YAATIE

Refers to the year 1991, the artist's birth year, and the beginning of his life.

Describes moving to Witteboome suburb where there's a presence of drug dealing.

Expresses the artist's association with people in prison and their struggles.

Emphasizes that the lyrics are not driven by emotion, so one should not confuse them with personal feelings.

Highlights the universal nature of everyone having a unique story.

Mentions being like the "Fresh Prince" but not living in Bel-Air (contrasting with the TV show).

Recalls trying hairstyles and experimenting with appearance, specifically using gel for hair spikes.

Describes selling Nike shoes, mentioning a person named Sieka who had a significant number of pairs.

Challenges accusations of being fake or a fraud, highlighting the power of the pen over physical violence.

Reiterates the strength of words (pen) over material possessions (sword).

States the artist's avoidance of drug use and high-end fashion.

Expresses the artist's proficiency in lyrical combat, comparing it to Jean-Claude Van Damme's martial arts skills.

Mentions social media platforms (Snapchat, Twitter) and the artist's preference for being on the streets with "street lords."

Highlights the artist's presence on the streets despite societal expectations.

Identifies as Rick James, a persona that precedes an impending revelation or action.

Suggests a nickname reveal or a significant statement following the identification as Rick James.

Repetition of the chorus asserting the artist's identity as "Yaatie" and acknowledgment from the community.

You know he’s a laanie

Probably know your sister and your taanie

My bru his name Yaatie Yaatie

You know he’s a laanie

Go ask the taxi drivers and the gaatjies

They say they know Yaatie Yaatie

You know he’s a laanie

Probably know your sister and your taanie

My bru his name Yaatie Yaatie

You know he’s a laanie

Go ask the taxi drivers and the gaatjies

Community affirmation of knowing "Yaatie."

Recollection of childhood experiences, including receiving coins from grandma, spending them at a barbershop, and encountering violence.

Saved a couple pennies I spent it at the babi shop

I found out the stabbed him and my body felt a shock

I realise these aren’t fairy tales and Goldilocks

6 years old in Ocean View I got the chicken pox

Brasse broke into my house they good at picking locks

Music permi playing you could hear the boom-box

A naughty little laatie just like Riley Boondocks

Reflects on the artist's uncle's troubled life and upbringing in the ghetto.

My uncle was a skelem he was smoking mandrax

When he walked in everybody used to stand back

He grew up in the ghetto breakfast wasn’t flapjacks

Expresses the artist's family background, loss of the father, and disagreement with the mother about the father's legacy.

I had to good parents one of them was absentee

My daddy passed away and so I’m saying RIP

My mommy hates his name but I have to disagree

Repetition of the chorus confirming "Yaatie's" identity and recognition from various sources.

You know he’s a laanie

Probably know your sister and your taanie

My bru his name Yaatie Yaatie

You know he’s a laanie

Go ask the taxi drivers and the gaatjies

They say they know Yaatie Yaatie

You know he’s a laanie

Probably know your sister and your taanie

My bru his name Yaatie Yaatie

You know he’s a laanie

Go ask the taxi drivers and the gaatjies

They say they know Yaatie

Repetition of "Riyad" as a rhythmic element and reinforcement of "Yaatie's" identity.

Uh Riyad

Uh Riyad

Uh Riyad

Riyad

My bru his name Yaatie Yaatie

You know he’s a laanie

Probably know your sister and your taanie

Final affirmation of "Yaatie's" identity and a potential reference to the artist's friend with the name "Yaatie."