Everybody Killer

Created in June 17, 2023

2023   ·   rap   lyrics

There’s a running sentiment in rap music from the US that I found and want to share. Somewhat philosophical. Examples from 1996, the late 2Pac, to 2022, WESTSIDE BOOGIE.

Pac raps on Hail Mary (Nov 1996):

I ain’t a killer, but don’t push me

Lil Wayne raps, with an unmistakable reference to Pac, on Right Above It (Aug 2010):

Yeah, and I ain’t a killer but don’t push me

J. Cole raps in A Tale of 2 Citiez (Dec 2014):

Anybody is a killer, all you gotta do is push ‘em to the limits

Quite close to Pac, Cole raps in Oh Wow…Swerve (Jul 2019):

I ain’t no killer, don’t make me have to, nigga

Kendrick raps on Worldwide Steppers (May 2022):

I’m a killer, he’s a killer, she’s a killer, bitch
We some killers, walkin’ zombies, tryna scratch that itch

The noble person that goes to work and pray like they ‘posed to?
Slaughter people too, your murder’s just a bit slower

Boogie raps in KILLA MODE (Jun 2022):

Everybody killer, on my mama, everybody killer

Cole, again but with an even higher likeness to Pac’s, raps in Home Alone (Dec 2023):

I ain’t a killer but don’t slip up and tempt me

What do they mean that everybody is a killer? Just “push” them to the edge, or just leave them; either way, they’re killers. Pushing someone to an extremely vulnerable position may be foreseen but a normal, holy no less, person is a killer too? Does he (K.Dot) mean that ‘just being a cog in the wheel’ makes you accountable as well?

Can’t talk about Boogie’s stance, he just makes a direct statement.

References