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.
We Can't Be Stopped
Geto Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know in 1989, we knocked on the door
In 1990, we beat on the door
Now it's 1991, we finna to kick this muthafucka in
Let's talk about a scandal
The album Geffen found too hot to handle
Fucked up the minds of you and yours
Can you believe those hypocrites
Who distribute Guns n Roses but not our shit
And they say we're a racist act
Ain't that the pot calling the kettle black
Man fuck them hoes
We got new partners and got shit done regardless
'Cause our fans are ever ready down to die hard
Around the globe to 5th Ward
I read a news report
Some lawyer in Florida wanna take us to court
Somebody tell that country ass hick
To go suck a dead man's dick
You scream obscenity, but it's publicity
You want hoes so don't act like you don't know
Better fuck with somebody else before you get popped
'Cause we can't be stopped
Geto Boys Geto Boys
Geto Boys geto Boys
People are frightened when they hear the Boys
'Cause we ain't just a bunch of noise
None of that me me rappin'
We let your mutherfuckin as know whats happenin
Bitches get raped, niggas get murdered
Adults fuckin kids in numbers unheard of
It's on the news every hour
Why can't I talk about it?
Everybody seem to be after us
Even the manufacturers
Wouldn't press our disc, you know it wasn't fair
Fuck everybody who work there
And every mutherfuckin reporter
Across every mutherfuckin border
You said the album wasn't coming out fighter
But when it did you couldn't find your typewriter
Keep lettin the government dictate what you hear
Next they'll put stickers on your ears
Even with that move we got 'em in anguish
'Cause we'll learn sign language
We can't be stopped
Geto Boys Geto Boys
Willie D is the gangsta of love
Some of my friends sell drugs
I sell knowledge that you can't get a ho
'Cause the game is sold not told
Promoters took away our tour
Negative press made them insecure
And you wonder why you never see a video
Of the boys from the geto
No radio, talkshow, or magazine were we in
And we still in the top 10
You can't beat that with a bat
Huh, hammer can't touch that
We from the muhafuckin south
Now what was that bullshit about?
That we had to be from Cali or New York
Anybody can make it that got heart
Trenchcoats and gangster hats got my back
Any nigga around me got to pack
So come on muthafuckas, come on muthafuckas, FUCK!
We can't be stopped
Geto Boys Geto Boys
Geto Boys Geto Boys
The Geto Boys' song "We Can't Be Stopped" is a passionate expression of the group's frustration and anger towards the music industry's double standards and hypocrisy. The lyrics speak of their album being too hot to handle for Geffen, despite the label distributing Guns n Roses, and their fans being constantly attacked by the media and the government. The group calls out the industry for labeling them as racist, while distributing products that are violent and misogynistic. They refuse to be censored or silenced, knowing they have a loyal and supportive fan base.
Throughout the song, the members of the Geto Boys express their pride in their southern roots and resolve to represent their community no matter what. They acknowledge the violent content of their lyrics and defend their right to speak about social issues, including rape, murder, and child abuse. They also comment on the lack of representation of their style of music in mainstream media, expressing frustration over their tour being canceled and lack of exposure on radio and TV.
In the end, the Geto Boys refuse to back down or compromise their message, expressing their strength and determination with the refrain "We can't be stopped."
