Criminal
The Roots & Truck North & Saigon Lyrics
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Monday they predict the storm
Tuesday they predict the bad
Wednesday they cover the grass
And I can see it's all about cash
And they got the nerve to hunt down my ass
And treat me like a criminal
Look, it is what it is
Because of what it was
I did what I did
Cause it does what it does
I don't put nothin' above
What I am, what I love
My family, my blood
My city and my hood
Hater for the greater good
I'm back from Hollywood
And I ain't changed a lick
Though, I know I probably should
But, what I'm doin' is not a good look
I never did it by the good book, as a lifetime crook
All the petty crime took a toll on me
I look around at my homies that's gettin' old on me
But still somethin' gotta hold on me
Maybe it's faith
If it's comin', yo I'm willing to wait
I'm not runnin', I done ran through the mud
I done scrambled and such
I done robbed an odd job and gambled enough
Till I'm put up in handcuffs
And pissin' in a cup
If there's a God,
I don't know if he listenin' or what
[Chorus]
[Truck North]
Yeah, it is what it is
And that's how it go
Get treated like a criminal
If crime is all you know
Get greeted like a nigga
If a nigga saw your show
A public enemy, to send a eye in the scope
My city like a island where you can't find a boat
Have you wishin' for a raft
And prayin' that hope flows
Some real f'ing things going down low so,
Who lookin' for a chair and some real strong rope
Just to end it all here
Screamin' "fuck the mayor"
He see the faces at the bottom of the welfare
They act like I'm somethin' to fear
Trapped in urban warfare
And pullin' triggers at a college career
Can't ignore the call of the wild
That's drawin' 'em near
Try to make fast money last long some years
Try to laugh it off
Still couldn't lose the tears
To the rules, I will not adhere
Break the law, yeah
[Chorus]
[Saigon]
Who wanna challenge mine?
I'm sick of St. Valentine
I did the violent crimes
That's why I got this style of rhyme
Seek repentance to spittin' them sentences
To senseless experience is the difference
You can't convince this
In a crime sense, niggas is infants
I'm like a senior citizen
Still livin' but gettin' benefits
Put emphasis on hittin' my nemesis in high percentages
Crooked ass cops is the reason for my belligerence
And it gets deeper than that
Remember nights I used to sleep wit a gat
With a package of crack under my sneaker strap
D's sneak attack and raid me
It took a week for that
Beat the rat, but you're sayin' "look, he think he the mack"
Fuck yall!
Niggas who thinkin' they might try us
Watch us inside riots
Blue cars and light fires
We already been knocked, scrutinized
Plus, cops rush to brutalize us
America's polluted by lust
Who could I trust?
If I can't trust you, then I might touch you
If I ain't got love for you
Then fuck you!
[Chorus: x2]
The song "Criminal" by The Roots Ft. Truck North & Saigon is a powerful commentary on the systemic injustice faced by black communities in America. The chorus addresses the media's tendency to sensationalize crime and violence, particularly within black communities. They criticize the way that news outlets are motivated by profit, turning tragedies into cash cows. Meanwhile, the verses are each delivered by different rappers who share personal stories of being treated like a criminal due to the color of their skin, their economic status, and their past actions.
Black Thought's verse is particularly introspective, as he reflects on the toll that his past life of crime has taken on him and his community. He acknowledges that he has been a "lifetime crook," but never followed the "good book," and as a result, he has seen many of his friends and peers wither away in the criminal justice system. Truck North's verse is a cry for help from someone who feels trapped in a cycle of poverty and violence. He raises the point that even when black people are able to achieve success, they are often still viewed as criminals by the wider society. Finally, Saigon's verse is a defiant rejection of the idea that he or any other black person should be held accountable for the violence they have experienced. He expresses frustration with a system that polices black people rather than protecting them.
Overall, "Criminal" is an unflinching examination of the ways that black people are unfairly criminalized and oppressed in America. The song is a powerful call to action that demands change and an end to these injustices.
Line by Line Meaning
Monday they predict the storm
The media predicts a storm on Monday
Tuesday they predict the bad
The media predicts something bad will happen on Tuesday
Wednesday they cover the grass
The media covers a non-important topic on Wednesday
And I can see it's all about cash
The media only cares about making money
And they got the nerve to hunt down my ass
The media and law enforcement unfairly target and persecute me
And treat me like a criminal
I am treated unjustly and like a criminal
Look, it is what it is
The situation is what it is
Because of what it was
The current situation stems from past events
I did what I did
I acted how I did
Cause it does what it does
The situation turned out the way it did
I don't put nothin' above
There is nothing more important to me
What I am, what I love
I prioritize my identity and loved ones
My family, my blood
My family is important to me
My city and my hood
I care about my community
Hater for the greater good
I am hated by some for the greater good of my community
I'm back from Hollywood
I am returning from a place of success and fame
And I ain't changed a lick
I have not changed at all
Though, I know I probably should
I should change, but choose not to
But, what I'm doin' is not a good look
My actions are not viewed positively
I never did it by the good book, as a lifetime crook
I have always been involved in crime and not followed the law
All the petty crime took a toll on me
My involvement in small crimes has affected me negatively
I look around at my homies that's gettin' old on me
My friends are getting old and our lifestyle is not sustainable
But still somethin' gotta hold on me
I am still drawn to this lifestyle
Maybe it's faith
Perhaps it is fate that I continue down this path
If it's comin', yo I'm willing to wait
I am willing to wait for my fate to unfold
I'm not runnin', I done ran through the mud
I have faced struggle and adversity before and am not running away
I done scrambled and such
I have hustled and worked hard
I done robbed an odd job and gambled enough
I have resorted to crime and gambling for financial gain
Till I'm put up in handcuffs
Until I am arrested
And pissin' in a cup
Taking a drug test
If there's a God, I don't know if he listenin' or what
I am unsure if a higher power is listening to me
Yeah, it is what it is
The situation is what it is
And that's how it go
That is just how things are
Get treated like a criminal
People who are involved in crime are treated unfairly
If crime is all you know
If you have only been exposed to crime
Get greeted like a nigga
People of color are treated unfairly
If a nigga saw your show
If a person of color is present at an event
A public enemy, to send a eye in the scope
A person of color can be seen as a threat and targeted
My city like a island where you can't find a boat
It is difficult to escape the cycle of crime in my community
Have you wishin' for a raft
Making you wish for a way out
And prayin' that hope flows
Hoping for change and positivity
Some real f'ing things going down low so,
There are serious issues occurring in the community
Who lookin' for a chair and some real strong rope
People may feel so hopeless that they contemplate suicide
Just to end it all here
To end their life
Screamin' 'fuck the mayor'
People are angry with their local government
He see the faces at the bottom of the welfare
The government sees and controls those who are dependent on welfare
They act like I'm somethin' to fear
People view me as dangerous
Trapped in urban warfare
Stuck in a cycle of crime and violence in the city
And pullin' triggers at a college career
People are able to go to college, but instead turn to crime
Can't ignore the call of the wild
Cannot resist the temptation of crime
That's drawin' 'em near
That is attracting them
Try to make fast money last long some years
Trying to make quick money last for a long time
Try to laugh it off
Trying to avoid the seriousness of the situation
Still couldn't lose the tears
Still could not hold back the emotions
To the rules, I will not adhere
I will not follow the rules and laws
Break the law, yeah
I have broken the law
Who wanna challenge mine?
Who wants to challenge me?
I'm sick of St. Valentine
I am tired of superficial love
I did the violent crimes
I have committed violent crimes in the past
That's why I got this style of rhyme
That is why my music and lyrics reflect my experiences
Seek repentance to spittin' them sentences
I seek redemption by rapping about my past
To senseless experience is the difference
The difference between experiences with and without purpose
You can't convince this
You cannot change my mind
In a crime sense, niggas is infants
People involved in crime are immature
I'm like a senior citizen
I have lived a long life, despite my involvement in crime
Still livin' but gettin' benefits
I am still alive, but still living with the consequences of my actions
Put emphasis on hittin' my nemesis in high percentages
I focus on taking down those who oppose me
Crooked ass cops is the reason for my belligerence
Unfair law enforcement is the reason for my aggressive behavior
And it gets deeper than that
The situation is more complicated than it appears
Remember nights I used to sleep wit a gat
I used to sleep with a gun for protection
With a package of crack under my sneaker strap
I used to carry drugs with me
D's sneak attack and raid me
The police ambush and raid me
It took a week for that
It took a week for me to recover from the raid
Beat the rat, but you're sayin' 'look, he think he the mack'
Despite my arrest, people still view me as tough and cool
Fuck yall!
I am angry at those who judge me
Niggas who thinkin' they might try us
People who are considering trying to harm us
Watch us inside riots
Watch us during acts of violence
Blue cars and light fires
Police cars and fires during riots
We already been knocked, scrutinized
We have already been criticized and judged
Plus, cops rush to brutalize us
Police are quick to use excessive force on us
America's polluted by lust
America is corrupted and motivated by greed
Who could I trust?
Who can I rely on?
If I can't trust you, then I might touch you
I may have to resort to violence if I cannot trust someone
If I ain't got love for you
If I do not care for you
Then fuck you!
I do not value or respect you
Chorus: x2
Repeats the chorus
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ADMINISTRATION MP, INC.
Written by: BRIAN CARENARD, AHMIR THOMPSON, KARL JENKINS, TARIK TROTTER, KHARI MATEEN, JAMAL MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind