Soweto
Hieroglyphics - Soweto (featuring Goapele) Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

One, Two
One, One, Two
One, One, One, Two
One, One, Two
One, One, Two
One, Two, Three
One, Two, Three, Owww
[Chorus:]
Go to the jungle
Go to the city
Visit Soweto
Live in the Bay or
Somewhere in between
'Cause you'll never be unseen

Unhh
Now this is how it is
We try to handle biz
And make moves in this land where the power lives
Where they devour kids
And acts of cowardice rule from a tool of violence and a
Shrouded bliss
I try to release my malice
And develop my inner peace in a place so callous
Maybe I'll go to Angle or other Gold Coast
And blow smoke with the old folks cause they know most

Capture the cultured pearls, jewels, and gems
It's a treasure hunt to stimulate your medulla stem
The furthest reaches are within your clutches
Concrete covered countries to the most birded regions
Virgin territories, those exposed to man made woes
They know them Hieros
Electrified with lectures, collect respect and ride on
Before you even know this I'm gone (No)
Go to Saigon, Singapore, Sicily
They consider me epitome in Italy (That's right)
Hit Libya, India, Morocco
Or go to Oakland and hit the eight deuce block dough
Chicago, Liberia, Nigeria
'Frisco is cold like Siberia
The list goes on
Deport the gulf of Spain
Maine, San Juan, Guam, or San Luis Obispo

[Chorus]

I don't know dog
Maybe it's just me

But I feel I'm clutching
To hold nothing
I mean bluffing
I got the poker face
I don't really know my place
And I never chose this way
So I go astray
Throw aways blow away
Every hope I hold today
We were sold as slaves
The sky is cold and grey
My niggas showed the way
So fan and listen now with this
I see my golden age

Unhh
Times on travellin'
Boundary crossin'
Now we talkin'
Worldwide, now we cost em'
Fo' sho' partner I'm a globetrotter
Downing shots of gold slaga'
Smokin' like a 'O' roster
I've flown lots of places in a Continental
Every spot we've been to
We monumental
We rock the venue like we dropped a missile
But it ain't an attack
That's why the people keep on bringing us back, feel that

(One, two, three)
I didn't tap a belly
Still I'm lovin' Machiavelli
Trying to reach the pinnacle
And we will, so be ready
Said we jetty
I've never stolen energy
Combined with visionary minds so we itchin' to blow
Like a Dirty Harry trigger finger
With a needle quicker than my Pilipino homies on the two
Turntables
See the truth enables sight through your damaged cornea
We got the formula from Oakland California
(One, two, three)

[Chorus]

One, two
One, two, two
One, one, one, two
One, one, one, two
One, one, one, two
One, one, two
One, one, two




One, one, ahh
[Repeat]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Soweto" by Hieroglyphics feat. Goapele are about the experience of traveling and exploring different places around the world, while also reflecting on the realities of oppression and violence that exist within these spaces. The song's title references the township of Soweto in South Africa, which became a symbol of resistance against Apartheid in the 1970s. The opening lines are a rhythmic call-and-response chant that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The first verse describes the struggle to survive in a hostile environment, where power is in the hands of those who use violence and fear to control others. The second verse is more hopeful, imagining a journey through different cultures and regions that is filled with wonder and discovery.


The chorus encourages listeners to go to different places and experience new things, emphasizing that they will never be unseen. This could be interpreted as a call to action to explore and learn about different parts of the world, while also recognizing that our actions have an impact on the communities we visit. The final verse is a reflection on the importance of connection and collaboration between different people and cultures. The song's message is ultimately one of unity, encouraging listeners to embrace their diversity and use it as a source of strength.


Line by Line Meaning

One, Two
The beginning of the song.


One, One, Two
Repeating the beginning of the song.


One, One, One, Two
Repeating the beginning of the song.


One, One, Two
Repeating the beginning of the song.


One, One, Two
Repeating the beginning of the song.


One, Two, Three
Introducing new lyrics.


One, Two, Three, Owww
Introducing new lyrics, with emphasis.


[Chorus:]
Starting the chorus.


Go to the jungle
Exploring new places.


Go to the city
Exploring new places.


Visit Soweto
Exploring new places.


Live in the Bay or
Exploring new places.


Somewhere in between
Exploring new places.


'Cause you'll never be unseen
Reflecting on the experiences and memories made on the journey.


Unhh
Transitioning to a new verse.


Now this is how it is
Addressing the current state of affairs.


We try to handle biz
The struggle to achieve success.


And make moves in this land where the power lives
Navigating a world filled with inequality and hierarchy.


Where they devour kids
The dangers faced in certain areas.


And acts of cowardice rule from a tool of violence and a
Reflecting on the use of violence and corruption to maintain power.


Shrouded bliss
The illusion of safety and stability.


I try to release my malice
Striving for inner peace despite challenges and dangers.


And develop my inner peace in a place so callous
Finding peace in difficult situations.


Maybe I'll go to Angle or other Gold Coast
Exploring new places.


And blow smoke with the old folks cause they know most
Connecting with others to gain knowledge and insight.


Capture the cultured pearls, jewels, and gems
Finding the beauty and unique qualities of each place visited.


It's a treasure hunt to stimulate your medulla stem
The excitement and thrill of exploring new places.


The furthest reaches are within your clutches
Realizing that one can achieve anything with hard work and determination.


Concrete covered countries to the most birded regions
Exploring both urban and rural areas.


