The Champion
Ghostface Killah Lyrics


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[: RZA and Ghostface, Raekwon () and somebody
Word. Man fuck that nigga
Fuck that crab, ass, bitch [Who the live niggaz youknowhatI'msayin?]
[You niggaz know how to shoot joints] (Put down the gun son)
[Elmira, Riker's Island, coming from Brownsville] (Put down the gun son)
Niggaz tried to front on my little sister (Put down the gun)
[YouknowhatI'msayin we represent youknowhatI'msayin?]
[YouknowhatI'msayin? Big Tony Rhome, peace to my man Tony Rhome]
They tried to, tried to front on this (Put down the gun son)
[RZA respect youknowhatI'msayin? We keep it real]
Yeah, check it out why'all (put down the, put down the gun son)
[Put your guns down, throw your hands up]
It's on like that why'all word up, Iron Man comes back
[Represent, you niggaz gotta shoot joints]
Yo check it

[Verse One: RZA]
Put away your heaters, throw up your dick beaters
Accurate blows to his nose shut his eyes closed to a centimeter
Bitches on the fences wonderin what the fuck the suspense is
I land heavy uppercuts in the corner of the park fences
Knocked his mouthpiece front teeth got locked inside my knuckle
He grabbed the belt buckle, attempt to catch me with a couple
of low blows to the nuts, on ringside was as a giant do-els
Send your Barb for this fuckin jew On a Wire
He couldn't chessbox that's when he reached for his ahhs
Brother chopped me on the top of my knot, but he got stopped
When a twelve ounce bottle of Bartyle and James had him startled
A bitch threw it caught him in his head, at full throttle
He fell, the glass crashed, he wasn't saved by the bell
That was his ass black
So when it comes to physical combat
We can take it hand to hand or go beyond that
Do you want my gat to make the contact?
Retirin cats who lack the heart to fire back?
[We take all crabs overboard]

Chorus: Raekwon
Put down the gun son, son matter of fact, shoot the one on one
Hold it down, make sure the head, sure nuff don't hit the ground
Lampin on the handball courts, or the square, we can take it there
Settle it son, who the champion?

[It's like that, niggaz want to front, one more time?
I'ma show you like this. One on each side
This is it word up. We gonna lay you back
We gonna rest your back, you won't know how to act
When it come to bigger, showin and provin
Niggaz styles is wack] Who the champion? Settle it son.

Verse Two: Ghostface Killer
Yo!
I had to run up on this King at Devine, for his shines
He saw the stash and caught my mailbox for eighty dimes
He saw me stashin, like a pipe-link for mega fiends
I held it down like the finger fly miraculous King
Peep through the heavy small get the camoflouge
Starks master in charge, pushin through ery buildin, sippin egg nog
Niggaz know my status God body carry big batters
Fiends know me for my blue bags, besides smackin crabs
and earnin mine, this bitch Sha cat, gotta get his back bent
What the hell just made him fuck with my intelligent?
Back to Polly and I heard some noise we pack a two twelve
There go Lord Shamel, faggot made a sale
He's sellin my shit, I should slap fire out his ass
Snap his bones in half and watch the stock market crash
I walked up on him, he had the nerve to say Peace God
Ain't nuttin Peace God, you stole it now we out in the streets
Take your shit off, nigga you soft, back up off
Youse a shady nigga, I'm a sever fig you with a gloss
I snuffed him, threw a crazy left and I cuffed him
Allah don't like ugly so I held back from bustin him
I passed the burn off, he caught me from the blind side
Tapped a nigga jaw, I shot my fifty-two style, and crazy raw
I had my ice on, tapped a few times, he started leakin
De King with the deadarm, Shamel fell to his knees and
He started wheezin, losin his breath from smokin trees and
I'm still breathin, bleedin because it's frontin season
Now I got that project belt, international/national
Worldwide, I let Shamel slide





Chorus

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ghostface's "The Champion" talk about gun violence and the need to put them down. The chorus repeats the line "put down the gun son" and encourages people to settle their conflicts without violence, highlighting the importance of being the "champion" in a peaceful way. The verses tell stories of physical altercations and the use of violence, but ultimately emphasize the need to "take it hand to hand or go beyond that" instead of resorting to guns. The song speaks to the reality of violence in many communities, but also offers hope and a call to action to choose non-violent solutions.


One interesting fact about "The Champion" is that the beat was originally used in the Wu-Tang Clan song "The Closing" off of their 1997 album "Wu-Tang Forever." Another fact is that the song features a sample from the classic Bruce Lee movie "Enter the Dragon" in the chorus. Ghostface also references the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, where he and several other Wu-Tang members are from. The song was released on Ghostface's debut solo album "Ironman" in 1996 and is widely regarded as one of his best songs. "The Champion" was produced by RZA, who is one of the founding members of Wu-Tang Clan and has produced most of the group's albums.


The song has been sampled and referenced by many other hip-hop artists, including "The Game" by J Dilla and "Strap It On" by Murs. It has also been featured in several movies and TV shows, including the film "Bulletproof Monk" and the TV show "Luke Cage." In addition to Ghostface and RZA, the song features vocals from Raekwon, another member of Wu-Tang Clan.


Unfortunately, the chords for "The Champion" are not available as it is a hip-hop song that uses beats and samples instead of live instruments. However, the song's production is often cited as one of the best examples of RZA's unique style, which combines classic soul samples with hard-hitting drums and sound effects. The song's message of non-violence is also an important message in hip-hop, a genre that has often been associated with violence and aggression.


Line by Line Meaning

RZA and Ghostface, Raekwon () and somebody
Ghostface, Raekwon, RZA, and someone else are around and present.


Word. Man fuck that nigga
Dislike for a person.


Fuck that crab, ass, bitch [Who the live niggaz youknowhatI'msayin?]
More hatred for someone, directed towards them as crab-like and foolish.


[You niggaz know how to shoot joints] (Put down the gun son)
Acknowledgment of skill in shooting, but advocating for putting down guns to avoid violence.


[Elmira, Riker's Island, coming from Brownsville] (Put down the gun son)
References to various locations, but still reinforcing the message to put down guns to avoid conflict.


Niggaz tried to front on my little sister (Put down the gun)
Personal experience with someone trying to disrespect family, while still advocating for non-violence.


[YouknowhatI'msayin we represent youknowhatI'msayin?]
Reinforcing a message about representing a certain lifestyle or ethos.


[YouknowhatI'msayin? Big Tony Rhome, peace to my man Tony Rhome]
Shout-outs to acquaintances named Tony Rhome.


They tried to, tried to front on this (Put down the gun son)
More personal experience with disrespect and advocating for peace.


[RZA respect youknowhatI'msayin? We keep it real]
Acknowledgment of mutual respect and authenticity.


Yeah, check it out why'all (put down the, put down the gun son)
Calling attention to what's about to be said and repeating the message of non-violence.


[Put your guns down, throw your hands up]
Encouraging people to put down guns and surrender peacefully.


It's on like that why'all word up, Iron Man comes back
Something is gonna happen.


[Represent, you niggaz gotta shoot joints]
A reminder to represent a certain lifestyle and that shooting is not necessary.


Yo check it
Change in narrative voice, indicating that we're about to hear a new story.


Put away your heaters, throw up your dick beaters
Encouraging people to avoid violence and instead confront issues with fists.


Accurate blows to his nose shut his eyes closed to a centimeter
Technique used in fighting to damage nose and impair vision.


Bitches on the fences wonderin what the fuck the suspense is
Onlookers are curious about what's going on.


I land heavy uppercuts in the corner of the park fences
Details about the physical confrontation happening.


Knocked his mouthpiece front teeth got locked inside my knuckle
Physical injury sustained by opponent.


He grabbed the belt buckle, attempt to catch me with a couple of low blows to the nuts, on ringside was as a giant do-els
The opponent attempts to attack with low blows, but is stopped by someone else nearby.


Send your Barb for this fuckin jew On a Wire
Uses a pop culture reference to describe a situation with an opponent.


He couldn't chessbox that's when he reached for his ahhs
The opponent is not skilled in physical combat and instead reaches for a weapon.


Brother chopped me on the top of my knot, but he got stopped
Someone tries to attack him, but is stopped by another person nearby.


When a twelve ounce bottle of Bartyle and James had him startled
A bottle is thrown at the opponent, surprising him.


A bitch threw it caught him in his head, at full throttle
Details about who threw the bottle and how it was thrown.


He fell, the glass crashed, he wasn't saved by the bell
The opponent falls and the situation is not resolved by outside intervention.


That was his ass black
The opponent is defeated and hurt by the situation.


So when it comes to physical combat We can take it hand to hand or go beyond that
Ghostface is comfortable with fighting someone face to face or using weapons.


Do you want my gat to make the contact?
Asks whether the opponent would like him to use a gun.


Retirin cats who lack the heart to fire back?
Ghostface is willing to retire opponents who won't fight back hard enough.


[We take all crabs overboard]
Referencing a certain type of person and suggesting that they don't belong.


Put down the gun son, son matter of fact, shoot the one on one
Encouraging people to avoid guns and instead confront each other one-on-one.


Hold it down, make sure the head, sure nuff don't hit the ground
Encouraging people to remain calm and avoid extreme violence.


Lampin on the handball courts, or the square, we can take it there
Suggesting that they can have a physical confrontation in a specific area.


Settle it son, who the champion?
Asks who is the best fighter.


It's like that, niggaz want to front, one more time? I'ma show you like this. One on each side. This is it word up. We gonna lay you back. We gonna rest your back, you won't know how to act. When it come to bigger, showin and provin. Niggaz styles is wack] Who the champion? Settle it son.
Preparation for a final battle to resolve who is the best fighter.


I had to run up on this King at Devine, for his shines
Ghostface describes confronting someone for their jewelry.


He saw the stash and caught my mailbox for eighty dimes
The opponent stole from Ghostface's mailbox.


He saw me stashin, like a pipe-link for mega fiends
The opponent sees Ghostface hiding something.


I held it down like the finger fly miraculous King
Ghostface is able to hold his own in a difficult situation.


Peep through the heavy small get the camoflouge
Trying to blend in and avoid confrontation.


Starks master in charge, pushin through ery buildin, sippin egg nog
Ghostface is in charge and confident, even in mundane settings.


Niggaz know my status God body carry big batters
People know Ghostface is tough and strong.


Fiends know me for my blue bags, besides smackin crabs
Ghostface sells drugs and has a reputation for being tough.


and earnin mine, this bitch Sha cat, gotta get his back bent
Ghostface is going after someone named Sha for something they did.


What the hell just made him fuck with my intelligent?
Ghostface is curious about why Sha would mess with him.


Back to Polly and I heard some noise we pack a two twelve
Ghostface and others hear something and get ready to fight.


There go Lord Shamel, faggot made a sale
Ghostface sees someone named Lord Shamel, who has done something wrong.


He's sellin my shit, I should slap fire out his ass
Lord Shamel is selling something that belongs to Ghostface.


Snap his bones in half and watch the stock market crash
Ghostface is threatening extreme violence against Lord Shamel.


I walked up on him, he had the nerve to say Peace God
Ghostface confronts Lord Shamel and he says something that offends Ghostface.


Ain't nuttin Peace God, you stole it now we out in the streets
Ghostface disagrees with Lord Shamel and points out that they're in a violent situation.


Take your shit off, nigga you soft, back up off
Ghostface continues to threaten violence against Lord Shamel.


Youse a shady nigga, I'm a sever fig you with a gloss
Ghostface is extremely unhappy with Lord Shamel's behavior and is willing to hurt him.


I snuffed him, threw a crazy left and I cuffed him
Ghostface physically hits Lord Shamel.


Allah don't like ugly so I held back from bustin him
Ghostface avoids extreme violence out of respect for his beliefs.


I passed the burn off, he caught me from the blind side
Ghostface passes a joint to someone and is attacked from behind.


Tapped a nigga jaw, I shot my fifty-two style, and crazy raw
Ghostface is able to fight off his attacker and uses a signature move.


I had my ice on, tapped a few times, he started leakin
Ghostface is wearing jewelry and is able to hurt his attacker.


De King with the deadarm, Shamel fell to his knees and
Ghostface is victorious and has injured Lord Shamel.


He started wheezin, losin his breath from smokin trees and
Lord Shamel is having trouble breathing due to the fight.


I'm still breathin, bleedin because it's frontin season
Ghostface is still alive and has hurt his opponent due to his harsh treatment.


Now I got that project belt, international/national Worldwide, I let Shamel slide
Ghostface keeps a trophy related to his victory but lets Lord Shamel go.


Chorus
Repeats the message of non-violence and settling disputes one-on-one.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DENNIS DAVID COLES, ROBERT F. DIGGS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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