Sometimes, song lyrics can get a little deep. Mentions and name-drops and metaphors where you just don’t know what the heck this guy or girl is talking about.
For rap, luckily there’s a site that handles that for you.
And that site is Rap Genius, which takes rap lyrics and provides you with literal translations of what those lyrics are and what they mean.
Users post their translations of lyrics, and, much like Urban Dictionary, you can thumbs-up and thumbs-down what’s written. Rap Genius staff will also go through and vet the translations, if for nothing else to make sure the translations aren’t terribly offensive, regardless of upvotes.
Some of the translations are good:
Childish Gambino – “Heartbeat”
I Wanted You To Know
That I Am Ready To Go, Heartbeat
My Heartbeat
This line expresses the contradictory feelings he has for the one special girl who he loves and hates the most. This is theme of the song.
These three lines play off “I’m ready to go in a heartbeat,” shortening it for rhyming sake and creating a beat with the word’s meaning of a heart beating. The first meaning means he’s ready to leave her in a heartbeat.
Some are… well, obvious:
Drake – “Fancy”
You getting ready so I know we gon be here awhile
Girls take forever to get ready if they’re trying to look good, while men just throw on a button-up and wonder what’s taking so long
Speaking of Drake, here’s him in an episode of the Canadian teen angst series Degrassi.
And then there’s the obligatory Hater Of The Day:
Kanye West (Feat. Pusha T) – “Runaway”
I’m just young, rich and tasteless
Modern day rapper.
So yeah, get all up in there and shake ya tailfeather! (Translation: Move your buttocks side to side.)
I don’t know.
Question, Shawties: What rap lyric has has absolutely confused you?