Virgin territories, those exposed to man made woes
Exploring places that have not yet been corrupted by human activity.


They know them Hieros
Being recognized and respected for their artistry and music.


Electrified with lectures, collect respect and ride on
Reflecting on their success and growth as artists.


Before you even know this I'm gone (No)
Moving on to new places and experiences without hesitation.


Go to Saigon, Singapore, Sicily
Exploring new places.


They consider me epitome in Italy (That's right)
Achieving recognition and success in their music career.


Hit Libya, India, Morocco
Exploring new places.


Or go to Oakland and hit the eight deuce block dough
Reflecting on their hometown and memories made there.


Chicago, Liberia, Nigeria
Exploring new places.


'Frisco is cold like Siberia
Reflecting on the harsh realities of their hometown.


The list goes on
Continuing to explore new places.


Deport the gulf of Spain
Exploring new places.


Maine, San Juan, Guam, or San Luis Obispo
Exploring new places.


[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus.


I don't know dog
Starting a new verse.


Maybe it's just me
Reflecting on personal feelings and experiences.


But I feel I'm clutching
Feeling lost and uncertain in life.


To hold nothing
Feeling like their life has no purpose or meaning.


I mean bluffing
Hiding their true emotions and thoughts.


I got the poker face
Hiding their emotions and thoughts like a poker player.


I don't really know my place
Feeling lost and uncertain in life.


And I never chose this way
Feeling like their life was determined by external factors.


So I go astray
Making choices that lead them away from their goals and aspirations.


Throw aways blow away
Wasting opportunities and potential.


Every hope I hold today
Feeling hopeless and uncertain about the future.


We were sold as slaves
Reflecting on the history of African Americans and their struggles.


The sky is cold and grey
Feeling like there is no hope or positivity in life.


My niggas showed the way
Finding inspiration and guidance from their peers and loved ones.


So fan and listen now with this
Asking the audience to listen intently to their music and message.


I see my golden age
Having hope for a better future and brighter days ahead.


Times on travellin'
Starting a new verse about travel and adventure.


Boundary crossin'
Going beyond the limits and restrictions placed on them.


Now we talkin'
Reflecting on their success and growth as artists.


Worldwide, now we cost em'
Achieving success and recognition around the world.


Fo' sho' partner I'm a globetrotter
Embracing their love of travel and adventure.


Downing shots of gold slaga'
Drinking and celebrating their success and experiences.


Smokin' like a 'O' roster
Relaxing and enjoying the moment.


I've flown lots of places in a Continental
Traveling to many different places around the world.


Every spot we've been to
Reflecting on the many places they have visited.


We monumental
Having a significant impact in their industry and beyond.


We rock the venue like we dropped a missile
Putting on an incredible performance that is unforgettable.


But it ain't an attack
Clarifying that their performances are not intended to harm anyone.


That's why the people keep on bringing us back, feel that
Referring to their popularity and fanbase, who support and appreciate them.


(One, two, three)
Introducing a new chorus.


I didn't tap a belly
Starting a new verse about their personal journey.


Still I'm lovin' Machiavelli
Expressing their love for knowledge and intellectual pursuits.


Trying to reach the pinnacle
Striving for excellence and success.


And we will, so be ready
Having confidence in their abilities and potential for success.


Said we jetty
Being ready for whatever comes their way.


I've never stolen energy
Being true to oneself and not taking advantage of others.


Combined with visionary minds so we itchin' to blow
Collaborating with like-minded individuals to achieve greatness.


Like a Dirty Harry trigger finger
Being quick and precise in their decision-making.


With a needle quicker than my Pilipino homies on the two
Referring to the quickness and precision required in their craft.


Turntables
Referring to their profession as DJs and producers.


See the truth enables sight through your damaged cornea
Seeking truth and clarity despite challenges and obstacles.


We got the formula from Oakland California
Reflecting on their roots and the lessons they have learned.


(One, two, three)
Ending the song with the chorus.


One, two
Repeating the chorus.


One, two, two
Repeating the chorus with variation.


One, one, one, two
Repeating the first three lines of the chorus.


One, one, one, two
Repeating the first three lines of the chorus.


One, one, one, two
Repeating the first three lines of the chorus.


One, one, two
Repeating the beginning of the song and chorus.


One, one, two
Repeating the beginning of the song and chorus.


One, one, ahh
Ending the song.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM RYAN CARTER, GOAPELE K. MOHLABANE, JONATHAN OWENS, OPIO LINDSEY, PALLO PEACOCK, TAJAI MASSEY, TEREN DELVON JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@fornlike

A song I can never forget. One of the few hip-hop songs in which we can see books. Wonderful job, Hieroglyphics.

@c-note979

I love this song it takes me back to playing the video game ESPN NBA 2K5. Yes this is one of the many songs 🎵 that I had on repeat from that legendary soundtrack.

@camf8372

YES! That whole Soundtrack is amazing.

@KingNez89

Man this is what the core of hip hop truly is. I miss my high school days so much man

@mulin3557

It's a shame less than a million views after 13 years

@camf8372

I'd put this in my Top 20 Best Hip-Hop Songs of All-Time. It deserves it, the melody with the acoustic guitar, the beats and all the elements. Love it

@MzEbony_Luvz

Lyricists so classic. Flow is effortless

@abanks9591

I don't know how I missed this group. Straight ill. 🔥

@southsidemcconaughey231

nba 2k5. reminisce

@logarithm14

Hieroglyphics was the best gang in Hip-Hop

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