Family Business by Kanye West - Lyrics and Translation

VERSE

Family Business

Kanye West

Family Business

Song byKanye West

in AlbumCollege Dropout

[Intro: Kanye West]

How's your son? (all, all, all the things, things)

He make the team this year? (all, all, all the things things)

Aw th-, they said he wasn't tall enough?

(all, all, all the glitter is not gold)

Yeah me we gon' cook this up (now gold is not a reality)

(real is what you live to be)

[Verse 1: Kanye West]

This is family business

And this is for the family that can't be with us

And this is for my cousin locked down, know the answer's in us

That's why I spit it in my songs so sweet

Like a photo of your granny's picture

Now that you're gone it hit us

Super hard on Thankgiving and Christmas, this can't be right

Yeah you heard the track I did man, this can't be life

Somebody please say grace so I can save face

And have a reason to cover my face

I even made you a plate, soul food, know how Granny do it

Monkey bread on the side, know how the family do it

When I brought it why had guard have to look all to it?

As kids we used to laugh

Who knew that life would move this fast?

Who knew I'd have to look at you through a glass?

And look, tell me you ain't did it, you ain't did it

And if you did, then that's family business

[Hook: Choir]

And I don't care 'bout (all the, all the diamond rings, diamond rings)

They don't mean a thing (all, all, all the things)

All these fancy things

I tell you that all (all the glitter) my weight in gold

Now all I know I know all these things

[Verse 2: Kanye West]

This is family business

And this is for everybody standin' with us

Come on, let's take a family Grammy picture

Abby, remember when they ain't believe in me?

Now she like "See, that's my cousin on TV"

Now, we gettin' it and we gon' make it

And y'all gon' hate it and I'm his favorite

I can't deny it, I'm a straight rider

But when we get together be electric slidin'

Grandma, get 'em shook up

Aw naw, don't open the photo book up

I got an Aunt Ruth that can't remember your name

But I bet them Polaroids'll send her down memory lane

You know that one auntie, you don't wanna be rude

But every holiday nobody eatin' her food

And you don't wanna stay there cuz them your worst cousins

Got roaches at their crib like them your first cousins

Act like you ain't took a bath with your cousins

Fit three in the bed while six of y'all

I'm talkin' 'bout three by the head and three by the leg

But you ain't have to tell my girl I used to pee in the bed

[Interlude: Choir]

Rain, rain, rain go away

Let the sun come out and all the children say

Rain, rain, rain go away

Let the sun come out and all the children say

[Verse 3: Kanye West]

I woke up early this mornin' with a new state of mind

A creative way to rhyme without usin' knives and guns

Keep your nose out the sky, keep your heart to God

And keep your face to the risin' sun

All my niggas from the Chi, that's my family dog

And my niggas ain't my guys, they my family dog

I feel like one day you'll understand me dog

You can still love your man and be manly dog

You ain't got to get heated at every house warmin'

Sittin' here, grillin' people like George Foreman

Why Uncle Ray and Aunt Shiela always performin'?

The second she storms out then he storms in

Y'all gon' sit down, have a good time this reunion

And drink some wine like Communion

And act like everything fine and if it isn't

We ain't lettin' everybody in our family business

[Interlude: Choir]

(all the, all the diamond rings, diamond rings)

They don't mean a thing (all, all, all the things)

They don't mean a thing

(all the, all the diamond rings, diamond rings)

They don't mean a thing, a thing

[Hook: Choir]

And I don't care 'bout (all the, all the diamond rings, diamond rings)

They don't mean a thing (all, all, all the things)

All these fancy things

I tell you that all (all the glitter) my weight in gold

Now all I know I know all these things

[Females:] (oooh) All these things (these things)

[Males:] All these things (oooh) all these things (these things)

[F:] All these things (oooh) all these things (these things)

[M:] All these things (oooh) all these things (these things)

[F:] All these things (oooh) all these things (these things)

[M:] All these things (oooh) all these things (these things)

[F:] All these things (oooh) all these things (these things)

[M:] All these things (oooh) all these things (these things)

LanguageEnglish

Translated byAllen Morningstar

About this Song

In Kanye West's 'Family Business', he delves deep into the importance of family and the cherished memories associated with them. The song recounts personal stories and moments from West's own family life, emphasizing unity, love, and the emotional bonds that tie family members together. Key themes include nostalgia, family loyalty, and the comfort family brings amidst life's challenges. Particularly poignant moments arise when West recalls shared experiences and priceless family traditions that highlight the enduring nature of familial love.