Lyrically, clipping.’s music attempts to reshuffle and repeat accepted rap scenarios, while eliminating a traditional single-point perspective. Diggs’s writing is heavily citational, like a rough-edged collage, gluing together half-glimpsed images and misremembered references, many of which might feel familiar, and some of which assuredly do not. But even while he consumes and regurgitates established styles, his self-erasure is incomplete; Diggs’s dense, often motormouthed flow remains wholly his own.
Individually, the members are known outside of the group for their extra-curricular artistic projects. Diggs is a stage actor, while Snipes composes music for film, and Hutson is an established noise music artist. Snipes and Hutson have collaborated on many projects, including the score to the documentary Room 237, which was released by IFC in 2013.
In February 2013, clipping. released their debut album, Midcity, on their website. The project was created entirely in-house, with the trio writing, producing, engineering, mixing and mastering all of the material themselves. There was no budget, no outside promotion, no hype-machine, no blog or label interest. In fact, clipping. had no expectation that anyone would bother listening to the album, let alone enjoy it. Nevertheless, reactions were largely positive— despite the uncompromising nature of the production, and its obfuscatory lyrical content— and within five month’s of Midcity’s release, clipping. signed a deal with Sub Pop Records.
CLPPNG, the band’s label debut, was written and recorded between February and October of 2013. Highly well-received, CLPPNG is an album that demonstrates the variety of sounds available when the ‘rules’ of a genre are willfully questioned.
http://www.itsclippingbitch.com
Get Up
clipping. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eyes heavy, but it's time to grind motherfucker can't be late (hold up. wait.)
Fuck a nine-to-five, push work state to state (shit)
No work, no food still eatin' off paper plates
Banana clip is a paper weight, paper mate
Tally how you're married to the game
She fuckin' everybody but you still put a ring on it, on it
Keep it one hunnit, homies
Home is where the homies got your back
Get your backpack get
Back to the block, bring it back to the block, shit
Slangin' crack beats cracks into [?]
But the Glock cocked back, lay another body flat
Here when they turn on the street lights
Hustle till they cut em' off, that's the street life
Got the chrome on my hip and a bud for sale
That's how I get mine, that's how I get it
Hustlin' is a habit
So they say
This is for the G's who wasn't trippin' and never knew any other way
Other ways of gettin' money, not many do not require a degree of separation
From the streets you gettin' paid in
In which the degree of difficulty is extraordinarily high
And she high while doin' it, so see why
Somebody who isn't from it might not understand how you body a body in other words
(I'd like to just kill a man)
And still a gram is a gram and nobody is Instagramin'
They killin' on Cypress Hill and they still is squeezin' the hammers
Police is beyond the scanners, these sum of sequius bandits
And brandish [?] function
You fuck a [?] fashion that flash on a motherfucker
You fuckin' seeing the passion forgetting the hunger
This the jungle, time to get active and crack it so acrobatic it'll flip in the set
But set's up and no second guessing here in the street people sweating for the money
Here when they turn on the street lights
Hustle till they cut em' off, that's the street life
Got the chrome on my hip and a bud for sale
That's how I get mine, that's how I get it
No time for wifey's babies or other collateral damage
Checking for snitches, they be the ones order tacos in Spanish
Always thinking that they blendin' in
But then sending them telegrams to the rollers; they bitches
Not meaning meaning - fuck it, ain't no explaining
Get the fuck up and push cocaine
All these fuckers gon' sleep all day
But if you suck up [?] one of these bucks
[?] if you lacing up them chucks no Taylor Gangin'
This shit is grimy and dirty, clothes stankin' while you slangin'
Get up out to the blacktop
Backpack for the crack rock
Take [?] the cops at a spot where they knock a neighborhood watch
Watch him
Learn the code if them eyes are closed
That means he sleeping on his feet and been out in the cold
And if he flashin' the gold, he either new or want action and got back up on the toes
Study all of your fractions, get up on the honor roll
Roll the marijuana then flip the hoodie up and get ghost
Here when they turn on the street lights
Hustle till they cut em' off, that's the street life
Got the chrome on my hip and a bud for sale
And if you trying to take this spot, better think twice
This ain't play time, you're fucking with my life
I'ma do what I gotta do to get my mail
I gotta get mine, I gotta get it
"Get Up" by Clipping is a rap song that captures the harsh realities of street life, particularly the anonymity and violence that comes with drug dealing. The song is set in the perspective of an anonymous drug dealer, who is dedicated to their trade and willing to do whatever it takes to make a profit. The chorus of the song emphasizes the mentality of these dealers, as they "hustle till they cut em' off, that's the street life." The song contrasts the struggles and dangers of street life with the glamorization of drugs that is often popular in media. Clipping uses clever wordplay, literary references, and vivid imagery to paint a realistic picture of the streets.
The first verse of the song focuses on the reality that the "game don't wait." Drug dealers have to be constantly vigilant and ready to act, even if they are tired or have other obligations. The lyrics "fuck a nine-to-five, push work state to state" suggest that these dealers are not interested in traditional jobs, and instead rely on their ability to move drugs from place to place. The second half of the verse highlights the risk and danger that comes with this lifestyle, as the dealer carries a "Glock cocked back" and is ready to kill at a moment's notice. The verse ends with a clever wordplay referencing rings and marriage, with the dealer comparing their relationship to the game to a marriage where the wife is unfaithful.
The second and third verses expand on the themes of risk, anonymity, and the constant danger of street life. The lyrics emphasize the necessity of dealing drugs, particularly for those who have few opportunities to make a living otherwise. Drug dealers are often stigmatized in society, and this song seeks to humanize those who engage in this lifestyle. Clipping references pop culture, literature, and everyday street language to show that these actions have real consequences for those involved.
Overall, "Get Up" is a powerful and visceral portrait of the harsh reality of street life. The song is an unapologetic and gritty representation of a world that many do not understand, but is all too real for those who live it.
Line by Line Meaning
Game don't wait (heavy. wait.)
The world is fast-paced and never stops; you have to keep up or get left behind.
Eyes heavy, but it's time to grind motherfucker can't be late (hold up. wait.)
Feeling tired or worn down is not an excuse to miss out on opportunities. Keep pushing forward to reach your goals.
Fuck a nine-to-five, push work state to state (shit)
Traditional jobs are not the only way to make a living. Travel and find new opportunities to make money.
No work, no food still eatin' off paper plates
If you don't work hard and hustle, you won't have enough money to feed yourself properly.
Banana clip is a paper weight, paper mate
The tools of the trade are necessary but not to be taken lightly. A gun can be a paperweight when not in use.
Tally how you're married to the game
Being committed to the hustle is like being married to it. You have to stay devoted to succeed.
She fuckin' everybody but you still put a ring on it, on it
Even though the game seems to offer more to others than to you, you still remain loyal and committed to it.
Keep it one hunnit, homies
Stay true to yourself and your friends, and always be honest about your intentions.
Home is where the homies
Your true family and support system are the people you choose to surround yourself with.
Get your backpack get
Always be ready to move and act quickly to seize new opportunities.
Back to the block, bring it back to the block, shit
No matter where you go or what you do, the block and your roots will always be a part of you.
Slangin' crack beats cracks into [?]
Regardless of the illegal nature of dealing drugs, it offers a way to make money and survive in a difficult reality.
But the Glock cocked back, lay another body flat
Violence is a harsh reality in the streets, and using a gun can be necessary to survive and protect oneself.
Here when they turn on the street lights
Hustle till they cut em' off, that's the street life
Got the chrome on my hip and a bud for sale
That's how I get mine, that's how I get it
Surviving and thriving in the streets means constantly moving, selling drugs, and staying alert for opportunities.
Hustlin' is a habit
So they say
This is for the G's who wasn't trippin' and never knew any other way
Other ways of gettin' money, not many do not require a degree of separation
From the streets you gettin' paid in
In which the degree of difficulty is extraordinarily high
And she high while doin' it, so see why
Somebody who isn't from it might not understand how you body a body in other words
(I'd like to just kill a man)
And still a gram is a gram and nobody is Instagramin'
They killin' on Cypress Hill and they still is squeezin' the hammers
Police is beyond the scanners, these sum of sequius bandits
And brandish [?] function
You fuck a [?] fashion that flash on a motherfucker
You fuckin' seeing the passion forgetting the hunger
This the jungle, time to get active and crack it so acrobatic it'll flip in the set
But set's up and no second guessing here in the street people sweating for the money
The only way to survive is to hustle and sell drugs; other legitimate ways of making money require a level of separation from the streets that is difficult to achieve. Violence is a reality that people from outside of the streets may not understand. Despite the danger and difficulty, selling drugs offers a way to make money and survive in the harsh, competitive environment of the streets.
No time for wifey's babies or other collateral damage
Checking for snitches, they be the ones order tacos in Spanish
Always thinking that they blendin' in
But then sending them telegrams to the rollers; they bitches
Not meaning meaning - fuck it, ain't no explaining
Get the fuck up and push cocaine
All these fuckers gon' sleep all day
But if you suck up [?] one of these bucks
[?] if you lacing up them chucks no Taylor Gangin'
This shit is grimy and dirty, clothes stankin' while you slangin'
Get up out to the blacktop
Backpack for the crack rock
Take [?] the cops at a spot where they knock a neighborhood watch
Watch him
Learn the code if them eyes are closed
That means he sleeping on his feet and been out in the cold
And if he flashin' the gold, he either new or want action and got back up on the toes
Study all of your fractions, get up on the honor roll
Roll the marijuana then flip the hoodie up and get ghost
Hustlers need to focus on their own survival and avoid distractions like family and other people who might bring them down. Stay alert for potential snitches and know how to avoid getting caught. The hustle is dirty and competitive, but learning the code and staying sharp can help you avoid getting caught by the cops.
And if you trying to take this spot, better think twice
This ain't play time, you're fucking with my life
I'ma do what I gotta do to get my mail
I gotta get mine, I gotta get it
The hustle is serious business, and anyone who tries to take your spot or your money is putting your livelihood and safety at risk. You will do whatever it takes to survive and make money, because that is the harsh, unforgiving reality of the streets.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Fintage House Publishing
Written by: DAVEED DIGGS, JONATHAN SNIPES, UNKNOWN WRITER, WILLIAM HUTSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Cyberchase
when you spit fire on a fucking alarm
@aryanajohnson4713
Cyberchase riiiiight!
@anna__708
Cyberchase I'm not liking because its at 420
@frenchkiwi7786
Cyberchase i made it 4- 69
@Flexglitcher807
I'm like 95% certain when his alarm clock goes off he just wakes up rapping
@TheEngineerisEngiqueer
I actually woke up singing along to this tho lmao
@welchsgum7195
Oh my god
@bbomb1319
Oh I love that
@Toyatea2
After you mentioned it... 96
@daboredghurl
whenever the alarm clock ish sound turns into a chord i feel a little more alive