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 first verse of Pusha T and Kehlani's song "Retribution," the lyrics describe the concept of being the best among others. Pusha T states, "Now that you're focused, I'm glad that you noticed. The realest nigga here, it's kinda chilly being the coldest." These lines suggest that Pusha T is the best among his peers and is isolated because of it. The line "Me and Timbo in that two-door, making our 'Otis'" references Jay-Z and Kanye West's song "Otis," as if Pusha T and Timbaland are on the same level as those two artists. Pusha T also highlights the difference between him and others by stating, "It's just different here." The rest of the verse discusses wealth, luxury, and the idea that "bitches love to shop," which is associated with materialism.
In the second verse, Pusha T continues to discuss his superiority in the rap game by stating "I'm the fire and the base, I'm admired by the greats." He also addresses his haters and "liars" who he confronts face-to-face. The verse also touches on his wealth and power, as he mentions a roll of cash and the Colombian city of Bogota. Additionally, Pusha T points out that he hasn't lost his El Chapo reference, which shows he has maintained his position among other drug lords. Finally, Pusha T describes himself as a "blue ribbon nigga" and speaks about how he has a "mountain" of money that others could climb forever.
Overall, the song's lyrics focus on Pusha T's feelings of superiority and isolation from others. He believes that he is the best among his peers and references his wealth, power, and status. He also confronts those who challenge that belief, making it clear that he has no intention of relinquishing his position at the top.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that you're focused
Now that you are paying attention and have your attention directed towards me
I'm glad that you noticed
I appreciate that you have recognized my presence and paid attention to me
The realest nigga here
I am the most genuine and authentic person present in this situation
It's kinda chilly being the coldest
Being the best can be a lonely and isolating experience
Me and Timbo in that two-door, making our "Otis"
Me and Timbo are driving in a two-door car and listening to the song "Otis"
Now witness the chosen
Observe and acknowledge that I am one of the select few who have been anointed to achieve greatness
It's just different here
This environment or situation is unusual or exceptional in some way
Monet Carlo nights, let her throw the dice
Spending nights in a fancy hotel and taking risks with a lover
Play in paradise
Having fun in a beautiful and idyllic setting
All I know is white
I am only familiar with making large sums of money illegally
Get the powder gone
Dispose of cocaine quickly and efficiently
Bitches love to shop, levitate the mall
Women enjoy shopping so much that they seem to float through malls
Mattress full of money, let it break the fall
I have so much money that it can cushion my fall if I jump onto my mattress
Woo! She used to fly on a buddy pass
She had to travel using a friend's airline staff pass which can only be used if there are available seats
They say when the money go, you hope that your honey last
People say that a person's true love will stay with them even if they lose their wealth
I been preaching since money, cash— hoes
I have been talking about money, cash, and women as my priorities for a long time
I'm the fire and the base
I am both the spark and the foundation in this situation
I'm admired by the greats
Other respected and successful individuals have expressed admiration for me
This to each and every rap nigga
This message is intended for every rapper listening
I look you liars in the face
I confront and challenge those who are not truthful
Cold case, Rolls Wraith
Investigating an unsolved crime while riding in a luxury car
Big dipper, constellation in the ceiling, see the stars
A decorative ceiling element resembles the Big Dipper and allows one to see stars indoors
See the jewelry, all rock, no guitar
The jewelry I am wearing is so impressive it looks like rocks that would be played in place of a musical instrument
Who you know better with the raw?
Do you know anyone better than me at selling uncut drugs?
Bogota, she like finessing niggas
A woman I know from Bogota is skilled at manipulating men
She gets a Range Rover Sport
As a result of her skills, she is able to acquire a luxury car
And got seats on the court from the best of niggas
She also has connections to successful people and can acquire great seats for sporting events
I never bit at that apple
I have never succumbed to temptation or deception
I never lost my El Chapo
I have remained loyal and have never betrayed the trust of those I work with
I can still grab it, and bag it and capsule
I am still capable of acquiring, packaging, and selling drugs
Covered in white like I walked in the chapel
I am wearing white clothing similar to what someone would wear in a church or chapel, but it is covered in cocaine
I'm that cold
I am that ruthless and successful
The last dope dealer
I am the last person still dealing drugs
Red leather in a room full of Thrillers
I am wearing red leather and am surrounded by people who are excited, possibly due to drugs
The mamis, they zombies
The women present are acting like zombie-like creatures due to drugs or other substances
Chase a nigga for the money, they behind me
Women are pursuing me for my money
Woo, safe look like it got a printer
My safe looks so full of money that it could print it like a printing machine
Ain't no rappers in that Sprinter
I am not riding in a van with other rappers
Ain't no saints, only sinners
No one present is perfect or morally upright
What bitch ain't fucked a winner?
Which woman has not had sex with someone successful, such as myself?
I'm a blue ribbon nigga
I am a top-quality and award-winning individual
Talk down on you two pigeon niggas
I am speaking negatively about two people I consider inferior
Front five or better
I own a lot of money, specifically $5000 or more
Yeah, I got a mountain of it, you could climb forever
I have an enormous amount of money that you could never climb your way out of
And I promise, I hardly see you
I am rarely aware of or pay attention to you
From where I am it's so hard to see you
My position in life makes it difficult to see or relate to your experiences
Got money I'v been different ever since
I have been changed by my wealth and success
Maybe it's me and my arrogance
My personality traits, such as arrogance, could be contributing factors to my change in behavior
Who are you, who are you anyway?
I am questioning and dismissing someone's identity and importance
Who are you? We don't know you
You are not well-known or significant in our social circle
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Terrence Thornton, Kehlani Parrish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind