Trouble
Mac Dre Lyrics

Play with fire,
If you engage in risky behavior, expect and accept the consequences

You get burned
The outcome of playing with fire is typically negative

When the heat was on
In challenging situations that require resilience

I turned
I sought a solution

Turned to trouble
My solution led me to a problematic situation

Trouble
The problematic situation (or state of being) in which I found myself

Yeah yeah c-3
MC Mac Dre is starting a new verse

New Orleans baby the street called eagle
The rapper is referring to a street in New Orleans called Eagle and setting the scene for his verse

And everybody's ill yea illegal
The people in this area have a tendency to partake in activities that are deemed illegal

People steal cars we steal people
The line is figurative and suggests that people in this area may engage in practices that involve exploiting others

We eat like dogs but we're still people
Despite lacking some of the basic necessities, residents of this area are still human beings deserving of respect

And even when your lost trouble still see you
Even when you feel lost, the negative forces around you can still seem to find you

And even if your dead broke we are still equal
Even if you don't have much, you are still worthy of being treated as an equal

One time for the little people eat your meal
A shoutout to the underprivileged

Don't let the meal eat you
Encouraging listeners to not become consumed by their struggles

Street runners
The intro to another verse

Your running me crazy with this one
The energy of the music is taking the rapper to a new level

I
Referring to himself

Run
Move quickly

With
In the presence of

Trouble
The problematic situation (or state of being) he referenced earlier

And just the other day my nigga Chris killed himself
A somber statement about the suicidal act of a friend

I pray to god that I never feel the way he felt
The rapper does not want to experience what pushed his friend to take his own life

Where do we go when theres no help
When one is in dire need, where can they go?

He figured heaven so he went left
The rapper suggests his friend committed suicide because he believed it would lead him to Heaven

Ya'll know that ain't right
The artist is denouncing suicide as a solution to problems

Plus he was high as a plane on that same night
The influence of drugs may have had a role in his friend's decision

Shit I probably been on that same flight
The rapper may have had similar experiences with drugs

Shit I probably had that same fight
The rapper may have struggled with the same difficulties as his deceased friend

I just kept swinging
The artist persisted through his own difficulties and kept pushing forward

Twelve rounds come and bells ringing
A boxing reference that suggests he was in a long, intense battle with his own problems

Introduced to the game when I was just a child
The rapper was exposed to drug-related activities at an early age

Mama know the drug dealers straight quit her job
My mother knew people who were involved in drug dealing and their work influenced her decision to quit her job

He took his life and along with him I died
His friend's suicide affected him deeply

And she died
The tragedy also affected his mother

We died...
The events had a profound and devastating effect on the entire group

Then came my daughter to my bedside
His daughter was born during this difficult period

Told me, "daddy, don't cry, I'm alive"
His daughter provided a reminder of life and hope in the midst of the challenges he faced

I look her in the eyes and see me with no sins
Looking into his daughter's eyes is a moment of clarity for him, seeing purity and potential

But this is how the note ends
The verse closes with a note of resignation

I have walked a bitter line
Life has been difficult for me

Chosen second over the 1
I have not always been the top choice or the favored one

Still I look for better times
Despite my experiences, I remain hopeful

You know
Another transition into a different section of the song

Just kicking back
Relaxing mood

(Though I look for brighter times)
Lyrics reinforce the artist's persistent optimism

I am carter
Referencing Lil Wayne, whose stage name is Lil Wayne Carter

(I run to trouble)
Acknowledging once more that he has a tendency to engage with negative situations

Ya know
Another transition into a different section of the song

(Trouble)
Reiterating the problematic nature of the situations in which he finds himself

The tooley poked out the jeans
A reference to a gun being visible beneath one's clothing

The coke smell just like a bunch of coffee beans
The rapper suggests that illicit substances are present and look/smell like something else

Ya nah mean
A phrase often used to ask if the listener understands the implication of what's being said

And everything ain't what it seems
Appearances can be deceiving

Don't play that game without your team
You're at risk when you don't have people supporting you

Kill for my bread
I will do anything necessary to make money

Kill for my g's
I am loyal to my gang or group of people

Kill for my cream
I place a high priority on accumulating wealth

I will have that red beam on high beam
I will be prepared and dangerous when a threat presents itself

Now I hear sirens
The environment is hostile and dangerous

Wait I think I see one behind me
The rapper detects police presence

I ain't tripping baby
I'm not too worried about it

Money got me, uh
I am more focused on making money than anything else

And fuck the police
He has disdain for the law enforcement

Fuck the feds too
He also dislikes the FBI

I ain't jumping in that jumpsuit
I won't let the police catch me and take me to jail

A blunt too
I am smoking marijuana

I'm on my one two
I am focused on myself and my own goals

Check me out
I am confident in myself

I fuck around and check you
I might even challenge you or prove myself more capable than you

Respect due
Acknowledging other people's achievements and abilities

Pay yours nigga
Do what you need to do to secure your own financial success

Mines under the seat by my feet
I am keeping my own weapon nearby in a concealed, accessible place

Wheres your nigga
Where is your own weapon or backup?

Too much whores nigga huh
Too many people who can't be trusted

Too much pressure
The situation is intense and difficult

Too much force
People around him may be threatening or aggressive

Too much money
The stakes are high because of the profits that could be made

You never heard that before
This is life in the environment in which he lives

Shit, and we stop these snitches at the door
People who cannot be trusted are identified and cast out

Cut the tail off the rat he wont rat no more
Remove the ability for disloyal people to hurt you

Whack
Denunciation of those who are not reliable or loyal

No more
The person or situation is finished and done with

Thats right
Strongly agree

Get trapped fucking with my cheese
Do not mess with my money or you'll be caught

Keep shooting till I burn my sleeve
The rapper will continue fighting and action will continue until he's exhausted his resources

Nigga please
Implying that someone's words are meaningless or insincere

These boys is g's
These people are tough or veteran in their lifestyle and pursuits

Represent New Orleans like a Florida leash
Showing pride in their city and ability to make a name for themselves even outside their hometown

What you know about it
Challenging the idea that somebody else knows more

We more than thieves
This group has more in common and more to offer each other than just participating in illegal activities together

Steal from the rich so the poor can eat
They take from those who can afford it and distribute among those who cannot

Niggas act up
People often behave disrespectfully or offensively

Or niggas act accordingly
Depends on the individual's ability to handle themselves

Hey soldier don't war with me
He is telling someone who wants to fight to back off

You don't want it
You don't want to start a conflict