Police Myself As Usual
MF Doom & Nujabes Lyrics

'Cause brothers looking like a criminal is probable cause
If you look like a criminal or match a certain profile, the police can legally stop and search you.

So if you Black, you need to know all the applicable laws
Black people are particularly vulnerable to police profiling and should be knowledgeable enough to understand the law and their rights.

I got a cop in my head and he stay on the beat
I'm afraid of the police and constantly worry about being stopped or questioned by them, hence I have an imaginary cop in my head staying on the beat.

On duty 24 hours every day in the week
The imaginary cop is always present in my head, working 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

And when he blow his little whistle, I restrict myself
When the imaginary cop in my head reminds me of the rules, I restrict myself from any action that may be deemed unlawful.

And when I'm walkin' in New York, I stop and frisk myself
To avoid being stopped and frisked by the police while walking on the streets of New York, I constantly check and frisk myself.

And when it's time to make arrests, I don't resist myself
I try my best to comply with whatever the police ask of me so that I don't get arrested or hurt.

'Cause if I saw me in a lineup, I might pick myself
I fit the profile of what police might look for, so if I saw someone like myself in a lineup, I might choose myself as the suspect.

I ride clean but I still feel like I'm filthy as sin
Although I may not be doing anything wrong, my fear of the police and the possibility of being stopped or harassed make me feel dirty and guilty anyway.

'Cause I was raised thinkin' brown is the guiltiest skin
I was raised to believe that people with brown skin, particularly Black people, are more likely to be guilty or associated with crime.

I got a cop in my head, so all the laws are inside me
I'm so afraid of the police and the law that all the laws and rules are ingrained in me, and I try to follow them at all times.

Put on my turn signal, ain't nobody behind me
I'm so cautious that I even use my turn signal when there's no one behind me, just in case the police are watching or nearby.

I buy weed, with my cop and that's his personal hell
Although weed may be legal in some places, my fear of the police is so great that even purchasing it, legally, feels like a personal hell.

'Cause weed legal but I still feel like I'm going to jail
Even though buying weed is legal, I still feel like I'm breaking the law and could be jailed for it.

I live alone, making noise so my presence is known
To avoid suspicion or being in trouble with the police, I make noise and try to make my presence known when I'm alone.

Hoping he doesn't think it's a gun when I answer my phone
I'm worried that if the police call or approach me, they might think I have a gun, even when I'm just answering my phone.

Scared of the police, so I police myself (Officer Me)
I'm so scared of the police that I try to monitor and follow all the laws and rules myself, even without their presence.

Black, has no standing at law
Black people are not always considered equal under the law and may even be discriminated against.

Black billy club back to the jaw
Police violence against Black people is common, and they may be beaten or brutalized for no reason.

They got the got the dogs and the gats at your door
Police have access to dogs and guns and may use them to intimidate and harm people, particularly Black people.

If you're smart, get your ass on the floor
To avoid being harmed or arrested by the police, it's best to comply and do whatever they say, even if it means getting on the floor.

Yeah, villain within reason
Despite being seen or treated as a villain or criminal, I am reasonable and try to follow the law.

No consumption, it's pig grilling season
To avoid getting caught or appearing suspicious, I avoid consuming anything in public, as the police may be watching and could approach me at any time.

Trees in black, white, Indonesian
Weed, or trees, come in different colors and varieties, but the fear of the police remains the same.

You lackin' with no heat and it's freezing
Without a weapon or some form of protection, you're vulnerable and exposed to the cold, as well as the police.

Now send the cop in your head on a beer run
To escape the fear and paranoia associated with the police, it's best to send the imaginary cop in your head on an errand or to take a break.

To see him die when he jump out your eardrum
By sending the cop in your head away, you can finally experience some peace and quiet and get rid of the anxiety and stress.

It's even better than using a machine gun
Getting rid of the imaginary cop in your head is much more satisfying than using an actual weapon, as it eliminates a constant source of fear and paranoia.

After all, been dukin' him for so long, it's been a mean run
By constantly trying to outsmart and hide from the imaginary cop, it's been a long and difficult journey, but it's finally paying off.

A fleet of cars and three cribs re-done
After escaping the imaginary cop, you can finally enjoy the fruits of your labor, such as a fleet of cars and several houses.

Don't touch the lawn and then pay the kid with the green thumb
To avoid any suspicion or trouble, you should take care of your property and pay someone else to take care of the lawn and garden.

They nervous like first time in a threesome
The police may be nervous or anxious when approaching someone or entering a situation, just like a first-timer in a threesome.

And shoot too early like precum
Police violence against innocent people or unarmed suspects is often premature and unnecessary, much like ejaculating prematurely or before anyone's ready.

Yeah pause, seem dumb
Although the idea of the police shooting before necessary may seem absurd or stupid, it's a sad reality for many.

Sell them to hell, no refund
Those involved in police brutality or corruption should be sent to hell and not given any refunds or second chances.

Profiled for a Philly and a Down Coat
Even something as simple as wearing a specific type of clothing, such as a Philadelphia jersey or a down coat, can cause someone to be profiled or targeted by the police.

Runnin' through your mind shooting unarmed Brown folk
The fear of the police and the possibility of being shot for no reason runs through your mind, particularly when it comes to unarmed Black and Brown people.

Bullcrap you couldn't get out with cow soap
The lies and injustices committed by the police cannot be washed away with soap, much less cow soap.

Like a rapper selling his soul and don't sound dope
Succumbing to the police or law enforcement pressure and sacrificing your morals or beliefs is like a rapper selling his soul and losing his authenticity or creativity.

I'm in custody but when will I release myself (Officer Me)
Even when in custody or under arrest, the fear and anxiety of the imaginary cop in your head still remains, and you may still feel trapped or imprisoned.

He say shit once and I don't make him repeat himself (Officer Me)
The imaginary cop in your head only needs to say something once, and you immediately comply or follow the rules, knowing the consequences of not doing so.