The Finals – English Lyrics

• By: Joey Bada$$

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw and assertive world of East Coast hip-hop with Joey Bada$$'s "The Finals." This track is not only a masterclass in lyrical combat and wordplay, but also a showcase of authentic New York rap. By listening, you can explore nuanced expressions of confidence, defiance, and sharp-witted disses, making it an excellent song to understand the competitive and intricate language of modern hip-hop storytelling.

[English]

Let's get it.

New York City, stand up.

I'm back.

Straight stupid, all you dumb.

Nigga six nigga, Joey and one.

What kind of Top Dawg is you?

You more Shih Tzu, you was cloned in the lab, dog, you artificial.

You known for your label, not because your art, official.

And I ain't got to talk about how broke you are to fix you.

Cause when I sit shots at you it be hard to miss you.

Ain't got a load of magazine just to press this issue.

In fact, these ain't even shots, they missiles.

Tryna outclass a bad ass?

So I got to dismiss you.

You all bark, no bite, but hit dogs going holler.

Caught a couple strays, now it's time I put 'em on a collar.

I let 'em ride while I charge her for top dollar.

You the next nigga getting dropped off a top roster.

And I'ma be the reason.

Okay, bet you sick dog, looking for beef with a season vet.

I used to nine six puffs, nigga, you gon' see.

You barking up the wrong tree, think you fucking with me.

It's about time Top let your ass off for the lease.

Signed her for five years, yet your biggest moment from me.

Can't nobody name a single song you ever released.

Even crash out wasn't your original beat.

Every time Joey drop, you see he eats.

I did more for you than the whole of TDE.

It's too bad, nigga, you should have been signed to me.

Somebody tell Top we about to start TDE East.

Funny how they got to use the Pro name for Promo on the low though.

I really think you niggas is homos.

The way you let dot dick sit in your mouth.

This that same dick licking I was talking about.

You niggas would do anything for the clout.

Crash out over niggas who don't even let you in their house.

I bet you ain't even got his number.

It's funny how the dirt is being discussed as hunger.

Should have sat down, been humble, but now I got to sun you.

This little ray of light will be the biggest shine of your whole life.

I don't just flow, I talk to your soul on the mic.

You don't want to smoke with me, please just give me a light.

You need me to buzz, I'm light years beyond right.

What me too engaged, so you mention my fiance?

Clearly I ain't scared to get in the ring.

I mean, even Gervonta had to fight a couple bombs just to be king.

Fuck around, leave me no choice to slay.

Von, sugar in your tank, but you ain't no Sugar Ray, Von.

Gave on, keep punching up with them pillow hands.

You ain't even the middle man, you just a little man.

Fuck with me, we throw hands like Rayman.

You ain't know Rayliyo that how much you made, man.

Said I wouldn't talk about your pocket, but hey, man.

You need an optician just to see Ray-Bans.

Go fetch a coffee for your CEO.

Judging by the numbers, clearly I could see he old.

Your mouth running cuz your pockets run on low.

I'm active and I'm active. Yeah.

And that's something only me and Pac would know.

Play with fire then you gon' get burned.

Listen and learn, kid, you was better off as an intern.

Better yet a mascot.

I been a beast with these flows, nigga, you can ask God.

Illuminati part two.

Yeah, that was my last shot.

And there's a difference between that and Rules Back.

Let's be clear.

I salute you, Kenny, but I know you are well aware.

You looking for some competition, then just know that I'll be right here.

Straight like that.

Yeah.

Sly nigga rap.

Live and direct.

Yeah.

I'm back.

New York City.

You a now rapping.

You a bad ass.

You got to love it.

Yeah.

Yes, right.

Joey Bada$$

Yeah.

The Finals, nigga.

And you failed the test, nigga.

Fucking failed.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot verb - to manage or operate
bark /bɑːrk/ A2	verb - the sound a dog makes noun - the sound a dog makes
bite /baɪt/ A1	verb - to use teeth to cut or grip noun - the act of gripping with teeth
missile /ˈmɪsaɪl/ B1	noun - a weapon that flies through the air to explode on impact
dismiss /dɪsˈmɪs/ B2	verb - to send someone away or end something
collar /ˈkɒlər/ A2	noun - a band around the neck
roster /ˈrɒstər/ B1	noun - a list of names or people
vet /vɛt/ B1	noun - a veterinarian verb - to check or approve
clout /klaʊt/ B2	noun - influence or power
humble /ˈhʌmbl/ A2	adjective - modest or not proud
flow /floʊ/ A2	noun - the movement of a liquid or gas verb - to move smoothly
buzz /bʌz/ A2	noun - a low humming sound verb - to make a low humming sound
engaged /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/ B1	adjective - involved or occupied
slay /sleɪ/ B1	verb - to kill violently
fetch /fɛtʃ/ A2	verb - to go and get something
intern /ˈɪntɜːrn/ B1	noun - a student or trainee who works to gain experience
beast /biːst/ A2	noun - a large or dangerous animal
illuminati /ɪˌluːmɪˈnɑːti/ C1	noun - a group claiming to possess special enlightenment
salute /səˈluːt/ A2	verb - to honor or show respect
competition /ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃən/ A2	noun - a contest or rivalry

Key Grammar Structures

• You more Shih Tzu, you was cloned in the lab, dog, you artificial.

  ➔ Passive Voice (Past Simple)

  ➔ The phrase "was cloned" uses the past simple passive voice to describe an action that happened to the subject ("you") in the past, without specifying the agent who performed the cloning.

• And I ain't got to talk about how broke you are to fix you.

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ The infinitive phrase "to fix you" expresses the reason or purpose for the action mentioned previously (talking about how broke someone is).

• Caught a couple strays, now it's time I put 'em on a collar.

  ➔ "It's time (for someone) to do something" (Subjunctive-like)

  ➔ The structure "it's time I put" is used to suggest that an action is overdue or should happen immediately. It implies a sense of urgency or necessity.

• I used to nine six puffs, nigga, you gon' see.

  ➔ "Used to" (Past Habit)

  ➔ "Used to nine six puffs" describes a repetitive action or a state that occurred regularly in the past but no longer happens in the present.

• It's too bad, nigga, you should have been signed to me.

  ➔ Modal Perfect Passive ("Should have been + Past Participle")

  ➔ The phrase "should have been signed" expresses a past regret or criticism about a missed opportunity or a different outcome that would have been better, presented in a passive construction.

• It's funny how the dirt is being discussed as hunger.

  ➔ Present Continuous Passive

  ➔ "Is being discussed" indicates an ongoing action that is happening *to* the subject ("the dirt") right now. The subject is receiving the action, not performing it.

• Play with fire then you gon' get burned.

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 0/1, implied "If")

  ➔ This sentence implies a conditional relationship: "If you play with fire, then you will get burned." It describes a general truth or a likely consequence of an action.

• Judging by the numbers, clearly I could see he old.

  ➔ Participial Phrase (Present Participle as Adverbial)

  ➔ "Judging by the numbers" is a participial phrase that functions adverbially, providing the basis or context for the main clause's statement.

• And that's something only me and Pac would know.

  ➔ Modal "Would" (Hypothetical/Characteristic)

  ➔ "Would know" is used here to describe a characteristic or a hypothetical situation, implying that this knowledge is exclusive to "me and Pac" under certain circumstances.

• You looking for some competition, then just know that I'll be right here.

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 1, implied "If")

  ➔ This sentence implies "If you are looking for some competition, then just know that I will be right here." It describes a real possibility in the present/future and its likely consequence or advice.