When Cats Claw
Cool Vibes: Decoding Shabazz Palaces' Enigmatic Message
Lyrics
For the stars (iceberg)
Expressing a desire for the stars, symbolized by an iceberg.
At the castle top
Referring to a castle top, possibly indicating a position of power or prominence.
With the cars
Mentioning cars, suggesting a connection to materialistic or worldly pursuits.
Told from the ancient scriptures and told to the mass
Referencing ancient scriptures and their communication to the masses.
Come on, blast
Encouraging action with a sense of urgency.
Eradicate, erase the crass
Advocating the elimination of vulgarity or rudeness.
I can't waste my time with you
Expressing a reluctance to spend time with someone.
You can't see the sky is blue
Highlighting a failure to perceive the obvious, like the color of the sky.
You can't wash the clown off you
Suggesting a difficulty in shedding a clown-like or unserious persona.
Can't you see the crown got jewels? (It sparkles)
Asserting the possession of valuable qualities, comparing them to a crown with jewels.
You ain't even put up on the juice (come on)
Criticizing a lack of effort or investment in gaining influence or power.
Everything you claim, no proof (come on)
Challenging the validity of someone's claims without evidence.
Tryna put his thang, no use (come on)
Implying the futility of someone's efforts or pursuits.
You gon' check my chains, yeah hook (come on)
Suggesting a lack of significance in inspecting the speaker's possessions.
That ain't cool (nah, nah)
Repeating that certain behaviors or attitudes are not considered cool.
This ain't cool (nah, nah)
-That's not cool (nah, nah)
-This ain't cool (nah, nah)
-That ain't cool (nah, nah)
-This ain't cool (nah, nah)
-Only thing on your mind is getting cake
Criticizing a preoccupation with acquiring wealth or success.
Your whole state of mind nigga, that's fake
Denouncing a false or deceptive state of mind.
Your value to the bay, inflated
Claiming that one's value to a specific location is exaggerated or false.
You just making moves, huh? Checkmate
Questioning the effectiveness of someone's strategic moves.
Every time I shot, I score
Boasting about consistent success, possibly in a competitive context.
Every time you rock niggas, sounds bored (snooze)
Observing that someone's actions or performance lacks enthusiasm.
Barbara says some sink, some soar
Referring to Barbara and contrasting outcomes—some sink, some soar.
Porter let the champagne pour
Describing a celebratory moment with champagne pouring.
I can't waste my time with you
Reiterating a refusal to invest time in someone lacking basic knowledge.
You can't see what's two plus two
-That ain't cool (nah, nah)
Reiterating that specific behaviors or attitudes are not considered cool.
That's not cool (nah, nah)
-That ain't cool (nah, nah)
-That's not cool (no)
-That ain't cool (nah, nah)
-This ain't cool (nah, nah)
-That's not cool (nah, nah)
-That's not cool
-It only matters if we discuss it (really)
Highlighting the importance of discussing matters for them to be relevant.
Bitch I'm better, this you can trust
Asserting superiority and trustworthiness.
Bitch I'm Crazy Horse and you're Custer
Drawing a comparison between the speaker (Crazy Horse) and someone less impressive (Custer).
Plus I'm flexin' with the Force bucket
Boasting about displaying strength or power with a Force bucket.
Your endeavors, how they're lackluster
Criticizing someone's efforts as lacking energy or inspiration.
You're unfamiliar with the G cutthroat
Pointing out someone's unfamiliarity with a cutthroat attitude.
Back to school or this degree's customs
Suggesting a need to return to basics or traditional values.
'Cause I'm cool
Repeating the assertion of being cool, perhaps as a self-affirmation.
'Cause I'm cool
-'Cause I'm cool
-'Cause I'm cool
-'Cause I'm cool
-It's 'cause I'm cool
-'Cause I'm cool (I'm cool)
-Yeah I'm cool
Affirming the speaker's perceived coolness.
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