Buy Back the Block – English Lyrics

• By: Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language is about more than just words; it's about understanding the culture. 'Buy Back the Block' offers a unique window into the aspirations of modern hip-hop culture, moving beyond tales of street life to a message of financial literacy and community building. Through this song, you can learn the powerful slang and metaphors used to discuss wealth and ownership, all while being inspired by a story of turning success into a positive force for one's roots.

Key Grammar Structures

• I gotta ball for Peter, all of my boys illegal

  ➔ Present Perfect

  ➔ The phrase "I gotta ball" uses the present perfect to indicate an action that started in the past and continues to the present. "Have got" is often used colloquially instead of "have to".

• I used to sell the reefer, now I just sell Adidas

  ➔ Used to

  ➔ The phrase "I used to sell the reefer" indicates a past habit that is no longer true. "Used to" is used to describe actions or states that were repeated in the past but have stopped.

• These niggas falling off, only the strong survive

  ➔ Present Continuous

  ➔ The phrase "These niggas falling off" uses the present continuous to describe an action happening now or around now. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.

• I'm bout to buy back the hood, buy back the hood

  ➔ Going to Future

  ➔ The phrase "I'm bout to buy back the hood" uses "be going to" to express a future action that is planned or certain. It implies intention or a strong probability.

• If you feel like I feel, I pray you live rich forever

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 1)

  ➔ The phrase "If you feel like I feel" introduces a Type 1 conditional sentence, which describes a likely result of a probable situation. The structure is "If + present simple, + will/can + infinitive".

• I might buy me 10 Denny's, I might buy Family Dollar

  ➔ Modal Verb (Might)

  ➔ The word "might" is a modal verb used to express possibility or uncertainty. In this context, it suggests that buying Denny's or Family Dollar is a potential but not definite action.

• Cut it to 50 cent, I got a job for your father

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The phrase "Cut it to 50 cent" is in the imperative mood, used to give a direct command or instruction. It is a concise way to tell someone to reduce something to a specific amount.

• My lil son, he a prince, it's time that we represent

  ➔ Relative Pronoun (that)

  ➔ The word "that" is a relative pronoun used to introduce a clause that gives additional information about the preceding noun. In this sentence, it connects the idea of representing to the timing.

• It's all about your last name meaning something, you heard me?

  ➔ Emphasis with "do"

  ➔ The phrase "you heard me?" uses the auxiliary verb "do" for emphasis, reinforcing the speaker's point. It is a colloquial way to ensure the listener understands and acknowledges the statement.