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Just because you grew up in bad conditions doesn’t mean that you have to act like a lowlife yourself, rise above it! Rick tries his hardest to get his message across in this entire verse. Rick grew up though but he overcame poverty and tries to get kids to do the same.

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What is this?

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Cuticles are your nails and when your nails get too long they get cut off and thrown away.

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What is this?

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Evidence leads you to think that since its a new year he is going to quit smoking marijuana as a New Year’s Resolution, saying that he is not going to smoke any more weed, but then he reaveals that he is simply not going to smoke more of the amount of weed than he already does.

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This may be a reference to “Beats, Rhymes and Life”, an album from A Tribe Called Quest (ATCQ).

Common’s showing how his message of “affecting lives” is complemented by ATCQ’s message. Hence the use of ‘marriage’ in the line.

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What is the point of all this fame, fortune, and personal ability when you die?

What good is a [Range Rover] (material possessions) when its time to head home (death)?

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What is this?

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A quote from Jesus, “Man shall not live by bread alone”, Common mentions how fame and money only go so far in life, so it is important to also have God in your life as well.

This is also a play on words since bread is a popular slang for money.

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What is this?

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Cursive is supposed to be a more elegant, smooth and natural way to write, much like how Common’s flow when rapping is smooth and elegant

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