Comments on: Rap Lyrics Translated for White People Vol II

By: Johnny Sacks

Johnny Sacks — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:16:44 +0000

@Ryan…Thank you for leaving constructive criticism without being a jerk about it. Most people who have a problem with what I write leave a comment that just attacks me.

The term “white translation” does not imply that blacks can’t speak proper English. It means that rap lyrics generally portrays language and slang that white people have no clue about it. When you break down this slang into proper English then it sounds humorous.

You are probably right about the Dr. Dre translation. It would have been better to define it as his close group of friends instead of lumping all black people in there.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:14:34 +0000

This is a good service, once I used to do for fun for my friends.

However, I’m slightly bothered that the translations are titled as ‘White Translation’ as though blacks can’t speak proper English.

Also, in your translations, you sometimes interpret n*ggas to mean ‘all black people’, whereas it could have many different meanings, including the rapper’s male friends (Dr. Dre – Let Me Ride) or just a close group of friends. Your translation seems to lump all blacks in one category, and that is certainly not the case.

By: Brotha Jay

Brotha Jay — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:03:26 +0000

ICE CUBE – NO Hog: Many Black folk don’t eat pork – so possibly it refers to not having it on the plate as a good thing.

By: NorCal

NorCal — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:42:28 +0000

Your footnote #2 is incorrect. Compton is in SOUTHERN California.

By: John

John — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:53:15 +0000

You might be right Scooter. That seems to make more sense.

By: Scooter Hooder

Scooter Hooder — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:51:22 +0000

“Wasn’t born hustlers I was burpin’ em”
=
“Wasn’t born hustlers I was BIRTHIN’ em”
=
They weren’t born selling drugs (hustling), I taught them how”

“Fo’ sheezy my neezy keep my arms so breezy”
=
Yes, my black friend, I wear a lot of jewlery (nothing to do with guns).
Breezy=windy=cold=ice (which looks similar to diamonds)=jewlery

“Haters want me clapped in chrome”
may=
People want me handcuffed because they are jealous of my riches.

(how i interpret it)

By: John

John — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:55:21 +0000

hahhaha. Thanks Jane. I’m glad you liked it.

You make a good point. I remember thinking the same thing about the Ice Cube song but I felt it was contradictory, so I just wrote “good breakfast.” Seems to me not having bacon would be a bad thing. Why would that be included in a song called “It was a Good Day.” Doesn’t everyone like Bacon? Maybe Ice Cube is a vegetarian.

By: Jane Duke

Jane Duke — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:26:48 +0000

I am a white person. I also happen to be a white person who very much enjoys rap music. Just two weeks ago, I frequented a Jay-Z concert in Greensboro, NC. For the first time ever I knew what it felt like to be a minority. Anyways, I know all of the lyrics to just about every Jay-Z song, but I have never really known what they meant. Thank you for enlightening me on the true meaning of Izzo.

I especially enjoyed the translation:

– Haters want me clapped and chromed it ain’t easy

– People who don’t like me want to see me shot in the head. It’s hard

I imagine that would be hard. However, is constructive criticism allowed? In the Ice Cube one, you said that ‘And momma cooked a breakfast with no hog (damn)’ means that his mom cooked him a good breakfast. It sounds more like he’s upset that his mom didn’t cook him bacon. No?

Anyways, I love this post! I’m officially following you on twitter!
.-= Jane Duke´s last blog ..Spring Break DOs and DON’Ts =-.

By: Web Wednesday 17/02/2010 | Blokebuddy

Web Wednesday 17/02/2010 | Blokebuddy — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:00:47 +0000

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