Released: 2016 • Features: The Alchemist, Prodigy
“The Gun Holds a Drum” by Havoc, featuring The Alchemist and Prodigy, offers a raw, unfiltered look into the harsh realities of street life and the brutal fight for survival. It’s a foreboding narrative that explores the duality of necessity and desire. The song reflects on the impact of a hostile environment on personal growth and the necessity of aggression for survival. It paints a vivid picture of life in the ‘hood, where ambition is fueled by dire circumstances and the struggle for respect.
The opening lines, “Around my way the shots sound like / Shots sound like the drum roll, them streets is dumb cold / Even in the summer though”, create a visceral image of Havoc’s environment. This ain’t no playground, son. It’s a war zone where the soundtrack is the relentless pop of gunfire. Despite the summer temperatures, the streets are “dumb cold”, a term signifying the hard, heartless reality of the ‘hood. It ain’t about the weather, but the icy resolve of those hustling and surviving.
The theme of harsh truth and denial comes forth in “Niggas can’t handle the truth or they don’t wanna know”. Whether it’s ignorance or blissful denial, the ‘hood’s reality is too grim for some to confront. Havoc further reinforces this survivalist attitude in “My history documented, kept a nine in my hoodie / Graduated to the fully, we was goodie”. From a basic nine millimeter pistol in his hoodie to the “fully” (a fully automatic weapon), Havoc’s evolution mirrors the escalating violence in the neighborhood.
Bringing in some socio-political commentary, Havoc spits, “Fuck the world, I’m out here try to make another race”. With the world seemingly against him, he aims to establish a whole new demographic: the survivors, the hustlers, the soldiers of the streets. It’s an interesting callback to the early days of hip-hop, which was, in part, a cultural response to systemic oppression and alienation.
The verse, “I kept it hood like the fried rice / To dark to get a tan from the limelight” underscores Havoc’s commitment to his roots despite his success. Using fried rice, a staple in many communities, he emphasizes his solidarity with the ‘hood. At the same time, he pokes fun at his skin tone to critique the superficiality of fame and celebrity culture.
An important cultural reference here is “Get your dome sprayed up like Coconut Sheen / At the barbershop, line niggas up nice and neat”. Coconut Sheen is a type of hair product typically used in black barbershops. Havoc takes it in a grim direction, likening a head getting “sprayed up” (shot) to a routine trim at the barbershop. It’s a chilling metaphor for the commonplace nature of violence in his world.
In the final verse, Havoc re-emphasizes the gritty realism of his lyrics: “This is bloody sport hip-hop, no nursery rhymes.” This ain’t feel-good, radio-friendly rap. It’s the equivalent of a raw, uncensored documentary showing the harsh realities of street life and the struggle for survival.
“Protected by the power of God, I stand before Thee / Now who wanna rhyme, who wanna challenge the man / That rock that bandana rap like Gangland” concludes this grim narrative with a defiant challenge. Backed by divine power or sheer will, Havoc stands tall amidst the chaos, daring anyone to challenge his lyrical prowess or question his authenticity. This ain’t no fairy tale, it’s raw, unfiltered reality.
