Slow Down
Wyclef Jean featuring T.I. Lyrics

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
Counting down the seconds to a possible impending doom, where war and violence is prevalent in society.

We cry for peace (Uh huh)
Humanity's desire for peace, yet the reality is that violence is present.

But we live for war (You know I got that shot in the Chevy what it is?)
The contradiction of wanting peace, yet looking for war in the form of violence.

We ain't start the wire taps down in Baltimore (But I still slangin' bricks where I live)
Although not responsible for the wire taps in Baltimore, the artist still engages in illegal activities in their vicinity.

Sometimes she love me, sometimes she love me not (Doin' 10 now my girl turning tricks at the crib)
The artist's relationship with women is inconsistent and unstable, leading to his partner engaging in sex work to make a living.

But let check out his eyes, in the inner city Chi'
Examining the eyes of an individual from the inner city of Chicago could reveal their struggles growing up in poverty and violence.

Evil lurks in the heavenly disguise (Tryin' to get the ruler all I need is about a mil)
The devil could be hiding in plain sight, manifesting as deception and manipulation, and the singer's pursuit for wealth is constant.

I seen two birds crash into two New York giants (Bush still lyin', he don' never keep it real)
Two things that are supposed to be soaring, the birds and the New York Giants, collide and fall, and the government lacks honesty.

I wish Katrina spoke French at the quarter to New Orleans (Haha, but you'd a told her that)
Katrina being able to speak French would have made her more communicative with the people in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

But how we smoke French back, seduced this stone (Okay)
The artist is referring to smoking marijuana, which helps him relax and forget about his troubles.

Told this is your death, please don't rain on my people
In the face of death, the singer pleads to leave his people unscathed.

Where'd the hope go, Where'd the hope (I don't know)
The feeling of hopelessness and uncertainty over what happened to the hope in society.

I see the whole world turn into a war-zone (What?)
The state of the world turning into an all-out war zone is alarming and concerning.

Ain't no love in the city keep your vest on (G' that right)
Love is scarce in the city, and precautions need to be taken to protect oneself from violence.

Guns 'n roses welcome to the jungle
Referencing the famous Guns N' Roses song, the world is now like a jungle full of violence and danger.

On the flip side (ay), she shakin' her back side (Shake it for me)
On the other hand, there is still a party atmosphere where women are dancing provocatively.

That's the only way tuition gon' come right
The only way to go to school will be through engaging in sex work.

He got a crush on Mary Jane (Ay, Ay)
Marijuana is a love interest or a fascination for the singer.

If you ain't got five on she ain't doing her thang (Come on, you know you need to)
Women won't engage in sexual activity unless they are paid enough, trying to make a point about the necessity of financial stability.

Slow down, young girl
Advising young girls to slow down and not grow up too fast in such a violent atmosphere.

Keep it real hun, you gotta keep it real hun
Encouraging young girls to stay true to themselves and not let the atmosphere change who they truly are.

Slow down somebody gon' crash (Come on, you know you need to)
Urging individuals to slow down and not rush into adulthood, or they will face its consequences.

Slow down (You know you need ta, ay ay)
Once again, advising individuals to slow down.

If you livin in the street
If someone lives in poverty or in the streets.

You know your livin' free (And if you ain't you know your doin' time like me)
Those who are living in poverty might feel like they are living freely, but it is ultimately a life of crime that would land them behind bars.

Thugs with the heat, are the coldest ones to meet (You can catch yourself a case get a fine do 3)
The most dangerous criminals are those that are armed and have cold hearts, and it is easy to get caught up in their crimes.

We flyin' high, but still can't touch the sky (But on conspiracy your doing ten at the least)
While the singer and others might feel like they're doing well or achieving, the legal system could bring them back down quickly.

Everbody's a gangsta, but no-body wanna die (With all this snitchin' you might never see the streets
Everyone wants to appear tough and undaunted, but at the same time, they don't actually want to die. Too much snitching could erase their existence and livelihood.

Nuclear testing, replacin' the SAT's (With all this going on why they worried about me)
Nuclear testing is still a significant threat in society and should be considered more important than academic testing.

Stem cell research there's another you another me
Stem cell research has made the potential for an additional or alternate version of someone through the regrowth of cells.

With what goes up, must come down, the laws of gravity
The singer mentions Newton's third law of motion as a metaphor for how everything has its peak and downfall.

To win at chess, you've got to trap the king (Ay)
The idea that in a game of chess, one has to corner the opponent's king instead of merely taking out their pieces.

E'erbody, know we gon' keep rollin'
Everyone knows we'll keep going/advancing forward.

When the police rollin', and your coke dealer told 'em what you been doing
When the police arrive and someone has ratted out their coke dealing activities.

Boy better slow down
Telling the subject to slow down before they are caught by the police.

Hey I remember get money (Get money)
Reflecting on the good old days when the artist and the crew were earning well.

All we do is get money (Get money)
The crew's only objective at the time was to earn as much money as possible, by any means necessary.

Til the feds raided the trap and took my (Thang) from me
Everything went black when federal agents raided the spot and confiscated their products.

Put me in a room alone, separated the click form me (Click from me)
After the bust, the singer was separated from his teammates and put in solitary confinement.

Next thing you my lawyer said (My partner snitched on me) on me
His lawyer revealed that one of his partners mutually betrayed him by providing information to cut a deal.

Now ain't that a bitch homie, (They ain't have a thing on us)
The artist remarks that it is the ultimate betrayal and expresses disbelief at the situation, claiming there was no evidence before the snitching.

Until you started telling now they talking big numbers
Before the snitching, they didn't have a strong lead or enough information to make an arrest.

We could've split charges up, against five or six summer (Summers)
If they had not informed on each other, they could have rallied together and faced the criminal charges by dividing them among themselves.

Instead you tryin' to talk telling so you could walk
Instead of covering for the team, they went behind their backs, speaking to authorities, hoping to be the last man standing.

How could you tell 'em who we sold told to?
The snitch revealed the entire operation, including who was sold to and what was sold.

E'erthing we bought
Referring to every drug and supply purchased, which was revealed to the authorities.

How we used to get in, all the way 'til we can ship it off?
The snitch revealed all the details from shipment of the drug to how the team received the supply in the first place.

Thought
The artist simply repeating the word initially used: 'thought'.

Hey keep it pimpin', wait a minute (Whoa)
The singer takes a sudden break in delivery and suggests holding on to another idea for the moment.

I'm gonna let my guitar do the talking now
The singer plans to express himself further through the music he plays.