What I Had To Do
N.O.R.E. Lyrics
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Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Peace to my street niggas
My hand in hand dudes
That follow man rules
And give out samples
Yea, see I was you 10 years ago
But bloodshed, time served many years ago
Brown skin but I could mix with a Spanish group (why?)
I'm half of that, so half of that you can't recoup
You can't find nothing to live for
You should find something to die for, therefore
You should never hang around thieves
'Cause you are who you hang with
Like trees to the leaves
I used to sell dope to the dope fiends
And crack to the crack heads by all means
Hustling, getting money was a part of me
Right through my blood, like some veins and the arteries
Apparently, the streets for the love wanna marry me
Down the alley, carry me
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I got the dope man blues
Still out here playin' dope man dudes
So come and take a walk off in my dope man shoes
So I can show you motherfuckers how the dope man do
Got niggas I've been down with deep
What I say that they down, don't sleep
Ask you got bloodstained hands, for my homeboys I lost to this fucked up plan
Goddamn, I think if I had one last wish
I want rance up out this shit
And resurrect the ones run down, in the streets gunned down,
Put the slick one round now
Imagine your cocaine sold out
You get reckless and get your brains blown out
Street life's so deep and we might not eat
A dead man won't speak and revenge is so sweet
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
The lyrics to N.O.R.E.'s (a.k.a. P.A.P.I.) song "What I Had To Do" reflects on the artist's past experiences growing up in a tough neighborhood filled with gang violence, drug dealing, and crime. The chorus repeats the phrase "Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what? Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do," expressing a sense of pride in his ability to survive and make a living in a hostile environment. The use of the term "soldier" reinforces the idea that life on the streets requires a tough mentality and the willingness to do whatever it takes to make it.
The second verse pays homage to N.O.R.E.'s experiences with dealing drugs and the relationships he formed with other dealers and users. He acknowledges that he once sold drugs but has moved past that stage in his life, cautioning listeners to choose their friends wisely as we are often judged by the company we keep. The third verse reflects on the toll that street life takes on those who engage in it, with references to loss and revenge.
Overall, "What I Had To Do" serves as a reflection on the harsh realities of life on the streets and the need to develop a tough mentality to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
I came from a harsh neighborhood, but I don't see it as a disadvantage.
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
I take pride in my experiences and my struggles have made me who I am today.
Peace to my street niggas
Respect to those who come from backgrounds similar to mine.
My hand in hand dudes
My close friends whom I can always rely on.
That follow man rules
People who respect the 'rules' of the streets and make their own code to live by.
And give out samples
Refers to giving out small quantities of drugs in order to get people hooked and create a reliable customer base.
Yea, see I was you 10 years ago
I understand the perspective of someone who is starting out on the same path I took 10 years ago.
But bloodshed, time served many years ago
I left behind that lifestyle a long time ago, and I'm not interested in going back.
Brown skin but I could mix with a Spanish group (why?)
I have mixed heritage and can relate to different groups of people because of it.
I'm half of that, so half of that you can't recoup
My heritage is a part of me that cannot be changed, and it shapes the person I am today.
You can't find nothing to live for
If you have nothing to live for, you might end up in a bad place and make poor choices.
You should find something to die for, therefore
It's important to have something you're willing to fight for, even if it means risking your life.
You should never hang around thieves
The company you keep says a lot about who you are, and associating with criminals can lead to trouble.
'Cause you are who you hang with
The people you surround yourself with can have a significant impact on your life and your actions.
Like trees to the leaves
This is a metaphor to emphasize the importance of a good foundation of people in your life.
I used to sell dope to the dope fiends
I used to sell drugs to those who were already addicted.
And crack to the crack heads by all means
I sold crack to those who were addicted, regardless of the moral implications.
Hustling, getting money was a part of me
Making money through illegal means was a part of who I was in the past.
Right through my blood, like some veins and the arteries
The lifestyle of hustling and making money was deeply ingrained in me and hard to shake off.
Apparently, the streets for the love wanna marry me
Despite leaving that life behind, there's still a pull towards it.
Down the alley, carry me
This line could represent a desire to go back to the old life or a willingness to face the consequences of past actions.
Yea, I got the dope man blues
This refers to feelings of regret or unhappiness despite still having money and success through illicit means.
Still out here playin' dope man dudes
I may have left that life behind, but I still have connections and a reputation that precedes me.
So come and take a walk off in my dope man shoes
This is an invitation to understand what led to my past actions and the mindset that came with that lifestyle.
So I can show you motherfuckers how the dope man do
This line may represent a desire to explain that there's more to the life of a drug dealer than just making money.
Got niggas I've been down with deep
These are close friends and associates with whom I have a deep, unbreakable bond.
What I say that they down, don't sleep
My friends are loyal and will be there for me no matter what.
Ask you got bloodstained hands, for my homeboys I lost to this fucked up plan
This suggests that the lifestyle of a drug dealer comes with consequences and sometimes leads to tragic outcomes.
Goddamn, I think if I had one last wish
This is a reflection of regret and the realization that things could have been different.
I want rance up out this shit
The desire to leave it all behind and start anew.
And resurrect the ones run down, in the streets gunned down,
The people who were victims of the lifestyle, either as a result of violence or addiction.
Put the slick one round now
This line might represent a call to action to change the circumstances and lifestyle of those left behind, as well as a desire to make things right.
Imagine your cocaine sold out
This line is a metaphor for realizing the impact that the drug business has on an individual and how it's prioritized above everything else.
You get reckless and get your brains blown out
This is the violent reality of the drug business and the consequences that come with it.
Street life's so deep and we might not eat
The lifestyle of a drug dealer is unpredictable and can have negative consequences for those involved.
A dead man won't speak and revenge is so sweet
This line implies that death is sometimes preferable to the potential consequences of speaking up and seeking justice, and that revenge can be a powerful motivator.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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