White Man's Got a God Complex
The Last Poets Lyrics

So... up down
The song begins with a simple call and response to the audience - asking them to vocalize their awareness of their surroundings.

On the corner, up town
The setting of the audience is established as a street corner in an urban area - most likely in a predominately black neighborhood.

I turn around and hear the sound
The singer is alert and aware of the noise around him.

A voice is talking about
There is a voice that is noticeable within the soundscape of the neighborhood.

Who's gonna die next
The voice that can be heard is prophesying death and violence.

Cause the white man's got a god complex
The singer believes that the white man has a god complex - which has led to their violent behavior and disregard for human life.

Silent n****s scream for help
Despite the violence in the neighborhood, people are hesitant to speak out against it.

Aaah!! Help me! Help me!
In times of dire need, the artist notes that those who are silent often cry for help.

N****, make your own help
The artist calls for self-efficacy in the community - pushing people to take control of their own situations instead of relying on others to save them.

Shit, you need it
The artist acknowledges that the community is in dire need of help - but notes that that help must come from within instead of outside of the community.

Of jukeboxes playing in bars
The singer takes note of the nightlife within the neighborhood - and implies that despite the darkness of the area, there is still some semblance of life within it.

Pimps parked outside in big pretty Cadillac cars
The artist recognizes that even those who are committing crimes are able to embrace some sort of wealth and luxury.

Cleaner than a broke-dick dog
The singer uses vivid language to emphasize the extravagance of the pimps' lifestyles.

Sitting in a big fine hog
The singer once again acknowledges that even those committing crimes are able to amass wealth and luxury.

Dressed very fine in a mohair silk vine
The singer notes the extravagance of the pimps' clothing - with a playful nod to their flamboyant style.

But Jim Dale'll die next
The tone abruptly shifts - with the artist prophesying violence and death.

Hey brother, what's your sport, my man?
The artist jokes with the listener - asking them what their hobby is.

I got just the thing for you
The singer implies that he has something that will interest the listener.

Only costs ten and two
The singer implies that the item he is offering is affordable.

What you gonna do, baby?
The artist is encouraging the listener to make a purchase.

I got black ones, brown ones
The artist implies that what he is selling comes in different varieties.

Wed ones, yellow ones
The artist continues to mention different colors and options.

I even got a white one if you wanna buy some
The singer is making a not-so-subtle reference to drugs, and implies that even white people might be indulging.

Yeah, that's right
The artist emphasizes that he is serious about what he is offering.

2-50-8, play it straight
There is a code to what the singer is offering - and he expects people to play by the rules.

I got it all worked out
The singer clearly has a business plan in place for what he is offering.

You know what I'm talking about
The singer is confident that the listener understands what's happening.

Been reading my dream book
The artist implies that he has some sort of knowledge or foresight into what is happening in the neighborhood.

Ain't no way in the world
The artist is confident in his stance.

A kid gon' get took
The singer prophesies that violence will continue in the neighborhood.

N****, what you mean I didn't hit
The singer is accusing someone of cheating.

N****, you full of shit
The artist is declaring that his opponent is lying.

Lick dice, uh, now seven
The artist is gambling in the street.

C'mon be nice and hit eleven
The artist implies that he is asking something of the dice.

Well what do you know, it's Little Joe
The singer is happy with the roll of the dice.

Hey my man, got 20 dollars say
The artist is challenging someone to a bet.

Little Joe don't blow
The singer is confident in his outcomes.

Ha, baby needs a pair of shoes
The singer is implying that he is making money to support his child.

Ah, papa's got the funky blues
The singer is joking about his mood - despite the situation seeming dire.

Ah, mama plays the crossword in the news
The artist is noting the presence of their family members.

Snake eyes...
The artist's luck has run out.

Sorry, n****, you lose
The singer has lost the bet.

The line forms to the rear, lady
The singer is mocking someone who is complaining about something.

And I don't care if you never cash your welfare checks
The artist is dismissive of someone trying to solicit sympathy.

But I got ten babies I ain't got no man
The artist is revealing that they are trying to support children on their own.

I ain't got no choice but to hold out my hand
The artist is admitting that they are in a tough spot despite their best efforts.

Hey man, what you mean no doubles on blackjack
The singer is frustrated by the system in which they are playing.

Punk, you better change that rule cause I ain't no fool
The artist is demanding reform in the system and advocating for themselves.

You better be cool, Jim, or you'll die next
The singer is prophesizing that someone will turn to violence soon.

Hey, my man, uh, I wanna cop a nickel bag
The singer is soliciting drugs.

You say all you got is skag
The singer is disappointed with the quality of drugs.

Wow that's a drag, cause uh
The artist is complaining again.

I don't wanna cop no
The artist is backing out of the deal.

Dope is... death next
The singer is implying that people who engage in risky activities will be the next to die.

Hey baby, where's the gig at tonight?
The singer is asking about plans for the evening.

Well, there's one over at Slick's
Someone is telling the artist about a happening place they could go.

For faggots and tricks
The artist is critical of the venue and those who patronize it.

There's one around graveyard's
The artist is telling the listener about a different venue.

Side of town that'll cost you a pound
The singer implies that this venue is especially dangerous and expensive.

But if you don't know what I know
The artist implies that they have insider information about the venue.

You better pack your piece, at least
The singer is advising precaution and self-protection for those heading to the venue.

Or you'll die next
The singer is prophesizing that someone will die at the dangerous venue.

Mr. Stein, I done paid enough rent
The singer is complaining to their landlord.

For this pad to be mine
The artist is asserting ownership of their living space.

But you just want to cheat me cause I ain't your kind
The artist is accusing their landlord of bigotry.

Damn, can't you see the place is falling down?
The singer is criticizing the living conditions within their home.

No, you can't dig it cause you ain't never around
The singer implies that their landlord is never present to see the conditions of the home.

Damn I'm so poor
The artist acknowledges their financial situation.

I don't know what in the hell I'm gonna do any more
The artist is at a loss for a solution to their financial problems.

Not from this day to the next
The artist is implying that the situation will not improve anytime soon.

I'm making guns!
The singer is declaring that they are manufacturing weapons.

(I'm god!)
The artist is comparing themselves to a godly figure.

(oh god!)
The singer is continuing to compare themselves to a godly figure.

I'm making bombs!
The singer is declaring that they are manufacturing bombs.

I'm making gas!
The singer is declaring that they are manufacturing chemical weapons.

I'm making freak machines!
The artist is declaring that they are manufacturing unconventional weaponry.

Birth control pills!
The artist is declaring that they are manufacturing birth control pills.

Killed indians and discovered him!
The singer is referencing the long-standing history of violence against Native Americans and colonization.

Kill the Japanese with the a-bomb!
The singer is referencing the use of the atomic bomb on Japan during World War II.

Killed and still killing black people!
The artist is referencing ongoing racial violence and police brutality against black people.

Enslaving the earth!
The artist is condemning the exploitation and destruction of the environment.

Done went to the moon!
The artist is emphasizing the technological advancements that have been made - even when basic human necessities are not being fulfilled.

Oh god!
The singer is once again comparing themselves to a godly figure.

Oh god! oh god!
The artist is continuing to compare themselves to a godly figure.

Oh godohgodohgodohgod
The singer is emphasizing their god-like power and status.

(spelled backwards is DOG.)
The singer is playfully referencing an insult that is commonly used.