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.
Two Words feat Mos Def Freeway & The Harlem Boys Choir
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's only two places you'll end up, either dead or in jail
Still nowhere to go, still nowhere to go
Now throw ya hands up bustless, busters, boosters, hoes
Everybody, fuck that
Still nowhere to go, sill nowhere to go
Two words, United States, no love, no brakes
Big Macs, fat folks, ecstasy capsules
Presidential scandals, everybody move!
Two words, Mos Def, K West, hot shit
Calm down, get back, ghetto people, got this
Game ball, lock shit, dump off, cock shit
We won't stop shit, everybody move!
Two words, BK , NY, Bed-Stuy
Two hawks, too hungry, too many, that's why
These streets know game, can't ball, don't play
Every traffic, one lane, everybody move!
Two words, Mos Def, black jack, hot shit
Calm down, get back, ghetto people, got this
Game point lock, long pump cocked
We won't stop, everybody move!
Now throw ya hands up bustless, busters (Throw your hands up high)
Boostas, hoes, everybody, fuck that (oh)
Still nowhere to go, still nowhere to go (oh)
And keep ya hands up bustless, busters (Till they reach the sky)
Boostas, hoes, everybody, fuck that (oh)
Still nowhere to go, still nowhere to go (oh)
Hey yo, two words, Chi town, South side, world wide
Cause I, rep that, till I, fucking die
One neck, two chains, one waist, two gats
One wall, twenty plaques, dudes say, "Gimme that"
I am limelight, Blueprint, 5 Mics
Go get his rhyme like, should of been signed twice
Most imitated, Grammy nominated
Hotel accommodated, cheerleader, prom dated
Barbershop, player hated, mom and pop, bootlegged it
Felt like it rained till the roof caved in
Two words, Chi town, raised me, crazy
So I live by two words, "Fuck you, pay me"
Screaming, Jesus save me
You know how the game be
I can't let em change me
Cause on Judgment Day, you gon' blame me
Look God, it's the same me
I (Throw) basically know now (Your) we could (Up) racially profile (High)
Cuffed up and hosed down, pimped up and hoe down (oh)
Plus I got a whole city to hold down (oh)
From the bottom to the top
So only place to go down
And keep ya hands up bustless, busters (Till they reach the sky)
Boostas, hoes, everybody, fuck that (oh)
Still nowhere to go, still nowhere to go (oh)
Two words, Freeway, two letters, A-R
Turn y'all rap niggas into two words, fast runners
Like Jackie Jurner, you better sleep with your burner
The heat skeet, blow a reef through ya car
My God, two words, no guns, break arms
Break necks, break backs, Steven Segul
Free young bars, fresh men of the Roc
Left the beef in the pot Jay sent for his dogs
And broads, forget ya squad, let em find for yourself
Have you screaming out four words "Send for the Lord"
Two words, Freeway's slightly retarded
Fuck around, throw a clip in ya artist, leave with his broad
Throw (red) Your (white) hands (blue) Up (black)
Throw (calm) Your (down) hands (move) Up (back)
Throw (motherfuckers) your (asking) hands (who is) up (that)
Throw (you know) your (it's the) hands (almighty) up (Black Jack)
Throw (Mos) your (Def) hands (K) up (West)
Throw (there go) your (people) hands (get this) up (shit off ya chest)
Throw (north) your (to the south) hands (to the east) up (to the west)
Throw (we got) your (that concert) hands (it was no) up (contest)
High! (an show it to 'em like)
The lyrics of Two Words by Kanye West are a commentary on inner-city life and the struggles of being black in America. The song begins with the lines, "We in the streets player, get your mail. It's only two places you'll end up, either dead or in jail." This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which highlights the hardships faced by those growing up in poverty and facing discrimination.
Mos Def and Freeway both contribute verses to the song, adding to the commentary on life in America. The lyrics reference everything from crack smoke and black folks to presidential scandals and the Grammy Awards. Despite the dark subject matter, the song ends on an optimistic note, encouraging everyone to keep moving forward.
Overall, Two Words is a powerful and thought-provoking song that serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by marginalized communities, and the need to keep fighting for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
We in the streets player, get your mail
We are hustling in the rough parts of town, make sure you collect your earnings
It's only two places you'll end up, either dead or in jail
Living this life has only two potential outcomes: death or incarceration
Still nowhere to go, still nowhere to go
Despite this realization, we continue to press on with our hustle
Now throw ya hands up bustless, busters, boosters, hoes
Celebrate with us, everyone from those without anything to the people fueling the hustle
Everybody, fuck that
Forget about the struggles for a moment, let's live it up
Two words, United States, no love, no brakes
The stark reality of life in the United States: no compassion and few opportunities
Low brow, high stakes, crack smoke, black folks
The dangerous and desperate underground of drugs and crime is primarily made up of black people
Big Macs, fat folks, ecstasy capsules
In the midst of the poverty and danger, there are also indulgences like junk food and drugs
Presidential scandals, everybody move!
Even those in positions of power and morality are not immune to scandal, we must stay vigilant
Two words, Mos Def, K West, hot shit
This music we make is powerful and influential, thanks to the talent of Mos Def and K West
Calm down, get back, ghetto people, got this
We don't need to worry or be anxious, the people living in these conditions know how to navigate this tough environment
Game ball, lock shit, dump off, cock shit
We're in control, we know what we're doing, whether it means keeping the ball or firing off guns
We won't stop shit, everybody move!
We're not giving up and we're not backing down, so let's keep moving forward
Two words, BK , NY, Bed-Stuy
Brooklyn and New York, specifically the Bed-Stuy neighborhood, define who we are and where we come from
Two hawks, too hungry, too many, that's why
We are like prey in the wild, constantly under siege and forced to fight for survival
These streets know game, can't ball, don't play
Living on the streets teaches you a kind of wisdom, and if you're not willing to play the game, you might as well not even try
Every traffic, one lane, everybody move!
Despite the obstacles and limitations placed on us, we keep pushing forward and making progress
Two words, Mos Def, black jack, hot shit
More praise for Mos Def and his incredible skill, making us all inspired to create excellence
Game point lock, long pump cocked
We're ready to take the final shot, to pull the trigger when the time comes
We won't stop, everybody move!
No one is going to slow us down, we're making moves and we're not stopping anytime soon
And keep ya hands up bustless, busters
Stay receptive and open to the energy we're creating
Boostas, hoes, everybody, fuck that
Everyone from the most desperate to the most flamboyant should embrace the moment
Hey yo, two words, Chi town, South side, world wide
Chicago's South Side bred some of the world's top talent and we're proud of our roots
Cause I, rep that, till I, fucking die
We are committed to representing our city and our people until the end
One neck, two chains, one waist, two gats
We're dressed to impress with all the trappings of a successful hustler
One wall, twenty plaques, dudes say, "Gimme that"
We've already achieved success and recognition and people are already trying to steal our thunder
I am limelight, Blueprint, 5 Mics
Our achievements are legendary, from magazine covers to award-winning rhymes
Go get his rhyme like, should of been signed twice
Our rhyming skills are so great, we should have been signed twice just to emphasize our talent
Most imitated, Grammy nominated
People try to copy our style, but there are none who can truly duplicate our artistry
Hotel accommodated, cheerleader, prom dated
We've lived the life of luxury and indulgence, from hotel rooms to dating glamorous women
Barbershop, player hated, mom and pop, bootlegged it
But we've also been rejected and scorned in other parts of society
Felt like it rained till the roof caved in
We've been through tough times, to the point where it feels like everything we've built is collapsing
So I live by two words, "Fuck you, pay me"
We stand up for our rights and for the money we deserve, no matter who gets in our way
Screaming, Jesus save me
Despite our swagger and success, we still need to be saved and protected from danger
You know how the game be
We understand the game of life and how it's played, and we're determined to come out on top
I can't let em change me
We refuse to let the world change who we are at our core
Cause on Judgment Day, you gon' blame me
We believe in standing up for our actions and accepting responsibility for our choices, even in the afterlife
Look God, it's the same me
We're not going to change because of anyone else or any external circumstances, we're staying true to ourselves
(Throw) basically know now (Your) we could (Up) racially profile (High)
We are fully aware of the potential discrimination and profiling that we may face because of the color of our skin
Cuffed up and hosed down, pimped up and hoe down (oh)
We've experienced police brutality and exploitation of our bodies in various ways, including the sex industry
Plus I got a whole city to hold down (oh)
Despite all the obstacles and dangers, we are also responsible for the safety and prosperity of our entire community
From the bottom to the top
No matter how low we start or how many obstacles we face, we're determined to succeed
So only place to go down
We've already achieved so much and there is only the risk of falling down from here
Two words, Freeway, two letters, A-R
Now Freeway is joining us for the ride, and we're ready to take on all challenges
Turn y'all rap niggas into two words, fast runners
We're so powerful and influential that all other rappers seem like they're running in slow motion compared to us
Like Jackie Jurner, you better sleep with your burner
If you want to challenge us or try to take us down, be prepared to take on a pitcher as fast and deadly as Jackie Jurner
The heat skeet, blow a reef through ya car
We're not afraid to use our guns and we can easily take you down in a hail of bullets
My God, two words, no guns, break arms
Even without guns, we are still capable of breaking bones and causing destruction
Break necks, break backs, Steven Segul
We are skilled fighters and can break people's necks and backs just like the famous action star Steven Segul
Free young bars, fresh men of the Roc
We are part of Jay-Z's record label, Roc-A-Fella, and we have the talent and potential to become major stars
Left the beef in the pot Jay sent for his dogs
We have no issues with each other or with Jay-Z, in fact, he is supportive of our careers
And broads, forget ya squad, let em find for yourself
We're not going to rely on anyone else to help us achieve our goals, we're going to do it for ourselves
Have you screaming out four words "Send for the Lord"
We are so powerful and formidable that even in your moment of desperation, your cries for help will go unanswered
Two words, Freeway's slightly retarded
Freeway is fearless and perhaps a little crazy, but that's what makes him so successful
Fuck around, throw a clip in ya artist, leave with his broad
Don't mess with us or we'll attack your entire crew and steal your women
Throw (red) Your (white) hands (blue) Up (black)
All colors, races, and backgrounds should come together and celebrate
Throw (calm) Your (down) hands (move) Up (back)
Keep the peace and keep moving forward
Throw (motherfuckers) your (asking) hands (who is) up (that)
Confront anyone who dares to question our power and influence
Throw (you know) your (it's the) hands (almighty) up (Black Jack)
We are unstoppable and practically invincible, just like a winning hand in Blackjack
Throw (Mos) your (Def) hands (K) up (West)
Let's pay tribute and homage to the amazing talents of Mos Def and K West
Throw (there go) your (people) hands (get this) up (shit off ya chest)
Let all your frustrations and fears out and join us in this moment of celebration
Throw (north) your (to the south) hands (to the east) up (to the west)
No matter which direction you're coming from, everyone join in and celebrate
Throw (we got) your (that concert) hands (it was no) up (contest)
We're so amazing and awe-inspiring that it was never even a contest, we were always going to come out on top
High! (an show it to 'em like)
We're putting on a show and we're doing it in style
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LESLIE PRIDGEN, DANTE SMITH, KANYE WEST, CARLOS D WILSON, LOUIS W WILSON, RICARDO A WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ClassixsBeats
One of the most underrated Hip Hop tracks of all time. Incredible.
@anesthesia05
Classixs Beats This is fire!
@bloontsyfloontsy1725
I know that this comment was 4 months ago, but I also think so many of The College Dropout's songs are underrated too. Majority of Kanye's songs are underrated because everyone pays attention to his mainstream songs...
@Freyyyr
+John 4 Reason Totally agree. And question, why do you have this picture of Tokyo as your cover photo, i have seen so many people on youtube with the same image, just WHY?
@bloontsyfloontsy1725
ClemB I honestly have no clue haha..I never thought about changing it and I guess it's just the default cover photo.
@Freyyyr
ok thx!
@riceball_4478
This documentary is going to be one hell of a life.
@alifreshrayy
Frist time hearing this Kanye ... and its 🔥
@o.__felixxx
@@alifreshrayy his first album is all killer no filler check it out man
@alifreshrayy
@@o.__felixxx kl