New World
MF Doom & Nas Lyrics

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Ten
Nine
Eight
Seven
Six
Five
Four
Three

Two
One, happy new year
Uh, it's a new world, it's a new world
It's a new world, it's a new world
Uh, it's a new world, it's a new world

Yo, celebrate the new life
New ways to make money
New ways to break dummies
Forge they name and take money
Computers ain't that smart
Whatever man built could be taken apart
Anything new can get old
Like dudes started rockin' platinum, some stopped wearin' gold
Solar-energized rides, no steerin' wheel, tell it how to drive
No propellers in the sky
Airplanes like mini rockets
Waiting lists for the rich to get tickets to visit Mars
While the poor people starve, computers takin' over they jobs
A man's forced to live off land
Now it's back to the caveman era
When we made fire, by two sticks rubbin' together
The truth is, many are too scared of new data
America Online, cut off, see you later

Yo, welcome to the new world, new beginnin'
A new way to play, a new way a livin'
Cash is the past, a new way a spendin'
New life for man, children, and women
Yo, welcome to the new world, new beginnin'
A new way to play, a new way a livin'
Cash is the past, a new way a spendin'
New life for man, children, and women

Yo, the new Mike Tyson's Roy Jones
Bill Clinton's the new JFK, without the hole in his dome
The new Don Trump is Bill Gates
Not because his occupation, it's 'cause we respect his cake
And cake mean his stock, net gross
Young kids step it up, go for the most
New cameras in police cars takin' pictures
New hustlas gettin' new street figures
And US embassies overseas
Almost every foreign country's under siege
Covertly startin' wars, CIA, NAVY Seals
Commit larcenies that be worth over mil's
Oil in the earth spills
Girls blow they body up, birth control pills
African's pick diamonds out a dark caves
Then we wear it on our necks just so we can light up the stage

Yo, welcome to the new world, new beginnin'
A new way to play, a new way a livin'
Cash is the past, a new way a spendin'
New life for man, children, and women

Welcome to the new world, new beginnin'
A new way to play, a new way a livin'
Cash is the past, a new way a spendin'
New life for man, children, and women

Say goodbye to the brainwashed
Say goodbye to the young kids who not smart
Say goodbye to the toasters and Pop-Tarts
Yo, it's real
Swallow a little pill, there's a four-course meal
Say hello to the one world
Say hello to the sky, something's out there watchin' you and I
More enticin' than Star Trek, StarTAC phones
Your genes and DNA is used to make clones
You got CD-Rom, everything operates by computers
Then what happens when circuit breaks?
Y2k's the big scare
Scientists say we ain't prepared
What I feel is contrare
Alexander Graham Bell made telephones, yes
But now we request for your e-mail address
I might be old fashioned, stuck in my ways
But nothin' make me more happier than seein' today

Yo, welcome to the new world, new beginnin'
A new way to play, a new way a livin'
Cash is the past, a new way a spendin'
New life for man, children, and women

Welcome to the new world, new beginnin'
A new way to play, a new way a livin'
Cash is the past, a new way a spendin'
New life for man, children, and women

Welcome to the new world, new beginnin'
A new way to play, a new way a livin'
Cash is the past, a new way a spendin'
New life for man, children, and women

Welcome to the new world, new beginnin'
A new way to play, a new way a livin'

Cash is the past, a new way a spendin'
New life for man, children, and women

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "New World" by MF Doom and Nas explore the concept of a rapidly changing world and the impact it has on various aspects of society. The song begins with a countdown to a new year, symbolizing the arrival of a new era. The artists depict a world where new technologies, like computers and advanced transportation, have become integral parts of daily life. However, they also highlight the potential negative consequences that come with these advancements.

The first verse discusses how people are adapting to the new world by finding innovative ways to make money and outsmart others. It points out that even though technology can be revolutionary, it can also be vulnerable and easily manipulated. The lyrics draw attention to the shift in fashion trends and the disparity between the rich and the poor. The rich have the opportunity to explore space tourism while the poor struggle to survive, as technology replaces traditional jobs.

The second verse explores the rise of new influential figures in various fields. Mike Tyson is replaced by Roy Jones as a dominant force in boxing, while Bill Clinton is compared to JFK. Bill Gates is mentioned as a modern-day equivalent to Donald Trump, with respect earned through financial success rather than politics. The lyrics highlight the power dynamics and corruption within governments and institutions. It also references global struggles, such as covert wars and the exploitation of resources in the name of profit.

The third verse delves deeper into the impact of technology on society. It acknowledges the growing surveillance state, with cameras being installed in police cars to monitor and document incidents. The lyrics touch on the allure of fame and fortune, fueled by the desire for diamonds mined from African countries. The song also raises concerns about the increasing reliance on computers and the potential consequences if they were to fail. It references the Y2K scare and questions society's preparedness for such events.

Overall, "New World" explores the excitement and advancements of a changing world while also acknowledging the potential dangers and inequalities that come along with it. The lyrics serve as a reflection on the complexities of progress and the need for society to adapt responsibly to ensure a better future.

