Don't be Afraid
Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder Feat. Rapsody Problem & Bad Lucc Lyrics


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The gangs, these tests
These leather blue chucks, we some chills ass niggas
All you gots to show is love
I used to be afraid of falling deep for a man
'Cause my homies always said these fuckers just fans
My nigga, I told 'em I ain't scared of no obstacle
You live to die and die to live, that shit is all optional
Listen, you either with it or you isn't
Fuck with my family, I ain't scared to go to prison

Don't be afraid
All my niggas living by the law
You scared of something nigga
Why you tucking under covers for
I'm a problem to this game so they want me out
Just a wanted boy you entering the haunted house
Don't be afraid
Nigga don't fear it just respect it
A head to the lesson nigga
Don't be afraid
Y'all niggas scared of a gunner
My arm told fear damn for a fuck
Everything it run

7 47 on a wakeup
Lil mama got makeup all over my spreads
Kick her our then she hop in her benz
Feeling satisfied, usually she put up a fuss
But I didn't analyze, funny
Phone ring is prolly the money though
Lacing up the all white ones with the gummy soft
Check the mirror before I enter the earth
One thought when I'm hitting the turf

Don't be afraid
All my niggas living by the law
You scared of something nigga
Why you tucking under covers for
I'm a problem to this game so they want me out
Just a wanted boy you entering the haunted house
Don't be afraid
Nigga don't fear it just respect it
A head to the lesson nigga
Don't be afraid
Y'all niggas scared of a gunner
My arm told fear damn for a fuck
Everything it run

Nikey sweats and Jordan tools
Don't mind me, I'm just setting the scene
I'm ballot by the way I done my share
Of interest the things this life I was guilt
Some of the illest verses in these streets the valey was filled
Never turn from my position my mission was clear
To stand down like a man of whatever severed my fear
Watch me, king of my castle, call your dogs
I'm black superman above the law

Don't be afraid
All my niggas living by the law
You scared of something nigga
Why you tucking under covers for
I'm a problem to this game so they want me out
Just a wanted boy you entering the haunted house
Don't be afraid
Nigga don't fear it just respect it
A head to the lesson nigga
Don't be afraid
Y'all niggas scared of a gunner
My arm told fear damn for a fuck
Everything it run

Huh, you see your enemy riding by
And you realize you ain't got 9 lives
Don't be afraid
Pussy, hold, whole school player, I am beyond rookie
Schooling every day, no hookie
What? 50k upon it, the black hoodie, no floss
Sucker shit I ain't buying at no cost
Got 5 kids, I'ma put them all imagine
Drop here, time live, drop this

Don't be afraid
All my niggas living by the law
You scared of something nigga
Why you tucking under covers for
I'm a problem to this game so they want me out
Just a wanted boy you entering the haunted house
Don't be afraid
Nigga don't fear it just respect it
A head to the lesson nigga
Don't be afraid
Y'all niggas scared of a gunner
My arm told fear damn for a fuck
Everything it run

I used to be fear for a Chucky and Freddie
I'm the daughter they fall for, like white chicks rick james and the couch shit
I sleep with machetes, always ready
Mama said fear no man like Eddie
From he's the moon to run like Kunti
You fear for eyes tearful shed one
Cry me a river to drown you, I fear none
Boogie man tap dance on my tongue
Boo nigga, I fear for your career,
You niggas ain't cool with us, huh

Don't be afraid
All my niggas living by the law
You scared of something nigga
Why you tucking under covers for
I'm a problem to this game so they want me out
Just a wanted boy you entering the haunted house
Don't be afraid
Nigga don't fear it just respect it
A head to the lesson nigga
Don't be afraid
Y'all niggas scared of a gunner
My arm told fear damn for a fuck
Everything it run

Back to back wine toast
Yesterday I went to sleep to fuck the fine ghost
In and out my mind most
Lee got me in the middle while rhyming my business
Rap gods please forgive us all of the sinners
Still get a verse full of venom off
Sacred as the synagogue, diamond lay??? men at war
I have a harder time with taxes
Knocking the earth off its axes

Don't be afraid
All my niggas living by the law
You scared of something nigga
Why you tucking under covers for
I'm a problem to this game so they want me out
Just a wanted boy you entering the haunted house
Don't be afraid
Nigga don't fear it just respect it
A head to the lesson nigga
Don't be afraid
Y'all niggas scared of a gunner




My arm told fear damn for a fuck
Everything it run

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Don't Be Afraid" by Talib Kweli, 9th Wonder, featuring Rapsody, Problem, and Bad Lucc, speaks about overcoming fears and facing challenges in life. Talib starts off by talking about the tests that gangs give and the leather blue chucks that make them appear tough. He used to be afraid to fall for a man because his friends said that they were just fans. However, he overcame that fear and is not afraid of any obstacle.


The chorus addresses those who live by the law and tells them to not be afraid of anything. Problem talks about being a problem for the game that wants him out. Bad Lucc says that he's not afraid of any enemy, and Rapsody recalls the things that used to scare her, but now she's not scared of anything. The various artists come together to speak about their own fears and how they had to overcome them to be the persons that they are today.


In summary, "Don't Be Afraid" speaks to listeners about not being afraid of adversities in life and believing in oneself to overcome fears. The artists tell people to respect their fears, but not to let them limit their potential or growth.


