Like That (Future)

“Like That” by Future, Kendrick Lamar, and Metro Boomin is a song that vividly portrays the lifestyle of a drug dealer, emphasizing the allure and dangers of street life, and the bravado associated with it.

Did you know?

The song’s lyrics are steeped in the imagery and language of drug dealing and street life.

Lines like “Stickin’ to the code, all these hoes for the streets” and “Young dope dealer, sellin’ dope, is you like that?” directly reference the code of the streets and the act of selling drugs.

The mention of “20-carat ring, I put my fingers down her throat” and “If I lose a carat, she might choke” symbolize the opulence and risks associated with the drug trade.

The chorus, which repeatedly asks “is you like that?” challenges the listener to affirm their alignment with this lifestyle. Kendrick Lamar’s verse adds a layer of introspection and caution, with lines like “I hope them sentiments symbolic” and “I choose violence,” reflecting on the duality of the life and the potential for violence.

The song also touches on themes of paranoia and the constant threat of danger, as seen in “I’m way too paranoid for a threat” and “Niggas clickin’ up, but cannot be legit”. Overall, “Like That” is a powerful depiction of the allure and perils of the drug dealer’s life, blending bravado with a stark acknowledgment of the risks involved.

The song’s repeated refrain of “he was once a thug” underscores the cyclical nature of this lifestyle and the difficulty of escaping it.