The track was released several hours before the official release on the 30th of March, to prevent it from getting leaked, and is the third single from Joey Bada$$‘ sophomore album, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$.
ROCKABYE BABY
Joey Bada$$ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said niggas pop shit all the time
Me I don't trip 'cause they know I'm never lyin'
Lookin' between the lines
Feel like Ali in his prime
As-Salaam-Alaikum, alaikum salaam
Peace to my Slimes, and peace to my Crips
Neighborhood police and they always on the shift
When it's all said and done, we be the realest there was
Who else if just not us?
If you 'bout this revolution, please stand up
We ain't got no one to trust
Time is running up, feel the burn in my gut
And if you got the guts, scream, "Fuck Donald Trump"
We don't give a fuck, never had one to give
Never will forget, probably never will forgive
Uh, I guess that's just how it is
And they still won't let the Black man live
Feel the energy surge through my veins when I flow
Mentally, I can never be controlled
No sympathy for foes, my enemies exposed
Will they remember me when I'm gone?
I say rockabye, rockabye, rockabye baby
Shotta boy, shotta boy, shotta go crazy
Me nuh play games, so please don't play me
Look at what they made me
I'm part of the reason they still Crippin' out in Brooklyn
Before I was an artist I would book 'em, mm
Push ya shit back while on them front line, nigga, ya lunch time
I'm by them stop sign, you love that wi-fi
On mamas for them dirty dollars, brains on collars
Park the car around the corner, I'll be there in a second
The murder weapon on me, fuck if this bitch start flamin'
The cops patrollin', get that punk ass American flag ceremony
Aww, damn am I going too far?
Give you some flavor to borrow
Bitch yeah it came with the car
It's off-white, leveled the hard
You ball, might come with a charge
Your kids don't know you no more
Your girl's draws stay on the floor
No phone call accepted in weeks
Your son picked up on your beef, real shit
From gettin' lynched in field into ownin' buildings
Getting millions, influencin' white children
And oddly we still ain't even
Still a small percentage of blacks that's eating
Same routines, the same dope fiends
Them nightmare dreams, forever murder season
Bad intentions to them picket fences
They gave us guns but won't hire us, nigga?
So we killin' senseless
Homies murked on the bus benches
Retaliation 'cause his mama cryin'
Kept it gangsta 'til I modify 'em
Rockabye, rockabye
Feel the energy surge through my veins when I flow
Mentally, I can never be controlled
No sympathy for foes, my enemies exposed
Will they remember me when I'm gone?
I say rockabye, rockabye, rockabye baby
Shotta boy, shotta boy, shotta go crazy
Me nuh play games, so please don't play me
Look at what they made me
In the song "Rockabye Baby," Joey Bada$$ expresses his frustration with the current state of society, particularly in relation to the oppression and mistreatment of black people. He addresses the constant antagonism and negative portrayal of black people in the media, and the lack of trust towards the police force. Joey likens himself to boxing legend Muhammad Ali, suggesting that his perception of the world is just as sharp and intuitive as Ali's was at the height of his career. He acknowledges the powerful influence of his Crip and Blood affiliations, but also advocates for unity among different factions within the black community. He implores his listeners to stand together in opposition to the current political climate, using the phrase "If you 'bout this revolution, please stand up."
In the second verse, Joey Bada$$ continues to discuss the struggles facing black people in society. He emphasizes his own strength and resilience, stating that he cannot be controlled by outside forces. He raps about the violence that he and his community have experienced, but also highlights their ability to rise above it and achieve success. He acknowledges the dangers of living in his neighborhood, but also emphasizes the strong bonds that exist between members of the community. Finally, he reflects on the devastating consequences of the discrimination and oppression faced by black people, arguing that it has led to a continued cycle of violence and trauma.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah
Introduction to the song
I said niggas pop shit all the time
People talk a lot of trash, but it doesn't bother me because they know I always tell the truth.
Me I don't trip 'cause they know I'm never lyin'
I'm not bothered by what people say because they know I'm always truthful.
Lookin' between the lines
I pay attention to details and hidden meanings
Feel like Ali in his prime
I feel like a champion at the top of my game
As-Salaam-Alaikum, alaikum salaam
A Muslim greeting meaning 'Peace be upon you'
Peace to my Slimes, and peace to my Crips
I'm giving a shoutout to my gangs, Slimes and Crips, and wishing for peace among them.
Neighborhood police and they always on the shift
The local police are always keeping a close watch on us.
Protect my Bloods, look out for my cuz
I'm showing support for my Bloods gang and asking them to take care of my family too.
When it's all said and done, we be the realest there was
At the end of the day, we are the truest, most authentic people around.
Who else if just not us?
If not us, then who will lead this revolution?
If you 'bout this revolution, please stand up
If you are truly committed to this movement, then show your support.
We ain't got no one to trust
We can't rely on anyone else to help us - we only have ourselves.
Time is running up, feel the burn in my gut
The clock is ticking, and I feel the urgency to take action.
And if you got the guts, scream, 'Fuck Donald Trump'
If you have the courage, speak out against the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
We don't give a fuck, never had one to give
We don't care what others think about us - we never have and never will.
Never will forget, probably never will forgive
We will always remember the past and the injustices we've faced, but we may never forgive those who caused them.
Uh, I guess that's just how it is
This is just the way things are - unfair and unjust.
And they still won't let the Black man live
We are still faced with systemic racism and oppression, and it's preventing us from living freely and equally.
