caterpillar
Royce Da 5'9 Lyrics
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You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out
You will not be able to lose yourself on scag and skip out for beer during commercials
Because the revolution will not be televised
This right here for the number ones
Number ones here with your number one
You ain't number one, just another one
Ring the alarm, the caterpillar keeps firing
Oh, we in the war
Where butterflies keep dyin' (ah)
I'm a product of Parker, Lewis and Kubiak
If didn't do this, where in the fuck would you be at?
See there's a difference between us, what I spit hit arenas
You a drip from my penis, I eat lions and sip hyenas
You number one when it comes to slaughtered mics
I'm tryna be number one in my son and daughter life
Uh, all you niggas my lil' rapper babies
Y'all my children, y'all bit my shit and contracted rabies
Don't you grade me next to these rapper, baby, that's degrading
My style got so many different facets, I switch into so many different passions
I'm skippin' class to be fascinating
My pen is like Big Ben, this shit's just a classic waiting
Your favorite rapper come at me, I just decapitate him
Out here congratulating these has-beens who had their highs
These rappers only won their matches because they strategize
I'll bring adequate to these patterns and here's my battle cry
Ring the alarm, the caterpillar is firing
Oh, we in a war
Where butterflies keep dyin' (ah)
This right here for the number ones
Number ones here with your number one
You ain't number one, just another one
Now everybody sayin' that they number one
Kid think your number won't quit
Number one song, get your number one chick
Number one fly with your number one kick
When it's all done then your number gon' switch
Hold up, wait a minute
Guess what I'ma never do
Show so much respect to you
That I feel like we're friends, so now we no longer competitors
That could be the death of you
Never let someone who's not as smart as you gas you up
And tell you somethin' you never knew
Always stay professional
You always gon' make revenue
Don't let people next to you that don't want the best for you
It's completely normal to hold on to a regret or two
I do what I wanna do, they do what I let them do
Everything niggas be sayin' is a fuckin' lie
It's nothing I can say to you that is realer
Remember when you praisin' the butterfly
Don't you ever disrespect the fuckin' caterpillar
This right here for the number ones
Number ones here with your number one
You ain't number one, just another one
Now everybody sayin' that they number one
Kid think your number won't quit
Number one song, get your number one chick
Number one fly with your number one kick
When it's all done then your number gon' switch
You lookin at Atilla
The psychopathic killer, the caterpillar
Don't tell me when I'm supposed to rap until
Especially when your favorite rapper isn't even half as ill
A savage still, the tracks a banana peel, attack of the silverback gorilla
You're havin' a little trouble fathomin' this is actually happenin'
Like Anderson Silva when he snapped his shin in half
And then had shit hangin' by a flap of skin
After he tried to plant the shit back on the mat again
Pad to pen I'm batty like eyelids when they're blinkin' a lot
You copy me, but you're not
You can't be butterflies
My offspring's are just moths
If I see that thing, I'ma squash it and rip the wings of it off
So ring the alarm, pull the extinguishers off of the wall, set the sprinklers off
Like Jada Pinkett and Queen Latifah, 'til the shingles come off the roof
We'll shatter the ceilings
Slaughterhouse in the building, middle fingers aloft
Say what I think when I rhyme, in ink-pen I talk
And the language I speak is my mind
Kingpin and Penguin combined
Spit like it's King of the Dot
A singular thought I'd think I would help you distinguish
A brother from the cream of the crop
Wait a minute, hold up
Like a flash card
Damn dog, is that copyin', or payin' homage?