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, it's time to do it like a G.O. once again
We're going to do this like we always have, with the same determination and grit that's characteristic of the Geto Boys
You know in 1989, we knocked on the door
In 1989 we arrived on the scene, and started making music that challenged the status quo
In 1990, we beat on the door
In 1990 we continued to push our sound, despite resistance from record labels and the media
Now it's 1991, we finna to kick this muthafucka in
In 1991 we're going to take things to the next level and make real change in the music industry
Let's talk about a scandal
We're going to address an issue that's been weighing on our minds
The album Geffen found too hot to handle
Our previous album was deemed controversial and offensive by Geffen Records
Fucked up the minds of you and yours
Some people were negatively influenced by our music, according to Geffen Records
The last LP from the Geto Boys
Our most recent and controversial album, according to Geffen Records
Can you believe those hypocrites
We're highlighting the hypocrisy of Geffen Records
Who distribute Guns n Roses but not our shit
Geffen Records distributes music from other controversial artists, but refused to distribute our music on similar grounds
And they say we're a racist act
Geffen Records accused us of being a racist group
Ain't that the pot calling the kettle black
Geffen Records' accusation against us is hypocritical, considering they distribute music from other controversial artists
Man fuck them hoes
We don't care about Geffen Records, and are moving on
We got new partners and got shit done regardless
We've found new people to work with and have continued to produce music, regardless of resistance
'Cause our fans are ever ready down to die hard
Our fans are loyal and committed to our music
Around the globe to 5th Ward
Our fans come from all over the world, from different backgrounds and locations
I read a news report
We're referencing a news story we heard about
Some lawyer in Florida wanna take us to court
A lawyer from Florida is planning legal action against us
Somebody tell that country ass hick
We're criticizing the lawyer for his supposed backwardness and lack of understanding
To go suck a dead man's dick
We're dismissing the lawyer and his actions as pointless and irrelevant
You scream obscenity, but it's publicity
Our controversial lyrics and actions are getting attention, even if it's negative
You want hoes so don't act like you don't know
Critics are only criticizing us for attention, and are hypocritical in their desire for attention and success
Better fuck with somebody else before you get popped
Critics should back off or they might face consequences
'Cause we can't be stopped
Despite the criticism and legal action, we'll keep producing music and being successful
People are frightened when they hear the Boys
Our music is powerful and intimidating
'Cause we ain't just a bunch of noise
Our music has a message and substance, unlike some critics may suggest
None of that me me rappin'
We're not interested in shallow, self-centered lyrics
We let your mutherfuckin as know whats happenin
We're informing listeners about the reality of life, and not sugar-coating the truth
Bitches get raped, niggas get murdered
Our lyrics are unapologetically violent and explicit, reflecting the harsh realities of life
Adults fuckin kids in numbers unheard of
We're discussing taboo and disturbing topics to provoke a response
It's on the news every hour
These issues are being discussed and reported on constantly
Why can't I talk about it?
Our lyrics are expressing a need to address serious issues and not be silenced
Everybody seem to be after us
We feel like we're under attack
Even the manufacturers
Even the people who produce our albums are hesitant to do so
Wouldn't press our disc, you know it wasn't fair
Manufacturers refused to press our albums, unfairly limiting our opportunities
Fuck everybody who work there
We have no sympathy for those who are hesitant to work with us
And every mutherfuckin reporter
The media is also complicit in limiting our success
Across every mutherfuckin border
Our struggle is not limited by borders or geography
You said the album wasn't coming out fighter
Critics expected our latest album to fail
But when it did you couldn't find your typewriter
Our album was successful, despite critical predictions
Keep lettin the government dictate what you hear
Critics are allowing the government to control their music preferences and limit their exposure to certain artists
Next they'll put stickers on your ears
Critics are passive and allowing the government to control them, rather than standing up for themselves
Even with that move we got 'em in anguish
Even with the government's attempt to limit our success, we still have a strong following and are successful
'Cause we'll learn sign language
We'll continue to innovate and communicate with our fans, regardless of the government's attempts to silence us
Willie D is the gangsta of love
We're highlighting the diversity of our music and personalities
Some of my friends sell drugs
Our personal experiences are reflected in our lyrics and music
I sell knowledge that you can't get a ho
We're providing a different perspective than what is typically found in mainstream music
'Cause the game is sold not told
We're emphasizing the importance of experience and street smarts in our music
Promoters took away our tour
Our controversial music and image is limiting our opportunities for live performances
Negative press made them insecure
Criticism and negative attention has made promoters hesitant to work with us
And you wonder why you never see a video
Our music is not widely accepted, and we don't receive the same opportunities as other artists
Of the boys from the geto
We're from the ghetto, and are not given the same opportunities or recognition as other artists
No radio, talkshow, or magazine were we in
Our music is not widely accepted or praised by mainstream media outlets
And we still in the top 10
Despite limited opportunities and negative attention, our music is still successful
You can't beat that with a bat
Our success is not due to luck, but our talent and hard work
Huh, hammer can't touch that
Even the most powerful barriers, like a hammer, cannot stop our success
We from the muhafuckin south
We're proud of our southern roots and cultural influences
Now what was that bullshit about?
We're challenging criticisms and stereotypes about southern rap and culture
That we had to be from Cali or New York
Critics once believed that only artists from California or New York could be successful
Anybody can make it that got heart
We're emphasizing that success isn't limited by geography or background, but by hard work and dedication
Trenchcoats and gangster hats got my back
We have a unique image and style that represents us and our fans
Any nigga around me got to pack
We're emphasizing the importance of being prepared and protected in our environment
So come on muthafuckas, come on muthafuckas, FUCK!
We're challenging anyone who doubts our talent or success
We can't be stopped
Despite any barriers, obstacles, or criticisms, we'll continue making music and being successful
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHILIP JAMES BAILEY, LEYSATH COLLINS, WILLIE DENNIS, LARRY DUNN, MAURICE WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind