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Here, Jones demands an explanation for the break up, since, as discussed, he doesn’t believe her explanation. However, when taken with the line:
Well some things you can explain away
But my heart aches in me till this day
it would seem to suggest that his demand for explanation isn’t only bitterness. It is also a desperate plea for closure based on the thought that there’s an explanation that will make everything make sense and the pain go away.
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It's way too strong Cozz (Ft. J. Cole) – Knock tha Hustle (Remix)
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In contrast to the previous hook, Cole uses the word “but” implying that he’s not speaking positively in this case.
Earlier, he was saying that his hustle is “way too strong” for any other rappers to knock him off the top. Here, he is saying that his hustle is way too strong for even him to stop, should he want to get back in touch with his family and hometown as he discussed in the third verse and hook.
Despite these feelings, Cole has done his best to stay in contact and provide a good role model for Fayetteville through his annual Dreamville Weekends.
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What is this?
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What is this?
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What is this?
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Zebby appears to be a nickname for K.R.I.T.’s grandfather, whom he is honoring by showing off his Cadillac.
The last word is a bit unclear, but it could be “levee,” making the line a reference to Hurricane Katrina which devastated K.R.I.T.’s home state of Mississippi in 2005, or “lady,” which could refer to debutantes, who are escorted down a stage by their fathers. In the case of the latter, K.R.I.T. is playing the role of the father, presenting his pride and joy to the world.
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From day one, Common wasn’t concerned with being an overnight sensation, but being around for a long damn time. After 20+ years in the game and releasing plenty of well respected albums along the way, I’d say Common achieved his goal.
SIDE NOTE:
Nobody’s Smiling is Common’s 10th album.
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This line is taken from the folk song “The Story the Crow Told Me”, which has been sung by the likes of the massively influential New Lost City Ramblers of the late 1950’s folk revival.
Caw, caw, one little story that the crow told me:
Caw, caw, in a hickory tree.
The crow is a figure in Native American mythology who sacrificed himself to save the other animals, making him similar to Jesus.
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Strummer wants people to pay attention to the issues that are facing them without being aggressive and confrontational about it.
But despite his best intentions, he feels that level of aggression may be necessary because his audience doesn’t care enough to even stay awake with his current means of addressing them.
Additionally, “nodding out” also refers to passing out from drugs (commonly heroin), meaning he is also talking about the apathy that is caused by hard drug use.
The second line here could refer to the rise of hard drug use in the face of increased economic and geopolitical anxiety; that while there is discussion about all the problems the world faces many people resort to drug use and “nod out” as a way to avoid addressing the issues and drown out the chaos of the world.