It's sad because dad taught you to rap as a damn toddler
My dad is your grandfather
I have to rehatch on you
Come back as black wasp
Half yellow jacket, you can't swat a
Sasquatch dancin' on top of a ant,
Trample it and stomp it, smash it and stand on it
Dammit, I can't stop it
The rap is a vag and I can't stop goin' in like a tampon in this bitch
It's is manslaughter
Stampin' out grasshoppers, you can't be no Rap Gods
In fact you're exact opposites
You make a wack song, and can't hold a candle
But even Daniel-san wax off, you jack-offs
Need to come to grips, like a hand job
The boom bap is back with an axe to mumble rap
Lumberjack with a hacksaw
Number one, but my pencils are number two 'cause that's all I do with 'em
Poop is my pseudonym
On the john like a prostitute when I droppin' a deuce and
When I'm producing them lyrical bowel movements
These beats are like my saloons
'Cause these bars always got my stools in 'em
And I don't need Metamucil to loosen them
Bitch it is real like I pooped Jerusalem
I'm 'bout to go spin another cocoon
And I'm cuttin' you from your mother's womb then I'm flushin' you
In Caterpillar, Royce Da 5'9" discusses the revolution and makes a statement about the state of rap. The song starts with an allusion to Gil Scott-Heron's famous poem, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, stating that you will not be able to ignore the revolution. The lyrics also touch on rap's obsession with being the number one rapper and how the industry is full of copycats. Royce uses metaphors of a caterpillar and butterfly; he is the former, overlooked and sneered at, but he is also the one who is still alive, whilst other rappers (the butterflies) who are flourishing, are dying out. Royce boasts of his skills and how he is underrated, whilst mocking those who perceive themselves to be the best in the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
You will not be able to stay home brotha
You cannot avoid participating in the revolution
You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out
You cannot escape reality by distracting yourself
You will not be able to lose yourself on scag and skip out for beer during commercials
You cannot numb yourself with drugs and alcohol during moments of social change
Because the revolution will not be televised
The significant events of the revolution will not be broadcasted
This right here for the number ones
This is for the top artists
Number ones here with your number one
The top artists are together supporting each other
You ain't number one, just another one
You are not truly the best, just another artist
Now everybody sayin' that they number one
Everyone claims to be the top artist
Ring the alarm, the caterpillar keeps firing
The underdog is making a strong comeback
Oh, we in the war
We are currently facing a battle
Where butterflies keep dyin' (ah)
Talented artists are being overshadowed and ignored
I'm a product of Parker, Lewis and Kubiak
I am influenced by iconic figures in hip-hop
If didn't do this, where in the fuck would you be at?
Without my contribution, where would the industry be?
See there's a difference between us, what I spit hit arenas
I create impactful music that resonates with large audiences
You a drip from my penis, I eat lions and sip hyenas
You are insignificant compared to me, I conquer challenges effortlessly
You number one when it comes to slaughtered mics
You are skilled at dominating rap battles
I'm tryna be number one in my son and daughter life
I strive to be the best role model for my children
Uh, all you niggas my lil' rapper babies
All other rappers are like my children in comparison
Y'all my children, y'all bit my shit and contracted rabies
Other artists copy my style and suffer the consequences
Don't you grade me next to these rapper, baby, that's degrading
Do not compare me to inferior artists, it is disrespectful
My style got so many different facets, I switch into so many different passions
My artistic style is versatile, I explore various themes
I'm skippin' class to be fascinating
I prioritize creating captivating music over conforming to norms
My pen is like Big Ben, this shit's just a classic waiting
My writing is timeless and destined to become a classic
Your favorite rapper come at me, I just decapitate him
I effortlessly defeat any rapper who challenges me
Out here congratulating these has-beens who had their highs
Others celebrate past successes of irrelevant artists
These rappers only won their matches because they strategize
Other artists achieve success through calculated tactics
I'll bring adequate to these patterns and here's my battle cry
I will bring excellence to the rap industry and express my determination
Kid think your number won't quit
Arrogant individuals believe their success will never diminish
Number one song, get your number one chick
Having a hit song attracts the attention of desirable partners
Number one fly with your number one kick
Being on top means having the best style and fashion
When it's all done then your number gon' switch
Eventually, your popularity will decline
Hold up, wait a minute
Pause and pay attention
Guess what I'ma never do
I will never
Show so much respect to you
Give you excessive admiration
That I feel like we're friends, so now we no longer competitors
To the extent that I consider us friends, we are no longer rivals
That could be the death of you
That could harm your career
Never let someone who's not as smart as you gas you up
Do not allow less intelligent individuals to deceive you
And tell you somethin' you never knew
And present information that is not new to you
Always stay professional
Maintain a high level of integrity
You always gon' make revenue
You will always earn money
Don't let people next to you that don't want the best for you
Avoid surrounding yourself with people who have malicious intentions
It's completely normal to hold on to a regret or two
