Classic Man
Jidenna feat. Kendrick Lamar Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm the only nigga doin' it
You other niggas ruined it
I'm too legit, go Hammer wit' the foolishness
My nana said my grandma can maneuver this industry
Until I'm stupid rich and now I'm stupid rich, ah
Even if she go away, even if she go away
Assumin' this is what they humor is
To Pimp a Butterfly my newest shit
Effective rumor is the way I proven it

I'm a classic man
You can be mean when you look this clean, I'm a classic man
Callin' on me like a young O.G, I'm a classic man
Your needs get met by the street, elegant old-fashioned man
Yeah, baby, I'm a classic man

I burn through the hood like, "Whoa"
When everybody's feeling so cold
I cool like Nat King Cole and niggas get a bit of my glow
I got charm like a leprechaun, mamafucker
Now y'all fucking with the wrong mamafucker
Treat me like a don, mamafucker
And we don't live by the law, mamafucker

Even if she go away, even if she go away

I'm a classic man
You can be mean when you look this clean, I'm a classic man
Callin' on me like a young O.G, I'm a classic man
Your needs get met by the street, elegant old-fashioned man
Yeah, baby, I'm a classic man

(Classic man) That's on my mama though
I got piranha flow, fuckin' up your designer clothes
(Casket man) Where be your rapper's angle?
Bunch of subliminal bitches, I'd rather fingerbang 'em
Oh, ke-mo sah-bee, pray to God nobody try me
Catch a body over nothin', Top couldn't even stop me
I got key to my city, I got key to California
I might legalize your homicide and mourn marijuana
Let my daddy smoke his weed, only thing they keep on Philly
I ain't got no jewelry on me, bitch, I got the jewelry in me
Oh, shit, let me talk my shit, I always been the shit
This ain't overnight, they love me now like they loved me then
I know what I like, I eat the pussy for my nourishment
I know how to cherish it
I know how to decorate your wall and further furnish it
I'm a burn your shit down, this is what the furnace is
I'm a turn your shit around wit' some friendly services
Ain't no nervousness like I'm ratchet or conservative
And that's affirmative
All I do is lay-up and face up my big bills
And paste up, got no chill for fake ones, like, for real, they say

I'm a classic man
You can be mean when you look this clean, I'm a classic man
Callin' on me like a young O.G, I'm a classic man
Your needs get met by the street, elegant old-fashioned man
Yeah, baby, I'm a classic man

Keep my gloves dirty but my hands clean
Got to keep the business in the family
Bread when I'm fillin' up the pantry
Now my niggas slang 'caine like a dandy
I tell you how it go
You pull out rubber bands, I pull out an envelope
The ladies on my elbow ain't for the show
Every madam on my team is a top general, oh
Got to be ready for war (War)
Should they get into my door? (Door)
Get 'em, we'll get 'em, I know that we'll get 'em
Cause I lived through this shit before, oh

I'm a classic man
You can be mean when you look this clean, I'm a classic man
Callin' on me like a young O.G, I'm a classic man
Your needs get met by the street, elegant old-fashioned man
Yeah, baby, I'm a classic man

(I'm a classic man) Even if she go away, even if she go away




(I'm a classic man) Even if she go away, even if she go away
I'm a classic man, old-fashioned man

Overall Meaning

The song "Classic Man" by Jidenna featuring Kendrick Lamar is a self-confident declaration of belonging to the upper echelon of society - the classic man. The lyrics talk about how Jidenna stands out from the rest of the crowd, calling out those who have ruined the industry and solidifying his position as a legitimate player in it. He also references his grandmother's advice, acknowledging her wisdom in navigating the complex world of the music industry. The chorus of the song, "I'm a classic man, elegant old-fashioned man," highlights the importance of style and class in Jidenna's life.


