Lyrics & Translation
Dive into the lyrical depth of B.o.B's "Vimana," a modern hip-hop track that encourages self-belief and non-conformity. By exploring its empowering lyrics, you can learn common English expressions related to self-worth, overcoming challenges, and critical thinking about societal pressures, making it a powerful song for language learners interested in contemporary rap's message-driven storytelling.
[English]
(Revolt) Rev-v-v-voltYeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
And I don't save niggas, I show niggas how to save they selves
I got in the game, this ain't GTA don't play yourself
Gave 'em hell, off a counter where ain't shit to do but fail
Dodging sales, dodging shells, traumatized before you 12
Can't complain, that's the hand we got, these the cards was dealt
And it's crazy how they tryna copy, can you be yourself
It's a thousand of the same faces I can diferentiate, apes, I disintegrate
You be playing bestie with her, I do chest to chest-ie with her
This the calm 'fore the storm
If they give you roses, watch out for the thorns
My whole clique, outside of the norm
Ain't no uniform, we do not conform, yeah
'Cause it's the calm before the storm
And if they give you roses, watch out for the thorns
My whole clique, outside of the norm, yeah
And I don't play bitches, most these bitches play they selves
I just slay bitches, you would think it's jingle bell
I just aim bitches, you would think it's AOL
I'm a mag bish and you shouldn't be Adele
Late up in your loft drinking wine, singing slow songs
They be living life 'cause it goes on
If you're such a big timer, bitch get your roll on
Let go of your past quit tryna hold on
Girl, you gotta love yourself before you can love me
Girl, you gotta want yourself before you can want me
Gotta be able to gas yourself, it's called self esteem
Don't let these niggas sell your ass a dream
This the calm 'fore the storm
If they give you roses, watch out for the thorns
My whole clique, outside of the norm
Ain't no uniform, we do not conform, yeah
'Cause it's the calm before the storm
And if they give you roses, watch out for the thorns
My whole clique, outside of the norm
Ain't no uniform, we do not conform
And I don't hate on niggas, most these niggas hate they selves
Crippled by they album sales, caught up in that label hell
Hold they breath every time they drop, now they waitin' to excel
They confine inside they box, now they waitin' to Excel
Now they mad at you, 'cause they see you doing well
Made it out, you prevail now they wishing you would fail
Man, it's crazy 'cause in your mind all you did was wish 'em well
Helped 'em up when they have fell, watched 'em stumble and didn't tell
And still, they resent you
'Cause you did a job that you was meant to
They get mad 'cause you return the shots they sent too
Was at the bottom, but I still reach my ascent too
This the calm 'fore the storm
If they give you roses, watch out for the thorns
My whole clique, outside of the norm
Ain't no uniform, we do not conform, yeah
'Cause it's the calm before the storm
And if they give you roses, watch out for the thorns
My whole clique, outside of the norm
Ain't no uniform, we do not conform
Key Vocabulary
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Key Grammar Structures
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And I don't **save** niggas, I **show** niggas how to save they selves
➔ Present Simple, causative structure
➔ Using the present simple tense to express habitual actions or general truths. The causative structure 'show someone how to do something' indicates the artist's role in guiding others.
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I **got** in the game, this ain't GTA don't **play** yourself
➔ Past Simple, Imperative
➔ The past simple 'got' to describe a past action. The imperative 'don't play yourself' is a direct command or instruction.
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Can't **complain**, that's the hand we **got**, these the cards was dealt
➔ Modal Verb (can't), Passive Voice (was dealt)
➔ Use of 'can't' for inability or prohibition. Passive voice 'was dealt' shows the cards were distributed to us, highlighting the lack of agency.
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If they **give** you roses, **watch out** for the thorns
➔ Conditional Clause, Phrasal Verb
➔ The conditional clause ('if') expresses a condition. The phrasal verb 'watch out' means to be careful or cautious.
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And I don't **play** bitches, most these bitches **play** they selves
➔ Present Simple, Verb Tense Consistency
➔ Uses the present simple to describe habitual actions. Consistency is maintained in the use of the present simple for both clauses to highlight a contrast in behavior.
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If you're such a big timer, bitch **get** your roll on
➔ Conditional Clause, Imperative
➔ Another conditional sentence structure. The imperative 'get your roll on' is a command, urging action.
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Girl, you **gotta love** yourself before you can love me
➔ Modal Verb (gotta), Conditional Clause
➔ Use of 'gotta' (got to) a modal verb indicating necessity or obligation. Conditional clauses with the subordinate clause showing a necessary condition.
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Don't let these niggas **sell** your ass a dream
➔ Imperative, Causative (let)
➔ Imperative sentence, giving a direct command. The verb 'let' introduces a causative structure ('let someone sell...').
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Crippled by they **album sales**, caught up in that label hell
➔ Passive Voice, Prepositional Phrase
➔ Passive voice ('Crippled by...') emphasizes the effect on the subject. Prepositional phrase 'by they album sales' indicates the cause. The prepositional phrase 'in that label hell' provides additional context.
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Man, it's crazy 'cause in your mind all you **did** was wish 'em well
➔ Past Simple, Causal Clause
➔ Past simple 'did' describing a completed past action. 'Cause' introduces a causal clause explaining the reason or cause.
