Tick Tock
RZA / Flatbush Zombies Lyrics

The devil is a lie
The notion of evil is deceitful and manipulative

You ain't broke bread 'till you taste the devil's pie
You haven't truly experienced temptation until you have succumbed to it

They say his laugh sounds like an angel when he cries
Even evil can seem innocent or appear harmless

What better camouflage when the halo's your disguise
Evil can hide behind an illusion of goodness

Them wings don't fly
The supposed good actions or intentions of evil will never truly bear fruit

Your traitor is your neighbor
Betrayal often comes from those closest to us

At your front porch, and he's handing you your paper
Betrayal can come in the form of someone who appears to be helping or providing for us

Bathrobe on, but the sword's underneath
Someone may appear harmless, but they are secretly armed or dangerous

And he wanna see your blood as it pours in the street
The traitor desires to witness our pain and suffering

It's the mark of the beast
This betrayal is associated with evil or diabolical forces

The meek shall inherit the Earth
Those who are humble and gentle will ultimately find peace and prosperity

The weak shall inherit the dirt
The vulnerable and powerless will be left with nothing

You each should have perished at birth
It is suggested that these individuals should have never been born or have met an unfortunate fate

Still born or aborted
Referring to the tragic outcomes of some lives

Every street tax gotta come with an audit
There are always consequences and scrutiny associated with illegal activities

Either your life, or your loved ones
The price to pay for involvement in criminal endeavors extends to not just oneself but also to those close

Straight razor or a snub-gun
The weapons one may face in dangerous encounters

From the village where the thugs from
Referring to the neighborhood or community where criminals originate

Same corner that you copping all your drugs from
The source of illegal substances is often found in the same area where one resides

He a hero, but he unsung
Some individuals may be considered heroes or admired figures, but their accomplishments go unnoticed or unacknowledged

Ayo homie, the chambers is 36, they new and improved
Referring to the chambers of a gun, indicating that there are many potential dangers or threats

Now make a move
Challenging someone to take action or make a decision

These guns whistle, sizzle up dudes who got big mouths, no power
The weapons will silence or eliminate those who talk bravely but lack real influence or authority

Run in the bank with no dollars, got the nerve to switch crews
Engaging in criminal activities despite being financially destitute and having the audacity to change allegiance

We better than the rest of 'em, my guess is the estrogen
Asserting superiority over others, attributing it to presumed higher levels of testosterone

And all the money we got, remove like the Mexicans
Money quickly disappears, much like the way Mexican immigrants can be deported

A cartel, compound, a carvel, a large scale in Scarsdale
Referring to organized criminal activities and operations in affluent areas

I fuck with golf now, Shala is ill
Engaging in new interests or activities, golf being an example, and acknowledging the skills of a person named Shala

Yeah, the coke is fresh, straight out of Bermuda yo
Describing the uniqueness or freshness of a particular batch of cocaine

Or chilling on a beach in Boca, cheefin' with tuna
Enjoying leisure time on a beach and smoking marijuana with someone named Tuna

Salads and palaces, yo, we smoke out them chalices
Living a luxurious lifestyle and indulging in smoking from ornate cups

Passing of the balances of bread to the Island since
Transferring large sums of money or resources to an undisclosed location

1984, the (?) was just more
Referring to a significant event or shift in circumstances in the year 1984

Then we would come through with rifles rocking Nike boots and war
Arriving with weapons and preparedness for conflict, wearing Nike boots as a symbol of readiness

A real nigga's invention that came from a henchman
An innovation or strategy that emerged from someone who served a powerful figure

Who blew up, now throw the Wu up, that's my redemption
Achieving success and now representing the Wu-Tang Clan as a form of personal redemption

Drug dealer, been that nigga half my life
Identifying as a drug dealer for a significant portion of one's existence

You niggas talking, but you ain't never seen 'em
People may discuss or boast about actions or individuals they have never truly encountered

Imagine being first name basis with the kingpin
To have a close and personal relationship with the leader or most influential figure in the criminal underworld

God, I was Lucifer's neighbor
Claiming to have a connection or association with evil or darkness

You wouldn't believe some of the things these people do for this paper
The extent to which individuals will go to acquire wealth or material possessions can be unfathomable

Moving with the lasers under Rugers
Operating with precision and caution, typically referring to firearms

Make a move, you make the papers, lose lose situation
Any action taken will result in negative consequences or attention

Sweat or blood, you get to choose what you bathe in
The choices one makes will determine the nature of their existence, either through hard work or violence

The chemists cookwork
The skilled production and manufacturing of illegal drugs

The runners; footwork
The activity and agility of those involved in the distribution of illicit substances

The customs took work
The process of smuggling drugs across borders required careful planning and effort

The soldiers put work in
The dedication and labor contributed by those involved in criminal activities

On any of the motherfuckers who fucked up good work
Punishing or seeking revenge on those who disrupted or interfered with successful criminal operations

Bosses tell 'em: 'Good work'
Acknowledging and praising the efforts or accomplishments of individuals in positions of authority

That's just how the hood work
Referring to the typical patterns and dynamics of the neighborhood or criminal environment

Northface bubble with, eight bundles under it
Wearing a Northface jacket with hidden compartments holding multiple bundles of drugs

Gold front upper-lip smile while I was hugging it
Displaying a confident or cocky demeanor while concealing illicit substances

I lied, I wasn't Lucifer's neighbor, he who I'm fucking with
Contradicting a previous statement, emphasizing allegiance or association with a powerful figure

