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Niggas Been Around The World actin like they never been home Common – Like They Used to Say
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Common is referring to the Shiny Suit Era that had plagued hip hop from the mid 1990’s to the early 2000’s. The era consisted of many mainstream artists wearing flamboyant clothes made of metallic and usually in the style of a suit or a jumpsuit. Sean “Puffy” Combs aka P Diddy is often seen as the innovator of the era as he (and Mase) are seen wearing it in the Mo Money Mo Problems video, although the true innovator of the suit was stylist June Ambrose. The shiny suit had been adopted by many hip hop artists including Nas, Busta Rhymes and Will Smith.
Common also makes a reference to the song Been Around The World by P Diddy which was released in 1997. Much like Mo Money Mo Problems, the video consisted of P Diddy and Mase wearing shiny suits and had also featured the late Notorious B.I.G.
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There’s some clever wordplay here, Common is a very conscious rapper who regards Afrocentricity highly. Following on from the previous line, Common wants a change from the racism and prejudice on African Americans.
Common also refers to his friend who wants change, but this is a different kind of change, Common’s friend who is likely homeless is asking for spare change (small amounts of money usually pennies, dimes etc.) from people. Homeless people who beg for money are usually seen carrying their money in cups.
Well said. I think it’s also important to note how this line deals with conflicting desires. People like Common desire change (i.e. in the system, social justice) but at the same the impoverished people in society, namely, those who need this change the most have a higher level of desire for life itself. They are concerned with the most basic need in Maslow’s hierarchy: to be alive.
It’s hard to get the people most in need of social justice to go out and fight the system when their main concern is their next meal, justifiably.
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I'm faded all the time
Because I know that's when they love me
They love me when I'm high
When they love me, I get money, I get money, I get money
When they love me, I get money, I get money, I get money French Montana (Ft. The Weeknd) – Gifted
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Faded is term used for being high, usually from marijuana. Many artists experiment with drugs as some people find being high stimulates creativity, thus improving the quality of their music. The Weeknd is no exception; finding his true talent when he is high and so decides to stay intoxicated all the time because he knows his fans and media executives will adore him for it, and he’ll get money in return.
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What is this?
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Referring to Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith who were both part of the duo EPMD
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What is this?
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Maceo Parker is a funk and jazz musician who has worked with the likes of George Clinton and James Brown both of whom have been an influence to hip hop music. Maceo was not the only funk/jazz musician featured on the album, affiliates Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis were also guest features. All three were featured on the songs “Patti Dooke” and “I Am I Be”.
Maceo Parker’s main instrument is the saxophone which he used in this song (referred to as a horn).
I tell you, Jungle Brothers On the Run De La Soul – Breakadawn
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Native Tongues is a collective of rappers mainly from the late 80s to early 90s who are known for their positive and Afrocentric lyrics. The groups founding members are Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.
Posdnuos who had previously made a reference to De La Soul’s debut album and their song Hey Love now makes a reference to their Native Tongues counterparts, Jungle Brothers, who had released the song On The Run on their debut album, Straight Out The Jungle.
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