Tuscan Leather – English Lyrics

• By: Drake
• Album: Nothing Was The Same

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical mastery and atmospheric production of Drake's "Tuscan Leather." This six-minute opus, with its intricate beat changes and raw storytelling, offers a deep look into Drake's journey to stardom, providing an excellent opportunity to explore modern English slang, nuanced expressions of ambition, and reflections on fame and relationships. Understanding the cultural references and Drake's unique flow will enrich your grasp of contemporary hip-hop language and narrative.

[English]

Yeah

Alright

Yeah

Comin' off the last record

I'm gettin' 20 million off the record

Just to off these records

Nigga, that's a record

I'm livin' like I'm out here on my last adventure

Past the present when you have to mention

This is nothin' for the radio

But they'll still play it though

'Cause it's that new Drizzy Drake

That's just the way it go

Heavy airplay all day with no chorus

We keep it thorough, nigga

Rap like this for all of my borough niggas

I reached the point

Where don't shit matter to me, nigga

I reached heights that

Dwight Howard couldn't reach, nigga

Prince Akeem, they throw flowers at my feet, nigga

I could go a hour on this beat, nigga, yeah

I'm just as famous as my mentor

But that's still the boss, don't get sent for

Get hype on tracks

And jump in front of a bullet you wasn't meant for

'Cause you don't really wanna hear me vent more

Hot temper, scary outcome

Here's a reason for niggas that's hatin' without one

That always let they mouth run

Bench players talkin' like starters, I hate it

Started from the bottom

Now we here, nigga, we made it

Yeah, Tom Ford Tuscan Leather

Smelling like a brick

Degenerates, but even Ellen love our shit

Rich enough

That I don't have to tell 'em that I'm rich

Self explanatory

You just here to spread the story, wassup

...

Sittin' Gucci Row like they say up at UNLV

Young rebel, Young Money

Nothin' you could tell me

Paperwork takin' too long

Maybe they don't understand me

I'll compromise if I have to

I gotta stay with the family

Not even talkin' to Nicki

Communication is breakin'

I dropped the ball on some personal shit

I need to embrace it

I'm honest, I make mistakes

I'd be the second to admit it

Think that's why I need her in my life

To check me when I'm trippin'

On a mission tryna shift the culture

Tell me who dissin'

I got some things that'll hit the culprit

Them strep throat flows

Them shits to stop all of the talkin'

All of the talkin'

Got one reply for all of your comments

Fuck what you think

I'm too busy, that's why you leave a message

Born a perfectionist

Guess that makes me a bit obsessive

That shit I heard from you lately

Really relieved some pressure

Like aye, B, I got your CD

You get an E for effort

I piece letters together

And get to talkin' reckless

Owl chains like credentials

You know you see the necklace

My life's a completed checklist

I'm tired of hearin'

'Bout who you checkin' for now

Just give it time

We'll see who's still around a decade from now

That's real

...

How much time is this nigga spendin' on the intro?

Lately I've been feelin' like Guy Pearce in Memento

I just set the bar

Niggas fall under it like a limbo

The family all that matters

I'm just out here with my kinfolk

Off everything my pen wrote

We went from Bundy to Winslow

This for shorty up on Glengrove

Who love when I catch my tempo

I sip the Pora and listen to Cappadonna

The Fresh Prince just had dinner with Tatyana, no lie

All these 90's fantasies on my mind

The difference is that with mine

They all come true in due time

I might come through without security

To check if you're fine

That's just me on my solo like fuck it, like YOLO

Wanted to tell you, "Accept yourself"

You don't have to prove shit to no one except yourself

And if you end up needin' some extra help

Then I could help

You know, back on your feet and shit

Tryna get my karma up

Fuck the guilty and greedy shit

How much time is this nigga spendin' on the intro?

How this nigga workin' like

He got a fuckin' twin though?

Life is soundin' crazy, 40 on Martin Scorcese

And I wouldn't change a thing if you paid me

Now real nigga, wassup?

Hey, yeah, hey

How much time is this nigga spendin' on the intro?

If there's hell below

I'll see you when you get there

Are you enjoying yourselves?

...

If we may we would just like to close off with something

A bit inspirational

Hopefully, or something a bit relevant

As to us all are having the same fears

Shedding similar tears

And of course dying in so many years

It don't mean that we can't have a good life

So we'd like to just maybe close out with something

For food for thought

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
adventure ˌædˈvɛn.tʃɚ B1	noun - an exciting or unusual experience
radio ˈreɪ.di.oʊ A2	noun - a device that receives broadcast sound signals
airplay ˈɛərˌpleɪ B2	noun - the broadcasting of a recorded song on radio or TV
borough ˈbʌr.oʊ B2	noun - an administrative division of a city or town
heights haɪts B2	noun - a high point or level; great height
mentor ˈmɛn.tɔːr B2	noun - an experienced advisor or teacher
bullet ˈbʊl.ɪt B1	noun - a small metal projectile fired from a gun
temper ˈtɛm.pər B2	noun - a person's state of mind seen in terms of their being angry or calm
outcome ˈaʊt.kʌm B2	noun - the result or effect of an action or event
bench bɛntʃ B2	noun - a long seat for multiple people; also a place where substitutes sit in sports
bottom ˈbɒt.əm A2	noun - the lowest part of something
Tuscan ˈtʌs.kən C1	adjective - relating to Tuscany, a region of Italy
leather ˈlɛð.ər A2	noun - a material made from animal skin
Gucci ˈɡuː.tʃi B2	noun - a luxury Italian fashion brand
paperwork ˈpeɪ.pər.wɜːrk B2	noun - the routine administrative work involving documents
compromise ˈkɒm.prə.maɪz B2	verb - to reach an agreement by each side giving up something
honest ˈɒn.ɪst B1	adjective - truthful; not lying or cheating
obsessive əbˈsɛs.ɪv C1	adjective - excessively preoccupied with a thought or activity

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm gettin' 20 million off the record

  ➔ Present Continuous (Progressive)

  ➔ The verb "gettin'" is the present continuous form of "get" used to show an action happening now; the apostrophe marks the informal dropping of the final "g".

• I reached heights that Dwight Howard couldn't reach

  ➔ Relative Clause with Modal Verb

  ➔ The clause "that Dwight Howard couldn't reach" is a relative clause describing "heights"; "couldn't" is a modal verb expressing inability in the past.

• Started from the bottom, now we here

  ➔ Zero Copula / Ellipsis in Informal Speech

  ➔ The verb "are" is omitted before "here"; in informal English the zero copula is often used after "now" to convey "now we are here".

• If there's hell below, I'll see you when you get there

  ➔ First Conditional (Real Conditional) + Future Time Clause

  ➔ The clause "If there's hell below" is a present‑simple condition; the result clause "I'll see you when you get there" uses "will" for future prediction and a time clause introduced by "when".

• Tom Ford Tuscan Leather, Smelling like a brick

  ➔ Reduced Participial Clause

  ➔ "Smelling like a brick" is a participial phrase without a subject; it modifies the preceding noun phrase "Tuscan Leather" and functions like a descriptive clause.

• How much time is this nigga spendin' on the intro?

  ➔ Present Simple Question + Gerund‑like Progressive Form

  ➔ The auxiliary "is" is used with the informal "spendin'" (dropping the "g"); this mimics a progressive aspect even though the verb "spend" normally forms the simple present "spends".

• I need to stay with the family

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ "to stay" is an infinitive used after "need" to express the purpose of the need: I need "to stay" with the family.

• I’d be the second to admit it

  ➔ Conditional Perfect (modal "would")

  ➔ "I’d be" contracts "I would be"; the conditional "would" expresses a hypothetical situation: in that scenario I would be the second person to admit it.

• Life is soundin' crazy, 40 on Martin Scorsese

  ➔ Present Continuous for Descriptive Effect

  ➔ "is soundin'" uses the present continuous "is" + gerund "soundin'" (dropping "g") to give a vivid, ongoing sense that life feels "crazy" at this moment.