Song Meaning

Crooked I's "Howling," featuring Vato, isn't just a rap song; it's a raw, unfiltered howl of protest against systemic injustice. The track, laced with conspiracy theories and historical references, articulates a deep-seated distrust of American institutions. One-2's opening verse sets the stage, indicting a nation built on "treason" and haunted by the ghosts of colonialism. He paints a bleak picture of modern America, where corporations reign supreme, and the government manufactures crises to control the population. The "aids was manufactured by the government" line, while controversial, underscores the pervasive sense of betrayal and manipulation that fuels the song's rage. This isn't just about personal grievances; it's a condemnation of a system designed to keep minorities oppressed and desperate. The repeated line comparing his fate to Kennedy's suggests a perceived silencing and threat against those who speak truth to power. Crooked I doubles down on this theme, invoking the legacy of the Black Panthers and the ever-present reality of racism. His verse is a fiery blend of personal defiance and political commentary. The line, "House niggas, who doin' exactly what the massah do," cuts deep, exposing the insidious ways in which oppression can be internalized and perpetuated. He name-checks George Bush, hinting at the personal nature of his dissent, while simultaneously connecting it to broader historical injustices like the King Alfred Plan. There's a potent mix of anger and resilience in his words, a refusal to be silenced or broken by a system that seems determined to destroy him. The references to Sean Bell and the hope that his killers "fry in hell" are visceral and unflinching. The chorus, "I know justice ain't blind, bitch want me doin' time, 'cause bein' me is a crime," encapsulates the core message of "Howling." It's an acknowledgment that the rules are rigged, that the system is actively working against him. The outro solidifies this sense of alienation, with Crooked I declaring, "I feel like the whole muthafuckin' country is stabbin' me in the god damn back." This isn't just about individual experiences; it's a collective cry of pain and frustration from a community that feels betrayed and abandoned. The closing call for self and financial education is a testament to the power of individual agency in the face of systemic oppression. In its totality, "Howling" is a potent and provocative exploration of race, power, and resistance in America.

Crooked I & One-2 - Rap

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2 Plays

[Intro: Crooked I] The Block Obama Mixtape for the streets Treacherous mafia One-2 [One-2] Yeah Ya'namean, we all for change (Oww) Yeah As I approach the podium, these are my last words (Yeah) Ya feel me So put your fist in the air C'mon Like that Yeah One-2 Crooked I Uh (Obama) [Verse 1: One-2] Yeah We pledge allegiance to a nation built on treason They slaughtered the Natives and started invading their regions Which is modern day America, imaginary freedom I'm like Maximus battlin' Caesar in the Colosseum (Yeah) A rebel taking action and I'm lovin' it It's a fact that aids was manufactured by the government (Yeah) Mental slavery, just face it, it's obvious A country ran by corrupt corporations and lobbyists The president's a puppet (Haha) That's the reason why kids on the street grow up wit the mentality like "Fuck it!" Father a life of crime wit no father to escort me I just went to court and they threatenin' to deport me Fuck Ronald Reagan's war on drugs 'Cause nowadays oil is valued more than blood In God we trust Fightin' over religion and still occupying countries, colonialism Facin' army's equipped wit Glock's and shanks Little Iraqi kids throwin' rocks at tanks All for the cheese, go out of our ways to get a slice Work 7 days, stuck in a maze like little mice Lost, payin' the price with poverty, low in funds Society structured to keep you constantly on the run The media be strivin' to keep us dumb So we don't question the reason why there's mostly minorities in the slums (Yeah) It's a trap, we at war without preparation They wanna see us sellin' drugs out of desperation Revolutionary, The streets will remember me These are my last words before they kill me like Kennedy (What) Yeah I said the streets will remember me These are my last words before they kill me like Kennedy (Yeah) [Chorus: Crooked I] I know justice ain't blind Bitch want me doin' time 'Cause bein' me is a crime Pay attention to the signs (Watch the signs, nigga) (Watch 'em) I know justice ain't blind Bitch want me doin' time (Bitch) 'Cause bein' me is a crime (Damn) Pay attention to the signs [Verse 2: Crooked I] Yeah I love Pac 'cause he was raised by some Panthers I was raised by some Panthers too Tell me what the answers to Racism I face in America That's a cancer too House niggas, who doin' exactly what the massah do Fuckin' your own people, that's genocidal I'm homicidal Fuck my rivals I bust my rifle (Blaow) 5-0, dead on arrival There's no survival Devils either penetrated the pages of the bible Home sweet home Nigga, this modern day Rome As-salamu alaykum, I was raised to say "shalom" They create the division, the division lives in your dome Brainwashed with religion but the vision isn't your own (Oww) Uh Bush don't like me, he say "Fuck Crooked I" But he comes from me, according to chromosome Y Got a killers appetite 'cause the police be prejudice as Albert Pike But fuck 'em, I ain't dyin' without a fight Yeah Google these jewels I'm droppin' so you can see That the King Alfred plan was meant to get rid of me See I'm mad, I was a young kid on government cheese Now I'm in the upper tax bracket Payin' the government cheese Hustlin' weed while my older brother was fuckin' with ki's Same people who said it was wrong, they hung us from trees Strange fruit I bang truth When I see a racist like Babe Ruth, I aim, shoot (What, blaow hahahaha) And for what you did to Shawn Bell Hope you cops fry in hell You can kill me as well (Tell 'em) Say a prayer in the dark, put my hand over my heart C.O.B. is my religion 'Til death do us part Hahaha Yeah Say a prayer in the dark Hand over my heart, nigga (Yeah, nigga) [Chorus: Crooked I] I know justice ain't blind (Justice ain't blind, nigga) Bitch want me doin' time (She can see just fine) 'Cause bein' me is a crime (We from a muthafuckin' society...) Pay attention to the signs (Where our skin is our detriment, nigga) (Yeah) I know justice ain't blind (And I'm supposed to act like this shit ain't goin' on) Bitch want me doin' time (I'm not in the matrix, nigga) 'Cause bein' me is a crime (I'm outside of the matrix) Pay attention to the signs (Pay attention to the signs) [Outro: Crooked I] Yeah, man American me I feel like the whole muthafuckin' country is stabbin' me in the god damn back This is just how I feel Hahahaha They say the best education is self education, nigga Know thy self Biatch Financial education comes in a close second Hahahahaha

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Writers: Crooked I
One-2

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