Silverbacks
GZA/Genius feat. Rebel Ins & Masta Killa Lyrics

One, two, one, two, the High Chief
Introducing himself, GZA sets the tone for the rest of the song.

Yeah, yo, so alone, baby
Feeling isolated and disconnected from those around him.

I'm just lookin' out of the window
Observing the world around him from afar.

Watchin' the gunshots blow-ow
Witnessing the violent nature of his surroundings firsthand.

Thinkin' how we all was turnin' out
Reflecting on the fate of those caught in the same situation as him.

Keepin' my head above water
Trying to maintain a sense of hope and perseverance despite the odds.

Got to make a weight when I can ('cause I can)
Taking advantage of opportunities as they come, because he knows he might not get another chance.

Temporary lay off, cop pay offs, daily rip offs
Describing the corrupt and criminal nature of his environment.

Informer tip off, clips lick off
Witnessing the betrayal and violence inherent in his community.

The judge got hit off, boss got knocked off
Noting the danger and precariousness of the positions of those in power.

Worker made a come off, cash got dropped off
Acknowledging the potential for individuals to benefit from the criminal activities around them.

Buildings got burnt out, sisters got turned out
Describing the widespread destruction and victimization in his surroundings.

Work out in the yard up North, tryin' to burst out
Revealing his own personal struggles and desire to escape his current situation.

Pissy elevators, dirty cop favors
Painting a picture of the decrepit and corrupt infrastructure of his community.

Tongues hiding razors, minors turn majors
Observing the prevalence of weapons and the rapid growth and maturation of young individuals within his environment.

Wave the bigger tools, shoot out inside the school yard
Commenting on the shocking frequency and location of violent incidents.

The game ain't changed, niggaz done made their own rules
Emphasizing the perpetuation of injustice and chaos despite the passing of time.

They buildin' plans, they pull a million dollar scam
Noting the schemes and ambitions of those around him.

Watch for taped conversations, Jakes and dollar bands
Cautiously aware of the surveillance and law enforcement tactics within his environment.

The black market, labelled the movin' target
Highlighting the transient and elusive nature of the criminal underworld.

Dwellin' in the heartless projects
Describing the soulless and inhumane conditions of impoverished areas.

Evil eyes walkin', the BBS rims flossin'
Noting the ostentatious and threatening demeanor of certain individuals within his surroundings.

The beat walk in, harassin' the street walkin'
Commenting on the constant scrutiny and harassment from law enforcement.

They keep talkin', like the Rebel might slow up
Acknowledging the doubters and naysayers who don't believe he can survive in his current environment.

They set me up to go up, the witness didn't show up
Recounting a specific instance where someone tried to frame him or pin a crime on him, but without success.

Look out in drug stores (but I'm slippin') bare approach the look out
Describing a dangerous task he has undertaken, likely involving drug purchases.

Be off the block by ten, the kite was sent
Receiving a warning to leave the area by a certain time, via a message or letter.

Then all those who dare to oppose, were sent back
Detailing the violent repercussions for anyone who dares to challenge or resist the power structure around him.

Chained to the train track, protect ya jaw
Using a metaphor to describe the helplessness and danger of those who are victimized by those in power.

These silverback niggaz eat their oatmeal raw
Referring to powerful and brutal individuals who eat their prey raw, as a way of emphasizing their dominance and savagery.

Cee Allah sawed the shotti, 'Preme went down for a body
Recounting specific events involving individuals he knows or has heard of, likely related to violent crimes.

He killed Poppy, dusted in the lobby, toxy off shocky
Describing a brutal and merciless murder, using graphic and vivid language.

Cops be harassin' tryin' to stop cashin'
Continuing to highlight the oppressive and invasive tactics of law enforcement in his environment.

The episodes pass, I flash back to guns
Experiencing traumatic flashbacks to violent and dangerous moments in his past.

And crack stashed in grass, you movin' savage
Noting the prevalence of drug use and sales, and the associated danger and violence.

Please warn him of his ways and actions
Imploring someone to reconsider their choices and behavior before it's too late.

Before I blast him
Threatening violence against anyone who doesn't heed his warning or threatens his safety.

Then the homicide was justified when I arrive
Justifying his own violent actions by claiming they were a response to threats or danger.

Black tints on the glass with the stockin' cap mask
Describing his own attempts to hide his identity and avoid detection.

It's all official, steel pistol style whip you, to the gristle
Bringing a sense of legitimacy to his own violent and aggressive tactics.

While my team be stompin' you out after the whistle
Referring to his associates or cohorts who join in to further harm or torment someone after an altercation or confrontation.

I went from the slums of Hell to paradise in Heaven
Reflecting on his own journey and the significant changes he's undergone in his life.

From a sling-shot to a wall of mac 11's
Contrasting his humble beginnings with the terrifying and dangerous weaponry now present in his community.

I drank with the Devil and ate with the Reverand
Highlighting the unconventional social connections and alliances formed in his environment.

We talked numbers and I told 'em, that mine was 7
Indicating his involvement in criminal activity and his own personal success or power stemming from that involvement.

The total amount of hits, behind the collapsed building
Describing a devastating and bloody event that he seems to have been involved with.

That had exploded in a frenzy of killings
Emphasizing the violence and death caused by the aforementioned event.

Bodies lay near tons of twisted metal
Painting a gruesome and macabre picture of the aftermath of the event.

Of a structure and atomic force, it levelled
Describing the total destruction and obliteration of a building or structure.

From the tale of the tape, the product failed in comparison
Reflecting on the shortcomings or flaws in a particular plan or operation.

The weight, the height, the reach, was not a year within
Indicating the superiority or advantage of one individual or group over another through physical attributes or resources.

Sight, the significant, difference was the ammo
Attributing the key difference in power or ability to the type and amount of weaponry involved.

Wrecking y'all individuals and their man know
Threatening or intimidating certain individuals while emphasizing his own power and dominance.

Second by second, heat blazed through the night
Describing a violent confrontation or shootout that occurred.

Leaving a dazzling array of neon lights
Describing the visual and sensory impact of the violence taking place.

The primary reason of mission for them spitting
Referring to a group or individual whose primary goal is to instigate conflict or aggression.

The firing kept hitting, them dust, they kept sipping
Describing the ongoing nature of the violent confrontation and the nonchalant, detached behavior of some of the participants.

But the informants x-rays gave off electrons
Referring to the technological capabilities of law enforcement or other outside authorities.

Within a few next days, entire cess gone
Noting the ability of authorities to completely destroy or dismantle a criminal operation.

Prenticle percisions used to remove the eyelids
Describing the gruesome tactics used by those in power to interrogate or punish those who step out of line.

Those responsible for my brothers with high bids
Referring to those who ruin or take the lives of his friends or associates, often for financial gain.

Life in the hood is an award winning film
Commenting on the dramatic and harrowing nature of his environment, which could easily be made into a critically acclaimed movie or television show.

Lived ut by savages who can't escape the realm
Emphasizing the inescapable and traumatic reality of life in poverty and violence.

A place where the young meet and greet with guns
Highlighting the prevalence and normalcy of youth violence in his environment.

In the park they interrupt the pure innocent fun
Describing the disheartening and dangerous state of play and gathering areas in his community.