Status Lyrics

[Verse 1: Mr. Lif]
I was mad dipped
Butterfly collars and shit
Chains from the slave ship
Dreads with the wave kit
Bifocals and wing tips
Velvet pants and a velour coat
Looked in the mirror
"Damn, I look dope"
Folded up the singles in my loot-clip
Put a sock in my pants on some Uncle Luke shit
Dressed to impress, now I'm ready to go
The club is twelve blocks away and I got no loot, so
I walk ten and take a cab for two
Black duct tape over the hole in my shoe
I've got the hottest dance steps
Running Man, Cabbage Patch plus The Robocop
Then I'll bring back The Wop
Jaws will drop and all the ladies will flock
Brothers thinking (What he got that I ain't got?)
I'll tell ya, fella
It's written in my bestseller
It started to rain
Shit, I got no umbrella
The walking turned to running
Still, I look stunning
Covered 'nuff ground before my taxi was summoned (Hey, taxi)
Got to the spot and hopped out at the front
Tripped over the curb, limping, 'cause my toes were stubbed
Then I tried to give pounds to people I didn't know (Yo, what's up, y'all?)
Like Lucy and Joe
My destination was the back do'
Not because the bouncer told me not to come back
I'm just sneaking in the club, because I got it like that
[Verse 2: Insight]
I remember when you used to be broke
Ignored when you spoke
And people would take you for a joke
You used to go to the club
And look like a scrub
But couldn't afford the admission
From outside, you're looking in
Waiting for a chance to slip by
You slide through the back door
But you wasn't supposed to be there
You'd look like an idiot if you got caught
But you didn't care
Just as long as you got your groove on
It was smooth sailing
They was playing the Thong Song
You're feeling shorty with the boots on
Cutting through the crowd sideways, it's time to move strong
To cool kick it, say something slick off the top
Flash your jewels, fix your suit
Fidgeting with your wristwatch (Mhmm)
But right when you was in the corner acting a big shot
They threw on some hiphop
People got on the dance floor
And a bouncer saw you standing at the corner near the door (Hey, you)
He started walking your way, to muscle you out
Since you refused to pay
So there was nothing for you to say
When he blew up your spot (I told you not to come back here)
And threw you out the front to the floor
Past the bar on the right through the double doors
You mumbled and swore, stumbled and tripped on the pavement (Goddamn)
People in line started laughing
When they threw you hat then
Screaming that you wasn't allowed back in
But that was back then, acting like nothing happened
You patted your Tims off, depressed from embarrassment
It could have been fresh, it would have been lavish
One day you'll make it and won't have to deal with this madness

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About

Genius Annotation

On “Status,” Mr. Lif and Insight recount an evening at a nightclub that ends in embarrassment for the main character of the story from two different perspectives.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Mr. Lif say about "Status"?
Genius Answer

Mr. Lif has discussed the decision of having an intentionally cheap-sounding and poorly mixed beat in an interview with Pitchfork from 2003:

Pitchfork: Speaking of beats, that was a brave decision to include, for the concept album’s sake, the really bad beats of “Status”, about when your character was poor. You were really pulling out all the stops, if you were willing to take the risk having a wack song. Was there a debate at the label? Did someone say, “That sounds terrible” and you had to argue, “But that’s my point!”

Lif: No, I didn’t catch any flak from the label at all. It’s actually never been mentioned before this! I just set out to make a song with the jankiest possible beat, and to EQ it in the worst way. I think the snare is panned all the way to the right. If you listen to that shit in your car, man, it’s a fucking nightmare. The bassline’s mad high, and there’s fucking patches in it and holes and shit. I think it achieved its goal, especially when you hear “Success” come in after it, and you realize how well-EQ’d “Success” is.

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