Diamond In The Back
Ludacris Lyrics


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I want a (Diamond in the back)
I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
And I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)

Diamond in the, diamond in the, diamond in the

It's hard growin' up lookin' at drug dealers wit' all this paper
Wonderin' how I can get me some
My family's strugglin', I'm buggin', sittin' on my porch
So confused, chewin' on some bubblegum
I was always taught to use my manners with the misses
But please, stay away from the hoes and snicthes
And I was always reached for the sky, I don't know why
I'ma little bitty kid wit' a whole bunch of gangsta wishes
When I grow up, you just wait, I'ma be so straight
And everything's gonna be so marvelous
No more borrowin' from the neighbors, no more haters
No more blowin' Nintendo cartridges
I'ma have it made in the shade, I'ma be so paid
And my fam, get 'em off that payin' them bills
Matter fact I'm schemin' my way on up out this hood, I'll be good
When I ditch these trainin' wheels

I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
And I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)

Diamond in the, diamond in the, diamond in the

I'm sick and tired of ridin' public transportation
Impatient waitin' on my set of wheels
I'm willin' to do what it takes, whatever the stakes
In order to get myself some dollar bills
It's too many holes in my socks, and I'm ready to box
Anyone tellin' me I need better shoes
And I ain't the only one trippin', or makin a fuss
My older cousin need some cheddar too
He thinkin' 'bout comin' up on the lick, to get it quick
It involves that local corner store
I overheard him say he knew who works there
And whatever they do, don't let the owner know
I hope he come back with enough to let me borrow some change
At least for the summer
And if he don't let me borrow nothing, but ask me what I want
I'ma tell him I wanna

I want a (Diamond in the back)
I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
Could use a (Sunroof top)
Sure want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
And I want a (Sunroof top)
Sure want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)

Why can't I walk with a limp mama? Won't be no drama
For goodness sakes, I'm just a kid
Had to get my whoopin' in fo's, I was just a po'
Like there no remorse for what I did
Gotta learn the hard way, when runnin' them streets
How some just creep, really just to eat a meal
"I could of swore it was mine," what I used to tell the po-pos
What I left to rob and steal
Man, I gotta earn for a livin', ain't nobody givin' me nothin'
Find somethin' I love to do
Hmm, what about that pimpin'? It's good tippin'
Tax free, and I know a lot of people that love to screw
Yeah, it's just a way of the world, with boys and girls
I'm adjustin' to my environment
This government cheatin' us, so I'll cheat 'em back
Why can't work feel like retirement?

(Diamond in the back)
I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
Could use a (Sunroof top)
Sure want a(Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I wish I had a (Diamond in the back)
I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
I want a (Diamond in the back)
And I want a (Sunroof top)
I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)





Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta

Overall Meaning

In "Diamond in the Back," Ludacris expresses his desire for wealth and success in his life. The song lyrics start with him claiming that he wants a "diamond in the back" and a "sunroof top" while "diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean" which refers to his aspiration of owning a fancy car that would make him look wealthy and powerful. Through this song, he expresses his desire for success and expresses the struggles he faces while growing up in a neighborhood filled with drug dealers and gangsters. The lines "It's hard growin' up looking at drug dealers with all this paper / Wonderin' how I can get me some" demonstrate the temptations and difficulties he has to face every day.


Furthermore, the song explains how Ludacris desires more financial stability and independence. He aims to break free from poverty, and he hopes to provide for his family, as stated in the lyrics: "I'ma have it made in the shade, I'ma be so paid / And my fam, get 'em off that payin' them bills." Additionally, the song depicts his transformation from a dreamer to a survivor. Ludacris has to grow up quickly to navigate his surroundings, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to make it out of his environment.


Line by Line Meaning

I want a (Diamond in the back)
Despite growing up in poverty and looking up to drug dealers, Ludacris dreams of owning a luxury car with a diamond in the back.


I want a (Sunroof top)
Ludacris wants a car with a sunroof top that he can show off in.


I want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
Ludacris wants to be able to drive around with a gangsta lean and impress others.


And I want a (Sunroof top)
Ludacris emphasizes his desire for a car with a sunroof top.


Diamond in the, diamond in the, diamond in the
Ludacris repeats his desire for a diamond in the back to emphasize how important it is to him.


It's hard growin' up lookin' at drug dealers wit' all this paper
As a child growing up in poverty, Ludacris was envious of drug dealers who had a lot of money.


Wonderin' how I can get me some
Ludacris wonders how he can get money to improve his own situation.


My family's strugglin', I'm buggin', sittin' on my porch
Ludacris's family is going through hard times and he is feeling overwhelmed and stressed about it.


So confused, chewin' on some bubblegum
Ludacris is so preoccupied with his problems that he is just mindlessly chewing on gum.


I was always taught to use my manners with the misses
Ludacris was raised to be respectful towards women.


But please, stay away from the hoes and snitches
Ludacris warns himself to stay away from certain people who will not benefit him, such as women who sell their bodies and people who snitch.


And I was always reached for the sky, I don't know why
Ludacris has always had high aspirations but doesn't know why.


I'ma little bitty kid wit' a whole bunch of gangsta wishes
Ludacris is a small kid with big dreams of being associated with gangsters.


When I grow up, you just wait, I'ma be so straight
Ludacris is determined to grow up and become successful.


And everything's gonna be so marvelous
Ludacris is optimistic about his future and believes it will be wonderful.


No more borrowin' from the neighbors, no more haters
Ludacris wants to be financially independent and free from people who don't like him.


No more blowin' Nintendo cartridges
Ludacris will no longer have to save and use things sparingly, such as blowing on Nintendo cartridges to try and make them work.


I'ma have it made in the shade, I'ma be so paid
Ludacris wants to make a lot of money and live an easy life.


And my fam, get 'em off that payin' them bills
Ludacris wants to help his family get out of debt and not have to worry about bills anymore.


Matter fact I'm schemin' my way on up out this hood, I'll be good
Ludacris is planning to get out of the ghetto and have a better life.


When I ditch these trainin' wheels
Ludacris will become independent and self-sufficient when he no longer needs training wheels on his bike.


I'm sick and tired of ridin' public transportation
Ludacris is tired of using public transportation and wants his own car.


Impatient waitin' on my set of wheels
Ludacris is eager to own his own car.


I'm willin' to do what it takes, whatever the stakes
Ludacris is determined to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, regardless of the risks.


In order to get myself some dollar bills
Ludacris will do whatever he can to make money and achieve success.


It's too many holes in my socks, and I'm ready to box
Ludacris is frustrated with his poverty and wants to fight anyone who says he needs better shoes.


Anyone tellin' me I need better shoes
Ludacris is tired of people telling him he needs better shoes and is willing to fight them over it.


And I ain't the only one trippin', or makin a fuss
Ludacris is not the only one who is upset about their current situation.


My older cousin need some cheddar too
Ludacris's cousin needs money as well.


He thinkin' 'bout comin' up on the lick, to get it quick
Ludacris's cousin is planning to commit a robbery to get money quickly.


It involves that local corner store
The target of the robbery is a corner store in their neighborhood.


I overheard him say he knew who works there
Ludacris heard his cousin talking about the plan and knew that he knew someone who works at the store.


And whatever they do, don't let the owner know
It is important that the owner of the store does not find out about the robbery.


I hope he come back with enough to let me borrow some change
Ludacris hopes his cousin gets enough money from the robbery that he can borrow some.


At least for the summer
Ludacris only needs the money for the summer.


And if he don't let me borrow nothing, but ask me what I want
If his cousin doesn't give him any money, but asks what he wants, Ludacris will tell him what he wants.


I'ma tell him I wanna
Ludacris is going to ask his cousin for something.


Could use a (Sunroof top)
Ludacris wants a car with a sunroof top.


Sure want a (Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
Ludacris wants to drive around looking cool with a gangsta lean.


Why can't I walk with a limp mama? Won't be no drama
Ludacris wants to walk with a limp so he can be more gangster and cool, but doesn't want any trouble with his mother.


For goodness sakes, I'm just a kid
Ludacris justifies his desire to be cool by reminding himself and others that he is still just a kid.


Had to get my whoopin' in fo's, I was just a po'
Ludacris used to get spanked for misbehaving when he was young because they were too poor to afford other forms of discipline.


Like there no remorse for what I did
Ludacris wishes his parents were more understanding when punishing him for his misbehavior.


Gotta learn the hard way, when runnin' them streets
Ludacris realizes that he has to learn about life the hard way, especially when running around on the streets with gangsters.


How some just creep, really just to eat a meal
Ludacris sees that some people are forced to resort to criminal activity just to survive.


"I could of swore it was mine," what I used to tell the po-pos
Ludacris used to lie to the police and claim that stolen items found in his possession were actually his.


What I left to rob and steal
Ludacris used to rob and steal.


Man, I gotta earn for a livin', ain't nobody givin' me nothin'
Ludacris knows that he has to work hard to make a living because no one is going to give him anything for free.


Find somethin' I love to do
Ludacris wants to find a job that he enjoys doing.


Hmm, what about that pimpin'? It's good tippin'
Ludacris is considering becoming a pimp because he heard that it pays well.


Tax free, and I know a lot of people that love to screw
Ludacris knows that prostitution is a tax-free form of income and that there are people willing to pay for it.


Yeah, it's just a way of the world, with boys and girls
Ludacris acknowledges that prostitution exists because it is a part of the world.


I'm adjustin' to my environment
Ludacris is adapting to his environment and trying to make the best of it.


This government cheatin' us, so I'll cheat 'em back
Ludacris feels that the government is cheating him and is planning to cheat them back.


Why can't work feel like retirement?
Ludacris would prefer it if work felt like retirement, where you don't have to do much and you can just relax.


(Diamond in the back)
Ludacris repeats his desire for a luxury car with a diamond in the back.


Sure want a(Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean)
Ludacris wants to be able to drive around and look cool with a gangsta lean.


I wish I had a (Diamond in the back)
Ludacris still wishes he had a fancy car even though he knows it's unlikely for him to get one.


Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta
Ludacris repeats the word 'gangsta' to emphasize his desire to be associated with that lifestyle.




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Christopher Bridges, Christopher Brian Bridges, William Devaughn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@MarcIsOldies12

This is the LUDA I remember. Till this day “CHICKEN & BEER” is his best album he's ever dropped!

@CraigSmithII

Marcoldies12
Hell yeah

@dreamvillexky8650

Marcoldies12 don't sleep on theatre of the mind

@krysfits254

Have you really listened to word of mouf? Shits on this album every day.

@NICK-cc7ne

bro word of mouf is golden

@starrgazer9

Word of Mouf is his best in my opinion. But with that being said, he has an iconic discography for sure. His first 4 albums are absolute gems to me. #SouthernLegend

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@9813CHAPPELL

the most underrated luda single, EVER...that organ & bass line is a vibe

@easiedoesit3741

This shit jammin

@sakdinonchomprachot376

Organ , wah guitar and bass line is Dirty south

@thaBootyologist

Thanks to DJ Paul and Juicy J… it’s that Memphis sound

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