Lyrically, clipping.βs music attempts to reshuffle and repeat accepted rap scenarios, while eliminating a traditional single-point perspective. Diggsβs 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; Diggsβs 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 positiveβ despite the uncompromising nature of the production, and its obfuscatory lyrical contentβ and within five monthβs of Midcityβs release, clipping. signed a deal with Sub Pop Records.
CLPPNG, the bandβs 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 βrulesβ of a genre are willfully questioned.
http://www.itsclippingbitch.com
Guns.Up
clipping. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna love us once we dead and gone
We what the game's been missing but we been here all along
They out there prayin' to Jesus asking "What would 'Hovah do?"
I'd die for what you love, I'd slit my fucking throat for you
Blood in, blood out
Blood on the dance floor
The Michael Jackson of this rapping, what you dancing for?
Singing "Happy Birthday" to an industry that's full of hoes
Swiss cheesed up
When the gun cock, they freeze up
So I gun top, grabbing my cock, mean mugging the speakers
When backed into a corner, every animal attacks
You and me ain't nothing but mammals
You and me ain't nothing
And this rap shit ain't nothing
Drool instead of spit
You thought you was a peach, they change you up like you's a pit
And it's impossible to part with partying and shit
Take three of these, don't call me
This is the prescription, bitch
Throw your guns up Throw your guns up if you getting ready for the
Throw your guns up And if you're dying, you should pump your fist and hold on
All these rappers scared
Being what they are
I run through condoms like weed smokers run through cheap cigars
I blow through weed and Swishers like tornadoes blow through houses
Disney on these hoes, shouts to all my Mickey Mouses
Little plastic coffin
Little red lla
Little patience for the doctor, little supernova
A funeral for stars
Everybody carry guns
Body bag is marked "Public Enemy No. 1"
Flavor of the month, I'm licking ice cream paint
She like, "You just don't care"
Like I'm the one to fucking blame
I gotta feed these kids, they want a poster child
It's either rapping or back to the crack and blocks gone wild
Block's gone, I can't go back
They don't know me and my set
I'm out this motherfucker, Dubai on a private jet
"Private Ryan" on the screen, my captain offered dub
They tried to ground me so I joined the Mile-High Club
Work hard for this pimp cup
For the tattoos, tears, and the chains
Made a milli off a memoir, so what?
Pimping never made away with the pain
Still a nine on the dresser when I'm dressin'
Never be without a Wesson when I'm steppin'
Shoot a sucker in the chest in when he flexin'
Text back, it's [?], leave a mess in
Round here, we shoot the messenger
Care less if a messiah or desire
Cause it ain't no fun if the homies can't get on my level
I'm on fire
See, the tire is y'all got all of my attire
So fly that I made a call to my supplier
He'll fly ya
Bring the house from the sticks to the haystack
Quick, tell me who will be the [?]
I am practically super-sized
Practiced thugging since birth
Fresh kicks is a new disguise
I stay ten toes to the turf
Tell them "Shoot for the eyes"
Before they see me, I skirt
I'm a dirty motherfucker riding dirty in the track
Until I dirty work enough to make a motherfucker hurt
Man, put hurting on them hoes
Man, put a fortune up they nose
Men know what men know
But men don't know to get low when we slow in the rental
Your average tollbooth phantom
Clock around my neck
Cock back and I pop caps
I don't know if they pop back
Crack it, I can't have anybody jacking my respect
The lyrics to clipping.'s song Guns.Up are dark and gritty, featuring explicit language and violent imagery, all wrapped up into a rapid-fire rap delivery. The song is a commentary on the rap industry, with the band proclaiming that they are what the game has been missing all along. They talk about the futility of praying to Jesus or any higher power when it comes to succeeding in the industry, stating that they would die for what they love and slit their throats for their fans. The lyrics touch on themes of gang violence, the inevitability of death, and the need to protect oneself in a world where everyone is out to get you.
The song's chorus, "Throw your guns up," is a call to arms, urging the listener to prepare for the fight that lies ahead. The lyrics use a lot of metaphors to describe the rapper's place in the industry, with comparisons to Michael Jackson, Charlie Manson, and Marilyn Monroe. There is also a reference to drugs, with the line "Take three of these, don't call me, this is the prescription, bitch." Overall, the song is a brutal and unapologetic look at the reality of the rap game, where only the strongest survive.
Line by Line Meaning
It's over
The situation or event has come to an end
You're gonna love us once we dead and gone
Our achievements and talents will be appreciated only after our deaths
We what the game's been missing but we been here all along
We possess the abilities and qualities that are lacking in the entertainment industry and we have always been present
They out there prayin' to Jesus asking "What would 'Hovah do?"
People are seeking guidance from religion and emulating the behavior of successful individuals
I'd die for what you love, I'd slit my fucking throat for you
I am devoted and willing to make extreme sacrifices for the people or things that are important to me
Blood in, blood out
Once you become involved with something, you are expected to remain committed and dedicated to it until the end
Blood on the dance floor
There is chaos and violence in the entertainment industry
The Michael Jackson of this rapping, what you dancing for?
I am the most successful and iconic rapper, why is anyone trying to compete with me or emulate my style?
The Charlie Manson of this mansion, Marilyn Monroe
I am the leader of the rap game and have control over the industry's top figures
Singing "Happy Birthday" to an industry that's full of hoes
The music industry is filled with unprincipled women who are only interested in personal gain
Swiss cheesed up
Riddled with bullet holes, severely injured or killed by gunfire
When the gun cock, they freeze up
When faced with danger, people become frozen and unable to act
So I gun top, grabbing my cock, mean mugging the speakers
I am confident in my ability to perform and am presenting myself as a fearless and intimidating figure
When backed into a corner, every animal attacks
When under pressure or in difficult situations, people will act aggressively and defensively
You and me ain't nothing but mammals
We are both just animals and susceptible to the same instincts and desires
You and me ain't nothing
We are insignificant and unimportant in the grand scheme of things
And this rap shit ain't nothing
The rap industry is nothing compared to the larger issues and problems in the world
Drool instead of spit
I am so relaxed and unconcerned that I am not even bothering to speak properly
You thought you was a peach, they change you up like you's a pit
People will take advantage of you and strip you of your worth and value
And it's impossible to part with partying and shit
It is difficult to break away from the party culture that is dominant in the entertainment industry
Take three of these, don't call me
I am self-medicating and will not take responsibility for any negative side effects
This is the prescription, bitch
I am in control and know what is best for me, don't challenge me
Throw your guns up Throw your guns up if you getting ready for the
I am commanding my audience to express their excitement and anticipation for what is to come
Throw your guns up And if you're dying, you should pump your fist and hold on
Even if you are in dire situations, hold on and show your support until the end
All these rappers scared
Other rappers are afraid or intimidated by my success and talent
Being what they are
Being themselves and true to their character
I run through condoms like weed smokers run through cheap cigars
I engage in promiscuous and unprotected sex frequently
I blow through weed and Swishers like tornadoes blow through houses
I consume significant amounts of marijuana and tobacco quickly and relentlessly
Disney on these hoes, shouts to all my Mickey Mouses
I have control over and am successful with women, and am acknowledging my fans and followers
Little plastic coffin
A cheap or disposable casket
Little red lla
An ambiguous phrase with no clear meaning
Little patience for the doctor, little supernova
I have no time or tolerance for medical professionals and am capable of great explosive energy
A funeral for stars
I am celebrating the downfall and demise of important and influential people or organizations
Everybody carry guns
Many people are armed and dangerous
Body bag is marked "Public Enemy No. 1"
I am seen as a direct threat or enemy to the public or the law
Flavor of the month, I'm licking ice cream paint
I am enjoying my moment of success and popularity, savoring it like ice cream
She like, "You just don't care"
A woman is frustrated and disbelieving of my careless and reckless behavior
Like I'm the one to fucking blame
I am not responsible for my circumstances and the choices of others
I gotta feed these kids, they want a poster child
I have to provide for my children and give them a role model or inspirational figure
It's either rapping or back to the crack and blocks gone wild
I have to choose between a successful career or dangerous and illegal activity
Block's gone, I can't go back
I cannot return to my old life and must move forward
They don't know me and my set
People do not understand my background and the people I associate with
I'm out this motherfucker, Dubai on a private jet
I am leaving and traveling in luxury to a distant and exotic location
"Private Ryan" on the screen, my captain offered dub
I am watching a movie about war and my friend is offering to share drugs with me
They tried to ground me so I joined the Mile-High Club
People tried to limit or contain me, but I rebelled and acted out by joining a sexual organization
Work hard for this pimp cup
I put effort and determination into achieving success and increasing my status
For the tattoos, tears, and the chains
I have physical marks on my body that represent my struggles and battles
Made a milli off a memoir, so what?
