They Don't Understand
Outlawz Lyrics


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[KASTRO]
Y'all don't understand
Y'all want to, but cha don't though
This ain't what I planned
This is who I am
(I am, this is who I am)
(I am, this is who I am)
I look up to greed
I ain't sayin' nothin' strange
My feelin's ain't changed
My feelin's ain't changed
No - no -- no - no
I ain't rappin', no
I look up to him
We got mo' laps to go
Understand? Naw, y'all don't understand
Pac made a nigga watch like a peep hole
Banger, that's my bigga' brotha'
I put it on my mother
I swear we need each other
(I swear we need each other)
Im just a real nigga talkin'
Real talk til I lay up in the coffin
And I'll handle my hat
And I'll gamble my stratch
Til I get mine back
It's just me dawg

[Chorus]
They don't understand
Why the fuck we do what we do
They don't understand
Why the fuck we keep it so true
They don't understand
Why the fuck we just don't give a fuck
They don't understand
When they see a nigga comin' up
They don't understand
They don't understand
They don't understand
But I don't give a damn, no
They don't understand
They don't understand
They don't understand
But I don't give a damn, no

[E.D.I]
Picture my mission
I'm in it to get it
One nigga yellin' FUCK THE WORLD
Homey that's how I live it
Strapped up
Us against the world
That's how we did it
I'm like fuck 'em
If they don't understand they ain't with us
They ain't in this
We them Outlaw souljahs
They them other niggaz that be rollin wit the row
Ya snitch
Y'all can kill my pride
If ya want it
The shit is in my veins
My blood streams is hunted
How could you not understand a nigga like me
How could you not understand living like a 'G'
It's who you be
I don't know about you
But the shit I'm puttin' down on these beats
Motherfucker it's true
No need to sugar-coat it
Or pussy deep stone it
My shit is so real
That's why the streets want it
Squares don't understand
That's why they hate on it
I'm like FUCK 'EM
They ain't stoppin' my chips
Hell naw niggaaaa

[Chorus]

[YOUNG NOBLE]
They don't understand
Man it's deeper then the music
Overstand what I'm sayin' to ya
(nigga just listen to me)
And when I die
Y'all keep on mashin'
Makaveli in our blood
We laced with his ashes
Got the mind of the militant
The heart of a souljah
Got the spirit of a struggla'
I know why God lovin' us
And all the glory is his
(all the glory is his)
They said we couldn't
But I knew we could win
With my back against the wall
Hands tied behind my back
When you got God on ya team
Young Outlaw king, I mean
Gotta feel it, don't hate it
Gotta respect it, we made it
And young niggaz worldwide related
To some shit that I was sayin' from the bottom of my heart
They felt like we felt
Tryna get some light
We in the dark
(they don't understand -- stand)
All the shit we been through
(but if you understand)
You went through something similar too
Ya feel me dawg





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The Outlawz's song, They Don't Understand, is an anthem that expresses the realities of being misunderstood. The song features verses from Kastro, E.D.I, and Young Noble. In Kastro's verse, he talks about people not understanding who he truly is, and although they want to, they can't seem to fathom it. He then goes on to say that his admiration for greed hasn't changed, and he looks up to people who motivate him. Kastro also shows his loyalty to Tupac, who was an instrumental figure in his life. He admits that he needs Tupac's inspiration, and they are like brothers who rely on each other to succeed.


In E.D.I's verse, he talks about how people never seem to understand why he lives the way he does. He believes that they are not with him and his crew, and therefore, he doesn't pay attention to their criticisms. His loyalty lies with being an outlaw souljah, and he takes pride in it. He believes his music is real, and the streets love it, even though squares don't understand it.


Young Noble's verse, on the other hand, takes a more spiritual approach. He mentions how the song is more profound than just music and expresses that Makaveli is in their blood, referencing Tupac's alter ego. Young Noble talks about how his mind is militant, his heart is of a soldier, and he has the spirit of a struggler. He shows that he's proud of his roots and how he has made it and relates to young people worldwide who feel insignificant. He also talks about how he may be in the dark, but his back is against the wall, and with God's help, he can overcome anything.


Line by Line Meaning

Y'all don't understand
The listener does not comprehend the singer's perspective or choices.


Y'all want to, but cha don't though
The listener desires to comprehend the singer's perspective, but is unable to do so.


This ain't what I planned
The singer did not intend for their situation or choices to turn out this way.


This is who I am
The artist's current situation or choices are an authentic representation of their personality or character.


I look up to greed
The artist admires the pursuit of wealth and material possessions.


I ain't sayin' nothin' strange
The singer's admiration for greed is not an uncommon sentiment.


My feelin's ain't changed
The singer's opinion on the value of greed has not shifted.


No - no -- no - no
The artist reiterates that their stance on greed has not changed, and is not open for debate.


I ain't rappin', no
The artist is not merely stating these sentiments for the purpose of a rap performance; they truly believe them.


We got mo' laps to go
The artist and their peers have future goals and aspirations that they intend to pursue.


Understand? Naw, y'all don't understand
The listener still does not comprehend the singer's viewpoint, despite their efforts to explain it.


Pac made a nigga watch like a peep hole
The late rapper Tupac Shakur (also known as 'Pac') had a profound impact on the artist's life and perspective.


Banger, that's my bigga' brotha'
The singer has a close, familial relationship with someone they refer to as 'Banger.'


I put it on my mother
The singer swears to the truth of their statements, with their mother as proof of their sincerity.


I swear we need each other
The singer and 'Banger' rely on one another for support and guidance in their lives and careers.


Im just a real nigga talkin'
The artist prides themselves on being honest and genuine, rather than artful or calculated, in their communication.


Real talk til I lay up in the coffin
The artist intends to speak and live authentically until their death.


And I'll handle my hat
The singer will persevere through difficult situations with a sense of dignity and pride.


And I'll gamble my stratch
The singer is willing to take chances and risks in pursuit of their goals.


Til I get mine back
The artist will continue pushing forward until they achieve the success and recognition they desire.


They don't understand
The listener remains unable to comprehend or empathize with the artist's perspective.


Why the fuck we do what we do
The listener cannot grasp the motivations behind the artist's actions and choices.


Why the fuck we keep it so true
The singer and their peers value honesty and authenticity in their art and their lives.


Why the fuck we just don't give a fuck
The artist and their peers do not care about conforming to societal norms or expectations.


When they see a nigga comin' up
The singer and their peers are beginning to gain success and recognition in their careers.


But I don't give a damn, no
The listener's inability to comprehend the singer's viewpoint has no effect on the singer.


Picture my mission
The singer has a clear sense of purpose or goals.


I'm in it to get it
The artist is committed to achieving their goals.


One nigga yellin' FUCK THE WORLD
The artist has a rebellious, anti-establishment attitude.


Homey that's how I live it
The singer consistently embraces their rebellious attitude and approach to life.


Strapped up
The singer is prepared to defend themselves if necessary, likely with a weapon.


Us against the world
The artist and their peers feel alienated from or in opposition to mainstream society.


That's how we did it
The artist and their peers have achieved success in the past through a united or defiant approach.


If they don't understand they ain't with us
Those who cannot comprehend the artist's perspective or share their values are not accepted or trusted by the artist and their peers.


We them Outlaw souljahs
The singer and their peers are a part of a larger collective known as the Outlawz, who share their attitude and approach to life.


Y'all can kill my pride
The listener can attempt to shame or discredit the artist, but will ultimately fail.


If ya want it
The singer is prepared to stand by their convictions and face any consequences.


The shit is in my veins
The singer's rebellious attitude and sense of purpose are deeply ingrained in their character.


My blood streams is hunted
The singer has experienced trauma or violence that has left a deep impression on them.


How could you not understand a nigga like me
The listener should be able to relate to the artist's experiences and attitude, given their shared identity as Black men.


How could you not understand living like a 'G'
The listener should be able to understand the artist's admiration for a 'gangsta' or defiant lifestyle.


It's who you be
The singer's lifestyle and attitude are integral to their identity and sense of self.


I don't know about you
The singer acknowledges that their perspective and lifestyle may not be universal or shared by everyone.


But the shit I'm puttin' down on these beats
The artist's music is an authentic expression of their perspective and lifestyle.


Motherfucker it's true
The artist's statements and attitudes are not exaggerated or insincere.


No need to sugar-coat it
The artist will not soften or obscure their perspective for the sake of appealing to a wider audience.


Or pussy deep stone it
The singer will not back down or retreat from their perspective, even in the face of opposition or danger.


My shit is so real
The artist's music and perspective are not fabricated or inauthentic.


That's why the streets want it
The singer's music and perspective resonate with a broad audience, especially those who share their sense of alienation or opposition to mainstream society.


Squares don't understand
Those who conform to mainstream society and values cannot comprehend or relate to the singer's perspective or lifestyle.


That's why they hate on it
Those who cannot comprehend the singer's perspective or lifestyle will attempt to discredit or oppose it.


They ain't stoppin' my chips
Those who oppose or misunderstand the artist will not prevent them from achieving success or recognition.


Hell naw niggaaaa
The artist is resolute and committed to their perspective and goals, and will not be deterred by opposition or criticism.


Man it's deeper then the music
The singer's music and perspective have a deeper significance and resonance than merely entertainment or art.


Overstand what I'm sayin' to ya
The listener must not only understand but internalize and relate to the singer's perspective and message.


And when I die
The artist is considering their legacy beyond their immediate life.


Y'all keep on mashin'
The listener should continue pursuing their goals and objectives after the artist's death, in accordance with the artist's perspective.


Makaveli in our blood
Tupac Shakur's influence and message are deeply ingrained in the artist's perspective and values.


We laced with his ashes
The singer and their peers have incorporated Tupac's legacy and influence into their own identity and lifestyle.


Got the mind of the militant
The artist has a committed and unwavering attitude towards their perspective and goals.


The heart of a souljah
The singer is driven by their sense of identity and values, rather than external motivations or rewards.


Got the spirit of a struggla'
The singer has faced adversity and challenges in their life and career, but has continued to pursue their goals.


I know why God lovin' us
The singer has a broader, spiritual perspective on their experiences and purpose.


And all the glory is his
The artist acknowledges that their achievements and success are ultimately due to a higher power or forces beyond their control.


They said we couldn't
The artist and their peers have faced opposition and criticism in their pursuit of success and recognition.


But I knew we could win
The singer maintained their belief in their own abilities and goals, despite doubts and opposition from others.


With my back against the wall
The singer has faced significant challenges and obstacles in their life and career.


Hands tied behind my back
The artist has faced limitations or constraints on their actions or opportunities.


When you got God on ya team
The artist's spiritual beliefs and values provide them with a source of strength and guidance.


Young Outlaw king, I mean
The artist is proud of their identity as a member of the Outlawz collective and their commitment to rebellious, anti-establishment values.


Gotta feel it, don't hate it
The listener must not only understand but embrace and appreciate the singer's perspective and message.


Gotta respect it, we made it
The artist and their peers have achieved recognition and success despite opposition and challenges, and should be respected for their accomplishments.


And young niggaz worldwide related
The singer's music and message have resonated with a global audience of young people who share their sense of alienation or opposition to mainstream society.


To some shit that I was sayin' from the bottom of my heart
The singer's music and message are a genuine, authentic expression of their perspective and values.


They felt like we felt
The singer's fans and supporters can relate to their experiences and perspective, leading to a sense of community and mutual understanding.


Tryna get some light
The artist and their peers are striving for recognition and success in their careers and lives.


We in the dark
The artist and their peers feel alienated or misunderstood by mainstream society, leading to a sense of isolation or obscurity.




Contributed by Andrew S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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