What You Know by T.I. Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Anthem of Hustle and Survival
Lyrics
What you know about that? [Repeat: x3]
Don’t you know I got
Key by the three when I chirp shawty chirp back
Louis nap sack
Where I hold’n all tha work at
[Chorus]
What you know about that? [Repeat: x3]
Hey I know all about that
Loaded 44s on the low where the cheese at
Fresh off the jet to the Jects where the G’s at
What you know about that?
What you know about that?
Hey what you know about that?
Hey I know all about that
See me in ya city sitting pretty know I’m shining dog
Riding with a couple Latin broads and a china doll
And you know how we ball
Hey,
Riding in shiny cars
Hey,
Walk in designer malls
Hey,
Buy everything we saw
You know about me dog
Don’t talk about me dog
And if you doubt me dog
You better out me dog
I’m throwed off slightly bro
Don’t wanna fight me bro
I’m fast as lightning bro ya better use ya Nike’s bro
Know you don’t like me cause
Yo bitch most likely does
She see me on them dubs
In front of every club
I be on dro I’m buzzed
Give every ho a hug
Niggas don’t show me mugs
Cause you don’t know me ’cause
Hey
Don’t you know I got
Key by the three when I chirp shawty chirp back
Louis nap sack
Where I holdin’ all the work at
[Chorus]
Loaded 44s on the low where the cheese at
Fresh off the jet to the Jects where the G’s at
What you know about that?
What you know about that?
Hey what you know about that?
Hey I know all about that
Candy on the ’64
Leather guts and fish bowl
50 on the pinky ring just to make my fist glow
Ya bitches get low
Because I get dough
So what? I’m rich ho
I still pull a-kick-do’ (kick ya door down)
What you talking shit fo’?
Gotta run and hit fo’?
Got you a yelling and I thought you put out a gun hit for
But you’s a scary dude
Believed by very few
Just keep it very cool
Or we will bury you
See all that attitude’s, unnecessary dude
Cause you never Carry Tools not even sweary qs
You got these people fooled, who see me on the tube
Whatever try the crew, they’ll see you on the news
Hey,
Don’t you know I got
Key by the three when I chirp shawty chirp back
Louis nap sack
Where I holdin’ all the work at
[Chorus]
Loaded 44s on the low where the cheese at
Fresh off the jet to the Jects where the G’s at
[Chorus]
Fresh off the jet to the block
Burn a rubber with a top-pop
I’ll pop and bust a shot and tell em stop and make the block hot
Ya label got got
Cause you are not hot
I got the top spot
And it will not stop
A video or not that will bust it to the glock stop
Drag ya out that Bentley Coupe and take it to the chop shop
Partner, we got y’all
If it may pop off
I’ll answer the question “Will I get ya block knocked off?”
And what it is bro
Look I’ll kill ya, bro
I’m in your hood, if you a gangsta what you here for?
Somebody better get bro for he get sent for
You say you wanna squash it what you still talking shit for?
Hey,
Don’t you know I got
Key by the three when I chirp shawty chirp back
Louis nap sack
Where I holding all the work at
[Chorus]
Loaded 44s on the low where the cheese at
Fresh off the jet to the Jects where the G’s at
[Chorus]
In the pantheon of hip-hop anthems that capture the essence of street savvy and tenacity, T.I.’s ‘What You Know’ stands among the stalwarts of the mid-2000s rap scene. An explosion of self-confidence and a testament to the grind, the track is more than just a braggadocious narrative; it’s a multifaceted exploration of urban identity and resilience.
The streets of Atlanta breathe through T.I.’s verses, each line pulsating with the heartbeat of the hustle, narrating a story filled with bravado but also revealing the treacherous terrains of an empire built from the ground up. As we unravel the layers of ‘What You Know,’ we find an artist scripting his legacy, a symphony of triumph and meticulous self-assertion in a world where respect is earned with every rhyme.
A Deep Dive Into T.I.’s Street Credibility
Beyond the bombastic beats, T.I.’s ‘What You Know’ serves as a verbal resume of his street credentials. Mentioning ‘key by the three,’ a reference to dealing and his readiness to ‘chirp back’ when called upon, T.I. isn’t just flaunting wealth; he’s asserting his dominance through experience and reputation.
By alluding to his dangerous past and reveling in his present success, T.I. draws a stark comparison between life on the ‘low where the cheese at’ versus sipping on the newfound luxury. His lyrics showcase a trajectory from the grimy blocks to jet-set life, yet his feet remain firmly planted in the very streets that shaped him.
The Hidden Meaning Behind the Bravado
‘What You Know’ might seem like another boastful hip-hop track, but listen closely and you’ll find it steeped in a hidden meaning that skillfully addresses the socio-economic realities of the southern streets. T.I.’s depiction of survival, dodging the pitfalls of the ‘jects’ and speaking of ‘Loaded 44s on the low’ unveils a critical commentary on the need to guard one’s life and achievements.
In this anthem, the ‘shiny cars’ and ‘designer malls’ he cruises become symbols of victory over adversity; trophies earned in the battle of life. With each chorus, T.I. isn’t just asking what you know about material wealth, but rather insinuating an interrogation of one’s knowledge about overcoming struggle and maintaining integrity amidst the chaos.
The Resonance of Memorable Lines
Several lines in ‘What You Know’ have etched themselves into the lexicon of hip-hop quotables. Perhaps none more so than ‘Hey what you know about that?’, a rallying cry that echoes the collective experiences of those who’ve trudged similar paths. It’s an acknowledgment of shared challenges, a chorus of solidarity in the face of societal friction.
Another memorable line, ‘You better out me dog, I’m throwed off slightly bro,’ underlines T.I.’s readiness for confrontation and the hyper-alert state of being necessary for survival on the streets of Atlanta, where reputation and respect dictate one’s place in the hierarchy.
The Cultural Impact of the Atlanta Sound
It’s impossible to discuss ‘What You Know’ without acknowledging its contribution to putting Atlanta sound on the map. The fusion of bouncy trap beats with T.I.’s razor-sharp delivery presented a new archetype of Southern rap, one that was unapologetic, vivacious, and unflinching in its depiction of life in the ATL.
The song didn’t just popularize trap music; it created a cultural moment, a rallying cry for an entire generation of hip-hop enthusiasts who found their experiences echoed in T.I.’s words. It’s a track that speaks the language of aspiration and reality, marrying the two in a symphony of unmistakable Atlanta rhythm.
Understanding T.I.’s Legacy Through Lyrics
‘What You Know’ is far more than an anthem; it’s a blueprint of T.I.’s legacy. Through bars that brag about ‘shining dog’ and bemoan imitations, he weaves a cautionary tale of authenticity. T.I.’s insistence on realness isn’t just about keeping it genuine; it’s about the preservation of identity in a world where facades are often mistaken for the truth.
T.I.’s narrative isn’t merely a series of bragging rights—it’s a statement of an artist’s journey through trials to triumphs. The song’s enduring appeal is found not just in its catchiness but in its candid expression of a life lived in complex layers, where validation comes from staying true to one’s roots while reaching for the sky.
