Just To Get A Rep
Gangstarr Lyrics
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And this is how the story goes
Brothers are amused by others brother's reps
But the thing they know best is where the gun is kept
'Cause in the night, you'll feel fright
And at the sight of a 4-5th, I guess you just might
Want to do a dance or two
No matter is you or your brother's a star
He could pop you in check without a getaway car
And some might say that he's a dummy
But he's sticking you and taking all of your money
It's a daily operation
He might be loose in the park or lurking at the train station
Mad brothers know his name
So he thinks he got a little fame
From the stick-up game
And while we're blaming society
He's at a party with his man
They got their eye on the gold chain
That the next man's wearing
It looks big but they ain't staring
Just thinking of a way and when to get the brother
They'll be long gone before the kid recovers
And back around the way, he'll have the chain on his neck
Claimin' respect, just to get a rep
Ten brothers in a circle
Had the kid trapped, the one wit the hood, he said, "we'll hurt you"
If you don't run out your dues and pay
Give up the rolex watch or you won't see another day
See, they were on the attack
And one said, "yo, you want to make this to a homicide rap?
Make it fast so we can be on our way
Kick in the rings and everything, ok?"
The kid was nervous and flinching
And little shorty with the 3-8, yo, he was inchin
Closer and closer, put the gun to his head
Shorty was down to catch a body instead
Money was scared so he panicked
Took off his link and his rings and ran frantic
But shorty said, "now" pulled the trigger and stepped
It was nothing, he did it just to get a rep
Gangstarr's song "Just To Get A Rep" is a vivid portrayal of the dangerous life of stick up kids or robbers in inner-city neighborhoods. The song is about how some people are willing to risk their lives and freedom just to gain status, respect and acceptance from their peers in the hood. The verse "Stick up kids is out to tax" sets the tone for the song, suggesting that there are people in the neighborhood who target others for their money or material possessions, using violence and intimidation to get what they want.
The song describes how robbers are always looking for their next victim and how they are well-versed in the neighborhood's ways and where someone might stash their valuables. The verse "Brothers are amused by others brother's reps, but the thing they know best is where the gun is kept" highlights the irony that the same people who enjoy hearing stories about other people's street credibility are the ones who are most afraid of the robbers.
The final verse of the song is a vivid illustration of the senseless violence that can happen in these types of situations. A group of robbers surrounded someone and threaten them with a gun, demanding their valuables. The person gives up their jewelry but then panics and runs away. One of the robbers, a young kid with a 3-8 gun, shoots and kills the victim, for no other reason than to gain a reputation or street credit.
Overall, Gangstarr's "Just To Get A Rep" provides an insightful look into the dangerous lives of robbers in inner-city neighborhoods. The song highlights the senseless violence and the tragic consequences of trying to gain respect and status through violent means.
Line by Line Meaning
Stick up kids is out to tax
There are thieves who want to rob people
And this is how the story goes
It is a common problem in the singer's neighborhood
Brothers are amused by others brother's reps
People are intrigued by each other's reputations
But the thing they know best is where the gun is kept
However, they really know where the criminals have their weapons
'Cause in the night, you'll feel fright
It is scary to be outside at night
And at the sight of a 4-5th, I guess you just might
If you see a gun, you may feel threatened
Want to do a dance or two
You may feel like running or trying to dodge the situation
'Cause they could maybe bust you for self or wit a crew
The criminals may hurt you alone, or with their group
No matter is you or your brother's a star
Even if you, or someone you know, are famous, it won't matter
He could pop you in check without a getaway car
They can rob you without a car to make a quick escape
And some might say that he's a dummy
Some people may think the criminal is not smart
But he's sticking you and taking all of your money
But he is still able to rob people and take their possessions
It's a daily operation
The criminal activity is happening often
He might be loose in the park or lurking at the train station
These criminals can be anywhere, waiting for their next victim
Mad brothers know his name
Other criminals know each other and work together
So he thinks he got a little fame
The criminal thinks he is becoming more well-known
From the stick-up game
From robbing people
And while we're blaming society
People are blaming society for the criminal behavior
He's at a party with his man
The criminals are also enjoying other aspects of life, like parties
They got their eye on the gold chain
They are scouting for their next victim
That the next man's wearing
Another person is wearing a gold chain that they want to steal
It looks big but they ain't staring
They are trying to appear casual so as not to draw attention to themselves
Just thinking of a way and when to get the brother
They are planning when and how to rob the person
They'll be long gone before the kid recovers
They will have already left before the victim realizes what has happened
And back around the way, he'll have the chain on his neck
The criminal will now have the stolen chain
Claimin' respect, just to get a rep
He wants to be known as someone to be respected, but only through criminal behavior
Ten brothers in a circle
A group of ten criminals are together
Had the kid trapped, the one wit the hood, he said, "we'll hurt you"
They have a person cornered, and threaten to hurt them
If you don't run out your dues and pay
They want him to pay them
Give up the rolex watch or you won't see another day
They threaten to kill him if he doesn't give them his watch
See, they were on the attack
The criminals are ready to harm someone
And one said, "yo, you want to make this to a homicide rap?
They even joke about the possibility of murder
Make it fast so we can be on our way
They want to finish the crime quickly and escape
Kick in the rings and everything, ok?"
They demand to take not only the watch, but also other jewelry
The kid was nervous and flinching
The victim was scared and uneasy
And little shorty with the 3-8, yo, he was inchin
One of the criminals had a gun, and was getting closer to the victim
Closer and closer, put the gun to his head
They are now threatening to kill him
Shorty was down to catch a body instead
The criminal is willing to kill the victim
Money was scared so he panicked
The victim was so scared that he acted impulsively
Took off his link and his rings and ran frantic
He threw his jewelry and ran away in a frenzied state
But shorty said, "now" pulled the trigger and stepped
But one of the criminals still shot the victim
It was nothing, he did it just to get a rep
The perpetrator only committed the crime to further build his reputation as a criminal
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRIS E. MARTIN, KEITH ELAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RecklessBones
I don’t care what anybody says, this is one of the greatest hip ho tunes ever be created. It’s got the funk, soul, sound, feel, lyrics, story and moral the lot, the epitome of 90s hip hop.
@Mxllaxx
Periodt❗️❗️❗️
@vikctorrkreedd6418
True.
@christianmccollum1028
Listen to KoolG Rap & DJ Polo's "Streets Of New York" It follows the same criteria.
@MrLionheart1974
Agreed🙏🏾👌🏾🤘🏾
@waynellewellyn
Even TODAY it's relevant.
@supremeclientele83
When you hear the names Guru and Premier you pay respect
@cim8097
Word is born
@ajamocampbell9143
Facts
@djjunerockles4730
Yes Indeed