Uplift )
Rakim Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Levantore!
Yeah, it's just ghetto, kid test the devil to hit the next level
Wish they was a rebel with cerebral metal
Inflex the bezzle with the peddle to the metal
In a thug's paradise where love have a price
So we love for life like thugs love the night
They sell drugs for ice for the Benz with bug lights
Some hug mics to the world, hung like parasites
The likes lethal, the mics lead you
A sneak preview, watch what we do and what the hood teach you
I still see through the eye of a needle
So I can watch people cause slug backwards is evil

Levantore!
Yo, what's this? Yo bust this. Yo it's time to up lift
They think all we do is bust clips and puff splifs
And plush whips and clutch chips and touch chicks
Flont rocks like Fort Knox and hog blocks
Taunt cops with more props and we want not
Panhandling with your mans and them
Scrambling, gambling, plans to win
While the cops clock em, thieves flock em
Women watch em, traders wanna top em
Ay yo what's the problem
Before the narcs knock em opposite players plot to rob em
The ghetto got em, my man said it's rough at the bottom

Levantore!
Ghetto alert, let's do whatever work to get rid of the curse
We went from 1st to America's worst
On this competitive turf, now let's inherit the earth
There's more prize for one another, and call shots
12:00 til the next ball drop
All year around plus they shuffle non stop
You think it's rough at the bottom, it's even rougher on top
My peeps gonna have to reach and turn for me
And everybody's side of the street'll be celly
Ain't nothing funny, burn plenty and burn money
And earn money and watch the century turn 20

Levantore!
We all should, from the woods to the big city and the small hood
Everybody should be welcome to the ball if we all could,
But we fall cause we brawl, yo it ain't all good
We need to play right, stay tight with ya air alight
Keep your game tight, no need to play trife
Get cheese from the daylight to the late night
And it's shouldn't take death to appreciate life
Before a lot parish, we got to cherish if Allah let us
Let's give prop and merits till the block flourish
In this metropolis, stay on top of this
You know what the prophet is, be prosperous

Levantore!
Now we networking
Respect the next person, it'll be less hurting
Or left lurking, while we kept our dreads working
Connect set for certain, total networking
Last chance to advance and stash grands
If you have plans to have fam and mad land
Own shine, condone crime or hold 9s
I know what the problem is, killing our own kind
To my flame throwers, train sober, remain soldiers
Stay sane so these pretty dames can hold us
Terror terrain rollers and Range Rovers so the train goers
Claim your fame, maintain, till your game's over

Levantore!
Ghetto alert, let's do whatever work to get rid of the curse
We went from 1st to America's worst
On this competitive turf, now let's inherit the earth
There's more prize for one another, and call shots
12:00 til the next ball drop
All year around plus they shuffle non stop
You think it's rough at the bottom, it's even rougher on top
My peeps gonna have to reach and turn for me
And everybody's side of the street'll be celly
Ain't nothing funny, burn plenty and burn money




And earn money and watch the century turn 20
Levantore!

Overall Meaning

In Rakim's song Uplift, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of life in the ghetto; a place where love has a price and people love for life like thugs love the night. The song highlights the struggles that people in the ghetto face like selling drugs for ice to own a Benz with bug lights. However, the song also shows a glimpse of hope that lies within the ghetto community, "Let's do whatever work to get rid of the curse, we went from 1st to America's worst… There's more prize for one another, and call shots". The song encourages everyone to work together towards a better life, where no one is left behind.


Rakim's Uplift is a motivational song that advocates for change and unity. The lyrics highlight the need for people to respect each other, network and work together towards a common goal. It is a reminder that no matter how tough life gets, there is always hope for a better future. The song calls for an end to violence and crime that destroys the ghetto community and instead for people to work towards building a brighter future.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, it's just ghetto, kid test the devil to hit the next level
Life in the ghetto is tough, but those who strive for success must be willing to face even tougher challenges


Wish they was a rebel with cerebral metal
It would be great to have someone with a sharp mind and rebellious spirit leading the way


Inflex the bezzle with the peddle to the metal
Drive fast and hard towards success, even if it means risking everything


In a thug's paradise where love have a price
In the world of thugs, nothing is given freely; even love must be paid for


