Mainstream
OutKast feat. Khujo and T-Mo Lyrics

Revolutionary, scary
Being a revolutionary and speaking out can be intimidating and frightening

Thought provoking, spoken
Expressing thoughts that make people think and reflect

Words of a chain I don't feel but I see
Hearing and witnessing the impact of powerful words and ideas

Visions from me
Having personal visions and dreams

At twenty three making us free in my community
Being a young person who is working towards freedom in their community

One day is what I live for
Having hope and living each day with purpose

Ain't thinking about no hope no more
No longer having hope and feeling despair

I got my boots I kick it till I get with
Having the determination and resilience to keep going

Adapt and overcome, oh hum hum
Being adaptable and finding ways to overcome challenges

Go get my gun, load up for fun, and put down with the frown
Using violence as a means of dealing with problems and conflicts

What goes round comes round from M.L.K. to cascade
The consequences of actions, from historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. to present-day events

I know its through them plenty figures
Being aware of the numerous influential figures and their impact

Cocaine dealers walk the wrong side
Acknowledging the presence of drug dealers and their negative influence

Up in they rides
Seeing them in luxurious cars

Looking cleaner then I seen them the last time
Noticing their improved appearance since the last encounter

Then selling dimes, now its quarter keys, stacking G's
Observing their transition from selling small quantities of drugs to larger quantities and making money

In the South Indies
Referring to a specific area or region

My nigga them folks riding bicycles among vehicles
Noticing community members who cannot afford cars but still travel using bicycles

Off in the hood
Being in the neighborhood

Knowing each and every nigga sellin', but can you blame
Being aware of everyone involved in selling drugs, but understanding the circumstances

The fact the only way a brother can survive the game
Recognizing that the drug game is the only way some individuals can survive

The block hard to get by the dope dealing, fatal killings
Acknowledging the difficulties of living in a neighborhood with drug dealing and violence

In fair times so writing rhymes
Finding solace and expression in writing music during difficult times

It ain't just the police
Understanding that violence and harm come from multiple sources, not just the police

We kill each other just lost another brother
Recognizing the sad reality of intra-community violence and loss

Fast living will get you took
Engaging in a fast-paced lifestyle can lead to negative consequences

Thinking it can't happen to you and then it do
Believing that one is immune to harm, but eventually experiencing it

Off crooked schemes its just a dream
Realizing that engaging in dishonest activities only leads to false dreams and illusions

Floating face down in the mainstream
Being trapped and overwhelmed by societal norms and expectations

They swan divin'
Others diving headfirst into risky situations without caution

Fit they name be thrashing an album
Creating chaos and controversy with their music album

Go-kart rushin' to finish their album then you find them
Rushing to complete their album but ultimately losing direction and purpose

Lost, dog paddling, back stroking, what done happened?
Feeling lost and struggling to stay afloat, wondering what went wrong

Be rhymin' catching the day when the recipe calls for black and
Rhyming and creating music that reflects the struggles and experiences of the Black community

Wrong ingredients
Using the wrong elements or ideas in their music

Maybe too much herbs and spices
Possibly using too many unnecessary elements in their music

Maybe you got hungry for the wrong dish
Becoming attracted to and pursuing the wrong style or genre of music

Southern greens and this entice them how them joke the same
Being drawn to Southern culture and music and attempting to imitate it without fully understanding its significance

So I'm gonna sing just like them to get where they at
Copying their style and sound in hopes of achieving the same level of success

I'll even break my by back to touch their rim if I gotta
Being willing to exert maximum effort and sacrifice to achieve their level of success

My alta mater be that I follow
Being loyal to a particular musical style or influence

I bite whatever that's looking tasty, water it down then swallow
Taking and imitating anything that seems appealing, diluting its original essence, and accepting it without question

I hope you vomit, won't call no names cause that's not my job
Desiring for those who imitate without understanding to realize their mistakes, without explicitly naming or blaming them

It just applies to whom it may concern you know who you are
Directly addressing those who are guilty of imitation and misunderstanding

But if you don't you never will, you just receive the steel
If those individuals fail to understand, they will continue to endure criticism and face consequences

But then it might get ugly cause trust me niggas do feel
Warning that if the situation escalates, it will lead to confrontation and conflict

