Georgetown Press
Wale Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro: ?]
Georgetown was very symbolic and very connected. Not just to “Black D.C.” but to “Black America”. They were kind of “Black America’s” basketball team for a lot, a lot of people. So, when these stories started coming around on the sports ticker that this big drug dealer was hanging out with several of the players, it was big news.

[Intro 2: Wale]
This is a place where opportunities few
And niggas feud for land they’ll never own
Where they raise hell and waste shells
And duck baby mamas but rarely escape jail
This is the trap… the trap.

[Verse 1: Wale]
Death on my opposition, no
Them watchin’ me blow is more than even in the skull
And my team has a flow, ambition see the results
And to get to my spirit seeing twitpics of them diplomas, word
Cannot stress it, through God blessings we made it out
For the have-nots that have a knot to have knots
Hats off, we been working our ass off
And we all-stars that made the squad with the cap off
Steinbrenner, designed to make your dynasty weary
Sometimes I’m a dick, but you niggas placenta
And that’s the problem, it’s a problem, don’t dap me my nigga
Just tap me my nigga, then get at me my nigga
Man fuck a dappin’ you rappers should get back off the fingers
Trust in God and you golden, trust in rap and you empty
Bust a mac and you gangster, that’s how them youngins livin’
Shout out that Georgetown Press they still trappin’ the district

[Hook]
Blessings we made it out, blessings we made it out
They still trappin’ the district
Trust in God and you golden, trust in rap and you empty
Blessings we made it out, blessings we made it out
Shout out that Georgetown Press they still trappin’ the district

[Verse 2: Lightshow]
New nigga, but I’m Patrick Ewing on these blocks
My mac cold like Dikembe nigga, who need Glocks
These crooked cops keep tryin’ steal the ball from me
But ‘Le like Kevin Braswell with these rock
600 plus assists, plus this I must admiss
Hard work ain’t come with this, that’s why I fuck with this
G set the fuckin’ pick, I went straight to the hole
Went to college a day, dropped out went straight for my goals
Now it’s dough in my mattress, my bitch look like a actress
Cuz I studied the defense, and I stayed after practice
On my way to the league, only limit the sky
Still I show up to practice, I can’t end up A.I.
Pay attention don’t miss it
Shout out to Georgetown but I won’t get trapped in the District, nah
Lightshow

[Hook]

[Verse 3: Wale]
Leader of the people who ain’t tryna be led
But I’mma get us all back if I can smile all year
I seen bums happy as anyone
Millionaires set for bread
Some be livin’ for crumbs
Motherfuckers don’t fuck with us I still be showin’ love
Cause if I was local and they was on it I’d be naah
Don’t trip off what a bitch say, shovel on a good day
All my youngins put up numbers just like Bubbachuck in kente
When we can’t hit the league we let the streets mislead and dictate
And there is no I in team, but can you read the I on Vick’s page
Otto Porter with all the water servin’ the corners
Rayful callin’ up ‘Zo Mourning before the tourney
Servin’ drugs, some us don’t make it out here
My niggas had some plugs, I gave ‘em a better outlet
There’s a difference in words: hustle and trappin’
See hustlers find a way out, while the latter can’t climb up out it
The trap

[Hook]





[Outro: ?]
Georgetown coach John Thompson made a personal appeal to Edmond to stay away from his players. He built this team into a national power, and now the inspector of a DC drug dealer in the age of crack, you know, well, that could have destroyed everything

Overall Meaning

The song Georgetown Press by Wale is a commentary on the complicated relationship between the Georgetown University basketball program and the drug dealers who operated in the surrounding neighborhoods of Washington D.C. during the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s. The lyrics describe the struggle of people living in poverty and violence in the district, where opportunities are scarce and a criminal lifestyle seems like the only way out. The song contrasts the success of the Georgetown basketball program, which was seen as a symbol of hope and pride for many African Americans, with the corruption and danger that surrounded it.


The lyrics of the song are filled with references to basketball players and coaches, as well as to the drug dealers and street culture that dominated the district during that time. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "blessings we made it out," which can be interpreted as a reference to the fact that many people who grew up in neighborhoods like Georgetown were able to rise above the drugs and violence to achieve success in other areas of their lives. However, the song also acknowledges that some people weren't able to escape the trap, and ended up trapped in a cycle of crime and poverty.


Overall, Georgetown Press is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the impact of drugs and violence on urban communities, and the ways in which sports and other forms of cultural expression can both uplift and be co-opted by those same communities.


Line by Line Meaning

This is a place where opportunities few
The place talked about is a location where there are not many opportunities for people.


And niggas feud for land they’ll never own
People are fighting over land that they will never possess.


Where they raise hell and waste shells
In the location being talked about people cause trouble and shoot guns.


And duck baby mamas but rarely escape jail
People try to avoid taking care of their children and often end up in jail.


Death on my opposition, no
The artist has no intentions of causing death to their opponents.


Them watchin’ me blow is more than even in the skull
The success that the singer is achieving is more than what can be comprehended.


And my team has a flow, ambition see the results
The singer's team has a good rhythm, and their drive is reflected in their success.


Cannot stress it, through God blessings we made it out
The artist is grateful for God's blessings that allowed them to escape their difficult past.


For the have-nots that have a knot to have knots
The artist is talking about people who have little, but they now have more and can make more.


Hats off, we been working our ass off
The artist takes pride in their hard work and dedication.


Steinbrenner, designed to make your dynasty weary
The singer is comparing themselves to Steinbrenner, who is known for creating a dynasty that is hard to beat.


Sometimes I’m a dick, but you niggas placenta
Sometimes the artist can be annoying, but their opponents are just weak and vulnerable.


And that’s the problem, it’s a problem, don’t dap me my nigga
The fact that their opponents are weak is an issue, so they don't want to share a fist bump with them.


Just tap me my nigga, then get at me my nigga
The singer wants their opponents to tap them and reach out to them in a more genuine way.


Man fuck a dappin’ you rappers should get back off the fingers
The singer has no interest in fist-bumping with other rappers.


Trust in God and you golden, trust in rap and you empty
The artist believes that trusting in God is the key to success, while trusting in rap music will leave you empty.


Bust a mac and you gangster, that’s how them youngins livin’
The youth believe that shooting a gun makes them cool and tough.


Shout out that Georgetown Press they still trappin’ the district
The singer recognizes the powerful presence of Georgetown Press in the area they are from.


New nigga, but I’m Patrick Ewing on these blocks
The singer is new to the area, but compares themselves to Patrick Ewing when it comes to their presence on the streets.


My mac cold like Dikembe nigga, who need Glocks
The artist says that they carry a powerful weapon that doesn't require a Glock.


These crooked cops keep tryin’ steal the ball from me
Corrupt police officers are trying to prevent the artist from succeeding.


But ‘Le like Kevin Braswell with these rock
The artist is like Kevin Braswell, a successful basketball player, when it comes to their skills with a ball.


600 plus assists, plus this I must admiss
The singer has had many successful accomplishments in their life.


Hard work ain’t come with this, that’s why I fuck with this
The artist has not always had things come easily to them, which is why they appreciate their current situation.


G set the fuckin’ pick, I went straight to the hole
The singer's team set up a great opportunity for them to win.


Went to college a day, dropped out went straight for my goals
The singer attended college for only one day before pursuing their goals elsewhere.


Motherfuckers don’t fuck with us I still be showin’ love
Even though people don't get along with the singer, they still show them kindness and respect.


Cause if I was local and they was on it I’d be naah
If the artist were in someone else's shoes and was being shown love, they would act graciously.


Don’t trip off what a bitch say, shovel on a good day
The artist advises others to ignore negative comments and focus on the positive.


All my youngins put up numbers just like Bubbachuck in kente
The singer's young associates have been very successful in their own right.


When we can’t hit the league we let the streets mislead and dictate
When people can't succeed in traditional careers, they often turn to bad influences and let the streets control them.


And there is no I in team, but can you read the I on Vick’s page
The artist is pointing out that even though there is no I in the word 'team', the focus is often put on individuals, such as Michael Vick.


Otto Porter with all the water servin’ the corners
The artist made a reference to Otto Porter, a successful basketball player known for serving people in his community.


Rayful callin’ up ‘Zo Mourning before the tourney
The artist is talking about a drug dealer named Rayful who contacted former NBA player Alonzo Mourning before a game.


Servin’ drugs, some us don’t make it out here
Some people fall victim to drug use and lose their lives in the drug trade.


My niggas had some plugs, I gave ‘em a better outlet
The artist helped their friends who were involved in illegal activity by giving them a new opportunity.


There’s a difference in words: hustle and trappin’
The singer is discussing the distinction between legal and illegal ways of making money.


See hustlers find a way out, while the latter can’t climb up out it
Legal workers can find a way to succeed, but drug dealers struggle to escape their current situation.


Georgetown coach John Thompson made a personal appeal to Edmond to stay away from his players.
The Georgetown coach, John Thompson, told a man named Edmond to keep his distance from the basketball players.


He built this team into a national power, and now the inspector of a DC drug dealer in the age of crack, you know, well, that could have destroyed everything
John Thompson had built a great basketball team, but if a drug dealer had become too closely involved with them, it could have ruined everything.




Contributed by Evan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Marc NY

I miss this tape... One of wale's best pieces of work...

beattheodds

It's his best

Marc Regal

Marc NY You never lied though

setaBC

Ain't nobody gonna talk about how Lightshow just straight snapped on this joint? One of the illest verses I've heard from a DC rapper period.

Joshua LionInZion

Daaaawg I came to YOUTUBE just to see if bammas would be HIP to how HARD your mans LIGHTSHOW went in‼️

Trovech sound

Literally the reason I’m a light show fan for life. He went OFF

Issa Jabbi

Who is Lightshow? It's one of the best features on this tape.

Christopher Burke

yesss he really did

Brandon Meyer

you really realize how gifted wale is when you hear this

shldntbhere

I wish I could thumbs up this comment a million times. I don't wanna get into the comparisons but so many of these artist have amazing musical producers behind them and a gift for wordplay and they use it for absolute nonsense. "May your trees be loud, your queens be proud, may you see your dreams allowed before youre seen from a cloud" - Thanks Wale for a little inspiration and a humble spirit. #TrueArtist.

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