48
Tyler the Creator Lyrics

Crack fucked up the world, and I wonder if they realized the damage
The crack epidemic ruined many lives and communities, and I wonder if those who profited from it ever thought about the harm they caused.

I mean, they come from an era who made a lot of money of that shit
Those who profited from crack came from a time when it was widely used and sold, and they made significant profit from selling it.

I wonder if it fucked with their conscience
I wonder if those who profited from crack struggled with guilt or moral conflict regarding the harm it caused.

It fucked with me being out there, I couldn't stand it
The sight of people harming themselves with crack was disturbing and difficult for me to witness.

I couldn't stand seeing people fucking themselves up like that on the shit
Seeing people suffer and harm themselves through crack use was intolerable for me.

And that's where the money came from
The profit from selling crack came from people's addiction and harm to themselves.

48, 48, 48 states I get it in
I sell drugs in 48 states across the US.

They call me Mr. Treat your nose
I am known as the person who sells cocaine.

If you really need some blow
If you are in need of cocaine, I can provide it for you.

I can get it for the low
I can sell you cocaine for a lower price than other dealers.

Shit is getting warmer on that corner
The environment on that street corner is getting more dangerous or risky.

Gotta watch out for them 5-0 phoners
Watch out for the police who may be undercover and looking to make arrests.

Your mother is a goner
Your mother is in trouble or may die because of your involvement in drug dealing.

You got a daughter, shits getting harder
It is increasingly difficult to balance your involvement in drug dealing with your responsibilities to your family, especially your daughter.

The only thing you wanna bump her was your freedom
Your only desire is to protect your freedom and not end up in jail or worse.

You can't afford to get caught up but you in too deep
You cannot afford to get involved with the law or get caught with drugs, but you are already heavily involved and there is no easy way out.

And the seashore ain't soil
You can't rely on a temporary sanctuary or escape, such as a vacation or a trip to the beach, to escape the reality of the situation.

You got a mother, she don't support you
Your mother does not approve of your criminal activities or support you in your involvement with drugs.

But you bought her a new house cause you love her
Despite the disapproval of your mother, you still want to provide for her by buying her a new house or taking care of her financially.

Growing up you barely had a roof
You grew up in a home that did not provide you with basic necessities like a secure roof over your head.

Now you got a coupe and it doesn't have a roof
Now you have a sports car or similar vehicle that has no roof, which represents an improvement in your lifestyle.

I guess you're accustomed to what you're used to
You are used to living in a certain way and it is difficult to see beyond the immediate improvement in your lifestyle that comes with drug money.

So you bought two nigga
You are able to afford two of the same thing that you have become accustomed to having as a status symbol.

They are coming for you nigga
The criminal justice system or other people involved in illegal activity are looking for you and the risks of your involvement in crime are increasingly high.

Niggas be hating I'm doing them bitches
Other people may resent or feel envious of the financial gains you have made through drug dealing.

Like Susan and Karen be doing your pockets
You may feel exploited by others, especially by those who are not involved in illegal activity, in ways that you feel are similar to how you have exploited others through drug dealing.

And running the man and he's losing his fucking mind and it's all an illusion
The pressures of drug dealing are causing you and others to feel unstable and losing their sense of reality.

Who was alluding all of this potent
Whoever convinced you or introduced you to drug dealing was powerful enough to lure you into a dark and dangerous world.

I am the reason your family is using and shootin' up, it's my fault
You feel responsible for the addiction and harm that has come to other people's families as a result of your involvement in drug dealing.

You can blame me motherfucker, for killin' your aunties and uncles
You are willing to take responsibility for the pain and suffering that has resulted from your drug dealing and how it has affected other people's families.

The hustle and hunger, all I wanted was a cheeseburger
Your initial motivation for getting involved in drug dealing may have been to fulfill basic needs, like hunger or a particular desire for something.

And a little chain, tuck, didn't realize this game fucked up some lives
Your desire for a small luxury, like a chain, led you down a dark and harmful path that negatively affected multiple lives.

Oh how's mine my conscience eats it up all the time
You are burdened by feelings of guilt or shame due to your involvement in drug dealing and the harm it has caused.

But other than that I'm fine, I got a little money in my pocket
Aside from the guilt you feel, you are content with the financial gains you have made from drug dealing.

Nigga, we broke as fuck
We are extremely poor and financially struggling.

Homie got a chop shop I sold that truck
One of your acquaintances has an illegal operation to sell stolen cars, and you sold stolen merchandise to make money.

And I sold that dope, motherfuckers hope this nigga go broke
You made money from selling drugs, but now people wish for your financial downfall or even worse.

But like my work I give no fucks, I'm sorry
Despite the negative consequences of your actions and involvement in drugs, you do not care about the impact you have had on yourself or others.

She could have been a doctor, nigga, I'm sorry
One of your acquaintances may have had the potential to succeed in a highly-respected, prestigious career path like a doctor, but instead, they are involved in illegal activities with you.

Could have been a actor and won that Oscar, said, I'm sorry
Another acquaintance may have had the potential to be highly successful by winning an Oscar or becoming a famous actor, but instead, they are involved in illegal activities with you.

I sold that soap and I killed black folk, I'm sorry
You sold drugs that have killed black people, and as a result, you feel remorseful.

But I got a nice car, put my sister through school
Despite the negative consequences of your actions, you were able to provide for your family, like paying for your sister's education or buying a nice vehicle.

While my momma all cool, I'm sorry
Your mother may be unaware of the illegal activities and the harm they have caused, and you feel the need to apologize for your actions.

You get addicted to the flip, the transaction, the hustling
You become addicted to the process of buying and selling drugs, the rush and excitement of making quick money and the dangerous thrills that come with it.

Even more than the money, it's just your job
Your involvement in drug dealing becomes more than just a way to make money, but a profession that you have become invested in as a sense of identity and purpose.

You feel like it's your duty to be the man in between the man
You feel it's your responsibility to act as the middleman between the drug producer and the consumers, and you enjoy the power and significance that comes with that role.

And make this happen for that person, to do this and do that
You feel a sense of obligation to your partners to provide them with drugs or to complete certain tasks, which can be seen as a way of building business connections and maintaining reputation.

You become the go to guy forever and next thing you know you're in too deep
Your success as the dependable drug dealer makes it hard to leave the scene since you have built up too much of a reputation and too deep in with buyers and sellers alike.

Way too deep, scare the shit out of you
Your entanglement with the drug dealing game scares you and taking steps to leave that game seems like a daunting task.

You wind up with so much work, that you'll be scared to death
You became too entangled in the process of drug dealing and have too much to do that you can't leave, which is a constant source of worry and anxiety.

It's important for us to realize man, we gotta get out of that man
It is essential to understand that getting involved in drug dealing has dire consequences and one should take effort to abstain from it to avoid the dark path it leads you down to.

Dudes is buying choppers to shoot down people that look just like them
The environment of drug dealing and the lust for power and control has created conflicts and scenarios of deadly showdowns where the dealers kill people, usually of the same race, in similar conditions as they are in.

Dudes is buying guns to take down each other, nobody wins
The competition and desire for power has escalated to the extent that drug dealers purchase guns to kill each other, but ultimately no parties gain any real victory or prosperity.