Ice-T started in 1982 out with other West Coast rap pioneers such as Kid Frost, DJ Flash, and The Egyptian Lover with Electro recordings. Later on, he changed his style and was the first West Coast rapper to be accepted by the East Coast. 6 'n The Mornin is sometimes seen as the track that triggered the whole gangster rap movement. It was produced by The Unknown DJ, who produced electro funk tracks before and went on to produce Compton's Most Wanted. The song was inspired by Schoolly D's "P.S.K. What Does It Mean?" and became itself the inspiration for Eazy-E and N.W.A's Boyz-N-The-Hood. Ice-T went on to work with Afrika Islam, the man behind the beats on 1987's Rhyme Pays, 1988's Power and 1989's The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say.
He also is a star in Law in Order: Special Victims Unit.
In 1992 he created the crossover band Body Count with 4 other black musicians.
Power
Ice-T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Style topical, it's vividly optical
Listen, you'll see 'em sometimes I'll be 'em
Cops, critics and punks, never ever want to see me in power
Well, that's too bad, Apocalypse now I'm back and I'm mad
We're comin', you're runnin' cold and cunning
Ice T on the mic, TopGunning
After your neck, checkin' respect, makin' you sweat
The rap motivator, teacher, talker, night rhyme stalker
Words thrillin', so real they're chillin', the hit author
Gettin' louder than a shot gun, you don't want none
Rhyme pays was the name of the album
But that was number one, this is the number two
The posse grew,we're gonna break through
Power
Somebody line up the suckers who refuse to recognize the truth
Tie up the punks who refuse to understand the youth
My posse's growin' and it's gettin' larger every day
Detroit, Chi-Town, Pittsburgh, Houston, L.A.
Come on, come on, come on, toys, let's play
Circle the calendar, perpetrator doomsday
Ice-T fool, man of my own, full grown
I cause havoc when I speak upon the microphone
I'm outspoken, no jokin', get in my face your jaw will get broken
Layin' it, sayin' it, then you're playing it
Lyrics so heavy that you might try weighin' it
Hated by many but I hate 'em back
Loved by troopers who know where it's at
You might like me, might think I'm wack
But don't step to me 'cause the boy stays strapped
I'm taking no shorts, hatin' the courts, hatin' the judges
Punk DA's with their personal grudges
I hate the clubs that think with their butts
No hats, no jeans, no sneakers, no what?
No beepers, no gold? Yo kiss my ass
We'll wait and see who gets the last laugh
We'll have the power
Power
We'll have the power
Power
Power, it starts with P like pussy
She knows she's got it,she doesn't worry,does she?
Spendin' your cash, leavin' you in the trash
While your little head's thinkin', they're gone in a dash
They got it, know it, that's why they show it
The power of sex, if man could overthrow it
He'd be king in a day, no way. We get rich, hard, give it away
We're weak and as we speak, the girls are hawkin'
Sizin' me up straight out as I'm talkin'
But you gotta have control if you want the gold
I don't want to be alone like Stallone
So I keep my mind thinkin' 'bout the green
And stop dwellin' on the in-between
I got power
Power
I'm on a mission mackin' hard as a hammer
Take my picture, I might take your camera
My posse might move, and they move fast
A fool's move could be a punk's last
Ain't no criminal although I used to be
Ain't no new jack rappin' ain't new to me
I been makin' records on wax since 1982
Now it's 1988 finally I'm coming through
That adds up to six years of makin' ok jams, but now I'm mad
Here comes the body slam
Turnin' out concerts, house'n the industry
Lovin' all the fly girls screamin' for Ice-T
Rollin' with the Syndicate my unstoppable battalion
38 Solid gold my medalion
Gainin' velocity, momentum and energy
ICE Capital T
I got the power
Power
So you say that I'm a fake think, you really must be a fool
I been to jail more times than you have probably been in school
Shot at, shot back, hit, and seen my buddies killed
That's the foundation upon the raps of Ice-T are built
I say what I think, the system does stink
Money you walk, you short, you're writin' from the klink
Come on, what's up, you know the laws are full of bull
Prey on the lame, release those with pull
Power! I know you wanta try it
Well check out money can buy it
Control and mold the world to do your wishin'
The knowledge of power is mine, so just listen
Money controls the world and that's it
And once you got it, then you can talk shit
Power
You'll have the power
Power
You'll have the power
I got the power
The lyrics of Ice-T's song “Power” speak to the rapper’s authoritative persona and the idea of gaining and wielding power. He boasts of his image and style, calling his posse unstoppable and himself a teacher, motivator, and hit author. He takes shots at those who do not recognize his power and those who want to keep him from it, such as cops, critics, and punks. He speaks of growing in size and strength as a group, ready to take on any challenger. He raps about the power of sex and money, and how they can be used to mold the world and control people’s actions. Finally, he recounts his own experiences with power, including being shot at and jailed, and how those experiences have shaped his message and his music.
