The Coolest - Lupe Fiasco Decoded

"She said - that she would give me greatness,
Status, placement above the others
My face would grace covers
Of the magazines of the hustlers
Paper, the likes of which that I had never seen
Her eyes glow green with the logo of our dreams
The purpose of our scene,
The obscene obsession for the bling
She would be my queen,
I could be her king
Together, she would make me cool
And we would both rule, forever,
And I would never feel pain
And never be without pleasure, ever, again
And if the rain stops,
And everything's dry
She would cry
Just so I can drink the tears from her eyes
She'll teach me how to fly
Even cushion my fall
If my engines ever stall
And I plummet from the sky
But she will keep me high
And if I ever die
She would commission my image on her bosom
To hum
Or maybe she'd retire as well
A match made in Heaven set the fires in Hell
And I'll be..."

The above lyrics illustrate the misconceptions of a life of crime. In this verse, Lupe Fiasco personifies the streets as a women he is considering being in a relationship with. The women, the streets, persuades the protagonist of the song to be with her (or choose to live a life of crime) by promising him fortune and fame. He explains that the streets will enable him to attain his obsession, which is money, and fame as he explains that the women will enable him to live a life of luxury and grace the covers of magazines. Lupe Fiasco ends this verse by stating that this match, seemingly made in heaven may be corrupt, explaining that the match, as in a tool used for starting a fire, is what started the fires in hell.   

Review by: Dominick

Hangover - Decoded

"but playing love gives me a headache you ask me if i love you of course but if by the force of nature we get married well probably have a divorce cuz nothing last forever despite hoodies that i lent her and my favorite pullover im a bit to cool to sweater"

(decoded the lines in which he makes reference to the clothing he lent her, he cleverly ends this verse by saying despite lending her his hoodies and pullover he still does not feel the need to sweat her, a play on words concluding the reference to clothing.)

"and i could do you better, but love i aint with it cuz she say they talking and he say he split it so my diagnosis is your nuts if your cuffing but you gotta be crazy before your committed."

This part illustrates the authors belief that because of the deceit and misconceptions that are prevalent in intimate relationships, concluding that one has to be crazy to be in a committed relationship. However, this is a double entrendre as a mentally insane individual must be deemed "crazy" before he or she is committed to a mental isylam.)

Review by Dominick

Keep It Between Us - Kelly Rowland Decoded

"Know that I don't ever wanna hurt you
And I don't think nobody else deserves you
I don't think I can see nobody else here with me
Promise to love you, and to cherish, and to nurture
And when the time is right we can take it further
Long as I know that you're here to stay
And never give your love away"

This song is from Kelly's third solo studio album entitled "Here I Am", which has been released since summer 2011. Thankfully, this song is finally getting the attention it deserves. I recently just heard this song and fell in love. If you like the song, you will like the video even more. Kelly and her "on screen boyfriend" are walking the streets of Paris together and appear to be very happy and in love.

Review done by: Ashlee

Climax - Usher Decoded

"Going Nowhere Fast
We've Reached The Climax
We're Together, Now We're Undone
Won't Commit So We Choose To
Run Away, Do We Separate?
Don't Wanna Give In
So We Both Gave Up
Can't Take It Back
It's Too Late, We've Reached The Climax"

This is Usher's latest song "Climax" and it is the first track from his forthcoming seventh album (yet untitled), which is to air this year. This song has recieved alot of positive attention. Many of Usher's songs relate to his former relationships, mainly his relationships not working out. Usher dated singer Chilli (from former female group TLC) from 2001-2004, and the couple had a very rocky relationship. Many of Usher's songs back during this time period were related to their relationship and his cheating episodes on her. He talked about regretting cheating and not being able to move on. This new song "Climax" leaves many fans wondering if this song is also about his ex girlfriend of over 10 years ago. In a recent interview Chilli admitted that Usher wanted to get married and she didn't want the same because she could not move forward knowing that he was unfaithful to her." Any couples going through a tough breakup can relate to this song.

