RUN
Tyler The Creator Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Fuck you running for nigga
Aye nigga, come here nigga
Let me try that hat on
I told you come over here stupid bitch
Come over here with that weak ass hat

All y'all niggas smoke y'all brains out
In the car, car light, took the lame route
Going nowhere fast if you think that you not gonna hesitate to pull the thing out
And let that drop top, pop the trunk then pop pop
Let his top drop, took another lame out
Oh you the big nigga, take a hit nigga
Well I hope you understand you ain't shit nigga
Cause them niggas whole purpose is to get niggas
And make sure that your mama cry the pain out
Now that gang is out to get you
But you stuck in the same house
Nigga never came out, why
With the shame you got something
Say you a real nigga 'cause you killed him
Nuts for that ice and that cream banana peel niggas
Banana clips spill, niggas wanna bang out
For they approval boy, you can't even hang out
That light you hit, it was the light I held
That's why you never ever see me with my chains out
I don't need to, truth they don't feed you
Lies what they got on their plate, they gon' eat you
They got a homie called Karma he gon' meet you
Better look the other way if he ever see you
And run as fast as you can, nigga

That's the shit I be talkin' bout, though
We ain't try'na hear that shit, my nigga
Cuz, stay preachy cuz
Like nigga come on, homie
I don't wanna hear that shit, preachy shit my nigga
Yeah, we all black, who give a fuck, cuz?




I don't give a fuck, nigga
Whatchu mean?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "RUN" by Tyler the Creator displays his usual use of wordplay and juxtaposition - juxtaposing harsh, violent lyrics with a lively, upbeat instrumental. In the beginning, Tyler is taunting and insulting someone, likely a rival gang member, for wearing a "weak-ass hat." However, he quickly switches to a more serious message, warning young men about the dangers of gang violence, explaining how easy it is to become trapped in the cycle of retaliatory violence. Tyler argues that while people may think violence and proving oneself as a "real" gangster is impressive and rewarding, in reality, it only leads to pain, grief, and the same cycle continuing.


He uses metaphoric references such as 'banana' which means a gun clip referring to the brainless act of using guns amongst others to settle conflicts. The lyrics also mention the concept of karma and how it is inevitable to catch up with people who engage in harmful activities. Scripting it out as a warning to other male youth, Tyler cautions that trying to prove oneself through violence is ultimately meaningless and perpetuates a damaging cycle. It is a common theme but Tyler places it in a new light and perspective, rapped in clever, metaphorical language. The chorus is a repeat of "run as fast as you can, nigga," emphasizing the urgency of getting out of that violent life.


Line by Line Meaning

Fuck you running for nigga
Why are you trying to run away from me, man?


Aye nigga, come here nigga
Hey, come here, man.


Let me try that hat on
Can I try on that hat?


I told you come over here stupid bitch
I already told you to come here, you dumb ass.


Come over here with that weak ass hat
Bring that weak hat over here.


All y'all niggas smoke y'all brains out
You all smoke so much weed it's messing with your brains.


In the car, car light, took the lame route
You took the boring way in the car with the light on instead of doing something interesting.


Going nowhere fast if you think that you not gonna hesitate to pull the thing out
If you think you won't hesitate to pull out a gun, you're going nowhere fast in life.


And let that drop top, pop the trunk then pop pop
Pop open the convertible top, open the trunk, and start shooting.


Let his top drop, took another lame out
Kill another person and make their convertible top go down.


Oh you the big nigga, take a hit nigga
Oh, you're a tough guy? Take a hit of this weed, man.


Well I hope you understand you ain't shit nigga
I hope you understand that you're not really that special, man.


Cause them niggas whole purpose is to get niggas
Those guys just want to trap and hurt other black people.


And make sure that your mama cry the pain out
And make sure that your mom cries because of the pain you're causing.


Now that gang is out to get you
Now the gang is trying to find and hurt you.


But you stuck in the same house
But you're too scared to leave your house.


Nigga never came out, why
You never leave your house, why?


With the shame you got something
You're ashamed of something, I can tell.


Say you a real nigga 'cause you killed him
You think you're a tough guy because you killed someone?


Nuts for that ice and that cream banana peel niggas
You're crazy about jewelry and expensive cars, but you're really just a bunch of losers.


Banana clips spill, niggas wanna bang out
Guns with large magazines are firing, and people want to start shooting each other.


For they approval boy, you can't even hang out
You're willing to hurt others just to fit in, but you're not even welcome around here.


That light you hit, it was the light I held
The success you achieved was helped by me, but you don't acknowledge it.


That's why you never ever see me with my chains out
That's why you never see me wearing flashy jewelry.


I don't need to, truth they don't feed you
I don't need to show off, the truth is what's important even if it's not popular.


Lies what they got on their plate, they gon' eat you
The people feeding you lies and falsehoods will eventually turn on you and cause harm.


They got a homie called Karma he gon' meet you
Karma, the consequences of your actions, will eventually catch up to you.


Better look the other way if he ever see you
You better turn the other way if Karma ever shows up.


And run as fast as you can, nigga
And run away as fast as you can, man.


That's the shit I be talkin' bout, though
That's the kind of truthful talk I'm always talking about.


We ain't try'na hear that shit, my nigga
We don't want to hear that stuff, man.


Cuz, stay preachy cuz
Don't be so preachy, man.


Like nigga come on, homie
Come on, man.


I don't wanna hear that shit, preachy shit my nigga
I don't want to hear any more of this preachy stuff, man.


Yeah, we all black, who give a fuck, cuz?
So what if we're all black, why should we care, man?


I don't give a fuck, nigga
I don't care what you say, man.


Whatchu mean?
What are you trying to say?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TYLER OKONMA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@krislikeslettuce7090

People talk about how hard it is to like this album but in my opinion... I warmed up to cherry bomb before flower boy.

@lukewarmmadude2807

In terms of production though, Flower Boy beats this to a pulp. But hey, doesn't mean you have to like one more than the other. Opinions.

@fernandoantonio4275

Me too

@xlemon4311

cherry bomb was the first album i heard from him, it’s definitely his 2nd best (before wolf)

@skudlas

Same

@deccuf

@xLemon ☑️yess finally someone with the same top 2

3 More Replies...

@angeljimenez-hc4eu

Saw this live at Flog Gnaw carnival... There is a part where we would pause and clap, then the song would start again. It was awesome!

@angeljimenez-hc4eu

Everyone would follow tyler n clap at the same time

@_flogan_4661

angel jimenez that's awesome! One day imma go to a tyler concert

@somefinnishguy8075

@_flogan _ did you go

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