Monét has written songs for a number of artists including Nas, Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony, T.I., GOOD Music, Lupe Fiasco, Chrisette Michele, Coco Jones, Chris Brown, and Dirty Money. Most notably in 2019, Monét received two Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year for her work on Grande's "thank u, next" and Record of the Year for "7 Rings".
You Wouldn't Understand
Victoria Monét Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's make a bet, I know the reason you ain't make it yet
You say you set, but you ain't see the tedious ingredients
That go inside of a rider, you hiding from problems and
You never knew how to make dollars
You couldn't make orders at a drive-through McDonald's
I was fly at the Apollo with black Jason, '89 with a bottle
Niggas jealous of Jason, dark green seven forty, no tint
Used to ride with him to Brooklyn, Louis, and Halsey
Cop chocolate Thai, Vernon style and burn it down
My nigga hype in the federal joint, verdict out
20 years getting money in the dirty south
That's alleged, you see my niggas a stand up dude
So I'm yelling free my nigga
My nephew godfather Malik, he jammed up too
For what his hands usually call for, but he ain't do it
Who you are ain't in the recipe to what I am
'Cause where I'm from, man, what I see you wouldn't understand
Where I been and what I do
No matter how you try you never can
'Cause where I'm from, and what I see you wouldn't understand
Where I been, where I been
You ever been on the other end of a robber's revolver?
Not me, call me Lucky Nas Casalana
All been shot in the medulla oblongata and survived
And praised God with a bullet, I never collided
Some did and they lived, I salute the gods
Moet spilling, splash my mistake on my Timb boots for y'all
N.Y. nigga, Adidas, jogging suit
Shell toes, slim, fly nigga
Hudson River, rent a boat, t-shirt with a dinner coat
And vintage Fila like I'm the ghost of Domencio
On any day getting throwed in a tinted vehicle
Like a old BK gangsta, but I'm the CEO
Of Nasty Nas Enterprise, mastermind, made men
My success symbolizes loyalty, great friends
Dedication, hard work, routine builds character
In a world full of snakes, rats and scavengers
Never make choices out of desperation, I think through it
Break through walls like Pink Floyd
And drink fluids of all kind of alcohol, y'all
Vineyards in France, yachts out in Cannes
Who you are ain't in the recipe to what I am
'Cause where I'm from, man, what I see you wouldn't understand
Where I been and what I do
No matter how you try you never can
'Cause where I'm from, and what I see you wouldn't understand
Where I been, where I been
Now holla at a millionaire
Rollie, Hublot and Audemar, deciding which one to wear
Who to screw, what to drive, 550 with the cream guts inside
Or the Super Sport Range truck is fly
Diamond ring on my knuckles like fire, bitch
Gat's on us, I don't really trust these guys
Spend a couple bucks a night on bottles on cuties
If she beautiful, the lustful type, I'll hit it and bust inside
Fuck it, I'mma die one day, they gon' probably make that day a holiday
Until then, let's go on a shopping spree
Speaking for my real niggas, only OGs
Certified who kill niggas when put in that seat
But tonight we on chill, nigga, chill mode
Spill more Spades, listen to Jeezy and Hov, some Rozay
It's like we always on the grind with no brakes
So tonight we gon' act like we on vacation with this on rotation
Who you are ain't in the recipe to what I am (word)
'Cause where I'm from, man, what I see you wouldn't understand
Where I been and what I do
No matter how you try you never can
(You wouldn't last a day in my shoes, homie)
'Cause where I'm from and what I see (yeah) you wouldn't understand
Where I been, where I been
For my hood niggas, yeah, yeah
To my man Eric B., what up? Yeah
The whole city, I see you
To my man Big Slate in the fed joint
My man Spunk, free my niggas
All my niggas, yeah
Club Vernon, I see you
I see you, yeah
And Baltum, I see you
In the song "You Wouldn't Understand" by Victoria Monet, the artist is reflecting on her personal experiences and upbringing that have shaped her into the person she is today. She talks about the struggles and obstacles she faced, including growing up in areas like Harlem, Bronx, and Brooklyn, where making it out can be a challenge. She challenges those who have not been in her shoes to understand her journey, as she has faced different difficulties and had to overcome them.
The lyrics tell the story of the people Monet has encountered and the struggles they faced. She speaks of a friend named Jason, who had a seven forty vehicle and gleaming Rollie on wrist. She also mentions a nephew's godfather, Malik, who is incarcerated for something he did not do. She talks about some of the things she has experienced, such as being in a dangerous situation with a robber's revolver pointed at her. At the same time, she recognizes her success and hard work, symbolizes by her business, Nasty Nas Enterprise, and how it has brought her great friends, loyalty, and character.
Overall, the song is an insightful look into the trials and tribulations of growing up in difficult circumstances and persevering through hardship to become who you are. It inspires people to keep pushing forward and to never forget the journey that brought them to where they are today.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn
I come from various neighborhoods in New York City
Let's make a bet, I know the reason you ain't make it yet
I can tell why you haven't been successful
You say you set, but you ain't see the tedious ingredients
You think you have everything you need but you don't know the hard work that goes into it
That go inside of a rider, you hiding from problems and
You're avoiding the challenges that come with the job
You never knew how to make dollars
You don't know how to make money
You couldn't make orders at a drive-through McDonald's
You don't even have the skills to take a fast food order
Who you are ain't in the recipe to what I am
Your identity doesn't align with mine
'Cause where I'm from, man, what I see you wouldn't understand
The experiences and lifestyles I've encountered are beyond your comprehension
Where I been and what I do
The places I've been and the things I've done
No matter how you try you never can
You will never be able to understand
You ever been on the other end of a robber's revolver?
Have you ever been held up at gunpoint?
Not me, call me Lucky Nas Casalana
I've never been in that situation - I'm fortunate
And praised God with a bullet, I never collided
I've never been shot and am grateful to God for it
Who to screw, what to drive
Decisions on who to have sex with and what vehicle to drive
Diamond ring on my knuckles like fire, bitch
I have a flashy diamond ring
Gat's on us, I don't really trust these guys
I carry a gun because I don't fully trust people
It's like we always on the grind with no brakes
We work hard with no rest
So tonight we gon' act like we on vacation with this on rotation
Tonight we'll relax like we're on vacation with this music playing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: THOMAS LEE BROWN, MICHAEL CLAXTON, ERIC BARRIER, ANTHONY BEST, WILLIAM GRIFFIN, NASIR JONES, VICTORIA MCCANTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@d_hutt
I'm 17 and its said that most of my generation will never give Nas a chance because he's "old". A true living legend
@grahamsalkeld358
i was 17 bumpin this 10 years ago . loved Nas ever since i heard him spit a crazy verse on one of those TV stations that was just a black screen w music and i told myself i had to study dude. my fave albums are Lost Tapes , Illmatic and Distant Relatives but i always come
back to a few songs from other albums. this banger for example
@thipecarvan9052
But its not that they don't give him a chance, my generation played Nas all day
@thurmanmerman6248
IMO Nasir was the greatest poet to ever live.
@arlankanat5893
Ayo, 11 years later, I’m 18, a new generation, but I bump Nas everyday, he’s new stuff, he’s old stuff. Nas will never get “old”, because he’s timeless
@elicielcajigas1977
@@arlankanat5893 You get my respect for acknowledging the real hip hop.
@YungBastienMOB
idc this songs gives me the watery eyes EVERY TIME. the song is so damn beautiful. the whole album really
@islord999
Gus Tailey I agree family. Peace!
@pabloesco3373
Yes
@NJASZN
Victoria killed this chorus she's got next and Nas is just timeless