Salute
Slaughterhouse Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Fix your motherfuckin face nigga!
Look at these fuckin chimpanzees
Bunch of fuckin monkeys

(Mr. Porter!)

[Chorus]
I been shot, I been stabbed
I took all that I have to give
And I never ran, never have
Just so all you niggaz can live
I never thought there would come a day
When my people would turn me away
And it really tears me apart
Cause I deserve a Purple Heart
Nigga you should salute me, nigga you should salute me
Nigga you should salute me, nigga you should salute me
Nigga you should salute me, nigga you should salute me
I, I showed you what a soldier's about, nigga you should salute me

Typical Joe Budden shit, ridiculed and lovin' it
The hood know I'm the dude that governed it
Paved the way for my sons, laid down the cement for my semen
Ain't my fault y'all got stuck in it
Lately, it change like the weather, one minute they love me
Then they hate me; I'm through with shenanigans
I don't care if dudes ain't a fan of him
Can't checkmate a 8-figure nigga with the moves of a mannequin
Talkin' 'bout they wan' go somewhere to meet me
Man they just wan' go somewhere to meet me
Easy don't involve cops in it
Got the key to my city, how the FUCK you think you got locked in it?
Bitch!

twenty one Rugers
On the hip of twenty one goons, twenty one-gun salutin
Bloody funds is what murder money becomes
twenty one bodies on all twenty one guns
You from the D and you don't fuck with me, you lame
The streets and the internet fuck with me the same
So later for that punk shit
Cause nigga I'll smoke you, that's why they say I stay on that blunt shit
Niggaz'll spray you up before they wet your lady up
Then shoot the baby bassinet to shut your baby up
And I'm in line with the bread
I hold niggaz down doin time in the feds
Pharoahe talk to 'em

[Chorus]

Properly greet a general
I'd have to take steps down to be on a pedestal
I am what the one-eight after the seven do
Give it my all but you want more, you lil' beggar you!
Mean it's terrible, I showed hip-hop anyone's edible
Never give somethin' that's not respectable
Never spit somethin that's not incredible
Never sold my soul for numbers left of the decimal
I done fucked up movements like cerebral palsy
You don't know me, don't pause me, I'll throw lead at you
Mean I earned e'ry stripe and you know it
When you see me put yo' hand on yo' head and push it forward

Before shots land on your head and push it forward
Eastside Long Beach, I'm only pushin' four words
I organize a street massacre
You haters know I broke bread with at least half of ya
Out of town, hundred pound weed trafficker
Got niggaz rockin' Long Beach fitteds in East Africa
I been stabbed, I been shot, a imperfect part
Like my Grape Street niggaz I got a Purple Heart
I kill your bitch at the beauty salon on Windham
They take a nap on your lawn on a Louis Vuitton pillow
Waitin' for you to run out and say somethin'
Come out your face frontin', dumb out and spray somethin'
Bloaw! So move now





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "Salute" by Slaughterhouse is a defiant anthem that addresses the group's critics, particularly those who have turned their backs on them in their times of need. The song begins with harsh insults directed at those who have disrespected the group, calling them "chimpanzees" and "monkeys." The chorus then kicks in, with the members of Slaughterhouse expressing their frustration at being disregarded by their own people, even though they have been through so much to prove their loyalty. They demand that people "salute" them for the sacrifices they have made and the battles they have fought.


The verses of "Salute" delve further into the personal struggles and triumphs of the individual members of Slaughterhouse. Joe Budden, for example, talks about how he has paved the way for his children and the next generation to come after him, while also acknowledging the fickleness of fame and how quickly people can turn against you. Crooked I, on the other hand, raps about his status as a street kingpin and the violence that comes with that lifestyle, warning his enemies not to underestimate him. Finally, Pharoahe Monch uses his verse to talk about his commitment to excellence in his craft and how he has never compromised his values for the sake of fame or money.


Line by Line Meaning

Fix your motherfuckin face nigga!
Straighten up and show respect when you're in the presence of greatness.


Look at these fuckin chimpanzees
These people are acting like mindless animals.


Bunch of fuckin monkeys
Just a group of foolish people with no sense or intelligence.


I been shot, I been stabbed
I've been through some serious hardships and survived.


I took all that I have to give
I've given my all and then some.


And I never ran, never have
I've always faced my problems head-on, never backing down.


Just so all you niggaz can live
I've gone through all this hardship so that others can succeed.


I never thought there would come a day
It's surprising to me that people have turned their back on me.


When my people would turn me away
I didn't expect my own people to betray me.


And it really tears me apart
It's hurtful and devastating to be betrayed by those close to you.


Cause I deserve a Purple Heart
I've earned the recognition and respect that comes with serving in the military.


Nigga you should salute me, nigga you should salute me
You should show me the respect I deserve for all I've sacrificed.


I, I showed you what a soldier's about, nigga you should salute me
I've demonstrated what true courage and sacrifice is, you should respect that.


Typical Joe Budden shit, ridiculed and lovin' it
People love to hate and mock Joe Budden for his outspokenness and honesty.


The hood know I'm the dude that governed it
I have control and influence over the people in my community.


Paved the way for my sons, laid down the cement for my semen
I've set a strong foundation for my children to build upon.


Ain't my fault y'all got stuck in it
I'm not responsible for other people's shortcomings and failures.


Lately, it change like the weather, one minute they love me
People's opinions and loyalty can change quickly and unpredictably.


Then they hate me; I'm through with shenanigans
I'm tired of playing games with people who can't be trusted.


I don't care if dudes ain't a fan of him
I don't need everyone to like me, I just need to stay true to myself.


Can't checkmate a 8-figure nigga with the moves of a mannequin
I'm too powerful and strategic to be taken down by anyone.


Talkin' 'bout they wan' go somewhere to meet me
People claim they want to challenge me, but really just want attention.


Man they just wan' go somewhere to meet me
They're just trying to create drama and stir up trouble.


Easy don't involve cops in it
Let's not escalate things to become more serious by involving the police.


Got the key to my city, how the FUCK you think you got locked in it?
I have power and control over my city, and you will never hold that same level of influence.


twenty one Rugers
There are 21 guns in total in this verse.


On the hip of twenty one goons, twenty one-gun salutin
There are 21 gunmen saluting, possibly in reference to a military tribute.


Bloody funds is what murder money becomes
The money made from killing is blood money, which is tainted and dirty.


twenty one bodies on all twenty one guns
There are 21 people who have been killed by these gunmen.


You from the D and you don't fuck with me, you lame
If you're from the same place as me but don't support me, you're a loser.


The streets and the internet fuck with me the same
My reputation and influence is equal both offline and online.


So later for that punk shit
I don't have time for negativity or drama.


Cause nigga I'll smoke you, that's why they say I stay on that blunt shit
I'm not afraid of conflict and will not hesitate to retaliate if necessary.


Niggaz'll spray you up before they wet your lady up
People will attack and harm you before they harm your loved ones.


Then shoot the baby bassinet to shut your baby up
They will even harm innocent children to get their revenge.


And I'm in line with the bread
I have wealth and financial power.


I hold niggaz down doin time in the feds
I support and provide for those who are incarcerated.


Properly greet a general
Show respect to a leader of authority.


I'd have to take steps down to be on a pedestal
I am above the average person, and they would have to lower themselves to be on my level.


I am what the one-eight after the seven do
I am the best and most talented at what I do, surpassing all others.


Give it my all but you want more, you lil' beggar you!
I've already given all that I have, but some people still demand more from me.


Mean it's terrible, I showed hip-hop anyone's edible
My skill in hip-hop is so great, I can make anyone successful in the genre.


Never give somethin' that's not respectable
I always hold myself to a high standard of quality and respect.


Never spit somethin that's not incredible
I always put my best effort into my creative work.


Never sold my soul for numbers left of the decimal
I have not compromised my integrity or morals for the sake of making money.


I done fucked up movements like cerebral palsy
I have had a significant impact and influence on the hip-hop genre and culture.


You don't know me, don't pause me, I'll throw lead at you
Don't underestimate me or try to interrupt me, or I will retaliate with violence.


Mean I earned e'ry stripe and you know it
I've earned my reputation and influence through hard work and talent.


When you see me put yo' hand on yo' head and push it forward
Show respect and acknowledgement when you see me, by putting your hand on your head and nodding forward.


Before shots land on your head and push it forward
If you don't show me respect, you could end up hurt or even dead.


Eastside Long Beach, I'm only pushin' four words
I represent the Eastside of Long Beach and my message can be summed up in four words.


I organize a street massacre
I have the power and influence to plan a large-scale violent event on the streets.


You haters know I broke bread with at least half of ya
Even those who dislike me have had to interact and work with me in some capacity.


Out of town, hundred pound weed trafficker
I am involved in illegal drug trafficking outside of my area of influence.


Got niggaz rockin' Long Beach fitteds in East Africa
My influence has even spread to places outside of the United States.


I been stabbed, I been shot, a imperfect part
I've been through extreme violence and trauma, but it doesn't define me as a person.


Like my Grape Street niggaz I got a Purple Heart
I have been recognized for my bravery and service, just like military veterans who have earned the Purple Heart award.


I kill your bitch at the beauty salon on Windham
I am capable of extreme violence and will harm those close to you.


They take a nap on your lawn on a Louis Vuitton pillow
After killing your loved ones, I will even relax and rest on expensive luxury items.


Waitin' for you to run out and say somethin'
I want to provoke a reaction from you so that I can harm you further.


Come out your face frontin', dumb out and spray somethin'
If you try to confront me or resist, I will hurt or kill you without hesitation.


Bloaw! So move now
I am ready to take action and will harm you immediately, so get out of my way.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ADMINISTRATION MP INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RYAN MONTGOMERY, JOSEPH ANTHONY BUDDEN, JOELL CHRISTOPHER ORTIZ, DOMINICK WICKLIFFE, TROY JAMERSON, DENAUN PORTER

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