Criminology
Raekwon featuring Ghost Face Killer A/K/A Tony Starks Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I told you a long time ago you fucking little monkey, not to fuck me
Ayy, ayy, who the fuck you think you talkin' to, huh?
(You wanna fuck with-)
Who the fuck you think I am, your fuckin' bellboy?
Do you wanna go to war? (Nothin' but a half a mil', we build)
You wanna go to war? We'll take you to war, okay?
For real, y'all
Takin' you on another one, son
Uh, Julio Iglesias
Makin' cream like that nigga

Yo, first of all, son, peep the arson (blaow)
Many brothers I be sparkin' and bustin' mad light inside the dark
Call me dough snatcher, just the brother for the rapture
I hang glide, holdin' on strong, hard to capture
Extravagant, RZA bake the track and it's militant
Then I react, like a convict, and start killin' shit
It's manifested, the God's work like appliances
Dealin' in my cypher I revolve around sciences
The 9th chamber, leave you trapped inside my hallway
You try to flee but you got smoked up by the doorway (blaow)
No question, I send your ass back, right to the essence
Your whole frame is smothered in dirt, now how you restin'?
While I'll be trapped by sounds, locked behind loops
Throwin' niggas off airplanes 'cause cash rules (cash rules)
Everything around me, black, as you can see
Swallow this murder one verse like God Degree
Then analyze my soundtrack for satisfaction
You adapt like a flashback, chain reaction
(Lace 'em niggas, son)

AK's black, bust back like seventy MACs
I'm all that, street niggas knowin' my steez, black
Ron G, you know he coincide with me, see
Marvelous, menace for society
But anyway, let's toast, champagne thoughts with Ghost
I max the most shotguns through the nose
Fuck rap, hip-hop put me on top
'Lo wears, and Tommy Hil' fly shit with a knot
The witty unpredictable live shit, drive by shit
Do-or-die shit, I'll take your lie and shit
And then you know, I'm runnin' through the penal, foul
Fall through, child was wild
The old lady snitched, but fuck it, you know it, one love, kid
No, I'm not doin' a bid
Too much to get for what 'cause six niggas got stuck
And the nigga chain was truck?
Yo, fuck that, criminology rap
Sneakers stay jet black floatin' in the flyest Ac', nigga
(Bring it, yeah)





Much love go to New York City
All my Tommy Hil', ice rockin' niggas

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Criminology by Raekwon and Ghostface Killah are filled with vivid imagery of violence and criminal activity. The opening lines set a confrontational tone, with Raekwon asserting his authority and warning against anyone who would cross him. Throughout the song, the rappers describe their ruthless tactics and extravagant lifestyles, with references to arson, murder, and drug dealing. They also pay homage to various brands and pop culture icons, such as Julio Iglesias, Tommy Hilfiger, and the Nike Air Force Ones.


However, there is also a sense of introspection and self-awareness in their lyrics. They acknowledge the harsh realities of their environment and the consequences of their actions, with lines like "While I'll be trapped by sounds, locked behind loops" and "Do-or-die shit, I’ll take your lie and shit." This juxtaposition of violence and vulnerability creates a complex portrait of street life, one that is both seductive and dangerous.


Ultimately, Criminology is a powerful showcase of Raekwon and Ghostface Killah's lyrical prowess, as they skillfully weave together intricate rhymes and vivid metaphors to create a gritty, cinematic world.


Line by Line Meaning

I told you a long time ago you fucking little monkey, not to fuck me
I warned you a while back not to mess with me, you disrespectful person.


Ayy, ayy, who the fuck you think you talkin' to, huh?
Who do you think you are trying to talk down to me?


(You wanna fuck with-) Who the fuck you think I am, your fuckin' bellboy?
Do not assume services from me as if I were a hotel worker, who do you think I am?


Do you wanna go to war? (Nothin' but a half a mil', we build)
Are you really looking for a conflict? We'll brawl, although it'll cost you a small fortune for the damage incurred.


You wanna go to war? We'll take you to war, okay?
Alright then, you are about to inaugurate a violent feud, get ready.


For real, y'all Takin' you on another one, son Uh, Julio Iglesias Makin' cream like that nigga
Honestly, we are about to start another track. Julio Iglesias style, we are ready to make some serious money.


Yo, first of all, son, peep the arson (blaow) Many brothers I be sparkin' and bustin' mad light inside the dark
First of all, observe the deliberate setting of the fire. Additionally, I collectively instigate and illuminate the dark environment.


Call me dough snatcher, just the brother for the rapture I hang glide, holdin' on strong, hard to capture
Refer to me as the bread thief, with the ideal qualities for the rapture. I soar, with relentless strength which can't be caught.


Extravagant, RZA bake the track and it's militant Then I react, like a convict, and start killin' shit
Exceptionally ostentatious beats produced by RZA, with the most intense militant vibe. I move like a prisoner, destructively slaughtering everything in my path.


It's manifested, the God's work like appliances Dealin' in my cypher I revolve around sciences
It's fully demonstrated how God operates, much like household tools. Inside my social circle, I revolve around sciences.


The 9th chamber, leave you trapped inside my hallway You try to flee but you got smoked up by the doorway (blaow)
The 9th chamber traps you within its corridor, and all attempts of escape vaporize due to its deathly essence.


No question, I send your ass back, right to the essence Your whole frame is smothered in dirt, now how you restin'?
Without doubt, I obliterated your physical form, sending your spirit back to its source. Your previous resting place is replaced by muddy earth.


While I'll be trapped by sounds, locked behind loops Throwin' niggas off airplanes 'cause cash rules (cash rules)
Although I find myself trapped by sounds, with repetitive beats clearly limiting creativity, money opens doors. I could literally toss people out of airplanes without fear of reprisal.


Everything around me, black, as you can see Swallow this murder one verse like God Degree Then analyze my soundtrack for satisfaction You adapt like a flashback, chain reaction
As you can witness, my surroundings are completely dark. You should digest my lethal verse akin to God's decree. Upon reviewing my work, you'll find my contemporaries enjoy it. As you listen, you start to react the way you did in the past.


(Lace 'em niggas, son)
(Restrain these individuals, son)


AK's black, bust back like seventy MACs I'm all that, street niggas knowin' my steez, black Ron G, you know he coincide with me, see Marvelous, menace for society
With my black AK-47 unleashing with the same rapid-fire as 70 MACs, everyone acknowledges my authority. My name is synonymous with the street, and Ron G is in complete unison with me. Marvelous, yet fear-inducing breed of creatures among society.


But anyway, let's toast, champagne thoughts with Ghost I max the most shotguns through the nose Fuck rap, hip-hop put me on top 'Lo wears, and Tommy Hil' fly shit with a knot
But anyways, let's make a toast, having thoughts of being rich like Ghost. I take the most powerful hits of a shotgun through my nostrils. I achieved my status through hip hop, not really the rap genre. Dressing in luxurious brands like Polo and Tommy Hilfiger.


The witty unpredictable live shit, drive by shit Do-or-die shit, I'll take your lie and shit And then you know, I'm runnin' through the penal, foul Fall through, child was wild
The way I deliver my lines is creatively savvy and unpredictable, some refer to it as live shit. Engaging in drive-by shootings to prove your worth is a risky move. If need be, I'll take your life, then discard it. On a different note, I'm incarcerated, but I've made my presence felt already.


The old lady snitched, but fuck it, you know it, one love, kid No, I'm not doin' a bid Too much to get for what 'cause six niggas got stuck And the nigga chain was truck? Yo, fuck that, criminology rap Sneakers stay jet black floatin' in the flyest Ac', nigga (Bring it, yeah)
My elderly neighbor was a snitch, but we still maintain a non-judgmental love for others. No, I'm not incarcerated right now. The risk of going to prison is too high for a meager reward, considering six people got attacked and the reward was just a chain on a truck. Pfft, forget that, let's talk about criminology because that's my forte. Plus, note that my sneakers, they stay jet black and they compliment the stylish vehicle i have (Bring it, yeah).


Much love go to New York City All my Tommy Hil', ice rockin' niggas
A show of appreciation directed to New York City. Salutations to all the sharp looking folks, sporting spruced-up outfits coupled with ice jewelry, which are mostly certain brands like Tommy Hilfiger.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Corey Woods, Dennis Coles, Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams, Robert Diggs, Russell Patterson, Stuart Bascombe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@adrianuribe8282

Bruh Ghost made this album legendary! Damn near every verse he murders.

@opiohead

RZA killed it with this unreal beat then Raekwon & Ghostface Killah nailed the coffin.

@pedrofernandez7298

Classic

@jakobarman2862

classic

@urbanrevival2351

CLASsiC

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