Can It Be All So Simple
Raekwon f/ Ghostface Killah Lyrics
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Can it be, act like you know
Check it
Yo, check what happened out of state
I'm knocking off a half-a-cake cash rule, flying at a fast rate
I smoke the black dust kept my hands clutched, I'm fallin' in lust
Spore plush I played my hand like a royal flush
I put it in him, shot up in him, deadly venom
I hung around the big time bosses
Illegal force exchange thoughts, showing love to all my sources
Spades tried to bag me, like Cagney, and Lacey
Chef had that bitch stacey slippin in Macy's
I dose off, catch a flashback on how I got trapped
And got licked like papsy in a mob flick I got hit
Stumblin holdin my neck to the god's rest
Opened flesh burgundy blood colored my guess
Emergency trauma, black teen headed for surgery
Can it be an out of state nigga tried to murder me?
I should've stayed in job corp, but now I'm a outlaw
Ray cartegna, carry a fo'-fo' nigga
Can it be that it was all so simple then?
Dedicated to the gods and earths
Dedicated to babies who came feet first
Dedicated to up north and down state
Dedicated to rich niggaz who sell weights
Dedicated to projects with black kids
Dedicated to man who build pyramids
Word up! what the fuck yo?
We taking you on another chamber
Word up son, you know how we be on it
Yeah it's real
Show these crabs how to rhyme man
I think it's time to bless them, word up
Bulletproof
First chamber
Yo chef yo
It started off on the island, ak shaolin niggaz wildin
Old folks scream : stop the violence!
True layin up yo, watchin these crack niggaz
Playin nuff crap games for what see?
Back in days, crime pays in mad ways
Sportin tommy hil with caves 360 waves
And no searchin for loose ends, now flex 300 benz
Mad 10's with mad diamonds
Now that's the life of the good life, sometimes niggaz act trife
I paid the price throughout my hood life
Remember I got blasted, now that's in the past kid
God forbid I lay in the casket
But now I'm all about g-notes, no time for weed, mixed with coke
I wash my mouth out with soap
And I got my act together, 'lo sweaters and better
And fat leather, so whatever, bring it on
Can it be that it was all so simple then?
In Raekwon's "Can it Be All So Simple," the lyrics tell the story of a drug dealer, likely Raekwon himself, who has found himself in trouble with other dealers out of state. He describes his illegal activities, including knocking off a half-a-cake (selling drugs for $500,000) and smoking black dust (likely a reference to crack cocaine). He's fallen in lust with a woman and has survived an attempt on his life by a dealer from out of state. The hook "Can it be that it was all so simple then?" suggests that he's reflecting on a time when life was easier and less complicated, highlighting the dangers and harsh realities that come with his chosen lifestyle.
The lyrics also pay homage to various groups and people throughout history, including the "gods and earths" (members of the Five Percent Nation), babies who were born feet first, rich drug dealers, and the builders of pyramids. This shows the influence of various cultures and ideologies on Raekwon's life and music.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1993 as part of Wu-Tang Clan's debut album, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)." The album is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time and has influenced countless artists in the genre.
Another interesting fact is that the song heavily features Ghostface Killah, another member of Wu-Tang Clan. Ghostface contributes several verses throughout the song, including the opening lines of the remix version.
The song's hook was later sampled in the song "All Falls Down" by Kanye West, featuring Syleena Johnson. West's song became a massive hit in 2004 and helped to introduce a new generation of listeners to the Wu-Tang Clan's music.
The lyrics of "Can it Be All So Simple" have been analyzed and discussed by numerous music critics and scholars over the years. Some have praised the song's vivid storytelling and clever use of metaphor, while others have criticized its glorification of drug dealing and violence.
The song has been covered and remixed by several other artists over the years, including Wu-Tang member Method Man and rapper Common.
In addition to its musical influence, "Can it Be All So Simple" has also been referenced in popular culture in movies like "American Gangster" and TV shows like "The Boondocks."
The chords for the song are not readily available, as it heavily relies on samples and beats rather than live instrumentation. However, fans of the song can find instrumental and karaoke versions online that allow them to rap along with the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the remix son
This is the remixed version of this song.
Can it be, act like you know
Is it possible that you already know what I'm talking about?
Yo, check what happened out of state
Listen to what I experienced outside of our state.
I'm knocking off a half-a-cake cash rule, flying at a fast rate
I'm earning a substantial amount of money rapidly.
I smoke the black dust kept my hands clutched, I'm fallin' in lust
I'm smoking opium and getting addicted to it.
Spore plush I played my hand like a royal flush
I made a winning move confidently.
Baggy jeans, wallabee clarks, pretty woman
I'm wearing comfortable and stylish clothes.
I put it in him, shot up in him, deadly venom
I attacked and harmed someone with a dangerous weapon.
I hung around the big time bosses
I associated with important people in the criminal underworld.
Illegal force exchange thoughts, showing love to all my sources
We talked about illegal activities and helped each other out.
