What It's Like
N.O.R.E. Feat. Beanie Sigel Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Cor-cor-cormill)
Uh, uh, uh, uh
Uh, uh, uh, uh
Uh, uh
Let me talk my shit

My closest brother changed on me over a bitch (oh-oh)
My other brother changed on me over a nick (oh)
I'm not gon' cry, my laces tied, I'm not gon' trip cuz (oh)
I'm still around, they can't be found, ain't that some shit? (Oh)
Ain't that some shit? I done seen some shit
If I cut you off it's probably 'cause I peeped some shit (oh, oh)
I can't plead the fifth, I can't please no bitch (oh)
Lost too much motivation, I feel like I wanna quit
You don't know how rejection feel
They mad 'cause I kept it real
I don't care if you like it or you don't, you gotta respect it still
Know they not gon' do what they say they gon' do but I expect it still
Even if I make it out them trenches, I'ma rep it still
Everything I did was on my own, without a record deal
And they disrespect me still, the disrespect is real
And I'm not gon' waste my time to hate, when I could get you killed
I still ain't changed on none of my niggas and I never will (oh)

I'm on my own, still holdin' it down, you don't know what it's like (yeah, yeah)
Get a phone call and drop to the ground, you don't know what it's like (woah, ooh-woah)
They said my bro not gon' be around, you don't know what it's like (no, woah)
You don't know what it's like, you don't know what it's like (no, oh-woah)

His mother hittin' up his phone but he ain't pickin' up (he ain't pickin' up)
You was 'posed to be my bro but you keep switchin' up
Yes, we know where his trap at, fuck around and stick it up
I used to get laughed at, funny how I'm rich as fuck (rich as fuck)
Put this pressure on me (hmm, hmm)
Why you wanna put this pressure on me? I don't put pressure on you
Don't put no pressure on me (don't put no pressure on me)
(Oh, oh-oh, yeah, oh, oh-oh)
It's three to one, we just killed your dawg so what's the get back?
I don't fear no one might just spin the block, where he got left at
Murder, murder, pothole filled with blood, watch where you step at
Try to take me out my glow before I reach it, I can't let that
They like, "J.I., why you preach about the same shit?"
Pistol by my side but I sleep with her like my main bitch
Took your broski out the picture, we ain't seen him in a frame since
I just caught a body, I can't tell you how my day went
And all these dead bodies, down the block, you smell the fragrance
Run up on me, I'ma show you why they call me dangerous (yeah, yeah)
So watch who you steppin' to 'cause this shit could get technical
You ain't live this life, you don't know what it's like, I can't expect you to

I'm on my own, still holdin' it down, you don't know what it's like (yeah, yeah)
Get a phone call and drop to the ground, you don't know what it's like (woah, ooh-woah)
They said my bro not gon' be around, you don't know what it's like (no, woah)
You don't know what it's like, you don't know what it's like (no, oh-woah)
I'm on my own, still holdin' it down, you don't know what it's like (yeah, yeah)
Get a phone call and drop to the ground, you don't know what it's like (yeah, yeah)
They said my bro not gon' be around, you don't know what it's like (no, woah)
You don't know what it's like, you don't know what it's like (no, oh-woah)

Oh, ooh-woah
Oh, oh-oh
Yeah




Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Let me talk my shit

Overall Meaning

The song "What It's Like" by N.O.R.E. featuring Beanie Sigel is a deep and introspective look into the emotions and experiences of the two hip-hop artists. The song talks about the changes that have occurred in relationships, the feelings of betrayal, and the pain of losing loved ones. The lyrics show how the artists have experienced tough times and come out stronger.


The first verse talks about N.O.R.E.'s experience with friends who changed on him over time. He states that he is not going to cry over the situation and is keeping his head held high. He has seen and been through a lot, and if he decides to cut someone off, it is because he has seen something sketchy. He also talks about his loss of motivation and the feeling of wanting to give up. In the end, he says that he still respects his friends and that he will always be there for them.


The second verse is rapped by Beanie Sigel and is more violent and direct. He talks about the pressure that is on him, the violence he has seen, and how he reacts to it. He also mentions that people who have not lived this life cannot understand it, and he cannot expect them to. Together, the verses create a deep and personal look into the experiences that the artists have faced.


