No Church In The Wild
Jay-Z - Kanye West Lyrics

Human beings in a mob
The power that a group of people holds when they come together.

What's a mob to a king?
The insignificance of a group of people when compared to the power held by a king.

What's a king to a god?
The insignificance of a king when compared to the power held by a god.

What's a god to a non-believer?
The insignificance of a god to someone who does not believe in any higher power.

Who don't believe in anything?
The questioning of the beliefs of those who do not believe in anything.

We make it out alive
The ability to survive and thrive in difficult and challenging situations.

All right, all right
Reassurance and a sense of confidence.

No church in the wild
The lack of organized religion and traditional belief systems in a society where individuality and free thinking reigns.

Tears on the mausoleum floor
The sadness and despair that accompanies death and loss.

Blood stains the Coliseum doors
The violence and brutality that can occur in places of power and authority.

Lies on the lips of a priest
The dishonesty and corruption that can occur in religious leaders.

Thanksgiving disguised as a feast
The celebration of holidays and events that mask the true history and injustices that have occurred.

Rollin' in the Rolls-Royce Corniche
The material wealth and luxury that can accompany success and power.

Only the doctors got this, I'm hidin' from police
The secrecy and fear that accompanies illegal activities such as drug dealing.

Cocaine seats
The use and glamorization of drugs in certain circles.

All white like I got the whole thing bleached
The opulence and extravagance that can accompany wealth and status.

Drug dealer chic
The glorification and romanticization of illegal and dangerous activities.

I'm wonderin' if a thug's prayers reach
The questioning of the legitimacy and effectiveness of prayer for those who have lived a life of crime and violence.

Is Pious pious 'cause God loves pious?
The questioning of whether being pious and religious is a genuine expression of faith or simply done to gain favor with a higher power.

Socrates asks, "whose bias do y'all seek?"
The questioning of who holds the power and control in society and whose views and opinions are valued.

All for Plato, screech
The referencing of an ancient philosopher who believed in the importance of pursuing truth and knowledge.

I'm out chere' ballin', I know y'all hear my sneaks
The showing off of wealth and success through flashy material possessions.

Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy, laid beats
The comparison of two individuals who both had different professions but both made a significant impact on society and culture.

Hova flow the Holy Ghost, get the hell up out your seats, preach
A call to action and a display of power, calling on listeners to stand up and take action.

I live by you, desire
The power and influence that desire holds over an individual's choices and actions.

I stand by you, walk through the fire
The support and loyalty given to someone during difficult and challenging times.

Your love, is my scripture
The belief and value placed in the love and connection between individuals over traditional religious beliefs.

Let me into your encryption, yeah yeah
The desire and request to be fully understood and accepted by another individual.

Coke on her black skin made a stripe like a zebra
A reference to the appearance of drugs on dark skin, and the impact that illegal substances can have on individuals.

I call that jungle fever
The labeling and stereotyping of behavior and preferences based on race and ethnicity.

You will not control the threesome
A declaration of independence and autonomy in relationships and sexual encounters.

Just roll the weed up until I get me some
A reference to the use of drugs and the desire for immediate gratification in certain situations.

We formed a new religion
The creation of new belief systems and cultural practices in a rapidly changing society.

No sins as long as there's permission'
The questioning of traditional ideas of morality and sin, based on the consent of those involved.

And deception is the only felony
The prioritization of honesty and authenticity over legal consequences.

So never fuck nobody without tellin' me
The importance of transparency and communication in relationships and sexual encounters.

Sunglasses and Advil
A reference to the after-effects of a wild and crazy night out.

Last night was mad real
The acknowledgement of the intensity and excitement of a night spent partying and engaging in risky behaviors.

Sun comin' up 5 a.m.
The realization of the passage of time and the stark transition from night to day.

I wonder if they got cabs still
The confusion and uncertainty that can accompany the end of a long and intense night out.

Thinkin' 'bout the girl in all-leopard
The memory and impression left by a particular individual or experience.

Who was rubbin' the wood like Kiki Shepard
A reference to a television host and a sexual innuendo, highlighting the sexual nature of the encounter.

Two tattoos, one read "no apologies"
The expression of self-confidence and a refusal to apologize for who one is and what they believe in.

The other said "love is cursed by monogamy"
The questioning of the traditional idea of monogamous relationships and the limitations that they can place on individuals.

That's somethin' that the pastor don't preach
The avoidance and lack of conversation around controversial and non-traditional topics in religious settings.

That's somethin' that a teacher can't teach
The inability of traditional education and teaching to fully prepare individuals for the complexities and challenges of life.

When we die, the money we can't keep
The fleeting and impermanent nature of wealth and material possessions, and the futility of clinging to them.

But we prolly spend it all 'cause the pain ain't cheap, preach
A commentary on the coping mechanisms and escape tactics that people use to deal with pain and struggle, often leading to spending and consumption.

No church in the wild
The repetition and emphasis of the lack of traditional religion and belief systems in a society where individuality and free-thinking are valued.