Up Against The Wall
Group Home Lyrics


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Yo, I'll be your black pantha, all in your dreams
Up Against The Wall they caught me 'cause you can cp
And you ain't suppose to die of natural death, that's that
Got the world carved on mines, fuck who's underslines
Watchin' all these niggas in the street for a while
Break it down more than motherfuckin' third port south
I keep it real ou keep it to yourself and don't say jack
Every time I turn around and you're all in my back
For what? I don't know
These others won't leave me alone
I've been here for 20 years
I'm here to stand my ground
And these devils gettin' open but they can't get down
Checkin' lyrics to the city like a newport c's
These types of lyric that's mine that's organized with the time
I'm on the road checkin' my V.I.
I just wanted cut
But the seasons enough to touch got 'em all fucked up
What you want right now you many see mad later
Yo my word is devine you got to seek and find
And took place to rest my mind ono petyy crimes
Yo I'm up against the wall

Yo the world is falling
Death is calling
I don't know MC's be brawling
On the mike, when I get hyped
Whenever you want yo whatever you like
Bite on my style, I like that
Yo here is your feedback with one smack
Yeah, you know what I'm saying?
No time to be playing 'cause these niggas be delaying
Word yo when I get busy

Here and over there to New York City
One for one, one for all
I'm on the wall my back is on the wall

Yo is a wonderful world, a world of wonder
I thunder and thunder I won't go under
Won't get in the trap I'm passed all that
You stupid mothefucka my rhyme is phat
Phat as can be on the M-I-C
In the place to be, if you can see
You don't know then go ask your momma
Eatin' MCs live like Jeffery Dahmer
One of one, one for all
I'm on the wall, I'm on the wall

That's what I see in these stree rockin' rugged and hard
In this end five standers is gettin' pop this car
Niggas not keeping it real and they will get par
5-O form my back thinkin' that they're in guard
Brothers keep on deviding and we won't get far
The devil's on some slick shit ready to hold us down
But I maintain my focus and just hold the fort down
You all know a situation funny thing like this
Unsuspicious yellow cb riding thru the East
Stereo-type brother make the undercovers wonder
Got lawyers all in the East ready to shine my light
Nutcracker get 'em pen for his spark the night




For my brothers and my sisters in the streets dong their thing
My back is against the wall and can't do a damn thing, yo I'm up against the wall

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Group Home's song Up Against The Wall convey a sense of struggle and defiance against the oppressive social structures that surround the black community. The opening line, "I'll be your black panther, all in your dreams," is a direct reference to the Black Panther Party, a political organization formed in the 1960s to combat police brutality against black people. The chorus of the song, "I'm up against the wall," represents the feeling of being boxed in, trapped, and under scrutiny by those in power.


The second verse speaks to the competitive world of hip-hop music, where MCs battle for dominance on the mic. The lyrics "Bite on my style, I like that / Yo here is your feedback with one smack" suggests that the singer is confident in their skills and willing to take on all challengers. The verse also contains a reference to Jeffrey Dahmer, a notorious serial killer who ate his victims, which underscores the violence and aggression present in the hip-hop scene.


Overall, Up Against The Wall is a powerful commentary on the state of black America in the 1990s, both in terms of the systemic racism and police brutality faced by the community, and in the competitive and often violent world of hip-hop culture.


Line by Line Meaning

Yo, I'll be your black pantha, all in your dreams
I'll be the symbol of black power that inspires and motivates you in your dreams.


Up Against The Wall they caught me 'cause you can cp
I was caught by the police, put up against the wall in a false case due to racial discrimination.


And you ain't suppose to die of natural death, that's that
Black people are not supposed to live to old age and die naturally, as they are discriminated and targeted throughout their lives.


Got the world carved on mines, fuck who's underslines
I am the master of my destiny, I don't care about other people's opinions or expectations.


Watchin' all these niggas in the street for a while
I have observed the behavior and attitudes of my fellow black individuals in the street for a long time.


Break it down more than motherfuckin' third port south
I understand and analyze the situation in depth, more than anyone else could imagine.


I keep it real ou keep it to yourself and don't say jack
I am honest and true to myself, and I suggest that you keep your false claims and opinions to yourself.


Every time I turn around and you're all in my back
People are constantly trying to undermine and sabotage me, wherever I go.


For what? I don't know
I don't understand why people are trying to bring me down, as I have not done anything wrong.


These others won't leave me alone
People are constantly harassing and following me, not giving me any peace.


I've been here for 20 years
I have lived and experienced the struggles and hardships of being black in America for a long time.


I'm here to stand my ground
I am here to resist and fight against the systemic oppression and discrimination that I face every day.


And these devils gettin' open but they can't get down
White people are trying to act cool and fit in with black culture, but they can never fully understand or embrace it.


Checkin' lyrics to the city like a newport c's
I am exploring and analyzing the urban landscape and culture, like someone smoking a cigarette (Newport) and checking out their surroundings.


These types of lyric that's mine that's organized with the time
The lyrics I write and perform are unique to me, and carefully planned and executed for maximum impact.


I'm on the road checkin' my V.I.
I am traveling and exploring various areas to gather new experiences and knowledge.


I just wanted cut
I just want to be successful and make a living for myself.


But the seasons enough to touch got 'em all fucked up
The harsh reality of racism and discrimination is enough to ruin people's lives and dreams.


