They Say
Method Man feat. Lauren Hill & CL Smooth Lyrics
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Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Yeah (Yeah)
Yeah yeah (Yo)
Damn, I hate it when it rain
Ever since I came in the game
Some hated on the fame
And started actin' strange
Even labels turning they backs
And started backing lames
Radio is the same, whole lotta speculatin'
These mutherfuckas defacatin' on the name
Wu-Tang, if this is where the hip-hop is
Radio lyin' then, that ain't where hip-hop live
It lives in the streets, we eat to live they livin' to eat
I'm fed up, that nigga rides in 'em, givin 'em sleep
R.I.P., make me the king of all I see
And when death call I'm good I got call ID
See it was planned in the front, now they just gon' front
Like my joints is on proactive, and they just don't bump
Then niggas gon' say I lost my skill
when in fact they all been programmed
And lost they feel, fo' real
They've got so much things to say right now
They've got so much things to say
They've got so much things to say right now (Yeah)
They got so much things to say (Yo)
Damn, another artist chokes again
They ain't cut as close as him or even broke the skin
See how niggas ain't yo friends, when there ain't no ends
Don't care who the case offend, don't underrate my pen
I got what it takes to win, while ya'll are thinking I'm trash
Loving the taste of success and this drink in my glass
Watch 'em cosign that whack shit, give it a pass till it's gone
Quicker than Red, can't get rid of them clubs
When they're wrong, call the cops, they credibility's shot
It's time to learn, what hot really is and really is not
Off brain niggas, Meth gonna let 'em know off top
Don't get smacked on dvds, trying to show off blocks
I can't stop cause my enemies plot, or cause the cops want me
Shackled and locked inside the penalty box
And while they waitin' for my shit to flop
They gettin' pimped like hoes
Sellin' they ass just to get my spot, come on man
They've got so much things to say right now
They've got so much things to say
They've got so much things to say right now (Yeah)
They got so much things to say (Yo)
Ask Miss Hill, half these critics ain't got half this skill
Often so hungry that they have to steal
If I didn't have my deal, and didn't have this mass appeal
Then I'm back up in that trap, swingin' crack it's real
And that ain't worth the time, so search and find a new nerve
And here's three words: stop working mine
It take a lot more to hurt my pride
Jerk my vibe more than media lies, cry when dirt dog die nigga
The last album wasn't feeling my style
This time my foot up in they ass but they feelin' me now
Cause Tical, he put his heart in every track he do
But somehow yall find someway to give a whack review
It ain't all good, they writin' that I'm Hollywood
Tryin' to tell you my shit ain't ghetto and they hardly hood
Come on man, until you dudes can write some rhymes
Keep that in mind when you find yourself reciting mines
They've got so much things to say right now
They've got so much things to say
They've got so much things to say right now (Yeah)
They got so much things to say (Yo)
In the song "They Say" by Method Man feat. Lauren Hill & CL Smooth, Method Man reflects on the challenges he has faced in his career and the negative opinions that people have about him in the industry. He raps about how he hates it when it rains because it reminds him of the difficult times he's facing, and how he's fed up with labels turning their backs on him and radio stations not playing real hip-hop. He also addresses the criticism he receives from other artists and critics, saying that he knows his talent and he's not afraid to defend his work.
Throughout the song, the phrase "They've got so much things to say right now" is repeated, suggesting that people have a lot of negative things to say about Method Man and his career. Despite this, he asserts that he's still focused on his goals and will continue to create music that he's passionate about. In the end, he urges his detractors to stop criticizing him and instead focus on improving their own craft.
Overall, "They Say" is a powerful message about the challenges faced by artists in the music industry, and the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of criticism.
Line by Line Meaning
Damn, I hate it when it rain
I don't enjoy precipitation
Ever since I came in the game
Since I arrived in the music industry
Some hated on the fame
Some people dislike my success
A lot of niggas done changed
Many individuals have transformed
And started actin' strange
And started behaving oddly
Even labels turning they backs
Even record labels are abandoning me
And started backing lames
And started supporting mediocre artists
Radio is the same, whole lotta speculatin'
The radio landscape is stagnant and speculative
These mutherfuckas defacatin' on the name
DJs and other industry players are disrespecting Wu-Tang's legacy
Wu-Tang, if this is where the hip-hop is
Wu-Tang is the heart of hip-hop
Radio lyin' then, that ain't where hip-hop live
The radio is lying about the true location of hip-hop culture
It lives in the streets, we eat to live they livin' to eat
Hip-hop culture is alive in the streets and is a means of sustenance for us
I'm fed up, that nigga rides in 'em, givin 'em sleep
I'm sick and tired of the industry putting people to sleep with whack music
R.I.P., make me the king of all I see
Make me the ruler of my own dominion
And when death call I'm good I got call ID
I am prepared for my own mortality
See it was planned in the front, now they just gon' front
Industry players had an agenda but now they're being disingenuous
Like my joints is on proactive, and they just don't bump
They're acting like my music isn't popping, like it's a proactive commercial
Then niggas gon' say I lost my skill
Then people are going to say I've lost my talent
when in fact they all been programmed
When in reality they've all been brainwashed
And lost they feel, fo' real
And have lost their genuine emotions
Ask Miss Hill, half these critics ain't got half this skill
Lauren Hill can attest to the fact that many critics lack the talent that I have
Often so hungry that they have to steal
They're often so desperate that they must resort to theft
If I didn't have my deal, and didn't have this mass appeal
If I didn't have a record deal and widespread popularity
Then I'm back up in that trap, swingin' crack it's real
Then I'd be back to selling drugs on the streets
And that ain't worth the time, so search and find a new nerve
That lifestyle isn't worth my time, so I pursue other endeavors
It take a lot more to hurt my pride
It takes a considerable effort to damage my self-esteem
Jerk my vibe more than media lies
Intrusive articles and rumors can upset me more than anything else
The last album wasn't feeling my style
People weren't into my music from my previous album
This time my foot up in they ass but they feelin' me now
This time around I'm getting more appreciation
Cause Tical, he put his heart in every track he do
Because Tical (Method Man) always puts passion into his music
But somehow yall find someway to give a whack review
But critics often still give negative reviews
It ain't all good, they writin' that I'm Hollywood
It's not all positive, they're saying I'm too commercial
Tryin' to tell you my shit ain't ghetto and they hardly hood
Trying to discredit me by saying I'm not truly from the streets
Come on man, until you dudes can write some rhymes
Until these critics can make music themselves
Keep that in mind when you find yourself reciting mines
They should remember my lyrics when they try to be successful themselves
Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.