I'll Be Around
Rappin' 4-Tay feat. Detroit Spinners Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ragtop records, may I help you
Can I speak to Fo
One moment please, he's around
Yo, wassup
Wassup, Fo, I know you finished that cut for the radio
As a matter of fact Fly I just finished it baby boy
No worry about nothin', I'll be around
Regardless if I'm chillin' backstage or on tour
With my homie Young Fly even Al B. sure
Never hesitate to call me after I'm done
Cause homie I'm real and always true to my loved ones
Too many wakes and funerals full of tears
You say there's something on your mind, well hey, I'm all ears
Cause ain't nobody thinking about the funk that you're choosin' it
A lot of my homies stuck in the pen for life or losin' it
Call up your folks you keep thinkin' about home
Recorder keeps a peep and there's a block on the phone
And all of this is enough to make a brother's nerves bad
Reminds me of a situation that I once had
Spent that, spent this endless relentless tremendous women on my jock
And don't nobody mind their business
He say she say throwin' salt about it
And chooses to talk about you cause there's no one else to talk about
Talk about the show and the flow and all the clout
Then be real with yourself and talk about and turned it out
It's not hard to compete when his name is poppin'
A scared man can never win that's why I stay clockin'
Fools be huffin' and puffin' don't wanna see me about nothin' I'm down
And if you ever need me Fly, I'll be around

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
I'll be around

Life ain't based on peaches and cream
This new generation lost a whole lot of dreams
Future doctors, producers, and mothers
The list goes on but now we killin' our brothers
And if we killin' our brothers that means we killin' our own kind
These kids is watchin' now it goes to their mind
Rattatatat cause you got a gat
Then they want a gat you livin' like that
Moms ain't cookin' she worked the week straight
If anything she's the one deserves a hot plate
The ghetto, the ghetto ain't nothin' to dream about
Tryin' to get out now that's somethin' to think about
Fools might disagree but I'm a stay sucka free
Now I'm so black and so strong they can't fade me
Blacks are blacks worst enemy there's still no remedy
You got me for a grip do you call yourself kin of me
Jealousy, envy, I see it in your eyes
Tell me what's wrong with seeing a black man rise
I keep it funky it's pretty hard to miss it now it is not explicit
A message for the mind, and a moral for statistics
So I'm doin' what we call a roll call
Talkin' about the ones who won't rap then take a downfall
I spit the street life and then I go underground
You silly, it's called versatility and I'll be around

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
I'll be around

Things are gettin' crucial you gotta exercise your mind
Or learn about life before you're left behind
But how you gonna get it right when you're not doin' right
When you get mad all you want is a gunfight
This tension causes a gang of madness
Now you want funk that results to sadness
Sadness results to a lot of revenge
And your so called friends really ain't your friends
So how do you know who you're able to trust
If you think about the past look what happened to us
I never trust no one, I only trust myself
Or I would've been a victim like everyone else
In friendship or hardship whenever you need me
Just give me a call G I won't deceive thee
These fools be shakin' best believe they're fakin'
Just tryin' to get a grip of all the money you're makin'
This ain't race a mind is a terrible thing to waste
I drop the rap and J drops the bass
To the flow cause ain't nobody get with Fo
I'm a down young brother comin' straight outta Frisco
Droppin' a message out of love to your town
Love your brothers and sisters and I'll be around

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there




Whenever you call me, I'll be there
I'll be around

Overall Meaning

The song "I'll Be Around" by Rappin' 4-Tay feat. The Detroit Spinners starts with a phone call where the person on the line is asking whether Fo has finished his cut for the radio, to which he replies that he has done so and assures the caller that he will always be around for them regardless of whether he is on tour or hanging backstage with his friends. He tells the caller to speak up about whatever's on their mind because he will listen and that he has witnessed too many friends lost to incarceration or death. The rapper urges the caller to embrace their roots and to call home and not to worry about their location being monitored as they are just thinking about their homeland. In the second verse, Rappin' 4-Tay speaks on the sad reality of black people killing other blacks and not realizing the importance of building a better future and educating themselves. He warns against living in the ghetto and glamorizing violence and guns, but instead preaches for self-education and reflection to make a positive change. He urges people to trust him and love their brothers and sisters.


Line by Line Meaning

Ragtop records, may I help you
Answering phone call at the record company


Can I speak to Fo
Asking to speak with Fo


One moment please, he's around
Putting call on hold to find Fo


Yo, wassup
Greeting Fo on the phone


Wassup, Fo, I know you finished that cut for the radio
Inquiring about Fo's recent music production


As a matter of fact Fly I just finished it baby boy
Confirming that the music production is completed


No worry about nothin', I'll be around
Assuring that Fo will be around to deal with anything that comes up


Regardless if I'm chillin' backstage or on tour
Explaining that Fo will be available even if busy on tour


With my homie Young Fly even Al B. sure
Noting Fo's connection to other musicians


Never hesitate to call me after I'm done
Encouraging others to reach out to Fo when needed


Cause homie I'm real and always true to my loved ones
Stating Fo's commitment to those close to him


Too many wakes and funerals full of tears
Recognizing the sorrow and loss caused by violence


You say there's something on your mind, well hey, I'm all ears
Offering a listening ear to those in need


Cause ain't nobody thinking about the funk that you're choosin' it
Pointing out that negative behaviors are not worth it


A lot of my homies stuck in the pen for life or losin' it
Highlighting the negative consequences of poor choices


Call up your folks you keep thinkin' about home
Encouraging people to stay connected to their roots and family


Recorder keeps a peep and there's a block on the phone
Acknowledging potential obstacles to communication


