Black Rock
The Roots Lyrics


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Hey what's for breakfast?
Same as yesterday
Oh that's right cheeseburger and a 40 ounce
Hey, what's for dinner? Nothing nigga
But last night I had dreams of a porterhouse
For real for real I feel like
Cattle in a slaughterhouse
But fuck that grow another here's a quarter ounce
It ain't no hydro, but it gets you high though
Them niggas look like casper what the fuck do I know

At the end of this tunnel, it's red and blue lies
You got to pay the price you can never do right
One thing I know all I did is wrong
Maybe there ain't nowhere I belong
The only thing in front of me is a bullet in the head
They hoping one day that they find me dead
Until then I make a place in this world
For me and my baby girl

Yo, the dead drop way until the A.M
Mumbo Jumbo niggas onomatopoeian
Call it how I see them ain't no rhyme or reason
I'm on some different bullshit everyday just like per diem
I damn with animal anguish
So love no bitch die richer than language
Guilty of sin depending on the reeds shaking in the wind
Just a question never answered out here looking for its end

At the end of this tunnel, it's red and blue lies
You got to pay the price you can never do right
One thing I know all I did is wrong
Maybe there ain't nowhere I belong
The only thing in front of me is a bullet in the head
They hoping one day that they find me dead




Until then I make a place in this world
For me and my baby girl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Black Rock" by The Roots depict the struggle of living in poverty and facing the harsh realities of life. The first verse highlights the lack of resources and the repetitive cycle of consuming cheap, unhealthy food and alcohol to cope with the daily struggles. The line "For real for real I feel like cattle in a slaughterhouse" suggests a feeling of being trapped and controlled by societal systems that perpetuate poverty. The reference to "casper" could be a reference to the whitewashing of society, where people of color are marginalized and overlooked.


The second verse continues to explore the injustices of society and a feeling of hopelessness. The line "At the end of this tunnel, it's red and blue lies" could refer to the political polarization and systemic racism in the United States. The line "You got to pay the price you can never do right" highlights the feeling of being punished no matter what choices are made. The singer seems resigned to the fact that they have made mistakes in life and may never find a place where they belong. The line "The only thing in front of me is a bullet in the head" is a powerful metaphor for a violent end to a life filled with struggle.


Overall, "Black Rock" is a powerful commentary on the cycles of poverty, systemic injustices, and the struggle to survive in a world that seems designed to hold some down.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey what's for breakfast?
Asking about breakfast, the same question repeated daily.


Same as yesterday
The same breakfast as every other day before.


Oh that's right cheeseburger and a 40 ounce
Having a cheeseburger and a large bottle of alcohol.


Hey, what's for dinner? Nothing nigga
Asking about dinner, but receiving no answer.


But last night I had dreams of a porterhouse
Having dreams of a well-cooked steak.


For real for real I feel like cattle in a slaughterhouse
Feeling oppressed and trapped like livestock about to be killed.


But fuck that grow another here's a quarter ounce
Overcoming challenges and finding a solution, even if it's not perfect.


It ain't no hydro, but it gets you high though
Using an inferior substance, but still achieving the desired effect.


Them niggas look like casper what the fuck do I know
Feeling disconnected from other people and questioning one's own knowledge.


At the end of this tunnel, it's red and blue lies
In the end, society's problems are politically polarized and full of deception.


You got to pay the price you can never do right
No matter what, there will always be negative consequences for one's actions.


One thing I know all I did is wrong
Feeling guilty for past actions and behavior.


Maybe there ain't nowhere I belong
Feeling like an outsider and not fitting in anywhere.


The only thing in front of me is a bullet in the head
Feeling like life is hopeless and pointless, with death seeming like the only possible outcome.


They hoping one day that they find me dead
Having the feeling that others wish for one's death.


Until then I make a place in this world
Finding purpose and meaning in life by creating a space for oneself and others.


For me and my baby girl
Making a better life for oneself and one's child.


Yo, the dead drop way until the A.M
Living a dangerous and risky lifestyle, pushing limits until dawn.


Mumbo Jumbo niggas onomatopoeian
Describing people who use meaningless words and sounds to communicate.


Call it how I see them ain't no rhyme or reason
Viewing situations and people simply as they are, without trying to make sense of them.


I'm on some different bullshit everyday just like per diem
Living life in one's own way, constantly changing and adapting to new situations.


I damn with animal anguish
Hating and condemning others with deep, emotional pain.


So love no bitch die richer than language
Refusing to be attached to anyone, instead valuing the power of words and communication.


Guilty of sin depending on the reeds shaking in the wind
Feeling guilty for actions that may or may not be harmful, depending on the outcome.


Just a question never answered out here looking for its end
Searching for answers to life's difficult questions, but never finding complete resolution.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARCHIE L. TURNER, CORNELL MCFADDEN, KARL B. JENKINS, KIRK DUDLEY, WILLIE E. PETTIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Mike Ball


on Proceed V (Da Beatminerz remix)

So after purchasing “Do You Want More” the day it dropped, my guy the upped me from jump (pass the popcorn obvi) found this join on a European release and pressed play…the rest is history. But there in lies my question…what IS the history, the story on how, where, when, this was created? I need to know for context. Drop a link if there is one out there PLEASE! V 5 is a masterpiece!

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