Snoop Dogg's First Verse in 'Lil Ghetto Boy

Snoop Dogg’s first verse in Lil’ Ghetto Boy is one of the most miraculous rap verses ever constructed. Let’s go through the verse, line by line.

Wake up, jumped out my bed.
I’m in a two-man cell, with my homie ’lil Half Dead.

What kind of ridiculous name is Half Dead? It’s so ridiculous that it seems absolutely plausible. Snoop may not be a lyricist like Nas, but he has an imagination that few others can match.

Murder was the case that they gave me.

This line, which Snoop revisited in “Murder Was the Case,” one of the best songs on his solo-debut, “Doggystyle,” makes astute use of the passive voice. The song’s protagonist was assigned the task of committing murder; the crime was not an active decision on his part. This syntax therefore suggests a sense of helplessness felt by the song’s protagonist and, perhaps, by Snoop himself.

Dear, God, I wonder can you save me?

In the face of murder and lawlessness in the ghetto, this “’Lil Ghetto Boy” somehow produces a miraculous cry of faith. And with this helpless plea, Snoop’s protagonist implicitly decries the gangster life. Too often, the casual listener will gloss over these types of subtleties. Hip hop – even the most hardcore gangster rap – is not all about glorifying violence. Indeed, sometimes it does the opposite.

I’m only 18 so I’m a Young Buck;

Is this where Young Buck got his pseudonym? I wouldn’t be surprised.

It’s a ride – if I don’t scrap I’m getting stuck.
But that’s the life of a G, I guess.

These last two words – “I guess” – highlight the prevailing theme throughout the verse – the main character’s moral ambivalence towards his environment. With these two simple words, we see the protagonist mixed feelings – and ultimate resignation – towards the world he inhabits.

He’s way deep, shanked two in they chest

Don’t know about this one. Is it “He’s way deep” or “E’s way deep,” as in Easy-E?

Best run ’cause brothas is dropping quicker;
Uh, too late – damn – down goes another n****

These lines demonstrate Snoops ability to utilize rhythmic syncopation. Listen to how Snoop lets the downbeat pass right before uttering the word “quicker.” It makes the line much more powerful. This verse features Snoop at his best – the musician, the poet, the philosopher.

Bouncing of the walls,
Throwin’ them dogs,
Getting a rep’ as a young hog.

Snoop shortens each lyric as the verse builds to a climax.

It ain’t nothing like the street life.
You better be strapped with your clip,
’cause ain’t know fist fight.

“It ain’t nothing like the street life.” Does this line suggest the idealism of the street life – as in, “There’s no place like home”? Or does it simply suggest a grim reality – that, in contrast to life in prison, the street is full of weapons and violence. Again, ambivalence pervades Snoop’s lyrics.

So I guess I’s gots to handle mine,
Since I did the crime, I’s gots to do my time.

In the end, we see the protagonist do the miraculous – take responsibility for his actions. In a genre that too often glorifies guns and gangs, Snoop stops short of renouncing violence altogether. And the words “I guess” again suggest that the protagonist is not sure what to think. But, in the end, he does acknowledge that with the “street life” come negative consequences – consequences which, ultimately, the individual must own up to.