Feel the energy surge through my veins when I flow
I'm energized and passionate when I'm rapping.
Mentally, I can never be controlled
I can never be manipulated or influenced by others.
No sympathy for foes, my enemies exposed
I have no compassion for my enemies, and I reveal their true nature to others.
Will they remember me when I'm gone?
I wonder if people will remember me and my contributions after I die.
I say rockabye, rockabye, rockabye baby
I'm using 'rockabye baby' as a metaphor for the hardships we face and the idea that we must persevere through them.
Shotta boy, shotta boy, shotta go crazy
I'm referring to those who use guns (shottas) and how their actions can lead to chaos and destruction.
Me nuh play games, so please don't play me
Don't mess with me or try to deceive me, because I won't tolerate it.
Look at what they made me
The system and society may have molded me into who I am today.
I'm part of the reason they still Crippin' out in Brooklyn
I'm acknowledging my role in continuing the Crip gang in Brooklyn, even as a successful artist.
Before I was an artist I would book 'em, mm
I used to arrange drug deals (book them) before becoming a rapper.
Push ya shit back while on them front line, nigga, ya lunch time
I'm threatening violence against someone while they're on the front (drug selling) line, interrupting their lunch break.
I'm by them stop sign, you love that wi-fi
I'm posted up by the stop sign, where people come to buy drugs and use their phones (wi-fi).
On mamas for them dirty dollars, brains on collars
I'm willing to risk my life (on my mother's life) for the money I earn from selling drugs, even if it means violence is involved.
Park the car around the corner, I'll be there in a second
I'm giving instructions for a drug deal - to park the car around the corner while I show up quickly.
The murder weapon on me, fuck if this bitch start flamin'
I'm carrying a gun, and I don't care if someone tries to start trouble.
The cops patrollin', get that punk ass American flag ceremony
The police are around, so hide the guns and show respect to the American flag.
Aww, damn am I going too far?
Am I taking things too far or being too explicit?
Give you some flavor to borrow
I'm providing some interesting or unique ideas to inspire others.
Bitch yeah it came with the car
I'm implying that something (perhaps the gun) came with the car I'm driving.
It's off-white, leveled the hard
The gun I'm carrying is an off-white color and packs a strong punch.
You ball, might come with a charge
If you're living a lavish, extravagant lifestyle, there may be consequences or legal charges.
Your kids don't know you no more
Your children may have grown distant from you because of your lifestyle and choices.
Your girl's draws stay on the floor
Your girlfriend may be cheating on you and not caring about you.
No phone call accepted in weeks
You haven't been receiving any phone calls recently - this could illustrate loneliness, isolation, or the consequences of criminal activity.
Your son picked up on your beef, real shit
Your son has become involved in your disagreements or conflicts - this could represent the cycle of violence passed down from generation to generation.
From gettin' lynched in field into ownin' buildings
We've come a long way from experiencing lynching in the past, and now we are able to own and build things for ourselves.
Getting millions, influencin' white children
We are achieving success and even influencing those outside our own community - white children.
And oddly we still ain't even
Despite our success and progress, we are still facing inequality and injustice.
Still a small percentage of blacks that's eating
Only a small percentage of the Black community is truly succeeding in society.
Same routines, the same dope fiends
We are still stuck in the same cycles and patterns - the drug addiction and gang violence is still prevalent.
Them nightmare dreams, forever murder season
We are haunted by the nightmares and traumas we've faced, and it seems like murder is a continuous issue.
Bad intentions to them picket fences
We harbor bad feelings or resentment towards those living in nice homes with picket fences - perhaps those who don't understand our struggles.
They gave us guns but won't hire us, nigga?
The system has armed us with weapons but won't give us job opportunities or equal treatment.
So we killin' senseless
We are resorting to senseless violence because we feel we have no other choice.
Homies murked on the bus benches
Our friends and companions have been killed or murdered in public places, like bus stops.
Retaliation 'cause his mama cryin'
We're seeking revenge because someone's mother is crying over their death.
Kept it gangsta 'til I modify 'em
I stayed true to my gangster mentality until it became necessary to make some modifications or changes.
Rockabye, rockabye
Reiteration of the metaphor of 'rockabye baby' and symbolizing resilience and perseverance.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ADAM PALLIN, CHE JESSAMY, JANKO NILOVIC, JO-VAUGHN VIRGINIE SCOTT, QUINCEY HANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Williejrbrown65
Who remember when Kendrick said he was listening to Joey cause his bars are crazy ?
@KarlhiXIssa
Hell yea
@seanstroman6087
Willie Brown yeah that was the hot 97 interview back in 2013
@iLLestTv
Willie Brown link me
@Williejrbrown65
+iLLest Tv wym ?
@melojordans23
TDE fucks with pro era heavy. Soulo has a 47 tattoo.
@wizkaqueefa9003
Schoolboy was much more lyrical in this than he usually is, you can really tell he put a lot of time and thought into this verse because he wanted to be able to keep up with joey bar for bar.
@waitwhat5745
Uncle Ruckus schoolboy has more tracks that are lyrically ahead of his verse in this. Gotta dig deeper in his catalog.
@BK1980TT
Ya Bish can you mention some of these tracks maybe? He was amazing on this track, would like to hear more.
@kadetheghost3035
@@BK1980TT What They Want, Sacrilegious, Eddie Cane,