I Gotha Back
Genius Lyrics


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I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
Cause it's the niggas that front, they be pulling stunts
I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
Cause it's the niggas who front (they be pulling stunts)

I was always taught my do's and don'ts
For do's I did, and for don'ts, I said I won't
I'm from Brooklyn, a place where stars are born
Streets are shot up, apartment buildings are torn
And ripped up, stripped up, shacked up and backed up
From fiends, cause the bosses on the scene, they got it cracked up
Kids are slinging in my lobby
Little Steve and Bobby
Getting paid but it's a life-threatening hobby
Yeah, they still play hide-and-seek
The fiends seek for the crack, and they hide and let the cops peep
Grown folks say they should be out on their own
Before the gangs come and blow up their mom's home
Because they lifestyle is hectic, so fucking hectic
Blaow! Blaow! Blaow! Bullets are ejected
My lifestyle was so far from well
Could've wrote a book with a title "Age 12 and Going Through Hell"
Then I realized the plan
I'm trapped in a deadly video game, with just one man
So I don't only watch my back, I watch my front
Cause it's the niggas who front, they be pulling stunts
Back on the Ave of Lavonia and Bristol with a pistol
Sticking up Pamela and Crystal
You know your town is dangerous when you see the strangest
Kid come home from doing the bid and nothing changes
What is the meaning of CRIME (what?)
Is it Criminals Robbing Innocent Motherfuckers Everytime?
Little shorties take walks to the schoolyard
Trying to solve the puzzles to why is life so hard
Then as soon as they reached the playground, blaow!
Shots ring off and now one of them lay down
It's so hard to escape the gunfire
I wish I could rule it out like an umpire
But it's an everlasting game, and it never cease to exist
Only the players change, so

I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
Cause it's the niggas that front, they be pulling stunts
I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
Cause it's the niggas who front (they be pulling stunts)
I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
Cause it's the niggas that front, they be pulling stunts
I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
Cause it's the niggas who front (they be pulling stunts)
I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
Cause it's the niggas that front, they be pulling stunts
I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
Cause it's the niggas who front (they be pulling stunts)

I gotcha back
I gotcha back so you best to watch your front
Cause it's the niggas who front, that be pulling stunts




I gotcha back but you best to watch your front
It's the niggas who front, that be pulling stunts

Overall Meaning

The song "I Gotcha Back" by Genius/GZA is a vivid portrayal of life in Brooklyn, a place where stars are born but also streets are violent and dangerous. The lyrics talk about the need to watch both your back and your front, because the people who "front" are the ones who are most likely to pull stunts. The song also portrays the reality of crime and gun violence in inner cities, particularly through the stories of kids who are involved in slinging drugs, getting shot at the playground, or robbing innocent people. The lyrics suggest that life is like a video game, where you have to watch out for enemies and navigate through obstacles, all while trying to survive and succeed.


The first verse of the song sets the tone for what follows, with its emphasis on the importance of being aware of who is around you and what they may be capable of doing. The references to fiends, slinging, and little Steve and Bobby highlight the harsh realities of life in Brooklyn, where drug dealing and addiction are pervasive. The second verse delves deeper into the theme of crime and violence, with its graphic descriptions of stick-ups and shootings. The line "you know your town is dangerous when you see the strangest kid come home from doing the bid and nothing changes" is particularly poignant and speaks to the futility of trying to escape poverty and violence.


Overall, "I Gotcha Back" is a powerful song that offers a glimpse into a world that many of us will never experience firsthand. The lyrics are raw and honest, and the sense of urgency and danger is palpable throughout the song. At the same time, the song also offers a message of hope and resilience, suggesting that despite all the obstacles, there is still a way to survive and come out on top, if you're willing to watch your back and your front.


Line by Line Meaning

I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
I'll support you, but be careful because people who act tough might try to deceive you


Cause it's the niggas that front, they be pulling stunts
People who act tough and show off are usually the ones who are up to no good


I was always taught my do's and don'ts
I was educated on what I should and should not do in life


For do's I did, and for don'ts, I said I won't
I followed through with what I was supposed to do and avoided what I shouldn't do


I'm from Brooklyn, a place where stars are born
I come from Brooklyn, a place where talented people are often raised


Streets are shot up, apartment buildings are torn
The streets are often shot at with firearms and buildings are damaged


From fiends, cause the bosses on the scene, they got it cracked up
Drug addicts are everywhere because the drug dealers have control of the area


Getting paid but it's a life-threatening hobby
Some people make money from risky activities that could result in death


The fiends seek for the crack, and they hide and let the cops peep
Drug addicts search for drugs and try to hide from the police


Before the gangs come and blow up their mom's home
It's better for kids to leave their home before gangs come and destroy it


My lifestyle was so far from well
My way of living was very difficult and unpleasant


Could've wrote a book with a title 'Age 12 and Going Through Hell'
My life at twelve years old was so difficult, it could have been written as a book


Because they lifestyle is hectic, so fucking hectic
Their way of living is very busy and chaotic


It's so hard to escape the gunfire
It's difficult to avoid getting shot


I wish I could rule it out like an umpire
I wish I could stop the shooting like an umpire stops play in a baseball game


But it's an everlasting game, and it never cease to exist
The cycle of violence never seems to end


I gotcha back
I have your support


I gotcha back but you best to watch your front
I support you, but be cautious of those who deceive you




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY E. GRICE, ROBERT F. DIGGS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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