Thug Angels
Wyclef Jean Lyrics

Refugees yo.. all you say
The song 'Thug Angels' is dedicated to the people seeking refuge and safety. It calls out to everyone.

Dirty Dirty Dirty South
The kind of environment where the song originates from, influenced by its youth culture. The song is pointing out the active violence that resides within the region.

I used to play while at the YMCA, in L.A.
Wyclef Jean used to play in YMCA when he resided in Los Angeles. Nowadays, he's reminiscing about that simpler time.

Sold my first A-K
Wyclef Jean started his life in the US by selling AK-47s.

I saw her man get murdered on Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Wyclef Jean witnessed a murder on a day known as 'Bloody Sunday'.

(What about Texas?) They need to chill with the gun play
Gun violence is a pressing issue, particularly in Texas. The song urges Texans to reduce the use of guns.

(New York city y'all) Police are at the door
The New York City Police Department is at Wyclef Jean's door.

the Magnum was by the ashtray
A Magnum firearm was left near the ashtray.

(Look at shorty y'all) He bout to go out like Scarface
There is someone who is about to die like in the movie Scarface.

He woke up in a cardboard box with no space
Someone woke up inside a confined place, a cardboard box for example, with no room to move.

with Thug Angels singin, sayin
In the background of this situation, 'Thug Angels' are singing.

{uh-huhhh uh-huhhh, ahh-ahh-ahh- ahhhh-ahhh-ahhh-uhhh-huhhh uh-huhhh..}
The lyrics indicate the 'Thug Angels'' hums.

So you wanna be a thug?
The singer is challenging someone's intention of becoming a 'Thug'.

To all my thugs in Houston, you wan' push drugs?
The singer is directly addressing potential drug dealers in Houston.

To all my thugs in Memphis, you want the cars in the videos?
The singer is addressing people in Memphis who want to mimic the lifestyles they see in the media.

To the Jacksonville Thug Angels, let me tell you how it really goes
Specifically, the 'Thug Angels' in Jacksonville, Florida are being addressed. The surroundings should be taken seriously.

I'm on the highway with a black bandana, headed to Atlanta
The artist is heading to Atlanta and is wearing a black bandana as a precaution.

Until I heard WOOP WOOP, that "Sound of Da Police", should I pull over?
The singer is contemplating whether to pull over the car or keep moving while hearing the sound of police sirens.

He had the dark shades on, but he ain't look like Stevie Wonder
The person in the police car had dark glasses like Stevie Wonder but didn't have any other resemblance.

His face was, pale and long - he looked like cold day in December
The artist describes the looks of the police officer who was pale and had a long face, comparing it to a cold day in December.

Now let me ask the truth or somethin - should I slow down and be a good camper?
The artist is now questioning if he should obey the traffic rules and stop the car.

I heard a young thug scream, "It depends what you got in the beamer!!"
A young thug commented that it matters whether there were illegal things in the 'beamer' car before stopping or not.

Now I got two choices I could blast and become Most Wanted in America
The singer outlines two potential choices: either shoot the police or become Most Wanted in America.

Or I could slow down like the man in the Bronco and get Johnny Cochran to be my lawyer
The artist mentions another option: slow down like in the O.J. Simpson case and get Johnny Cochran as a lawyer.

Ohh Sonya, hit her on the Motorola
The singer is speaking to Sonya on a Motorola phone.

If I get locked up I ain't getting out 'til Tuesday
If the singer is arrested, they won't be released till Tuesday.

Cause this is Saturday, and it's a holiday
The current day is Saturday, which is why getting out won't happen until Tuesday.

Now I got to spend a week hangin in the South in jail
If arrested, the artist will spend a week in jail in the southern US.

but you told me that crime pay
The artist refers to someone who previously assured him that committing crimes would lead to a better future.

(Hey) Police are at the door
The police are still outside the door.

(What about Brooklyn?) They need to chill with the gun play
In Brooklyn, gun violence is just as critical. People are encouraged to use fewer firearms.

(New Jersey) He bout to go out like Scarface
Someone else is about to die, like the character Scarface.

My thugs in Chicago, you wan' push drugs?
Drug dealers in Chicago are being addressed as 'thugs'.

My thugs in Orlando, you want the cars in the videos?
People in Orlando are called out for their tendency to mimic the lavish lifestyles in music videos.

To V-A and D.C., St. Louis, Miami
Wyclef Jean is calling out regions such as Virginia and Washington DC, St. Louis, and Miami.

So you a killer, how many people did you kill?
The artist is confronting a killer and asks about their number of victims.

You a dealer, how many drugs did you deal-a?
The singer is confronting drug dealers about exactly how much they've dealt.

For'realla, used to sell crack on the hill-a
The singer is admitting that they used to sell crack on the hill.

Yeah right! My name is Elvis and your wife is Pricilla
The singer isn't admitting to a criminal past or any illegal activity, making it sound like a joke. Instead, they joke about being Elvis and their listener's wife being Pricilla.

You're an ACTOR, you need a part in this thrilla
The artist calls out an actor, pointing out their lack of understanding of real-life situations and deeming what's currently going on a 'thriller'.

Hold up, ain't no nead to bust your four-fifth-a
The artist is telling the thugs to calm down instead of relying on their 54 caliber firearm.

It's two of use, one of use is bound to leave in a coma
Within their group of two people, one of them might end up in a coma after fighting or shooting each other.

So say your prayers, and give my regards to the undertaker
In the case of a violent situation, the singer instructs folks to think about their own mortality and plan accordingly.

To my thugs in Tampa, you wan' push drugs?
People in Tampa are being called out for dealing drugs.

To my thugs in Detroit, you want the cars in the videos?
People in Detroit are being called out for emulating high-end cars shown in music videos.

To the North, to the South, to the whole Carolina-lina
The Carolinas in the North and South are called out.

Watch out, for the beasts
There are beasts to watch out for, which is a metaphor for bad influences and company.

Watch out, if you got a seed homie
Having a child could go wrong, so watch out and be responsible if you're a homie.

cause you don't want your kids growin up thinkin they never had no daddy
Children shouldn't grow up without a father figure in their life, so it's important to be present and responsible.

Big Pun, rest in peace forever Bronx, pour some liqour, AHHH Slang Tom, rest in peace
In memory of some deceased individuals within the music industry.

Police is in the news, watch yourself Y'all saw what they did to Diallo
Police violence has been in the news frequently, so be careful. The singer brings up the case of Amadou Diallo to make a point.

Yeah you betta turn music down! I call 911!
Someone is too loud, and the artist threatens to call the police.

You gon' do WHAT?
The person being threatened is questioning the artist's intentions.

WAIT! Yo turn up your musics louder
The situation is amicable again, with the singer asking the other person to turn up the volume.

WAIT! All my people in the system Jeep
The singer calls out to their people in the system jeep.

WAIT! All my people goin to school early in the mornin
The artist calls out to the people heading to school early in the morning.

WAIT! Eastern Parkway
The end of the song references a common road in Queens, New York: Eastern Parkway.