And all of this is enough to make a brother's nerves bad
Recognizing the stress and frustration of these circumstances


Reminds me of a situation that I once had
Reflecting on a similar experience that Fo has personally faced


Spent that, spent this endless relentless tremendous women on my jock
Describing Fo's experiences with women throwing themselves at him


And don't nobody mind their business
Noting the lack of privacy and gossip surrounding Fo's life


He say she say throwin' salt about it
Referencing negative rumors and lies spread about Fo


And chooses to talk about you cause there's no one else to talk about
Acknowledging the tendency to gossip about those in the public eye


Talk about the show and the flow and all the clout
Recognizing the attention and fame associated with being a successful musician


Then be real with yourself and talk about and turned it out
Encouraging people to be honest with themselves about their accomplishments


It's not hard to compete when his name is poppin'
Discussing Fo's success in the music industry


A scared man can never win that's why I stay clockin'
Stating the importance of confidence and perseverance


Fools be huffin' and puffin' don't wanna see me about nothin' I'm down
Acknowledging haters and critics who want to bring Fo down


And if you ever need me Fly, I'll be around
Reiterating Fo's availability and loyalty


Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Reassuring that Fo will always be there for others


Life ain't based on peaches and cream
Recognizing life's challenges and struggles


This new generation lost a whole lot of dreams
Expressing concern for the younger generation's future


Future doctors, producers, and mothers
Listing important roles that future generations may hold


The list goes on but now we killin' our brothers
Highlighting the problem of violence and crime


And if we killin' our brothers that means we killin' our own kind
Recognizing the harm that this violence does to the community


These kids is watchin' now it goes to their mind
Stressing the importance of positive role models for children


Rattatatat cause you got a gat
Referencing the problem of gun violence


Then they want a gat you livin' like that
Observing that one act of violence leads to more violence


Moms ain't cookin' she worked the week straight
Describing the hardships faced by many families in the inner city


If anything she's the one deserves a hot plate
Recognizing the hard work and sacrifice of mothers


The ghetto, the ghetto ain't nothin' to dream about
Acknowledging the harsh realities of life in the inner city


Tryin' to get out now that's somethin' to think about
Encouraging people to work hard to improve their situation


Fools might disagree but I'm a stay sucka free
Refusing to engage with negativity


Now I'm so black and so strong they can't fade me
Expressing confidence and strength


Blacks are blacks worst enemy there's still no remedy
Recognizing the problem of racism within the black community


You got me for a grip do you call yourself kin of me
Asking who is truly a friend and ally


Jealousy, envy, I see it in your eyes
Noticing negative feelings from others


Tell me what's wrong with seeing a black man rise
Challenging the negative attitudes towards success among black men


I keep it funky it's pretty hard to miss it now it is not explicit
Being authentic and true to oneself, even if it's not popular


A message for the mind, and a moral for statistics
Providing a meaningful message through music


So I'm doin' what we call a roll call
Checking in with people and addressing societal issues


Talkin' about the ones who won't rap then take a downfall
Addressing those who criticize and fail to succeed themselves


I spit the street life and then I go underground
Describing Fo's style of music


You silly, it's called versatility and I'll be around
Laughing off criticism and reiterating Fo's commitment to his music and community


Things are gettin' crucial you gotta exercise your mind
Stressing the importance of mental health and wellness


Or learn about life before you're left behind
Encouraging people to learn and grow to avoid being left behind


But how you gonna get it right when you're not doin' right
Stating the importance of making good choices to succeed


When you get mad all you want is a gunfight
Addressing the problem of impulsiveness and violence


This tension causes a gang of madness
Describing the harmful effects of tension and violence


Now you want funk that results to sadness
Noting the negative consequences of seeking revenge and violence


Sadness results to a lot of revenge
Describing the cycle of violence and revenge


And your so called friends really ain't your friends
Warning against false friends and negative influences


So how do you know who you're able to trust
Questioning who can be trusted in a world of violence and crime


If you think about the past look what happened to us
Reflecting on past mistakes and tragedies


I never trust no one, I only trust myself
Advising self-sufficiency and caution


Or I would've been a victim like everyone else
Explaining the need for self-preservation and protection


In friendship or hardship whenever you need me
Offering support in all situations


Just give me a call G I won't deceive thee
Reiterating Fo's loyalty and honesty


These fools be shakin' best believe they're fakin'
Noting the insincerity and falseness of certain people


Just tryin' to get a grip of all the money you're makin'
Accusing others of wanting to take advantage of Fo's success and wealth


This ain't race a mind is a terrible thing to waste
Stressing the importance of education and using one's mind


I drop the rap and J drops the bass
Describing the music production process


To the flow cause ain't nobody get with Fo
Boasting about Fo's skills and talents


I'm a down young brother comin' straight outta Frisco
Introducing himself as a successful musician from San Francisco


Droppin' a message out of love to your town
Sending a positive message to communities everywhere


Love your brothers and sisters and I'll be around
Encouraging love and unity in the community, reiterating Fo's availability




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Phil Hurtt, Thom Randolph Bell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Omar Abdulalim

Pure rapping no cussing just music

VinylForceFunk François

;-))

Paul D

absolutely love this tune ol skool hip hop at its finest

patg78

Great Westcoast Rap! I love the original Spinners tune and this one is amazing Too!

Khemt291223

I'been seeking for this sound ,now just found it!

Jamal E

Love it men real classic rapping 4 tay

Cali Life

4 tay u a genius bro much love !!

Tommy Fong

Style just like 'Pac!!

slim76

tres bon morceau il a une super sonorite so good

Zacarias Blanco

From the Bay Area with Love, this Dope ass Version

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