Hang On
Outlawz feat. Ya Yo & Mil Lyrics

Uh
Exclamation to grab listener's attention

what (hang on) wherever you at
Asking the listener to wait and listen, regardless of their location

hold your head
Stay positive despite hardships

put your head to the sky
Look up for hope and inspiration

for my ankle bracelet niggas (hang on)
Encouraging those on house arrest to stay strong

25 to life niggas
Supporting those facing long prison sentences

outlawz hang on (hang on)
Staying true to Outlawz rap group's philosophy to persevere

hang on
Reaffirming the song's message of perseverance

all my thugs hang on (hang on)
Asking all listeners who identify as 'thugs' to hang on

hang on (hang on)
Repeating the powerful message of perseverance

yeah
Showing enthusiasm for the song's message

1: young noble
Switching to Young Noble’s verse

For all my thug niggas i got on the block (hang on)
Encouragement to all the gangsters out there struggling to keep going

for all the little homies running from the cops (hang on)
Supporting the youth who may be involved in illegal activities

if you a fiend around the way coked out (hang on)
Encouraging those battling addiction to keep pushing through tough times

if you a ex-drug dealer smoked out (hang on)
Supporting those who are recovering from drug dealing pasts

if you a soldier locked down in the hole (hang on)
Encouraging inmates to stay strong during solitary confinement

no heat in your house and its cold (hang on)
Encouraging those facing tough living conditions

no job just got laid off (hang on)
Supporting those struggling with unemployment

you did your verse but we taking you off (hang on)
Warning someone that they are not good enough for the rap group if they aren't persevering

you had your ears all ready for the lawz (hang on)
Rebuking someone for becoming comfortable with law enforcement

and if you think about sniffing that rock (hang on)
Encouraging anyone using substances to stay strong and not use

you about to hop in your homies stolen car (hang on)
Advising listeners to avoid illegal activity even if it's the easy way out

you got a dream to be a big rap star (hang on)
Inspiring aspiring rappers to hold on to their dreams

you gotta hustle but you keep getting robbed (hang on)
Encouragement to anyone trying to make a living through challenging circumstances

and now you paying for protection from the mob (hang on)
Advising listeners to refrain from associating with the wrong crowd

your baby mama want half of your check (hang on)
Supporting single fathers who are struggling financially

and your little homies give you no respect (hang on)
Encouraging those not receiving respect to remain strong regardless

and now you waiting for your time to come around (hang on)
Staying positive for better opportunities to arise

be offered work and you turning it down (hang on)
Encouragement to take advantage of every job opportunity

and now your homies looking at you all funny (hang on)
Acknowledging that being different or positive can make people react negatively

you been clocking for 12 years and no money (hang on)
Supporting those who struggle to make a living after a long period of time

young noble
Transitioning to Young Noble's second verse

Hang on
Repeating the song's main message

if you're out in the cold with nowhere to go you gotta (hang on)
Inspiring homeless listeners to keep going

you 15 and you feel real old youngster (hang on)
Encouragement to young teens who may feel pressured to grow up too fast

you only 21 and you ain't even coming home soldier (hang on)
Supporting young military members who are struggling

four kids and make enough to feed one homie (hang on)
Encouragement for single parents who struggle to make ends meet

2: young noble
Transitioning to the second verse's second speaker

if you a thug (hang on)
Encouragement for anyone identifying as a 'thug'

you on drugs (hang on)
Advising drug users to persevere and overcome their addiction

you took slugs (hang on)
Supporting those who have been shot in the past

you shed blood (hang on)
Supporting those who fight for their beliefs and values

you got it bad (hang on)
Encouragement for those facing tough circumstances

you niggas mad (hang on)
Acknowledging that some people may not support you

you unprotected hand on
Mixed with previous line, warning of the danger of not protecting yourself

and now she pregnant (hang on)
Encouragement for young parents who may be struggling

you pop shit and you don't even got a glock (hang on)
Rebuking those who act tough without proper weaponry

you from the streets and you don't even got a block (hang on)
Advising listeners to be prepared and have backup plans

you got the nerve to try to criticize me (hang on)
Defending oneself against criticism

trying to judge the young n-o-b-l-e (hang on)
Supporting one's own character despite others' criticism

my homie swift locked down right now (hang on)
Supporting those locked up

you got dough for some pounds right now (hang on)
Advising against making illegal money regardless of the potential earnings

too many niggas on your block for you to eat (hang on)
Acknowledging hyper-competitive street life

them out of town niggas steady trying to creep (hang on)
Warning those in the streets of potential danger and competition

3: ya yo
Transitioning to Ya Yo's verse

If you single 'cause your man ain't shit (hang on)
Acknowledging that some relationships can cause unhappiness and disappointment

independent ain't pressed for the dick (hang on)
Supporting independence and self-sufficiency

kool-aid money with cristal taste (hang on)
Advising against living outside of one's means

you ain't think that i will punch you in your face (hang on)
Warning against underestimating others, especially women

all my ladies in the struggle like me (hang on)
Supporting women who are facing difficulties

all my ladies trying to bubble like me (hang on)
Inspiring women to pursue their dreams regardless of circumstance

you go to school or you strip for a living (hang on)
Supporting women in varied professions and lifestyles

only 20 and you got 3 children (hang on)
Encouragement for young mothers to keep going

4: mil
Transitioning to Mil's verse

If you got your test back and it's positive (hang on)
Acknowledging the difficulty of receiving a positive test result

if your bitch left you 'cause she know you got it (hang on)
Supporting those facing relationship issues caused by medical conditions

you friends disrespect you for not riding (hang on)
Encouragement to stay true to oneself despite friends' opinions

you did for 3 years and couldn't call nobody (hang on)
Supporting those who have been incarcerated and faced communication barriers

you caught another charge in jail added to the robbery (hang on)
Acknowledging the difficulty of serving a sentence and then receiving additional charges

you in the county can't get a visit from your family (hang on)
Supporting those who are unable to receive visitors while in custody

your baby mother fucking one of your homies (hang on)
Rebuking disloyal family members and friends

you in the?? (hang on)
Unclear line, but perhaps could refer to being stuck in a difficult situation or location

don't nobody give a fuck about me
Acknowledging feelings of hopelessness and despair

little nob hold on
Calling for support from a friend named 'Little Nob'

i'm a young g
Identifying as a young gangster

i always stay strong
Reaffirming one's strength and resilience

You signed a bogus contract now wanna get out you better (hang on)
Advising against rash decisions in the music industry

your mama kicked your ass out 'cause you chose that route you better (hang on)
Supporting individuals who face judgement or criticism from family members

and if you wonder how long we gonna be on top you need to (hang on)
Reassuring listeners that the song's positivity will continue

you niggas wish but you never gonna be like pac they better (hang on)
Encouragement to remain true to oneself and not try to be like rapper Tupac Shakur

they better hang on
Repeating the overarching message of perseverance