In addition to showing his status as a classic man, Jidenna's lyrics are also a commentary on social and political issues. He references Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly album and makes a point of showing that he is "Effective rumor," which is a way he has proven himself as a legitimate voice in the hip-hop community. He also touches on racism and police brutality in the lines "Let my daddy smoke his weed, only thing they keep on Philly / I might legalize your homicide and mourn marijuana," hinting at the ongoing issues faced by black people in the US.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm the only nigga doin' it
I am the only one successfully handling this industry


You other niggas ruined it
You others have destroyed the reputation of this industry


I'm too legit, go Hammer wit' the foolishness
I am too legitimate to entertain any foolishness


My nana said my grandma can maneuver this industry
My grandmother knows how to work this industry according to my grandmother


Until I'm stupid rich and now I'm stupid rich, ah
I am now very rich as my grandmother had hoped


Assumin' this is what they humor is
I assume this is what is expected and found comical in this industry


To Pimp a Butterfly my newest shit
My latest album is called 'To Pimp a Butterfly'


Effective rumor is the way I proven it
My effectiveness is proven by the rumors being spread about me


I'm a classic man
I am an elegant, old-fashioned man


You can be mean when you look this clean, I'm a classic man
I can be ruthless when I look my best


Callin' on me like a young O.G, I'm a classic man
Younger people call on me like an original gangster of old times


Your needs get met by the street, elegant old-fashioned man
Even though I am an old-fashioned man, I can still provide for your modern needs


Yeah, baby, I'm a classic man
I am indeed an old-fashioned man


I burn through the hood like, 'Whoa'
I attract attention when I go through the ghetto


When everybody's feeling so cold
When everybody is struggling


I cool like Nat King Cole and niggas get a bit of my glow
I remain cool in tough situations and people take notice


I got charm like a leprechaun, mamafucker
I have a great deal of charm


Now y'all fucking with the wrong mamafucker
You are underestimating the wrong person


Treat me like a don, mamafucker
Treat me with respect like a mafia boss


And we don't live by the law, mamafucker
We do not follow the conventional laws and rules


I'm a classic man
I am an elegant, old-fashioned man


Keep my gloves dirty but my hands clean
I am willing to do dirty work but keep my reputation clean


Got to keep the business in the family
I keep all my business confined within the family


Bread when I'm fillin' up the pantry
I make money to keep food on the table


Now my niggas slang 'caine like a dandy
My associates now sell cocaine like gentlemen


I tell you how it go
I know how to handle things and can guide you


You pull out rubber bands, I pull out an envelope
Your money organization tactics are inferior to mine


The ladies on my elbow ain't for the show
The women with me are not just for display


Every madam on my team is a top general, oh
Every woman in my team is a top leader


Got to be ready for war (War)
We have to be prepared to face tough situations


Should they get into my door? (Door)
If someone comes into my territory, what should I do?


Get 'em, we'll get 'em, I know that we'll get 'em
I am confident that we will succeed in this situation


Cause I lived through this shit before, oh
I have experienced similar situations before


Even if she go away, even if she go away
Even if she leaves me


I'm a classic man
I am an elegant, old-fashioned man


Even if she go away, even if she go away
Even if she leaves me


I'm a classic man, old-fashioned man
I am an elegant, old-fashioned man




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLOTTE EMMA AITCHISON, ELEANOR TANNIS, GEORGE ASTASIO, IGGY AZALEA, JASBIR SEHRA, JASON ANDREW PEBWORTH, JIDENNA MOBISSON, JOHN TURNER, JONATHAN CHRISTOPHER SHAVE, KENDRICK LAMAR, KURTIS MCKENZIE, MILAN WILEY, NANA TUFFUOR, NATHANIEL IRVIN, ROMAN GIANA

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
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Dclayallday24

Few things I need to touch on in this video...
Jidenna is too clean, and style is addicting.
Jidenna looks like Big Red from The Five Heartbeats movie.
Kendrick Lamar gave a shout out to Martin Lawrence "Wu Wu Wu".
Janelle Monae is so fine.
Kendrick Lamar makes other rappers seem irrelevant.
This song is fire.

That is all...



All comments from YouTube:

@Azerrz

Kendrick murdered, as always...

@gahdamnj

Congrats on your YouTube play button

@arbimhamed2864

Eu

@johnwilliams6071

Wat up bruh hey nice vid

@Zdeek33

***** I love your videos bro!

@ItsAbabyFoo

***** was just watching his subscriber video

153 More Replies...

@Itsnoahscott

This song makes me want to buy things that I can’t afford.

@JovaTheHutt

Fax 😂

@cosmic7481

ong bruv

@rong8889

Fuck it... imma do it!!! 💯

More Comments

More Versions