Long Live the Chief – English Lyrics

• By: Jidenna
• Album: Wondaland Presents: The Eephus

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the vibrant sounds and powerful message of Jidenna's "Long Live the Chief," a song that blends hip-hop with Nigerian influences. By diving into the lyrics, you'll gain insight into themes of heritage, leadership, and social consciousness, all while enjoying Jidenna's unique musical style and sharp wordplay.

[English]

Niggas fighting over rings

Niggas wanna be the King, but

Long live the chief

For a lil' ol' thang lil' boys bang bang

Long live the chief

Niggas fighting over rings

Niggas wanna be the king, but

Long live the chief

Yeah, I watch pretty mama while I slang my cane

Long live the chief

Uh

Cockroaches and the rat shit, uh

Hand me downs with the patches

Mama put a little money in the mattress

Taught me how to make a silver spoon out of plastic

You can either sink, swim or be the captain

Get the last word I'ma get the last laugh in

Now they say "Jidenna why you dressing so classic?"

I don't want my best dressed day in a casket

You can either lead, follow or get out the way

Make a fuckin' move it would make my fuckin' day

Got a hundred year plan you just think about today

Always been about time more than been about pay

Can't rump with me

Usain couldn't run with me

Chief come to find you

You don't come for me

At best you can run a lil' company

Nigga at worst, I could run the whole country

That's right, pimp game like a brothel

That's why, I don't judge a niggas hustle

I AirBnB the crib like a hostel

Summer rate cheaper 'cause the streets get hostile

Shaka boy, this fire from Mojave boy

So, no, I won't record for your homie boy

I turn the party out like a naughty toy

Then I go and hide in plain sight like a lobby boy

Yessir, that's Jidenna on the banner

Ridin' for my niggas gettin' locked up in the slammer

Elders saying everything's a nail to a hammer

And niggas can't spell but we know our Instagrammar

Well done's better than well said

I read niggas well, a nigga well read

Really I ain't met nobody smarter

That's why I got admitted but I still rejected Harvard

I'm the fresh prince, in a school where they couldn't read

Mama put me in a school with the Kennedys

When I met Bill Clinton I was 17

But dead presidents is all my niggas need

Dining with the governor's daughter

And her father say I remind him of Obama

I'm the chief diplomat, e'ryday

And I'm black and white, Janelle Monae

They wan' be the King, but

Long live the chief

For a lil' ol' thang lil' boys bang bang

Long live the chief

Niggas fighting over rings

Niggas wanna be the King, but

Long live the chief

Now, watch pretty mama while I slang my cane

Long live the chief

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
chief /tʃiːf/ A1	noun - a leader or head of a group
king /kɪŋ/ A1	noun - a male monarch
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot verb - to manage or operate
lead /liːd/ A2	verb - to guide or direct
hustle /ˈhʌsəl/ B1	noun - fast or energetic activity verb - to work hard or pushily to achieve something
diplomat /ˈdɪpləmæt/ B2	noun - a person who represents a country in foreign relations
captain /ˈkæptən/ A2	noun - a person who commands a ship or aircraft
classic /ˈklæsɪk/ B1	adjective - something of high quality and lasting value
plastic /ˈplæstɪk/ A2	noun - a synthetic material made from organic polymers
hostile /ˈhɒstaɪl/ B1	adjective - unfriendly or aggressive
lobby /ˈlɒbi/ B1	noun - a large entrance room in a hotel or public building
slang /slæŋ/ B1	noun - informal language used in a particular context verb - to use informal language
patch /pætʃ/ A2	noun - a piece of material used to cover a hole
mattress /ˈmætrəs/ A2	noun - a large pad for a bed
reject /rɪˈdʒekt/ A2	verb - to refuse to accept or consider