It is natural to have a few regrets in life
I do what I wanna do, they do what I let them do
I have control over my actions, they only do what I permit
Everything niggas be sayin' is a fuckin' lie
The statements made by others are all false
It's nothing I can say to you that is realer
I cannot provide you with anything more genuine
Remember when you praisin' the butterfly
When you admire successful artists
Don't you ever disrespect the fuckin' caterpillar
Do not underestimate or disrespect the underdog
You lookin at Atilla
You are facing a formidable opponent
The psychopathic killer, the caterpillar
The underdog is a dangerous and skilled artist
Don't tell me when I'm supposed to rap until
Do not dictate the duration of my rap performance
Especially when your favorite rapper isn't even half as ill
Especially when your preferred artist is far less talented
A savage still, the tracks a banana peel
I am still a ruthless and skilled rapper, the beats are easy to conquer
Attack of the silverback gorilla
A powerful and dominant force is attacking
You're havin' a little trouble fathomin' this is actually happenin'
You are struggling to comprehend the reality of the situation
Like Anderson Silva when he snapped his shin in half
Similar to the injury suffered by Anderson Silva
And then had shit hangin' by a flap of skin
And had his leg dangling by a small piece of tissue
After he tried to plant the shit back on the mat again
After attempting to continue fighting despite the injury
Pad to pen I'm batty like eyelids when they're blinkin' a lot
I am a little crazy when it comes to writing, like rapid blinking
You copy me, but you're not
You imitate me, but you lack authenticity
You can't be butterflies
You cannot be successful artists like me
My offspring's are just moths
Your careers are mediocre compared to mine
If I see that thing, I'ma squash it and rip the wings of it off
If I encounter competition, I will destroy it
So ring the alarm, pull the extinguishers off of the wall, set the sprinklers off
Prepare for a fierce battle, take action to stop the competition
Like Jada Pinkett and Queen Latifah, 'til the shingles come off the roof
Like in the movie Girls Trip, causing chaos and excitement
We'll shatter the ceilings
We will break the barriers and reach new heights
Slaughterhouse in the building, middle fingers aloft
The rap group Slaughterhouse is present, expressing defiance
Say what I think when I rhyme, in ink-pen I talk
I express my true thoughts and opinions through my lyrics
And the language I speak is my mind
The words I use reflect my thoughts and beliefs
Kingpin and Penguin combined
I possess the leadership and intelligence of a kingpin and a penguin
Spit like it's King of the Dot
I rap with the skill and confidence of a respected battle rapper
A singular thought I'd think I would help you distinguish
My unique ideas will help separate me from others
A brother from the cream of the crop
A talented artist among the best in the industry
Wait a minute, hold up
Pause and pay attention
Like a flash card
Quickly and directly
Damn dog, is that copyin', or payin' homage?
Is that imitation or a form of respect?
It's sad because dad taught you to rap as a damn toddler
It is disappointing that you learned to rap at a young age
My dad is your grandfather
My influence surpasses your lineage
I have to rehatch on you
I need to teach you a lesson
Come back as black wasp
Return as a powerful, intimidating force
Half yellow jacket, you can't swat a
Unpredictable and immune to attempts to suppress
Sasquatch dancin' on top of a ant
I am a massive presence dominating the small competition
Trample it and stomp it, smash it and stand on it
Crush and defeat the opposition, asserting dominance
Dammit, I can't stop it
I cannot control the intensity and skill of my rap
The rap is a vag and I can't stop goin' in like a tampon in this bitch
I cannot stop passionately and aggressively rapping
It's is manslaughter
My rap is deadly
Stampin' out grasshoppers, you can't be no Rap Gods
I am eliminating the weak competition, preventing them from becoming rap legends
In fact you're exact opposites
In reality, you are the complete opposite
You make a wack song, and can't hold a candle
You create mediocre music and do not compare to me
But even Daniel-san wax off, you jack-offs
But even beginners can defeat you, you idiots
Need to come to grips, like a hand job
You need to accept the reality and face the truth
The boom bap is back with an axe to mumble rap
Traditional hip-hop is making a comeback, overpowering mumble rap
Lumberjack with a hacksaw
I am a powerful force, ready to dismantle the competition
Number one, but my pencils are number two 'cause that's all I do with 'em
I may be a top artist, but I only use my pencils for writing
Poop is my pseudonym
I refer to my lyrics as 'poop' metaphorically
On the john like a prostitute when I droppin' a deuce and
In the bathroom, like a prostitute, when I am defecating
When I'm producing them lyrical bowel movements
When I am creating powerful and impactful lyrics
These beats are like my saloons
These instrumental tracks are my creative spaces
'Cause these bars always got my stools in 'em
Because my lyrics always contain my thoughts and emotions
And I don't need Metamucil to loosen them
I do not require any assistance to express myself
Bitch it is real like I pooped Jerusalem
My lyrics are authentic and impactful, like a significant event
I'm 'bout to go spin another cocoon
I am preparing myself for transformation and growth
And I'm cuttin' you from your mother's womb then I'm flushin' you
I am removing you from the music industry and disposing of you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Clive Anthony Bright, Gil Scott-Heron, Larry Griffin, Marshall Mathers, Pierre Desrosiers, Ryan D Montgomery, Stuart Lowery, Winston Delano Riley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind