Continuing from climbing through his roots, note the historical timeline:

• From the soil could suggest before Africans were taken as slaves to America. As it is well known, African-Americans descend from Africans and were taken as slaves around the 1600s. Around that time, Africans were fully reliant on food grown from the soil, crops and other things.

• To the poe could mean right until now, where many Black Americans live in poor neighbourhoods. Note how Stalley connects this geographically, from Africa to America. Except, he ain’t Prince Akeem. Here’s a further explanation from Kendrick.

Now that Stalley’s moved from the soil to the poe, historically, he himself has moved from rags to riches via rapping. He does roll with MMG. Thugnificent did the same except, well, he went back to rags. UPS Rags.

• This could be a play on Amy Winehouse‘ sophomore album, Back to Black.

• Stalley’s returning to his african roots – no Kunta Kente. Note: in Africa – specifically South Africa – when the people protest it is known as Toyi-Toyi and involves a lot of singing and dancing. As black people in South Africa used it during the Apartheid era, it intimidated the police and was used as a military weapon.

• Climbing through my roots may suggest that Stalley is still trying to find his identity as he goes through his history. This is shown through the next line.

You can hate on him for going against, it’ll only make him stronger. Or you can join him and and make the force even bigger.

United we stand, divide we fall.

Here Stalley’s referring to the Power Fist, which is a sign of militancy and fighting the power. This also sets the tone of the song.

Since Stalley’s gained a bit of weight – hence the song being called Hercules right? – he’s taking all the weak guys out. Note how Stalley stutters here: c-c-coming for you haters. This could mean two things:

• Stalley could be showing how scared these guys get when they realize that he’s taking them out. And Stalley is going all Hercules on ‘em…

• He could be using the stuttering to show that he’s coming for them, one at a time. So if Stalley ain’t showed up yet, best believe he will.

Earl’s also been stuttering. But that’s just because he’s been belittling men.

Boppers = Women who love a guy for his status. See a more detailed explanation here.

Women would definitely love to see Stalley swangin' with the bass slapping in the Chevy. And they’re most likely to catch a love hangover.

He’s with your girl and he’s doing more than just kissing her. Chiddy does what he wants with her and then he’ll be done with her for good. Here’s the wordplay:

• Casper, is a reference to the cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost. Seeing as Casper is a ghost, in real life you wouldn’t see him – if he existed. In the same way, when Chiddy’s done with your girl she won’t see him ever again. Ghost is also slang for leaving without letting anyone know, disappearing. Not so friendly though.

Cape: Bathing Robe.

Chiddy describes the setting of his situation right now. The mourning after he and this french girl get together, he’s waking and putting on his robe and she’s probably in the bathroom fixing herself. After the Crêpe Suzette of course.

Real Chiddy: Instagram, Twitter.

Chiddy only has a thing for girls who know how to swallow kids. And that’s only when he’s chilling with his crew, probably having a party with a Jacuzzi.

• A reference to Ace Hood’s Hustle Hard. Chiddy’s still going to work hard.

• Don’t take Chiddy for a soft guy, he does have the Guinness Flow. He also draws a parallel between hard and soft using the truffle. Truffle’s are sweet confectioneries, usually come in chocolate, and appear to be hard all around but have a soft spot on the inside. Chiddy is not like that.