Cantelope Island
Hugh Masekela Lyrics


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My niggas stack their money just to spend it
Cause when you die you cannot take it with you
If you ain't beefin' 'bout the money, then what's the problem?
Don't worry about my niggas cause I got 'em
My niggas stack their money just to spend it
Cause when you die you cannot take it with you
And if you ain't beefin' 'bout the money, then what's the problem?
Don't worry about my niggas, Zoo I got 'em

On everything, for 17im wildin
Treat my whole squad on an island
Ziploc gang, bring a lighter
It's gon' be a house party on this island
Shit boom like M80s on this island
It's a lot of trillionaires throwin' dollars
Cause I'm pure hell, wildin' out on this island
I do this too swell, my pockets too swell
Come try the 100 gang and they'll shoot ya
I do this for my squad, I do this for my gang
I do this for my squad, I do this for my gang
It's Zoovier from the trap and ain't a damn thing change

My niggas stack their money just to spend it
Cause when you die you cannot take it with you
If you ain't beefin' 'bout the money, then what's the problem?
Don't worry about my niggas cause I got 'em
My niggas stack their money just to spend it
Cause when you die you cannot take it with you




And if you ain't beefin' 'bout the money, then what's the problem?
Don't worry about my niggas, Zoo I got 'em

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hugh Masekela's song Cantelope Island is about the love of money and spending it while you have it because when you die, you cannot take it with you. The first verse talks about how his friends stack their money just to spend it freely, and if someone is not beefing about money, then what is their problem? The second verse talks about the wild lifestyle with his squad on an island, and they are spending money like trillionaires, and the lyrics mention the violence associated with his lifestyle (the line about trying the 100 gang and they'll shoot ya).


The chorus repeats the idea that people stack their money just to spend it and how worrying about his friends is unnecessary because he has got them. The overall theme of the song is that money brings power and control over your life, and that freedom to spend the money you have is a symbol of that power. Nonetheless, the harmful effects appear in the form of violence and extravagance in the second verse.


Line by Line Meaning

My niggas stack their money just to spend it
My crew accumulates wealth simply to splurge it immediately.


Cause when you die you cannot take it with you
We are aware that material possessions cannot be taken with you after death.


If you ain't beefin' 'bout the money, then what's the problem?
If financial gain isn't your primary focus, then what is the conflict?


Don't worry about my niggas cause I got 'em
You shouldn't be concerned about my associates because they are in good hands.


On everything, for 17 im wildin
I promise on everything, I am acting recklessly as a 17-year-old would.


Treat my whole squad on an island
My entire gang is taken care of on this pristine seascape.


Ziploc gang, bring a lighter
My crew is well-stocked with plastic bags and smoking materials.


It's gon' be a house party on this island
This small island will be transformed into a vibrant party scene.


Shit boom like M80s on this island
Everything is exploding with excitement and activity.


It's a lot of trillionaires throwin' dollars
There are many extremely wealthy individuals throwing cash around.


Cause I'm pure hell, wildin' out on this island
My frenzied behavior on this island is because I am pure hell.


I do this too swell, my pockets too swell
I am able to live such a luxurious lifestyle because of my abundant wealth.


Come try the 100 gang and they'll shoot ya
Attempting to confront or damage my gang will result in violence and retaliation.


I do this for my squad, I do this for my gang
All of my lavish spending and actions are done in support of my gang and associates.


It's Zoovier from the trap and ain't a damn thing change
It's me, Zoovier, from the street and nothing has changed about my behavior or attitude.




Writer(s): Geoffrey Wilkinson, Herbie Hancock, Rahsaan Kelly, Mel Simpson

Contributed by Grace C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Scott Brooker

I think it was 1966, My brother came home with what might have been a bootleg recording call The Emancipation of Hugh Masakela. I was hooked! What a superb recording, I was 15. Thats when Jazz was great!

Pete Rizzo

My favorite version of this classic. Also, love the album cover :-D

Dean Simms

Africaan rhythm is the shazizzle for real!!!!!

marco pantaleoni

Over the top

roconnor01

Wow,Hugh's the man!

cactuseli

This sooo cool to listen. Thanks for sharing this gem.

Thore Noernberg

still the best version of this awesome piece of music

Sipzy Official

Man I can’t believe how cool this guys family is I mean shit Earl Sweatshirt is related to this guy, super hardcore thinkers

Fred Lawson

Cool Back in the 60s thanks for sharing. 🎺🎹🎼🎵🎶

Mutebi Dixon katula

Lovely lovely sounds....

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