[A$AP Rocky:]
Yeah, live through the strugglin’, life’s a every day (hustle)
I hustle every day in life, thinkin’ back
Takin’ packs up the block, them older niggas said I couldn’t (hustle)
Man fuck ’em niggas, I’ll be back, strapped backpack
Bitch, I’m flippin’ work, hand in hand, I think they call it track (hustle)
Racin’ laps, re-up went to waste, it pays to make it stack
Face the fact, there’s always niggas out there, tryin’ to knock the (hustle)
I guess that’s why they say we trap, don’t let niggas hold you back
I’m just a kettle from the ghetto with no pot to piss in
So who am I to call it black? Black man, black male
Black ball, black opsy, black diamonds glistenin’
Attract the pigs and all the rats, kitten scratch
I went from roaches on my bump to red brooches on the cuff
Of my tux, chauffeur pullin’ up, no if, and’s or buts about him
I went to Paris for my trunks, 100 thousand spent on Goyard
Used ’em once, couldn’t give a shit, damn or fuck about ’em
Hit Canal Street, vintage gold medallion
Smokin’ blunts in front of public housin’
Wildin’ ’til they throw me in them cuffs
Mouth full of fronts, look like Master P up in my Cartiers
Diamonds shinin’ in the frames
Changed the game and made them say (uhh)
Ain’t no limits to this shit, life’s a flick, you’re stickin’ to the script
My life is like a movie, they should film me through it
Take a pic, be sure to frame the shit, forever me, was always G
Way before this famous shit, y’all just pretend to do it
[Bones:]
You say you got them guns, but I’ve never seen you bang
You say you got them drugs, but I’ve never seen you slang
You say you in that game, but I’ve yet to see you play
You say you going hard, but nobody feels the same, yeah
You say you got them guns, but I’ve never seen you bang
You say you got them drugs, but I’ve never seen you slang
You say you in that game, but I’ve yet to see you play
You say you going hard, but nobody feels the same, yeah
[A$AP Rocky:]
Rap game like the crack game, swear it’s all the same (hustle)
Whippin’ soda through the pot, watch it bubble
Flexin’ muscle, hit the block, I bet I teach you niggas how to (hustle)
Sellin’ coca on the charts, watch it double
Uh, takin’ meetings on my bus, this shit my mobile office
Gettin’ head while at my desk, this shit my oval office
I remember when I got a hundred for recordings
Now the sum of my performances just put me on the Forbes list
Fuck jiggy, I’m flawless, fuck pretty, I’m gorgeous
Your favourite rappers’ corpses couldn’t measure my importance
My mind is out in orbits, plus my ego got endorsements
Heard the people want that raw shit, but y’all be talkin’ bullshit
[Bones:]
You say you got them guns, but I’ve never seen you bang
You say you got them drugs, but I’ve never seen you slang
You say you in that game, but I’ve yet to see you play
You say you going hard, but nobody feels the same, yeah
You say you got them guns, but I’ve never seen you bang
You say you got them drugs, but I’ve never seen you slang
You say you in that game, but I’ve yet to see you play
You say you going hard, but nobody feels the same, yeah
Street Realism and Self-Reflection
“Canal St.” by ASAP Rocky, featuring Bones, is a gritty exploration of street life, authenticity, and the personal evolution that comes from overcoming adversity. Rocky’s verses paint vivid images of hustling on the block, rising above doubt, and transforming hardships into triumphs. The lyrics delve into the duality of his past struggles and current successes—juxtaposing images of public housing with luxury brands, and struggle with accomplishment. Bones’ haunting hook questions the truth behind common bravado, challenging those who claim to live the street life without proof.
Authenticity Versus Facade
The track stands out for its raw honesty and skepticism toward those who merely imitate the lifestyle Rocky has genuinely lived. The repeated refrain, “You say you got them guns, but I’ve never seen you bang,” exposes the superficiality often present in hip-hop, reinforcing the value of authenticity and lived experience over posturing.
Song Credits
Artist: ASAP Rocky
Featured Artist: Bones
Songwriters: Rakim Mayers (ASAP Rocky), Elmo Kennedy O’Connor (Bones)
Release Year: 2015
Label: RCA Records