The Watcher
Dr Dre Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Things just ain't the same for gangstas
Times is changing, young niggas is aging
Becoming O.Gs in the game and changing
To make way for these new names and faces
But the strangest things can happen from rapping
When niggas get wrapped up in image and acting
Niggas get capped up and wrapped in plastic
Zipped up in bags: when it happens, that's it I've seen 'em come, I've watched 'em go
Watched 'em rise, witnessed it and watched 'em blow
Watched 'em all blossom and watched 'em grow
Watched the lawsuits when they lost the dough
Best friends and money: I lost them both
Went visited niggas in the hospital
It's all the same shit all across the globe
I just sit back and watch the show

Everywhere that I go
Ain't the same as befo' (The watcher)
People I used to know
Just don't know me no mo' (The watcher)
But everywhere that I go
I got people I know (The watcher)
Who got people they know
So I suggest you lay low (I watch)

I moved out of the hood for good, you blame me?
Niggas aim mainly at niggas they can't be
But niggas can't hit niggas they can't see
I'm out of sight, now I'm out of they dang reach
How would you feel if niggas wanted you killed?
You'd probably move to a new house on a new hill
And choose a new spot, if niggas wanted you shot
I ain't a thug, how much 2Pac in you you got?
I ain't no bitch, neither
It's either my life or your life
And I ain't leaving, I like breathing
Nigga, we can go round for round
Clip for clip, shit, fo'-pound for pound
Nigga, if you really want to take it there, we can
Just remember that you fucking with a family man
I got a lot more to lose than you, remember that
When you wanna come and fill these shoes

Everywhere that I go
Ain't the same as befo' (The watcher)
People I used to know
Just don't know me no mo' (The watcher)
But everywhere that I go
I got people I know (The watcher)
Who got people they know
So I suggest you lay low (I watch)

Things just ain't the same for gangstas
Cops is anxious to put niggas in handcuffs
They wanna hang us, see us dead, enslave us
Keep us trapped in the same place we're raised in
Then they wonder why we act so outrageous
Run around stressed out and pull out gauges
Cause every time you let the animal out cages
It's dangerous to people who look like strangers
But now we got a new era of gangstas
Hustlers and youngsters living amongst us
Lookin' at us, now calling us busters
Can't help but reminisce back when it was us
Nigga, we started this gangsta shit!
And this the motherfucking thanks I get?
It's funny how time fly
I'm just having fun just watching it fly by

Everywhere that I go
Ain't the same as befo' (The watcher)
People I used to know
Just don't know me no mo' (The watcher)
But everywhere that I go
I got people I know (The watcher)

Who got people they know
So I suggest you lay low (I watch)

Overall Meaning

Dr Dre's "The Watcher" is a contemplation on the changing landscape of gangsta rap and the rapper's own life. Dre reflects on how time flies, and how things just ain't the same for gangstas. As young niggas age becoming O.Gs, rappers face increasing pressure to maintain an image that can result in them getting wrapped up in image and acting. The rapper also ruminates on issues of loyalty, money, and life, recalling losing both best friends and money. The song concludes with Dre warning listeners to lay low because he is watching.

Line by Line Meaning

Things just ain't the same for gangstas
The world has changed for gangsters.

Times is changing, young n***as is aging
Young people are growing up and changing with the times.

Becoming O.Gs in the game and changing
They are becoming veterans of the game and adapting to the changes.

To make way for these new names and faces
To make room for the new players.

But the strangest things can happen from rapping
The music industry can lead to unexpected outcomes.

When n***as get wrapped up in image and acting
When artists become too focused on their image and persona.

N***as get capped up and wrapped in plastic
Rappers get murdered and disposed of in a gruesome manner.

Zipped up in bags: when it happens, that's it
When this happens, it's game over.

I've seen 'em come, I've watched 'em go
I've witnessed many rappers rise and fall.

Watched 'em rise, witnessed it and watched 'em blow
I've seen them become successful and then lose it all.

Watched 'em all blossom and watched 'em grow
I've seen them achieve their potential and become famous.

Watched the lawsuits when they lost the dough
I've seen them go broke and face legal troubles.

Best friends and money: I lost them both
I've lost both close friends and money due to the music industry.

Went visited n***as in the hospital
I've visited friends who have been injured or shot.

It's all the same shit all across the globe
These issues are present in the music industry worldwide.

I just sit back and watch the show
I observe the music industry without being caught up in it.

Everywhere that I go
In all the places I visit.

Ain't the same as befo' (The watcher)
Things have changed since I became a success.

People I used to know
Former acquaintances.

Just don't know me no mo' (The watcher)
They don't recognize me anymore.

But everywhere that I go
However, I still have connections in all the places I visit.

I got people I know (The watcher)
I have friends and acquaintances in these places.

Who got people they know
These people know others as well.

So I suggest you lay low (I watch)
So be cautious, because I'm watching.

I moved out of the hood for good, you blame me?
I left the neighborhood permanently. Do you blame me for leaving?

N***as aim mainly at n***as they can't be
People usually target those they envy.

But n***as can't hit n***as they can't see
They can't harm those they can't find.

I'm out of sight, now I'm out of they dang reach
I'm far from their reach and hidden.

How would you feel if n***as wanted you killed?
How would you react if someone wanted to kill you?

You'd probably move to a new house on a new hill
You would probably move to a safer area.

And choose a new spot, if n***as wanted you shot
You would also choose a new location if you were targeted.

I ain't a thug, how much 2Pac in you you got?
I'm not a gangster, how much of 2Pac's bravado do you have?

I ain't no bitch, neither
But I'm not a coward either.

It's either my life or your life
It's a matter of life or death.

And I ain't leaving, I like breathing
I'm not leaving because I want to live.

N****, we can go round for round
We can fight back and forth.

Clip for clip, s**t, fo'-pound for pound
We can shoot back and forth.

N****, if you really want to take it there, we can
If you really want to escalate things, we can.

Just remember that you f***ing with a family man
But remember that I have a family to take care of.

I got a lot more to lose than you, remember that
I have more to lose than you do, keep that in mind.

When you wanna come and fill these shoes
If you want to take my place, come and try.

Cops is anxious to put n****s in handcuffs
The police are eager to arrest black people.

They wanna hang us, see us dead, enslave us
They want to control us and even kill us.

Keep us trapped in the same place we're raised in
They want to keep us in our disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Then they wonder why we act so outrageous
Then they ask why we behave so violently.

Run around stressed out and pull out gauges
People carry guns and are quick to use them.

Cause every time you let the animal out cages
When people are pushed too far, they become violent.

It's dangerous to people who look like strangers
This is a danger to innocent people.

But now we got a new era of gangstas
Now there are new gangsters on the scene.

Hustlers and youngsters living amongst us
There are young people who idolize this lifestyle.

Looking at us, now calling us busters
They now disrespect us and call us weak.

Can't help but reminisce back when it was us
I can't help but think back when we were on top.

N****, we started this gangsta s***!
We were the original gangsters.

And this the motherf***ing thanks I get?
And this is the appreciation I receive?

It's funny how time flies
It's amusing how quickly time passes.

I'm just having fun just watching it fly by
I'm just enjoying watching it all happen.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARSHALL MATHERS, ANDRE YOUNG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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