Martyrs
Mick Jenkins Lyrics

Don't die my nigga
The artist is expressing his concern for his friend's safety.

Shorty told me that she do not do the fakes
A girl the artist knows has expressed her disdain for insincerity.

Same bitch got weave
Despite the girl's attitude towards fake things, she herself wears a weave.

My nigga mow the lawn it's too many snakes
The artist's friend must be alert in order to avoid dangerous situations.

That's the same shit that got Eve
Referring to the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible where a snake is responsible for their downfall.

What? You ain't never seen a nigga on a horse?
The artist is surprised that someone has never seen a black person on a horse.

You ain't seen Chief Keef's new Porsche?
The artist is questioning whether the person has seen the expensive car belonging to rapper Chief Keef.

Naw, you ain't seen shit yet, better not forget that spit it like I chain smoke Newports
The artist is warning the listener not to underestimate him and to pay attention to his rhymes which flow like the smoking of cigarettes.

All the little niggas got guns now
There are many young people carrying guns nowadays.

And they carry them to the fucking beat
People carry guns even when they are not necessarily in dangerous situations because it has become normalized in their culture.

All these little girls give it up now
Young girls are becoming more promiscuous.

Shame, I could see the cherry stems in the fucking street
The artist is saddened by the sight of discarded cherry stems, likely from girls smoking while engaging in sexual activity.

Niggas aim too high to leave the lows
People have big dreams but do not want to go through the necessary struggles to achieve them.

Niggas hang too high to see the lows
People sometimes get so caught up in their own success that they forget about those beneath them.

Niggas ain't niggas ain't really listening let me break it down for you
People do not always give each other their full attention and the artist will explain things more clearly.

Just before you forgot about him, overlooked or started doubting
The artist fears being forgotten or doubted by his fans.

I doused it with the flow and started talking all this water shit
The artist is using a metaphor of water to describe how his words are flowing freely and strongly.

It's like I started drowning
The artist is emphasizing just how strongly he is delivering his lyrics, to the point where it feels like he is drowning in them.

In truth, the thought is pounding
The artist's thoughts are passionate and intense.

I started counting the loopholes in they stories that they tell us
The artist is highly critical of the stories told to us by society and is analyzing them carefully for flaws.

Every evening at like 10 when Judy Hsu is on yo TV tellin'
Judy Hsu is a news anchor and the artist is referencing the standard time for evening news broadcasts.

Songs in the key of life, you was on yo Stevie
The artist is referencing Songs in the Key of Life, an album by Stevie Wonder, and suggesting the listener was listening to the music rather than paying attention to the news.

I pray it's never too preachy but I'm preaching
The artist hopes to express his message without coming across as overly preachy but acknowledges that he is indeed preaching.

Losing hella blood these fuck niggas leeching
The artist is losing a lot of blood because he feels like people are taking advantage of him or trying to hurt him.

Why you reaching? I'm like 6'5"
The artist is asking why someone is trying to challenge him, as he is quite tall and imposing.

Stop it
The artist is telling the person to stop whatever they are doing that is bothering him.

We are not on the same plateau
The artist is saying that he and the other person are not on the same level.

Chateau de Chenonceau
The artist references this French castle to emphasize his point about being on a different level from the other person.

You just throwing shade in my shadow
The other person is trying to criticize or compete with the artist, but it is insignificant compared to his own achievements.

Ginger ale in my Chalice I never been champagne shallow
The artist prefers ginger ale in his chalice rather than champagne, and does not care for shallow or materialistic displays of wealth.

I'd never run from a battle I'd rather hang from the gallows
The artist is not afraid of fighting and would rather face his enemies head on, even if it means dying for his cause.

For I let a stray bullet catch a nigga on the 9
The artist would rather be killed in a fair fight, rather than being hit by a stray bullet from a gun.

Trey 8 pulling 0-9; Kwame Brown; if a nigga act foul then we put em on the line
The artist references the jersey number of professional basketball player Kwame Brown to suggest that he and his friends are not afraid to take action against someone who acts unfairly or aggressively.

It's a shame that's the game on these young niggas minds like
The artist is disappointed in how many young people are focused solely on achieving material success and sexual conquests.

Hanging on for dear life
People are holding on tightly to what they believe is necessary to achieve success and happiness.

For the love of the money
People are motivated by a desire for wealth and material possessions.

Don't that shit sound funny?
The artist is questioning the logic of people's obsession with money and material things.

For the love of the gold
People are driven by a desire for wealth and success.

Don't that shit feel cold?
The artist is suggesting that people's preoccupation with material things is hurtful and sad.