Cover art for DOWN BY LAW by Killer Mike & CeeLo Green
Jun. 16, 20231 viewer30.8K views

DOWN BY LAW Lyrics

[Intro: Rico Wade & CeeLo Green]
I just think timin' is everything
Like nigga, this it, this, this one right here
That ain't easy
Stay motivated, stay inspired
I owe it to myself, stay down on it
And it ain't been hard throughout the journey
It's been a journey
Ooh
Ooh
Hey


[Verse: Killer Mike & CeeLo Green]
Hello, hello my niggas
Hello my, hello my niggas
Please keep it mellow, my niggas
Stop sippin' yellow, my nigga
You itchin' and twitchin' and glitchin', my nigga
Listen, my nigga (Shh)
Snakes in your circle and them bitches hissin', my nigga
My nigga don't listen, one thing I hate 'bout my nigga
So I just pray 'bout my nigga
Nigga, it's hard, niggas done gave up on God
Maybe God gave up on us
Maybe She angry we worshippin' all these false idols, so devils just prеyin' on us
This for the junkie, the fiеnd and the loser
Prayin' to God in the back of a cruiser
I pray that prison can cure your addiction
And devil's affliction don't hurt you no more
Needin' no reason, but I'll let you know
I was so young when I stood at that store
That I did not know that the money you paid me was meant for your babies and now they just poor
It was just business, my nigga
I am not vicious, my nigga
I had no vision, my nigga
I wanted Gucci and Fendi, my nigga
Gucci, Givenchy, my nigga

But none of them crackers ain't love us, my nigga
All of them crackers said fuck us, my nigga
Mad 'cause they women in love with the god
They fuck us and suck us and love us, my nigga
Back to the trap, back to the Dickies and buffs
Lookin' like I drive a truck
Fuckin' my bitch? Shit, better be rich, she buy a new bag of weed
Goddamnit, I don't understand it, but if she's an addict, this Gucci purse gon' get her geeked
Thick with her ass, she in some Betty Shabazz, pretty as Coretta Scott
All that I got, she got the face of a model
She got the heart of Assata
She from the gutter, my nigga
Wife and a mother, my nigga
Winnie Mandela, my nigga

Free Leonard Pelletier, my nigga, Obama
Please free our mama, my nigga, Asada, my nigga
Please free
Mutulu, my nigga
Heart of a Zulu, my nigga
Free Larry Hoover, my nigga, free Jeff Fort, my nigga
Fuck all the courts, my nigga
Movin' like Malcolm and Martin and King
Lift every voice, this the song that I sing
Born in the womb of a beautiful teen
I am a beautiful, wonderful thing
I am a king, my woman's a queen
Master Fard said we are the God
I study hard like John Henrik Clarke
Even in my days of whippin' the hard
I'll tell the devil that Black man is God
Keepin' it player, just playin' my part
Lean on my Demon and post in the park
Jewelry on gleamin' like Rakim Allah
My Eric B. is my nine in the car
You try to G me, get nine in your jaw

Bless all the felons that handled the raw
Fuck all the tellers that ran to the law (Hey)
Watch out for the hitters with sticks in the car
My name is Michael, I'm down by law
[Outro: CeeLo Green & Rico Love]
Won't you help us, oh, holy Father? (Oh, holy Father)
And I could show as a martyr (I could show as a martyr)
Like nobody's gonna live forever and neither am I
Two shots for the city that raised me (Atlanta, Georgia)
Thanks for the pain that you gave me (I'm so thankful for ya)
Because without it, no one would've known that I was even alive
I'm down
This shit is so Atlanta, down by law

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Genius Annotation

The song “Down by Law” by Killer Mike & CeeLo Green explores various themes such as personal struggles, social injustice, resilience, and pride in one’s roots.

The lyrics delve into the challenges faced by individuals in their daily lives. The artists touch on themes of addiction, poverty, and the temptations that can lead people astray. Killer Mike addresses the struggles of addiction, expressing his hope that those who are caught in its grip can find redemption and escape its grasp. He also reflects on his own past desires for materialistic possessions like Gucci and Fendi, highlighting the realization that these luxury brands do not offer genuine love or acceptance from those who perpetuate systemic racism.

The song also emphasizes the importance of community and the strength that comes from collective identity and history. The references to influential figures like Assata Shakur, Winnie Mandela, and Malcolm X emphasize the idea of empowerment and resistance against oppression. The artists mention the desire for freedom and justice, paying homage to social and political activists like Mutulu Shakur, Larry Hoover, and Jeff Fort.

In addition, the lyrics highlight the artists' pride in their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. They express gratitude for the pain and struggles they have experienced because it has shaped their identity and made them who they are. They acknowledge the challenges faced by Atlanta, while also celebrating its unique culture and its significance in their lives.

Overall, “Down by Law” is a reflection on personal struggles, resilience, and the importance of community in the face of adversity. It encourages listeners to stay motivated and inspired, highlighting the power of unity and individual strength in the pursuit of justice and personal growth.

Credits
Producer
Additional Vocals
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Assistant Mastering Engineer
Additional Production
Mixing Engineer
Recording Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Bass Guitar
Assistant Recording Engineer
Released on
June 16, 2023
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