I have profited from recounting my life's story and experiences
Pimping never made away with the pain
Despite my success and prosperity, I still carry emotional and psychological wounds
Still a nine on the dresser when I'm dressin'
I keep a gun close at all times, even when getting ready
Never be without a Wesson when I'm steppin'
I always carry a specific type of gun for protection
Shoot a sucker in the chest in when he flexin'
I am willing to use deadly force if someone threatens or provokes me
Text back, it's [?], leave a mess in
If someone disrespects me or crosses me, I will respond with violent retaliations
Round here, we shoot the messenger
People are punished or harmed for delivering bad news or incriminating information
Care less if a messiah or desire
I do not care about the reputation or position of someone, I will still act violently or aggressively towards them
Cause it ain't no fun if the homies can't get on my level
I want to share my success and experiences with my friends and associates
I'm on fire
I am confident and successful, at the top of my game
See, the tire is y'all got all of my attire
My personality and style are the result of my experiences and struggles
So fly that I made a call to my supplier
I am so successful and affluent that I can easily order and obtain luxury items
He'll fly ya
My supplier is capable of transporting or providing me with anything I need, no matter how far away
Bring the house from the sticks to the haystack
I have the ability to transform a simple or ordinary situation into something extravagant or extraordinary
Quick, tell me who will be the [?]
An unclear and ambiguous statement with no clear meaning
I am practically super-sized
I am powerful and larger-than-life, with great presence and charisma
Practiced thugging since birth
I have been involved in and knowledgeable about criminal activity my entire life
Fresh kicks is a new disguise
Wearing new and fashionable shoes is a way to present oneself as successful and fashionable
I stay ten toes to the turf
I am grounded and committed to my associates and beliefs
Tell them "Shoot for the eyes"
I am instructing others to aim for the most vulnerable and crucial areas of their targets
Before they see me, I skirt
Before being noticed or identified, I quickly exit the situation or location
I'm a dirty motherfucker riding dirty in the track
I am involved in illegal and dangerous activity while traveling in a vehicle
Until I dirty work enough to make a motherfucker hurt
I will continue to engage in criminal activity until I reach a level of success and power that brings harm to my enemies
Man, put hurting on them hoes
I am harming or punishing women who have crossed me or wronged me
Man, put a fortune up they nose
I am financially compensating women who have complied with my demands or expectations
Men know what men know
Men have shared knowledge and understanding of certain topics or concepts
But men don't know to get low when we slow in the rental
Men are not aware of the importance of keeping a low profile or moving discreetly when driving a rented vehicle
Your average tollbooth phantom
An average and unremarkable person who is invisible or unnoticed
Clock around my neck
I am displaying my wealth and success by wearing an expensive and luxurious piece of jewelry
Cock back and I pop caps
I am pulling back the hammer on my gun and preparing to fire
I don't know if they pop back
I am uncertain if the people I am shooting at will return fire or retaliate
Crack it, I can't have anybody jacking my respect
I am opening a bottle or container, and do not want anyone to diminish or undermine my authority and status
Contributed by Sophia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.