1 Million Bottlebags
Public Enemy Lyrics

One million bottle bags count 'em
There are one million plastic bags used to store bottles in the community.

Think they can bounce the ounce
These bags are strong enough to protect and hold glass bottles.

And it get 'em
The bags make it easy for consumers to carry the bottles and cans of malt liquor.

Yo black spend two hundred and eighty eight million
Black consumers collectively spend $288 million on malt liquor each year.

Sittin' there waitin' for the fizz
Consumers are eagerly anticipating the opening of their drinks.

And don't know what the fuck it is
Consumers are unaware of the harmful contents and effects of the malt liquor.

An oh lemme tell you 'bout shorty
The singer is about to tell a story about a young man named Shorty.

He about seventeen lookin' like forty
Shorty looks older than his age due to the physical and mental effects of alcohol consumption.

Treats his forty dog better than his g
Shorty values his alcohol (forty) more than his friends (g).

When he gets a big b-o-t-t-l-e
When Shorty has a large bottle of malt liquor, he becomes intoxicated and loses control of his actions.

Oh he loves tha liquor
Shorty is addicted to alcohol.

But look watch shorty get sicker
Shorty's health continues to deteriorate due to his excessive alcohol consumption.

Year after year
Shorty's alcohol addiction increases over time.

While he's thinkin' it's beer
Shorty is unaware that malt liquor is not a type of beer.

But it's not but he got it in his gut
Shorty has consumed so much malt liquor that it is causing damage to his stomach and body.

So what the fuck
Despite being aware of the negative effects, Shorty continues to consume malt liquor.

Yo niga what's up
The artist is addressing Shorty.

Now he's hostile to a brother lookin' out
Shorty becomes defensive and aggressive towards those who try to help him overcome his addiction.

But I ain't mad I know what he about
Despite Shorty's behavior, the singer understands that his addiction to alcohol has a strong hold on him.

He's just a slave to the bottle and the can
Shorty is controlled by his addiction to malt liquor.

'Cause that's his man
Malt liquor is Shorty's closest companion and addiction.

The malt liquor man
The artist is referring to the corporations and brands that market and sell malt liquor.

One million bags count 'em all
A repetition of the beginning line, highlighting the abundance of plastic bags used to hold empty bottles.

Other man gets happy
The people who profit from selling malt liquor become wealthy and successful.

Watch the killas drink eight ball
People who engage in violent behavior consume malt liquor as a means of getting courage or suppressing their emotions.

Don't know a damn thing
These individuals are unaware of the negative impact of malt liquor and the reasons why they consume it.

But his breath stinkin'
A sign of excessive alcohol consumption is bad breath.

Then I ask a question you brother
The artist is addressing black people as brothers and asks them a question regarding their consumption of malt liquor.

What the fuck is you drinkin'
The artist is criticizing black people for their lack of knowledge and thoughtfulness when it comes to their beverage choices.

He don't know but it flow
The person does not know what they are drinking but continue to consume it regularly.

Out the bottle in a cup
Individuals consume malt liquor from the bottle or pour it into a cup for drinking purposes.

He call it gettin' fucked up
Consuming malt liquor leads to intoxication and a sense of pleasure for some people.

Like we ain't fucked up already
Black people are already struggling with systemic or personal issues and malt liquor adds more problems to their lives.

See the man they call Crazy Eddie
The artist is referring to a person or corporation who profits from selling malt liquor.

Liquor man with the bottle in his hand
The malt liquor industry has a strong hold and influence on the black community.

He give the liquor man ten to begin
Consumers are willing to spend money on malt liquor despite its harmful effects.

Wit' no change and he run
The malt liquor industry takes profit from black communities and does not invest or improve their living conditions.

To get his brains rearranged
Consuming malt liquor can lead to violence and aggression, causing harm to oneself or others.

Serve it to the home they're able
The malt liquor industry targets low-income black households that might not be able to afford healthier beverage options.

To do without a table
Malt liquor is consumed in a variety of living conditions, including on the street or in a public place without a table.

Beside what's inside ain't on the label
The negative effects of malt liquor are not listed on its packaging or label, leading consumers to be unaware of its harms.

They drink it thinkin' it's good
Consumers believe that malt liquor tastes good and provides a pleasurable experience.

But they don't sell the shit in the white neighborhood
Malt liquor, which has negative health effects, is not sold in white or affluent communities.

Exposin' the plan they get mad at me I understand
When the negative effects of malt liquor are exposed, the industry and its supporters may become hostile or defensive.

They're slaves to the liquor man
The malt liquor industry has a strong hold on black consumers, leading them to be addicted and controlled by their products.

Back to my homeboy shorty
The artist returns to telling the story about Shorty and his alcohol addiction.

He can drink it down
Shorty is able to consume excessive amounts of malt liquor on a regular basis.

And think nothin' about it
Shorty is unaware of the negative impact of his excessive alcohol consumption and thinks nothing of it.

Pass it around and get tha forty dog buzz
Shorty and his friends consume malt liquor together as a means of bonding and getting intoxicated.

At the same time
Shorty is consuming malt liquor and bonding with his friends, while his health and wellbeing are deteriorating.

Shorty can't remember what day it was
Shorty's excessive malt liquor consumption leads to memory loss and disorientation.

Say I'm yellin' is fact
The artist is making bold statements and presenting facts regarding the negative effects of malt liquor consumption.

Genocide kickin' in yo back
The unintended consequences of malt liquor consumption, including reduced life expectancy and poor health outcomes.

How many times have you seen
The singer is asking black people how many times they have witnessed the negative consequences of malt liquor consumption within their communities.

A black fight a black
Malt liquor consumption contributes to violence and aggression, leading to black people fighting with each other.

After drinkin' down a bottle
The malt liquor that black people consume is often consumed in large quantities, leading to negative side effects.

Or a malt liquor six-pack
Malt liquor is consumed in a variety of quantities but is often purchased in large six-packs for group consumption.

Malt liquor bull
The artist is expressing their dissatisfaction and disappointment with malt liquor.

What it is is bullshit Colt
The malt liquor brands and marketing strategies are deceptive and not transparent about the negative effects of their products.

45 another gun to the brain
Malt liquor consumption is an additional form of violence and self-harm that black people inflict on themselves.

Who's sellin' us pain
The malt liquor industry is profiting off the pain and addiction of black consumers.

In the hood another up to no good
The malt liquor industry is taking advantage of the impoverished and marginalized communities of black people.

Plan that's designed by the other man
The malt liquor industry is controlled by the white, wealthy elites who do not care about the negative effects of their products on black people.

But who drink it like water
Black people consume malt liquor regularly despite its negative effects and the lack of transparency from the industry about its harms.

One and on till the stores reorder it
Malt liquor is a popular item in black communities, leading stores to continue selling it due to high demand.

Brothers cry broke but they still affordin' it
Despite being financially disadvantaged, black people are still able to afford malt liquor due to its cheap price and accessibility.

Sippin' it lick drink it down oh no
A repetition of the previous line, emphasizing black people's excessive malt liquor consumption.

Drinkin' poison but they don't know
Black people are consuming malt liquor that is causing harm to their bodies and minds, but are unaware of the negative consequences.

It used to be wine
Black people used to consume wine and other alcoholic beverages but are now primarily consuming malt liquor.

A dollar and a dime
Wine used to be affordable for black people, but malt liquor is now the preferred choice due to its affordability and accessibility.

Same man, drink in another time
While the type of alcohol consumed has changed, black people continue to struggle with addiction and negative consequences from alcohol consumption.

They could be hard as hell and don't give a damn
Black people may appear tough or unbothered on the surface but are struggling with addiction and negative consequences from malt liquor consumption.

But still be a sucker to the liquor man
Despite the negative impact of malt liquor, black people are still addicted and controlled by the malt liquor industry and its products.