Spades tried to bag me, like Cagney, and Lacey
The police attempted to arrest me, like they do in the show Cagney and Lacey.
Chef had that bitch stacey slippin in Macy's
My friend Chef made Stacey, an enemy of ours, slip in the Macy's store.
I dose off, catch a flashback on how I got trapped
I fell asleep and remembered how I got caught in a difficult situation.
And got licked like papsy in a mob flick I got hit
I got ambushed and beaten up badly by the opposing group.
Stumblin holdin my neck to the god's rest
I'm stumbling and clutching my neck, asking for help from the divine power.
Opened flesh burgundy blood colored my guess
My skin was injured, and my bleeding suggested the seriousness of my injuries.
Emergency trauma, black teen headed for surgery
Due to the injuries, I needed emergency medical attention and surgery.
Can it be an out of state nigga tried to murder me?
Is it possible that someone from another state tried to kill me?
I should've stayed in job corp, but now I'm a outlaw
I regret not sticking to my job and lawful means and becoming a criminal instead.
Ray cartegna, carry a fo'-fo' nigga
I carry a .44 Magnum handgun, and my name is Ray Cartegna.
Can it be that it was all so simple then?
Is it possible that life used to be simple back then?
Dedicated to the gods and earths
This song is dedicated to the Five Percent Nation, a religious group.
Dedicated to babies who came feet first
This song is dedicated to newborn infants who were born feet first.
Dedicated to up north and down state
This song is dedicated to the people of Upstate New York and Downstate New York.
Dedicated to rich niggaz who sell weights
This song is dedicated to wealthy drug dealers.
Dedicated to projects with black kids
This song is dedicated to housing projects where African American children live.
Dedicated to man who build pyramids
This song is dedicated to ancient Egyptian builders of pyramids.
Word up! what the fuck yo?
Hey, what's going on?
We taking you on another chamber
We're taking you on another musical journey.
Word up son, you know how we be on it
You know how we do it.
Yeah it's real
This is real life that we're talking about.
Show these crabs how to rhyme man
Impress these unskilled rappers with our superior rhyming ability.
I think it's time to bless them, word up
I think we should dazzle them with our talent.
Bulletproof
I'm wearing a bulletproof vest for protection.
First chamber
This is the first verse of a multi-part song.
Yo chef yo
Hey, Chef, what's up?
It started off on the island, ak shaolin niggaz wildin
It all began on Staten Island, where we, the members of Wu-Tang Clan, originated.
Old folks scream : stop the violence!
Elders in our community were pleading with us to end the violence.
True layin up yo, watchin these crack niggaz
I'm watching drug dealers make money while I'm not doing anything productive.
Playin nuff crap games for what see?
We're gambling excessively for no valid reason.
Back in days, crime pays in mad ways
In the past, committing crimes used to be very lucrative.
Sportin tommy hil with caves 360 waves
I'm wearing Tommy Hilfiger clothing and my hair has a 360-degree wave pattern.
And no searchin for loose ends, now flex 300 benz
I'm not looking for any problems and have upgraded to a luxury car.
Mad 10's with mad diamonds
I own many expensive cars and jewelry.
Now that's the life of the good life, sometimes niggaz act trife
This is the good life; however, sometimes people can act badly.
I paid the price throughout my hood life
I have suffered the consequences of being a part of the hood lifestyle.
Remember I got blasted, now that's in the past kid
I remember being shot but now I've moved on from it.
God forbid I lay in the casket
I hope I don't die anytime soon.
But now I'm all about g-notes, no time for weed, mixed with coke
Now, I'm focused on making money and don't have time for drugs.
I wash my mouth out with soap
I try to speak in a clean and respectable way.
And I got my act together, 'lo sweaters and better
I have matured and am dressing better.
And fat leather, so whatever, bring it on
I have nice leather clothing and am ready for any challenge.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, RUSSELL T. JONES, DENNIS DAVID COLES, GARY E. GRICE, LAMONT HAWKINS, JASON HUNTER, CLIFFORD SMITH, COREY WOODS, MARILYN BERGMAN, ALAN BERGMAN, MARVIN HAMLISCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@earlwoods5536
Who's listening in 2024.. wu-tang is here forever
@rjones4748
4eva
@alejandrogamez7531
🤝🏾
@mbakompuchane6180
Always
@@alejandrogamez7531
@rachelmoses5862
🙋🏾♀️👊🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
@Moprofit742
4L
@NightLinks
Raekwon using the word "Clout" wayyy before it went mainstream.
@concreterosegarden5936
My dad listened to wu tang all the time. I used to hate it as a kid but now when I hear this new music of my generation I know there's no comparison. Wu tang was real talent and skill.
@gabrielcruz7852
Correct young man we lived it ... they seen it on TV .... NYC BX
@vicky1rn52
Wu Tang is for the children Son! Ya Pops was exposing you to hip hop history 🙌🏽