Stand Up Nucca Version )
Joe Budden Lyrics


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[Joe Budden]
Uh-huh...
I just want everybody to kinda be clear..
Of what's takin place right now...
It's not an introduction, it's more like a beginning...
It's like the calm before the storm...
I guess you can sorta call it, the rebirth...
Or the birth period... it's the growth...
For all my real niggaz... real people in general...
It's never one-dimensional, it goes out to everybody...
If you can though... just kinda take some time out...
Relate to it

For all my mans that died, with grams at they side
Plans just to ride, gun jammed when he tried
Ballers who never made it out the hood
Cats who owed, but never made it out the hood
If they offered you pleas and you went to court with it
My dawgs doin time cause you got caught with it
Or if you need cheddar, blast heat whenever
And run from the cops cause you know the streets better
Dope niggaz who rich cause they know connects
Or dope niggaz who spit but got no connects
If you pitch to pay rent, but get no business
Life in the state pen but get no visits
Fend for yourself cause you ain't got no boys
Ride or die, really you ain't got no choice
If your alibi's straight when you're wanted on the stand
Soldiers that take they football numbers like a man
Hustle O-Z cause your product rich there
Hood know you snitch but you gotta live there
You held your man shot, you don't know where it hit him
And you tryin to buy guns, you don't know where to get 'em
If you strapped in the streets with your palms all black
Young G's that gotta see they moms on crack
Pop can't be found, hand me down
When you the oldest out of five, hold the family down
If you caught a body and your wiz hid you out
If you slept in the park when moms kicked you out
Or if you gonna die, you gon' leave with a slug
Idolized your big bro, but he was a thug
If you squeeze your leather first 'cause it never hurt
Street cats that never work cause it never worked
Or if you got your shit snatched, gripped, clipped the mack
Too small for the kickback, but gotta get your shit back
Killed niggaz playin, but you was only boxin
Accept twenty flat as your only option
Calm in the jungle in between the system
If you high on parole and gotta clean your system
If you told 'em to stop, cause soon you'll lose it
Pull up your pants leg, bullet wounds to prove it
Or if you grabbed the liquor, swallow it hard
If they drive-by on you but you follow the car
Full clip cause your foes is lurkin; or the D's at your door
with a picture, "Do you know this person?"
If you dead broke, but forced into extortin
Cause your girl pregnant and she don't want a abortion
Got charged before, strap a gun anyway
Took the state's lawyer, but you won anyway
Stand up cats beat the odds by far
Real recognize real, R.R.R.

Don't mistake a amped up nucca.. for what?
For a stand up nucca.. I won't
If you a stand up nucca.. then what?
Then stand up nucca.. R.. R.. R..

Basically, that's about it...
Hope you people get a better understanding...




And roll with me... geah!
Let's get into it...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Joe Budden's song Stand Up Nucca convey a sense of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. The song is a call to all the "real niggaz" or real people in general to stand up and overcome their struggles, no matter what they may be. The lyrics speak to those who have lost loved ones, been in trouble with the law, or struggled with poverty, drug addiction, or violence. The song acknowledges the harsh realities of life in the streets, but also encourages listeners to rise above them and be proud of their strength and resilience.


The lyrics are delivered with a sense of urgency and passion, emphasizing the importance of standing up and fighting for what is right. The refrain of "Stand Up Nucca" is repeated throughout the song as a rallying cry, urging listeners to take action and not give up in the face of adversity. The song also touches on themes of loyalty, brotherhood, and self-reliance, recognizing the importance of a strong support system in times of hardship.


Joe Budden's Stand Up Nucca is a powerful and unapologetic call to action, encouraging listeners to embrace their inner strength and rise above the challenges they face. It is a testament to the human spirit, and a reminder that we are all capable of overcoming adversity if we are willing to stand up and fight for what we believe in.


Line by Line Meaning

For all my mans that died, with grams at they side
To those who have lost friends to drug overdoses


Plans just to ride, gun jammed when he tried
Referencing the gun violence epidemic in low-income areas


Ballers who never made it out the hood
Acknowledging the lack of opportunities for young athletes in impoverished neighborhoods


Cats who owed, but never made it out the hood
Detailing the desperation and struggle of those who are trapped in cycles of poverty and debt


If they offered you pleas and you went to court with it
Discussing the unfairness of the plea bargain system in the criminal justice system


My dawgs doin time cause you got caught with it
Taking accountability for one's own actions and the consequences that come with them


Or if you need cheddar, blast heat whenever
Not condoning violence as a means to an end, but acknowledging the desperation that leads people to make these choices


And run from the cops cause you know the streets better
Understanding that the criminal justice system is often not equipped to handle the complexities of inner city life


Dope niggaz who rich cause they know connects
Exploring the successes of those who have built their wealth through the drug trade


Or dope niggaz who spit but got no connects
Emphasizing the importance of networking in the music industry


If you pitch to pay rent, but get no business
The struggles of trying to make a living through drug dealing while dealing with the constant threat of violence and police brutality


Life in the state pen but get no visits
Highlighting the loneliness and isolation of being incarcerated


Fend for yourself cause you ain't got no boys
The difficulty of surviving on one's own in a world where it feels like there is no support system


Ride or die, really you ain't got no choice
Describing the circumstances that can lead to a person feeling like they have no other options


If your alibi's straight when you're wanted on the stand
Putting the spotlight on the pressure of the criminal justice system and how it can force people to lie


Soldiers that take they football numbers like a man
Giving props to those who choose to just accept their sentence and serve their time without complaining


Hustle O-Z cause your product rich there
Highlighting the economic incentives that can lead people to engage in illegal activities


Hood know you snitch but you gotta live there
The social stigma and isolation that comes with being labeled a snitch in an inner city environment


You held your man shot, you don't know where it hit him
Describing the trauma and aftermath of experiencing gun violence


And you tryin to buy guns, you don't know where to get 'em
The ease with which people can access firearms in certain communities


If you strapped in the streets with your palms all black
The fear and anxiety that comes with living in a dangerous neighborhood


Young G's that gotta see they moms on crack
Addressing the intergenerational effects of drug addiction and poverty


Pop can't be found, hand me down
Exploring the experience of growing up without a father and the impact that can have


When you the oldest out of five, hold the family down
The pressure to provide and support one's family despite the odds


If you caught a body and your wiz hid you out
The complexity of romantic relationships when one partner is involved in criminal activity


If you slept in the park when moms kicked you out
The harsh realities of homelessness and the lack of resources available for those without a stable home environment


Or if you gonna die, you gon' leave with a slug
Describing the high stakes and danger of inner city life


Idolized your big bro, but he was a thug
Acknowledging the influence that older siblings and role models can have on shaping one's world view and values


If you squeeze your leather first 'cause it never hurt
The paranoia and self-defense mechanisms that come with living in a dangerous community


Street cats that never work cause it never worked
The cycles of poverty and unemployment that can trap people in inner city areas


Or if you got your shit snatched, gripped, clipped the mack
The potential for violence and retaliation in situations where one's belongings are stolen


Too small for the kickback, but gotta get your shit back
The need to assert one's pride and reputation even when it may not be the wisest decision


Killed niggaz playin, but you was only boxin
Reflecting on the senselessness of gang violence and how it can escalate quickly


Accept twenty flat as your only option
Desperation and the feeling of having no other choices


Calm in the jungle in between the system
Navigating the difficulty of life in an inner city environment while interacting with law enforcement and other systems of power


If you high on parole and gotta clean your system
The added pressure and stress of being on parole and having to follow strict rules while still trying to make a living


If you told 'em to stop, cause soon you'll lose it
The anger and primal instincts that can arise in high-stress situations


Pull up your pants leg, bullet wounds to prove it
Showing the physical scars and trauma of surviving gun violence


If you grabbed the liquor, swallow it hard
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism for the pain and trauma of inner city life


If they drive-by on you but you follow the car
The desire for revenge and justice in situations of violence


Full clip cause your foes is lurkin
The constant threat of violence and need to protect oneself in certain communities


Or the D's at your door with a picture, "Do you know this person?"
The intimidating tactics used by law enforcement in inner city environments to coerce people into giving up information on others


If you dead broke, but forced into extortin
Exploring the desperation and moral compromise that comes with trying to make a living by any means necessary


Cause your girl pregnant and she don't want a abortion
The added pressure and responsibility of starting a family in a difficult environment


Got charged before, strap a gun anyway
The feeling of being marked by the criminal justice system and the need to protect oneself in the aftermath


Took the state's lawyer, but you won anyway
The power of the individual to overcome obstacles and succeed despite the odds


Stand up cats beat the odds by far
Commemorating the strength and resilience of those who have made it out of difficult circumstances


Real recognize real, R.R.R.
Affirming the importance of authenticity and realness in inner city communities


Don't mistake a amped up nucca.. for what?
Warning against judging people based solely on appearances or behavior


For a stand up nucca.. I won't
Acknowledging and appreciating those who live with integrity and values


If you a stand up nucca.. then what?
Encouraging people to live with honor and respect


Then stand up nucca.. R.. R.. R..
Emphasizing the importance of resilience and personal strength


Hope you people get a better understanding...
Expressing a desire to raise awareness and promote mutual understanding


And roll with me... geah!
Encouraging people to join together and support each other in the face of difficult circumstances


Let's get into it...
Motivating listeners to take action and make a difference in their own communities




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH ANTHONY BUDDEN, JOSEPH E. KULESZYNSKI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@p849

one of the most underrated albums ever. Classic joints like 10 mins, real life rap, pusha man, stand up nucca, focus, aint gotta go home, walk with me, etc. Lol I'd prolly mention every track on the album if I could.

@ptrekboxbreaks5198

This was the first rap album I ever had as a 10 or 11 year old...still love those songs...this song is always one of my favorites. So glad to follow his career from his mixtapes and albums

@soulhunteralchemist

" fend for yourself cause aint got no boys
ride or die..really you aint got no choice"

this line is pure fire

@williammorann9625

Wow

@Dillinger910

And, "Street cats that never worked, cause it never worked."

@jnj83

Probably the most underrated, overlooked album in hip-hop history!

@jeavision

Not probably. It is

@giantsfan8872

By far the best song on the album

@Colicchie

He's the reason I still make music, Biggest influence!!!

@ptrekboxbreaks5198

One of the best tracks he ever did....had this album as a young buck maybe 12...was hooked on budden music since ITS THAT ON TOP MUSIC

If you high on parole and gotta clean your system

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