Staples rose to prominence with appearances on albums by Odd Future members and his collaborative mixtape titled Stolen Youth with Mac Miller, who produced the project. In October 2014, he released his debut EP Hell Can Wait, which included the singles "Hands Up" and "Blue Suede". His debut album, Summertime '06, was released on June 30, 2015, to critical acclaim. He was also featured as a part of the XXL 2015 Freshman Class.[3] His second album Big Fish Theory incorporates avant-garde, dance and electronic influences. It was released on June 23, 2017, to further acclaim from critics. He was also featured on Gorillaz's album Humanz. On November 2, 2018, Staples released his third studio album, FM!.
3230
Vince Staples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep the engine runnin' when a nigga run up on ya
Another day in sunny California
The FEDs takin' pictures and they tappin' Motorolas
Everybody snitchin', gotta live with paranoia
A soldier since the stroller, ask my mama if you doubt that
Homie where ya clout at? You ain't ever push nobody's scalp back
45, 9s 'round 9 in the AM
A week ago, they killed my bro, that's been the price of bangin'
Since my granny Alameda days, robbin' 'cause we need a raise
Fingers do the talkin' when the Cs do the walkin'
And the Cs been polluted, baptism for these shooters
Seventh grade, I went to OCA, hoopin' up at Lueder's
With my Ru from Campanella we was crashin' shit together
Three, two, three, zero
3230 Poppy St, we ain't chasin', they brought the beef
Used to the sounds of violence, my neighbors ain't never call police
Call it followin' protocols, spark it if you ain't know the call
Got this bitch that live off of Market that's down to hold the heat
Turnin' water and power off, got us impatient, powered up
Evictions notices go unnoticed, the final hours up
Livin' off of borrowed time, committin' crimes that's organized
Fortress ones and fortified, just tryna build my castle up
Dollar and a dream, at night time we maskin' up
The deadly game of tag, the older generations passed to us
I got a clip that's long enough to shoot until the casket come
Wit' it 'til that casket drop, they droppin' when that magnum pop
In "3230," Vince Staples paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities of life in the projects. Throughout the song, he describes the violence and paranoia that permeate his neighborhood, highlighting the sense of tension and fear that is an everyday reality for those who live there. From the loud barrel of his gun to the presence of the FEDs who are always watching, Staples invokes an atmosphere of danger and uncertainty that is palpable throughout the track. At the same time, he explores the theme of loyalty, calling out those who have abandoned their friends and allies in order to save themselves.
One of the most poignant moments in the song comes when Staples reflects on the recent loss of his friend. He notes that this kind of violence is all too common where he comes from, and he seems resigned to the fact that it's just a part of life. In this sense, "3230" offers a raw and unflinching look at the realities of growing up in poverty and despair, where death and violence are an almost constant presence.
Line by Line Meaning
Hittin' corners, thuggin' with the blower, barrel louder than a motor
Driving through the streets, carrying a gun with a loud barrel, creating a scene
Keep the engine runnin' when a nigga run up on ya
Be prepared to make a quick getaway if someone approaches you
Another day in sunny California
Just another day in a world where danger lurks beneath the surface
The FEDs takin' pictures and they tappin' Motorolas
The authorities are constantly monitoring and surveilling the community
Everybody snitchin', gotta live with paranoia
People cannot be trusted and it's necessary to always be vigilant
A soldier since the stroller, ask my mama if you doubt that
I've been tough and fearless since I was a baby, ask my mother if you don't believe me
Homie where ya clout at? You ain't ever push nobody's scalp back
You talk a big game but you've never really followed through on any violent acts
45, 9s 'round 9 in the AM
Guns are always present in the morning
Yesterday I sat and prayed, today I'm finna take it
I was hopeful yesterday, but today I'm going to take what I want by any means necessary
A week ago, they killed my bro, that's been the price of bangin'
My friend was murdered recently and this is the reality of the violent gang lifestyle
Since my granny Alameda days, robbin' 'cause we need a raise
I've been involved in stealing and robbery since I was young because we didn't have any other options to make a living
Fingers do the talkin' when the Cs do the walkin'
Guns do the talking instead of negotiations or peaceful interactions
And the Cs been polluted, baptism for these shooters
The streets are corrupted and violent, and it's becoming increasingly dangerous
Seventh grade, I went to OCA, hoopin' up at Lueder's
I used to play basketball with my friends at Lueder's when I was in middle school
With my Ru from Campanella we was crashin' shit together
I used to hang out and cause trouble with my friend from Campanella
3230 Poppy St, we ain't chasin', they brought the beef
We're not instigating any trouble, but it's coming our way anyways
Used to the sounds of violence, my neighbors ain't never call police
We've become accustomed to violence and crime in our neighborhood, so nobody ever bothers to report anything to the authorities
Call it followin' protocols, spark it if you ain't know the call
It's just following the rules to use violence when necessary
Got this bitch that live off of Market that's down to hold the heat
I know a woman who is willing to carry a gun and use it when needed
Turnin' water and power off, got us impatient, powered up
The utilities have been shut off, causing frustration and anger
Evictions notices go unnoticed, the final hours up
We're being forced to leave our homes and nobody cares or is doing anything about it
Livin' off of borrowed time, committin' crimes that's organized
Our time is running out and we're resorting to planned, strategic crimes to survive
Fortress ones and fortified, just tryna build my castle up
We're trying to establish a sense of security and create a space that's safe
Dollar and a dream, at night time we maskin' up
We have very little money and hope, but we're willing to take risks and wear masks to achieve our goals
The deadly game of tag, the older generations passed to us
We're caught up in a dangerous cycle of violence that we inherited from our predecessors
I got a clip that's long enough to shoot until the casket come
I have plenty of bullets to shoot and kill until there are no more left
Wit' it 'til that casket drop, they droppin' when that magnum pop
We'll continue to fight and shoot until either we or our enemies are dead
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ernest Wilson, Steve Wyreman, Vince Staples
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mallory
Hittin' corners
Thuggin' with the blower, barrel louder than a motor
Keep the engine runnin' when a nigga run up on ya
Another day in sunny California
The Feds takin' pictures and they tappin' Motorolas
Everybody snitchin', gotta live with paranoia
A soldier since the stroller, ask my mama if you doubt that
Homie where ya clout at? You ain't ever push nobody's scalp back
45, 9s 'round 9 in the AM
Yesterday I sat and prayed, today I'm finna take it
A week ago, they killed my bro, that's been the price of bangin'
Since my granny Alameda days, robbin' cause we need a raise
Fingers do the talkin' when the Cs do the walkin'
And the Cs been polluted, baptism for these shooters
Seventh grade, I went to OCA, hoopin' up at Lueder's
With my Ru from Campanella we was crashin' shit together
(Three, two, three, zero)
3230 Poppy Street, we ain't chasin', they brought the beef
Used to the sounds of violence, my neighbors ain't never call police
Call it followin' protocols, spark it if you don't know the call
Got this bitch that live off of Market that's down to hold the heat
Turnin' water and power off, got us impatient, powered up
Evictions notices go unnoticed, the final hours up
Livin' off of borrowed time, committin' crimes that's organized
Fortress wasn't fortified, just tryna build my castle up
Dollar and a dream, at night time we maskin' up
The deadly game of tag, the older generations passed to us
I got a clip that's long enough to shoot until the casket come
With it 'till that casket drop, they droppin' when that magnum pop
Kirk Landau
This is truly one of the highest peaks of hip-hop as a form of art. Vince Staples is one of the greatest rappers of all time, with an incredibly distinctive/unique flow+delivery and his raw lyricism and darkly expressive realness... and No I.D. is one of the greatest producers of all time with this absolute fucking sonic force-of-nature, which is surely his highest zenith as a beat-maker. Together, Vince Staples with No I.D., they made an overall classic, masterpiece of an album ("Summertime '06", filled with nothing but tracks of the highest quality, all of which paint a poignant picture collectively of Vince's intelligently cynical yet wistful life and outlook), of which "3230" and "Jump Off the Roof" stand out above all as two of the best hip-hop songs in the entire history of the genre by far. This is easily one of the top 10 best rap songs ever, off of one of the top 10 best rap albums ever.
The pounding, almost disjointed, tribalistic rhythm - manic and metallic and martial sounding. The overall atmospheric essence is that of the darkest vision, overwhelmingly tragic and misanthropic. The powerful sounds and breathless verses spiral in a sort of haunting and catastrophic vortex, sucking you into Vince's world, distilled to its most nightmarish form. This song is nothing short of a *nihilistic anthem*. It portrays a violent wasteland in which humans desperately struggle for survival in a moral wilderness. But ultimately it's a transcendental sublimation in which the hellish fight for survival actually becomes a tragic and heroic act, no matter how futile. And that's fucking real.
But also, paradoxically, as much as it's about survival, this is equally pure *thanatos*, the Freudian "death drive", in sonic form. In order to truly live, you must approach death, head on. Vince has perhaps always been searching for something at the boundary between life and death, and "3230" encapsulates this spiritually agonized and borderline suicidal quest... ultimately the delusions of the damned, those who are awakened to the hell of this reality and thus fervently seek salvation in the fire.
JDrum
W comment
mdApon mdApon
3234
mdApon mdApon
opn
Adrien Morales
I agree
Dr. Strawberry
cool beans bro (genuine)
Captain Sampson Lavender
I’ll say it. One of the hardest tracks to ever exist.
plank
Sasquatch you know it. A lot of Vince’s songs can take that title tho.... but this one? Lmfaoooooooooooo my nigga should be more famous off this one alone
Kirk Landau
Easily. This is an ATG hip-hop track
Sup Wit It Productionz
one of the best hip hop tracks of the last 10 years for sure