The overall theme of the song “Power” is the acquisition and use of power, whether it be through image and influence, group strength, sex, money, or personal experiences of struggle. Ice-T presents himself as a powerful figure who knows what he wants and how to get it, and who is unafraid to speak his truth in the face of opposition. The lyrics are peppered with cultural references and slang that speak to the hip-hop and rap subcultures of the 1980s, as well as more general references to authority and control. Through his lyrics, Ice-T highlights the various ways power can be used, both positively and negatively, and challenges his listeners to think about their own relationship to power and how they might use it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm livin' large as possible, posse unstoppable
I'm living my life to the fullest, surrounded by a group of people that cannot be stopped.
Style topical, it's vividly optical
My style is current and visually impressive.
Listen, you'll see 'em sometimes I'll be 'em
Pay attention, you'll witness that sometimes I become the people I talk about.
Cops, critics and punks, never ever want to see me in power
Law enforcement, critics, and troublemakers never want to see me in a position of authority.
Well, that's too bad, Apocalypse now I'm back and I'm mad
Well, too bad for them, because I am back and determined to make a huge impact.
We're comin', you're runnin' cold and cunning
We are coming after you, while you are scared and using deceptive tactics.
Ice T on the mic, TopGunning
My name is Ice T and I am at the top of my game when it comes to rapping.
After your neck, checkin' respect, makin' you sweat
I am going after you, making sure you show me the respect I deserve and causing you to feel anxious.
Rhyme Syndicate boy, in effect
I am an active member of the Rhyme Syndicate, making an impact in the rap community.
The rap motivator, teacher, talker, night rhyme stalker
I am a rap artist who motivates, educates, and stands out with my rhymes late into the night.
Words thrillin', so real they're chillin', the hit author
My words are exciting and authentic to the point of sending chills down your spine, establishing me as a successful songwriter.
Gettin' louder than a shot gun, you don't want none
I am becoming more influential and powerful than a shotgun, and you do not want to mess with me.
Rhyme pays was the name of the album
The album was called 'Rhyme Pays,' highlighting the fact that my success in rapping provides financial rewards.
But that was number one, this is the number two
That album was a success, but now I am releasing a second album.
The posse grew, we're gonna break through
My group has expanded, and together we are going to achieve great success.
Somebody line up the suckers who refuse to recognize the truth
Gather all the ignorant individuals who refuse to accept the reality.
Tie up the punks who refuse to understand the youth
Restrain the disrespectful individuals who fail to comprehend the younger generation.
My posse's growin' and it's gettin' larger every day
My group is expanding, becoming more significant with each passing day.
Detroit, Chi-Town, Pittsburgh, Houston, L.A.
Locations where my posse is gaining strength and influence: Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Houston, and Los Angeles.
Come on, come on, come on, toys, let's play
Let's get started and show what we are capable of, my friends.
Circle the calendar, perpetrator doomsday
Mark the calendar, because the day of reckoning for the wrongdoers is approaching.
Ice-T fool, man of my own, full grown
I am Ice-T, I have my own identity, and I am fully matured.
I cause havoc when I speak upon the microphone
My words stir up chaos and excitement when I rap on the microphone.
I'm outspoken, no jokin', get in my face your jaw will get broken
I am direct and honest, no fooling around, and if you confront me, I will physically harm you.
Layin' it, sayin' it, then you're playing it
I am delivering my rhymes confidently, and once you hear them, you will be hooked.
Lyrics so heavy that you might try weighin' it
My lyrics are so impactful that you might attempt to measure their weight.
Hated by many but I hate 'em back
Although many people dislike me, I reciprocate those feelings towards them.
Loved by troopers who know where it's at
I am adored by the loyal individuals who understand and appreciate my true worth.
You might like me, might think I'm wack
You might have mixed opinions about me, perhaps finding me impressive or unimpressive.
But don't step to me 'cause the boy stays strapped
However, do not provoke me because I am always ready to defend myself.
I'm taking no shorts, hatin' the courts, hatin' the judges
I am not tolerating any disrespect, expressing my dissatisfaction towards the legal system and those who enforce it.
Punk DA's with their personal grudges
District Attorneys with personal vendettas against me.
I hate the clubs that think with their butts
I despise the clubs that prioritize appearance and popularity over true talent.
No hats, no jeans, no sneakers, no what?
They don't allow hats, jeans, or sneakers, what's up with that?
No beepers, no gold? Yo kiss my ass
I am also not allowed to wear beepers or gold accessories, and I strongly object to those rules.
We'll wait and see who gets the last laugh
Let's patiently observe and find out who will ultimately have the final victory.
We'll have the power
We will possess the influence and authority.
Power
Power.
Power, it starts with P like pussy
Power, it begins with the letter P, similar to the term 'pussy'.
She knows she's got it, she doesn't worry, does she?
A woman who possesses power knows it, and she does not fret about it.
Spendin' your cash, leavin' you in the trash
Using your money and then disregarding and abandoning you.
While your little head's thinkin', they're gone in a dash
While you are preoccupied with sexual thoughts, these women quickly move on.
They got it, know it, that's why they show it
These women are aware of their power, which is precisely why they flaunt it.
The power of sex, if man could overthrow it
The power of sex, if men could somehow gain control over it.
He'd be king in a day, no way. We get rich, hard, give it away
If a man could control sex, he would become incredibly powerful, but in reality, we, as women, manipulate men with our allure, gaining wealth and pleasure from them.
We're weak and as we speak, the girls are hawkin'
In our current society, we women are seen as weak, but as we are having this conversation, the girls are looking for opportunities to exploit men.
Sizin' me up straight out as I'm talkin'
They are assessing me and determining whether I can be used to their advantage just by observing my actions and words.
But you gotta have control if you want the gold
However, if you want to achieve success and wealth, you must have control over the situation.
I don't want to be alone like Stallone
I do not want to end up lonely and isolated like Sylvester Stallone.
So I keep my mind thinkin' 'bout the green
Therefore, I constantly focus on acquiring wealth and success.
And stop dwellin' on the in-between
I avoid wasting my time and energy on things that are not crucial to my goals.
I got power
I possess power.
I'm on a mission mackin' hard as a hammer
I am relentlessly pursuing my goals with determination.
Take my picture, I might take your camera
If you try to capture my image without permission, I might take your camera as compensation.
My posse might move, and they move fast
My group has the ability to take action swiftly and efficiently.
A fool's move could be a punk's last
If someone makes a foolish decision, it could be their downfall.
Ain't no criminal although I used to be
I am not a criminal anymore, even though I had a past as one.
Ain't no new jack rappin', ain't new to me
I am not a newcomer to the rap scene, and my skills are not new.
I been makin' records on wax since 1982
I have been recording music since 1982.
Now it's 1988, finally I'm coming through
Now, in 1988, I am finally making a breakthrough and gaining recognition.
That adds up to six years of makin' ok jams, but now I'm mad
Although I have been making decent music for six years, I am now angry and ready to make a bigger impact.
Here comes the body slam
I am about to make a forceful and impactful move.
Turnin' out concerts, house'n the industry
I am performing successful concerts and dominating the music industry.
Lovin' all the fly girls screamin' for Ice-T
I enjoy the attention and admiration from attractive women who cheer for me, Ice-T.
Rollin' with the Syndicate, my unstoppable battalion
I am associated with the Syndicate, an unstoppable group of individuals supporting my career.
38 Solid gold my medalion
I wear a solid gold medallion in the shape of the number 38.
Gainin' velocity, momentum and energy
I am accelerating and accumulating strength and enthusiasm.
ICE Capital T
My name is spelled with capitalized initials, ICE T.
I got the power
I possess power.
So you say that I'm a fake think, you really must be a fool
If you claim that I am fake, then you are clearly foolish.
I been to jail more times than you have probably been in school
I have been to jail multiple times, more than you have likely attended school.
Shot at, shot back, hit, and seen my buddies killed
I have been shot at, returned fire, been injured, and witnessed the deaths of my friends.
That's the foundation upon the raps of Ice-T are built
These experiences form the basis of the rhymes I create as Ice-T.
I say what I think, the system does stink
I express my thoughts honestly, believing that the system is flawed.
Money you walk, you short, you're writin' from the klink
If you owe me money and you don't pay, you may end up writing to me from jail.
Come on, what's up, you know the laws are full of bull
Let's be real, you know that the legal system is filled with lies and deception.
Prey on the lame, release those with pull
The system targets the weak, letting go of powerful individuals.
Power! I know you wanta try it
Power! I know you desire to experience it.
Well check out money can buy it
Take a look, because money can purchase power.
Control and mold the world to do your wishin'
With power, you can manipulate and shape the world according to your desires.
The knowledge of power is mine, so just listen
I possess the understanding of power, so pay attention to what I have to say.
Money controls the world and that's it
Money is what dictates and controls the world, plain and simple.
And once you got it, then you can talk shit
Once you have money and power, you can speak freely and brag about your accomplishments.
Power
Power.
You'll have the power
You will possess the power.
Power
Power.
You'll have the power
You will possess the power.
I got the power
I possess the power.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AFRIKA ISLAM, TRACY LAUREN MARROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind