Niggas Like You
Lord Infamous T-Rock & II Tone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cut by the grain when I land upon the plain
Jah knew the Hebrew, a Papa Duke need you
But none of the fam who saw had a clue
Escalate the prime rate, words coagulate
Generate the mind's state, never can deflate
Nigger, you jigaboo, it doesn't have to be you
Funny like a cartoon, Pepe Le Pew
But the metaphysical isn't spriritual
Straight from the heart I frame the art
Tune up my class, real fast, very smart
Dictate the technique, wait a minute, I speak
Loved by my son and a kiss on the cheek
Stutter-step the concept, blueprint, or pro
Steady as we go so act like you know
I stand by the rabbi, sail in Shanghai
Always had an alibi even if I lie
Crucial, never neutral, bare the fruitful
Past time, another rhyme, skedaddle, Yankee Doodle
Light skin in lovely gyp, just for the honey dip
Here to make a megahit fit
Don't install the pipe dream, renaissance regime
When you run ragged I pick up the steam
Chart on the record book, what Corey Love took the hook
Here's a new book to civilize a crook
Purest of the pedigree, feed 'em a line
C.L., no Jezebel, can never sleep well
Thick like a dred, at the Club Med
The Mecca Don said, a fish out of water is dead
Pete Rock, the soul brother, cruise on a flow
Swing low and yell "Geronimo!", act like you know
C.L. can play like Nike, come on just do it
Pacify the Gemini, soul into it
Beat to my feet is a lock like concrete
Hard for the street, decipher never incomplete
A clean editorial, rather historical
Affordable, recordable, nifty like a portable
Mecca is the syndrome, when I come back home
Boogie on a baritone, listen on a phone
Libra, the achiever, toke a reefer
C.L. the girl pleaser, like Ebanezer
So here is the good sign, I incline
Titties with the bitties when I wine and dine
Worn like corduroy, comes the bad boy
But just like Anita Pita, I bring ya joy
"Agoobilonians" with your knowledge
And take as said so, flow and act like you know
The lyrics in Lord Infamous, T-Rock, and II Tone's song "Niggas Like You" are sprinkled with cultural references and clever wordplay that require some interpretation to fully understand. The opening lines refer to a hurricane (metaphorical or literal) and the singer's name, which is the same as someone named C.L. The next few lines suggest some disconnect between family members' understanding of something, though the subject is unspecified. The singer then describes the impact of their words on the listener, suggesting that they generate and elevate the listener's mindset.
The line "Nigger, you jigaboo, it doesn't have to be you," can be interpreted as critical of the use of such derogatory language among black people, or perhaps it is calling out someone specific for using such language. The singer then transitions to discussing their music; how they see themselves as being lyrically skilled and distinct from other rappers. Other lines reference specific people or things, like a certain rabbi or the Jamaican artist Jah, but the overall theme is one of artistic expression, self-confidence, and being in charge of one's destiny.
Overall, the song seems to be a sort of anthem for black musicians who are fed up with the music industry's lack of recognition and respect for their talents. The lyrics emphasize individuality, skill, and self-determination in the face of systemic racism and prejudice.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the hurricane, C.L. same name
Lord Infamous, also known as C.L. (his real name), comes in strong and unstoppable like a hurricane
Cut by the grain when I land upon the plain
Lord Infamous stands out and goes against the grain when he arrives on the scene
Jah knew the Hebrew, a Papa Duke need you
Lord Infamous is referencing his Rastafarian beliefs and his father who needs him
But none of the fam who saw had a clue
Despite his family being around him, they don't understand him or his beliefs
Escalate the prime rate, words coagulate
T-Rock is using financial terms to say that his words and rhymes are becoming more valuable and cohesive
Generate the mind's state, never can deflate
T-Rock's lyrics uplift and elevate the listener's mind and can never be taken away
Nigger, you jigaboo, it doesn't have to be you
T-Rock is calling out people who try to be someone they are not and saying they don't have to act this way
Funny like a cartoon, Pepe Le Pew
T-Rock is comparing these people to a cartoon character known for being a hopeless romantic
Pimp are the lyrical, g-string the individual
II Tone is saying that his rhymes may sound like they are pimping something but it is an individual expression
But the metaphysical isn't spriritual
Although II Tone's rhymes may have a deeper meaning, it doesn't necessarily reflect his spiritual beliefs
Straight from the heart I frame the art
II Tone's lyrics come from the heart and they are his artistic expression
Tune up my class, real fast, very smart
II Tone fine-tunes his lyrics to come across as intelligent and sophisticated
Dictate the technique, wait a minute, I speak
II Tone takes control of his rhyming technique and commands the audience to wait for his lyrical expression
Loved by my son and a kiss on the cheek
II Tone shows his love for his son and being affectionate by giving him a kiss on the cheek
Stutter-step the concept, blueprint, or pro
II Tone has a deliberate stutter-step in presenting his concepts and ideas
Steady as we go so act like you know
II Tone is confident in his flow and urges the listener to follow along
I stand by the rabbi, sail in Shanghai
Lord Infamous sticks by his religious beliefs and references a far-off location
Always had an alibi even if I lie
Lord Infamous always has an excuse, even if it's not true
Crucial, never neutral, bare the fruitful
Lord Infamous is vital and decisive, never neutral, and exposes what is fruitful
Past time, another rhyme, skedaddle, Yankee Doodle
Lord Infamous says it's time to move on to the next rhyme, and references a popular song from the Revolutionary War
Light skin in lovely gyp, just for the honey dip
T-Rock references his light skin and appreciation for women
Here to make a megahit fit
T-Rock is making music that is bound to become a big hit
Don't install the pipe dream, renaissance regime
T-Rock advises against following unrealistic goals or ideas and instead focuses on a renaissance representation of reality
When you run ragged I pick up the steam
T-Rock is there to support when you are tired or struggling
Chart on the record book, what Corey Love took the hook
II Tone notes a song's chart performance and gives credit to the artist who produced it
Here's a new book to civilize a crook
II Tone presents a new book to improve the life of someone living dishonestly
Purest of the pedigree, feed 'em a line
II Tone is pure and authentic in his breed, but also willing to deceive others
C.L., no Jezebel, can never sleep well
Lord Infamous represents himself as not being a seductive or evil woman, and a lack of sleep due to his busy schedule
Thick like a dred, at the Club Med
Lord Infamous is describing himself as having dreadlocks and relaxing at the Club Med resort
The Mecca Don said, a fish out of water is dead
Lord Infamous warns that without his known environment, he would be out of place and limited
Pete Rock, the soul brother, cruise on a flow
II Tone references a musician known for his soul sound and likens himself to traveling with the flow of his lyrics
Swing low and yell "Geronimo!", act like you know
II Tone urges the listener to jump into the unknown and join him, while identifying with his message
C.L. can play like Nike, come on just do it
Lord Infamous is comparing himself to Nike, encouraging others to listen to his music
Pacify the Gemini, soul into it
Lord Infamous urges the listener to calm down their conflicting sides and feel the music
Beat to my feet is a lock like concrete
Lord Infamous' rhythm and rhymes are precise and unwavering
Hard for the street, decipher never incomplete
Lord Infamous' methods are difficult to copy and puts a lot of effort, but the message is always clear
A clean editorial, rather historical
II Tone presents a clean and polished portrayal of history
Affordable, recordable, nifty like a portable
II Tone's music is easy to access and record, and is versatile like a portable music player
Mecca is the syndrome, when I come back home
Lord Infamous associates his hometown with his identity
Boogie on a baritone, listen on a phone
Lord Infamous is boogieing on his baritone instrument and intends for his music to be listened to through a mobile phone
Libra, the achiever, toke a reefer
Lord Infamous identifies with the astrological sign, achieving success, and smoking marijuana
C.L. the girl pleaser, like Ebanezer
Lord Infamous pleases the ladies and compares himself to the miserly character Ebenezer Scrooge
So here is the good sign, I incline
II Tone shows a positive sign and is eager to accomplish something
Titties with the bitties when I wine and dine
II Tone enjoys wining and dining women with small chests
Worn like corduroy, comes the bad boy
II Tone's worn appearance shows he is a tough and bad boy
But just like Anita Pita, I bring ya joy
II Tone compares himself to a popular snack and aims to bring joy to his listeners
"Agoobilonians" with your knowledge
Lord Infamous addresses someone by a possible derogatory term and mocks their intelligence
And take as said so, flow and act like you know
Lord Infamous urges someone to accept what he says, and understand his rhymes and message
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDDY SENAY, PETER O. PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind