Get It by Run the Jewels Lyrics Meaning – Untangling the Rage and Revelation
Lyrics
Any sanity left (Nah)
Any chance for humanity’s landing on who’s the next up
Hope we handed ’em ammo enough to work from the neck up
Those who handling damage control don’t wish us the best luck
I’m a living in smoke type
Floating with a grin over the moat type
Harry Allen on you bitch, I believe no hype
Closer to the edge than even we want to admit
If this don’t go right
Then assholes like myself are proven so right
All I got is this rap shit
All I want is a castle
And to move like a man with a minimum of harassment
The company of women with opinions and fat asses
That’s my list of demands
You don’t answer them, get the Gatling
I’m stuck in a time capsule
When rap was actually factual
Meanest shit you spit might cause killers to come and clap at you
Stupid, goofy, stooly
The gooch in Gucci will slap you
And that go for the cop kissing cats that’s in the back of you
They all sweet as Little Richard damn
Good God Molly
It make a nigga like me go “Woo!” and rob the party
I exit stepping with my weapon with the Jefferson walk
If you expressing any objections you can get left in chalk
So my suggestion’s let a G be
Forgive my transgressions
Or I’mma be in Catholic confessions professing depression
I’m chin checking, chill stressing, on your button I’m pressing
Mike will fuck a rapper’s life up like Mo’Nique did to Precious
You know I
Get it
My name is Jaime Meline
I’m not chasing the green, I’m taking it
Bosses don’t change a thing in the name of seemingly making it
Servants will kiss the ring of whoever they think is paying ’em
You don’t deserve the spit that they hurdled up in your face and shit
My name is Michael Render
And we are the new Avengers
We’re here to tell you all your false idols are just pretenders
They’re corporation slaves indentured to all the lenders
So even if you got seven figures, you still a nigga
Some men aren’t meant for the light to be shined on their shitty talking
Y’all better off trying to hide like the yay in a little pocket
We overly fucking awesome
They watch and adopt our concepts
They squawk at the Run the Jewels squad
We skin ’em then cop a coffin
You know I
Get it
You know I
Get it
You know I
Get it
In an era where commercial rap often glosses over substance in favor of style, Run the Jewels’ ‘Get It’ stands out as a bold confrontation of societal issues, corporate greed, and personal integrity. The duo, consisting of El-P (Jaime Meline) and Killer Mike (Michael Render), delivers a blistering critique of the system that underpins the music industry and the broader social structure — with an uncompromising intensity reflecting the song’s lyrical depth.
‘Get It’ isn’t just another track to nod your head to; it’s a manifesto, a call to arms, and a raw exposition of the artists’ personal ideologies. As we dive deep into the lyrics, we peel back layers of societal commentary, introspective reflections, and prophetic warnings, ultimately revealing why Run the Jewels commands respect not only as musicians but as modern-day poets and thinkers.
A Rallying Cry Against Complacency
Right off the bat, ‘Get It’ establishes itself as a battle cry for those disillusioned by a passive society. The words are a sharp jab at the remaining ‘sanity’ and the lackluster response to the issues facing humanity. Run the Jewels challenges listeners to rise above cognitive sedation and to engage intellectually, encouraging mental stimulation over mental capitulation — suggesting that true change starts when we use our ‘ammo’ to think ‘from the neck up.’
There’s a revolutionary undertone present, one that doesn’t just ask for awareness but demands active participation. The duo’s reference to being closer to ‘the edge’ is an admittance of their own brinkmanship in challenging the status quo; it’s both a warning and an embrace of the precipice they tread upon.
Decoding the Hidden Meaning: From Personal Battles to Systemic Critique
When El-P drops lines about ‘living in smoke’ and desiring a ‘castle,’ he’s not just illustrating a personal dream but calling out the fogginess of mainstream narratives and the aspirational traps set by materialistic wants. The ‘company of women’ verse further demystifies the objectification in hip-hop, framing respect and intellect over superficiality — a contrast to the frequently shallow portrayals in the genre.
Killer Mike’s verses speak to historical disenfranchisement, racial injustice, and the perils of fighting back — alluding to a time when rap was ‘actually factual,’ mirroring a yearning for authenticity in a sell-out culture. The lines are seething with discontent and a readiness to subvert the established norms.
Icons or Con-Artists? Exposing the Illusion of Idolatry
The track hits a fever pitch as Killer Mike takes on ‘false idols’ and ‘pretenders’ who dominate the industry. This isn’t just about calling out fake personas but is an indictment of a system that keeps artists enslaved to a cycle of debt and deception, regardless of their financial success. It’s an attack on the ‘corporation slaves indentured to all the lenders’ that perpetuate the industry’s exploitation.
When Mike bellows, ‘So even if you got seven figures, you still a nigga,’ he touches on the heartbreaking reality that money can’t buy true respect or freedom from racial profiling and systemic racism. It’s a powerful reminder of the far-reaching implications of inequality.
The Most Memorable Lines: A Blend of Bravado and Insight
‘Get It’ is peppered with lines that burn with intensity. El-P’s audacity to ‘move like a man with a minimum of harassment’ while simultaneously demanding respect for women’s opinions reveals a dichotomy that Run the Jewels navigates with precision. It reflects a desire to live boldly while recognizing and uplifting the women around them.
Killer Mike’s aggressive assertion that dissenters can ‘get left in chalk’ serves as both a fierce defense of their ethos and a stark warning to those who’d dare undermine it. This line solidifies the sheer force they bring to their music and their unwillingness to compromise on their principles.
What ‘Get It’ Ultimately Teaches Us
The song is more than a lyrical labyrinth; it’s an education in standing firm in one’s convictions and the urgency of advocating for systemic change. Run the Jewels doesn’t hold back in criticizing pervasive issues, and through their vigorous verses, they invigorate a spirit of rebellion and empowerment.
The repeated mantra ‘You know I get it’ isn’t just about comprehension; it’s an affirmation of understanding, accepting, and engaging with the harsh realities they tackle. Run the Jewels doesn’t need listeners to passively hear their message — they need people to truly ‘get it’ and, in turn, act on it.
