Things have become so dangerous, and the world has become so corrupt that if you live by your sword you’ll be too late for it to help you by the time your enemy has struck. You need to start living with your sword at times like these, because you will be tested often and need to be ready.

The camps he is referring to are internment camps monitored by FEMA that are to be implemented after martial law is declared. Eerily similar to the concentration camps run by the Nazi’s during World War II.

This can be taken both figuratively and literally.

Figuratively: A serpent is represented as Satan in the Bible, and is often associated with evil and deception. Those the most evil and deceptive are in positions of authority within government, and tend to portray an image unlike their true self. When you see the President talking about peace and prosperity, he is merely shape-shifting (putting on a different persona) in order to trick you.

Literally: Most famously known for the reptilian theory, David Icke is a British author and public speaker who believes that certain people in elite positions of power are actually reptilian shape-shifters. George H.W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Queen Elizabeth II, and Hilary Clinton are just a few of the names mentioned by Icke as reptilian humanoids.

He’s heard so many excuses and lies, witnessed so much corruption, and had to deal with the government and the system’s blatant distrust and deception for so long that he literally smells of their lies (bullshit). Shit, as you probably know, reeks pretty badly.

Most artists these days are complacent industry clones. Out for the cash and the glory, but their heart isn’t always in their music, and they are subjected to restricted artistic creativity due to the labels wanting subject matter that feeds their own agenda of violence, sex, and ignorance.

He is rapping for the people, not for the establishment.

Double entendre

1. The 4th quarter is a metaphor for an important/crucial time/event in which the superior player/person will succeed by showing his true colours. AES' enemies don’t want to see him in the 4th because he is sure to win

2. LeBron James, NBA superstar, is commonly referred to as “The King”. He is also, unfortunately for him, known for disappearing in the 4th quarter of important games, as many basketball fans know who watched the 2011 NBA Finals which saw the Mavericks upset the Heat in 6 games. The joke here is that nobody wants to see The King/LeBron in the 4th quarter because he never shows up to play

Most artists who speak the truth are shunned by the industry, or just straight up killed.

AES is threatening them to make him keep his mouth shut

Earn, earn, earn

Spend, spend, spend

Consume, consume, consume

Welcome to America.

In the words of Schoolboy Q, “the cycle will continue”

Statistics show that imprisonment in no way, shape, or form points toward the rehabilitation of convicted criminals. Most will commit another crime when they’re released.

This also refers to the drug trade within prison. Many in jail still traffic drugs.

The U.S. Government has been notorious for suppressing the black community throughout its existence. Segregation, slavery, crack epidemic, propaganda, and stereotypes have all been used against the black race in the U.S.’s history, and racism is still prevalent today.

But, at the time they hate on blacks, they exploit their very own culture through sports, music, and clothing.

A most overt double standard.