-Review done by Ashlee

Feel Inside - Mary J. Blige Ft. Nas Decoded

"I wanna make you happy
But you just don’t see it
I wanna be around, babe
But I’m so tired of competing
We say all the wrong things
Till we make each other cry
What are we doing?
Will it ever get better?
My heart, my soul
I gave, it’s yours
I can’t get back
All the things that I lost
Boy, I love you
But you’re pushing me away

I gave you everything that I got
Watched my feelings walk on by
Ever get sick of trying?
This is how I feel inside
I feel inside"


This is the 2nd verse of the song "Feel Inside" and it is sang by Mary J. Blige. As you can see she is speaking to her significant other and she is clearly fed up in the relationship and "sick of trying". Many people can relate to this song because if you have ever been in a relationship then usually there comes a point when you do feel this way, which makes this song very easy to relate with. Typically in a relationship, one person always ends up getting hurt worse than the other, and it is usually because they gave their all...rather than their partner who did not put their all into the relationship.
Mary J. Blige is known for her powerful and amazing vocals and Nas is a great lyricist as well, so the two together are an explosive combination. This song recently just came out and has already been catching a lot of attention.


-Review done by Ashlee

Illest Alive - Jay-Z Decoded

"King Hov, I’m exactly what you people think
11 in a row, Bill Russell rings, Michael Jordan swag
Yall think Michael Jordan bad
Homie I got a 5 more rings than Michael Jordan had
Elvis has left the building now I’m on the Beatles ass
People hear Watch The Throne,
Yeah it’s like the Beatles back Bey Bey my Yoko Ono,
Rih Rih complete the family
Imagine how that’s gon look front row at the Grammys
Screw your awards like Eddie Murphy’s couch
The Roc is in the building we should have stayed in the house"


"Know when to leave when the heat is coming, I learned that
This is where DiNero would be if he ain’t turn back
F-ck Sosa, this Hova this is real life
This is what the ending of Scarface should feel like"


The above verse is more of Jay-Z gloating about his much deserved achievements musically, that often go unnoticed by mainstream America. First Jay-Z makes reference to 11 in a row, which is a reference to his 11 straight platinum albums, comparing them to the 11 championship rings of Boston Celtic's Legend Bill Russell. Even further, he puts his success above another African American, Michael Jordan, stating that he's achieved what he wanted 5 more times than Michael Jordan ( Jay-Z's goal being selling 1 million albums and Michael Jordan's being winning championships.) Moreover, he puts his success into even greater perspective, seemingly making his audience mainstream America, forcing them to acknowledge the fact that he has outsold music legend Elvis Presley and is not to far behind the Beatles themselves. Jay-Z goes on to suggest that the mainstream American gatekeepers may never critic his success with the likes of others because he is a rapper, stating screw your awards, possibly a reference to Jay-Z disdain for the Grammy's as they don't seem to respect rap music as much as they should. Still he goes on to compare his success and the company he keeps with the Beatles, stating that his wife Beyonce could be Yoko Ono, implying that he would be John Lennon. Lastly, he explains how his success is the same success that many iconic movie characters such as Scarface's Tony Montana, if they had been more cautious and got out of their respective lives of crime while they were ahead.

-Review done by Dominick

[Brothers In Paris] - Watch the Throne Decoded

"So I ball so hard these people wanna find me
But first people gotta find me
What’s 50 grand to a young brother like me Can you please remind me?
Ball so hard, this here's crazy
Y’all don’t know that not much phase me
The Nets could go 0-82 and I look at you like this here's gravy"

The above lyrics are a reference to Jay-Z, part own of the New Jersey Nets, being fined by NBA commissioner David Stern due to tampering violations, concerning his visit to the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. Consequently, Jay-Z was fined 50 thousand dollars. The above lyrics ultimately appear to be a smack in the face to David Stern, expressing his opinion that his wealth is so abundant that losing 50k ultimately didn't do much in hurting his wallet.


"Ball so hard, this here's weird
We ain’t even s’pose to be here
Ball so hard, since we here It’s only right that we be fair
Psycho, I’m liable to go Michael Take your pick
Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, Game 6"

These lyrics are concerned with the irony of Jay-Z being a success story considering he grew up in the Marcy Projects and sold crack cocaine to generate a healthy income. In addition, Jay-Z makes reference to the success of the different Michael's in pop culture including Mike Tyson and Michael Jordan, believing that he's achieved the same level of success that they have. Ultimately, the Jay-Z verse in this song is concerned with the irony and unlikelihood of his success, feeling as though he is entitled to "ball" because of how hard and how resilient he has been in achieving his success.



-Review done by Dominick