Running Late
Chronicles of the Runnin' Late: Chief Keef's Urban Odyssey
Lyrics
One for the money, two for the drugs
Money and drugs are associated; perhaps a reference to the lifestyle of wealth and substance use.
Three for my pistol, four for the slug
Numbers three and four introduce elements of danger, with a pistol and a slug (bullet).
One, two, comin' for you
Counting up, creating a sense of anticipation or impending action.
Three, four, knockin' on your door
-Five, six, comin' through your gate
-Seven, eight, we was runnin' a lil' late
-Nine, ten, I'm ridin' with extendeds
More counting, now with references to weapons, hit lists, and jewelry, portraying a tough and affluent image.
Eleven, twelve, Forbes on my hit list
-Thirteen, fourteen, karats on my pinky
-Fifteen, sixteen, tattoos bitch, I'm inky
-Seventeen, eighteen, chains got me iced out
Description of ostentatious jewelry, with a warning that having money may attract danger.
Nineteen, twenty
-Fuckin' bands to get you sniped out
-Little case
-Twenty-one bands will get you right out
-Free Cdai, a 22 shotter's on me right now
Expression of solidarity with someone incarcerated (Free Cdai) and a warning about a 22-shot weapon.
Twenty-three's on the car
Details about the type of wheels (car and truck) and a mention of the Glock.
Twenty-four's on the truck
-Twenty-five times 2's in
-My motherfuckin' Glock
-I got twenty-six pumps for
Reference to multiple firearms and a threat towards rivals.
A motherfuckin' thot
-I'm sendin' twenty-seven shots at
-A motherfuckin' opp
-One for the money, two for the drugs
Repetition of the counting motif with a variation in the situation, emphasizing lateness.
Three for my pistol, four for the slug
-One, two, comin' for you
-Three, four, knockin' on your door
-Five, six, comin' through your gate
-Seven, eight, we was runnin' a little late
-Twenty-nine, thirty
Continuation of counting, with mentions of being "gone like a birdy" and a dirty ball, possibly referencing drug use.
I was posted with them 30's
-Thirty-one, thirty-two
-I'm so gone like a birdy
-Thirty-three, thirty-four
-Call me Sosa Paul Birdy
-Thirty-five, thirty-six
-I got my ball all dirty
-Thirty-seven, thirty-eight, Tony Tiger bitch
References to Tony Tiger and a desire for material possessions, including a fast car (143 and 144 could be speeds).
I'm great thirty-nine, forty
-I can sense these niggas fate
-Forty-one, forty-two
-I want it from them in the coupe
-I'm goin' 143 and 144 too
-Forty-five for my jacket, aw man!
Numbers associated with clothing and material wealth, emphasizing the rapper's affluence.
Forty-six in them and we givin' out ten
-Forty-seven of them bands
-Big racks like I wear a 48 in pants
-Bang bang
A verbal gunshot or exclamation, reinforcing a tough or aggressive persona.
One for the money, two for the drugs
Repetition of the counting sequence with the ongoing theme of danger and urgency.
Three for my pistol, four for the slug
-One, two, comin' for you
-Three, four, knockin' on your door
-Five, six, comin' through your gate
-Seven, eight, we was runnin' a little late
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