Excuse Me by A$AP Rocky Lyrics Meaning – Peeling Back the Layers of Glamour and Grit
Lyrics
This for my broke jiggy niggas right now, you know (excuse me, fuck out my face)
They say wealth is in the mind, not the pocket (jiggy shit bruh, bruh)
I learned that from a very wise man (gotta pocket full of stones like Pimp said and shit)
(Uh, yeah)
Okay excuse me, Mr. Bill Collector, I got problems
My check arrive mañana, I’ma pay my debt, I promise
I spent 20 thousand dollars with my partners in Bahamas
Another 20 thousand dollars on Rick Owens out in Barneys
I said excuse me, why the fuck you lookin’? What’s your problem?
I swear we gon’ have drama if you touch my tailored garments
All you see is niggas here, so that means it’s triggers there
What you mean? We got weed, and codeine and bricks for sale
I bet a lot of niggas plottin’ so you know I got that heater, bruh
Drive my side of Harlem, catch me ridin’ with my nina, bruh
She got an apple bottom that remind you of Bonita, bruh
Oh you mean like Q-Tip? Now that girl my new bitch
Excuse me, no, I believe the proper term’s excuse you
I could switch up on you niggas and start shittin’ if I choose to
That’s when the new you becomin’ different since they knew you
I guess the new me is just gon’ take some gettin’ used to
Excuse me, I tell them they’re excused
What’s the word around town? Tell me what’s the latest news
And uh, who them niggas? I tell ’em we them dudes
Ain’t got time to make excuses bro we steady making moves
And I, run the game even when they bend the rules
I pay very close attention after that I pay my dues
And uh, excuse me, may I be excused?
‘Cause I gave this shit my all, ain’t got nothing left to lose
Tell me why the little niggas talking like they killas, bruh?
Nowadays these niggas always caught up in they feelings, bruh
But I stay 100 ’cause you know I keep it trilla, bruh
Mobbin’ like 2Pacalypse or Bishop how I Hit ‘Em Up
Fill ’em up with lyrics, bury all my victims, kill ’em
Dig ’em up again, to say I did it
Snitches excuse me, mind your business, bruh
Swear that you could get it, girl
She a fashion killa, huh?
Killa girl, I’m a go-getter, shit, get it, girl
Flacko, where you been?
I’ve been thuggin’ with my niggas, bruh
Flacko, how you been?
I’m still thuggin’ with my niggas, bruh
Flacko, where you been?
I’ve been thuggin’ with my niggas, bruh
Flacko, how you been?
I’ve been thuggin’ with my
Buggin’ with my niggas, go sluggin’
Tell me who fuckin’ with my niggas
Who run it? My niggas
Fuck up, they buggin’
Now niggas slump over Robitussin in public
Cup full of purple substance or something
My niggas, the only thing that move me
Excuse me
Excuse me, I tell them they’re excused
What’s the word around town? Tell me what’s the latest news
And uh, who them niggas? I tell ’em we them dudes
Ain’t got time to make excuses bro we steady making moves
And I, run the game even when they bend the rules
I pay very close attention after that I pay my dues
And uh, excuse me, may I be excused?
‘Cause I gave this shit my all, ain’t got nothing left to lose
Flacko, Flacko, Flacko
Flacko, Flacko, Flacko
Flacko, Flacko, Flacko
Flacko, Flacko, Flacko
Excuse Me
At first glance, A$AP Rocky’s song ‘Excuse Me’ from his 2015 album ‘At. Long. Last. A$AP’ radiates the effervescent bravado and luxury typically associated with the life of a rap superstar. The track, a wistful journey through the dichotomies of fame and struggle, casts a spell with its hazy production and Rocky’s nonchalant flow. But beneath the surface of flexing and fashion references, ‘Excuse Me’ serves as a canvas for Rocky to draw out the complexities of his ascent from Harlem streets to haute couture.
A Testament to Triumph Over Adversity
The song opens with a declaration for the underdogs, the ‘broke jiggy niggas’, before swiftly diving into the hustle of wealth acquisition. A$AP Rocky gives a nod to ‘very wise’ sentiments equating wealth with mindset, then layers his experiences over this philosophy. It’s a track that’s both a victory lap for his success against the odds and a homage to the mental strength it took to get there.
This juxtaposed rendering of opulence versus struggle illustrates a core theme of ‘Excuse Me’: the relentless pursuit of success. Rocky’s transitory issues with bill collectors and impressive expenditures highlight a tension between the responsibilities of his roots and the freedoms of his success.
A Psychedelic Trip Through Fame’s Ephemeral Nature
A$AP Rocky’s choices in production always tend to favor atmospheric vibes, but in ‘Excuse Me’ it’s more than just ambiance: it’s a deliberate ploy to illustrate the psychedelic and sometimes disorienting nature of fame. The nebulous beats mirror the hazy reality of a lifestyle inundated with excess and substance, a comment on the fine line artists walk between self-indulgence and self-destruction.
As he trips through the murkiness of his newfound lifestyle, Rocky overlaps his music with the altered perceptions that fame has brought him. The intoxication of success is palpable as he strides through designer boutiques and exotic locales, framing his journey with a surreal brushstroke.
Hidden Meanings in Harlem’s Hometown Hero’s Verses
Despite the overt braggadocio, ‘Excuse Me’ intricately details the sobering reality of Rocky’s Harlem heritage. The casual mention of ‘triggers there’ juxtaposes chillingly with the high life, reinforcing the hidden dialogue about the constant presence of danger, even amidst the glamour. It underscores a more profound commentary on the coexistence of affluence and the inescapable shadows of a tumultuous past.
The lyrics reflect Rocky’s struggle with a changing identity and the expectations as his ‘new me’ emerges. It’s an introspective take on personal evolution and the bittersweet dynamic of leaving behind the familiar for the uncertainties of a transformed self.
Rhymes that Resonate: The Most Memorable Lines
‘I guess the new me is just gon’ take some getting used to’ encapsulates the song’s essence— Rocky acknowledging that his transformation is as much an internal battle as an external display. This line resonates as a universal truth about growth and change, which often come with discomfort and resistance.
Rocky’s mention of ‘my niggas’ throughout the track is also impactful, reminding us of the loyalty and camaraderie that remain a constant in his changing world. It’s this grounding element that adds depth to the track, ensuring that the message isn’t lost in translation amid the brash confidence.
The Journey from Asphalt to Ivory Towers
Ultimately, A$AP Rocky’s ‘Excuse Me’ illustrates the narrative of a man transitioning from the gritty pavement of New York’s underbelly to the polished floors of high fashion showrooms. It’s a story that is both deeply personal and widely emblematic of a culture that reveres the ‘come up’ story.
The song becomes an anthem for transformation and persistence, a reminder that where we come from doesn’t have to dictate where we end up. It’s a powerful testament to the artist’s ability to navigate and shape his destiny, all while inviting the listener to examine their circumstances with the hope of transcendence.
