Chiropractors deal with mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine (the back).

After his previous album left many fans disappointed, he came back to take care of them with a classic album and this hardcore rap.

Paints an epic picture of a man caught in the middle of a war, possibly referring to the trials and tribulations of Hip-Hop itself. Notice he says ‘with’ and not ‘of’, insinuating he was the one causing the chaos and gunfire. Power.

People wanted to know the direction Hip-Hop was going in, his response was that is was being run in a direction by Chicagoans.

Of course this was evidenced in the coming years by the influence of Chicagoan rappers and producers such as Common himself, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Rhymefest, Twista, The Legendary Traxter, No I.D. and others.

For a brilliant personification and explanation of Hip-Hop’s motions, check out Mos Def’s “Fear Not of Man.”

Sheer brilliance:

• He’s surprised that even after rapping about rims so much, they (and their fans) aren’t tired of it. These rappers talk about rims so much, he doesn’t understand how they haven’t simply become them. Bling and material wealth consume their thoughts.
• This is also a play on the words raps and wraps. What wraps around/about a rim? A tire of course.

A reference to Jay-Z, who wrote Takeover and at the time of his 2003 pseudo-retirement was widely considered the leader of the pack in the rap game.

After hearing how his friend had been killed for his Jordans, he threw his on light-pole wires, questioning whether or not it was all worth it.

Small thoughts will prevent you from becoming smarter and wiser. Also a reference to petty crimes; constantly meditating on such deeds will keep you down.

He had to find out what his plans were.

He hopes that the city actually loves him and isn’t just fascinated and lusting after him. If it is lust, then it’ll lose interest relatively quickly and kill him.

John Wall is a basketball player who was born in NC, J. Cole’s state.

This ties this line to the previous line. The John shot possibly refers to the actor John Wayne (who last appeared in the movie, The Shootist) or could refer to any of the countless firearm dealers that begin with the name.

They abandoned the legal shot for the lethal shot.