Line by Line Meaning

The gangs, these tests
Navigating the dangerous streets while being tested at every turn


These leather blue chucks, we some chills ass niggas
We exude confidence despite the danger, as evidenced by the cool blue sneakers we wear


All you gots to show is love
All we need is love to survive in this world


I used to be afraid of falling deep for a man
I used to be afraid of being vulnerable and opening up to love


'Cause my homies always said these fuckers just fans
My friends warned me that the men in my life may not be genuine and only interested in my fame


My nigga, I told 'em I ain't scared of no obstacle
I reassured my friends that I'm not afraid of any challenges that may come my way


You live to die and die to live, that shit is all optional
Life and death are inevitable, but how you choose to live your life is up to you


Listen, you either with it or you isn't
You're either part of this dangerous lifestyle or you're not


Fuck with my family, I ain't scared to go to prison
If anyone threatens my family, I'm willing to take the risk of going to prison to protect them


Don't be afraid
Don't let fear hold you back from living your life


All my niggas living by the law
My friends are all living by their own code and principles


You scared of something nigga
You're afraid of something, and it's holding you back


Why you tucking under covers for
Why are you hiding and not facing your fears?


I'm a problem to this game so they want me out
I'm a threat to the system and they want to get rid of me


Just a wanted boy you entering the haunted house
I'm a marked man, and anyone who associates with me is entering dangerous territory


Nigga don't fear it just respect it
Don't be afraid of the danger, but respect it and be aware


A head to the lesson nigga
Learn from your experiences and mistakes


Y'all niggas scared of a gunner
You're afraid of someone who is skilled with a gun


My arm told fear damn for a fuck
I refuse to let fear hold me back when my life is on the line


Everything it run
In this dangerous world, anything could happen at any moment


7 47 on a wakeup
My dangerous lifestyle is like a constant adrenaline rush


Lil mama got makeup all over my spreads
My woman is all over the place, but I love her anyway


Kick her our then she hop in her benz
I kick my woman out, but she's independent enough to have her own luxury car


Feeling satisfied, usually she put up a fuss
I'm happy because my woman is usually difficult to deal with


But I didn't analyze, funny
I didn't overthink the situation, which is rare for me


Phone ring is prolly the money though
I'm expecting a call about some business that will result in money


Lacing up the all white ones with the gummy soft
I'm getting ready to go out and I'm putting on comfortable white sneakers


Check the mirror before I enter the earth
I'm making sure I look good before I go out into the world


One thought when I'm hitting the turf
My mind is focused when I'm out in the streets


Nikey sweats and Jordan tools
I'm wearing comfortable Nike sweatpants and Jordan sneakers as I go about my day


Don't mind me, I'm just setting the scene
I'm just living my life, not trying to make a big deal out of anything


I'm ballot by the way I done my share
I've lived my life well and made my mark


Of interest the things this life I was guilt
I have regrets about some of the choices I've made in my dangerous life


Some of the illest verses in these streets the valey was filled
I have a reputation for being a skilled rapper with lyrics that resonate with others in my dangerous world


Never turn from my position my mission was clear
I've always stayed true to my beliefs and goals in life


To stand down like a man of whatever severed my fear
I've faced my fears head-on and stood up for myself like a real man would


Watch me, king of my castle, call your dogs
I'm in charge of my life and my surroundings, and I'm not afraid of anyone who opposes me


I'm black superman above the law
I'm an unstoppable force in my world, and I'm not bound by any rules or laws


Huh, you see your enemy riding by
I'm always aware of my enemies and keep a watchful eye on them


And you realize you ain't got 9 lives
I know I only have one life to live, and I have to make it count


Pussy, hold, whole school player, I am beyond rookie
I'm experienced and skilled in the ways of my dangerous world, and I'm not to be underestimated


Schooling every day, no hookie
I'm always learning and growing, and I never skip a day of school


What? 50k upon it, the black hoodie, no floss
I have 50k on me and I'm dressed in a plain black hoodie to avoid attention


Sucker shit I ain't buying at no cost
I'm not interested in buying into any foolishness or false promises


Got 5 kids, I'ma put them all imagine
I have five children and I have big aspirations for their futures


Drop here, time live, drop this
I'm living in the moment and enjoying my life


I used to be fear for a Chucky and Freddie
I used to be afraid of fictional characters like Chucky and Freddy Krueger


I'm the daughter they fall for, like white chicks rick james and the couch shit
I'm the kind of woman that men fall for, similar to Rick James in the movie White Chicks


I sleep with machetes, always ready
I sleep with weapons to protect myself, always prepared for danger


Mama said fear no man like Eddie
My mother taught me to never be afraid of anyone, like Eddie Murphy's character in the movie Trading Places


From he's the moon to run like Kunti
From feeling powerful and in control to running away from danger, like the character Kunta Kinte in Roots


You fear for eyes tearful shed one
You may show no fear outwardly, but your eyes betray you


Cry me a river to drown you, I fear none
I'm so fearless that others crying in fear doesn't affect me


Boogie man tap dance on my tongue
I can speak confidently about my fears and experiences, even when they're scary or dangerous


Boo nigga, I fear for your career,
I may not be afraid for my own life, but I'm afraid for yours


You niggas ain't cool with us, huh
You're not part of our dangerous lifestyle and therefore not cool with us


Back to back wine toast
We're celebrating life with multiple toasts of wine


Yesterday I went to sleep to fuck the fine ghost
I had sex with a beautiful woman and it was on my mind as I went to sleep


In and out my mind most
I think about sex and women a lot


Lee got me in the middle while rhyming my business
My friend Lee is helping me out while I'm busy with my rap career


Rap gods please forgive us all of the sinners
We're asking for forgiveness from the rap gods for our sins


Still get a verse full of venom off
We can still rap with power and intensity despite our sins


Sacred as the synagogue, diamond lay??? men at war
Our rap is so powerful it's like a sacred place, and we're skilled warriors


I have a harder time with taxes
Even though we're skilled rappers, we struggle with mundane things like taxes


Knocking the earth off its axes
Our rapping is so powerful it can change the world, literally knocking it off its axis




Contributed by Madelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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