Alioune Badara Akon Thiam, born April 16, 1977 in Saint Louis, Missouri, Un… Read Full Bio ↴Alioune Badara Akon Thiam, born April 16, 1977 in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, known simply as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer-songwriter, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist.

He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of the singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely", from his debut album "Trouble". His second album, "Konvicted", earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single Smack That featuring Eminem. His latest album, "Freedom", was released in 2008. Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently accredited with over 200 guest appearances and 32 Billboard Hot 100 songs.

He is the first solo artist to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. He has also founded two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution and has a clothing label, Konvict clothing

Akon is a Muslim and has many charities of his own.

Akon's father is the Senagalese drummer Mor Thiam.

gangsta -21st
akon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ooo
Alert, alert this is an upfront street bulletin
Coming live from FA
(You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas you pimps)
If you a gangsta and you've confessed that you killed a nigga on record
(You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas you pimps)

Youz a stupid muthafucka

(Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta)
This goes out to you fake gangstas
(You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas you pimps)

I see you nigga
(You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas you pimps)
Nigga we all see you
(You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas you pimps)
We working you muthafucka
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta

Yo, don't make me ooh
(Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta)
Nigga don't make me have to step up in the club
Wit my dogs show all you muthafuckaz how we ball
(Yeah)

Nigga don't make me show how I can violate the law
Get your woman go up in the bar
(Oh)
Dog, how tha hoe love me
Waitin' to show me?
(Look bitch you just a fuck)

And that how she gon' be
But niggas wanna hand of in L O V E
(Yeah)
Steady claiming like they a pimp

But will never go free
(Se you)
Say that ain't gangsta
(Na nigga)
Niggas fronting like they hard
But I knowin' that they're pussy from the start

Man that ain't gangsta
(Na)
Still in the projects
But I spend hundred thousand a car
(Yeah)
I rather have a crib in Miami whit a boat
(Whit a boat nigga)

Full of all mi niggas on so we don't go broke
Yeah, show them the ropes
Sticking together niggas try to cope
Any one step in the way will get chock
(So)

You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas, you pimps
(Aha)
You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas, you pimps
(Aha)
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta
(Aha, aha, aha)
Don't make me

Bring out the other side in me
So I hear you think your gangsta
(Heeh)
I heard you wanna be
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta

Yeah, fuck nigga
I see you cuttin' yo eyes when I stroll
I see you just by flashing
Pulling them hoes
(Yeah man)

'Cus I'm a playa nigga like I'm suppose to be
Hoes on a nigga like it's suppose to be
(Yeah)
You a sucka so you hate like you supposed to be
And next change get your head cracked to the white man
(Ooh, aha)

I try to keep it fly
But this pussy nigga tempt me
(Don't tempt me)
Breaking the sweet
Swear this brother ain't classy
(No)

No, that's really killing my pimpin'
(Yeah, nigga)
I mean really, really killing my pimpin'
(Really, really)
Look what you gone made Iceberg do
(yeah, yeah, yeah)
Call these boys and start down crew
(Ooh)

And we will kick that ass nigga
(Yeah, we will)
And we will I say kick that ass nigga
(O yeah, we will)
And tell you whore she can come to my place
(Yeah)
After she burn me out fucking up your face hoe

You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas, you pimps
(Aha)
You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas, you pimps
(Aha)
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta
(Aha, aha, aha)
Don't make me

Bring out the other side in me
So I hear you think your gangsta
(Heeh)
I heard you wanna be
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta

Now it's a god dam shame Pickelhead
What you did to that man
(Watch out)
I guess that pussy nigga though I was playin'
(Yeah)
I try to tell him but he like fuck what you sayin'
(Fuck you man)

Watch you mouth, come to an understandin'
He like fuck what you sayin'
(Fuck you man)
Oh, this pussy nigga flicks me front these hoes and shit
(Kick his ass nigga)
So I spun on dat nigga they ain't notice it
(Ooh, kick his ass nigga)

Oh, you think I give a fuck wit your funky shit
(Step up nigga)
So I look at the next man like step up bitch
'Cus if it's going down
It's been around

Spiting from my chamber
(Pow)
Like David Banner you won't like me when I'm anger
(Whaah)
Destruct to your whole grill don't make me have to change you
(Ahe)
In too a stranger in danger, so

You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas, you pimps
(Aha)
You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas, you pimps
(Aha)
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta
(Aha, aha, aha)
Don't make me

Bring out the other side in me
So I hear you think your gangsta
(Heeh)
I heard you wanna be
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta

You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas, you pimps
(Aha)
You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas, you pimps
(Aha)
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta
(Aha, aha, aha)
Don't make me

Bring out the other side in me
So I hear you think your gangsta
(Heeh)
I heard you wanna be
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta

Yeah, I see you gangsta
All you fake ass gangsta
You don't have the hart nigga
Survive in the streets

Ask my niggas down in right street nigga
Ask my niggas in re ville
Ask my niggas down at wilks
Ask my niggas at hart feel nigger

Ask my niggas in Altoes
All my reel niggas I holla
Living life fore this shit
And you just want scream it out on a record nigga

You want respect, you got too earn respect nigga
Work hard for what you get in life nigga

Fuck you punk nigga, eat a dick and die slow
Now get the fuck out of my house

Overall Meaning

In Akon's song "Gangsta," the artist calls out fake gangsters who boast about killing another person on record. He warns them not to provoke him, because if they do, he will step up into the club with his dogs and show them how they ball. He explains how some men claim they are pimps, but will never leave their lifestyles behind, and these types of people aren't genuine gangsters. Akon emphasizes that the real gangsters wouldn't be disclosing their acts, unlike the fake ones on record. The song suggests that people should earn their respect and work hard in life instead of faking their way to the top.

One interesting fact about the song is that it's a bonus track on Akon's second studio album, "Konvicted," which was released in 2006. The album's lead single was "Smack That," featuring Eminem, and it received multiple platinum certifications worldwide. Another fascinating thing about the song is that it was produced by Akon and DJ Khaled. The explicit version of the song includes various vulgar phrases, which made it unnoticed by most radio stations. However, the clean version replaced some of the explicit words with sound effects, allowing it to get played on the radio stations. Additionally, the song samples a portion of Crystal Waters' "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)."

Furthermore, Akon's "Gangsta" also features Iceberg Slim's poem, "In Pimp's Clothing," from his book "Reflections," which inspired the title of the song, "Gangsta: In Pimp's Clothing." It is said that Akon's rapping style is inspired by two other popular musicians, Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. The song was used in a documentary called "Hustle & Flow," which was about the life of Memphis-rapper, Al Kapone. The song itself wasn't a commercial success but was praised for its well-thought lyrics and Akon's delivery.

The chords for the song "Gangsta" are not available at the moment.

In conclusion, "Gangsta" is a song that calls out fake gangsters who fake their way to the top rather than working hard to be successful. While the explicit version of the song was not played much on the radio, the clean version made it to most radio stations. The song samples a portion from Crystal Waters' song and features Iceberg Slim's poem. Despite not being commercially successful, the song was praised for the lyrics' depth and Akon's delivery.

Line by Line Meaning

Alert, alert this is an upfront street bulletin
Attention, attention, this is an important announcement regarding street life

Coming live from FA
Broadcasting live from the streets

(You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas you pimps)
Referring to individuals involved in various activities such as crime, player behavior, hustling, and pimping

If you a gangsta and you've confessed that you killed a nigga on record
If you claim to be a gangsta and have openly admitted to murder in your music

Youz a stupid muthafucka
You are an ignorant and foolish person

(Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta)
Repeating the word 'gangsta' to emphasize the topic

This goes out to you fake gangstas
This message is directed towards individuals pretending to be gangstas

I see you nigga
I am aware of your presence

Nigga we all see you
We all recognize and acknowledge your actions

We working you muthafucka
We are exposing and confronting you

Yo, don't make me ooh
Be cautious, don't provoke me to act violently

Nigga don't make me have to step up in the club
Do not force me to enter the club with aggression

Wit my dogs show all you muthafuckaz how we ball
With my friends, I will demonstrate our extravagant lifestyle to everyone

(Yeah)
An interjection expressing agreement or confirmation

Nigga don't make me show how I can violate the law
Do not compel me to demonstrate how I can break the law

Get your woman go up in the bar
Send your woman to seduce and entertain men at the bar

(Oh)
An interjection expressing surprise or disappointment

Dog, how tha hoe love me
Hey, see how this woman desires and adores me

Waitin' to show me?
Is she eagerly waiting to display her affection for me?

(Look bitch you just a fuck)
Acknowledging that the woman is only a sexual object

And that how she gon' be
That is her role and how she will continue to behave

But niggas wanna hand of in L O V E
But men desire a romantic relationship

(Yeah)
An interjection expressing agreement or confirmation

Steady claiming like they a pimp
Consistently pretending to be a pimp

But will never go free
But will never truly escape their current lifestyle

(Se you)
A colloquial variation of 'see you'

Say that ain't gangsta
Claiming that someone's behavior is not truly gangsta

(Na nigga)
An interjection implying disagreement or disbelief

Niggas fronting like they hard
People pretending to be tough or intimidating

But I knowin' that they're pussy from the start
But I have always known that they are weak and cowardly

Man that ain't gangsta
That is not what it means to be a gangsta

(Na)
An interjection implying disagreement or disbelief

Still in the projects
Still residing in low-income housing areas

But I spend hundred thousand a car
However, I am able to afford expensive cars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars

(Yeah)
An interjection expressing agreement or confirmation

I rather have a crib in Miami whit a boat
I would prefer to own a luxurious home in Miami with a boat

Whit a boat nigga
Referring to the inclusion of a boat in the previous statement

Full of all mi niggas on so we don't go broke
Filled with all my friends so that we never experience financial difficulties

Yeah, show them the ropes
Guide and instruct them on how to navigate through life

Sticking together niggas try to cope
Staying united and supporting each other in difficult situations

Any one step in the way will get chock
Any individual who becomes an obstacle will face serious consequences

(So)
An interjection implying a transition or continuation of thought

(Aha)
An interjection expressing realization or understanding

Don't make me
Do not make me

Bring out the other side in me
Provoke or incite a different and more violent behavior in me

So I hear you think your gangsta
I understand that you believe yourself to be a gangsta

(Heeh)
An interjection conveying amusement or mockery

I heard you wanna be
I have heard that you aspire to become

Yeah, fuck nigga
Yes, you worthless individual

I see you cuttin' yo eyes when I stroll
I notice you looking at me disrespectfully as I walk by

I see you just by flashing
I observe you trying to impress others by displaying wealth or status

Pulling them hoes
Attracting and seducing women

(Yeah man)
An interjection expressing agreement or confirmation

'Cus I'm a playa nigga like I'm supposed to be
Because I am a player, living up to the expectations of that lifestyle

Hoes on a nigga like it's supposed to be
Having women showing interest in me, as it is expected

(Yeah)
An interjection expressing agreement or confirmation

You a sucka so you hate like you supposed to be
You are a loser, so you express hatred as you are expected to

And next change get your head cracked to the white man
And if your attitude remains the same, you will face severe consequences from authorities

(Ooh, aha)
An interjection expressing surprise or understanding

I try to keep it fly
I strive to maintain a stylish and fashionable appearance

But this pussy nigga tempt me
But this weak individual tempts me to retaliate

(Don't tempt me)
An interjection urging someone not to provoke or challenge

Breaking the sweet
Ruining the pleasant atmosphere

Swear this brother ain't classy
I can confirm that this person lacks sophistication

(No)
An interjection conveying disagreement or disappointment

No, that's really killing my pimpin'
No, that greatly diminishes my ability to successfully attract and control women

(Yeah, nigga)
An interjection expressing agreement or confirmation

I mean really, really killing my pimpin'
I mean it is seriously damaging my capability to be a successful pimp

(Really, really)
An interjection emphasizing the seriousness of the situation

Look what you gone made Iceberg do
Consider the consequences of your actions on Iceberg's behavior

(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
An interjection conveying agreement or excitement

Call these boys and start down crew
Summon a group of individuals and initiate a conflict

(Ooh)
An interjection expressing surprise or excitement

And we will kick that ass nigga
And we will physically assault that individual

(Yeah, we will)
An interjection expressing determination or confirmation

And we will I say kick that ass nigga
I repeat, we will physically assault that individual

(O yeah, we will)
An interjection emphasizing the determination to carry out the mentioned action

And tell you whore she can come to my place
Inform that woman she is welcome to come to my residence

(Yeah)
An interjection expressing agreement or confirmation

After she burn me out fucking up your face hoe
After she exhausts herself having sex with me and intentionally causing harm to your reputation, you disgraceful woman

Now it's a god dam shame Pickelhead
Now it is truly disgraceful, you foolish individual

What you did to that man
The actions you committed against that man

(Watch out)
An interjection indicating danger or warning

I guess that pussy nigga though I was playin'
I suppose that weak individual believed I was joking or not serious

(Yeah)
An interjection expressing agreement or confirmation

I try to tell him but he like fuck what you sayin'
I attempted to warn him, but he disregarded and dismissed my words

(Fuck you man)
An interjection expressing strong disagreement or anger

Watch your mouth, come to an understandin'
Be mindful of your words and let us come to an agreement

He like fuck what you sayin'
He continues to disregard and dismiss what I am saying

(Fuck you man)
An interjection expressing strong disagreement or anger

Oh, this pussy nigga flicks me front these hoes and shit
This weak person tries to disrespect or degrade me in front of these women

(Kick his ass nigga)
An interjection encouraging physical confrontation with that person

So I spun on dat nigga they ain't notice it
So I quickly turned towards that person without them realizing

(Ooh, kick his ass nigga)
An interjection encouraging continued physical confrontation

Oh, you think I give a fuck wit your funky shit
Oh, you believe I care about your unpleasant behavior

(Step up nigga)
An interjection daring someone to confront or challenge

So I look at the next man like step up bitch
So I give a challenging look to the next individual, inviting them to confront me like a coward

'Cus if it's going down
Because if a conflict is about to occur

It's been around
It has been happening for a while

Spiting from my chamber
Emerging with hostility and aggression from my hidden position

(Pow)
An onomatopoeic representation of a gunshot

Like David Banner you won't like me when I'm anger
Similar to the fictional character David Banner, who transforms into the Hulk when angry, you will not appreciate my enraged state

(Whaah)
An interjection expressing surprise or disappointment

Destruct to your whole grill don't make me have to change you
Cause serious harm to your face, forcing me to permanently change your appearance

(Ahe)
An interjection expressing disgust or satisfaction

In too a stranger in danger, so
Transforming into a dangerous and unfamiliar person

You gangstas, you playas, you hustlas, you pimps
Referring to individuals involved in various activities such as crime, player behavior, hustling, and pimping