Duck Down
The Game Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

fresh out the drop
chuck taylors hit the street cracking the ground
there he go with the crack and the pound
i'm right here, aint no backing me down
hands on the hot hood, Compton sheriffs patting me down
they want to know about the tatoo tear, if i know 50?
and why them guns blow like Lina Richie?
if my 9' get itchy, somebody gotta pass away
like that bitch nigga that killed Jam Masta J
you don't like it, you can come get my ass today
I'll be waiting with a vest, ski-mask and 'K
niggas left me for dead back in the day
I found out it was a hard knock life without asking Jay
it's a hard knock life, then you pass away
Rest In Peace to Morseburg, pull out a glass of 'ze
this for all my niggas in Compton killing
gimmie 5 years nigga, im bringing Compton millions.

(chorus)
when I come from murderville
where them gangsters and hustlers live
little kids out on the block
hollow points and harlem rocks
dont seem like its gonna change
look in my eyes, you can feel my pain
its a war out on them blocks
duck down when you hear them shots...


back in the building, back to the war
by that Jackie Robinson mural
I use to sell crack by that wall
hopping fences, with the crack in my draws
I got bitches that'll hit the penitentiary
stuff the crack in their walls, pause.
take off the jewels and bandanas
let me holla at my nigga Jim Jones and Santana
thanks for representing
but when the techs is spitting
one shot, spin around the block
I think we left a witness.
I'm from the coast where props are never given
fuck rap, I'll start making wooden boxes for a living
nigga, they call me sergeant slaughter
cause the sergeants on him, S. Carter, Von-Dutches and a quart of water
I know jesus, but he don't walk across no water
I call him "hey-suse" he get that chalk across the border
off that Grey Goose, I put that chalk around your daughter
but I got patience, and I'm just what the doctor ordered.

(chorus)
when I come from murderville
where them gangsters and hustlers live
little kids out on the block
hollow points and harlem rocks
dont seem like its gonna change
look in my eyes, you can feel my pain




it's a war out on them blocks
duck down when you hear them shots...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Game's song "Duck Down" describe the rapper's experiences growing up in Compton, a notoriously rough city in Los Angeles County. In the first verse, The Game describes being stopped and searched by Compton sheriffs, who question him about his tattoos and his relationship with 50 Cent. He also references the shooting death of Jam Master Jay, a member of the pioneering hip-hop group Run-DMC, and vows to seek revenge against his killer. The chorus emphasizes the violent reality of life on the streets of Compton, urging listeners to "duck down" when they hear gunshots.


The second verse of the song continues to paint a vivid picture of the street life in Compton, from selling crack by a Jackie Robinson mural to hiding drugs in women's prison cells. The Game also mentions fellow rappers Jim Jones and Santana, and addresses the violence that is all too common in his hometown. He asserts that fame and success may not be the answer for everyone in Compton, and ends the verse with a reference to his own nickname, "Sergeant Slaughter."


Overall, "Duck Down" is a powerful and gritty depiction of life in one of America's most dangerous cities. The Game's raw lyrics emphasize the desperate circumstances that lead many young people to turn to crime, as well as the harsh consequences of that lifestyle.


Line by Line Meaning

fresh out the drop
I've just come out of my car


chuck taylors hit the street cracking the ground
I'm wearing my Chuck Taylors and the ground shakes with every step


there he go with the crack and the pound
People see me with drugs and money


i'm right here, aint no backing me down
I'm not afraid of anyone and I'm standing my ground


hands on the hot hood, Compton sheriffs patting me down
The cops are checking me for illegal items


they want to know about the tatoo tear, if i know 50?
The police are asking about my tattoo and if I'm associated with the rapper 50 Cent


and why them guns blow like Lina Richie?
The cops are asking why the guns make loud noises like fireworks


if my 9' get itchy, somebody gotta pass away
If my gun starts to feel like it needs to be used, someone's going to die


like that bitch nigga that killed Jam Masta J
I'm referring to the person who killed Jam Master Jay, and I'm saying that person is a coward


you don't like it, you can come get my ass today
If someone has a problem with me, they can confront me now


I'll be waiting with a vest, ski-mask and 'K
I'll be prepared for a fight with body armor, a ski mask, and a gun


niggas left me for dead back in the day
Someone abandoned me in the past with the intention of my death


I found out it was a hard knock life without asking Jay
I learned that life is difficult without anyone's help


it's a hard knock life, then you pass away
Life is difficult, and eventually, you die


Rest In Peace to Morseburg, pull out a glass of 'ze
I'm raising a glass to Morseburg to pay my respects


this for all my niggas in Compton killing
This song is dedicated to my friends in Compton who are involved in gangs and killing


gimmie 5 years nigga, im bringing Compton millions.
I'm saying that within five years, I'll make millions for Compton


(chorus)
This is the chorus of the song


when I come from murderville
I come from a place where there's a lot of murder


where them gangsters and hustlers live
My neighborhood is full of criminals


little kids out on the block
Even children are involved in the dangerous lifestyle


hollow points and harlem rocks
Bullets and drugs are common in my area


dont seem like its gonna change
It doesn't look like the situation will get better anytime soon


look in my eyes, you can feel my pain
I'm saying that you can tell how much pain I'm in just by looking at me


it's a war out on them blocks
There is a violent conflict happening on the streets


duck down when you hear them shots...
When you hear gunfire, take cover


back in the building, back to the war
I'm back in the area where there's conflict


by that Jackie Robinson mural
I'm near a famous wall mural of Jackie Robinson


I use to sell crack by that wall
I used to deal drugs near that mural


hopping fences, with the crack in my draws
I used to jump over fences with drugs hidden in my clothing


I got bitches that'll hit the penitentiary
I know women who would go to jail for me


stuff the crack in their walls, pause.
These women would hide drugs in their private parts to avoid getting caught


take off the jewels and bandanas
I'm telling people to remove their jewelry and bandanas (which can signify gang affiliation) for safety


let me holla at my nigga Jim Jones and Santana
I want to talk to my friends Jim Jones and Santana


thanks for representing
I'm thanking them for being good representatives of our community


but when the techs is spitting
When guns are firing


one shot, spin around the block
After firing one shot, run around the block to avoid getting caught


I think we left a witness.
I believe someone saw us and will report us to the police


I'm from the coast where props are never given
I come from a place where people don't get recognition for their achievements


fuck rap, I'll start making wooden boxes for a living
I don't care about making music, I'll work in a different industry to make a living


nigga, they call me sergeant slaughter
People refer to me as Sergeant Slaughter


cause the sergeants on him, S. Carter, Von-Dutches and a quart of water
I'm saying that I have military-grade weapons and ammunition


I know jesus, but he don't walk across no water
I might know Jesus, but I don't believe he can walk on water


I call him "hey-suse" he get that chalk across the border
I'm saying that if Jesus were to cross borders, he wouldn't be able to do so without leaving a trace (i.e. chalk)


off that Grey Goose, I put that chalk around your daughter
If I drink enough Grey Goose vodka, I'll be able to kill someone's daughter without hesitation


but I got patience, and I'm just what the doctor ordered.
Despite my violent tendencies, I'm willing to wait for the right moment to act, and sometimes that's what's necessary to fix things.


(chorus)
This is the chorus of the song


when I come from murderville
I come from a place where there's a lot of murder


where them gangsters and hustlers live
My neighborhood is full of criminals


little kids out on the block
Even children are involved in the dangerous lifestyle


hollow points and harlem rocks
Bullets and drugs are common in my area


dont seem like its gonna change
It doesn't look like the situation will get better anytime soon


look in my eyes, you can feel my pain
I'm saying that you can tell how much pain I'm in just by looking at me


it's a war out on them blocks
There is a violent conflict happening on the streets


duck down when you hear them shots...
When you hear gunfire, take cover




Contributed by Jeremiah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@jadedapro1

lyrical talent at its best

@DarkestJade

In my opinion, none of these other jokers out there like 50, lil wayne, etc. even come close to The Game. This dude keeps it fuckin real. Dope song.

@ChloefileFIN

one of the best mixtapes ever

@mostknownunknown907

i heard this song on a cutmaster C tape in like '05 before game even dropped documentary yes that tape was crazy is that the tape you are talking about?

@xashaa

Genius Game! He makes you feel his rap beat !!
Fkn good Beat!! Background shawty singing gives this song so much more melody!!

@Mr1tonymon

Still 🔥🔥🔥 in 2k19 💪🏾

@RL_Repairs310

I remember banging this shit back in 2007. Back when tattoos was gangsta and before ecofriendly beef.

@swasouf

This is the best shet i heard in my life mane, who made this music is genius no joke

@gashouse_kt7042

2017 and still listening to dis

@youtubemember1115

He should've made a video for this song

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