Victor Santiago Jr. (born September 6, 1977 in Queens, New York), better kn… Read Full Bio ↴Victor Santiago Jr. (born September 6, 1977 in Queens, New York), better known by his stage name N.O.R.E, is an American rapper, one half of hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga that debuted in 1996 and founder of Thugged Out Militainment. He released his debut album, N.O.R.E., in 1998 under the name Noreaga.

The Problem
N.O.R.E. Lyrics

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[Chorus]
The moment when you see that nigga face again
Replay it in your mind then your breathing change
He's reaching in his jacket, he gone make it rain
The bystanders screaming lawwwdd
The DJ screaming lawwwdd
The AK screaming lawwwdd
That's the nigga mama hard

Her baby stretched out on the boulevard

Niggas trying to shit on me and make history
Supposedly I help chicks, help them with groceries
Supposedly I still break, gripping my rosary
Still shoot ya block up then make you notice me
(Lawwwdd) Bullets flyin in the air much
Fuckin' gheard the guy hurt, I don't even care much
(Lawwwdd) And I'm still smoking bogomill
Still have the street meeting, stop one broker deals
You my nigga nigga fuck how nigga Oprah feels
Papi, I pop guns, they don't pop me
Known shooting niggas, but nah, they never shot me
Hang hang good bell gang, don't make us pop three

[Chorus]

Yeah, I hear you talking what year, nigga whatever nigga
You did time, me too nigga, whatever nigga
Pussy plus dick could only equal to fuck
NORE + Pharrell could only equal to what what what what
From blood money to love money and thug money
Nino what up? Fucking the oldest G's money
I've shot niggas in they motherfucking peep holes
Winter time, shot niggas in they ski clothes
(Lawwwdd) still I stay focused still
Catch cases, got cases is open still
(Lawwwdd) slime fall or slime out
Good bell gang hang hang, nigga ride out

[Chorus]

Neptune, cocker spaniel, underground ?
My dick, two can handle two chicks, tu Cumpleanos
Italian shit, The Soprano, I attack like a rebel
I attack, I attack, counteract, cardiac
Shootin' at yo Pontiac, wherever were your army at
(Lawwwdd) Mascato with the peach mix
(Lawwwdd) I'm just rollin' with some freak chicks
(Lawwwdd) here the drinks come spiked, prefixed

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "The Problem" by N.O.R.E. featuring Pharrell is a track where the artists talk about their street experiences, shooting and killing people, and the emotions that come with those actions. The chorus describes a scene where someone pulls out a gun and starts shooting, causing chaos and panic around them. The lyrics suggest that the gunmen do not care about the bystanders' safety or perception of them, and they are more interested in making a name for themselves on the streets. They describe how the experience of seeing violence and danger can change a person even after the danger has passed.

The artists then speak about their own experiences with violence and how it has affected them. They describe shooting people in the winter, in their ski clothes and peepholes. They talk about going from committing crimes for money to doing it out of love and loyalty to their old friends. They also mention their success with women and their ability to handle multiple partners at once, showing off their bravado and dominance to the listener. The song uses a lot of slang and references to street life, making it relatable to people who have experienced that kind of environment.

Line by Line Meaning

The moment when you see that nigga face again
That moment when you see the face of the person who wronged you and it triggers a rush of emotions

Replay it in your mind then your breathing change
Your heart rate and breathing rate changes as you keep replaying the incident in your mind and getting angrier each time

He's reaching in his jacket, he gone make it rain
The person is about to pull out a gun from their jacket and start shooting

The bystanders screaming lawwwdd
Everyone around is praying for their safety and calling out to God in fear

The DJ screaming lawwwdd
Even the DJ is frightened and calling out to God

The AK screaming lawwwdd
The sound of the AK-47 is so loud it feels like it's screaming and causing chaos

That's the nigga mama hard
The mother of the person who got shot is devastated and heartbroken

Her baby stretched out on the boulevard
The person who got shot is lying on the street, motionless and lifeless, in a pool of blood

Niggas trying to shit on me and make history
People are trying to bring me down and tarnish my legacy

Supposedly I help chicks, help them with groceries
I'm rumored to be a kind person who helps women by carrying their groceries

Supposedly I still break, gripping my rosary
Even though people think I've changed and have become religious, I still have a tendency to be violent

Still shoot ya block up then make you notice me
I'll still shoot your block up and grab your attention, make sure you know who's in charge

(Lawwwdd) Bullets flyin in the air much
In the middle of the chaos, bullets are flying in the air, threatening the lives of everyone around

Fuckin' gheard the guy hurt, I don't even care much
Even though I heard someone got hurt, I don't really care because violence is a normal part of my life

(Lawwwdd) And I'm still smoking bogomill
Even though people are dying and the situation is intense, I'm still smoking and trying to act cool

Still have the street meeting, stop one broker deals
I'm still conducting my illegal meetings in the street to close shady deals with brokers

You my nigga nigga fuck how nigga Oprah feels
You are important to me and I don't care what anyone else thinks, not even Oprah

Papi, I pop guns, they don't pop me
I'm the one using guns and shooting people, no one has been able to retaliate and shoot me back

Known shooting niggas, but nah, they never shot me
Even though people know that I shoot others, no one has been able to successfully shoot back at me

Hang hang good bell gang, don't make us pop three
Don't mess with us, the Good Bell Gang, because we'll shoot back three times as hard

(Lawwwdd) Neptune, cocker spaniel, underground ?
In this moment of chaos, I'm calling out for help from the higher power, God

My dick, two can handle two chicks, tu Cumpleanos
I'm bragging about being able to handle two women at once and also referencing a Spanish phrase which means, 'It's your birthday'

Italian shit, The Soprano, I attack like a rebel
I reference Italian mafia, The Sopranos, and how I attack like a rebel without any regard for rules

I attack, I attack, counteract, cardiac
I'm ready to attack and counteract against anyone who tries to come at me, even if it gives them a heart attack

Shootin' at yo Pontiac, wherever were your army at
I'm shooting at your car and wondering where your backup is, showing no fear or hesitation

(Lawwwdd) Mascato with the peach mix
In this moment of chaos, I'm still drinking and trying to have a good time

(Lawwwdd) I'm just rollin' with some freak chicks
I'm hanging out with some wild and promiscuous women, adding to my carefree attitude

(Lawwwdd) here the drinks come spiked, prefixed
In this situation, even the drinks are spiked and pre-mixed to intensify the atmosphere

[Chorus]
These are the repeated lines of the chorus throughout the song

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PHARRELL WILLIAMS, VICTOR SANTIAGO JR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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