Elbows
Jay Rock ft. Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
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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
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
The lyrics to Jay Rock's "Elbows" describe life in the projects of Nickerson Gardens, where drug dealers and gangbangers thrive. Despite the harsh reality of their surroundings, the song celebrates the community's resilience and the pride they take in their West Coast culture. The chorus instructs listeners to "poke your elbows out and swing like this," emphasizing the importance of dancing and having fun, even in the face of adversity.
The first verse acknowledges Jay Rock's come-up from "rock bottom" to success, but also his connection to his roots. He raps about his luxurious car, but also the drug paraphernalia in his backpack - a reminder of the dangers that come with growing up in the projects. The second verse describes the diversity of his community, from the gangbangers and crack heads to the partygoers who indulge in drugs and sex. The third verse celebrates the West Coast's unique blend of music and dance, with references to low-rider culture and the popular jerkin' dance craze.
Overall, "Elbows" is a celebration of life in the projects, with all its highs and lows. The song recognizes the harsh realities of poverty and violence, but also the joy and resilience of the community. The infectious beat and catchy chorus encourage listeners to dance and have fun, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Poke your elbows out and swing like this
Instructions to dance in a certain way
Rock got it, Rock came from rock bottom, now I'm on top
Jay Rock overcame adversity and is now successful
Pocket full of guacamole and that nola
Jay Rock has money
The windows on the Continental tinted cocaine colored, it's a dope ride
Jay Rock's car is fancy and flashy
Them dope boys outside
Drug dealers are hanging around outside
Gangbangers, crack heads and hood rats
Jay Rock has seen a lot of people from rough backgrounds
Drug paraphenelia inside that back pack
Jay Rock or someone else has drugs on them
If you want it we got it, that's where them goods at
The people with drugs are nearby
Nickerson Gardens, project parties
Jay Rock grew up in public housing
Chronic, Hennessey, dro, Bacardi
Jay Rock and others drink and smoke weed
Guns, enemies that come through, spark them
Jay Rock is prepared for violence
Throw em in a dumpster; you loved one, you lost him
Jay Rock has experienced people getting killed and disposed of
I don't dance I just boogie a lot
Jay Rock prefers to move freely and casually instead of dancing formally
No dress code I just wear a hoodie a lot
Jay Rock doesn't worry about dressing up and typically wears a hoodie
White tee under that back against the wall
Jay Rock is dressed casually and leaning against a wall
West coast rocking to the beat, now I'm telling y'all
Jay Rock is making music for the West Coast
Whatever you want to call it
Jay Rock doesn't care what you call his music
For the weed heads or for the alcoholics
Jay Rock's music can be enjoyed while smoking weed or drinking
Now this can be some OG low-rider music
Jay Rock's music is classic low-rider style
Or you could twist your fingers up and gangbang to it, gangbang to it
Jay Rock's music can also be enjoyed by gang members
Look, I know some bad ass bitches that go hard on it
Jay Rock knows women who enjoy sex
Addicted to that sex, they be traveling in packs
These women like sex so much they often travel together to find partners
They be off that X, and they'll let you fuck fast if you got some cess
These women use ecstasy and will have sex quickly if you have weed
I ain't gon lie about it
Jay Rock is being honest
I ain't bullshitting, come to my block boy
Jay Rock is inviting you to see his neighborhood yourself
Welcome to Hell's kitchen, we bring that heat to you
Jay Rock's neighborhood is dangerous and could be considered a metaphorical 'Hell's Kitchen'
Too much of a real nigga not to see through you
Jay Rock can see through fake people
Wet him like faucet, bullet sink through you
Jay Rock is threatening violence with firearms
They speed through you, they eat through you
Jay Rock and his associates can quickly overpower and harm you
Two lullaby burners, let em sing to you
Jay Rock has two guns and will use them on you
The harmony of it is pleasure to your ears
Jay Rock enjoys the sound of gunshots
You got to love it (nah) you got to hate it
Jay Rock's music is divisive and people either love it or hate it
I got to be my hometown favourite
Jay Rock has a lot of hometown pride
Watts representer, say hello your mayor
Jay Rock is a prominent figure in his neighborhood
Everybody put them Ws in the air
Jay Rock is representing his neighborhood and asking others to do the same
May I show you the plan I lay out
Jay Rock has a plan for his success
My disc will never play out, I tell y'all to
Jay Rock is confident that his music will never get old
Swing your elbows and Taylors, the shell-toes
Jay Rock is giving more dance instructions
Kush blunts all in the air, I smell those
People are smoking weed around Jay Rock
Cop the swap meets to freaks on Melrose
Jay Rock is shopping in local stores and seeing interesting people
This is California, killers on them corners
Jay Rock is acknowledging that California has a lot of violence
From Long Beach to Inglewood, Hollywood
These specific areas of California are known for being rough
Back down, them gangsters will be on you
Jay Rock is warning people to be careful around gangsters
Block hot as a sauna
There is a lot of tension and violence in Jay Rock's neighborhood
We in the club, zoning, Patroning
Jay Rock and his friends are partying and drinking Patron
My knuckleheads roaming, they on and we on it
Jay Rock's associates are looking for trouble and Jay Rock is with them
It's jerkin, poppin, brackin, whatever you want to call it
The dance style of the club is up for interpretation
What's happening, we smashing, crashing your hood
Jay Rock and his associates are driving around and causing chaos in other neighborhoods
Staying sucker-free, just as well as you should
Jay Rock is warning people not to be taken advantage of
I pull up in that motherfucking big-ass truck
Jay Rock arrives in a large vehicle
What the fuck? I'm on
Jay Rock is confident and ready to do whatever he wants
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 is taunting the person whose girlfriend he took
I press blood; throw your sets up!
Jay Rock is still representing his neighborhood and telling others to do the same
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DARIUS JOSEPH BARNES, JOHNNY MCKENZIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind