2010
earl sweatshirt Lyrics


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Huh
I'ma need a bigger bag for the cohort
Tryna make a millionaire out of slum dogs
Bet that, head crack, blunt force
Cozy with the east Africans up north
Where seven make a three, turn a ten by law
Crescent moon wink, when I blinked it was gone
Left the crib, smacked, no sheath on the sword
Made it by the skin of my teeth, thank God
'03, mama rockin' Liz Claiborne
Had her stressin' up the wall playin' Mary J. songs
Rainy day came, couldn't rinse the stains off
Long way to go, we already came far
Story stayed the same, it was never made up
Threw me loose change, look at what I made of it
When the mood change, I'ma poker-face 'em
It's a new day, who got all the aces?
Who be foldin' late? Who know when to play dead?
Who sit up straight when the roof caved in?
Had a full plate, you ain't wanna split it
Tell it to you straight, you ain't wanna listen
Cup runneth over the brim
Bust open, there's no closin' the lid
Drumroll, here go my lil' entrance
Gung ho, I'm the one that go get it
5-0's on me like the Olympics
Pure gold, somethin' told me, "Don't mix it"
Caught a feelin', mama had me out Temple
Not religious, we was really out Philly
Livin' on the fly tryna wing it
We got us a fire to rekindle
Redirect the fight where it's meant for
Triumph over plight and immense loss
Ride alone at night, I get clear thoughts
Caught a couple slights and I veered off
Saw another height, had my ears poppin'
Walked outside, it was still gorgeous

Sharp incisors reveal slowly
In the dark inside, we was real hungry
On a seven of the five, we was real hungry
Uh, niggas still drummin'
Foot shook ground when I stepped on it
Didn't look back when I broke soil
'Cause every time I did it would hurt more
In the dark inside, we was real hungry
On a seven of the five, we was real hungry
And I didn't look back when I broke soil
'Cause every time I did it would hurt more





Alright
Yessir, this nigga's spittin'

Overall Meaning

In "2010," Earl Sweatshirt reflects on his past struggles and how he overcame them. He starts off by saying he needs a bigger bag for the cohort and is trying to make a millionaire out of slum dogs. This line suggests that Earl is taking the people around him and himself to a higher level of success. He then goes on to say that he's cozy with the East Africans up north and mentions how turning a seven into a three can turn a ten by law. This line signifies Earl's cleverness, implying that he is skilled in making money where others are not.


Earl then talks about his childhood and how he and his mother struggled to make ends meet. He recalls his mother stressing out and playing Mary J. Blige songs during rainy days. His story stayed the same; it was never made up. He throws in a couple of lines about how he has come far despite having a long way to go. It's clear that Earl is proud of his success, but also emphasizes that he still has work to do. He ends the verse by saying that he made something out of loose change given to him, and when his mood changes, he's going to act like nothing happened.


In the chorus, Earl talks about how his cup is overflowing, and he can't close the lid. He also mentions how he's on the go and ready to get whatever he wants. In the second verse, Earl speaks about his time living in Philly. He talks about how he was living on the fly and trying to wing it, and how his mom had him out temptin'. He talks about redirecting his fight where it's meant for and triumphing over struggles. He mentions how he caught a couple of slights, but also saw another height, leading to his ears popping.


Earl ends the song with a repeated line about not looking back when he broke the soil. This assertion shows Earl's resilience and determination to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles. The use of powerful imagery throughout the song helps to create a vivid picture of Earl's journey.


Line by Line Meaning

Huh
Expressing confusion or disbelief.


I'ma need a bigger bag for the cohort
I need more resources to support my group.


Tryna make a millionaire out of slum dogs
Striving to create wealth for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.


Bet that, head crack, blunt force
Conveying confidence and aggression in achieving goals.


Cozy with the east Africans up north
Having friendly relationships with African immigrants.


Where seven make a three, turn a ten by law
Multiplying small amounts exponentially to achieve significant results.


Crescent moon wink, when I blinked it was gone
Time passing quickly and opportunities slipping away.


Left the crib, smacked, no sheath on the sword
Going out unprepared and exposed to danger.


Made it by the skin of my teeth, thank God
Barely avoiding failure or disaster, expressing gratitude for survival.


'03, momma rockin' Liz Claiborne
Referring to a specific time and fashion brand.


Had her stressin' up the wall playin' Mary J. songs
Mother dealing with stress by listening to music.


Rainy day came, couldn't rinse the stains off
Difficulties that cannot be easily resolved or forgotten.


Long way to go, we already came far
Acknowledging progress while recognizing the journey is not yet finished.


Story stayed the same, it was never made up
Authenticity, not fabricating or embellishing one's story.


Threw me loose change, look at what I made of it
Making the most of limited resources and opportunities.


When the mood change I'ma poker face 'em
Maintaining a calm demeanor when facing challenges or adversity.


It's a new day, who got all the aces?
Opportunities present themselves and who will seize them?


Who be foldin' late? Who know when to play dead?
Identifying those who give up or fake their vulnerability.


Who sit up straight when the roof caved in?
Staying composed and focused during difficult times.


Had a full plate, you ain't wanna split it
Rejecting those who were not willing to share or contribute.


Tell it to you straight, you ain't wanna listen
Being honest and direct, but not being heard or understood.


Cup runneth over the brim
Having abundance and excess.


Bust open, there's no closin' the lid
Unleashing a force or energy that cannot be contained or restrained.


Drum roll, here go my lil' entrance
Announcing one's arrival in a theatrical or dramatic way.


Gung ho, I'm the one that go get it
Being eager and determined to pursue goals and success.


5-0's on me like the Olympics
Police presence around me like Olympic security.


Pure gold, somethin' told me don't mix it
Recognizing value and importance, not compromising it.


Caught a feelin', momma had me out temptin'
Being emotionally distracted or influenced while engaging in risky behavior.


Not religious, we was really out Philly
Not embracing religion, still living in Philadelphia.


Livin' on the fly tryna wing it
Living a hectic, fast-paced life without a plan.


We got us a fire to rekindle
Working to revive or reignite a passion or motivation.


Redirect the fight where it's meant for
Focusing energy and effort on the appropriate target or objective.


Triumph over plight and immense loss
Overcoming significant adversity and challenge.


Ride alone at night, I get clear thoughts
Achieving clarity or insight when alone and undistracted.


Caught a couple slights and I veered off
Being offended or disrespected and reacting impulsively or emotionally.


Saw another height, had my ears poppin'
Reaching new levels of success or achievement, experiencing a sensation of elevation.


Walked outside, it was still gorgeous
Appreciating the beauty and tranquility of the outside world.


Sharp incisors reveal slowly
A sharp or cunning mind gradually revealing itself or its intentions.


In a dark inside we was real hungry
Experiencing deprivation or hunger, both literally and metaphorically.


On a seven of the five, we was real hungry
Finishing the month short on money and struggling to get by.


Uh, niggas still drummin'
People are still fighting and struggling for survival.


Foot shook ground when I stepped on it
Making a powerful and impactful entrance into a situation or scene.


Didn't look back when I broke soil
Continuing to move forward and not dwelling on the past.


'Cause every time I did it would hurt more
Reflecting on the pain and difficulty of past experiences.


Alright
Expressing acceptance or agreement.


Yessir, this nigga spittin'
Acknowledging the quality and skill of the rapper's lyrics.


Damn, nigga
Exclaiming surprise or admiration.




Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Thebe Kgositsile, Robert Mansel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Prod.KiteWave

This could potentially be the start of the Earl era we've all dreamed of, untouchable

@user-ow7xf4cw1x

I agree

@antiherozay

an earl comeback is what the universe needs

@lufufi3iboo

@@antiherozay comeback? He's been making some of the best music he's ever made?

@vipy4309

It's a marathon.

@samhays836

@@lufufi3iboo I was about to say I thought some rap songs was the start of the goat earl era haha

119 More Replies...

@AaronMckenzie

2015 Earl: I don't like shit, I don't go outside.
2021 Earl: Walked outside it was still gorgeous!
Character progression at it's finest

@superkeith8290

2021 earl : 2010

@PoopenSchloopen

Revisit the lyric, “pure gold something told me don’t mix it”

@WVRLORD

“Outside” coming soon 😅

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