In April 2023, Jack Harlow released the lyrics to his brand-new song, Gang Gang Gang, which had a potent message. His new album, Jackman, is being released as of the single’s release date (listen to it here). Because of its subject matter—how a well-known figure like the rapper must handle the inappropriate behavior of his old friends—it rapidly attracted attention. Find the complete lyrics at the end. Let’s learn more about the lyrics and their meaning.
You can watch the lyric video of Gang Gang Gang below.
Gang Gang Gang: the lyrics & meaning
Gang Gang Gang talks about how difficult it is to manage our old friendships when the people from our childhood start adopting criminal, immoral behaviors. In the lyrics, Jack Harlow explains that our friends are our gang, and yes, we stand next to them and support them, but if they cross a line, things get different. In that case, the gang, the “bro code,” can no longer exist, and you need to step back from your friendship.
The song begins precisely with Jack Harlow’s interpretation of blind support for the gang:
Ride for my dogs, lie for my dogs, die for my dogs
Ride for my dogs, lie for my dogs, die for my dogs
Because it’s
Gang, gang, gang
The issue arises when something negative takes place. Marcus and Kevin, two longtime pals who committed crimes (such as rape and child molestation), serve as two examples in the song’s two main lines. Everyone now talks about them, and the rapper finds it hard to believe that they are the same pals from his youth. What is going on?
“A bunch of girls say he raped them in the back of some Target”
“They say he drove ’em back there in his car”
“And then he parked it and the rest is even darker”
Wait, which Marcus? ‘Cause it can’t be—
“Yes, our Marcus”
“The same Marcus we collected Pokémon cards with”
Although the characters’ names are made up, Jack Harlow’s message is clear in the lyrics of Gang Gang Gang: we have a limit to how much we can support our friends before that limit is crossed when they act in an unacceptable way. In the song’s final verse, Jack declares, “It’s family ’til it can’t be, gang ’til it ain’t.” We must assess whether our folks have changed or whether they are still the same people they once were before acting on their behalf.
The complete lyrics
Ride for my dogs, lie for my dogs, die for my dogs
Ride for my dogs, lie for my dogs, die for my dogs
Because it’s— (Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang)
Because it’s— (Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang, oh)
Home for the holidays
My friend pulled me to the side like, “Did you hear about Marcus?”
Our Marcus? “Yeah, our Marcus”
“A bunch of girls say he raped them in the back of some Target”
“They say he drove ’em back there in his car”
“And then he parked it and the rest is even darker”
Wait, which Marcus? ‘Cause it can’t be—
“Yes, our Marcus”
“The same Marcus we collected Pokémon cards with”
The one with perfect grades that has family in New Orleans?
“Yes, that Marcus, he’s got seven rape charges”
Ride for my dogs, lie for my dogs, die for my dogs
Ride for my dogs, lie for my dogs, die for my dogs
Because it’s— (Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang)
Because it’s— (Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang, oh)
Home for the holidays
My friend pulled me to the side like, “Did you hear about Kevin?”
Kevin who? “Our Kevin”
What happened? “He got arrested”
“They found a bunch of messages he sent to lil’ kids”
“And apparently, he met up with this ten year old and the now the kid’s sayin’ he got molested”
Molested by who? “By Kevin”
Nah, it’s gotta be a different Kevin
“Look, I’m tellin’ you it’s Kevin, that we’ve known since we were seven”
“The one whose dad’s a reverend”
“The same Kevin we spend every weekend with and call brethren”
Ride for my dogs, lie for my dogs, die for my dogs
Ride for my dogs, lie for my dogs, die for my dogs
Because it’s— (Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang)
Because it’s— (Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang, gang, gang)
(Gang, oh)
Truthfully, it’s family ’til it can’t be, gang ’til it ain’t
Twins, but it depends, brothers until somethin’ is uncovered
Dogs until the lifting of the fog
“I always got you,” turns into “Well, I never thought you”
Years of camaraderie suddenly disappear
Almost like you never were here
Unconditional love becomes very conditioned when push comes to shove
And all that talk of takin’ bullets suddenly feels foolish
Pictures with him turn to ad campaigns, you gotta pull it
Feet held to the fire
We hold accountable the ones we hold dear out of morals, but mainly fear
The choice becomes clear
And years of camaraderie suddenly disappear
Almost like you never were here
Almost like you never were here