West's second and third studio albums, Late Registration (2005) and Graduation (2007), both debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, with the latter becoming his most commercially successful to date. Three of his subsequent albums—808s & Heartbreak (2008), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and The Life of Pablo (2016)—were certified triple platinum, while Yeezus (2013) was certified double platinum. Although not as well-received critically as his previous works, Ye (2018), Jesus Is King (2019), and Donda (2021) continued West's streak of consecutive number-one debuts on the Billboard 200. West has also released collaborative albums including Watch the Throne (2011) with Jay-Z, Kids See Ghosts (2018) with Kid Cudi, and Vultures 1 and Vultures 2 (2024) with Ty Dolla Sign. In fashion design, he has collaborated with Nike, Inc., Louis Vuitton, and Gap Inc. on clothing and footwear, and led the Yeezy collaboration with Adidas.
One of the world's best-selling music artists with 160 million records sold, West has won 24 Grammy Awards, the joint 11th-most of all time and the most awarded for any hip hop artist along with Jay-Z. His other accolades include a Billboard Artist Achievement Award, a joint-record three Brit Awards for Best International Male Solo Artist, and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. West holds the joint record with Bob Dylan for most albums (four) topping the annual Pazz & Jop critic poll. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015. West's first six solo albums were included on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2020, with the same publication naming him one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
West's outspoken views have received significant media coverage. He has been a frequent source of controversy due to his conduct on social media, at award shows, and in public settings, as well as his comments on the music and fashion industries, U.S. politics, race, and slavery. His Christian faith, high-profile marriage to Kim Kardashian, and mental health have also been topics of media attention. In 2020, West launched an unsuccessful independent presidential campaign that advocated for a consistent life ethic. In October 2022, he was widely condemned and lost many sponsors and partnerships, including his collaborations with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga, after making a series of antisemitic statements, including denying the Holocaust.
Take One for the Team
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hand on my dick in my thousand dollar jeans
Your girl a queen, my girl a thing
You know what though, I'mma take this one for the team
You know what? I figured out I'm not a nice guy
I shook hands, kissed babies, gave it a nice try
You know what? I hate pictures of other people's kids
I hate when other people's cribs smell like shit
I hate when I leave and smell like the crib
What's the cause of the poor smell?
She said "I just cleaned up"
Baby I can't tell
Why every ghetto bitch gotta smell like Love Spell?
Or that god damn cucumber Bath and Body Works
I can still smell the sweat the shit hardly works
What about Cool Water? That shit probably worse
This here a classic like the Lodi Dodi verse
And my man probably hollered at the hottie first
I score, he took the charge
Oooh, that shit gotta hurt
Doing my thing, pocket full of green
Hand on my dick in my thousand dollar jeans
Your girl a queen, my girl a thing
You know what though, I'mma take this one for the team
Never mind me, 'Ye have fun
If the cops ask, that's my gun
That's my weed, anything you need
I'm a take, I'm a take, I'm a take this one for the team
One fat ass, one flat ass
Nigga hit the switcheroo on my black ass
Ever seen Joe's Jeans on a jackass?
And my bitch got on tights with a tack ass
I'm a fly nigga, and I carry on
With them bottles of that rose Dom Perignon
Ever seen how a kingpin carries on?
Dookie rope link chain and a herringbone
The real shit, gotta feel this
First class flights baby that's a field trip
Double date, don't cooperate, kill switch
Fuck me and my man, you a real bitch
Doing my thing, pocket full of green
Hand on my dick in my thousand dollar jeans
Your girl a queen, my girl a thing
You know what though, I'mma take this one for the team
Boy I know you the one that I heard about
I know you working with it through word of mouth
Looks like I'm a have to test you in and out
It's a dirty job but sometimes you gotta
Take it for the team
Take it for the team
Take it for the team
Take it for the team
I'm blowing on stinky that come in a jar
Playing with her kitty made her come in the car
She a redbone but her cousin is dark
A little out of shape but she'll fuck in the dark
Until she start complaining about her feet hurt
I'm trying to fuck she talking about she want to eat first
I'm like "why did this bitch have to bring her?"
Trying to get her back to the nest so I could sting her
So I hit Big Sean on the ringer
Said, "I got a chick for you that look like a singer"
On a scale of one to ten she's a fifteener
You should've seen a nigga's face when he seen her
He said the bitch wasn't pretty enough to finger
On my team she would be a fifth stringer
I said I got the fine one in the Beamer
I'm the point guard and I need a winger
Take it for the team
Take it for the team
Take it for the team
Take it for the team
Doing my thing, pocket full of green
Hand on my dick in my thousand dollar jeans
Your girl a queen, my girl a thing
You know what though, I'mma take, I'mma take this one for the team
It's the nigga they love to hate
But all the bad model bitches they love to date
You need to check my swag and get up to date
Check, check my swag and get up to date
We in the bathroom now, she get her back blew out
She can't clean but I bet she got a vacuum mouth
And I bet I'm going to sweat her Vidal Sassoon out
Her pen busted, goddamn, who brought the raccoon out?
For the team
Like we always do at this time
Like we always do at this time
I go for, I got to
Like we always do at this time
Like we always do at this time
Go for, I got to
Like we always do at this time
Like we always do at this time
South side, we gonna set this party off right
This time
This time
The lyrics to Kanye West's "Take One for the Team" are a provocative exploration of a number of topics, from wealth and materialism to gender roles and sexual politics. Throughout the song, West explores his own identity as a person and as an artist, often challenging the listener to question their own preconceptions and biases.
At the beginning of the song, West raps about his wealth, his fashion sense, and the women in his life. He suggests that he is used to getting what he wants and that he is willing to take risks for the sake of his team. However, as the song progresses, he delves deeper into his psyche, admitting that he can be self-centered and judgmental. He criticizes other people's lifestyles and choices, even as he acknowledges his own faults and weaknesses.
Ultimately, "Take One for the Team" is a complex and thought-provoking work of art that explores a wide range of themes and emotions. It is a reminder that, no matter how wealthy or powerful someone might appear, they are often struggling with their own doubts, fears, and insecurities.
Line by Line Meaning
Doing my thing, pocket full of green
I am living my life and making money.
Hand on my dick in my thousand dollar jeans
I have expensive denim pants and I am confident in myself.
Your girl a queen, my girl a thing
My girlfriend is an object to me, not a person. She's not a queen.
You know what though, I'mma take this one for the team
I am willing to do things that are unpleasant for the good of the group.
Never mind me, 'Ye have fun
I don't need any attention, you can enjoy yourself without worrying about me.
If the cops ask, that's my gun
I will take the blame if something goes wrong.
That's my weed, anything you need
I will provide whatever is needed for the group.
One fat ass, one flat ass
Two different types of women are available.
Nigga hit the switcheroo on my black ass
Someone tricked me and switched something out without my knowledge.
The real shit, gotta feel this
This is the true lifestyle that must be experienced.
Trying to get her back to the nest so I could sting her
I want to take this woman back to my place to have sex with her.
She can't clean but I bet she got a vacuum mouth
This woman doesn't keep herself clean, but she can give good oral sex.
South side, we gonna set this party off right
Let's make sure this party starts in a fun way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@msbronx718
This is an underrated gem
@MrDreFrazier
I would say under appreciated more than underrated this joint used to get played alll the time during the good friday times
@kkrekt8863
this one didnt make album, hella underrated@@MrDreFrazier
@avalon917
Honestly the last 2 min is one of the best things Ye’s ever done. Full stop
A mike dean masterclass as well
@MrDreFrazier
@@avalon917 for sure
@jrdotson1995
Surprised I ain’t seen this on the tikkytok yet
@zoiewatkins3448
Mike dean on the keys .. Cyhi verse is just 🔥🔥Keri’s vocals on top of the beat .. for sure one of Kanye’s best collabs
@t_casadio1164
mike dean is not human
@shustyrant
This instrumental is fucking sick!!
@636lobster
That Mike dean break at the end is ethereal man, too fucking hard