Story I Tell – English Lyrics

• By: Migos

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the authentic narrative of Migos with "Story I Tell." This song offers a vivid glimpse into the group's journey, from street struggles to success, using raw, personal lyrics that are rich with Atlanta slang and trap vernacular. Learning the language through this track will not only help you grasp the song's deep meaning but also immerse you in a significant part of contemporary hip-hop culture and its unique linguistic expressions. Its straightforward storytelling and distinctive flow make it a compelling piece for understanding real-life experiences translated into music.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
riches /ˈrɪtʃɪz/ B1	noun - wealth, valuable possessions or money
trap /træp/ B2	noun - a device for catching animals or things verb - to catch or ensnare noun (slang) - a place where drugs are sold or produced
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - currency used to buy goods and services
diamonds /ˈdaɪəməndz/ B1	noun - precious stones made of carbon, often used in jewellery
bentley /ˈbɛntli/ B2	noun (proper name) - a British luxury automobile brand
versace /vərˈsɑːsi/ B2	noun (proper name) - an Italian fashion house known for opulent clothing and accessories
scale /skeɪl/ B1	noun - a device for measuring weight or size verb - to climb up or down something
plug /plʌg/ B2	noun - a device that connects or seals an opening noun (slang) - a person who supplies illegal drugs
mob /mɒb/ B2	noun - an organized group that engages in criminal activity
juice /dʒuːs/ B2	noun - the liquid obtained from fruits or vegetables noun (slang) - influence, power, or financial resources
bando /ˈbændoʊ/ C1	noun (slang) - an abandoned building used for illicit drug operations
megaton /ˈmɛɡəˌtɒn/ C1	noun - a unit of explosive power equal to one million tons of TNT
midget /ˈmɪdʒɪt/ B2	noun - a very small person; often considered a derogatory term for people with dwarfism
negativity /ˌnɛɡəˈtɪvɪti/ B2	noun - the practice of being negative, gloomy, or pessimistic
critics /ˈkrɪtɪks/ B2	noun - people who evaluate and judge the merits of something, especially works of art or literature
spatula /ˈspætʃələ/ B1	noun - a kitchen utensil with a broad, flat blade used for mixing, spreading or lifting food
whip /wɪp/ B2	noun (slang) - a luxury car, especially a high‑performance automobile verb - to beat or strike repeatedly
author /ˈɔːθər/ B1	noun - a person who writes books, articles or other texts
posture /ˈpɒstʃər/ B2	noun - the way in which a person holds their body when standing or sitting; also a mental attitude

Key Grammar Structures

• You never been on the road to riches

  ➔ Present perfect (negative) without auxiliary "have" (colloquial)

  ➔ The sentence refers to an experience that has never happened. The word "been" is the past participle of "be" and would normally be preceded by "have" (You have never been...). The omission is a common rap‑style shortcut.

• Take your pen and your pad cause you gonna need it

  ➔ "Going to" future expressed with colloquial "gonna"

  ➔ The phrase "you "gonna" need it" means "you are going to need it". "Gonna" is an informal contraction of "going to" used in spoken English and rap lyrics.

• They hate that we came from the Northside

  ➔ "that"‑clause as a noun complement after a verb of emotion

  ➔ The verb "hate" is followed by a noun clause introduced by "that". The clause "that we came from the Northside" functions as the object of "hate".

• I keep the Mac like a midget

  ➔ Simile using "like" + noun phrase

  ➔ The word "like" introduces a comparison. "like a midget" compares the way the speaker "keeps the Mac" to a small person, creating a vivid image.

• You can catch a bullet in your carcass

  ➔ Modal verb "can" + base verb to express ability/possibility

  ➔ "Can" is a modal that shows that something is possible. Here it means "it is possible for you to be hit by a bullet".

• I was on the block, you was on punishment

  ➔ Past simple with subject‑verb agreement error (colloquial) – "was" used with second‑person singular

  ➔ Standard English would use "were" with "you" (You were on punishment). The rapper keeps "was" for rhythm and street‑style authenticity.

• When we dropped Versace, then y'all did it

  ➔ Past simple for sequential actions; "then" as a discourse marker

  ➔ The verb "dropped" is in the simple past, indicating a completed action. "Then" signals that the next clause (y'all did it) happened afterwards.

• I took the plug off and we had a departure

  ➔ Phrasal verb "take off" (separable) + past simple; noun phrase "a departure" as object of "had"

  ➔ "Take the plug off" uses the separable phrasal verb "take off" meaning to remove. The clause "we had a departure" uses "had" as a simple past of "have" meaning "experienced".

• Dope on the scale, man you never seen it

  ➔ Negative experience with present perfect omitted "have"; idiomatic phrase "never seen it"

  ➔ The speaker says the listener has never experienced the drug quantity. In standard English it would be "you have never seen it"; the omission of "have" is typical in rap for rhythm.