Lyrics
All the kids I used to hang with out in Salem
Alludes to the speaker's past in Salem, where former friends acknowledge his success but feel neglected.
Tell everybody that I popped off and I left 'em
People spread the news that the speaker has succeeded and moved on from his past associates.
They tell their college friends they knew me way before
Those from the speaker's past claim familiarity with him to impress others.
But now I never hit 'em back, I'm self absorbed
The speaker acknowledges being self-absorbed and not maintaining contact with old friends.
They prolly say I only care about the money
People assume the speaker prioritizes money, a common perception for those achieving success.
'Cause that's what everybody's thinkin' when you're buzzin'
Reference to the common belief that success leads to a focus on wealth.
They talk about me like I've had it made forever
Others discuss the speaker's life as if he always had a privileged existence.
Like we didn't sneak in and steal shit together
Reflects on a shared past of questionable activities with old friends.
Growing up I still think I had it pretty easy
The speaker reflects on his upbringing, feeling it was relatively easy.
But everyone who's rich I thought they were greedy
Despite the ease, the speaker associates wealth with greed based on observations.
My grandparents had a mansion and their son would get his lights cut off
The speaker's grandparents had wealth, but his father faced challenges, leaving an impact.
They never helped at all, that's staying with me
Emphasizes the lack of support from the speaker's wealthy relatives.
And daddy I don't mean to be so rude
The speaker expresses concern for his father's well-being.
But I worry 'bout you now, to tell the truth
The speaker worries about his father's situation, expressing honesty.
So tell them that I'm selfish and I'm stingy
The speaker acknowledges the negative perception of him as selfish and stingy.
I'm a money hungry sissy
The speaker plays on negative stereotypes but asserts his motivation is for someone else.
But I'm only gon' be rich, for you
Expresses the speaker's commitment to achieving wealth for a specific person.
But don't you feel bad, it's okay
Repetition of the chorus emphasizing the speaker's motivations and the judgment he faces.
I do it all for you, my friend
-Don't you feel good when it go away
-When it's on me instead
-All eyes on me, all hands on me, all blame on me, yeah
-All rain on me, if the ship just sank then shame on me
-I got a homie who's a rapper, if he's good it doesn't matter
-Goes to work, I hit the booth and then he picks me up right after
-Been kickin' it for years before I had my own career
-Shit I was climbin', he was climbin', he just stood on different ladder
-Just imagine
-He's been stagnant
-But now his younger friend blew up, like
-"How the fuck that happened?"
-You think he'd be bitter, actually he's not
-'Cause when his friend is A-List he thinks he gon' be on
-They gon' make it tuck together
-They gon' hit the club together
-They gon' prolly side together, fuck your label up together
-They gon' hit the stage together
-They gon' tour the world together
-They gon' meet some groupie chicks and then break up with their girls together
-I ain't even mad
-Maybe I would do the same shit
-I look into his eyes and I can see that expectation
-Now I can't escape it, that's what I signed to
-So I guess if I'm famous, I'll be famous for you
-But don't you feel bad, it's okay
-I do it all for you, my friend
-Don't you feel good when it go away
-When it's on me instead
-All eyes on me, all hands on me, all blame on me, yeah
-All rain on me, if the ship just sank then shame on me
-My family is like a team within that home
Highlights the competition and dynamics within the speaker's family.
But siblings compete together, isn't that so?
Explores the sibling rivalry and its common occurrence within families.
My mama grew up as a middle child in a middle class home
Details the speaker's mother's background and challenges.
They moved out and went on different paths alone
Describes the divergent paths taken by family members after moving out.
My two uncles went to college and killed it
Two uncles succeeded after college, contributing to a family success narrative.
They became a success story, the novel they scripted
Contrasts the uncles' success with the speaker's mother, who faced challenges.
My mama went to college but she dropped out and missed it
Explains the mother's college dropout due to personal issues.
'Cause she was having some new problems that she oughtta just deal with
Addresses the mother's challenges that she should confront.
And man I hate the way she talk like she don't think she a winner
The speaker dislikes how his mother talks about herself, lacking self-confidence.
I study her at the table at these holiday dinners
The speaker observes family dynamics during holiday gatherings.
My uncles talk about the jobs, but they only ask her sister
Uncles focus on the sister's success, overlooking the speaker's achievements.
About her soon-to-be-famous son 'cause wow, he's a killer
Reflects on the family's expectations regarding the speaker's fame.
She's so proud!
The mother expresses pride in the speaker's success.
And I can see the pride in her
The speaker notices and appreciates the pride in his mother.
And that shit makes me so happy that I can cry with her
The speaker is emotionally moved to tears by his mother's pride.
Now she'd become the focus and she deserve it too
The mother becomes the focus, and the speaker attributes his success to her.
So if I'm a success, I'm a success, for you
The speaker's success is linked to making his mother proud.
But don't you feel bad, it's okay
Repetition of the chorus reiterating the speaker's motivations and the potential consequences he may face.
I do it all for you, my friend
-Don't you feel good when it go away
-When it's on me instead
-All eyes on me, all hands on me, all blame on me, yeah
-All rain on me, if the ship just sank then shame on me
-(If the ship just sank, then shame on me)
The speaker acknowledges potential failure ("if the ship just sank") and accepts responsibility.
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