Prologue
N. K. Jemisin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With they sick ass
Walk up on me
It’s all daps
Like they rooting for me
With all claps
But that’s all traps
Cuz they all rats
Tilt the brim on my ball cap
Pour the Rem in my tall glass
And fall back
Cuz I’m all rap
Freight Train lay tracks
And he spit cold facts
Everybody know what the truth is
But don’t fuck with me
Cuz like Eazy-E
I show up, show out, I’m ruthless
Show me where the booth is
Cuz I need to lay me a verse
Y’all 16s are some throw aways
Whole tapes be sounding like Nerf
And that’s soft ball
Cuz y’all amateurs
Question me and I’ll damage ya
Show me to your manager
Because maybe you should learn to hold a camera bruh
I don’t need to know where the throne is
Just put me where the dome is
They opening and I’m closing
Cuz they goin in
Til my show end
And now how I’m suppose to introduce myself
When I step on stage and they be like “who’s this”
Til they hear my voice, feel my flow
Catch my vibe and they be like he rips
RIP to all that mumble shit
Usually I’m on my humble tip
But I’m hungry
Feeling like a lion on the prowl
So I guess this your welcome to the jungle bitch
This here’s the story of a champion
Who’s acumen
Is backed by a knack to win
He packs a pen and pad
And really packs em in
And any competition
He be lapping them
Running the track like Usain
Cuz Winning be his true aim
Spitting plutonium and
Moving like he’s Bruce Wayne
Or more so Bane
With his 6’4 frame
Cuz Freight Train
Knocks lames into they own lane
Uh
I’m on a mission
Feeling like a politician
I make em listen
Cuz lyricism is what they missing
Don’t wanna miss him
Waiting on me like the last train
Like it was written
I’m the Thanos of the rap game
Don’t make me snap
Cuz once I do
Y’all really can’t come back
I’m here to G check rap
And I been on that
Hit on hats
And really kick on cats
Until I reclaim wax
Put my spin on that
Rather split my cap
Then give Hip-Hop back
And dawg that’s big facts
Can’t wait to see Tia Hill
Letty Martinez or Jacques Morel
Explaining my lyrics up on genius
I be deeper than the seas
When my pen bleeds
So over y’all heads
You need telescope to get me
Can still turn up so don't tempt me
Too easy these days
Making money by being empty
I can promise y’all that I am simply
The shit y’all been waiting on
Whether you’re with me or against me
This just the prologue
A fuckin intro
So you better believe
The album’s anything but simple
I’m the repo man
Y’all had the game too long
It’s just a rental
Take it and clench it up in my dentals
Hungry and vicious since they let me out the kennel
But you can try to take it from the sentinel
But it’s my turn
Imma let the whole world burn
If can’t change the music or the mental
No tats on my face
And no guns on my waist
I can promise y’all I’m something different
Ate crumbs for the taste
Sat and waited for plates
Now it’s time for y’all asses to listen
Uhh
The lyrics to N. K. Jemisin's song Prologue are focused on the rapper's skills, determination, and confidence in his music. The first verse is about how others might try to bring him down, but he knows they are all talk and he won't be fooled by their false support. The second verse centers around the rapper's drive to succeed, his love of hip-hop as an art form, and his belief in his talent.
The rapper uses the metaphor of a freight train and a champion to describe himself, emphasizing his power and strength. He also references famous rappers like Eazy-E and Thanos, positioning himself as a key figure in the rap game who is not to be underestimated. Overall, the lyrics display a sense of swagger and determination, with a focus on the rapper's talent and respect for the art form.
Line by Line Meaning
Steady talking that slick trash
They keep talking arrogantly with their smooth talk
With they sick ass
It's disgusting how they act
Walk up on me
They approach me
It's all daps
They're acting friendly like we're good friends
Like they rooting for me
They act like they support me
With all claps
Everyone is applauding
But that's all traps
Their behavior is fake, they're setting a trap
Cuz they all rats
They are all snakes, not to be trusted
I see the snakes in the tall grass
I can see their deception
Tilt the brim on my ball cap
I adjust my baseball cap
Pour the Rem in my tall glass
I pour my drink
And fall back
I take a step back
Cuz I'm all rap
I only care about the music
Freight train lay tracks
My music is powerful like a train
And he spit cold facts
My lyrics are true and accurate
Everybody know what the truth is
People know what's really going on
But don't f*ck with me
Don't mess with me
Cuz like Eazy-E
I'm ruthless like the late rapper Eazy-E
I show up, show out, I'm ruthless
I come in strong and don't hold back
Show me where the booth is
Tell me where to go to record
Cuz I need to lay me a verse
I need to record my lyrics
Y'all 16s are some throw aways
Your lyrics are not worth much
Whole tapes be sounding like Nerf
Your music is weak and lacks power
And that's soft ball
That's weak
Cuz y'all amateurs
You're not professionals
Question me and I'll damage ya
Challenge me and you'll regret it
Show me to your manager
Let me speak to your boss
Because maybe you should learn to hold a camera bruh
You need to work on other skills
I don't need to know where the throne is
I don't need to be in charge
Just put me where the dome is
Just let me perform
They opening and I'm closing
I'm the best performer
Cuz they goin in
The audience is enjoying the performance
Til my show end
Until the concert is over
And now how I'm suppose to introduce myself
How should I present myself?
When I step on stage and they be like "who's this"
When people don't know who I am
Til they hear my voice, feel my flow
Until they hear my unique sound and style
Catch my vibe and they be like he rips
When they understand and enjoy my music
RIP to all that mumble shit
I don't like when rappers mumble their lyrics
Usually I'm on my humble tip
Usually, I'm modest
But I'm hungry
But right now, I'm ambitious
Feeling like a lion on the prowl
I feel powerful and fierce
So I guess this your welcome to the jungle bitch
So consider this my introduction
This here's the story of a champion
These lyrics are about someone who succeeds
Who's acumen
Who's smart and talented
Is backed by a knack to win
Wins a lot
He packs a pen and pad
He's a writer
And really packs em in
His concerts are popular
And any competition
Against any opponents
He be lapping them
He easily beats them
Running the track like Usain
Running as fast as Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt
Cuz Winning be his true aim
He really wants to win
Spitting plutonium and
His lyrics are powerful like nuclear energy
Moving like he's Bruce Wayne
He moves and acts like the fictional superhero Batman
Or more so Bane
Or even more like his enemy Bane
With his 6'4 frame
Describing his tall height
Cuz Freight Train
His music is powerful like a train
Knocks lames into they own lane
He shows people what they're good at
I'm on a mission
I have a specific goal
Feeling like a politician
I feel like a powerful figure
I make em listen
I grab their attention
Cuz lyricism is what they missing
Because people need good lyrics
Don't wanna miss him
Don't overlook me
Waiting on me like the last train
Eagerly waiting for my arrival
Like it was written
Like destiny
I'm the Thanos of the rap game
I'm a powerful figure in the rap world like the villainous Thanos from Marvel comics
Don't make me snap
Don't provoke me
Cuz once I do
Because once I lose my temper
Y'all really can't come back
It will be too late for you to make up for it
I'm here to G check rap
I'm here to make sure rap is good and real
And I been on that
I've been doing that for a while
Hit on hats
I criticize other rappers
And really kick on cats
I don't hesitate to attack
Until I reclaim wax
Until I have the top album
Put my spin on that
Add my own unique style
Rather split my cap
I'd rather split my own head
Then give Hip-Hop back
Than give back the rap genre
And dawg that's big facts
And that's very true
Can't wait to see Tia Hill
Can't wait to see a specific person who appreciates my music
Letty Martinez or Jacques Morel
Other people who appreciate my music
Explaining my lyrics up on genius
Analyzing my lyrics on the Genius website
I be deeper than the seas
I'm very deep
When my pen bleeds
When I write
So over y'all heads
Going over your understanding
You need telescope to get me
You need help to understand me
Can still turn up so don't tempt me
But I can still be intense
Too easy these days
It's too easy to make money in music these days
Making money by being empty
Some rappers have empty lyrics and still make money
I can promise y'all that I am simply
I promise that I'm not empty
The shit y'all been waiting on
I'm the thing you've been waiting for
Whether you're with me or against me
Whether you like my music or not
This just the prologue
This is just the beginning
A fuckin intro
An explicit introduction
So you better believe
Believe it
The album's anything but simple
The album is going to be complex
I'm the repo man
I'm taking back the rap game
Y'all had the game too long
Other rappers have had control for too long
It's just a rental
They only have it temporarily
Take it and clench it up in my dentals
I'm taking control and holding on tight
Hungry and vicious since they let me out the kennel
I'm ambitious and fierce since I started my career
But you can try to take it from the sentinel
You can try to challenge me, but I'm strong
But it's my turn
It's my time to succeed
Imma let the whole world burn
I'm unstoppable and powerful
If can't change the music or the mental
If I can't change the way people think about music
No tats on my face
I don't have tattoos on my face
And no guns on my waist
I don't carry guns
I can promise y'all I'm something different
I'm unique and not like other rappers
Ate crumbs for the taste
I started from the bottom
Sat and waited for plates
I worked hard and waited patiently
Now it's time for y'all asses to listen
Now people will have to take me seriously
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Paul Hébert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Osborne
The quality of the prologue alone (I think) shows how Jemisin was able to walk away with the Hugo Award three years in row! She's a phenomenal wordsmith with outstanding vision.
A Critical Dragon
She is a brilliant author. I may not personally have been as big a fan of the second and third books, she crafted an excellent story and it is really well written.
Fantastic Philosophy
Thank you so much for this, i just love Jemisin's writing!
This must be one of my favourite opening lines ever, and the last paragraph always gave me goosebumps. Also, i love the combination of fantasy and sciencefiction in this series 😊.
A Critical Dragon
You had to encourage my nemesis didn't you... <sigh>
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Philip Chase
Hear that, Professor Fireballs? Fantastic Philosophy says there’s fantasy in The Broken Earth Trilogy. Clearly, this is the correct interpretation. One could call the trilogy simply magical! Hee hee! 😁
Philip Chase
I thoroughly enjoyed this exploration of The Fifth Season’s prologue, which truly does hint at the greatness of The Broken Earth Trilogy and its themes. Right now I feel like rereading it!
Paul van Doleweerd
@Philip Chase Uh oh, I was hoping you wouldn't get a taste for it, but looks like you've deaded another one. 👻
Philip Chase
@That Hoser Esslemont Ah, but I assume I got a few notes in before you pressed mute! 😁 Unless you were forewarned . . .
Paul van Doleweerd
@That Hoser Esslemont 🤣🤣
That Hoser Esslemont
@Philip Chase S'truth. Good thing the remote has a mute button. ;-)