It Ain't OK – English Lyrics

• By: Gudda Gudda
• Album: It Ain't Ok - Single

Lyrics & Translation

Explore Gudda Gudda's hard-hitting track 'It Ain't OK,' a blend of hip-hop and trap that provides insight into societal frustrations and the demand for respect. This song offers a potent example of how music can voice protest and a call for change.

[English]

It was a messed up corrupted system, I can be a victim

Knee to my neck if I don’t listen

I need my respect and I’m gonna get it

We need our respect and we gonna get it

You started a revolution, rioting and looting

Tell us to put our hands up, be quiet and then you shoot us

Now you can’t pay us to keep quiet you can’t mute us

Televise our deaths and put us live on computers

Minority Report I’m speaking live from the Gutta

I’d be lucky if I make it out alive from the Gutta man

They don’t give a f**k about us

I guess it’s time to do something about it

Rest In Peace George

It ain’t okay, no it ain’t okay no

Knee to my neck if I don’t obey

Tried to plead for my life but you said no way

I can’t breathe man you let my soul float away

It ain’t okay, no it ain’t okay no

Knee to my neck if I don’t obey

Tried to plead for my life but you said no way

I can’t breathe man you let my soul float away

F**k a pay leave they don’t need suspensions

Life in prison better be the final sentence

F**k a pay leave they don’t need suspensions

Life in prison better be the final sentence yeah

They try to lock us in a cage in the system

So now we letting out this rage so you can feel it politicians

Listen up, all lives matter and that is true

But all lives can’t til black lives matter too

So we tearing down statues setting flames to the precinct

Knocking on the White House door so trump can see me

Don’t pay attention to the propaganda on your TV

If we don’t obey they might kill us live on TV

It ain’t okay, no it ain’t okay no

Knee to my neck if I don’t obey

Tried to plead for my life but you said no way

I can’t breathe man you let my soul float away

It ain’t okay, no it ain’t okay no

Knee to my neck if I don’t obey

Tried to plead for my life but you said no way

I can’t breathe man you let my soul float away

George, Rest In Peace Breonna Taylor, Rest In Peace George Floyd

Ahmaud Arbery, Rest In Peace Tamir Rice, Rest In Peace Alton Sterling

Rest In Peace Sandra Bland, Kendrick Johnson, Rest In Peace Mike Brown

Rayshard Brooks, Rest In Peace Trayvon Martin, Corey Jones

Rest In Peace Oscar Grant, Stephon Clark, Aiyana Jones, Rest In Peace George Floyd

It ain’t okay, no it ain’t okay no

Knee to my neck if I don’t obey

Tried to plead for my life but you said no way

I can’t breathe man you let my soul float away

It ain’t okay, no it ain’t okay no

Knee to my neck if I don’t obey

Tried to plead for my life but you said no way

I can’t breathe man you let my soul float away

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
system /ˈsɪstəm/ B2	noun - a set of connected things or parts working together
victim /ˈvɪktɪm/ B1	noun - a person harmed or affected by something
respect /rɪˈspɛkt/ B1	noun - a feeling of admiration or consideration verb - to admire or have consideration for
revolution /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃən/ B2	noun - a forcible overthrow of a government or social order
riot /ˈraɪət/ B2	noun - a violent public disorder verb - to take part in a violent public disturbance
loot /luːt/ B2	verb - to steal goods during a disorder noun - goods stolen during a riot or war
mute /mjuːt/ B2	adjective - silent, unable or unwilling to speak verb - to silence or turn off sound
alive /əˈlaɪv/ A2	adjective - living, not dead
obey /əˈbeɪ/ B1	verb - to follow rules or orders
plead /pliːd/ B2	verb - to make an emotional appeal
soul /soʊl/ B2	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a person
prison /ˈprɪzən/ B2	noun - a place for detaining people convicted of crimes
sentence /ˈsɛntəns/ B2	noun - a punishment assigned by a court
rage /reɪdʒ/ B2	noun - violent, uncontrollable anger
politician /ˌpɒləˈtɪʃən/ B2	noun - a person involved in politics
propaganda /ˌprɒpəˈɡændə/ C1	noun - information used to influence public opinion
statue /ˈstætʃuː/ B1	noun - a carved or cast figure of a person or animal

Key Grammar Structures

• Knee to my neck if I don’t listen

  ➔ First Conditional

  ➔ This uses the structure 'If + present simple, will + base verb'. Here, it's implied 'If I don't listen', the consequence is a knee to the neck. It expresses a real possibility.

• You started a revolution, rioting and looting

  ➔ Present Perfect & Gerunds

  ➔ "Started" is in the present perfect, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past with relevance to the present. “Rioting and looting” are gerunds functioning as objects of the verb 'started'.

• They don’t give a f**k about us

  ➔ Negative Contraction & Informal Language

  ➔ "Don't" is a contraction of 'do not'. The phrase uses strong, vulgar language ('f**k') to emphasize a lack of care or concern.

• But all lives can’t til black lives matter too

  ➔ Modal Verb 'can' + 'til' (until) + Subjunctive Mood

  ➔ The use of 'can't til' is a colloquial shortening of 'cannot until'. The phrase implies that the idea of 'all lives matter' is incomplete or invalid *until* Black lives are acknowledged and valued. 'Matter' is used in a way that suggests a need or importance.

• Don’t pay attention to the propaganda on your TV

  ➔ Imperative Mood & Noun as Adjective

  ➔ "Don't pay" is an imperative verb, giving a direct command. 'Propaganda' functions as an adjective describing the content on 'your TV'.