The same album also features a song dedicated to his former partner Mad Lou, who is currently incarcerated.
.38
Young Jeezy Lyrics
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I don’t think they know the time
I don’t think they know the time
I don’t think they know the time
Heard the streets fucked up, I can see the sign
Heard they going for the thirty straight
I can’t lie, man that shit got me thirty-eight
Red hot, on fire
Glass pot, on fire
Red dot, on fire
Five shots, on fire
Ooh oh, your boy's back
And he way to flashy, got my toys back
Nigga I just left the lot, I ain't come to play
He pull me from my dealer tag, fuck you trying to say
Know some niggas doing ten, blame it on the yay
Clip hold half a hundred, blame it on the K
Still the realest nigga in it, these niggas CB4
This is fuck a nigga records, and I’m the CEO
Got them stack long and wide, like some Lego blocks
This ain't even my real home, this my Lego spot
You ever seen so much money in a duffel bag?
Soon as you open up the zipper, the bitch will double brag
I don’t think they know the time
Heard the streets fucked up, I can see the sign
Heard they going for the thirty straight
I can’t lie, man that shit got me thirty-eight
Red hot, on fire
Glass pot, on fire
Red dot, on fire
Five shots, on fire
I’m in that purple Lam’, looking like some dirty Sprite
Catchin' passes with them birds, yeah that rowdy white
Where I’m from them things hot, and that talk is cheap
And ain't nobody hearing shit, cause they trying to eat
All they can eat, buffet style
Nigga selling anything, buffet wild
DB9 stupid grill, yeah that overbite
Need me nine stupid deals, this shit is overpriced
Got it vacuum sealed up, that’s the hide the scent
So much that if they pull you over, smell it through the vent
If them people hit them lights, I be a nervous wreck
When you don’t fear nothing but the lights, now that’s a nervous check
I don’t think they know the time
Heard the streets fucked up, I can see the sign
Heard they going for the thirty straight
I can’t lie, man that shit got me thirty-eight
Red hot, on fire
Glass pot, on fire
Red dot, on fire
Five shots, on fire
That black tee with them nice hoodies
The ski mask is my uniform
You know I heard your homies don't like them
If they the right price I might go shootin' 'em for you
Take ya hickies out and you ok
Niggas took a stand on that dope case
Got murked out chillin' at a bird house
Shoulda seen the look on that ho face
When we kicked the doors off the hinge
Niggas that don't know walled out to win
Six feet deep when you catch a nigga 'sleep in the streets
Man I bet he won't doze off again
Niggas took a Chevy and blowed off the lid
Show a hundred pounds and balled off the bitch
A couple hundred shots will hold off the picks
'Til my homeboy Will get home off his bid
I'mma still do stickups
Two Mossberg pumps in the pickup
Everybody keep your cool cause if anybody move
The bust shots will tear your whole clique up
Niggas get rushed out the ambulance lift up, lift off
Face in his ribcage, ripped off
Niggas tax 30 badges for the 36
I'd rather rob and steal than flip soft I'mma stay on, fire
I don’t think they know the time
Heard the streets fucked up, I can see the sign
Heard they going for the thirty straight
I can’t lie, man that shit got me thirty-eight
Red hot, on fire
Glass pot, on fire
Red dot, on fire
Five shots, on fire
The song "38" by Young Jeezy is a reflection of his experiences and observations of the streets. The chorus, "I don't think they know the time," suggests that many people have no idea about the harsh realities of the streets and the violence that accompanies it. Young Jeezy notes that he has heard the streets are in a bad state - symbolized by the sign he sees - and that there are those who are looking to achieve a 30-year prison sentence. He acknowledges that he himself has been affected by the violence, remarking that "that shit got me thirty-eight," implying that he is carrying a .38 caliber pistol for protection.
The verses draw attention to the extreme measures people go to get by on the streets. Young Jeezy talks about his flashy lifestyle, indicating that he has money heaped up in his Lego spot, and he also makes reference to his purple Lamborghini. He acknowledges that many people are trying to make a living in a tough environment, with people selling whatever they can from carts, although they're not always successful. There are also people who have taken the bait of drug trafficking, making it clear that there is a price to be paid. The constantly repeated phrase "on fire" adds to the intensity of the song and speaks to the hot, volatile nature of the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
I don’t think they know the time
People aren't aware of the current situation
Heard the streets fucked up, I can see the sign
I've heard that the streets are dangerous and I can see the signs of it
Heard they going for the thirty straight
There are talks of a 30th consecutive crime
I can’t lie, man that shit got me thirty-eight
I have a .38 caliber gun for protection
Red hot, on fire
My gun is ready to be used, it's hot and on fire
Glass pot, on fire
A pot used for cooking crack is hot and on fire
Red dot, on fire
The laser sight on my gun is on and ready to be used
Five shots, on fire
I have five bullets in my gun ready to be fired
I’m in that purple Lam’, looking like some dirty Sprite
I'm driving a purple Lamborghini and it looks like it's stained with dirty Sprite (codeine drink)
Catchin' passes with them birds, yeah that rowdy white
I'm making drug deals with white people (often referred to as birds) who are loud and unpredictable
Where I’m from them things hot, and that talk is cheap
In my area, guns are common and people talk a lot about committing crimes but don't always follow through
And ain't nobody hearing shit, cause they trying to eat
People are too focused on their own survival to listen or care about others
DB9 stupid grill, yeah that overbite
My Aston Martin DB9 car has a large, flashy grille that looks like an overbite
Need me nine stupid deals, this shit is overpriced
I need to make nine profitable deals because everything is overpriced
Got it vacuum sealed up, that’s the hide the scent
I have drugs vacuum-sealed to conceal their scent from law enforcement dogs
If them people hit them lights, I be a nervous wreck
If I see a police car with its lights on, I become extremely nervous
That black tee with them nice hoodies
I wear a plain black T-shirt with a nice hoodie
The ski mask is my uniform
I wear a ski mask to conceal my identity when committing crimes
Niggas took a stand on that dope case
People were arrested and sentenced for drug-related crimes
Shoulda seen the look on that ho face
You should have seen the expression on the prostitute's face
Show a hundred pounds and balled off the bitch
I displayed a large quantity of drugs and made a lot of money from selling them
'Til my homeboy Will get home off his bid
I will continue committing crimes until my friend Will finishes his time in jail
Everybody keep your cool cause if anybody move
Everyone needs to remain calm because if anyone makes a sudden movement, I will shoot
Niggas tax 30 badges for the 36
I am able to sell drugs without getting caught by paying off corrupt police officers
I'd rather rob and steal than flip soft I'mma stay on, fire
I would rather commit crimes than work a regular job, and I will remain determined and aggressive
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTOINE KEARNEY, DEMETRIUS ELLERBEE, FREDDIE GIBBS, JAY JENKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind