36
Lyrics
Number two boo boo straight caca (Yeah)
I smoke ganja with a dread-locked rasta
Move like Frank you will die like a hassa
Move like Jesus die like a martyr
Hell of a choice when you riding a Lamotta
Trynna get some hoes in the hot car
How far is we away, man? Not far
The greatness they claim, not all
Are not, we are those juggernauts
Me El, we hail
Like a young Che Guevara and Fidel
Castro, cash flow, car full of females
Bad hoes, we in the DR
Any fuck rapper boy gettin’ out of line
I pray the preacher beat him to the goddamn ER
I spit them country rap tunes like Hee-Haw
Cocaine flow fishscale no re-rock
Take a snort for yourself shawty, see? “He raw. See he raw!”
That’s you shawty go on snort your nose off
Then put the news in the street Tom Brokaw
‘Cause of you shawty met a bad stone bitch out of
Brooklyn and that Brooklyn bitch straight got broke off
Yeah she called her homegirl from the BX, freaky lil ‘Rican brought X and we sexed
Couple months later brought ’em down to Atlanta
And let ’em style on the ‘bamas that’s right yeah we flex
Heard she got a baby daddy and a nigga
Acting aggy runnin’ round talkin’ ’bout yeah he plexed
Nigga better pray for a ho like he
Tebow though, ’cause right now he stay losin’ like The Jets
And I walk around like I got a 36″ chain
And I walk around like I got a 36″ chain
Bitch we be that shit that’s right
Light a flare put your thumbs in the air high five
I came for the stash box gimme that
I been waitin’ for this all my life
3 AM and I’m still not right
Still awake still away from fading, crazy
Psilocybin, why the ride so hazy
Dribble this spit till the street gets wavy
The bliss and pure shit magician
Get to skipping
Not too tall dark and handsome man
But I talk dark for ransoms man
Spend grands of those zombies
Folded origami
Yes I bag the clams
Anyone object to the styles, get a smile and a backwards hand
(Peep that) Felonious face in the place of an angel
Bringing that buckshot back to the table
Been a veteran, earthbound hellion
Try to say grace get a face full of staples
Woke up and the city air smelled like maple
If you come straight from New York you relate
If you come straight from another place stay too
Me and Mike got the whole map held safe
Be it NYC or the ATL
From the ceilings of heaven to the gates of hell
We murder death killed every stage we step
Homicide times two better warn yourself, El
Anybody looking for some trouble better self med
We could double dutch in a minefield, hell gets
Just the right temperature, break beat minister
River-dance cleats on your face for the finisher
The audacious energy of Run the Jewels, evident in their song ’36
The duo composes a labyrinth of references to personal prowess, societal struggles, and the rap game that make this track a complex piece of art worth dissecting.
The Swagger of a Symbolic Chain
To walk with the weight of a ’36
In this way, the ’36
A Glimpse into the Rebel’s Mindset
Run the Jewels casts themselves as modern-day revolutionaries, akin to Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, using their music as their weapon of choice. They don’t just want to shake up the rap scene; they aim to disrupt the status quo altogether. ‘Like a young Che Guevara and Fidel,’ they equate their lyrical prowess and subversive themes to the rebellious impact of these historical figures.
This isn’t just about being outsiders in the music industry; it’s a statement about their role in society. They see themselves as leaders in a cultural revolution, questioning and challenging the establishment with every verse they spit.
Uncut Veracity: The Purest Form of Social Commentary
With references to cocaine and Tom Brokaw, Killer Mike draws parallels between drug purity and the unfiltered truth they deliver in their lyrics. Their music isn’t diluted or cut with mainstream expectations—it’s raw and potent, intended to hit listeners with the force of unadulterated reality.
This isn’t just about substance abuse or street credibility. It’s a metaphor for their artistry. They’re supplying listeners with the unvarnished truth of their experiences and perspectives, much like a pure substance would have a potent effect on its user.
A Tapestry of Hedonism and Haze
The dewy scenes of late nights, psychedelics, and sexual encounters create a rich backdrop for the song, a vivid depiction of excess and the pursuit of pleasure. However, it’s not only a bragging rite of a hedonistic lifestyle; it’s an exploration of the human need to evade reality, to find solace in the surreal.
These lines are not simple braggadocio about illicit behaviors. They serve as a commentary on escapism and the complexities of life that drive individuals to seek out these experiences. It’s as much about the human condition as it is about the thrill.
Decoding The Hidden Rebellion
Amid the braggadocio and gritty narratives, ’36
Like most Run the Jewels tracks, the surface-level intricacies are just the tip of the iceberg. The real treasure lies beneath, in the clever wordplay and cultural references that peel back to reveal the heart of their revolutionary message.
