What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
I forgot y’all was there
I ain’t know y’all was still listenin’
Be honest I ain’t care K'naan (Ft. Nas) – Nothing to Lose
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Nas is speaking to the radio audience, telling them that he doesn’t care to be mainstream. All he wants to do is drop knowledge.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
He likely doesn’t know pilots due to the fact that he grew up in Somalia, a poor country where there are very few planes.
However, Somalia is famous for its pirates who frequently loot ships that are on their way to other nations, and he happens to know a few of them.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
ACCEPTED COMMENT: K'naan spent his childhood in Mogadishu and lived there during the Somali Civil War.
Back then it wasn’t safe to cross the streets… because you could get shot.
This is also a play on words as he uses the word “crossover” again but this time in a different context.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Nas is always spending his money, whether that is on charity or bling. He does this because he knows that in the end the amount of money you have doesn’t matter, but rather what kind of person you were.
This also refers to the next line, the paper doesn’t matter because you can’t buy true friends that will stick with you to the end.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Already understood, I'm repping PAT, my hood
When I'm gripping on the wood, baby UGK (Ft. Big K.R.I.T.) – Grippin on the Wood
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
I'mma do some Pop Rocks, girl, and some ice packs
I'm the real, so trill, keep you cumming, I'm a mack UGK (Ft. Big K.R.I.T.) – Grippin on the Wood
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Reference to the rapper Slick Rick who is famous for wearing his signature eyepatch.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
ACCEPTED COMMENT: He’s a mix of rapper Cam'ron (a.k.a. Killa or Killa Cam), a gangster rapper.
And King Solomon, who is a biblical figure known for his great wisdom, morals, and writings.
So he is saying that he spits fire like Cam'ron while keeping his morals like Solomon.
He is saying he’s somewhere between a killer and a moral person – not entirely evil, but also not entirely good.