Truth
ICE Lyrics

Hey yo
Beginning of the song, no specific meaning

When you look at me and my brothers what's your first impression
Asks the listener to consider their first impression of Black men

Does the sight of us leave you guessin or do you understand the stressin
Asks if the listener can empathize with the stress and struggles of Black men

The aggression, the look of no hope on me and my niggaz faces
Describes the aggression and hopelessness often seen on Black men's faces

Like the lord overlooked us when he handed down his graces
Suggests that Black men feel overlooked by God and society

You see embraces, fall short on the numb tips of street entrepreneur fingers
Describes how street entrepreneurs are numb and lacking affection

Still stuck in the walls of the project halls where the coke smell still lingers
Describes the harsh reality of living in the projects where drugs are prevalent

External blingers is all we can be cause on the inside we been given nothin to shine on
Suggests that Black men can only show off material possessions, as they lack internal fulfillment

And a record deal's harder to get than coke, so my niggaz get they grind on
Explains the difficulty of getting a record deal for Black men, leading them to hustle

Cause the TV tells us, aim high nigga, make all goals lateral
Explains how media suggests that Black men should aim for material success instead of true fulfillment

But see that takes paper that we don't have so, niggaz put they souls up as collateral
Suggests that Black men sacrifice their morals and values to achieve monetary success

Now, some niggaz reclaim 'em, some blame 'em, make an excuse to sell 'em
Explains how some Black men either recover their lost values or justify selling out

But when a nigga goes from not doin to doin, what can you tell him?
Suggests that when Black men escape poverty, they are difficult to criticize

Not to be a nigga? Shit I gots to be a nigga, that's how I pay the bills
Defends Black men who feel they have no choice but to be labeled as such to survive

And I'ma do that whether I got to sling this coke or exploit these rhyme skills
Suggests that Black men will use any skills they have to survive and make money

See America makes you an opportunist, and at the same time they institutionalize you
Suggests that America rewards opportunism while also trapping Black men in institutions like the prison system

So the fact that niggaz get, big record deals Big money and go to jail shouldn't surprise you
Explains that it is not surprising that successful Black men still end up in jail

That's what lies do, you see most of these guys Do have raw talent just an infinitile education
Explains how lack of education limits Black men's potential success

So the business feed you all the weed and ecstasy And a little bit of paper to provide some pacification
Suggests that music industry gives Black men drugs and money to keep them pacified and distracted

From all the bullshit frustration they serve you Meanwhile they corrupt your perception of what the real is
Suggests that the music industry manipulates Black men's perceptions of reality

See they takin all our businessmen, and givin 'em the mindsets of drug dealers
Explains how the music industry turns Black businessmen into drug dealers

Took all our messengers, made 'em rappers Just flappin they jaws afraid to admit their treason
Suggests that rappers are afraid to speak out against the music industry's exploitative practices

Took all our soldiers for the cause, made 'em killers for no reason
Explains how the music industry turns Black men into criminals

And bein fucked up, well that's in this season
Suggests that being in a state of crisis is common for Black men

So, if you're negative you're positive, and if you're positive you're called a hater
Suggests that Black men are criticized for both pessimism and optimism

But I maintain control of my soul cause I know it gets greater later
Suggests that Black men should focus on personal growth and improvement

And I told y'all the last show shit, a nigga no hater, I just know what the truth is
Explains that the song is not about hatred, but rather telling the truth

Been intertwined in this puddin for 'bout a year now so I know where the proof is
Suggests that the artist has personal experience with the issues at hand

See, it lines these midtown Manhattan skyscrapers Where former hustlers like myself sign papers
Explains how Black men have succeeded in corporate America

And pull off fucked capers like, 16 infamous stars of the time They got us choppin and, baggin and Servin that shit to niggaz 16 bars at a time now
Suggests that record labels exploit Black artists for profit

The crime is undetectable by the feds Cause in heads of our kids is where the track is
Explains how record labels hide their exploitative practices

And music is potent it's straight to the soul So it's much more addictive than crack is
Suggests that music is more addictive than drugs

Now, the high is just an illusion all lies and confusion But to feel that rush just once, my young bucks'll go through it
Suggests that the allure of success in the music industry is an illusion, but young Black men still chase it

So in essence, they still floodin the streets with the thugs, drugs and the killing They just usin these record labels to do it
Explains how the music industry is complicit in the perpetuation of violence and drugs in Black communities

Takin our hearts off demos, puttin us in limos Tryin to fuck up divine direction
Suggests that the music industry distracts Black men from their true purpose

But, young black men have been trained to chase money And pussy, so we fall victim to our own erection
Suggests that Black men are socialized to prioritize money and sex over true fulfillment

And begin to convince ourselves we're on our way somewhere where we're not goin But ignorance is bliss and niggaz love this so, niggaz take pride in not knowin
Suggests that Black men delude themselves about their true paths in life and take pride in ignorance

We not growin, nigga I give a fuck how slick you flowin If you ain't showin nuttin to these kids or addin nuttin positive to the earth
Suggests that Black men need to focus on personal and social growth instead of just rapping with style

Black Ice been destined to touch the world ever since I was born To be real, fuck a record deal, God gives me what I'm worth
Asserts the artist's destiny and self-worth are not defined by a record deal

"Soul Survivor" nigga {*echoes*}
End of the song, no specific meaning