My moms threw that snow in her nose, but I would hustle it
Although aware of his mother's drug use, the individual profited or engaged in drug deals

Champ hoodie, Mongoose with the bags
Wearing a Champion hoodie and riding a Mongoose bicycle while carrying packages of drugs

Clap your stoop up, hit moms duke in her legs
Using violence or intimidation against others, including targeting one's own mother

That's beef, y'all ain't street
This is a serious conflict, indicating that others lack the experience or knowledge of the street life

Y'all peep, write it down and try to beat
Others observe and take note of one's actions, attempting to replicate or surpass them

Fucking everything, neck heavy swing
Engaging in promiscuous activities and displaying wealth through jewelry

Second hand swepped across that pretty breathling
The touch of a second-hand or used item across a desirable or attractive person

And then that Nissan, Honda, Chevy thing pendling
Referring to different types or models of cars, suggesting the individual's diverse interactions or associations

Whatever bring fetti in, steadily I fed my whole team
By acquiring money or wealth, the individual was able to provide for and support their entire group

In this art of war, my pen stroke is Picasso
In the realm of warfare or conflict, the individual's writing skill is on par with the mastery of Picasso's art

To get the picture I ain't got to paint the nostrils
To convey a message or idea, it is not necessary to provide every detail or element

You know my origins is over when
The understanding of where I come from is complete or established

Fat black bitch singing over organs
An overweight African American woman singing while accompanied by musical instruments

Die for a dollar, pride you don't swallow
Some individuals are willing to sacrifice their lives for financial gain, but pride cannot be easily relinquished

You say that for the one you buying red bottoms
Expressing skepticism towards someone who claims to prioritize wealth or luxury goods over personal values

Yeah, that's the price you gotta pay for it
Acknowledging that acquiring certain things or achieving success often comes with a significant cost or sacrifice

All's fair in love and war, she masquerade for it
In the pursuit of love or success, individuals may present themselves deceptively or engage in manipulation

Jack-O-Lantern Push
Referring to oneself as a confident and intimidating figure

Trick or treat (?), I earned it of the books
Using ambiguous language, insinuating that the rewards or gains were acquired through illicit or unconventional means

Now listen to me vent
Pay attention to my expression of frustration or anger

When you sitting watch, it's like the tires being spent
Observing passively or inactively while time and opportunities are wasted

Shots from everywhere, but they never make a dent
Facing multiple attacks or criticisms, but remaining resilient and unaffected

Knight in shining armor
A symbol of protection, bravery, or heroism

Mistake me for the villain cause of my vengeance is your karma
Due to my actions seeking revenge, others may perceive me as the antagonist, but their suffering is a result of their own actions

Yeah, fear is knowing you're a goner
The realization of impending doom or certain death evokes fear

This is music to my soul, cause it's death before dishonor
The pursuit of loyalty or preserving one's reputation is more valuable than avoiding death or danger

Got the Tongue of a Pimp
Having a smooth and persuasive way with words

Raised by a dirty preacher
Growing up with someone who presents themselves as a religious figure but acts unethically or immorally

That used the church money to cop a new Beamer
Misappropriating funds intended for the church to purchase a luxury car

Got the heart of a child raised by a prostitute
Having a vulnerable or innocent emotional core despite being exposed to difficult or immoral circumstances

That bought his momma the rubbers when a job came through
Aiding his mother's occupation as a sex worker by providing her with necessary protection

It’s the microphone Methadone
Engaging in music or rapping as a form of therapeutic release or satisfaction

Greatest ever etched in stone
Acknowledging one's own greatness or exceptional abilities

You ain’t getting pussy like your prom date had a chaperone
Implying that someone does not have success or experience with attracting sexual partners

Popping pills got a nigga brain like a labyrinth
The use of drugs has complicated and confused one's thinking or mental state

Called the ho on purpose
Deliberately contacting a sex worker

But I got the brain on accident
Having intelligence or mental sharpness unintentionally

Nigga I’m your majesty
Asserting oneself as a powerful or important figure

Show up with a bag of weed
Arriving with a significant quantity of marijuana

Rolled a blunt so perfect, thought it came up out a factory
Preparing a marijuana joint with exceptional precision or skill, akin to a professionally manufactured product

My manuscript leave a man ripped of all his dreams
The content or message of my writings can completely shatter or dismantle a person's aspirations

The insomniac with nightmares in sixteens
Being plagued by sleeplessness and experiencing troubling or disturbing thoughts expressed through rap verses

I’m a wet dream, Dry sense of humor
Referencing as being both provocative and witty in a clever or humorous way

Travel in Class like a high school rumor
Navigating through life with a level of sophistication or exclusivity, similar to gossip in a high school setting

No one really cares if you embarrass us with style
Others are indifferent or unaffected by the way one presents themselves or behaves, even if it is embarrassing

Cuzz when it comes to them raps you been letting us down
In terms of rap music, the individual has failed to meet expectations or deliver as anticipated

So tell em why your mad son
Explain the reason for your anger or frustration to others

Gotta get it off your chest
To express or communicate something that has been bothering or weighing on one's mind

Let em know how you feel son
Share or communicate one's emotions and thoughts honestly with others

You gotta say what you say
One must be firm and assertive in expressing themselves and their beliefs

It don’t matter, they gonna say a nigga hating anyway
Regardless of what one says or does, there will always be individuals who interpret their actions negatively or accuse them of hating