So Afraid
Jin Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Hook 2X]
Most of y'all all sound all the same
With your fancy cars and your diamond rings
Don't you know it's about to change?
What are you so afraid of?

[Verse 1]
The emcee, master of ceremonies
My pen be faster, how dare you phonies?
That temp me, run back and your cronies
Tell how I gently mack the tenderonies (woo)
The DJ, the crowd motivator (uh huh)
We don't crossover we cross fades
Outrageous, define motion
Record scratchin' me calamine lotion (yeah)
be -Boys, highest your hands reach (uh huh)
Bomb it with two aerosol cans each
This for the future, past and the present (yeah)
I'm takin' this rap thing back to the essence (let's go)

[Hook 2X]

[Verse 2]
Yo, I rip out your tonsil now you feelin' it (feeling it)
Hip Hop is dead, you responsible for killin' it (you)
I've been set to advance the death
Breath life into the game defend what's left (yeah)
They remind me of you (you), minus the deal (yeah)
You remind me of me (me), minus the steal (yeah)
Every new week comes a song
'Till the next one hit wonder comes along
Your videos on 106 and TRL (uh huh)
Does that mean that your shit gon' sale (uh uh)
Honestly, this joint probably won't top the chart (nah)
'Cause I ain't all up in the club and I ain't about to start (come on)

[Hook 2X]

[Verse 3]
Radio suckers never play me
It's all good; y'all don't pay me (uh huh)
Even though I want to cash in
Rather have loyalty to Jin than royalty for spins (come on)
Sell your soul for joints and jams (yeah)
'Till you fall off and disappoint your fans
They'll let you know the minute you forget ('get)
You in it for the check or you in it for respect (both)
I'm try to get both and not feel to connect (yeah)
With each one of y'all so my sales are direct
And me not try to sound all righteous (nah)
I know a lot of y'all gotta feel just like this (yeah yeah)





[Hook 2X]

Overall Meaning

Jin's song "So Afraid" is a commentary on the state of hip hop and the pressure some artists face to conform to the mainstream image of flashy cars and bling. In the hook, Jin questions why artists are so afraid to be different, to focus on the music rather than superficial material possessions. He calls out the lack of individuality and creativity present in the industry, challenging artists to step up and make a change.


Throughout the song, Jin establishes himself as a true "emcee," using his pen to create lyrics that outshine the phonies in the game. He also pays tribute to the other key figures in hip hop, such as the DJs and B-boys, who he sees as essential to the genre's authenticity. Jin maintains that the rap game has lost its essence and that he's committed to bringing it back with his unique style and perspective.


In the final verse, Jin addresses the issue of selling out and compromising artistic integrity for commercial success. He acknowledges the temptation to chase after fame and fortune, but ultimately opts to prioritize loyalty to himself and his fans. For Jin, it's not just about making money or topping the charts - it's about staying true to his values and creating music that he can be proud of.


Overall, "So Afraid" is a powerful and insightful track that challenges listeners to critically examine the state of hip hop and what it means to be a true artist in the industry today.


Line by Line Meaning

Most of y'all all sound all the same
Many of you in the music industry have similar styles and sounds


With your fancy cars and your diamond rings
Many of you are preoccupied with material possessions


Don't you know it's about to change?
Are you aware that the industry is changing?


What are you so afraid of?
Why are you so scared of evolving with the changing industry?


The emcee, master of ceremonies
As an emcee, Jin is the master of the ceremony or event


My pen be faster, how dare you phonies?
Jin is a skilled writer and is calling out those who are not genuine in the industry


That temp me, run back and your cronies
If challenged, Jin's opponents run back to their friends for support


Tell how I gently mack the tenderonies (woo)
Jin is skilled in courting women, and this skill is effortless


The DJ, the crowd motivator (uh huh)
The DJ is responsible for keeping the crowd engaged and energized


We don't crossover we cross fades
Jin isn't interested in blending genres, but he is interested in smooth transitions (crossfades) between songs


Outrageous, define motion
Jin is avant-garde, pushing the boundaries of the rap genre


Record scratchin' me calamine lotion (yeah)
The sound of scratching records is as soothing as calamine lotion to Jin


be-Boys, highest your hands reach (uh huh)
Jin is paying homage to the iconic hip-hop group, The Beastie Boys


Bomb it with two aerosol cans each
Jin is referencing an integral part of hip-hop culture, graffiti


This for the future, past and the present (yeah)
Jin is making music that will stand the test of time


I'm takin' this rap thing back to the essence (let's go)
Jin is bringing rap music back to its roots, to its essence


Yo, I rip out your tonsil now you feelin' it (feeling it)
Jin can silence his competitors effortlessly and forcefully


Hip Hop is dead, you responsible for killin' it (you)
Jin believes that those in the industry who only care about money and not the art of hip-hop are responsible for its demise


I've been set to advance the death
Jin is on a mission to reverse the death of hip-hop


Breath life into the game defend what's left (yeah)
Jin is breathing new life into the hip-hop industry and defending its remaining authenticity


They remind me of you (you), minus the deal (yeah)
Jin's competitors remind him of himself, minus the industry connections and deals


You remind me of me (me), minus the steal (yeah)
Jin sees himself in his competitors, minus any fraudulent behavior


Every new week comes a song
New music is released every week in the industry


'Till the next one hit wonder comes along
Artists who have one successful song and then disappear are common in the industry


Your videos on 106 and TRL (uh huh)
Jin is referencing the television shows 106 & Park and Total Request Live


Does that mean that your shit gon' sale (uh uh)
Jin is questioning whether or not an artist's frequent video airtime guarantees commercial success


Honestly, this joint probably won't top the chart (nah)
Jin is being honest about the chances of his music reaching the top of the charts


'Cause I ain't all up in the club and I ain't about to start (come on)
Jin won't resort to making club music to achieve commercial success


Radio suckers never play me
Jin's music isn't played on mainstream radio stations


It's all good; y'all don't pay me (uh huh)
Jin doesn't care that he isn't being paid for radio play


Even though I want to cash in
While money is important, it isn't Jin's primary motivation


Rather have loyalty to Jin than royalty for spins (come on)
Jin values loyalty to him over earning royalties for airplay


Sell your soul for joints and jams (yeah)
Many artists sell out to produce music that will bring them commercial success


'Till you fall off and disappoint your fans
Selling out ultimately leads to losing credibility and disappointing fans


They'll let you know the minute you forget ('get)
Fans will call out artists who forget their roots and sell out


You in it for the check or you in it for respect (both)
Artists can either focus on earning money or earning respect, but Jin believes that they can do both


I'm try to get both and not feel to connect (yeah)
Jin aims to earn both money and respect, but without sacrificing authenticity


With each one of y'all so my sales are direct
Jin wants to connect directly with his fans, without intermediaries in the industry


And me not try to sound all righteous (nah)
Jin doesn't want to come across as being self-righteous


I know a lot of y'all gotta feel just like this (yeah yeah)
Jin knows that there are many people in the industry who feel the same way he does




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KWAME HOLLAND, JIN AU-YEUNG, SIDDIQ BOOKER

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

More Versions