Underground
M.E.G.& N.E.R.A.K. Lyrics

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Память лишь осталась о тебе со мной,
Но терновый взгляд прорывался через кости.
Землю пусто треплют пальцы под травой
В толщу камня неба не проходит больше воздух.

Выход во свет
И закат синего солнца

Слепота твой ответ
В глухоте коридора
Засыпан подвал
Почему ты не вышла
За дверью я слышу
Твой шёпот,

Разгорелся бессознания костер
Пламя языки пожирают тьму надежды
В дальнем прошлом запирается затвор
Я упал на клетку и увидел остров снежный

Выход во свет
И закат синего солнца
Слепота твой ответ
В глухоте коридора
Засыпан подвал
Почему ты не вышла

За дверью я слышу
Твой шёпот

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to M.E.G. & N.E.R.A.K.'s song "Underground" express their dedication to their craft, likening their approach to that of moonshine: pushing rhymes underground and away from the mainstream like the illegal liquor during Prohibition. They ride with style and attitude, with references to old-school Cadillacs, gold grills, curls, and chrome rims. Their lyrics emphasize their authenticity and willingness to give out game and advice to those who are willing to take it. They are unapologetically themselves and proud of where they come from, as indicated by their reference to the Underground Railroad, which was a network of secret routes and safehouses used by African-American slaves in the 19th century to escape to freedom. They are live from the underground and are not afraid to let the world know.

The song is both a declaration of their artistic style and identity as well as a call-to-action for others who share their perspective to join them. It is notable for its allusions to hip-hop history and Southern culture, with references to J's (presumably Jordans), gators (alligator-skin shoes), the All-Madden level of the Madden NFL video game, and the Wu-Tang Clan's "C.R.E.A.M." (Cash Rules Everything Around Me). The references to candy-coated cars and trailer parks also evoke the regional specificity of Southern rap and its often-repeated themes of material excess and ghetto survival.

Overall, "Underground" is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Southern rap, as well as a reminder of the importance of staying true to oneself and one's roots in the face of commercial pressures and mainstream expectations.

Line by Line Meaning

Pushin' rhymes underground like moonshine
I'm spreading my music underground like illegal alcohol

With jump like juke joints
My beats pump like the dance floors of juke joints

Ridin' like old 'lacs
I'm cruising in old Cadillac cars

Down like 4 flats
My ride is so low it's almost flat on the ground

Shine like gold grills
My jewelry glitters like gold teeth

Curls and chrome rims
My car has chrome wheels and my hair has curls

Bitch you know what it is
You already know what my music represents, don't act ignorant

I'm live from the underground, underground
I come from the underground rap scene and that's where I perform

Live from the underground, underground
I rap about the underground lifestyle and experiences

Underground, underground
I'm emphasizing the fact that I'm part of the lesser-known hip-hop scene

Live from the underground railroad
My music is like a modern version of the secret abolitionist network known as the underground railroad

My papa told me get paper, motherfuck a hater
My father taught me to focus on making money and ignore negativity

Them J's look clean son but elevate to gators
Air Jordan sneakers are popular but I prefer higher-end alligator shoes

I took that shit to heart plus I dug it like a crater
I took his advice seriously and was really enthusiastic about it

I'm givin' out game player are there any takers
I'm sharing my knowledge with others, but wondering if they're really interested

While you was quarter sackin' I was quarterbackin
While others were wasting time on small-time deals, I was leading and planning big projects

Callin' plays everyday, level All-Madden
I'm always strategizing and taking risks like a top player in the Madden video game

Hi five, cloud nine, private jet lackin'
I'm happy and satisfied with my successes, but I'm not extravagant

Treat the seal like a vinyl record, gotta keep it crackin'
I protect and take care of my reputation like a valuable vinyl record

Shall I pour up, blow some smoke up, get my spit on
Should I drink and smoke while I work on my rhymes?

Grab a paper, sit on a track and get my shit on
I'm ready to write and record my music

Ice cold water with the flow minus the lemon
My rhymes are cool and refreshing, without any added extras

I'm Cinematic Multi, what label you been on
I'm signed to a successful record label and asking what other artist's labels others have been signed to

Old school ridin' flickin' ashes in the tray
I'm driving an old car and ashing my cigarette in the ashtray

Smokin' up the booth blowin' static in they face
I'm smoking while I record my music and challenging my critics

C.R.E.A.M., cash rules everything around me
Money is the most important thing in life, it controls everything

King, checker board nigga go and crown me
I'm the king of the game, give me my crown

Keep it rolled, I'm supposed to lose control
I'm supposed to be wild and out of control, but I'm keeping it together

Oh no, pop the trunk, burn a skunk and slam a do', do'
I'm opening my car trunk, smoking weed and shutting the door

Window crack on the ave, marinate the scene
I'm driving slowly on the avenue with my window cracked, observing the environment

When I lean and crawl couldn't see me with your high beams
I'm driving so low that other drivers can't see me with their bright lights on

Play my part, I got heart, I'm tailor gator sharp
I'm playing my role in life and doing it with courage and style

Plus we sit taller than Monster trucks in them trailer park
My car is so high off the ground it's taller than even the big trucks in trailer parks

My candy coated it cost a grip but I had to blow it
My car is a custom paint job that cost a lot of money, but I had to have it

Your sides was dusty, my seats is bucket but you'll never know it
Your car is old and shabby, while mine looks great but you can't see it because of the tinted windows

Forever tinted so you can't peep while your bitch up in it
My car windows will always be tinted so you can't look inside when there's a woman in there

You call her phone she give you tone like "Why you trippin'"
If you call her, she'll act dismissive and say "Why are you acting crazy?"

Cold blooded ain't it but that's how it be when they want that cash
It's cruel and heartless how people act when they want money

When you ain't around anybody can be in that ass
When you're not watching, anyone can take advantage of you

Heard that from 8-Ball homeboy girlfriend
I heard that from a woman who dates a friend of rapper 8-Ball

If she a bopper then she probably ain't your girl then
If she's easy and sleeps around, she's not really your girlfriend

You claim you pimpin' don't be trickin' wear a curl then
If you're going to pretend to be a player, at least dress the part

And find some paint to put some swirls in
Find a car and put some type of custom paint job on it

We goin' live
We're about to start performing or recording

From the underground
From the lesser-known, indie rap scene

A&R-ville
A&R refers to the talent scouts who find and sign artists, and A&R-ville is where they work

Cadillactica, by way of the underground
I'm from a fictional planet called Cadillactica but my roots are in the underground rap scene

From the underground
I'm emphasizing again that I come from the indie rap scene