The way that I felt when I wrote this, but we must stay in focus
Expressing the personal emotions and thoughts that inspired the lyrics, while emphasizing the importance of staying focused

We kings and queens up in this thing, get rid of all them jokers
Affirming their royalty and greatness, and advocating for the removal of those who imitate and undermine their culture

I let you stay in my crib, now you know where I live
Allowing someone into their personal space, revealing vulnerability and trust

When you was hungry, fed you a hot meal, look at the hand you deal
Providing support and assistance to someone in need, only to be betrayed or mistreated by them

Me crud ball business giving niggas inches so here, take a foot
Being too lenient and accommodating, allowing others to take advantage and worsen the situation

Luck only counts in rabbit's feet and horseshoes
Emphasizing that relying on luck is not a reliable or sustainable strategy for success

Experience is sometimes the best teacher until we get our own plate
Acknowledging the value of personal experience as a teacher, but also acknowledging the need to strive for independence and create one's own opportunities

I hope you don't mind me eating off of yours
Asking for forgiveness or understanding regarding their desire to benefit from others' success or resources

Process momma moping like Jerry
Referencing a cartoon character named Jerry who often appears miserable or sad, comparing it to someone feeling down or defeated

Meanwhile, fairies of the street tinkling pixie dust over greenery
Describing the presence of drug dealers or individuals who bring harm to the environment

Never to obtain another level of con-science
Being unable to reach a higher level of awareness and understanding

Only to test, to poke and see
Engaging in actions or behaviors solely for the purpose of experimentation or to observe the outcome

Why laying here, they scheme over one another mouth to feed
While in a vulnerable and disadvantaged position, others plot and scheme against each other to ensure their own survival

? with a decision to make, now words shake your destiny
Facing a difficult decision that will significantly impact their future, feeling uncertain and worried

But a missile will take it all the way just as quick as you can say
Highlighting the destruction and negative consequences that can occur rapidly, as fast as saying a single word

I wish I never did what I did now face this bid
Expressing regret and remorse for past actions that have resulted in negative consequences or punishments

It was the company you kept, the many places you slept
Attributing the negative outcome to the people one associated with and the risky situations they found themselves in

When you shouldn't have, geeking like a rat, jumping like a trap
Giving in to temptation and engaging in risky behavior, likening it to a rat being lured into a trap

Contributing to sin and your nigga bitch in the court showing paper thin
Being complicit in sinful actions and witnessing the negative consequences, such as having someone close to you testify against you in court

Got you niggas where they want you again
Being manipulated and controlled by others, ending up in a detrimental situation again

Floating face down in the mainstream
Being overwhelmed and consumed by the mainstream culture and its negative effects

Everybody's a player, rubbing them Kangols on their head
Observing how everyone tries to project a cool and confident image, often by wearing fashionable hats

Thinking its all about your clothes, nigga its all about your self
Realizing that true value and importance lie in one's character and individuality, not just in outward appearances

The way you feel about your life, the times that you done shared with
Emphasizing the significance of one's personal experiences and relationships

Your friends and family, up and down like hoes give head
Describing the unpredictable nature of relationships, using a vulgar metaphor

To dicks oh, six, serving them in the mix, but ain't no mystery
Engaging in casual sexual encounters, suggesting that there is no secret or hidden truth to these experiences

You know the history about this clique bitch
Stating that one should be aware of the background and history of their social group

Oh, what, you want me to call you slut?
Challenging someone who may objectify women or be judgmental about their choices

Then why you fucking all them niggas letting them all up in your guts
Questioning someone's behavior and decision to engage in sexual activity with multiple partners

But see that AIDS I'm afraid that's why I play the quiet role
Expressing concern and fear about the spread of AIDS, leading them to adopt a cautious and reserved stance

I lay in the cut, every month thinking I'll let that fire roll
Choosing to stay in the background and wait for the right time to express themselves and make their mark

Like chimneys, and smoke signals, maybe peace pipes even
Using imagery related to smoke and Native American customs to convey their desire for peace and understanding

My partners call me Big Boi and my first name is not Steven
Identifying themselves with their stage name, Big Boi, rather than their given name

In the mainstream, home team banging them with these hits
Being successful and popular in the mainstream music industry, releasing hit songs

In the mix flowing like some motherfucking swordfish
Being in the midst of things, moving smoothly and effortlessly, likening it to the grace and agility of a swordfish swimming