In the early part of the decade, several American politicians attacked rappers, including the Geto Boys (though most famously Ice-T and 2 Live Crew). A high-profile incident in which Bushwick Bill (actually a dwarf) lost an eye in a shooting incident with his girlfriend helped sales for their third album, We Can't Be Stopped, which showed Bushwick on the cover being carted through a hospital by Scarface and Willie D. They responded to being dropped by Geffen on the title track ("We Can't Be Stopped"), and "Mind Playing Tricks On Me" became a hit in the rap community.
Niggas and Flies
Geto Boys Lyrics
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Niggas and motherfuckin' flies
Niggas and flies always in some shit
Nigga can't stay outta shit for shit
Nigga robbed a bank- now everybody know
Cause nigga had a Rolls Royce clipping through the ghetto
Nigga bought his ho a fur coat the next week
You want drama nigga? I gots drama
What about these niggas drive Beamers living wit they mamas?
And what about these tennis-shoe tasting bitches-
Fucking athletes to obtain the riches
But they hate it when a nigga call 'em hoes and tramps and sluts
But if the shoe fits- lace it up
Niggas ain't good for shit but eatin' barbeque
And holding other niggas back- that's all we do
Niggas annoy me like flies
If it was up to me, I'd burn a gang of you hoes alive
Niggas and flies, niggas and flies
Niggas and motherfuckin' flies
I went to the million man march- it was all good
A bunch of niggas standin' up for they manhood
But niggas are so idiotic-
They still found something fucked up to say about it
But that's a nigga fo yo ass, g
Howl at a nigga if you lookin' for some negativity
Cause niggas got plenty of it- I think they love it
Clarence Thomas- you a motherfuckin' puppet
Ass-kissin' politicians ain't shit to me
And motherfuck the NAACP
Motherfuckin' cowards, suckin' up to the sponsors
And couldn't give a fuck about the black johnstons
So called black radio stations
Runnin' they flap- talkin' bout they don't play rap
But rap pay the bills, motherfucka
And keeps a nigga out of jail, cocksucka
Niggas get on top and niggas hate it
Cause niggas can't stand to see another nigga make it
So how the fuck are niggas coming together to take the first step
When every nigga out to sell-
Niggas and flies, niggas and flies
Niggas and motherfuckin' flies
The song "Niggas and Flies" by Geto Boys is a clear depiction of the adversity African Americans face in their daily lives. The song talks about how black people are often engaged in negative activities and can't seem to avoid trouble. The lyrics "Niggas and flies always in some shit, Nigga can't stay outta shit for shit" shows how black people always seem to be in trouble and unable to avoid it.
The song also discusses how some African Americans make money through illegal means and use it to buy expensive things like furs and cars. However, the song mentions how quickly they can fall back down to poverty. The lyrics "And them loss had his ass walking butt naked down the street, You want drama nigga? I gots drama" shows how quickly things can go wrong for those engaging in illegal activities.
Moreover, the song discusses the issues of jealousy and hate within the black community. The lines "Niggas get on top and niggas hate it, Cause niggas can't stand to see another nigga make it" highlight how some African Americans are unable to work together to help each other achieve success. It's a sad reflection of how black people are often each other's worst enemies.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas and flies, niggas and flies
Black people and flies both tend to find themselves in unpleasant situations
Niggas and motherfuckin' flies
Further emphasis on the comparison between black people and flies
Niggas and flies always in some shit
Both black people and flies seem to attract trouble or unpleasantness
Nigga can't stay outta shit for shit
Black people often find themselves in difficult situations even when they try to avoid them
Nigga robbed a bank- now everybody know
Black people are often more likely to be caught and punished for crimes they commit
Cause nigga had a Rolls Royce clipping through the ghetto
Black people who acquire wealth are often targeted by law enforcement or viewed with suspicion by others in their community
Nigga bought his ho a fur coat the next week
Black people who acquire wealth may spend it in ways that others in their community see as wasteful or inappropriate
And them loss had his ass walking butt naked down the street
Acquiring wealth can lead black people to be targeted by thieves or otherwise put in danger
You want drama nigga? I gots drama
Black people often find themselves in dramatic or difficult situations
What about these niggas drive Beamers living wit they mamas?
Even when black people seem to have material success, they may still face social or personal problems
And what about these tennis-shoe tasting bitches-
Women who date men for their money are often derogatively referred to as 'gold-diggers'
Fucking athletes to obtain the riches
Women may seek out relationships with wealthy athletes in order to acquire their wealth
But they hate it when a nigga call 'em hoes and tramps and sluts
Women who date wealthy men may object to being called derogatory names or judged for their choices
But if the shoe fits- lace it up
If someone's behavior or choices match a derogatory label, then it may be appropriate to apply that label to them
Niggas ain't good for shit but eatin' barbeque
Black people are viewed as being lazy or unproductive
And holding other niggas back- that's all we do
Black people are also viewed as being envious or resentful of each other's success
Niggas annoy me like flies
The comparison between black people and flies is further emphasized
If it was up to me, I'd burn a gang of you hoes alive
The singer has extreme anger or resentment towards black people and desires to harm them
I went to the million man march- it was all good
The singer attended a political rally for black men and had a positive experience
A bunch of niggas standin' up for they manhood
The rally was about black men asserting their identity and rights
But niggas are so idiotic-
The artist has a negative opinion of black people
They still found something fucked up to say about it
Even though the rally was intended to unite black men, some still criticized it
But that's a nigga fo yo ass, g
Black people can be expected to criticize and oppose even things that are intended to empower them
Howl at a nigga if you lookin' for some negativity
Black people are often seen as being excessively negative or critical
Cause niggas got plenty of it- I think they love it
Black people are viewed as taking pleasure in negative or hard-to-deal-with situations
Clarence Thomas- you a motherfuckin' puppet
African American supreme court justice Clarence Thomas is viewed as being controlled by white political forces
Ass-kissin' politicians ain't shit to me
Politicians who pander to wealthy or white voters or policies are viewed as being untrustworthy to black people
And motherfuck the NAACP
The NAACP, a leading civil rights organization, is viewed as being insufficient or hypocritical in its actions or policies
Motherfuckin' cowards, suckin' up to the sponsors
The NAACP, as well as other black civil rights organizations, are viewed as being more interested in money and sponsorships than in truly advocating for black people
And couldn't give a fuck about the black johnstons
Black people with less money or success are viewed as being ignored or mistreated by civil rights organizations
So called black radio stations
Radio stations that cater specifically to black listeners are viewed as being inauthentic or not serving the interests of black people
Runnin' they flap- talkin' bout they don't play rap
Black-oriented radio stations are viewed as being out of touch with the musical tastes of their audience
But rap pay the bills, motherfucka
Rap music, which is traditionally associated with black culture, is a lucrative industry and a major employer for black people
And keeps a nigga out of jail, cocksucka
In some cases, rap music may offer an alternative to a life of crime or violence for black people
Niggas get on top and niggas hate it
Other black people may resent and criticize successful black people who achieve material or social success
Cause niggas can't stand to see another nigga make it
This resentment is motivated by envy or social competition among black people
So how the fuck are niggas coming together to take the first step
Black people are viewed as being unable to work together to achieve collective goals
When every nigga out to sell-
Individual black people may be more interested in making money or advancing their own interests than in working with others to achieve shared goals
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIE DENNIS, DEREK EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind