So You Want to Be a Gangster
Too $hort Lyrics


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So you want to be a gangster, all that shit
Smoke any motherfucker, don't even trip
You be hard as hell, take whatever you want
Punk suckers want to front, they get done
Cause you a gangster, nothin' more nothin' less
Put my boy to the test and catch one in your chest
Since he was young, homeboy won't back down
Cause real gangsters, always hold that frown
Until you lose control, then you sell your soul
To the devil motherfucker cause you're way too cold
And all the people hide and just run inside
Cause you keep usin' yo' gat commitin' homicide
Boy I tell ya, Life Is way Too $hort
Another brother just got smoked
And you killed him, ain't that a bitch?
Cause it really ain't shit

(gangsta, gangsta)
Shoot em up (gangsters)
That ain't cool (gangsters)
Ain't that a bitch (gangsters)
Shoot em up (gangsters)
That ain't cool (gangsters)

Let me tell you somethin' youngster, you got it all wrong
Gangsters don't live that long
I had gangster potnahs get they heads to' off
For some of that gangster shit, get caught in the cross
You want stripes, take yo' ass to the service
Cause when it's on, ain't no time to get nervous
Pull the trigger, yeah you did it
You'se a gangster and I got to admit it
But you'se a youngbuck, you ain't learned yet
Killing don't make you a vet
Get out the fast line, stick with the homeboys
Ready made gangster get gone boy
Cause where I'm from it's the same old shit
You call them shots, when you're down with the click
Niggas dyin' everyday but that's a black thang
You either sell dope, or your gangbang
But you got the biggest heart in the click man
You did a murder, and now you're a hitman
All your homies tryin' to tell you, that ain't cool
Playin' shoot 'em up, like a fuckin' fool
But you'se a gangster, one they can't destroy
Don't even give a fuck, about your boys
You go for self, you want to be on top?
Fucked around and now your brother's shot

(gangsters)
Shoot em up (gangsters)
That ain't cool (gangsters)
Ain't that a bitch (gangsters)
Shoot em up (gangsters)
That ain't cool (gangsters)
(gangsters) Ain't that a bitch




(gangsters) And it don't stop
To the beat

Overall Meaning

In Too $hort's song "So You Want to Be a Gangster," the rapper addresses the issue of young people wanting to become gangsters and engaging in violent activities. Too $hort advises against the gangster lifestyle and warns that it is not a path to longevity. He emphasizes that real gangsters do not smile or show emotions and that they must always maintain a tough exterior. Too $hort notes that the decision to commit homicides is a sign of losing self-control and ultimately selling one's soul to the devil. He suggests that once one becomes a hitman or murderer, the lines between friendship, loyalty, and self-interest are blurred, leading to more violence and betrayal.


Line by Line Meaning

So you want to be a gangster, all that shit
You aspire to be a gangster, and you think it's cool and desirable.


Smoke any motherfucker, don't even trip
Kill anyone who disrespects you or crosses you, without a second thought.


You be hard as hell, take whatever you want
Act tough and take whatever you want, no matter who it belongs to or what the consequences might be.


Punk suckers want to front, they get done
Anyone who challenges you or tries to make you look weak will be dealt with harshly.


Cause you a gangster, nothin' more nothin' less
Being a gangster is your entire identity, and you take it very seriously.


Put my boy to the test and catch one in your chest
If you mess with my friend, you'll end up getting shot in the chest.


Since he was young, homeboy won't back down
My friend has always been brave and unafraid to stand up for himself, even when things get dangerous.


Cause real gangsters, always hold that frown
True gangsters always have a serious and intimidating facial expression to let others know not to mess with them.


Until you lose control, then you sell your soul
When you can't control your anger and emotions, you're willing to do anything, even things you might regret later, to get revenge.


To the devil motherfucker cause you're way too cold
You become so heartless and cruel that you might as well be making deals with the devil himself.


And all the people hide and just run inside
People are too scared of you to even confront you or try to intervene in your violent behavior.


Cause you keep usin' yo' gat commitin' homicide
You keep using your gun to kill people, causing deaths and destruction in your community.


Boy I tell ya, Life Is way Too $hort
This way of life is not sustainable, and the consequences of your actions will catch up with you eventually.


Another brother just got smoked
Another member of your gang or community has been killed, and it's a tragedy that keeps happening.


And you killed him, ain't that a bitch?
You were responsible for killing your own brother or friend, and it's a sad and ironic situation.


Cause it really ain't shit
This life of violence and crime ultimately leads to nothing good or worthwhile.


(gangsta, gangsta)
Chanting the words 'gangsta, gangsta' as a way of reinforcing the gangster identity and mentality.


Shoot em up (gangsters)
Using guns to shoot and kill people is seen as an acceptable and even exciting part of being a gangster.


That ain't cool (gangsters)
Despite the glorification of violence, some people in the gangster world understand that killing others is not the right way to live.


Ain't that a bitch (gangsters)
Acknowledging that the consequences of gangster life can be unfair, tragic, or ironic.


Let me tell you somethin' youngster, you got it all wrong
Addressing a younger person who idolizes the gangster lifestyle, and trying to give them a warning and a correction.


Gangsters don't live that long
Living as a gangster significantly decreases your chances of living a long and prosperous life.


I had gangster potnahs get they heads to' off
I have personally witnessed gangsters losing their lives in violent and gruesome ways.


For some of that gangster shit, get caught in the cross
Many gangsters die not because they directly provoke their enemies, but because they get caught up in the conflicts and wars between different gangs or factions.


You want stripes, take yo' ass to the service
If you want to earn respect and recognition for your bravery, join the army or another military branch where you can fight for your country.


Cause when it's on, ain't no time to get nervous
In real war situations, you don't have the luxury of feeling scared or hesitant, you have to act quickly and decisively.


Pull the trigger, yeah you did it
Using a gun to kill someone, even if it makes you feel powerful and respected, is a serious and irreversible choice that can haunt you forever.


You'se a gangster and I got to admit it
Despite the dangers and risks, being a gangster can also give you a certain level of admiration and respect from some people in your community.


But you'se a youngbuck, you ain't learned yet
Yet, being a young and inexperienced gangster, you have a lot to learn about the consequences and responsibilities of your actions.


Killing don't make you a vet
Killing people doesn't make you a seasoned or experienced gangster, it just means you have blood on your hands.


Get out the fast line, stick with the homeboys
If you want to stay alive and not get caught up in too much drama, stick with your close friends and avoid too much involvement in gangs or illegal activities.


Ready made gangster get gone boy
Some people are born and raised into gangster families or communities, and it's hard to escape that legacy, but it's still better to try and focus on something else.


Cause where I'm from it's the same old shit
Many people in poor and violent neighborhoods get stuck in the same cycles of poverty, crime, and hardship, and it's hard to break out of it.


You call them shots, when you're down with the click
Being part of a gang gives you some level of power and decision-making, but it also means that you're held accountable for the actions of your group.


Niggas dyin' everyday but that's a black thang
In some communities, violence and death is a common occurrence, especially among young black men, and it's a tragic and unfair situation.


You either sell dope, or your gangbang
If you want to make money and have any status, your only options seem to be either selling drugs or being part of a gang.


But you got the biggest heart in the click man
Regardless of the negative aspects of gang life, you might still feel a sense of loyalty, camaraderie, and brotherhood with your fellow gang members.


You did a murder, and now you're a hitman
Killing someone might give you a sense of power or respect within your gang, but it also means you're now fully involved in the world of criminality and violence.


All your homies tryin' to tell you, that ain't cool
Despite the pressure and expectations from your gang, some of your friends might still be warning you that your actions are not acceptable or admirable.


Playin' shoot 'em up, like a fuckin' fool
Using guns and violence as entertainment or as a way to feel powerful and respected is seen as foolish and immature.


But you'se a gangster, one they can't destroy
Despite the risks and dangers, you might still feel pride and invincibility as a gangster, believing that you're above the law and untouchable.


Don't even give a fuck, about your boys
You might have started as a loyal and supportive friend to your gang members, but as you get deeper into the gangster world, you might start to care less about anyone else's wellbeing than your own.


You go for self, you want to be on top?
Ultimately, being a gangster is a selfish and egotistical way of life, where the only goal is to succeed and stay alive, no matter what the costs.


Fucked around and now your brother's shot
Sometimes, your actions as a gangster can have fatal and irreversible consequences, even for the people closest to you, like your own brother or friend.


(gangsters) And it don't stop
Reinforcing the idea that the gangster lifestyle and mentality is hard to escape or overcome, and that it keeps going on and on.


To the beat
Ending the song on a musical note, but with a poignant reminder that the beat of violence and death is still ongoing.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY BANKS, GROVER JR. WASHINGTON, RICHARD L. SERRELL, TODD ANTHONY SHAW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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