Bricks
Wale Lyrics

From a brick to a stone, does a feign have a soul? (Oh, Oh)
Does a drug addict still have a soul as he goes from using one drug to another?

As a kid need a goal, the powder's made of gold (Oh, Oh, Oh)
As a kid, you need a goal to stay away from drugs like cocaine, which is referred to as 'gold' here.

Getting blowed Thinkin' I'm so glad that I can rap cause I can't move no dope But I do know, a few niggas that did and a few niggas that still And a few niggas that's through, are the few niggas that's dead
The artist is happy that he can rap and earn a living without dealing drugs. However, he knows people who used to sell drugs and some who still do, and some who have died from it.

So fuck a 9 to 5, they clockin' and tryna to survive Cop a brick and supply cause nobody offerin' jobs Bricks build, buildings build, houses build neighborhoods Better ripped than turned into a baller or a Davis shirt Understated to say it hurts, I was optimistic Tryna see my gang and whippin' made me wish that I was flippin' This college went out of his dollar pension Cause after 4 or 5 you don't have nothing but college tickets
With no job opportunities available, the artist chooses to sell drugs instead of working a 9 to 5. He believes that drug money can help build communities through construction projects. He prefers to take the risk of selling drugs than working a low-wage job, even though he knows it takes a toll on himself and his community. He regrets not completing college, which was his only other option.

But them niggas tryna hold my head and work this out (tryna work this out) Countin' numbers up in my head tryna build this house (tryna build this house) Mama told me if I made my bed then I gotta lay down But I never seem to keep these words all up out my mouth
The artist's friends are trying to help him find a way out of drug dealing. He is trying to make enough money to build a life for himself. His mother taught him to take responsibility for his actions, but he struggles to follow her advice.

Look, little niggas will shoot you, they got nothing to say Cause local celebrities only bout a brick away If you still whip em he getting those from whippin' yay And you got no paper, you been so patient, come get some weight Sneaker boxes, you can see your progress And you weekend shoppin', show people no people problem I can see the problem, you nigga don't have no conscience Can't shoot, can't dribble, can't rap Young nigga don't have no options
The artist warns that young people who lack direction will resort to violence. Local celebrities who sell drugs can easily become the target of violence. Those who still sell drugs are putting themselves in danger since they are being supplied by someone higher up. Those who sell drugs have no conscience and care only about money. The artist believes that young people who have no skills or opportunities will turn to drugs and violence.

From a brick, to a stone, tryna feed for my homie From the powder, turn to power, and the power turn to dough Turning head with yo whip, Is it worth what you did? If a brick is a brick from a brick you can build From a brick to a stone, got a feign for a homie Turn 2 into 4, turn reef to a home Turn the powder, into power, and the power turn to hoes If a brick is a brick, to a brick you can throw Bricks (It's only one way out)
The artist is trying to make money by selling drugs to help his friend. He started with cocaine and is now at a point where he has power and money. He is questioning if it was worth doing what he did to make it. He believes that if you start with just one brick, you can build your way up to something greater. However, this way of life only leads to one path, and that is prison or death.

Nine years old, feds lookin' for my moms 10 or 11, held my first gun First time I heard bricks, I was thinking construction Until my 'migo plug from Mexicó gave me my introduction (now) 16, gettin' them bricks for the 16 Course I'm rappin' bitch but now I'm wrappin' bricks for 16 I was 17 ridin in that Lexus on 20's 18 and 19 payin nothing over 20 And a thousand 8 grams divided by 4 is 2-52 If you know what that mean you noticed it now And if you don't, learn how to divide nigga I'm talkin' bricks, no jump shots I'm talkin' work, no punch clocks!
The artist's life of dealing drugs began at a very young age, and he had to carry a gun for protection. He initially thought bricks were a construction material until he met his Mexican 'migo' who introduced him to drug dealing. He has been dealing drugs since he was 16 and is making more money than he is from rapping. He is proud of how he has progressed through the drug game, shown by his knowledge of how to divide large amounts into smaller ones. He is not talking about basketball (jump shots) or working a normal job (punch clocks), but rather dealing drugs (bricks).

Bricks bricks it's all them niggas talkin' bout Bricks bricks it's all them niggas talkin' bout Bricks bricks it's all them niggas thinkin' bout Little niggas on the scene, ain't gotta dream it now Studio getting blowed Thinkin' I'm so glad that I can rap cause I can't move no dope But I do know, a few niggas that did and a few niggas that still And a few niggas that's through, are the few niggas that's dead
The song's hook repeats how drug dealing is all anyone is talking about. Young people do not have to dream about drug dealing anymore since it is everywhere around them. The artist is relieved that he is making a living from rapping instead of selling drugs. However, he knows of people who used to sell drugs and still do, and some who have died from the drug game.