In "Swagger Like Us," T.I., Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne boast about their unique style and success, emphasizing that no one can compare.
The core message of the lyrics is:
Uniqueness and superiority: Each rapper claims that their style is unmatched and surpasses everyone else's. They highlight their individuality through fashion, wealth, influence, and lyrical prowess.
Success through hardship: Kanye West and Jay-Z touch upon their journeys to success, which weren't easy. They earned their fortune and status by overcoming obstacles and "working for the man."
Authenticity: T.I. stresses the importance of being true to oneself and living up to one's words. He takes pride in his "revolutionary" lifestyle and "gangsta" style inherited from his father.
The chorus serves as a mantra, emphasizing their confidence and dominance. Repeating the phrase "Nobody on the corner got their swagger like us" creates an atmosphere of unwavering self-belief and establishes their position in the hip-hop world.
Imagery:
Fashion: Kanye West mentions luxury brands, Jay-Z talks about his own clothing designs, and Lil Wayne describes his "ice and chains."
Wealth: Jay-Z boasts about not being able to fit money in skinny jeans, Kanye West compares his image to a million dollars.
Music: Kanye West compares his breath control on tracks to an "asthma attack," while T.I. refers to his verses as "classic."
Overall, "Swagger Like Us" is an anthem of self-assurance and achievement, capturing the competitive spirit within the world of hip-hop.
[Intro/Chorus: sample of M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes"]
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
[Kanye West]
Mr. West is in the building
Swagger on a hundred thousand, trillion
Ayo I know I got it first
I'm Christopher Columbus, y'all just the pilgrims
Thanksgiving do we even gotta question
Hermes, Pastelle, I pass the dressing
My attitude is tattooed
That means permanent so I guess I should address it, huh?
My swagger is Mick Jagger
Every time I breathe on the track I asthma attack it
Why he's so mad for, why he gotta habit
Cuz I slaved my whole life, now I'm the master
Na-Na-Na, how it feel to wake up and be the (shit)
And (Urine) Na-Na-Na-Na-Na
Trying to get that Kobe number, one over Jordan
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
[Jay-Z]
No one on the corner gotta bop like this
Can't wear skinny jeans cuz my knots don't fit
No one on the corner gotta pocket like this
So I rock Roc jeans cuz my knots so thick
You can learn how to dress
Just by checking my fresh
Checking checking my fresh
Checking checking my fresh
Follow my steps, it's the road to success
Where the ngas looking feral
When the girls say yes
But I can't teach you my swag
You can pay for school but you can't buy class
School of hard knocks I'm a grad
And that all-blue yankee is my graduation cap, it's
Hova, dipping different rovers whipping with the soda
Hova, could u even have any doubt that the doubt is over
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
[Lil Wayne]
No one on the corner has swagger like moi, Church
But I'm too clean for these boys
I require what I desire I got stripes, A-di-das
Mami scream papi no mas
Run up in your shit just me no moss
Runnin this shit like I got four thighs
No one has swagger like these four guys
When it comes to styles I got several
Sharper than a swagger dagger all metal
And my jewelz blue and yellow
Type of shit that make em call you Carmelo
Rules as follows stay true to the ghetto
Write your name on the bullet make you feel special
Ha, what the fuck you boys talking about?
I know it's us cuz we the only thing you talk about
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
(And I'm gone)
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
(Bye! )
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
[T.I.]
{YOU THINK}
You can go see Weezy for the wordplay,
Jeezy for the birdplay,
Kan-yeezy for diversity
And me for controversy,
All my verses picture perfect
Only spit to serve a purpose,
If you ain't living what you kicking then you worthless,
Looking from the surface it may seem that I got reason to be nervous
Then observe my work and see that my adversity was worth it,
Verses autobiographical, absolutely classical,
Last thing I'm worried 'bout is what another rapper do,
Ain't nobody hot as me...
Even if they rap they ass off blast off and have outstanding qualities,
Sell a lotta records I respect and salute that,
But spitting real life on hot beats...
I'm the truth at, you kick it like me no exaggeration necessary,
Living revolutionary, nothing less than legendary,
Gangsta shit hereditary, got it from my dad
Flow colder than February with extraordinary swag
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
No one on the corner have swagger like us
Swagger like us, swagger like us
