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Vince Staples identifies as a Naughty Nasty Gangster Crip, this particular Crip gang claiming Ramona Park in North Long Beach, CA as home. Rival sets coming into Ramona Park territory are sure to face something from the holders, as Vince himself is willing to kill anyone coming at him.
Also note Vince payed homage to his hometown on his debut album, Summertime ‘06, with the tracks Ramona Park Legend Parts 1 & 2.
'Cause workin' to fail was better than bullet holes in my shirt
The demons hate when you make it and stay alive
They'd rather see me down under than see me fly
Lord have mercy ScHoolboy Q – Lord Have Mercy
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Once Q came to the realization that he could do more than gangbang for a living, he starting picturing his life not having to worry about being shot up day after day. Contrary to how he wants to live his life, his internal demons still tug at him to resort back to his old lifestyle, preferring him end up dying that being any kind of successful.
He ends his verse by sending a prayer to God that he can stay strong and live a prosperous life excluding the violence.
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ScHoolboy asks the question of whether one can hold on to friends once they’ve lost their money and fame, in other words asking:
This could just as easily be about his whole life, him being scared that if he loses all he’s worked for, he won’t have anyone or anything to stay with him.
I ain't in the middle of nothin' or in between nothin' (Nothin')
F y'all, forever hate me
As I sit here while they interrogate me
I'm staring at 'em with the (Blank face) ScHoolboy Q (Ft. Jadakiss) – Groovy Tony / Eddie Kane
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I'm a gangbanger, deadbeat father and drug dealer ScHoolboy Q – Lord Have Mercy
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Even though Q hasn’t been the best father to his daughter, he still has a strong sense of loyalty towards the members of his gang, the Hoover Street Crips.
Guess I'm bein' a real nigga like I'm 'posed to be
But bein' real never once bought the groceries and
Top told me, "Keep rappin', you'll make it hopefully" ScHoolboy Q – Lord Have Mercy
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Even after Q blew up with fame, he still hung with his men from the hood. Most rappers do this to be “real”, although Q fully commits by still partaking in gang activity.
Q trying to make it rapping was his start of a realization that being real never was able to put food on the table like this occupation does. Considering the words of Top, Q decided to get out of the hood and be successful.
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Flatline means for someone’s life to end, this being fitting by the flatline shown on a heart monitor when no more vitals are present in the human body.
Q will never shy away to pull the trigger that could end someone’s life; being soft in the hood is how you get yourself killed.
All of these lies, true to my life, word to my pencil
Take what you want, get what you like, open that window
Ain't that simple? Ain't it that simple?
Look through my motherfuckin' eyes, uh
Vision impaired by the high
No cares on my mind
Couple days, I'll be fine ScHoolboy Q (Ft. Anderson .Paak) – TorcH
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Paak and Q don’t live in over glorified lifestyles, as everything they’ve rapped about can be backed up by truth. They lived by the principle of “taking what you can get” and thus have ended up in positions of no regret, where it’s time to pass down this basic knowledge, like the passing of a torch, to those wondering how to reach success like they have.
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Q references the famous 2Pac poem, “The Rose That Grew From The Concrete”, saying that he rose to be successful in a hostile environment. The poem artfully showcases the damaging environment that many low income children grow up in, thus Q stating that many can’t match him because they simply don’t know what a real struggle feels like.
I know an M can make it perfect
It came through more than the one I worship ScHoolboy Q (Ft. Anderson .Paak) – TorcH
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Q claims he’s been troubled ever since he was born. Gang affiliation and drug dealing, among other hardships, were always a product of his environment.
An “M” is a million dollars. Society has taught Q that money can fix all of his problems, even moreso than his faith in God.
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