Black & Blue
Mos Def & Mekhi Phifer Lyrics


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[Mos Def]
You don't like me huh? Well I like me
I got somethin to say to you
I see you standin on the side wit your smile and your crooked eyes
Acting like a man but a chick frontin in disguise
Open on some thicker thighs, smokin on a blunt of lies
Tradin in a badge for a sash sayin sucker hi
Lookin at her son now, probably make a mother cry
Should of listened to that song tellin' you to "Walk on by"
But you didn't now your washed up like a cup of tide
Let me know I got the heat when you think it's time to dry

[Mekhi Phifer]
What you think you talkin 'bout mistake me for some other guy
Need to buy a watch cause ain't no shorty gonna give the time
Day or nights birthdays, Kwanzas or Valentines
Big talk, really small but you ain't a friend of mines
You ain't even genuwine sweeter than a Cinnabon

[Mos Def]
But wit five fingers and a fist I'm deadly as the Pentagon
You don't want beef with MILLER 'cause I'm ILLER

[Mekhi Phifer]
Or because you bout as criminal as killers

[Mos Def]
Whoa how, I see you slick with the words now
Bad cause you got a chick with some curves now
Calm your nerves down you was locked Carmen Brown
Draws had hers down scored on the first down
Yeah, so get your keys out your purse now
Run to your car before you're laying in a hearse clown

[Mekhi Phifer]
How you sound yo you dirtier than Jers now
Extortin all that money thought you'd have a couple furs now

[Mos Def]
Ha, watch ya speed I don't want to play around
You got your head in the clouds I'm bout to bring it to the ground
It's somethin that you need to know

[Mekhi Phifer]
They got you on video?





[Mos Def]
Sike but your girl Carmen Brown is a silly hoe

Overall Meaning

The song "Black & Blue" by Mos Def & Mekhi Phifer is a diss track, where the two rappers address someone they have a problem with, by describing them as fake, deceitful, and not genuine. The lyrics are full of wordplay and clever metaphors, with Mos Def starting the song off by acknowledging his own self-worth, telling the person who has a problem with him that he likes himself, even if they don't. Mos Def then goes on to call this person out for pretending to be a man but acting like a woman, and for lying to themselves by smoking on a blunt of lies. He compares their badge (of authority or power) to a sash that says "sucker hi," implying that they are foolish and not really in charge.


Mekhi Phifer takes over the next verse, stating that Mos Def's foe has mistaken him for someone else, and that he needs a watch because no woman would give him the time. He goes on to call the person small-minded but pretending to be a big shot and not sincere, "sweeter than a Cinnabon." Mos Def then jumps back in with the rhymes, saying that with his fists, he's deadly as the Pentagon, again comparing his opponent to an impersonal structure that is meant for war. He reminds them that they don't want to mess with him because he's the "ILLER" Miller, and they are not criminal like killers. The back and forth continues with Mos Def telling the person they are trying to sound slick but aren't, with an insult about the woman they are with, Carmen Brown. The song ends with the two rappers telling the person to calm down before they get hurt, that they are being watched, and that their reputation as a "silly hoe" proceeds them.


Line by Line Meaning

You don't like me huh? Well I like me
I don't need your validation, I only care about myself.


I got somethin to say to you
I have a message for you, pay attention.


I see you standin on the side wit your smile and your crooked eyes
I notice you pretending to be friendly, but your true colors show.


Acting like a man but a chick frontin in disguise
You're pretending to be tough, but you're really a coward.


Open on some thicker thighs, smokin on a blunt of lies
You're indulging in unhealthy habits and deception.


Tradin in a badge for a sash sayin sucker hi
You're giving up your authority for petty recognition.


Lookin at her son now, probably make a mother cry
Your actions could hurt innocent people, perhaps even a child.


Should of listened to that song tellin' you to "Walk on by"
You should have had the sense to avoid trouble.


But you didn't now your washed up like a cup of tide
You didn't listen, and now you're in a bad situation.


Let me know I got the heat when you think it's time to dry
I have the power to take you down if you keep acting out of line.


What you think you talkin 'bout mistake me for some other guy
You're confused if you think you can mess with me.


Need to buy a watch cause ain't no shorty gonna give the time
You need to get your priorities straight because no one is interested in your nonsense.


Day or nights birthdays, Kwanzas or Valentines
It doesn't matter what day it is, I'll still be ready for you.


Big talk, really small but you ain't a friend of mines
You may act tough, but you're not a real friend.


You ain't even genuwine sweeter than a Cinnabon
You're not authentic, you're fake and corny.


But wit five fingers and a fist I'm deadly as the Pentagon
I'm capable of fighting if things escalate.


You don't want beef with MILLER 'cause I'm ILLER
You should avoid starting a conflict with me because I am more skilled than you.


Or because you bout as criminal as killers
You have a criminal mindset, and it would only lead to trouble.


Whoa how, I see you slick with the words now
You're trying to talk your way out of a confrontation.


Bad cause you got a chick with some curves now
You think you're hot stuff because you're with a woman.


Calm your nerves down you was locked Carmen Brown
You're acting too confident, even though you got in trouble before.


Draws had hers down scored on the first down
You took advantage of someone and it's not something to be proud of.


Yeah, so get your keys out your purse now
You better leave before things get worse.


Run to your car before you're laying in a hearse clown
You should hurry up and leave before you get hurt.


How you sound yo you dirtier than Jers now
You sound ridiculous, and your reputation is already bad.


Extortin all that money thought you'd have a couple furs now
You're wasting your money on material things and being greedy.


Ha, watch ya speed I don't want to play around
Don't mess with me, things could get ugly real quick.


You got your head in the clouds I'm bout to bring it to the ground
You're acting like you're invincible, but I'm about to put you in your place.


It's somethin that you need to know
There is something important I need to tell you.


They got you on video?
Did someone catch your wrongdoings on camera?


Sike but your girl Carmen Brown is a silly hoe
Just kidding, but Carmen Brown is not worth your trouble because she is promiscuous.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@gawdmoderob241

“ Oh you don’t like me, that’s alright I like me…” 🔥🔥 a villain

@simone2734

🔥🔥🔥

@lamargarrison8640

This beat is so 🔥 🔥🔥 and Mos Def is still underrated big facts

@TheBlackKakashi

Didn't know there was a better quality of this song

@AhmadAli-op2xc

I love this rap song

@AhmadAli-op2xc

I like Carmen hip hopera movie i been watching movie when i was baby & i love the rap, especially this rap song

@bjmaddox9651

Mos Def nice

@meka4122

Mekhi Phifer

@Brownqueentravels

Still hot in 2020

@od1377

2022😈

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