Surf
Kilo Kish Vince Staples Lyrics
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Either build or destroy, what you going for?
Just a pawn and a plan tryin' to hold on
When the smoke clear why was the war fought?
Bout time you abandon the folklore
How you rich but your bitch in an old Ford?
How you black sellin' crack for the white man?
How you real, wouldn't kill for your right hand?
It was all goin' good 'til the rave end
Knife scars on ya neck from ya best friend
Now it's talk, keep a TEC on ya nightstand
Every nigga dead to the world 'til his life end
You got it, I pawned it, you dreamt it, I start it
You're missin' the target, what more can you ask me for?
You want it, my dearly departed
I cocked back and shot it, what more can you ask me for?
More black kids killed from a pill than the FEDs in the projects
In the planned parenthood playin' God with ya mom's check
You ain't even been to prom yet
Sixteen, heard you wanna be a star girl
What he charge for the dream that you bought girl
What's the price for a life in this dark world?
Couple hundred where I come from, how you sleep when the sun down?
I ain't really tryna judge, know you lookin' for somebody you can love
He was lookin' for somebody he could fuck
Took ya body, wouldn't bother with you none
Spoiled rotten in the bottom of the slums
Caught up in the fun
You got it, I pawned it, you dreamt it, I start it
You're missin' the target, what more can you ask me for?
You want it, my dearly departed
I cocked back and shot it, what more can you ask me for?
The verses in "Surf" by Kilo Kish and Vince Staples explore themes surrounding poverty, violence, corruption, and ultimately, the hopelessness that comes from experiencing those realities. In the first verse, Staples describes his background and how he's trying to navigate through the dangerous and conflicting choices that come with it. He questions why people choose to destroy instead of building up themselves and their communities. He also calls out those living in wealth and privilege who continue to perpetuate poverty and systemic issues. The final lines depict the consequences of violence when they become too much to bear, leaving one "dead to the world 'til his life end."
The second verse has Kilo Kish delivering lines that criticize the current state of society, pointing out the legal drug industry's impact on black youth and the ways in which men exploit and violate women. She also draws attention to the heavy price of survival in impoverished areas and the difficulty of maintaining dreams and hope in such an environment. The chorus repeats with Staples's voice delivering the lines over a haunting melody, with the phrase "you got it, I armed it, you dreamt it, I start it" representing the idea that people's desires and wishes often lead to violent confrontations.
Line by Line Meaning
Broke and all I had was my homeboys
I was poor and my only support system were my friends.
Either build or destroy, what you going for?
Are you going to create something or tear it down?
Just a pawn and a plan tryin' to hold on
I am just a pawn trying to survive with a plan.
When the smoke clear why was the war fought?
When everything is over, what was the purpose of the war?
Bout time you abandon the folklore
It's time to let go of the myths and stories.
How you rich but your bitch in an old Ford?
How can you have money but your partner drives an old car?
How you black sellin' crack for the white man?
How can you be black and sell drugs for the benefit of the white man?
How you real, wouldn't kill for your right hand?
How can you claim to be genuine but betray your closest ally?
On the stand sworn in with ya right hand
In court, you take an oath with your right hand raised.
It was all goin' good 'til the rave end
Everything was great until the party ended.
Knife scars on ya neck from ya best friend
Your best friend left scars on your neck with a knife.
Now it's talk, leave a tec' on ya nightstand
Now all they do is talk, but they will leave a gun on your nightstand.
Leave a nigga dead to the world 'til his life end
Leave a person dead and forgotten by the world until their life comes to an end.
You got it, I armed it, you dreamt it, I start it
You have an idea, I provide the means, and I bring it to life.
You're missin' the target, what more can you ask me for?
You're not achieving your goal, what else can I do to help?
You want it, my dearly departed
You want something that is very important to me.
I cocked back and shot it, what more can you ask me for?
I prepared and delivered what you wanted, what else do you want?
More black kids killed from a pill than the FEDs in the projects
More black children die from drugs than from government intervention in their neighborhoods.
In the planned parenthood playin' God with ya mom's check, you ain't even been to prom yet
In a place where people plan their families, they decide your mother's fate with her money, and you haven't even experienced a school dance yet.
Sixteen, heard you wanna be a star girl
At sixteen, I heard you want to be famous, girl.
What he charge for the dream that you bought girl
How much did he charge you for the dream that you purchased, girl?
What's the price for a life in this dark world?
What is the cost of a life in this harsh world?
Couple hundred where I come from, how you sleep when the sun down?
Where I'm from, a life costs a few hundred dollars, how can you rest when the sun is down?
I ain't really tryna judge, they be lookin' for somebody you can love
I'm not trying to judge, people are searching for someone they can love.
He was lookin' for somebody he could fuck
He was just looking for someone to have sex with.
Took ya body, wouldn't bother with you none
He used your body and didn't care about you.
Spoiled rotten in the bottom of the slums
Living like royalty in the depths of poverty.
Caught up in the fun
Caught up in the excitement and enjoyment of it all.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Vince Staples, Michael Volpe, Mikky Ekko, Lakisha K Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheWatsonGreen
If Clams showed this beat to most rappers out now they wouldn't have a fucking clue of how to ride it. Vince makes this shit sound easy, so smooth.
@scottbennici4689
TheWatsonGreen agreed
@maleekwho3950
This and the joint with Flume we're prime Vince 🙏🏽 💀
@sonnyparmar1788
This is legit the best beat I've heard in years
@_DL77_
Clams casino for ya
@chalky_white
This shit goes hard
@maxspencerkarinen6463
made using a yamaha djx lol
@jetset808
@Max Spencer Karinen LOL.. the only reason i checked this song out was because I have a DJx.. man i got to break out this synth..
@gp01fullbernern
Such an underrated artist
@samarsvard6384
vince or kilo?