This song is a commentary on white people trying to fit into subcultures dominated by minorities, African Americans and Jamaicans, respectively. It’s summarized well in the line,
Move into his neighborhood, he’ll never make a sound
It’s referring to the lack of solidarity many of these white poser...
[Sirens]
[Voice Loop]
[Verse 1]
What's a boy to do if he'll never be a gangsta?
Anger in his heart, but he'll never be a gangsta
If you move into his neighborhood, he'll never make a sound, ooh!
[Verse 2]
What's a boy to do if he'll never be a rasta?
Singing from his heart, but he'll never be a rockstar
If you move into his neighborhood, he'll never make a sound
If you move into his neighborhood...
[Chorus]
Bang-bang, oi!
Never move to my hood, cause danger is crawlin' out the wood
Bang-bang, boy-ee
Never move to my hood, cause danger is crawlin' out the wood
[Verse 3]
What's a girl to do if she'll never be a rasta?
Singing from her heart, but she'll never be a rockstar?
If you move into her neighborhood, she'll never make a sound
If you move into her neighborhood, she'll never make a...
If you move into her neighborhood, she'll never make a sound
[Chorus]
Bang-bang, oi!
Never move to my hood, cause danger is crawlin' out the wood
Bang-bang, boy-ee
Never move to my hood, cause danger is crawlin' out the wood
Hey!
[Interlude]
You gonna put that on tape for posterity?
Rewind the tape!
[Bridge]
Life in the city... life in the city..
("...this is happening?")
Makes more sense when [Jesus?] calls me
[Chorus]
Bang-bang, oi!
Never move to my hood, cause danger is crawlin' out the wood
Bang-bang, boy-ee
Never move to my hood, cause danger is crawlin' out the wood
Gangsta was written by Nate Brenner & Merrill Garbus.
Gangsta was produced by Merrill Garbus.
Tune-Yards released Gangsta on Mon Apr 26 2010.