Heard `em Say
Kanye West (Feat. Adam Levine) Lyrics

And I heard 'em say, nothin' ever promised tomorrow today
The singer has heard that nothing is promised in the future.

From the Chi, like Tim its the Hard-a-way
The singer is from Chicago, like Tim Hardaway (a former NBA player) who was known for his difficulty and toughness.

So this is in the name of love, like a rob would say
The singer is doing this for love, like a robbery (stealing) would be done out of love.

Before you ask me to get a job today,
The artist doesn't want to be asked to get a job today.

Can I at least get a raise on a minimum wage?
The artist wants to earn more money, even if it's just a little bit more than minimum wage.

And I know the Government administered AIDS
The singer believes that the government created and spread the AIDS virus.

So I guess we just pray like the minister say
The singer suggests that they should pray, like a minister would tell them to do.

Allah O'Akbar and throw 'em some hot cars
The artist wants to say 'Allah O'Akbar' (meaning 'God is great') and give away some nice cars.

Things we seen on the screen are not ours
The things they see on TV or in movies don't belong to them.

But these niggas from the hood so these dreams not far
Despite being from the hood, the artist and others can still dream big.

Where I'm from, the dope boys is the rock stars
In the singer's hometown, drug dealers are idolized and seen as celebrities.

But they can't cop cars without seein' cop cars
Drug dealers can't buy luxury cars without attracting attention from the police.

I guess they want us all behind bars, I know it
The singer believes that people in power want all Black people to end up in prison.

And I heard 'em say, (Nothin' ever promised tomorrow today) but we'll find a way
Despite nothing being promised for the future, the singer believes they will find a way to make things work.

(And nothing lasts forever but be honest babe, it hurts but it may be the only way)
Even though nothing is permanent, being honest about the situation may be the best solution, even if it hurts.

They say people in your life are seasons
People come and go in your life like the changing of seasons.

And anything that happen is for a reason
The artist believes that everything that happens in life is for a reason.

And niggas guns a clappin' and keep to squeezin'
People are shooting guns and continuing to use them.

And Gran' keep prayin' and keep believin'
The singer's grandmother keeps praying and believing that things will get better.

And Jesus, one day that ya see him
The artist hopes to one day see Jesus.

Till they walk in his footsteps and try to be him
The artist wants to follow Jesus' example and be like him.

The devil is alive I feel him breathin'
The artist can feel the presence of the devil around them.

Claimin' money is the key so keep on dreamin'
People believe that money is the solution to all problems, but the singer encourages others to keep dreaming.

And put those lottery tickets just to tease us
Lottery tickets are a temptation to the artist and others, but they know they probably won't win.

My aunt Pam can't put those cigarettes down
The singer's aunt is addicted to cigarettes and can't stop smoking.

Now my 'lil cousin smokin' those cigarettes now
The singer's younger cousin has started smoking cigarettes.

His job trying to claim that he too nigger-ish now
The singer's cousin's employer is accusing him of acting too 'Black' or ghetto.

Is it 'cause his skin blacker than licorice now?
The artist questions whether his cousin is being discriminated against because he has darker skin.

I can't figure it out, I'm stickin' around
The artist is confused but will stay and try to figure out what's happening.

Cause every worthless word we got more far away,
Every meaningless sentence takes us further away from the truth.

And nothing's ever promised tomorrow today,
The future is uncertain and nothing is guaranteed.

And nothing lasts forever but be honest babe,
Everything eventually ends, so it's important to be truthful.

It hurts but it may be the only way
Despite being painful, honesty may be the best way to move forward.