Vodka
Mike & Rich Lyrics

I owe my life to the culture
I recognize that my life has been shaped and influenced by the cultural experiences and influences around me.

Used to see it from a bird's eye view
I used to have a detached and distant perspective on life, observing it from a higher vantage point.

But could never say that I was a vulture
But I could never claim to exploit or take advantage of others for personal gain.

Marchin' through city hall, middle of a pandemic
Actively protesting and advocating for change in the midst of a widespread health crisis.

Cop cars in flames, the pain was transcendent
The intensity of the emotions and anguish felt by the community led to acts of rebellion and destruction.

While Black souls marching through the pearly gates
Black individuals who lost their lives were symbolically marching into heaven after their deaths.

The poverty or the pigs put 'em in early graves
The combination of poverty and the actions of corrupt police officers resulted in the premature deaths of these individuals.

Don't tell me they deserve their fate
Don't try to justify or argue that these individuals deserved the tragic outcomes they faced.

Every time the sun rise in my city so does the murder rate
The occurrence of violent crimes, including murders, escalates with each sunrise in my city.

Their blood becoming part of the pavement
The bloodshed and loss of life leaving a permanent and haunting mark on the streets.

Either that or they're being incarcerated
Unable to escape their fate, they are either dying or being imprisoned.

Lack of love is fillin' their heart with hatred
The absence of love and care in their lives leads to the growth of anger and animosity within them.

It's hard to see it, it's even harder to say it
Recognizing and acknowledging this difficult reality is challenging and expressing it is even more difficult.

But it's just truth
However, this is just the undeniable truth of the situation.

Them judges bang the gavel like they don't want proof
The judges deliver judgments without proper examination or consideration of evidence, as if they are not interested in true justice.

Turnin' men to monsters like it's Halloween
The justice system is transforming men into monstrous figures, much like the transformations that occur on Halloween.

when they puttin' Black bodies in them orange jumpsuits
Referring to the incarceration of Black individuals and their representation in prisons with the color symbolism of orange jumpsuits.

This shit'll scare ya, we livin' in a different era
The current state of affairs is frightening, indicating that we are experiencing a distinct and unsettling time period.

I wrestle with my conscious like I'm Ken Patera
I grapple with my moral conscience and thoughts, likening it to the struggles faced by professional wrestler Ken Patera.

Can't say I never glorified it
I cannot deny that I have, at some point, romanticized or portrayed certain aspects in a glorified manner.

Can't ignore the violence
However, I cannot overlook or disregard the presence and impact of violence in our society.

The shit I seen is horrifying
The experiences and events I have witnessed are deeply disturbing and shocking.

No justice, no peace
Without the presence of true justice, there can be no genuine peace.

Fuck the police, no brotherly love in those streets
Expressing strong discontent and resentment towards the police, highlighting the absence of brotherly love and unity in the community.

It feel like hell up in Philly, goddamn
Describing the overwhelming sense of turmoil and anguish in Philadelphia, emphasizing the distressing nature of the situation.

We just tryna stay cool like Vok Man
Despite the challenges and difficulties, we are simply attempting to maintain composure and remain calm like Vok Man (a reference to the brand Vok Vodka).

I took a chance and danced in the romance
I embraced risks and engaged in a passionate love affair or a thrilling experience.

And glanced at the enhanced bankroll in my pants
I briefly looked at the significantly increased amount of money in my possession.

Hypnotized in a trance from wakin' up off of Xans
Feeling deeply captivated and entranced after waking up from the effects of Xanax pills.

And I don't know if I'm takin' off or tryna land
Feeling uncertain about whether I am progressing and achieving success or struggling and facing setbacks.

So I chalked it as God's plan
In order to find solace and explanation, I attributed it to a divine plan crafted by God.

'Cause remember me and my man, we swore to protect land
Because my friend and I pledged to defend and safeguard our territory.

And they never tried it again, so we said that we need hands
As a result, no one dared to challenge us again, and we concluded that we required additional support and assistance.

Without the if's and the and's and but's
Without any conditions, exceptions, or excuses.

But what then?
However, what comes next?

When all I got is my pen, and in my eyes I'm from Japan
When the only resource I possess is my writing, and I perceive myself as being from Japan in my own perspective.

And in my heart, I'm from Iraq with America in my ear
While in my heart, I feel connected to Iraq, I am influenced and affected by American culture and society.

I have ice in my veins, I have nothin' to fear
I possess a sense of coldness and emotional detachment, free from fear and intimidation.

I have smoke in my lungs, weed crumbs in my beard
My lungs are filled with the smoke of marijuana, and there are traces of weed crumbs in my facial hair.

And beer on my breath, stressed, makin' it weird
My breath smells of alcohol, and I am experiencing stress, making the situation uncomfortable and unusual.

Tryna finesse unless they was makin' it fair
Attempting to achieve success skillfully, unless the circumstances were equitable and just.

Enjoyin' life so much, I taste death in the air
Finding immense pleasure and enjoyment in life, to the extent that I can sense the presence of death looming in the surrounding atmosphere.

It smell like a chocolate eclair, you got the right to be scared
The scent resembles that of a chocolate eclair dessert, indicating that it is pleasant yet also suggesting a legitimate reason to feel afraid or threatened.

Shine all day and damn, by night you'll be dead
Exuding confidence and success during the day, but facing potential danger and harm that could result in death during the night.

Grind all day and man, by night you'll be rich
Working tirelessly and consistently throughout the day, and eventually achieving financial wealth and success by night.

By night you'll be rich
During the night, you will have attained riches and prosperity.

Grind all day and man, by night you'll be rich
If you continue to work diligently and persistently throughout the day, you will ultimately achieve wealth and success by night.

Old Man Winter
A humorous reference to oneself or someone else as a personification of the winter season, suggesting a degree of age and experience.