Line by Line Meaning

Ten
Countdown to the new year

Nine
Countdown to the new year

Eight
Countdown to the new year

Seven
Countdown to the new year

Six
Countdown to the new year

Five
Countdown to the new year

Four
Countdown to the new year

Three
Countdown to the new year

Two
Countdown to the new year

One, happy new year
Celebrating the arrival of the new year

Uh, it's a new world, it's a new world
Emphasizing the change and new possibilities in the world

It's a new world, it's a new world
Emphasizing the change and new possibilities in the world

Uh, it's a new world, it's a new world
Emphasizing the change and new possibilities in the world

Yo, celebrate the new life
Expressing the need to celebrate and embrace the fresh start

New ways to make money
Exploring innovative methods of earning income

New ways to break dummies
Discovering new ways to outsmart and deceive foolish individuals

Forge they name and take money
Illegally altering signatures to steal funds

Computers ain't that smart
Highlighting the limitations of computers

Whatever man built could be taken apart
Stating that anything created by humans can be disassembled or dismantled

Anything new can get old
Expressing the inevitable aging and obsolescence of new things

Like dudes started rockin' platinum, some stopped wearin' gold
Referring to changes in fashion trends, where some people switched from wearing gold to platinum

Solar-energized rides, no steerin' wheel, tell it how to drive
Describing futuristic cars powered by solar energy and controlled without a steering wheel

No propellers in the sky
Noticing the absence of traditional propeller-driven aircraft in the sky

Airplanes like mini rockets
Comparing modern airplanes to small rockets

Waiting lists for the rich to get tickets to visit Mars
Highlighting the exclusivity and privilege associated with space travel

While the poor people starve, computers takin' over they jobs
Drawing attention to the increasing automation and job displacement caused by computers, while poverty and hunger still exist

A man's forced to live off land
Portraying a scenario where individuals are compelled to survive solely based on their relationship with nature

Now it's back to the caveman era
Imagining a return to a primitive society resembling the time of cavemen

When we made fire, by two sticks rubbin' together
Recalling the ancient method of creating fire through friction

The truth is, many are too scared of new data
Arguing that people are afraid of embracing and accepting new information and knowledge

America Online, cut off, see you later
Referencing the decline of America Online (AOL) as a popular internet service provider

The new Mike Tyson's Roy Jones
Comparing the boxing prowess of Roy Jones to that of the legendary Mike Tyson

Bill Clinton's the new JFK, without the hole in his dome
Drawing a parallel between Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy, but noting the absence of a fatal gunshot wound in Clinton's case

The new Don Trump is Bill Gates
Drawing a comparison between Bill Gates and Donald Trump in terms of influence and success

Not because his occupation, it's 'cause we respect his cake
Explaining that the admiration for Bill Gates is not solely due to his profession but because of his wealth

And cake mean his stock, net gross
Utilizing 'cake' as a metaphor for wealth and describing it in terms of his financial holdings

Young kids step it up, go for the most
Encouraging young individuals to strive for the highest achievements and success

New cameras in police cars takin' pictures
Highlighting the use of new technology, such as cameras in police cars, to capture evidence

New hustlas gettin' new street figures
Noting the emergence of new entrepreneurs and criminals who attain impressive reputations in the streets

And US embassies overseas
Referring to American embassies located in other countries

Almost every foreign country's under siege
Suggesting that there is ongoing conflict or tension in many foreign nations

Covertly startin' wars, CIA, NAVY Seals
Implies that the CIA and NAVY Seals engage in clandestine activities and instigate wars

Commit larcenies that be worth over mil's
Describing the involvement of these entities in large-scale thefts with millions of dollars at stake

Oil in the earth spills
Addressing the issue of oil spills and their impact on the environment

Girls blow they body up, birth control pills
Referring to the use of birth control pills, which allow women to control their reproductive choices

African's pick diamonds out a dark caves
Acknowledging the dangerous and challenging conditions faced by African miners extracting diamonds from caves

Then we wear it on our necks just so we can light up the stage
Commenting on the irony of wearing expensive diamonds as jewelry for mere aesthetic purposes

Say goodbye to the brainwashed
Encouraging people to break free from mental manipulation and deception

Say goodbye to the young kids who not smart
Suggesting that ignorant and unintelligent young individuals are not welcome in this new world

Say goodbye to the toasters and Pop-Tarts
Symbolizing the departure from processed and artificial food products

Yo, it's real
Affirming the authenticity and truthfulness of the previous statements

Swallow a little pill, there's a four-course meal
Metaphorically suggesting that a small, concentrated action can lead to abundant benefits

Say hello to the one world
Welcoming the concept of a unified world

Say hello to the sky, something's out there watchin' you and I
Acknowledging the mysterious and unknown entities that observe humanity from the sky

More enticin' than Star Trek, StarTAC phones
Claiming that the allure of the sky and its inhabitants surpasses the appeal of science fiction television series or mobile phones

Your genes and DNA is used to make clones
Raising concerns about potential misuse of genetic information for cloning purposes

You got CD-Rom, everything operates by computers
Describing the prevalence of computer-operated systems, including CD-ROMs, in daily life

Then what happens when circuit breaks?
Questioning the consequences when computer circuits malfunction or fail

Y2k's the big scare
Referring to the widespread concern over the Y2K computer bug

Scientists say we ain't prepared
Pointing out that scientists suggest that society is not adequately prepared for certain technological or environmental challenges

What I feel is contrare
Expressing a differing opinion or contradicting prevailing beliefs

Alexander Graham Bell made telephones, yes
Acknowledging Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone

But now we request for your e-mail address
Highlighting the shift from telephone communication to email as a primary mode of contact

I might be old fashioned, stuck in my ways
Admitting to being traditional and resistant to change

But nothin' make me more happier than seein' today
Expressing joy and contentment in witnessing the present day and its opportunities

Welcome to the new world, new beginnin'
Welcoming everyone to the fresh start and new possibilities offered by the world

A new way to play, a new way a livin'
Embracing novel approaches to activities and lifestyle choices

Cash is the past, a new way a spendin'
Asserting that traditional currency is becoming less relevant, and new spending methods are emerging

New life for man, children, and women
Promising a rejuvenated existence for all individuals regardless of age or gender