Retribution
Pusha T; Kehlani Lyrics
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I’m glad that you noticed
The realest nigga here
It’s kinda chilly being the coldest
Me and Timbo in that two-door, making our ”Otis"
Now witness the chosen
It’s just different here
Monet Carlo nights, let her throw the dice
All I know is white
Get the powder gone
Bitches love to shop, levitate the mall
Mattress full of money, let it break the fall
Woo! She used to fly on a buddy pass
They say when the money go, you hope that your honey last
I been preaching since money, cash— hoes
And I promise, I hardly see you
From where I am it’s so hard to see you
Got money I’v been different ever since
Maybe it’s me and my arrogance
Who are you, who are you anyway?
Who are you? We don’t know you
I’m the fire and the base
I’m admired by the greats
This to each and every rap nigga
I look you liars in the face
Cold case, Rolls Wraith
Big dipper, constellation in the ceiling, see the stars
See the jewelry, all rock, no guitar
Who you know better with the raw?
Bogota, she like finessing niggas
She gets a Range Rover Sport
And got seats on the court from the best of niggas
I never bit at that apple
I never lost my El Chapo
I can still grab it, and bag it and capsule
Covered in white like I walked in the chapel
I’m that cold
And I promise, I hardly see you
From where I am it’s so hard to see you
Got money I’v been different ever since
Maybe it’s me and my arrogance
Who are you, who are you anyway?
Who are you? We don’t know you
The last dope dealer
Red leather in a room full of Thrillers
The mamis, they zombies
Chase a nigga for the money, they behind me
Woo, safe look like it got a printer
Ain’t no rappers in that Sprinter
Ain’t no saints, only sinners
What bitch ain’t fucked a winner?
I’m a blue ribbon nigga
Talk down on you two pigeon niggas
Front five or better
Yeah, I got a mountain of it, you could climb forever
In the song Retribution, Pusha T is portraying his life as a successful and wealthy individual who is envied by others. He talks about being the "realest nigga" and the "coldest" which shows that he is confident in his abilities and is proud of what he has achieved. He also mentions being with Timbaland in a two-door car and making "Otis" which is a reference to the song "Otis" by Jay-Z and Kanye West that talks about the extravagance of their lifestyles. Pusha T reinforces the idea that he is different and better than others by talking about Monaco nights and playing in paradise. He talks about the powder and the money and how he is surrounded by luxurious items such as a mattress full of money.
Pusha T's arrogance is highlighted when he asks, "Who are you? We don't know you." This shows that he looks down on others and doesn't consider them to be on his level. He mentions his admiration from others and how he has been the subject of inspiration for many rappers. He taunts them by stating that he is the fire and the base and is admired by the greats. Pusha T's references to bogota and El Chapo give a glimpse into his possible illegal past and his connections with the drug world.
Overall, the song Retribution gives an insight into Pusha T's lavish lifestyle and how he looks down upon others who are not on his level. He talks about being confident in his abilities and not afraid to show his arrogance to others.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that you’re focused
Now that you are paying attention
I’m glad that you noticed
I am happy that you have finally become aware of my presence
The realest nigga here
I am the most authentic person in this place
It’s kinda chilly being the coldest
Being the best can sometimes make you feel a bit isolated or lonely
Me and Timbo in that two-door, making our ”Otis"
Timbaland and I were cruising around in a car and jamming to Otis Redding's music
Now witness the chosen
Observe the selected group of individuals
It’s just different here
The atmosphere here is unique
Monet Carlo nights, let her throw the dice
We had a good time gambling in the casinos of Monte Carlo
Play in paradise
Have fun in a beautiful, tropical location
All I know is white
All I am familiar with is cocaine
Get the powder gone
Sell all the cocaine quickly
Bitches love to shop, levitate the mall
Women are fond of shopping and spending money excessively
Mattress full of money, let it break the fall
I have so much money that I can use it as cushioning on my bed
Woo! She used to fly on a buddy pass
She used to travel using a ticket provided by a friend or family member who works for an airline
They say when the money go, you hope that your honey last
People say that true love will survive even when financial security is lost
I been preaching since money, cash— hoes
I have been rapping about money, wealth, and promiscuous women for a long time
And I promise, I hardly see you
I rarely notice you or pay attention to you
From where I am it’s so hard to see you
I am in a higher position and you are not prominent to me
Got money I’v been different ever since
I have changed since I obtained money
Maybe it’s me and my arrogance
Perhaps my conceit is contributing to the change in my personality
Who are you, who are you anyway?
I do not know who you are; I have no interest in you
Who are you? We don’t know you
You are not known or relevant to us
I’m the fire and the base
I bring the heat and the backbone to the music
I’m admired by the greats
I am respected by other famous artists
This to each and every rap nigga
I am speaking to all the rappers out there
I look you liars in the face
I confront those who pretend to be something they are not
Cold case, Rolls Wraith
An unsolved crime, riding in a luxurious car
Big dipper, constellation in the ceiling, see the stars
The car has a ceiling design featuring the Big Dipper constellation which is a cluster of stars
See the jewelry, all rock, no guitar
My jewelry is made up of diamonds or other precious stones rather than guitar accessories
Who you know better with the raw?
Who do you know that is better than me when it comes to dealing drugs?
Bogota, she like finessing niggas
A woman from Bogota, Colombia enjoys taking advantage of men
She gets a Range Rover Sport
She was able to purchase a Range Rover Sport using the money she gained from exploiting men
And got seats on the court from the best of niggas
She got courtside seats to a basketball game from a wealthy man
I never bit at that apple
I have never fallen for temptation or been tricked by anyone
I never lost my El Chapo
I have never lost my drug kingpin status
I can still grab it, and bag it and capsule
I am still capable of obtaining, packaging, and storing drugs
Covered in white like I walked in the chapel
I am covered in cocaine, resembling a bride wearing a white dress for her wedding in a chapel
I’m that cold
I am that ruthless and emotionless
The last dope dealer
I am the most successful drug dealer
Red leather in a room full of Thrillers
I am wearing red leather in a room filled with people who are trying to be like Michael Jackson
The mamis, they zombies
The women are so infatuated with me that they act like mindless zombies
Chase a nigga for the money, they behind me
The women chase me because of my wealth and status
Woo, safe look like it got a printer
My safe looks like it prints money because it is packed with cash
Ain’t no rappers in that Sprinter
There are no other rappers riding in my Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van
Ain’t no saints, only sinners
Nobody in my circle is a morally righteous person
What bitch ain’t fucked a winner?
What woman hasn't slept with a successful, wealthy man?
I’m a blue ribbon nigga
I am a top quality, award-winning person
Talk down on you two pigeon niggas
I am speaking poorly about two weak and insignificant people
Front five or better
I only wear designer clothing
Yeah, I got a mountain of it, you could climb forever
I have a lot of money; it's an endless source of wealth
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC,
Written by: Terrence Thornton, Kehlani Parrish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind