Hussle was murdered outside his store, Marathon Clothing, in South Los Angeles on March 31, 2019.
Loaded Bases
Nipsey Hussle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas feelin' lucky, we should go to Vegas
2018 mode of transportation
Got me feelin' over-anxious like a home invasion
My dough inflated and I'm more creative
Signed to cover big deals, but it's no parading
See it's a couple niggas every generation
I wasn't supposed to make it out, but decode the Matrix
Reminds niggas it ain't strength in all this stolen greatness
We used to shoot at niggas' at the Mobil station
Full circle, mogul motivation
My, self-educated, suit, negotiations
Got these sharks that I'm sitting at this table with afraid to bait me
No tint on my Mercedes, that's for inspiration
Two kilos on my neck, like the fuckin' 80's
Boy south Slauson Ave know my demosntration
Born and raised y'all affiliated
This is really greatness
Riding around like I really made it
Loaded bases I'm gon' Willy Mason
Listen to my ambition 'cause I'm on one
Swingin' for the fences for the home run
Even further beyond in to the universe
But I got to make it to first, first
It feels like every second is being stolen
I risk it for every ticket, we sold them
You got the ball, I'mma take it home
But I'm lyin', I'm gon' make it home
I was sitting on my Lincoln, I start thinkin'
Nigga, I ain't gon' make a hundred mil' off in these streets and
More than likely I'm gon' end up in somebody's precinct
Even worse, horse and carriage front the church, laid off in a hearse
I dealt with it
I ain't just out here for my health with it
I weighed the risk and the reward ain't seen the scale tippin'
Let's all get on one accord and take the world niggas
Take the money, take the power and the girls with us
Can't buy that bullshit that they sell niggas
Bring drugs heads and jail niggas
Look all these ways they derail niggas
That's why respect me to the utmost when you seen just how I feel niggas
'Cause I ain't fail niggas
I seen it coming, "didn't I tell niggas?"
Different lane, same passion for the mail niggas
Switch lanes, all black, two glass ceilings
V-12 too fast nigga, gone
Listen to my ambition 'cause I'm on one
Swingin' for the fences for the home run
Even further beyond in to the universe
But I got to make it to first, first
It feels like every second is being stolen
I risk it for every ticket we sold them
You got the ball, I'mma take it home
But I'm lyin', I'm gon' make it home
In "Loaded Bases", Nipsey Hussle poetically states his motivation for his hard work and hustle which is success while reflecting on his past and present situation. The first verse explains how Nipsey is feeling more anxious as he becomes more successful and has more to lose. He feels like he should take advantage of his success by going to Vegas with his friends who also feel lucky. He is proud of the fact that he wasn't supposed to make it out of his rough upbringing, but he decoded the matrix (figured out how to succeed) and made it anyway. He also touches on the issue of stolen greatness or cultural appropriation in the rap industry.
In the second verse, Nipsey reflects on his ambitious drive and hustle to succeed, knowing that every moment is precious and should be taken advantage of. He acknowledges the risks he took to get where he's at, weighing the rewards and knowing that he made it to where he is now. He also shares his dreams of bringing his people to a better future where together they can have the power, money, and respect that they deserve.
Overall, "Loaded Bases" is a powerful ode to Nipsey Hussle's ambition and drive for success, while both reflecting on his past struggles and dreaming of a better future for himself and his community.
Line by Line Meaning
Loaded bases that's my motivation
Having all of the necessary tools and resources to succeed is what drives me forward
Niggas feelin' lucky, we should go to Vegas
Some people believe they can achieve success by chance or luck, but I believe in utilizing my resources and hard work to succeed
2018 mode of transportation
I have the latest and greatest way to move towards my goals
Got me feelin' over-anxious like a home invasion
I am so eager to succeed and reach my goals that I feel as if I am invading my own space
My dough inflated and I'm more creative
My financial success has allowed me to be more creative in my endeavors
Signed to cover big deals, but it's no parading
Although I have achieved great success, I do not flaunt it and instead focus on achieving even more
See it's a couple niggas every generation
There are always a few people in each generation who truly make it big
I wasn't supposed to make it out, but decode the Matrix
Despite the odds and obstacles, I found a way to succeed and overcome the challenges in front of me
And when they get to speak, it's like a coded language
Only those who have faced similar struggles and achieved similar success can truly understand and relate to my experiences
Reminds niggas it ain't strength in all this stolen greatness
Just because one achieves success through illegal or unethical means does not make them truly strong or great
We used to shoot at niggas' at the Mobil station
I come from a rough background where violence was once a regular occurrence
Full circle, mogul motivation
Despite my past, I have come full circle and am now motivated to achieve greatness as a business mogul
My, self-educated, suit, negotiations
I am a self-taught and self-made business person who can handle negotiations with ease
Got these sharks that I'm sitting at this table with afraid to bait me
My success and confidence make others shy away from trying to take advantage of me
No tint on my Mercedes, that's for inspiration
My car has no window tint as I want to be inspired by the outside world and not hide from it
Two kilos on my neck, like the fuckin' 80's
I wear expensive jewelry to show off my success and wealth
Boy south Slauson Ave know my demonstration
People in my community know how hard I have worked and what I have achieved
Born and raised y'all affiliated
I am from and represent my community
This is really greatness
The success I have achieved is true greatness
Riding around like I really made it
I am enjoying the fruits of my labor and acting as if I have truly made it
Loaded bases I'm gon' Willy Mason
I have all the resources and tools I need to succeed and I will make it happen
Listen to my ambition 'cause I'm on one
Pay attention to my drive and motivation because it is unmatched
Swingin' for the fences for the home run
I am aiming for the biggest, best, and most successful outcome
Even further beyond in to the universe
I am striving for greatness beyond what is immediately in front of me
But I got to make it to first, first
I need to succeed in small steps before I can reach larger ones
It feels like every second is being stolen
Time is precious and every moment counts towards achieving my goals
I risk it for every ticket, we sold them
I am willing to take big risks to achieve success, and I am selling tickets to my journey for others to join me
You got the ball, I'mma take it home
Although others may pass me the opportunities, I am the one who will ultimately succeed in them
But I'm lyin', I'm gon' make it home
I may pretend that I am unsure of my success, but I know deep down that I will achieve it
I was sitting on my Lincoln, I start thinkin'
I am reflecting on my life and my situation
Nigga, I ain't gon' make a hundred mil' off in these streets and
I know that my success cannot come solely from the streets or illegal means
More than likely I'm gon' end up in somebody's precinct
If I continue down the wrong path, I will likely end up in jail
Even worse, horse and carriage front the church, laid off in a hearse
If I continue down the wrong path, I may even end up dead and laying in a coffin
I ain't just out here for my health with it
I am not just aimlessly pursuing success, but rather have a clear purpose
I weighed the risk and the reward ain't seen the scale tippin'
I have considered the risks of my actions and decided that the potential rewards outweigh them
Let's all get on one accord and take the world niggas
Let's all unite and work together to achieve success
Take the money, take the power and the girls with us
Let's not just achieve financial success, but also gain influence and take the people we love with us
Can't buy that bullshit that they sell niggas
The things society tells us we need to be successful are often lies
Bring drugs heads and jail niggas
Let's uplift and help those who have faced struggles and been negatively affected by society
Look all these ways they derail niggas
Society often works to prevent those from underprivileged backgrounds from achieving success
That's why respect me to the utmost when you seen just how I feel niggas
I have overcome obstacles and achieved success, and therefore deserve the utmost respect
'Cause I ain't fail niggas
I have not let my past or struggles hold me back from achieving success
I seen it coming, "didn't I tell niggas?"
I knew I would succeed and told others that I would
Different lane, same passion for the mail niggas
I may have taken a different path, but I still have the same drive and passion for success
Switch lanes, all black, two glass ceilings
I am switching up my image and style, but still breaking through the barriers to success
V-12 too fast nigga, gone
I am moving too quickly and too effectively to be stopped on my road to success
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ermias Joseph Asghedom, Jacob Brian Dutton, Larrance Levar Dopson, Thomas Decarlo Callaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
YoliJ Writes
...โMore than likely I'm gon' end up in somebody's precinct
Even worse, horse and carriage front the church, laid off in a hearse
I dealt with it
I ain't just out here for my health with it
I weighed the risk and the reward ain't seen the scale tippin' โ
- Nipsey Hussle
Sunrise 8/15/85 - Sunset 3/31/19
RIP in a new realm.
We are a spirit, that possesses a soul, living in a body having a human experience.
BRAN SHAW
This song make you want to get up and do better.โ๐พ
World Champion
Amen. For nip โฟ๏ธ
Aya Tembela
Bro for real!!!
thenorthface
when this is the sort of message people derive from a song, thats when you know its real.
Casey Puriefoy
" Loaded bases that's my motivation got me feelin over anxious like a home invasion" When you are on the cusp of greatness this is the feeling. He captured the moment perfectly. I'm there right now! Thank you Prophet Nip.
George K. W.
๐
un_Defined
This was my favourite song off the album. At a time it was Nipsey's favourite too. It tells the story of how he sold his car to buy his studio equipment. It was a pinnacle moment he decided to pursue music fully after seeing how the street life would never give him a peaceful
Binki Pinki
I lost my mom. I have no family beyond my children. I know it's solely on me to break these generational curses. And I listen to Nipsey when I feel down. Depleted. And I cry. Sometimes just a few tears fall, others it's a full on meltdown. But his music. I feel LIFTED. CAPABLE. I never felt so much emotion and relief from music ever in my life. I've felt pain in music, like "Strange Fruit" by Nina Simone. I've felt sexual from music. I've felt angry and ready to fight from music. I've felt degraded too listening to songs that tell me I'm beneath the artist(ie Nicki, Cardi ect) but NONE have ever INSPIRED me. None MOTIVATED me. None ENCOURAGED me....Like Nipsey has. Not one single artist gave me LIFE before. I APPRECIATE yu Ermias๐
A D
Wow. Wishing you all the best in 2020 mama!!!
Christa Belle
Oh wow... You keep going.. He did.. and he reached, he conquered, he attained... You keep going.. its a marathon, not a race.. YOU GOT THIS ๐ช๐ผ...and anythin else that comes at you.. You got this ๐ช๐ผโ๏ธ๐ง ๐๐ผ TMC