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.
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He Dead
clipping. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They want to take your body
They want to hurt your body
And put it in a coffin
'Cause they don't think you matter, oh no
They want to take your power, oh no
And make you even lesser, oh no
And add you to the number
They're screamin' out murder
You've got to be cautious
Before they destroy ya
Don't let them get close
They're screamin' out murder
You've got to be cautious
Before they destroy ya
Can you feel it everywhere?
Oh, he dead
Can you feel it everywhere?
Oh, he dead
Can you feel it everywhere?
Oh, he dead
Can you feel it everywhere?
Oh, he dead
How fast can them bare feet run?
The answer is barely, isn't it?
But you can't stop for the pain, pop another oxy, swallow, and hit the bricks
Follow the plan, you know all the tricks
Fire escape to the roof, stay low, stay low, stay low
When they screamin' out murder, they lookin' for you
They always lookin' for you, why the fuck they always lookin' for you?
Surely somebody must live without stiffness, ice in the spine
God you been runnin', so gotta keep runnin'
So so-and-so told you 'bout so-and-so's cousin
They got him and there wasn't nothin' left for her to identify
Disappeared in the blink of a eyeball
Bounce, man, bounce, man
Oh, he dead
Lost and found, man
Oh, he dead
Used to be this girl 'round the way
Oh, she dead
Looked up to God and you pray
Oh, he dead, oh, she dead
What they say, you got loose, do not stop, do not dwell
On the past, you's a fool, you got legs, best to use 'em
Don't let them get close
You've got to be cautious
This ain't knife to a gunfight, but more twig to a tank
They say these bullets hollow, holler if you feel the same
Say you need bullets silver, holler if you got a chain
Then this breeze make you shiver, holler if you feel the pain
Yeah, the molar is throbbin' insane, must be 'bout to rain again
Yeah, the older you get the less game they ought to be breakin' in
They like they meat fresh, so just stay alive, young man, feet to the road again
The echo of boots on the pavement is palpable off of the buildings, they closing in
They hunt as a pack and they packin' more firepower than you ever imagined
The pack on your back rattles back and forth, no slack, go faster, go faster
They masters of trapping and you just a trapper
Who went for a Masters and dropped out when it didn't matter no more
Your body of work didn't embody bodyin' bodies and watchin' them pile on the floor
So what them books got you but dreams of everything lost?
What does sleep bring you but screams at night where you toss?
And turn hope into stone, your motto embossed
Stay alive at all costs
Can you feel it everywhere?
Oh, he dead
Can you feel it everywhere?
Oh, he dead
Can you feel it everywhere?
Oh, he dead
Can you feel it everywhere?
Oh, he dead
Don't let them get close
They're screamin' out murder
You've got to be cautious
Before they destroy ya
Don't let them get close
The lyrics of the song "He Dead" by clipping. featuring Ed Balloon talks about the experience of African Americans living in a world where the color of their skin puts them at risk of violence and discrimination. The repetition of the phrase "Can you feel it everywhere? Oh, he dead" emphasizes the omnipresent danger that Black people face. The lyrics advise Black people to protect their bodies from those who want to harm them and not to let them get too close. The song describes the desperate measures that some may take to keep themselves safe, like taking drugs and running away. The lyrics also expose the feeling of hopelessness that African Americans feel when looking at a system that doesn't regard them as equal.
The song draws inspiration from personal experiences of Daveed Diggs, lead vocalist of clipping., and his fellow African Americans who have faced discrimination, racism, and inequality. The lyrics describe the real-life danger that African Americans face every day because of systemic racism.
Line by Line Meaning
Protect your body
Take care of yourself physically and mentally
They want to take your body
Others want to harm you and take control of your life
They want to hurt your body
Others want to cause you pain and suffering
And put it in a coffin
Others want to kill you and bury you
'Cause they don't think you matter, oh no
Those who harm you do not value your life
They want to take your power, oh no
Others want to take away your sense of control and agency
And make you even lesser, oh no
Others want to make you feel inferior and unimportant
And add you to the number
Others want to add you to a long list of victims
Don't let them get close
Stay away from those who want to do you harm
They're screamin' out murder
Those who want to harm you are looking to kill
You've got to be cautious
Be careful and vigilant to protect yourself
Before they destroy ya
Act preemptively to prevent harm
Can you feel it everywhere?
The sense of danger and fear is palpable
Oh, he dead
The danger has claimed a victim
How fast can them bare feet run?
In a dangerous situation, speed and agility are crucial
The answer is barely, isn't it?
It is difficult to escape when you are vulnerable and disadvantaged
But you can't stop for the pain, pop another oxy, swallow, and hit the bricks
In order to keep going, some resort to self-destructive habits and substances
Follow the plan, you know all the tricks
Use your experience and knowledge to navigate dangerous situations
Don't let them get close
Stay away from those who pose a threat
Surely somebody must live without stiffness, ice in the spine
There must be someone who is able to face danger without fear and hesitation
God you been runnin', so gotta keep runnin'
It is important to keep moving to stay ahead of danger
Oh, he dead
The danger has claimed another victim
Lost and found, man
Some are able to survive and escape danger, while others are not as fortunate
Used to be this girl 'round the way
There was someone in the community who was vulnerable to danger
Oh, she dead
That person has been claimed by the danger
Looked up to God and you pray
In times of danger and desperation, some turn to prayer
What they say, you got loose, do not stop, do not dwell
If you have an opportunity to escape danger, take it and do not hesitate
On the past, you's a fool, you got legs, best to use 'em
Don't get hung up on past mistakes or failures, just keep moving forward
This ain't knife to a gunfight, but more twig to a tank
The odds may be heavily stacked against you in a dangerous situation
They say these bullets hollow, holler if you feel the same
Bullets can cause a lot of harm and devastation
Say you need bullets silver, holler if you got a chain
Others may need specialized weapons to defend themselves
Then this breeze make you shiver, holler if you feel the pain
The sense of danger and fear is overwhelming
Yeah, the molar is throbbin' insane, must be 'bout to rain again
The anxiety and tension is overwhelming
Yeah, the older you get the less game they ought to be breakin' in
As you get older, you should be wiser and more cautious to avoid danger
They like they meat fresh, so just stay alive, young man, feet to the road again
Those who pose a threat are always looking for new victims, so stay alive and keep moving
The echo of boots on the pavement is palpable off of the buildings, they closing in
The sense of danger is intensified by the sound of approaching footsteps
They hunt as a pack and they packin' more firepower than you ever imagined
Those who pose a threat are well-organized and well-armed
The pack on your back rattles back and forth, no slack, go faster, go faster
The weight of your past mistakes and failures can slow you down, but you must keep moving forward
They masters of trapping and you just a trapper
Those who pose a threat are skilled at trapping and ensnaring their victims
Who went for a Masters and dropped out when it didn't matter no more
Someone who had the potential to succeed but gave up when faced with adversity
Your body of work didn't embody bodyin' bodies and watchin' them pile on the floor
Your accomplishments and achievements are meaningless in the face of danger and violence
So what them books got you but dreams of everything lost?
Education and knowledge may be meaningless in the face of danger
What does sleep bring you but screams at night where you toss?
In times of danger, even sleep can be plagued by nightmares and anxiety
And turn hope into stone, your motto embossed
The hope for a better future can turn to despair in the face of danger
Stay alive at all costs
Above all, survival is paramount in a dangerous situation
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William Hutson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind