Meaning and Lyrics of Gangsta by Free Nationals

Song Lyrics meaning of Gangsta by Free Nationals

About Free Nationals

Free Nationals are a Los Angeles-based soul and R&B band that first gained widespread recognition as Anderson .Paak’s backing band. Formed in 2012, the group consists of:
• José Rios (guitar)
• Ron “T.Nava” Avant (keyboard)
• Kelsey Gonzalez (bass)
• Callum Connor (drums)
The band’s tight-knit chemistry and versatile musicianship caught the attention of .Paak, leading to a long-standing collaboration that helped shape the artist’s signature sound. Free Nationals have been integral to .Paak’s live performances and studio recordings, contributing to critically acclaimed albums like “Malibu” and “Oxnard”. In 2019, Free Nationals stepped out of .Paak’s shadow with their self-titled debut album. The record showcased their eclectic blend of funk, soul, and hip-hop, featuring collaborations with artists like Daniel Caesar, Mac Miller, and Kali Uchis. Their track “Time” with Mac Miller gained particular attention as one of the late rapper’s first posthumous releases. While “Gangsta” isn’t one of their more prominent tracks, it exemplifies the band’s ability to create smooth, groove-laden instrumentals that seamlessly blend with various vocal styles. Free Nationals continue to evolve as both a backing band and independent artists, solidifying their place in the modern soul and R&B landscape.

Meaning of Gangsta by Free Nationals

The song “Gangsta” by Free Nationals featuring A$AP Rocky and Anderson .Paak delves into themes of family lineage, self-identity, and street life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the struggles and mindset of individuals navigating a world of crime, resilience, and self-assurance.

The chorus sung by Anderson .Paak reflects on the generational narrative of being connected to a lineage of gangsters and thugs. The desire to break free from a life of crime and the criminal justice system is palpable in lines like “I’ma learn to escape up out these handcuffs” and the defiance against facing consequences in court.

A$AP Rocky’s verses in the song embody a hardened and sometimes arrogant persona, portraying a lifestyle filled with indulgence, power, and assertiveness. The use of explicit language and provocative imagery underscores the gritty realities of street life that the narrator is immersed in. Lines like “c**k the four-fifth, blow knobs off the hinge” and references to sex and power dynamics paint a complex and often harsh picture of the character’s experiences.

The refrains repeating “Gangsta” emphasize a sense of pride and identity associated with a streetwise mentality. The chorus, post-chorus, and outro reinforce the theme of coming from a lineage of gangsters, with A$AP Rocky’s verses highlighting the complexities and contradictions of such a background.

Overall, “Gangsta” offers a raw and unapologetic glimpse into a world where strength, survival instincts, and defiance are paramount. It explores the nuances of identity, family history, and the harsh realities of street life, all set against a backdrop of confident delivery and hard-hitting beats.

Lyrics of Gangsta by Free Nationals

Intro: A$AP Rocky
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta, gangsta, gangsta, gangsta
The Free Nationals

Chorus: Anderson .Paak
You know, my daddy was a gangsta
And father before him was a damn thug
I'ma learn to escape up out these handcuffs
I ain't going to court to see no damn judge

Post-Chorus: A$AP Rocky
c**k the four-fifth, blow knobs off the hinge
My security guard big, but inside a punk bitch
Ass n***a yous a trick, n***a you's a wankster, wankster
And my pop was a gangsta

Verse 1: A$AP Rocky
f**k that ho when I need sex, give me throat when I need neck
Love her more when I'm erect, I reply when I see text
I forgot her, God be vexed, say no more, my God say less
Copy, copy, I'll be back, wear the tech and stocking cap
So turn on your thinking cap bеfore I push your shit way back
I'm the n***a, copy facts, like that, I'll stop whеre I be at, hol' up
Most of my memories phase like all my enemies' name
Like the Lion King, I'm in the way, I'm just here to reclaim
Sipped on my Hennessy drink, sipped on my Henny
Go on my memory bank 'til it's empty
On the G-side of things, on the street side of things
Where the word bad mean eighteen kind of things? (Yeah)
And it's n****s serving life eighteen kind of ways
And that was way before they eighteenth, by the way

Refrain: A$AP Rocky
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta, gangsta
Gangsta, gangsta, gangsta, gangsta

Verse 2: A$AP Rocky
Yeah, I roll to my perfection and I smoke with no detection
Baddest hoes in my direction, ain't no ho in my reflection
I get chicks with my complexion, I'm a pimp, I know you guessed it
Can't be bitchin', can't be questioned, I got gold in my complexion
Pearls and stone in my new necklace, I got hoes for my erection
I got votes for my election, I got ho for all my brethren, hold up

Chorus: Anderson .Paak
You know, my daddy was a gangsta
And father before him was a damn thug
I'ma learn to escape up out these handcuffs
I ain't going to court to see no damn judge

Refrain: A$AP Rocky
Gangsta, gang-gang, gangsta
Gang-Gang-Gang-Gangsta
Gangsta, gang-gang, gangsta
Gangsta, pop was a gangsta

Outro: A$AP Rocky
f**k that ho when I need sex, give me throat when I need neck
Love her more when I'm erect, I reply when I see text
I forgot her, God be vexed, say no more, my God say less
Copy, copy, I'll be back, wear the tech and stocking cap
So turn on your thinking cap before I push your shit way back
I'm the n***a, copy facts, like that, I'll stop where I be at, hol' up
The Free Nationals

Discography Free Nationals

Free Nationals (Instrumentals)

Release: 2020-06-26
Label: OBE, LLC / EMPIRE
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Obituaries – Instrumental
2. Beauty & Essex – Instrumental
3. On Sight – Instrumental
4. Shibuya – Instrumental
5. Apartment – Instrumental
6. Gidget – Instrumental
7. RENE – Instrumental
8. Time – Instrumental
9. Cut Me a Break – Instrumental
10. Eternal Light – Instrumental
11. Oslo – Instrumental
12. Lester Diamond – Instrumental
13. The Rivington – Instrumental
Tracklist Collapse

Free Nationals

Release: 2019-12-13
Label: OBE, LLC / EMPIRE
Popularity: 👏👏👏
1. Obituaries (feat. Shafiq Husayn)
2. Beauty & Essex (feat. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra)
3. On Sight
4. Shibuya (feat. Syd)
5. Apartment (feat. Benny Sings)
6. Gidget (feat. Anderson .Paak & T.Nava)
7. RENE (feat. Callum Connor)
8. Time
9. Cut Me a Break (feat. T.I.)
10. Eternal Light
11. Oslo (feat. Callum Connor & T.Nava)
12. Lester Diamond
13. The Rivington (feat. Conway, Westside Gunn & Joyce Wrice)
Tracklist Collapse

Upcoming Events for Free Nationals

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

Price Range: $29.5 – 139.5
Date: 2024-09-21
Location: Shoreline Amphitheatre

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

Price Range: $39.5 – 109.5
Date: 2024-10-04
Location: Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

Price Range: $29.5 – 139.5
Date: 2024-10-09
Location: Merriweather Post Pavilion
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