Elbows
Jay Rock feat Kendrick Lamar Lyrics


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Poke your elbows out and swing like this
Poke your elbows out and swing like this (hold up)

Rock got it, Rock came from rock bottom, now I'm on top
Pocket full of guacamole and that nola
The windows on the Continental tinted cocaine colored, it's a dope ride
Them dope boys outside
Gangbangers, crack heads and hood rats
Drug paraphenelia inside that back pack
If you want it we got it, that's where them goods at
Nickerson Gardens, project parties
Chronic, Hennessey, dro, Bacardi
Guns, enemies that come through, spark them
Throw em in a dumpster; you loved one, you lost him
I don't dance I just boogie a lot
No dress code I just wear a hoodie a lot
White tee under that back against the wall
West coast rocking to the beat, now I'm telling y'all

Poke your elbows out and swing like this
Poke your elbows out and swing like this (homie)
Poke your elbows out and swing like this
Poke your elbows out and swing like this

Whatever you want to call it
For the weed heads or for the alcoholics
Now this can be some OG low-rider music
Or you could twist your fingers up and gangbang to it, gangbang to it

Look, I know some bad ass bitches that go hard on it
Addicted to that sex, they be traveling in packs
They be off that X, and they'll let you fuck fast if you got some cess
I ain't gon lie about it
I ain't bullshitting, come to my block boy
Welcome to Hell's kitchen, we bring that heat to you
Too much of a real nigga not to see through you
Wet him like faucet, bullet sink through you
They speed through you, they eat through you
Two lullaby burners, let em sing to you
The harmony of it is pleasure to your ears
You got to love it (nah) you got to hate it
I got to be my hometown favourite
Watts representer, say hello your mayor
Everybody put them Ws in the air
May I show you the plan I lay out
My disc will never play out, I tell y'all to

Poke your elbows out and swing like this
Poke your elbows out and swing like this (homie)
Poke your elbows out and swing like this
Poke your elbows out and swing like this

Swing your elbows and Taylors, the shell-toes
Kush blunts all in the air, I smell those
Cop the swap meets to freaks on Melrose
This is California, killers on them corners
From Long Beach to Inglewood, Hollywood
Back down, them gangsters will be on you
Block hot as a sauna
We in the club, zoning, Patroning
My knuckleheads roaming, they on and we on it
It's jerkin, poppin, brackin, whatever you want to call it
What's happening, we smashing, crashing your hood
My nigga what's good?
Staying sucker-free, just as well as you should
I pull up in that motherfucking big-ass truck
What the fuck? I'm on
Where your bitch? She's gone with a real nigga
I hop up out that ho asking how you feel nigga
I press blood; throw your sets up!

Poke your elbows out and swing like this
Poke your elbows out and swing like this (homie)




Poke your elbows out and swing like this
Poke your elbows out and swing like this

Overall Meaning

In the song "Elbows" by Jay Rock feat Kendrick Lamar, the artists paint a vivid picture of their upbringing and experiences in Watts, California. The opening lines of the chorus, "Poke your elbows out and swing like this," encourage listeners to get into the rhythm and sway of the music. The lyrics that follow describe the environment that the artists grew up in, where poverty, gang violence, and drug use were rampant. Jay Rock raps about his rise from "rock bottom" to success, flaunting his wealth with lines like "Pocket full of guacamole and that nola." Kendrick Lamar provides a quintessential West Coast vibe to the song, rapping about "killers on them corners" and the various illicit activities that happen in their neighborhood. The song's chorus acts as a constant reminder to the listener to stay in the moment, to nod their head, and to keep dancing.


Line by Line Meaning

Poke your elbows out and swing like this
Get ready to dance and move your arms in a swinging motion


Rock got it, Rock came from rock bottom, now I'm on top
Jay Rock came from a difficult starting point and now he is successful


Pocket full of guacamole and that nola
Jay Rock has a lot of money in his pockets


The windows on the Continental tinted cocaine colored, it's a dope ride
Jay Rock's car has tinted windows that are a color resembling cocaine and it's a cool car


Them dope boys outside
Drug dealers are outside


Gangbangers, crack heads and hood rats
There are people in the area who are involved in gangs, drug addiction, and poverty


Drug paraphenelia inside that back pack
There are drug-related items in Jay Rock's backpack


If you want it we got it, that's where them goods at
If you're looking for drugs, Jay Rock and his associates have them


Nickerson Gardens, project parties
Parties are taking place at Nickerson Gardens, a housing project


Chronic, Hennessey, dro, Bacardi
There are various drugs and alcohol being consumed at these parties


Guns, enemies that come through, spark them
There are guns for protection against potential threats


Throw em in a dumpster; you loved one, you lost him
Death is common in this area, and people can be disposed of in a violent manner


I don't dance I just boogie a lot
Jay Rock doesn't dance, but he moves to the music


No dress code I just wear a hoodie a lot
Jay Rock doesn't follow fashion conventions and often wears a hoodie


White tee under that back against the wall
Jay Rock is wearing a white undershirt and is leaning against a wall


West coast rocking to the beat, now I'm telling y'all
Jay Rock is representing the West Coast and wants everyone to move to the music


Whatever you want to call it
The music Jay Rock is making can be called different things


For the weed heads or for the alcoholics
The music can be enjoyed by people who smoke weed or drink alcohol


Now this can be some OG low-rider music
The music can be associated with old-school low-rider culture


Or you could twist your fingers up and gangbang to it, gangbang to it
The music can also be enjoyed by gang members who make gang signs with their fingers


Look, I know some bad ass bitches that go hard on it
Jay Rock knows some women who are sexually aggressive


Addicted to that sex, they be traveling in packs
These women are addicted to sex and often travel with each other


They be off that X, and they'll let you fuck fast if you got some cess
These women take ecstasy and will have sex quickly if you have good weed


I ain't gon lie about it
Jay Rock is being truthful about what he knows


I ain't bullshitting, come to my block boy
Jay Rock is challenging someone to come to his neighborhood and see for themselves


Welcome to Hell's kitchen, we bring that heat to you
Jay Rock's neighborhood is dangerous and violent


Too much of a real nigga not to see through you
Jay Rock is perceptive and can tell when someone is fake


Wet him like faucet, bullet sink through you
Jay Rock and his associates will shoot and harm those who pose a threat


They speed through you, they eat through you
Gunshots from Jay Rock and his associates are fast and deadly


Two lullaby burners, let em sing to you
Jay Rock has two guns that are capable of making deadly music


The harmony of it is pleasure to your ears
Jay Rock takes pleasure in the sound of his guns and the fear they instill


You got to love it (nah) you got to hate it
Some people enjoy the violence and danger in Jay Rock's neighborhood, while others hate it


I got to be my hometown favourite
Jay Rock is well-liked in his neighborhood


Watts representer, say hello your mayor
Jay Rock is representing the Watts neighborhood and is like its unofficial mayor


Everybody put them Ws in the air
People in Watts represent themselves with the letter 'W'


May I show you the plan I lay out
Jay Rock has a plan and wants to share it with others


My disc will never play out, I tell y'all to
Jay Rock's music will never get old and he wants his fans to keep listening


Swing your elbows and Taylors, the shell-toes
Jay Rock is telling people to dance and move their arms while wearing Chuck Taylors or Shell-Toe Adidas shoes


Kush blunts all in the air, I smell those
People are smoking marijuana and Jay Rock can smell it


Cop the swap meets to freaks on Melrose
People can buy things at swap meets and find strange individuals on Melrose avenue


This is California, killers on them corners
California has a history of violence, and there are dangerous people on street corners


From Long Beach to Inglewood, Hollywood
The violence in California is prevalent in several cities


Back down, them gangsters will be on you
If someone challenges you, gang members will come to your defense


Block hot as a sauna
The streets are hot and dangerous


We in the club, zoning, Patroning
Jay Rock and his friends are in the club, getting drunk on Patrón


My knuckleheads roaming, they on and we on it
Jay Rock's friends are looking for trouble and they're ready for it


It's jerkin, poppin, brackin, whatever you want to call it
The people in the club are dancing in various styles


What's happening, we smashing, crashing your hood
Jay Rock and his friends will invade your neighborhood and cause chaos


Staying sucker-free, just as well as you should
Jay Rock and his friends are avoiding people who are fake or weak


I pull up in that motherfucking big-ass truck
Jay Rock arrives at a location in a large truck


What the fuck? I'm on
Jay Rock is ready to party and have a good time


Where your bitch? She's gone with a real nigga
Jay Rock has taken someone else's girlfriend


I hop up out that ho asking how you feel nigga
Jay Rock steps out of his vehicle and challenges someone to confront him


I press blood; throw your sets up!
Jay Rock is affiliated with a specific gang and is telling others to show their allegiance to it




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Jay Sonovo

Eh, I'd have to disagree.


Tupac. Born n raised in NY, his first rap name was MC New York.

Nas. Jay. 50 power of the dollar. Dmx first two albums.

Biggie. Big L. Big Pun.

So many others. Who are the very best Westcoast rappers?

Not who just repped the west. Who was born and raised there in the culture?



All comments from YouTube:

Commissaire Llob

Gotta go back at least once a year to charge my soul with this masterpiece

ninesixx

first time hearing this after seeing a dr dr in the studio documentary. Love the beat

Thabiso Kagiso Mpiti

Rock got em
Rock came from rock bottom

Charles Tisdale

Yo no bullshit snoop had me jamming fr but I'm glad ran into this

Oguzhan 1905

2022 still listening to the Power of this Song 💪💪

BlancoPop

The hardest Jay track to date

Luis Moreno

Pocket full of guacamole in it no lie 😳🤯🤯

TeamRocketWes The Elite 4 Soulja 🐊🐉

Or that Bout that

ninesixx

hearing a beat like this makes me want to get back in the studio

Ugh Misfit

2020 this slaps! 🔥

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