Numb by 21 Savage Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Message of Hustle and Pain
Lyrics
Late nights playin’ b-ball with a decoy
I was on the corner with the robbers and the D-boys
Now I’m on the charts, man, this shit is unbelievable
Mama, it’s a lot of secrets that I had to keep from you
Got in so much trouble, thought the teachers had beef with you
And it paid off ’cause we livin’ like the Greeks and Jews
Used to leave your stove runnin’, stove runnin’
Now it’s Louis rags when my nose runnin’
Got it out the mud, I don’t owe nothin’
You pussy-ass niggas ain’t on nothin’
Wanna see me fucked up ’cause they poor hustlin’
The same niggas with me back when I was head itchin’
Man I’m having nightmares that the feds listenin’
You fake gangstas pump fakin’ and they scared snitchin’
The coupe fast and it’s fucking up the dash digital
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the
It’s a bag on his head, I’ma pick it up
It was money in the house, I used to stick it up
Got your main bitch chillin’, splashin’, tryna lick it up
Dick ridin’, niggas always tryna flick it up
I ain’t tryna take no bitches, bitch I’m rollin’ Swishers
I count my back end then I jump out with that pistol
If you ain’t suckin’ dick you get a early dismissal
We got your wifey at the spot, she tryna lick a pickle
I just went and bought a Lamb and it cost a nickel
And I came from the bottom and it feel good
And I went platinum, still in the hood
And I take the gang with me everywhere I go
Why these niggas hatin’ on me? Man I don’t know
Ain’t a place in the world that I can’t go
And I got a hundred racks inside a Go-Go
And I get a hundred racks for a show, show
Wanna give a bitch my heart but I can’t though
I can’t fall in love with a stank ho
Lil’ bitch I fell in love with the bank ho
And you know I love that good drank, ho
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the
Numb the pain with the money and ride ’round with that Tommy
And I put it in her stomach and I made that lil’ bitch ride me
You’re my old school runner, you’re my old school runner
But my new school runnin’, it costs more than a hundred
You lil’ niggas so bummy (21)
Make a diss song, they gon’ wrap you like a mummy
My young niggas geekin’ on food like zombies
They hungry, up it on you then they tell you, “Run it”
I stole cars, drove them like go-karts
Niggas actin’ like bitches, they got both parts
And I came from the gutter, I don’t got no heart
And I’m straight up out the gutter, I don’t got no heart
Nigga when they killed my brother, I had to go hard
Put that chopper in his face and then I Bogart
Niggas tryna cross me, I don’t understand it
I’m just tryna take care of the family
And I’m sippin’ codeine, not brandy (21)
And I’m sippin’ codeine, I’m a addict
You go to jail, can’t depend on a bad bitch
She fucked and sucked him tryna keep up with the fashion
And I’m really, really rich and I ain’t braggin’
Sometimes I really can’t believe this shit happened
Who woulda thought I’d make it rappin’?
I almost lost my life when I was trappin’
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the money
Numb the pain with the money, numb the pain with the
If Young Metro don’t trust you, I’m gon’ shoot you
In the realm of modern hip-hop, few artists spin tales of the street hustle and raw survival like 21 Savage. His 2017 hit ‘Numb’ off the album ‘Issa Album’ serves as a poetic chronicle of his journey from the gritty streets of Atlanta to the apex of music stardom. The song is a dark, introspective look at how the trappings of success and money can be used to dull past trauma and the ongoing strife of reality.
‘Numb’ stands out not just for its haunting melody and potent beats, but for the depth of its lyrical content. It’s more than a mere flex of wealth; it’s a psychological exploration of Savage’s coping mechanisms, dealing with the dichotomy of a traumatic past and a glittering, if occasionally hollow, present. Let’s tear down the facade and dive deep into the essence of ‘Numb’—what it says about society, success, and the human condition.
The Alchemy of Pain Into Triumph
21 Savage is no stranger to pain—his lyrics are a testament to a life marred by violence, loss, and struggle. ‘Numb’ is a resurrection anthem, transforming the agony of life’s lows into the heights of commercial success. It celebrates the hustle but does not shy away from the numbing effects of success on a soul that has endured far too much, far too young.
When Savage reflects on playing basketball ‘with a decoy’ or keeping secrets from his mother, he isn’t just sharing personal anecdotes; he is painting the picture of survival. His elevation to the charts is a surreal contrast to his past—one that offers him a bittersweet reprieve through the very means he now possesses in abundance: money.
Behind the Bravado: Seeking Solace in Material Wealth
At its core, ‘Numb’ is a repetitive mantra that equates financial gain to emotional anesthesia. But beneath the surface is a tale of using wealth as armor against the world. The Louis rags and platinum records are not merely symbols of opulence, but shields guarding Savage against a return to vulnerability.
While the lyrical journey takes the listener through the artist’s acquisitions and accomplishments, it continuously reinforces the idea that these material possessions are a means to ‘numb the pain.’ Hence, this isn’t about the glorification of money; it’s about its use as a necessary tool to dull a much deeper, unfading ache.
An Ongoing Battle: The Tenuous Grasp of Success
Despite his fierce climb to the top, Savage’s lyrics betray the transient nature of success in his world. The fear of the ‘feds listenin” or being ‘fucked up’ by poor hustling signifies a psyche still entrenched in the survivalist mentality of the streets, wary of the ever-looming peril that his newfound prestige could vanish as quickly as it came.
This battle is not with external forces alone but with the memories and anxieties that haunt him—a reason why his wealth and status, while comforting, cannot fully vanquish the dread that underscores his existence. This fear is a byproduct of the precarious life he has lived, cementing ‘Numb’ as an anthem for anyone grappling with newfound success amidst lurking past demons.
The Hidden Meaning: Pursuing Connection Beyond the Dollars
Amidst the heavy rotation of verses focused on numbing pain with wealth, Savage betrays a longing for genuine connection—whether it’s regret over not being able to give his heart to someone or bringing the ‘gang’ with him no matter where he goes. These lines provide a stark contrast to his reluctance to fall for a woman, tugging at the universal human need for trust and loyalty.
The real hidden meaning of ‘Numb’ might just be Savage’s exploration of human connection in the face of success. Money offers a temporary reprieve from his distress, but it cannot suffice for the more profound bonds of love and brotherhood—a point driven home as he recounts how he had to ‘go hard’ after his brother’s death, an event money couldn’t smoothen or resolve.
Memorable Lines: A Glimpse into Authenticity
‘The same niggas with me back when I was head itchin’ / Man, I’m having nightmares that the feds listenin” stands out as particularly impactful. It underscores a deep authenticity and loyalty to those who were there with him from the start. The lines also reflect a paranoia that tethers him to his past, a nod to the incessant fear of betrayal and loss.
The closing of the song lacks closure, symbolizing that despite all efforts, some pains defy numbing. 21 Savage’s honesty doesn’t allow for a tidy ending because his journey is ongoing, his struggle with pain and the past continuous. ‘Numb’ isn’t just a song—it’s a soundscape of a soul trying to find a foothold in a world where pain is plentiful, but numbness is necessary.
