The song 'Everybody Shooters Too' by 42 Dugg & EST Gee is a hard-hitting piece that lays out the harsh realities and mentalities within the street lifestyle. The artists reflect on their own status and reputations within this high-stakes environment, exemplifying themes of resilience, street justice, and the emotional toll from loss and personal struggles. They delve into their backgrounds, victories and the intense experiences that have shaped their outlooks.
The song opens with a grim assertion of omnipresent potential for violence, where conflicts are readily settled through gunfire, and only firsthand participation validates involvement ('We can't be into it if I ain't shoot at you'). EST Gee positions himself as a figure of influence and an object of envy and attraction, presenting a dichotomy where the same reputation that garners respect and desire also makes him a target ('I'm who all the opps and robbers plot on tryna do it to').
Continuing on this guttural voyage, EST Gee speaks to the invulnerability he has to project and the acknowledgment of the toll that violence takes, with candlelight vigils signifying lost lives that they are implicated in. There's an undercurrent of somber reflection on personal loss and the hardening effect it has had on him, suggesting a glimpse of vulnerability amidst the tough exterior ('Sometimes I wish I could've left with Red, God made me suffer').
42 Dugg's verse pivots towards a personal narrative on his rise to success against the backdrop of gang life and the loss of close companions. It's a tale of transition from a life of crime to one of wealth, punctuated by personal grief ('I ain't been the same since my dawg died'). There is also a candid introspection into the moral ambiguity of his world, where betrayal warrants extreme consequences and riches come paired with ongoing violence.
The song culminates in a sense of triumph over adversity with a nod to their hard-earned status, glaringly aware of the jealous eyes around them. There is a defiance in 42 Dugg's words, a refusal to forget where he came from and a commitment to his roots and lost friends. Despite the painful memories and potential pitfalls that haunt them, there is a clear message of perseverance and determination to not only survive but to succeed and carve their own paths.
"Sold it in Kentucky, but I purchased it in Humble"
This line highlights the interstate operation of drug trafficking, indicating how EST Gee's enterprise extends beyond his local community. 'Humble' could refer to the city in Texas, alluding to long-distance travel for business transactions.
"I ain't been the same since my dawg died"
42 Dugg is reflecting on how the loss of a close friend has deeply affected him, a sentiment relatable to many who have experienced such a personal tragedy, impacting his emotional state and outlook on life.
"Probably the only young rich nigga without veneers"
This line may point towards 42 Dugg’s decision to remain authentic and not adhere to the trend of cosmetic dental alterations popular among wealthy individuals, especially in the music industry.
"Real niggas, hold up, wait 'til we drop"
This serves as a rallying cry for authenticity and patience, implying that true recognition and success for real and genuine people comes with time, in opposition to the instant gratification of today's world.