend for a piece of crack
Having eight or nine people around that are addicted to cocaine and causing them to crave a hit.
Got ten, eleven youngsters in my kitchen, watch me teach 'em that
Being a mentor to ten or eleven young individuals in the kitchen and trying to guide them through life's lessons.
You call that reaching back? You call that building up?
Questioning someone's assistance and contribution to the community in a sarcastic tone.
Fried bologna and a cracker, that was the meal for us
Growing up in poverty and having fried bologna and a cracker as a meal due to financial limitations.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I, born and die a sinner, but
Acknowledging the sinful nature of life from birth to death.
Blessings over bullets, I pray the Lord deliver
Preferring divine blessings over the use of firearms and hoping for salvation.
Gibbs, I'm gangbanging, caine slanging
Indicating the involvement in gang activities and drug dealing.
Fucked with him since day one, nigga
Having a close relationship with someone since the beginning of time.
Living our life in this cold world, nigga
Surviving and getting by in a harsh and unforgiving world.
Take a slug, and still at this shit, nigga
Being able to withstand a gunshot wound and continue living life.
All the neighbors know, L.A.
Having a reputation and recognition from the local population where someone lives.
Gibbs, love you 'til the end, nigga
Sharing a strong bond and love with a friend that lasts until death.
You my bro
Expressing fraternal affection towards someone.
You already know
Confidently stating that someone is already familiar with a situation or feeling.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Anton Zaslavski, Freddie Gibbs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind