The Return Of Clyde Smith
Ghostface Killah Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My name is Knuckles nigga
Niggas call me Knuckles straight up
Yeah, my real name is Clyde, man
Straight up and down man, Clyde Smith
Nigga, I'm from the Wally Era, nigga
Straight up, and all my big niggas know
All them niggas that did all that time?
They know how I get down
When I come in, I come in, straight up
P.O.'s, all those niggas, salute me
They, listen man, straight up and down
Five boroughs and all that, I owns that, I owns that
And I'm a Staten Island nigga, straight up
Niggas see that, niggas be like "yo, let him through"
That's a made nigga right there
And he gonna punch you in your mouth if you say somethin' slick
You see these shits right here?
I'ma die with these on, dig? Yeah
That's right, and I'ma be up here for a minute
And I ain't goin' nowhere and I'm usin' that phone
And I'm have my little snacks and all that with me
And I dare a nigga to go in my locker
Because yo, I'm not playin' wit ya niggas man, I'm tellin', you
If you want somethin', ask me for it, man
And if I like you like that, I'm a hold you down
But if you think you gon' try to do that move, that Tom & Jerry shit on me
And have my fingers smashed on the ceiling
Never, never duke, I'm tellin you, I'm a snatch you up there
I'm a snatch you out that little Iceberg t-shirt you got on
And that little platinum bullshit-ass chain you got
Straight up, and your haircut game is fucked up
I'm toe-tyin' them niggas, them niggas are dudun-dudun, nigga
Straight up, yo that nigga 50 Cent?
That's yo, I don't even know why he try to do that little dumb-ass shit right there
But I'ma tell you somethin'
You could say all them other niggas names
But niggas, niggas gon' see them based on that big daddy
I know why they ain't bark on you
'Cause they ain't try to let your lil' broke ass trying to come in the game
And act like they lettin' you live off they scruff
Ok, you ain't even that big, dig?
And if I see you up in here I'ma have about 500 wolves on you
And that's (mwah!) That's word to everything, duke
You just fucked up, you fucked up bad
I don't even know man
Matter fact, I'm a kick you in ya ass and all that shit
Gon' take ya little watch and all that
You know?




But yo, like I said 50, you a bird and niggas gonna see you
Faggot-ass nigga

Overall Meaning

The Return of Clyde Smith is a song by Ghostface Killah that is centered on a monologue by the character Knuckles or Clyde Smith. The verse is about his reputation as a feared and respected figure within the prison system. Knuckles mentions that he is from the Wally Era, a reference to the Wally Champ of Shaolin, and how he owns the five boroughs of New York. He also threatens anyone who tries to cross him by saying that he is not playing games and how he can snatch them up if they mess with him.


The verse is a representation of the experiences of prisoners who form a hierarchy within the correctional facility. Knuckles' confidence, braggadocio, and confrontational attitude represent how the prisoners have to create a persona to survive within the correctional facility. The character perceives himself as a kingpin and takes pride in his exploits within the prison walls. The song also references other rappers, like 50 Cent, and how they may not be as respected as they think in the eyes of other inmates.


Line by Line Meaning

My name is Knuckles nigga
My nickname is Knuckles, and I want you to know that right off the bat.


Niggas call me Knuckles straight up
People use this nickname for me without hesitation.


Yeah, my real name is Clyde, man
While Knuckles is my nickname, my given name is Clyde.


Straight up and down man, Clyde Smith
To be clear, my full name is Clyde Smith.


Nigga, I'm from the Wally Era, nigga
I am from the era of Wally shoes – a time when certain styles and behaviors were popular.


Straight up, and all my big niggas know
All of the important people in my life know this to be true.


All them niggas that did all that time?
I am referring to friends who have served time in jail.


They know how I get down
Those friends know the way I operate or behave in certain circumstances.


When I come in, I come in, straight up
When I enter a room or situation, I do so with confidence and without hesitation.


P.O.'s, all those niggas, salute me
Prison officers and similar individuals in positions of authority must acknowledge and respect me.


They, listen man, straight up and down
They pay attention to what I say and do.


Five boroughs and all that, I owns that, I owns that
I have authority over all five boroughs of New York City.


And I'm a Staten Island nigga, straight up
I am from Staten Island specifically.


Niggas see that, niggas be like "yo, let him through"
People recognize me and allow me to pass through unimpeded.


That's a made nigga right there
I have achieved a certain status or level of power among my peers.


And he gonna punch you in your mouth if you say somethin' slick
If you speak disrespectfully or negatively to me, I am willing to fight.


You see these shits right here?
Referring to his glasses, implying they signify his persona and giving a warning flare.


I'ma die with these on, dig? Yeah
I will maintain my image and attitude until the end of my life.


That's right, and I'ma be up here for a minute
I plan to continue being a prominent figure for a long time.


And I ain't goin' nowhere and I'm usin' that phone
I am making it clear that I plan to stay and use my phone as I please.


And I'm have my little snacks and all that with me
I will make myself comfortable and have food with me.


And I dare a nigga to go in my locker
I am daring someone to try and take something from my personal space.


Because yo, I'm not playin' wit ya niggas man, I'm tellin', you
I am being serious and assertive to everyone listening to me.


If you want somethin', ask me for it, man
If someone wants something from me, they should be direct and ask me for it.


And if I like you like that, I'm a hold you down
If I have a good relationship with someone, I will provide them with support.


But if you think you gon' try to do that move, that Tom & Jerry shit on me
If someone tries to trick or deceive me, I will not tolerate it.


And have my fingers smashed on the ceiling
If someone tries to deceive or cause harm to me, it will not end well for them.


Never, never duke, I'm tellin you, I'm a snatch you up there
I will not hesitate to take action in defense of myself, even if it means physically harming someone else.


I'm a snatch you out that little Iceberg t-shirt you got on
I will physically remove someone's clothing if they provoke me.


And that little platinum bullshit-ass chain you got
I will take someone's jewelry or other possessions if provoked.


Straight up, and your haircut game is fucked up
I will criticize someone's appearance if they provoke me.


I'm toe-tyin' them niggas, them niggas are dudun-dudun, nigga
I feel in control of the situation and those around me.


Straight up, yo that nigga 50 Cent?
Referring to rapper 50 Cent.


That's yo, I don't even know why he try to do that little dumb-ass shit right there
I do not understand why 50 Cent has acted in a certain way in the past.


But I'ma tell you somethin'
I am about to explain something important.


You could say all them other niggas names
Referring to other rappers that 50 Cent may have talked about negatively.


But niggas, niggas gon' see them based on that big daddy
People will ultimately judge others based on their actions and character, rather than what others say about them.


I know why they ain't bark on you
I understand why others have not spoken out against 50 Cent.


'Cause they ain't try to let your lil' broke ass trying to come in the game
People have not tried to stop 50 Cent because they do not see him as a real threat or significant player in the music industry.


And act like they lettin' you live off they scruff
Others may seem to be supporting 50 Cent, but really they are just allowing him to piggyback off of their success.


Ok, you ain't even that big, dig?
50 Cent's reputation as a major rapper is not accurate or deserved.


And if I see you up in here I'ma have about 500 wolves on you
If I see 50 Cent in my presence, I will have many people willing to defend me or fight against him.


And that's (mwah!) That's word to everything, duke
I am being very clear and serious with my warning to 50 Cent.


You just fucked up, you fucked up bad
50 Cent has made a serious mistake by crossing me in any way.


I don't even know man
I am still trying to process the fact that 50 Cent has provoked me.


Matter fact, I'm a kick you in ya ass and all that shit
I plan to physically attack 50 Cent if I see him.


Gon' take ya little watch and all that
I will take 50 Cent's possessions if I am given the opportunity.


You know?
Do not doubt my willingness and ability to do what I say.


But yo, like I said 50, you a bird and niggas gonna see you
I am reminding 50 Cent of his place and status among other rappers.


Faggot-ass nigga
An insult aimed at 50 Cent's character and masculinity.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Dennis Coles

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found