Friend
Nate Dogg Warren G & Snoop Lyrics

Friends, how many of us have them
The song starts with the question of how many true friends we really have.

Every since I could remember
The artist has always had friends who he could depend on.

I had friends I could depend on
The artist had people in his life who he could always count on.

Clothes to lend 'em
He was able to lend his friends clothing when they needed it.

But as time went by
As he got older and life changed, things got more complicated.

My life got a little strange
The artist's life became more complicated and difficult to navigate.

And the rules of the game seem to change
The artist learned that the rules of friendship and life are constantly shifting.

Trust, honesty and devotion
The artist values trust, honesty, and devotion in his friendships.

And money, money, money is the poison potion
However, money can create problems in friendships and can often become a destructive force.

There's no way that I can even say
The artist struggles to articulate the complicated nature of his friendships and life experiences.

That this game has been good to me
He acknowledges that life has not always been kind or fair to him.

Or even bad to me it had to be
He recognizes that life has presented him with both positive and negative experiences.

Cause tragically the way this shit
Unfortunately, the artist has experienced tragic events in his life.

Cracked off for Doggy Dogg was magically
This line suggests that the artist's experiences have been both unexpected and surreal.

And now I'm gettin' everything I'm supposed to get
Despite the challenges he has faced, the artist is finally receiving the recognition and rewards he deserves.

But my friendship with niggas always ends up as bulshit
Despite his success, the artist feels that his friendships have been superficial and unfulfilling.

I listen to my momma though
The artist looks to his mother for guidance and wisdom.

She always tried to prepare me
His mother has always tried to help him navigate the difficult world he lives in.

But how could she do what I
However, the artist recognizes that ultimately he is responsible for his own life and choices.

I mean I'm do or die
The artist acknowledges that his life is high stakes and requires a do or die mentality.

But my life on the streets
The artist's life has been shaped by his experiences on the streets.

That shit is suicide
He recognizes the danger and risk involved in the lifestyle he's lived.

So to cope I got a dogg and a locc
In order to cope with his life experiences, the artist has turned to a dog and a gun.

And keep my heat close in case these jokes go for broke
The artist carries a gun to protect himself from those who might try to take advantage of him.

I'm mashin' with the click 2-1-3 that is
The artist is close with a group of people from the 213 area code.

They my homeboys ever since kids-
These friends have been with him since childhood.

Real friends to the end
He considers these friends to be true and reliable.

Hangin' out with my homies and I'm feelin' just fine
The artist is spending time with his friends and enjoying himself.

I've been ponderin' lately
The artist has been thinking a lot.

A lot of different things on my mind
There are many thoughts occupying the artist's mind.

It seems lately my friends list
The artist has noticed that his list of friends has been changing.

Done took a slight decline
He has lost some friends recently.

And if you wanna know the truth man, man
The artist is being honest and wants to share his feelings with his listeners.

Them wasn't no friends of mine
The friends that he has lost were not true friends.

You jackin' me up, you takin' my cash
The artist's past experience with friends has included being taken advantage of financially.

All my life L-B-C, for my city I mash
The artist is proud of where he comes from and wants to represent it.

All those OGs and BGs and wannabies and L-O-Cs
He has encountered many different types of people in his life.

The only friends I got is my 2-1-3s
The artist's true friends are those from the 213 area code.

That's my nigga Snoop D Woop and my nigga N-A-T-E
Specifically, his closest friends are Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg.

I can't forget about my nigga H to the Deezy
Another close friend of the artist is H to the D.

Pressure and strikes
The artist has experienced high pressure and difficult circumstances in his life.

Don't wann take no lives
Despite these challenges, he does not want to take anyone's life.

But these jaws, cracks and hood cracks
However, he recognizes the reality of the dangerous environment he lives in.

Will make you break bizacks
The difficult circumstances can lead people to break down emotionally and mentally.

Whussup homie, can I borrow some cash?
The artist has been asked for money by friends in the past.

Last week I gave you 500, so kiss my ass
Despite giving money in the past, the artist is not willing to do so now.

I got a baby to feed
The artist has a child who he needs to provide for.

A family to see through
His family is important to him and he needs to take care of them.

And shake busta snitches tweekin' like you
The artist is suspicious of those who are asking him for money.

Homies and friends that's what they for
The artist values the idea of friends who are there for you.

Stayin' tight and money right
He wants his friends to be loyal and responsible financially.

And bustin' with a 44
He is willing to use a gun to protect himself and his friends.