So we love for life like thugs love the night
Just as thugs enjoy the darkness of the night, we must embrace the reality of life and love fiercely


They sell drugs for ice for the Benz with bug lights
People are willing to do anything to live the glamorous life, including selling drugs to afford fancy cars and jewelry


Some hug mics to the world, hung like parasites
Some people cling to the microphone, using their words to survive and thrive like parasites


The likes lethal, the mics lead you
The power of music can be dangerous and life-changing, leading people down a path they never expected


A sneak preview, watch what we do and what the hood teach you
Pay close attention to the actions of those around you, as they may provide valuable lessons about life and survival


I still see through the eye of a needle
Even in tough times, I can still see clearly and understand what needs to be done


So I can watch people cause slug backwards is evil
I keep a close eye on those around me, because those who spread negativity and evil must be stopped


Yo bust this. Yo it's time to up lift
Listen up, it's time to lift ourselves up and work towards a better future


They think all we do is bust clips and puff splifs
Stereotypes and misconceptions about the ghetto and its inhabitants persist, but we know there is more to us than that


Flont rocks like Fort Knox and hog blocks
People show off their expensive jewelry and control their neighborhood blocks like they are royalty


The ghetto got em, my man said it's rough at the bottom
Those at the bottom of the social and economic ladder face even greater struggles and challenges


Ghetto alert, let's do whatever work to get rid of the curse
We must take action to change things for the better and break the cycle of poverty and struggle in the ghetto


Before a lot parish, we got to cherish if Allah let us
We must appreciate and value life before it's too late


Now we networking
We are coming together and collaborating to work towards a common goal


I know what the problem is, killing our own kind
One of the biggest problems in the ghetto is violence, including killing members of our own community




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WILLIAM GRIFFIN, RONALD ANTHONY LAWRENCE, VICTOR PADILLA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Brian


on R.A.K.I.M.

Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra

R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'

I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne

Ayo, when Rakim Allah attack, it's a wrap, y'all, relax
The almanac, just show me where the party's at
Seminars and tracks, cause, comas, and cardiacs
Broads and cats screaming, "oh, my God, he's back"
Just imagine, I hit the lab and get it crackin'
A thousand styles in one verse, rhythms will switch patterns
Chicks get stabbed in the back, 'til they get spasms
Known to spit a magnum, or split an atom
Who woulda known that Jesus would come back to the ghetto
On that level, and that thorough, like a black hero
And pack metal, so rap rebels, will back pedal
The pharaoh of five boroughs, and take over the rap world
Gettin' bizarre, hardcore, this is for y'all
The crib or the park, play it when you get in the car
Chill at the bar, sip somethin' or split a cigar
Get with your dogs, don't be alarmed, this kid is the bomb

It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne

Uh, yeah, yo, I used to paint this flow, on ancient scrolls
And learn to make this dough where gangstas roll
Think like the late great Capone when the bank is closed
It's cats that claim they bold, but they ain't this cold
I'm from New York City even pretty chicks act up
Niggas get clapped up, you stack up, they stick that up
Quick to strap up, you'd think my name was "kid, back up"
Big niggas, pick that up or lift that up
Raised by gangstas and gamblers, hustlers, con artists
And convicts, killers and dons
Drug dealers, players and pimps, smooth talkers
Stick-up kids, thugs, real niggas and gods
Haunted by every soul that lay dead in the turf
Cursed by every spirit that never made it to birth
Since the Moon separated from Earth
That's why they say I'm the greatest that ever orchestrated a verse

It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne

Ayo, toast to that, it's the cat that broke backs
To a soul clap, I smoke a track, how dope is that
Pope of rap, wrote backs that most slack
That note back before they turned coke to crack
To my dogs hearin' sirens on the firearms
Outcome die in wars or behind iron bars
The boulevard, retire frauds when I evolve
Try and rob my dialogue, I am God
Chicks moan just to get next to my throne
And sniff my cologne and get Ra alone
Sex pots at home, I'm testosterone
Caress spots, dress drops, bed rocks the bone
Hit the floor, it's hot for 2003
Hits galore, who rock a style as wild as me?
Rest assured, when I rock def crowds and scream
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim

It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne

More Versions