T-Shirt by Migos Lyrics Meaning – Exploring the Depths of Hustle and Survival
Lyrics
Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (white)
Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama)
Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (yeah)
Young nigga poppin’ with a pocket full of cottage (ay)
Woah kemosabe, chopper aimin’ at your noggin (ay)
Had to cop the Audi, then the top I had to chop it (skrt skrt)
Niggas pocket watchin’, so I gotta keep the rocket (glaw)
Neck water faucet (water), mocking birds mocking (woo)
Act pint, stocking (act), nats keep thotting (nats)
Wrist on hockey (hockey), wrist on rocky (Rocky)
Lotta niggas copy, name someone can stop me (no one)
Bitches call me papi, (bitch!), ‘sace that’s my hobby (‘sace)
Scotty on the molly, pocket rocket from O’Reilly
One off in the chamber, ain’t no need for me to cock it
Niggas get to droppin’ when that Draco get to poppin’
All I want is cottage, roll a cigar full of broccoli (Cookie)
No check, want all cash, nigga I don’t do deposits
Bitches cross the border, nigga, bitches from the tropics
I’mma get that bag nigga, ain’t no doubt about it (yup)
I’mma feed my family nigga, ain’t no way around it (family)
Ain’t gon’ never let up nigga, God said show my talent (show it)
Young nigga with the Anna, walkin’ with the hammer
Talkin’ country grammar nigga
Straight out nawf Atlanta (nawf side)
Young nigga poppin’ with a pocket full of cottage (ay)
Woah kemosabe, chopper aimin’ at your noggin (ay)
Had to cop the Audi, then the top I had to chop it (skrt skrt)
Niggas pocket watchin’, so I gotta keep the rocket (ay)
Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama)
Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (white)
Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama)
Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (yeah)
Mama told you
Mama told me (mama) not to sell work
Mama told you
Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (white)
1995 (nineties) 2005 (two-thousands)
Seen it with my eyes (seen it), dope still alive (dope)
Real mob ties (mob), real frog eyes (frog)
Real whole pies (woah), all time high (high)
Do it for the culture (culture)
They gon’ bite like vultures (vulture)
Way back when I was trappin’ out Toyotas (skrr skrr)
I’mma hit the gas (gas), 12 can’t pull me over (12)
Space coupe, Quavo Yoda, pourin’, drankin’ sodas
I get high on my own sir, heard you gon’ clone sir
Stop all that flexin’, young nigga don’t wanna go there
Never been a gopher, but I always been a soldier
Young niggas in the cut, posted like a vulture
Divin’ off the stage in the crowd it’s a mosh pit
Yeah shawty bad but she broke ’cause she don’t own shit
Mama asked me “son, when the trappin’ gon’ quit?”
I been ridin’ ’round through the city in my new bitch
Young nigga poppin’ with a pocket full of cottage (ay)
Woah kemosabe, chopper aimin’ at your noggin (ay)
Had to cop the Audi, then the top I had to chop it (skrt skrt)
Niggas pocket watchin’, so I gotta keep the rocket (ay)
Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama)
Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (white)
Mama told me (aye) not to sell work (mama)
Seventeen five, same color T-shirt (yeah)
Mama told you, mama told you
At the intersection of fashion and the street economy, ‘T-Shirt’ by Migos emerges as an anthem that underscores the juxtaposition of maternal advice against the realities of the hustle. The Atlanta-based hip-hop trio uses a melodic hook to convey a message much deeper than its surface level, coining a narrative that weaves through the complexities of ambition, survival, and defiance in the face of adversity.
T-Shirt is not just another trap song; it’s a testament to the culture that bore Migos. It delves into the roots of their upbringing and the often harsh environments that shape the hustle mentality. With a combination of slick production and catchy wordplay, Migos crafts a track that resonates with listeners far beyond its infectious beat.
Chilling Advice Versus Stark Reality
When the chorus hits with ‘Mama told me not to sell work,’ listeners are immediately drawn into the dichotomy of lessons from home versus the street’s calling. The repetition of these lines speaks to the ongoing internal conflict many face when considering the values instilled by family against the actions necessary for survival.
The stark contrast represented by the ‘seventeen five, same color T-shirt’ signifies the uniformity and the unremarkable nature of the drug trade, where large sums of money can be linked to something as simple and ordinary as a white T-shirt.
The Symbolism of Cottage and Luxury
Migos cleverly uses the word ‘cottage’ as a substitute for cocaine, highlighting a seemingly innocuous word to represent something far more potent. The lyric, ‘Young nigga poppin’ with a pocket full of cottage,’ juxtaposes the pursuit of luxury and excess against the reality of the trade that facilitates it.
By further flaunting the acquisition of luxury items like Audis and expensive jewelry, Migos portrays the duality of a lifestyle that marries the everyday struggle with the glamorization of riches, thus painting a full picture of their environment and aspirations.
Echoes of the Past Permeating the Present
References to years, ‘1995, 2005,’ acknowledge the ongoing nature of the drug trade and its implications across generations. The acknowledgment of ‘dope still alive’ suggests a recognition of the trade as an unyielding entity in their lives, presenting a sort of timeline of the trap culture that bred them.
Connections to ‘real mob ties,’ ‘frog eyes,’ and the insistence on authenticity within those claims underline the credibility of Migos’ storytelling, anchoring the song in a realm reflective of genuine experiences rather than fictional boasts.
Veneration of the Culture, Despite Its Predators
The line ‘Do it for the culture, They gon’ bite like vultures’ is a powerful commentary on the influence of the street on mainstream culture. Migos highlights their role as pioneers in the rap game who do it for the genuine love of their craft, fully aware that others may appropriate the style without living the reality.
Their nostalgic look back at ‘when I was trappin’ out Toyotas’ speaks to the evolution of their hustle – from modest beginnings to reaching for the stars in ‘space coupe, Quavo Yoda, pourin’, drankin’ sodas’.
Deciphering the Hidden Meaning Behind ‘Mama Told You’
Throughout the track, the repeated reference to maternal warnings acts as a metaphor for the ignored advice that is part and parcel of the street code. It beckons listeners to ponder if the motherly figure represents a real parent, society at large, or a conscience that is constantly being silenced.
Moreover, it speaks to the cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement, which often leaves little choice but to succumb to the reasoning of the streets. Thus, ‘T-Shirt’ extends itself as a canvas, illustrating a lifesize mural of the socio-economic pressures that can lead to the pursuit of illegitimate means for financial security.
