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!.
C.N.B
Vince Staples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wake up feeling like I am the coldest nigga breathing
Look in the mirror like goddamn I know they wanna be him
I wake up feeling like I am the realest nigga walking
So watch your step and watch that shit you're talking, okay?
(Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay)
So watch the shit that you say, okay?
So watch the shit that you say
On 65 I tell the truth, no lies
The sheets and crosses turned to suits and ties
In Black America, can you survive?
They made a nuisance once the noose is tied
We gentrified, we victimized, we fighting for survival
No hopes and dreams, just leave us be, we leanin' on the bible
They preyin' on us, prayin' for a better day tomorrow
Hide the fear behind this here bravado
I wake up feeling like I am the coldest nigga breathing
Look in the mirror like goddamn I know they wanna be him
I wake up feeling like I am the realest nigga walking
So watch your step and watch that shit you're talking, okay?
(Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay)
So watch the shit that you say, okay?
(Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay)
So watch the shit that you say
We black scared for real, was bred to kill
Been leavin' niggas hangin', what you sayin'?
Don't shake my hand unless you're passin' payment
Keep your salutations, need my forty acres
Why they hate us? Why they want to rape us for our culture?
They greet us, feed us, bleed us, then they leave us for the vultures
They break the grill, get off with millions, tryna to break their focus
Mo ten the man to mow a lawn, the hopeless
I wake up feeling like I am the coldest nigga breathing
Look in the mirror like goddamn I know they wanna be him
I wake up feeling like I am the realest nigga walking
So watch your step and watch that shit you're talking, okay?
(Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay)
So watch the shit that you say, okay?
(Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay)
So watch the shit that you say
The lyrics of Vince Staples's song C.N.B. are a powerful commentary on the state of Black America. The opening lines "I wake up feeling like I am the coldest nigga breathing/Look in the mirror like goddamn I know they wanna be him" show a sense of confidence and pride in being Black, despite the injustices faced. The following lines "So watch your step and watch that shit you're talking" warn others to be careful with their words and actions, as there is a sense of urgency in the struggle for Black survival.
Staples references the history of lynching with the line "The sheets and crosses turned to suits and ties" and poses the question "In Black America, can you survive?" He acknowledges the gentrification and victimization of Black communities, and the fight for survival with "We gentrified, we victimized, we fighting for survival/No hopes and dreams, just leave us be, we leanin' on the bible." The fear and anxiety deeply ingrained in the Black community is highlighted with "We black scared for real, was bred to kill/Been leavin' niggas hangin'."
The repetition of the chorus "I wake up feeling like I am the coldest nigga breathing/Look in the mirror like goddamn I know they wanna be him/I wake up feeling like I am the realest nigga walking/So watch your step and watch that shit you're talking, okay?" reinforces the sense of pride and confidence in being Black, while also warning others to be mindful of their words and actions.
Overall, C.N.B. is a powerful statement on the struggles and injustices faced by Black Americans, as well as a call to action for others to be aware of their words and actions in a society that has historically oppressed and marginalized Black people.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no
Expression of anxiety and uncertainty
I wake up feeling like I am the coldest nigga breathing
Disbelief in one's own superiority and success
Look in the mirror like goddamn I know they wanna be him
Feeling of being a role model and idol for others
I wake up feeling like I am the realest nigga walking
Belief in one's own honesty and authenticity
So watch your step and watch that shit you're talking, okay?
Warning to others to be careful of what they say and how they act
(Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay)
Reiteration of the warning
On 65 I tell the truth, no lies
Commitment to honesty and transparency
The sheets and crosses turned to suits and ties
Transformation from overt racism to covert discrimination
In Black America, can you survive?
Challenging the societal foundations that make survival difficult for Black Americans
They made a nuisance once the noose is tied
Scapegoating and criminalizing Black Americans once they are already oppressed
We gentrified, we victimized, we fighting for survival
Addressing the cycle of gentrification and victimization that Black Americans continue to face
No hopes and dreams, just leave us be, we leanin' on the bible
Lack of optimism and clinging to faith in religion for hope in a better future
They preyin' on us, prayin' for a better day tomorrow
Critiquing the exploitative actions of those in power who pray on the vulnerable and oppressed
Hide the fear behind this here bravado
Projecting confidence and fearlessness to hide inner fears and insecurities
We black scared for real, was bred to kill
Acknowledgment of deep-seated fear and anxiety, as well as the systemic oppression that has led to violent behavior
Been leavin' niggas hangin', what you sayin'?
Reflecting on the betrayal of Black solidarity and brotherhood
Don't shake my hand unless you're passin' payment
Rejecting false friendship and demanding financial compensation for services rendered
Keep your salutations, need my forty acres
Asking for reparations and payment for the land stolen from Black Americans
Why they hate us? Why they want to rape us for our culture?
Questioning the motives of those who exploit and appropriate Black culture
They greet us, feed us, bleed us, then they leave us for the vultures
Describing the exploitative nature of those who claim to help but are only interested in making a profit
They break the grill, get off with millions, tryna to break their focus
Commenting on the unequal consequences for white collar crime and the impact it has on Black Americans
Mo ten the man to mow a lawn, the hopeless
Giving voice to the experiences of underemployment and lack of opportunities for marginalized communities
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRIAN J. KIDD, DACOURY DAHI NATCHE, KEVIN RANDOLPH, VINCENT STAPLES, ERNEST DION WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind