Ghetto
Mos Def feat. Swizz Beats & Cassidy Lyrics

Hello children
The song starts with a greeting to the audience

Black Jack Johnson NYC, R-O-C-K-I-N-G
The artist is introducing himself as Black Jack Johnson from New York City (NYC) and is ready to rock the stage

Sun and the moon, earths, stars, and planets
The artist is trying to say that he is unstoppable and his music will be heard everywhere, no matter what (like the sun, moon, earth, stars, planets)

Before song done y'all goin' all understand it
The artist is confident that by the end of the song, everyone will understand the meaning behind the lyrics and the music

Like, hot
The artist thinks that his music is really good, just like something that is hot

The haters can't fuck with it
The artist believes that his music is so good that even the haters cannot deny it

Cause they mom and they sister and girl in love with it (and they niggas)
The artist is trying to say that even the female family members of the haters love his music and even their male counterparts, which emphasizes his popularity

Sound man holla black come with it
The person in charge of the sound system at the performance is asking the artist to deliver his best performance

Sping the record 'till the record done spinning
The artist wants the DJ to play his music over and over again until everyone hears it

Up top is you getting up with it?
The artist is asking if anyone is ready to dance and enjoy the music with him

Dirty dirty is you getting crunk with it?
The artist is asking if anyone is getting hyped and dancing crazily to his music

Smokey smoke from coast to coast
The artist is referring to the widespread popularity of his music across the country

Be careful our first draw be that overdose
The artist is saying that the first time listening to his music could be so good that it is addicting, hence the lyric 'overdose'

Who stay holding it from brooklyn? you know is mos!
The artist is proud to be from Brooklyn and is asking if anyone represents it better than he does

Ha, jackpot I (sing yo) got to go for broke
The artist has hit the jackpot, and he is ready to give it his all to succeed

Is this the only way the smith family now to go
The artist is asking if a successful music career is the only way for people from his family or his community to succeed

Right here to my youngest one is older folks
The artist is saying that he wants his music to inspire and influence both younger and older generations

I'ma put down like a dirty so and so
The artist will make his mark through his music, even if he has to do so in a 'dirty' way

Freak daddy came here to work the mojo, oh
The artist is confident in his abilities as a musician and performer, referring to himself as 'Freak daddy' and is ready to work his magic on stage

Because the, high is high and the low is low
The artist acknowledges that life is full of ups and downs, which is reflected in his music

And that goes for the sinner man to holy folks
The artist's message and music is relevant to everyone, regardless of their lifestyle or beliefs

Put your shit in the sky like I know you, oh
The artist wants everyone to put their hands up and enjoy the music together

(Brooklyn stand up!)
The artist wants people from Brooklyn to represent and show their support

Ha, my ghetto nation get toe to toe
The artist is referring to the people from the ghetto as his community and is asking them to stand up and fight for what they believe in

Stay rocking steady steady 'cause I told you so
The artist's music will always be consistent and enjoyable, which he promised earlier in the song

And after y'all get it go I let it go some more
The artist will keep performing and entertaining the audience even after they have had enough

That black jack about something for sure) for sure
The artist is confident in his abilities and is saying that he is indeed 'about something'

(say what!)
This is an expression of excitement and enthusiasm

Let me see you in the world making your shoulder role
The artist wants to see his audience dancing and enjoying themselves with the music

And if it get good tell your nigga throw your 'bows
The artist is asking the audience to acknowledge and celebrate the good times, encouraging them to raise their hands and show their excitement

'Cause we are so ghetto
The artist is proud of being from the ghetto and represents it with his music

Yes we are rock and roll
The artist is merging the urban culture (ghetto) with the mainstream music genre (rock and roll)

Ha, I am a fighter and a lover
The artist is confident in his personal and musical abilities

I'm the freaky baby daddy, I'm a bad motherfucker
The artist is using creative language to describe himself as a confident, talented individual

I'm the earth, wind, fire, and the thunder
The artist is saying that his music is powerful and has an impact on people, just like the forces of nature

I said I am, go ask my mother
The artist's mother is his biggest supporter and can attest to his success and abilities

You don't believe that shit believe what you want to
The artist does not care if people do not believe in his music or message, they are free to believe what they want

Alright, ok, so, shut-up!
The artist wants the audience members who do not believe in his music to stop complaining and to listen

Speak language come straight from the gutter
The artist's lyrics are inspired by his upbringing and environment

Observe the terms that we trade with one and other
The artist is saying that there is a specific slang and language used within his community or among his peers

Like, what's good, what's popping, what's cracking
The artist is giving examples of phrases or questions that are commonly used among his community or among his friends

What it is, how you living, what's happening
The artist is giving more examples of questions that his community or friends would commonly ask each other

Work songs that the slaves sang back then
The artist acknowledges the history of his community and the songs that were born out of slavery and hard labor

The playground chants, with little girls clapping
The artist also acknowledges the innocent and carefree songs that were sung by young girls while playing

Space!
The artist wants space on the stage and is possibly instructing the audience to give him some room

Gimme the space!
The artist is asking for more room to perform

Let a nigga rock!
The artist wants to be able to perform and give his best for the audience

Let a nigga rock, ha!
This is an emphatic and playful way of reinforcing the previous statement

This is the sound
The artist is introducing his music as unique and powerful

Ghetto rock
The artist is combining the urban culture (ghetto) with the mainstream music genre (rock and roll)

This is the sound
The artist is introducing his music again as something powerful and unique

Ghetto rock
The artist is speaking to the specific identity of the song and its community

This is the sound
The artist is yet again introducing and emphasizing the power of his music and its unique identity

Ghetto rock
The artist is closing the song with a repetition of the identity and culture that the song represents

This is the sound
Final emphasis on the uniqueness and power of the song

Ghetto rock and, motherfucking roll!
Closing statement to the song, linking the ghetto culture with rock and roll