Game Theory
the roots Malik B. Lyrics

This is a game, I'm your specimen
The singer is stating that life is like a game and that they are the subject being studied

You've got to let me know baby
The singer is asking to be informed about the rules of the game

So I can go, I'd have to fake it
The singer will pretend to know the rules if they are not informed

I could not make it
The artist feels that they wouldn't be able to succeed if they don't know the rules

You could not take it
The artist is warning that they wouldn't be able to handle the consequences of failing at the game

Yeah, where I'ma start it at, look I'ma part of that
The singer is introducing where they are from and how they are involved in the situation

Downtown Philly where it's realer than a heart attack
The singer is describing their hometown as a place where reality is harsh

It wasn't really that ill until the start of crack
The artist is referencing the impact that the crack epidemic had on their community

Now it's a body caught every night on the Almanac
The artist is highlighting the violence that has become commonplace in their community

Rock bottom where them cops gotta problem at
The artist is expressing that the police has a difficult task trying to handle the rampant crime in their community

Where them outsiders getting popped for they wallet at
The singer is referencing the fact that visitors to their community are likely to become victims of theft

I had nothin' but I made somethin' outta that
The artist is reflecting on their own success, in spite of growing up with very little

Now I'm the first out the limo like Charlie Mack
The singer is explaining their current position of success and the privileges that come with that success

From 215 it's him the livest one
The singer is referencing their area code, indicating their pride for their hometown

And he's representin' Philly to the fullest
The singer is proud of their identity and their representation of their city

Blacks the realest
The artist is expressing pride in the black community

You can't touch him and not for nothin'
The artist is indicating their widespread influence that cannot be ignored

If you bout hip hop then you gots to love it
The singer is expressing their love for hip hop culture, acknowledging its impact on mainstream culture

If not then fuck it
The singer does not care if someone does not like hip hop

I'm still handlin'
The artist is describing their ability to handle the pressure that comes with their success

Smokin' more reefer than Redman and them damaging MC's
The artist is referencing their love for marijuana and their ability to outperform other rappers in the game

And my name's Rick Gees you endangered species
The artist is describing their unique position in the industry as an artist who is both respected and successful

For what I do I'm about to up the fees
The singer is recognizing their value and is about to request more money for their work

I'm paper-chase motivated I ain't the one to play with
The artist is describing their work ethic and their refusal to be taken advantage of

These cats get set ablaze
The singer is conveying that they have the power to destroy their competition

You can't have it y'all way but I'd rather parlay
The singer will not let others control their path, but will instead enjoy their wealth in their own way

Just smoke OG and get cabbage all day
The singer is referencing their leisure activities and their enjoyment of marijuana and money

The way thought play causes your main thing to say
The artist is suggesting that their intelligence and strategy can influence others

Your style so splendid you bout your business
The artist is complimenting someone for their unique style and their ability to stay focused on their goals

You arousing my interests
The singer is expressing their attraction to someone's talents

You sharper than a Shogun
The singer is comparing someone's intelligence to that of a skilled samurai

You know the way it go, huh, game know what I'm talkin' bout
The artist is indicating their familiarity with the game and the challenges that come with it

Hus, that's short for hustlers
The artist is introducing their crew and referencing their profession

We Black Inc Raw Life productions
The artist is explaining the name of their production company

Tryin' to find our spota amongst the ruckus
The singer is expressing the difficulty of their journey while trying to succeed in a competitive industry

And be sucker free, flea chumps and busters
The artist is indicating their desire to not be taken advantage of by others who do not have their best interest in mind

Man yeah, Get 'em hus, get 'em hus, get 'em hus
The singer is hyping up their crew and themselves, expressing their desire to succeed

Hey yo I'm tryin' to get it at any cost so it's no remorse
The singer will do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means showing no mercy

When I'm blastin' off like you been askin' for it
The singer is comparing their success to a rocket launch that cannot be stopped

When Black step in the door all hats is off
When the artist arrives, they command respect from others in the room

Your hands up in the air goin' back and forth
The artist is asserting their dominance and causing others to move to their command

I'm about ready for a classic massacre
The singer is confident in their ability to outperform others, and will do so with ease

I'll make it hotter than when Shaft in Africa
The singer is referencing a popular movie and comparing their performance to the heat and intensity of the film

Jump outta a black Porsche huffin' a fat cigar
The artist is describing their extravagant lifestyle, exuding a sense of confidence and control

Night ridin' on 'em like my last name Hasselhoff
The artist is referencing an actor and comparing themselves to the character he played in a popular TV show, expressing that they are unstoppable

Voted unlikely to succeed cause my class was full
The artist is referencing their difficult upbringing and the fact that others did not believe in their potential

Of naysayers, cheaters and thieves
The singer is describing the people who doubted them and those who tried to take advantage of them

All it gave me was a good enough reason to leave
The artist is explaining that their difficult upbringing motivated them to work harder and leave their past behind

And put the writing on the wall for y'all to read it and weep
The singer is suggesting that their current success is undeniable and that others should acknowledge it

Cause I'm the force of the Lord, the rage of hell
The singer is expressing their confidence and power, and that they have a divine purpose

You'd rather head for the hills and save yourselves
The singer is suggesting that their competition is likely scared of them and can only run away

My Man rip drums like He ringin' the bells
The artist is complimenting their friend who is a skilled drummer

The King of the Realm you seen Him do His thing in a film
The artist is referencing their own success and comparing themselves to a king who has already established themselves

Dreams when M16's with infrared beams
The singer is referencing their violent fantasies

Blowin' up presidents' cribs with cans of kerosene
The singer is expressing their desire to commit violent acts against political leaders

High-jack the limousine with a strategic routine
The artist is describing a hypothetical situation where they would take control of a limousine with a pre-planned strategy

Then blast my enemy, head for the Caribbean
The artist is expressing that their violent fantasies extend beyond just their own community and they would escape to the Caribbean after committing a violent act

Militant guerrilla camp is ready for war
The artist is suggesting that they are prepared for any sort of conflict

Lay your corner face down, place down your jewels cash and four four
The singer is describing a hypothetical situation where they would rob someone of their valuables and weapons

When I score prepare for torture
The artist is suggesting that they are willing to go to extreme measures to achieve success

Fuck around and make your town Warsaw
The singer is warning that they can single-handedly destroy a community

I'm from Illadel the land where the killas dwell
The singer is referencing their hometown and expressing that danger is always present

My technique is to ambush you guerrilla style
The singer is describing their strategy of surprise attacks in order to gain an advantage

My instinct is of a killer whale bang you up from head to toe
The artist is expressing their predatory nature and their ability to defeat their enemies

With lyrics I pack like a nine millimal
The artist is comparing their words to bullets from a gun, asserting their power as a rapper

My types subliminal mentality switched to criminal
The singer is expressing that their thoughts and actions can be dangerous

Importing heroin internash from Senegal
The singer is referencing their involvement in the drug trade, importing drugs from other countries

A soldier takes a stripes from a general
The artist is referencing their ability to outperform those who are higher-ranked than them

Used the mike of iron or lead
The artist is suggesting that they use the power of their words to control and manipulate others

You choose your mineral
The artist is suggesting that listeners have a choice in how they respond to the message conveyed in the song