What you want right now you many see mad later
What you desire and pursue now might cause trouble and regret later on.


Yo my word is devine you got to seek and find
My words and message are powerful and meaningful, and you need to search and understand them to fully appreciate their significance.


And took place to rest my mind ono petyy crimes
I need to find peace and solace in my mind, despite the constant oppression and discrimination that I face on a daily basis.


Yo I'm up against the wall
I am constantly facing challenges and obstacles due to the color of my skin, and my back is figuratively against the wall.


Yo the world is falling
The world is chaotic and dangerous, and everything seems to be falling apart.


Death is calling
The threat of death and violence is an ever-present reality, especially for black people.


I don't know MC's be brawling
I don't understand why other MCs are fighting and arguing with each other.


On the mike, when I get hyped
I am at my best when I am performing and energized.


Whenever you want yo whatever you like
You can have whatever you want or need, whenever you want or need it.


Bite on my style, I like that
Other people copying my style and approach is flattering and validating to me.


Yo here is your feedback with one smack
Here is your response to your imitation or criticism, delivered as a metaphorical slap.


Yeah, you know what I'm saying?
Do you understand and appreciate the significance and meaning of my words?


No time to be playing 'cause these niggas be delaying
There is no time for games and delay, as other people are not appreciating the gravity and urgency of our struggles.


Word yo when I get busy
Believe me when I say that I am serious and committed to my craft and my cause.


Here and over there to New York City
My influence and reach goes beyond just the local area, and even extends to the big city of New York.


One for one, one for all
We are all in this struggle together, and we must support and help each other.


I'm on the wall my back is on the wall
I am facing challenges and resistance, and my back is figuratively against the wall.


Yo is a wonderful world, a world of wonder
The world is full of beauty and mystery, and should be experienced and appreciated in all its diversity.


I thunder and thunder I won't go under
I will never give up or back down in the face of adversity, and instead will rise and fight back.


Won't get in the trap I'm passed all that
I will not fall into the same traps and cycles of poverty and discrimination that generations before me have experienced.


You stupid mothefucka my rhyme is phat
Don't underestimate me or my ability to deliver powerful and impactful lyrics.


Phat as can be on the M-I-C
My skills and performance on the microphone are top-notch and unbeatable.


In the place to be, if you can see
I am in the center of the action, and if you are perceptive enough, you will appreciate and notice my presence and influence.


You don't know then go ask your momma
If you are ignorant or unaware of my importance and meaning, go ask someone who knows better (like your mother).


Eatin' MCs live like Jeffery Dahmer
I am dominating and destroying other MCs in hip hop battles, like Jeffery Dahmer killed and ate his victims.


That's what I see in these stree rockin' rugged and hard
I observe and experience the struggles and violence of urban street life, which is tough and unforgiving.


In this end five standers is gettin' pop this car
In this situation, a group of five black individuals are getting detained or arrested by the police for no apparent reason.


Niggas not keeping it real and they will get par
Some black people are not honest or genuine, and will suffer consequences for their actions.


5-O form my back thinkin' that they're in guard
The police are constantly surveilling and harassing me, trying to exert control and power over me.


Brothers keep on deviding and we won't get far
If black people continue to fight and argue amongst themselves, we will not make any progress towards bettering our situation.


The devil's on some slick shit ready to hold us down
The forces of oppression and discrimination are sly and insidious, always trying to keep black people subjugated and oppressed.


But I maintain my focus and just hold the fort down
Despite the challenges and setbacks, I stay true to my goals and keep fighting, resisting and defending my community.


You all know a situation funny thing like this
We are all aware and familiar with the absurd and unjust situations we find ourselves in as black people.


Unsuspicious yellow cb riding thru the East
A yellow cab, which is usually associated with white people, is driving through a predominantly black and Latino area of New York City (the East).


Stereo-type brother make the undercovers wonder
A black person who fits certain stereotypes makes the police wonder if they are involved in illegal activity or not.


Got lawyers all in the East ready to shine my light
I have support and representation (lawyers) ready to fight for me and my cause in the challenging environment of the East.


Nutcracker get 'em pen for his spark the night
A drug dealer (Nutcracker) is getting arrested or detained (get 'em), likely because of his dangerous and violent dealings (spark the night).


For my brothers and my sisters in the streets dong their thing
I am representing and supporting my fellow black individuals who are living and trying to survive in urban street environments.


My back is against the wall and can't do a damn thing, yo I'm up against the wall
I am constantly facing challenges and oppression, with no way to escape or resist it (my back is against the wall). This repeated line reinforces the title of the song and its theme throughout the lyrics.




Lyrics ยฉ Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher E Martin, Jamal Felder, Jimmy Heath

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@lordhamiltonbingers

Masterpiece melancholic rap. Belongs up there in hallowed chamber of rap! The lyrical richness is nothing short of a poetic classic. Complete with depth and abstract gold. An OGs anthem to the core.

@Ceb773

Beautifully said!

@reaganibeh9443

ESSENTIALLY SO...

@meekmozart5216

Very well saidโ€ฆthe โ€œrealnessโ€ in their lyrics speak for themselves ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿพ

@ozmagaz1157

I canโ€™t get enough of this beat

@williamcapone5457

so true! it's haunting and addictive

@johnremin1202

This track hits different when its 2am and its raining

@sa-lt8ks

On gang members.

@jdrawles60509

On God!

@100timessquare

Still gives me the chills in 2019...

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