Down and Out
Kanye West Lyrics

Killa! Baby!
Introducing himself with a moniker.

Kanye this that 1970s Heron flow huh?
Acknowledging the inspiration for his flow is from the 70s jazz musician Gil Scott-Heron.

Yeah let's speed it up
Deciding to increase the pace of the song.

Ayo street mergers I legislated
Referring to his declaring the corners of a block he grew up in as a new city-state.

The nerve I never hated
Proud of his success and never allowing himself to hate on others.

On murders pre-meditated
Reminiscing on his previous involvement in planned violent acts.

Absurd! I hesitated
Feels remorse over his past actions and his failure to speak up against them.

Observe: cock and spray
Warning others to be cautious of weapons being brandished and used.

Hit you from a block away
Showing off his skill with a gun and ability to shoot from a distance.

Drinking sake on a Suzuki we in Osaka Bay
Taking a trip to Japan and enjoying local drinks while relaxing by the bay.

Playing soccer, stupid, stay in a sucker's place
Taunting others for not being skilled enough to play a more challenging sport like soccer.

Pluck ya ace, take ya girl, fuck her face
Threatening to seduce and have sex with someone’s partner or significant other.

She dealing with Killa so you love her taste
Knowing that his reputation precedes him and that he's irresistible to some women.

She swallowing Killa cause she love the taste
Continuing to reference his sexual prowess and appealing nature to women.

I got brought up with crooking
Explaining that he was raised in a corrupt environment.

Kitchen orders that I'm cooking
Describing his involvement in drug dealing and cooking drugs in the kitchen.

But got caught up with the jooks you woulda thought I was from Brooklyn
Being associated with criminal activity to the extent that he's assumed to be from Brooklyn, known for its rougher neighborhoods.

It gets boring just looking
Expressing the monotony of simply observing the world around him.

Did like Bill Cosby, pouring in the pudding
Making a reference to the disgraced comedian, Bill Cosby, who admitted to drugging women's drinks with Quaaludes.

Now the dashboard is wooden from a hard-tangled grammar
Referring to the diamond-hard consistency of his raps and the luxury interior of his car which is made of wood.

Interior, inferior, star-spangled banner
Using wordplay to express that his car's interior is luxurious, while the competition’s interiors are inferior.

Car game bananas
Stating that his car game, specifically the type of car he owns or drives, is crazy or over-the-top.

My man Santana
Referring to his partner in crime, Santana.

Guns everywhere, like the car came with hammers
Carrying guns wherever he goes, to the extent that it seems like they come with his car like a standard feature.

They trying to say he (down, down)
Facing criticism and setbacks.

I hear niggas saying he (down, but not out)
Acknowledging that although he's facing difficulties, he's not knocked out yet and will rise again.

But our flow is the truest
Maintaining that his and his partner’s rapping style is the purest and most authentic form of expression.

The games in the nooses
Reiterating that the music industry is a dangerous, unforgiving place.

Our girls is the models
Boasting about the women in their lives being models or high-profile figures.

They coochies the juiciest
Continuing to objectify and glorify the women in their lives.

Yeah, they say he (down, down)
Repeating the previously stated criticism of facing difficulties.

Yeah, they say he (down, but not out)
Repeating the phrase, signaling a determination to survive and thrive despite the challenges.

'Cause I'm back on my grind
Asserting that he is working hard to regain success and momentum.

Money back on my mind
Putting an emphasis on his money and success-oriented mindset.

Ye' and Killa Cam', the world is mine
Exhibiting confidence and a belief that their collaboration will bring them great success and power.

I treat bitches straight up, like Simon Says
Boasting about his dominant treatment of women.

Open vagina: put ya legs behind ya head
Referencing sexual positions and prowess.

Cop me Air Ones, hon, lime and red
Expressing his taste in fashion and the type of sneakers he likes to wear.

You got pets? Me too: mine are dead
Mentioning his dead pets and showing that he's not afraid to express his violent tendencies.

Fox, minks, gators that's necessary
Justifying owning and wearing expensive furs and skins as necessary for his lifestyle.

Accessories, my closet's a "Pet Sematary"
Making reference to Stephen King's horror novel Pet Sematary and indicating the wealth and quantity of accessories he has.

I get approached by animal activists
Acknowledging that he attracts criticism and opposition from animal rights activists for wearing fur and skins.

I live in a zoo
Proudly displaying his status and wealth by creating a personal zoo around him.

I run scandals with savages
Admitting to being involved in illegal and scandalous activities with equally dangerous friends.

All my niggas get together to gather loot
Glorifying his friends who are also involved in illegal activities to make money.

Bodyguard for what? Dog, I'd rather shoot
Stating that he prefers to protect himself with a gun rather than hire a bodyguard.

I go to war, old Timbs, battered boots
Affirming his toughness and willingness to fight by specifically mentioning the type of shoes he wears to war.

Hand grenade, goggles and a parachute
Further illustrating his toughness and preparedness for war by listing the weapons and gear he brings with him.

Ya'll don't even know the name of my flip
Challenging others to figure out the name of his latest business or music venture.

It was "Touch Me, Tease Me" when Case was the shit
Referring to a popular song from the past when Case, an R&B singer, was popular.

You don't know bout the cases I get:
Reminding others that he has been involved in multiple legal cases both as a plaintiff and defendant.

Court case, briefcase, suitcase, cases of Cris
Listing the different types of cases he's dealt with including court, business, personal luggage and champagne brand Cristal.

It gets boring just looking
Reiterating the monotony of observing the world from his position of wealth and power.

I'm laughing; you couldn't wait to escape
Laughing at the thought of others being jealous of his wealth and success.

For anyone who owed the dough, I had to load the fo
Admitting to using violence, specifically guns (fo or four) to collect debts.

I hoped a nigga heard when I said "I told you so"
Boasting about his ability to predict outcomes and being right all the time.