The Streets Pronounce Me Dead – English Lyrics

• By: Wyclef Jean

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the power of language as a tool for self-assertion with Wyclef Jean's 'The Streets Pronounce Me Dead.' This song offers a masterclass in using direct, powerful lyrics to reclaim a narrative. For English learners, it's a fantastic opportunity to study idiomatic expressions and the art of the comeback, all within the framework of a compelling personal story set to a classic hip-hop beat. Discover how Wyclef uses language to resurrect his musical persona.

[English]

The return of the hip hop ammadeus

Wyclef Toussaint St. Jean drama

Streets prounounce me dead [x6]

I tell em I'm alive but rumor says I'm dead

The reseruction of the dead... I could never get

And if I ever die, all I do is ride

The streets prounounce me dead

Puttin 2 holes in my head

At the funeral, I had more friends than the grateful dead

Haters started talkin sayin I went left

Akon took my spot will I am took my vest

Started beatin on the coffin cause I could hear the crowd

But they can't hear me cause lil' jon's preachin too loud

That's when the bishop said last words for friends and family

Then the fans stood up and said y'all forgot the fugees

50 million records sold straight from the basement

How y'all gon tell me wyclef is irrelevant

A rapper stood up and said yup I got amnesia

Last time I remember him was gone til novemeber

He said I don't spit no more all I do is sing songs

Last time he felt me was when I rhymed with Big Pun

That's ightt get the hate off ya chest

You a rap con artist not a Kanye West (I AINT DEAD!)

Streets prounounce me dead [x6]

I tell em I'm alive but rumor says I'm dead

The reseruction of the dead... I could never get

And if I ever die, all I do is ride

I mean the streets say it's been a while since they heard me spit

That I spit so hard my ghostwriter must be cannubis

But far permit, this is how I started

But my battle raps couldn't get me groceries from the super market

So I found another target to aim at

I went from food stamps to the black a mac's

8 track cassettes the cd's the ipod's

Bmx bixes the hoopdies the hot rods

And my swag come from nazareth

How you gone say I'm dead when I rose like lazareth

And this ain't mystic I ain't talkin voodoo

We do carry spears like the zulu's

So watch your mouth boy I ain't dead

Fo' the city gon turn red, blood will shed

So before you speak boy watch your tone

Fo' my chrome gon turn you to a statue of stone (I AINT DEAD!)

Streets prounounce me dead [x6]

I tell em I'm alive but rumor says I'm dead

The reseruction of the dead... I could never get

And if I ever die, all I do is ride

They all got shocked when I rose from the coffin

Dust my self off then headed out to new jerusalem

Destroyed and rebuilt

My voice sound like silk

Audio tune like milk

I used to shop lift with no guilt

And christimas time toy guns the size of elves

I seen the ra-ta-ta-ta turn into the real shells

Yup killa you press ya luck

Went to sleep in the pond, woke up with the ducks

And this ain't gangsta talk, I don't talk the talk

I suggest you walk or get outlined in chalk

And you ain't from the street

But yet you walk the streets, you a C.O.P. a cop walkin the beat

But the rule on the streets they could turn on you

Like a pitbull after givin him food

Or the girl that you bought all the cars and the jewels

Only to find out on memorial dey fuckin in the swimmin pool (I AINT DEAD!)

Streets prounounce me dead [x6]

I tell em I'm alive but rumor says I'm dead

The reseruction of the dead... I could never get

And if I ever die, all I do is ride

Yea

Warriors music

Drama

From the hut, to the projects, to the mansions

So ya'll know you ya'll ain't got no excuses

I'm aliveeee

Wyclef AKA Toussaint St. Jean

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pronounce /prəˈnaʊns/ B1	verb - to declare or announce formally
resurrection /ˌrɛzəˈrɛkʃən/ B2	noun - the act of coming back to life or activity
rumor /ˈruːmər/ A2	noun - a piece of unverified information spread from person to person
funeral /ˈfjuːnərəl/ A2	noun - a ceremony held after someone dies
haters /ˈheɪtərz/ A2	noun - people who dislike or oppose someone or something
relevant /ˈrɛləvənt/ B1	adjective - closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered
coffin /ˈkɒfɪn/ A2	noun - a box for burying a dead body
swag /swæɡ/ B1	noun - a person's style or confidence
voodoo /ˈvuːduː/ B2	noun - a religion or magical practices associated with West African cultures
zulu /ˈzuːluː/ B2	noun - a member of a Native African people of South Africa
chrome /kroʊm/ B1	noun - a hard, shiny metal used for plating
outline /ˈaʊtˌlaɪn/ B1	verb - to draw or trace the outer edge of something
pitbull /ˈpɪtbʊl/ A2	noun - a breed of dog known for strength and tenacity
memorial /məˈmɔːriəl/ B1	noun - a structure or event to remember a person or event
warrior /ˈwɔːriər/ A2	noun - a person who fights in battles
excuses /ɪkˈskjuːzɪz/ A2	noun - a reason or explanation given to justify a fault or offense