CODE OF HONOR
Descrição
Em "CODE OF HONOR", 21 Savage oferece uma análise profunda e visceral das complexidades e cicatrizes da vida nas ruas. A faixa é uma reflexão sincera sobre a perda e o luto por amigos como Johnny, Larry e Kobe, cujas mortes violentas ressoam como um constante lembrete da brutalidade de seu passado. O artista explora o rigoroso "código de honra" que permeava seu ambiente, destacando a lealdade inabalável à comunidade e a inevitabilidade da retribuição. Embora 21 Savage tenha alcançado sucesso e riqueza, a letra revela que esses triunfos não dissiparam os traumas e a desconfiança em relação a ex-associados e a inveja. A música se apresenta como um desabafo e um mecanismo de sobrevivência, permitindo ao artista expressar sua dor e autenticidade, reafirmando sua identidade forjada na adversidade e a importância de suas raízes, mesmo diante da prosperidade.
Letra
When Johnny passed? (Yeah)
Oh, nah, that - right there was different 'cause it was like
When bro passed, that - was— it was unexpected 'cause it was like
Like, that ain't no nigga you thought
That would die, you feel what I'm sayin'?
Always had a gun, that nigga was always
On point, like, the way he moved, like
So it was like, hearing Johnny die, like
What? Like, that - was untouchable
Tattoos cover my face
Scars on my whole body
On the cut bad, I'm missin' Johnny
I had - with him right beside me
Code of honor, man, it's understood
I gave everything to my hood
Call me -, boy, I wish you would
-, I'd do it
Hundred M's, I done ran through it
Iced the bros out like I'm 'posed to do it
You think I'm bluffin', -, call my jeweler
Twenty chains like I'm Rick the Ruler
Late night servin', it was just me and my
-, Hit your head and matter come out your medulla
Wrecked the hotbox on the move, my mama called a Uber
Scared to be myself around you, feel like I might lose you
Larry got killed with his mama, I broke into pieces
I'ma up this - and - soon as you get to reachin'
I was adolescent thuggin', didn't no OG teach me
Treated buddy like my blood and he was - leechin'
I just want the best for you, my -, I ain't preachin'
You got envy in your heart and that's why we ain't speakin'
Soon as I became successful, like, our bond weakened
Better thank God that I ain't smack your - and leave you leakin'
Tattoos cover my face
Scars on my whole body
On the cut bad, I'm missin' Johnny
I had - with him right beside me
Code of honor, man, it's understood
I gave everything to my hood
Call me -, boy, I wish you would
-, I'd do it
Worth some millions, I was still posted in the trenches
War time, we goin' for it like it's four for inches
Poured a four of Act' with Gilly 'fore he took his sentence
Old days, he was twice my age, not to mention (Yeah)
I told Kobe not to walk home, but he didn't listen
I heard every - go off when them - hit him
Before this rap - got turnt, I really been on missions
That's why anywhere on Earth, I blend in with the
Still remember that first - I -
Back and forth, now this - lit, I had to graduate to a stick
You ain't never pull up in four whips
Jump out, leave everybody on they
I got aim, I don't need no switch, on Cap, I'm empty this - quick
Can't believe that I got rich
Had to move my mama way out to the sticks 'cause - wicked
I couldn't end up like someone I once loved and be a statistic
Act like - 'cause they can't kick it
Or worse than that, they turn to witnesses
Beat the streets, sometimes I miss it
Dead friends tatted in my skin
I lost Greg, damn, I miss my twin
I lost Roc, all I did was spin
Swear to God, I'd do it again
In my feelings, got me - abusin'
Only thing that saved me was music
Got my - on me, I'm ridin', cruisin'
-, I'll use it
(Taurus)
I wish it was back when we was kids
Like, back in the day
Was the best times
Even though it might've been a lil'
Bit of arguin' or fightin' goin' on
But it wasn't nothin' like how it was
When that man started gettin' some money
Gírias
Na letra, "on the cut bad" pode se referir a estar profundamente afetado emocionalmente por uma perda ou em uma situação precária nas ruas. "Rick the Ruler" é uma alusão ao rapper Slick Rick, famoso por seu estilo e uso de joias, aqui usado para enfatizar o número de correntes. "Medulla" é a medula oblonga, parte do cérebro, empregada em uma ameaça violenta para descrever um tiro fatal na cabeça. "Poured a four of Act'" descreve a ação de misturar quatro onças de Actavis, um xarope com codeína, para criar a bebida recreativa conhecida como lean. Por fim, "graduate to a stick" indica a progressão de armas de fogo menores para armamentos mais potentes, como fuzis ou armas automáticas.