Line by Line Meaning

My closest brother changed on me over a bitch (oh-oh)
My best friend betrayed me over a woman


My other brother changed on me over a nick (oh)
Another close friend betrayed me over a small amount of drugs


I'm not gon' cry, my laces tied, I'm not gon' trip cuz (oh)
I won't cry or lose my cool, I'll keep moving forward


I'm still around, they can't be found, ain't that some shit? (Oh)
I'm still here, but my former friends are nowhere to be seen


Ain't that some shit? I done seen some shit
It's shocking and I've experienced a lot


If I cut you off it's probably 'cause I peeped some shit (oh, oh)
If I end our relationship, it's because I've noticed your true colors


I can't plead the fifth, I can't please no bitch (oh)
I can't stay silent and I can't satisfy everyone


Lost too much motivation, I feel like I wanna quit
I'm losing my drive and considering giving up


You don't know how rejection feel
You can't understand the pain of being turned away


They mad 'cause I kept it real
They are angry because I spoke honestly


I don't care if you like it or you don't, you gotta respect it still
You may not agree, but you have to acknowledge it


Know they not gon' do what they say they gon' do but I expect it still
I'm aware they won't follow through, but I still have hopes


Even if I make it out them trenches, I'ma rep it still
Even if I leave my struggles behind, I won't forget them


Everything I did was on my own, without a record deal
I accomplished everything without any help from the industry


And they disrespect me still, the disrespect is real
Despite my success, they still disrespect me


And I'm not gon' waste my time to hate, when I could get you killed
I won't dwell on hatred, I have the power to harm you instead


I still ain't changed on none of my niggas and I never will (oh)
I've never betrayed any of my friends and won't in the future


I'm on my own, still holdin' it down, you don't know what it's like (yeah, yeah)
I'm on my own, still standing strong despite the challenges, you can't relate


Get a phone call and drop to the ground, you don't know what it's like (woah, ooh-woah)
I received devastating news, you can't grasp the feeling


They said my bro not gon' be around, you don't know what it's like (no, woah)
I was told my friend won't be around anymore, you can't comprehend


His mother hittin' up his phone but he ain't pickin' up (he ain't pickin' up)
His mom keeps calling but he's not answering


You was 'posed to be my bro but you keep switchin' up
You were supposed to be a close friend, but you keep changing your loyalty


Yes, we know where his trap at, fuck around and stick it up
We're aware of his drug dealing location and might rob him


I used to get laughed at, funny how I'm rich as fuck (rich as fuck)
I used to be mocked, but now it's ironic that I'm wealthy


Put this pressure on me (hmm, hmm)
Causing me stress and anxiety


Why you wanna put this pressure on me? I don't put pressure on you
Why are you making things hard for me when I didn't do the same to you?


Don't put no pressure on me (don't put no pressure on me)
Stop stressing me out


It's three to one, we just killed your dawg so what's the get back?
We outnumber you and killed one of your friends, what are you going to do?


I don't fear no one might just spin the block, where he got left at
I'm not scared and might retaliate where he was killed


Murder, murder, pothole filled with blood, watch where you step at
There's a lot of violence, avoid stepping on blood-filled potholes


Try to take me out my glow before I reach it, I can't let that
Don't try to bring me down before I succeed, I won't allow it


They like, "J.I., why you preach about the same shit?"
People ask me why I always talk about the same topics


Pistol by my side but I sleep with her like my main bitch
I carry a gun with me all the time, it's like a loyal girlfriend


Took your broski out the picture, we ain't seen him in a frame since
We got rid of your friend, he hasn't been seen since


I just caught a body, I can't tell you how my day went
I killed someone, it's been a hectic day


And all these dead bodies, down the block, you smell the fragrance
There are many dead bodies nearby, you can smell the decay


Run up on me, I'ma show you why they call me dangerous (yeah, yeah)
If you mess with me, I'll prove why I'm known as dangerous


So watch who you steppin' to 'cause this shit could get technical
Be careful who you provoke, the situation could get complicated


You ain't live this life, you don't know what it's like, I can't expect you to
You haven't experienced my struggles, so you can't understand, I don't blame you




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Corliss Waitman, Justin Irvin Rivera

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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