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!.
SOB
Vince Staples Lyrics
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Waiting for the light to change, hopefully my luck will change
Went to sleep pissed off, woke up broke as fuck again
Being mediocre is some shit I'll never understand
Never had a 9 to 5, never did an application
And rather rob a nigga, when I get the chance, teacher's tell you
"Get a plan, go to college, let them empty out your pockets"
What the fuck I look like, nigga? For real
How in the hell could you fault me for that when
It takes money to be shit and we never seen it
So I'm doing dirt, let the police clean it
Standing on the edge of a tall cliff
Trying not to fall deep into the shark pit
I guess I'm God's gift to Hell in a funny way
Can't wait to see my life change once the money came
Niggas only come around when the money's 'round
Catch you slipping 'round the town just to gun you down
Wasn't fucking with me then but I bet by now
These mothafuckas know they like my style
Tryna figure out, What the hell they want from me
Why I love everything that involves money?
Hope I get enough just tryna live it up
Shit I want yours too, you should give it up
She said she like money, I like Hummer's, you want to trade?
Just another disappointment in my fucking day
Slave to my lifestyle, would try and make a change
But I heard about the shit they doing to the runaway's
Swear that I would change everything if my gun could stay
Said she doesn't understand, anything I fucking say
Problems with women, she's tripping but get's pissed
Cause I tell that she just a bitch, and never really meant much
But if I told you that I loved you would you give a fuck?
Or even have the decency to listen up? Probably not
I swear like every time you come around my fucking heart will stop
Can't wait 'til I make way and the talking stops
But for now I just stare you down in the parking lot
From a far distance, just hoping, just wishing
That maybe you might not think I'm crazy
I know you probably wish for the same thing but fuck it
The opening lines of the song "SOB" by Vince Staples paint the picture of a rough life. Vince describes riding around in a convertible Corolla, waiting for a stoplight to change, hoping that his luck will turn around. He wakes up from a less-than-pleasant night, angry and broke, and feeling fed up with mediocrity. Vince has never held a job or filled out a job application but instead prefers to rob people to make ends meet. He scoffs at the notion of college or any form of education that requires emptying one's pockets. He knows that money talks, and if he ever wants to live a better life, he needs an income.
Money is the focal point of the song. Vince recognizes that money is the key to everything; it takes money to become someone, and he has nothing. Vince is frustrated with his life and feels like he is living on borrowed time. His environment puts him on the edge of a cliff constantly, where he is about to fall deep into a shark pit. He wishes he could change his lifestyle, but the train has come and gone, and he is only left with the consequences of his actions. The chorus says that people are only interested in him when he has money, and they will kill him if he doesn't have any.
Line by Line Meaning
Just riding around in a convertible corolla
I'm driving around in a car that's not that great because I can't afford anything better.
Waiting for the light to change, hopefully my luck will change
I'm hoping that things will get better for me, even though it doesn't seem likely.
Went to sleep pissed off, woke up broke as fuck again
I'm constantly angry and frustrated because I never have any money.
Being mediocre is some shit I'll never understand
I don't understand why people are okay with settling for a mediocre life.
Never had a 9 to 5, never did an application
I've never had a regular job or gone through the process of applying for one.
And rather rob a nigga, when I get the chance, teacher's tell you
If given the opportunity, I'd rather steal from someone than work a regular job because that's what society has taught me is an option.
"Get a plan, go to college, let them empty out your pockets"
Teachers and adults tell you to go to college as if it's a guaranteed way to succeed, but it really just puts you in a lot of debt.
What the fuck I look like, nigga? For real
I'm questioning why I would ever do something that society deems as acceptable, like going to college and getting a regular job because it's not my style.
It's safe to say I put my heart in the trap but
I've invested a lot of myself into selling drugs to make money.
How in the hell could you fault me for that when
How can you blame me for selling drugs when it feels like the only option I have to make money and survive.
It takes money to be shit and we never seen it
Money is everything, and I've never had it or seen it, so I'll do anything to get it.
So I'm doing dirt, let the police clean it
I'm doing illegal activities to make money, and I'm aware that I could get caught, but I'll let the police deal with the consequences.
Standing on the edge of a tall cliff
I'm at a pivotal point in my life and could easily fall down the wrong path.
Trying not to fall deep into the shark pit
I'm trying to avoid getting caught in the dangerous world of crime and drugs.
I guess I'm God's gift to Hell in a funny way
I feel like I was born to have a rough life, and it's almost comical how terrible my life has been.
Can't wait to see my life change once the money came
I'm hoping that all of my problems will go away once I have money.
Niggas only come around when the money's 'round
People only want to be around me when I have money.
Catch you slipping 'round the town just to gun you down
People will attack you and try to rob you when you're not paying attention.
Wasn't fucking with me then but I bet by now
People didn't respect me or want to be around me in the past, but I bet now they regret not being close to me.
These mothafuckas know they like my style
People are starting to notice me and my unique personality and style.
Tryna figure out, What the hell they want from me
I'm confused about why people are suddenly interested in being around me when they didn't before.
Why I love everything that involves money?
I'm questioning why I'm so obsessed with money and anything that comes with it.
Hope I get enough just tryna live it up
I'm hoping I can make enough money to live a luxurious and free life.
Shit I want yours too, you should give it up
I'm not afraid to take from others and will do what it takes to get what I want.
She said she like money, I like Hummer's, you want to trade?
I'm trying to impress a girl by showing her that I also like expensive and flashy things.
Just another disappointment in my fucking day
Everything in my life seems to be disappointing and not going my way.
Slave to my lifestyle, would try and make a change
I'm addicted to the lifestyle that comes with selling drugs and would try to change if I could.
But I heard about the shit they doing to the runaway's
I've been warned about the horrible things that happen to people who try to leave the gang and run away from that lifestyle.
Swear that I would change everything if my gun could stay
I'd be willing to change everything about myself and my life if I knew I could keep my gun for protection.
Said she doesn't understand, anything I fucking say
The girl I like doesn't seem to understand or listen to me.
Problems with women, she's tripping but get's pissed
I have problems with women, and the girl I like is overreacting and getting angry with me.
Cause I tell that she just a bitch, and never really meant much
I insult the girl I like and don't see her as important or valuable to me.
But if I told you that I loved you would you give a fuck?
I wonder if the girl I like would care about me if I expressed my love for her.
Or even have the decency to listen up? Probably not
I don't think the girl I like would even listen or care if I tried to tell her how I feel.
I swear like every time you come around my fucking heart will stop
I get nervous and my heart races when I see the girl I like.
Can't wait 'til I make way and the talking stops
I'm looking forward to making something of myself so that people will stop talking down to me and about me.
But for now I just stare you down in the parking lot
For now, I just watch and admire the girl I like from a distance.
From a far distance, just hoping, just wishing
From far away, I'm just hoping and wishing that things will work out between me and the girl I like.
That maybe you might not think I'm crazy
I hope the girl I like doesn't think I'm crazy for the way I act and feel about her.
I know you probably wish for the same thing but fuck it
I know the girl I like probably has her own problems and wishes for things, but I don't really care at this point.
Contributed by Cole T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.