American Dream
Jeezy J. Cole Kendrick Lamar Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Cryin', cryin', cryin', cryin') Yeah, what's up? (Yeah, what's up?)
Welcome to America baby (uh)
Home of the brave, American dream, you know? (yeah) (dream baby)
Uh, uh, yeah, let's go

I just want a big ol' bag of money when I see my jeweler (yeah)
Get a hard-on when I'm countin' up that mula (what's up?)
Scarface, into livin' life like a king (yeah)
Every day eatin' good with my team (the American dream) (what's up?)
First they said I wouldn't, but I knew that I would make it (I knew it)
Copped my first pie, yeah, I knew that I could bake it (what's up?)
Scarface vision, livin' life like a king (hey)
Every day grindin' hard with my team (the American dream) (yeah, oh)

You either good or you great
You either real or you fake
That's why I stay spittin' the real
Because the real ones relate
Y'all must was raised by some haters
You niggas go 'head and hate
Four car garage for the 'Rari, that bitch came with the estate
I swear them streets get so tricky, glad I ain't fall for the bait
So focused and I'm determined, can see that shit in my face
You niggas go 'head and face it
Lil' bitch, ain't shit 'bout me basic
Hit a lick on them bitches and went and iced out the bracelet
Never let my flaws and my past come get the best of me (never)
Turn a two fifty to a half, I got the recipe
First my president was black, now my president is wack (wack)
I ain't never goin' broke, what's American in that? (hey, let's go)

I just want a big ol' bag of money when I see my jeweler (woo)
Get a hard-on when I'm countin' up that mula (haha)
Scarface, into livin' life like a king (hey)
Every day eatin' good with my team (the American dream)
First they said I wouldn't, but I knew that I would make it
Copped my first pie, yeah, I knew that I could bake it (alright)
Scarface vision, livin' life like a king
Every day grindin' hard with my team (the American dream) (oh)

Got money to make, blow out the candles then cut up the cake
Then I put it on plate, I'm runnin' the game, you runnin' in place
Still a youngin' at heart, but mentally, bitch I'm a hundred and eight
Like Pun in the late nineties, my niggas is jugglin' weight
Runnin' from state to state, gunnin' up ways to safety
I'm on a paper chase, whatever it takes to make me
A millionaire, silly 'cause how many really get there?
I mean, how many niggas is Jeezy?
Y'all make this shit sound so easy
Breezy, turn on the TV, see these niggas that trap on the CD
Meanwhile, back home, my niggas sell crack at the BP (slide)
Hopin' one day they can be the (slide)
Niggas that's there on the screen (slide)
'Cause that's the American dream (slide)
Now here go the thing, listen
Hysterical screams, comin' from mothers that buried their kings
Or the unbearable pain of watchin' them walk out with the sheriff in chains
Becomin' a number, they no longer care bout the name
White folks been gettin' rich off of cocaine
Through some underhanded methods, I don't got time to explain
Out of fear that I won't reach 'em and since preachin' ain't my thing
I just drop a gem or two within a few verses I sing
For all my real niggas trapped inside the game, you know that already

I just want a big ol' bag of money when I see my jeweler (woo)
Get a hard-on when I'm countin' up that mula (haha)
Scarface, into livin' life like a king (hey)
Every day eatin' good with my team (the American dream)
First they said I wouldn't, but I knew that I would make it
Copped my first pie, yeah, I knew that I could bake it (alright)
Scarface vision, livin' life like a king
Every day grindin' hard with my team (the American dream) (oh)

(Yeah yuh)
These streets made for ballin' (yeah yuh)
Ten toes ain't for fallin' (yeah yuh)
I hear the world callin'
Tell me if ya all in (tell me if ya all in)
Look, look, I gotta eat, I gotta, make money with
I gotta feast, I gotta rely on what is known to the travelin' man
Set his own, got my Bible and my rifle in my hand, oh yeah
I gotta eat, I gotta, make money with
I gotta feast, I gotta rely on what is known to the travelin' man
Set his own, got my Bible and my rifle in my hand, oh yeah




(Cryin', cryin', cryin', cryin')
(Cryin', cryin', cryin', cryin')

Overall Meaning

The song "American Dream" by Jeezy, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar is a commentary on the pursuit of wealth and success in America, particularly within the context of black and minority communities. The lyrics describe the desire for material wealth and the belief that success can be achieved through hard work and entrepreneurship, but also acknowledge the challenges and injustices faced by those trying to succeed. The reference to Scarface, a Cuban immigrant who rises to the top of the drug trade in Miami, represents the idea that success can come from unlikely places, but also implies the corrupt and violent nature of certain avenues to success.


The chorus of the song emphasizes the notion of the "American Dream," with lyrics like "every day eatin' good with my team" and "scarface vision, livin' life like a king." However, the verses delve deeper into the realities of trying to achieve this dream, with lines like "y'all must was raised by some haters" and "you either real or you fake." The song also touches on political themes, with references to Barack Obama ("First my president was black, now my president is wack") and the impact of the war on drugs and the prison-industrial complex on communities of color.


Line by Line Meaning

(Cryin', cryin', cryin', cryin') Yeah, what's up? (Yeah, what's up?)
Introduction to the song, with Jeezy and his friends discussing the American Dream.


Welcome to America baby (uh) Home of the brave, American dream, you know? (yeah) (dream baby) Uh, uh, yeah, let's go
Introduction to America, the land of the free and the American Dream that is desired by millions of people.


I just want a big ol' bag of money when I see my jeweler (yeah) Get a hard-on when I'm countin' up that mula (what's up?) Scarface, into livin' life like a king (yeah) Every day eatin' good with my team (the American dream) (what's up?)
Desire to have a lot of money, enjoy counting it, and living a lavish lifestyle like the famous Scarface. This is all part of the American Dream, which includes having a successful team.


First they said I wouldn't, but I knew that I would make it (I knew it) Copped my first pie, yeah, I knew that I could bake it (what's up?) Scarface vision, livin' life like a king (hey) Every day grindin' hard with my team (the American dream) (yeah, oh)
Despite doubters, the artist never gave up and kept working until he could successfully attain the lifestyle he was seeking. To him, it's all a part of the American Dream.


You either good or you great You either real or you fake That's why I stay spittin' the real Because the real ones relate Y'all must was raised by some haters You niggas go 'head and hate
Only the best are recognized, either as genuine or fake, and it's essential for the artist to speak the truth because genuine people can relate. He also accuses some people of being haters and encourages them to keep hating if that's what they know best.


Four car garage for the 'Rari, that bitch came with the estate I swear them streets get so tricky, glad I ain't fall for the bait So focused and I'm determined, can see that shit in my face You niggas go 'head and face it Lil' bitch, ain't shit 'bout me basic
The artist boasts of owning a Ferrari and mansion while acknowledging that the streets are dangerous and tricky. He is happy that he never fell for their traps. He claims to be focused, determined, and far from basic.


Hit a lick on them bitches and went and iced out the bracelet Never let my flaws and my past come get the best of me (never) Turn a two fifty to a half, I got the recipe First my president was black, now my president is wack (wack) I ain't never goin' broke, what's American in that? (hey, let's go)
The artist claims that he has overcome his past, and nothing can stop him from becoming successful. He explains that he can quickly turn two hundred fifty dollars into a half-million dollars, and despite his current issues with the president of the United States, he denies ever going broke, which he believes is the true American Dream.


Got money to make, blow out the candles then cut up the cake Then I put it on plate, I'm runnin' the game, you runnin' in place Still a youngin' at heart, but mentally, bitch I'm a hundred and eight Like Pun in the late nineties, my niggas is jugglin' weight Runnin' from state to state, gunnin' up ways to safety I'm on a paper chase, whatever it takes to make me A millionaire, silly 'cause how many really get there? I mean, how many niggas is Jeezy? Y'all make this shit sound so easy Breezy, turn on the TV, see these niggas that trap on the CD Meanwhile, back home, my niggas sell crack at the BP (slide) Hopin' one day they can be the (slide) Niggas that's there on the screen (slide) 'Cause that's the American dream (slide) Now here go the thing, listen Hysterical screams, comin' from mothers that buried their kings Or the unbearable pain of watchin' them walk out with the sheriff in chains Becomin' a number, they no longer care bout the name White folks been gettin' rich off of cocaine Through some underhanded methods, I don't got time to explain Out of fear that I won't reach 'em and since preachin' ain't my thing I just drop a gem or two within a few verses I sing For all my real niggas trapped inside the game, you know that already (Yeah yuh) These streets made for ballin' (yeah yuh) Ten toes ain't for fallin' (yeah yuh) I hear the world callin' Tell me if ya all in (tell me if ya all in)
The artist emphasizes the need to work hard and chase riches greedily while juxtaposing this lifestyle with the reality of friends lost, families grieving, and unfair treatment of black people by law enforcement officers and the government. He swears to tell the truth and motivate his friends who are still trapped in this lifestyle. The song ends with him asking if everyone is ready to join the chase.




Lyrics © GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC GROUP INC, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILAL OLIVER, DOMNICK LAMB, JAMIE MCKAY, JAY JENKINS, JERMAINE LAMARR COLE, JULIUS PRESTON, KEITH FOGAH, KENDRICK LAMAR, MACINTOSH HUNDAL, BILAL S. OLIVER, DOMINICK J. LAMB, JAY W. JENKINS, JERMAINE L. COLE, KEITH ALEXANDER FOGAH, KENDRICK LAMAR DUCKWORTH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@allrapnation

Preach!🙏🏼

@knowistrite

Hey Rap Nation. How do I properly submit my latest video "10X That" to your channel? Love your channel!!!

@oscarblythe4148

But Cole clearly says "But Since preachin' ain't my thang" in his verse.

@zyonthez1079

Mr. Meeseeks he meant

Rap! 🙏

@ombmm9408

🙏🏿*

@swphittman215

@Oscar Blythe CDFU 😂😂😂he def does...gd joke😎

@WHATSCHONAME

Probably the closest thing we're gonna get to that Kendrick & Cole project

@jjcmark1

GAMBLE What about Black Friday?

@borisnk9434

jjcmark1 they were just freestyling over each others beats

@JoseRamirez-yl8xy

They Ready -DJ Khaled ft Cole, Kenny & K.R.I.T 👌

More Comments

More Versions