Knew Better Lyrics – JID, Lil Yachty

Knew Better Lyrics Meaning

[Intro]
[I’ll, one day, take over the w—]
Dreaming of dominating the world.

[Verse 1: Lil Yachty]
Yachty jumps into this verse with raw energy and vivid images. He starts off in a chaotic mindset, talking about hustle during hard times and how he’s always calculating, avoiding guesses and needing exact results. He’s living fast—literally riding around in flashy cars and popping pills, referencing drügs like MDMA and codeine, showing a lifestyle full of risk and excess.

He throws in references to everything from old-school values to street code, mixing religious and cultural elements. The mention of brown paper bags and “soul exchangers” hints at shady deals or the darker side of the game. He compares himself to a Harlem Globetrotter, implying flashy skills, but not just for show—he’s also ready to get violent if needed.

He brags about the women in his life, even saying he replaced one who now resembles all the others he dates. It’s a flex, but also shows how disposable relationships can feel in his world. He references being with someone in Decatur but notes even in a gentrified place, danger is close by—pulling a weapon is still necessary.

The line “if you knew better, you’d probably do better” becomes a theme, meaning if people really understood the stakes or the struggle, they’d act differently. He keeps that same intense tone going with twin turbo metaphors, activist energy, and street wisdom all layered in.

Yachty also makes it clear he’s not pretending—he says he’s a real one living life in the open, not hiding behind gimmicks. He’s on drügs, moving fast, avoiding weakness, and staying proud of where he came from. Whether he’s referencing Howard University or throwing in street names like Zay Flowers, he’s saying he’s educated by life, not just books.

[Chorus: Lil Yachty & JID]
The hook is simple but powerful—it’s like a repeated warning or reminder. They’re basically saying, “If you were smart enough or had seen what I’ve seen, you’d make better choices.” It’s aimed at people who don’t get how deep or real things are, and it’s repeated to drill that lesson in. There’s a sense of pride and also a bit of a challenge—telling others to wake up.

[Verse 2: JID]
JID kicks off with heavy bars and confidence. He talks about driving fast, blasting music, and how rap gave him the power to buy a home for his mom—all thanks to his lyrical skills. He references guns and danger, making it clear that even though he’s got success, he’s still tied to the streets and has to stay ready.

He brings up people who’ve been killed and remembered with murals—showing the real cost of the life many glorify. He talks about living in a world where power and money can make people sick with envy, but he’s got both. His watch alone is so flashy it makes people gag. He compares the world to a “Crucible,” like a test under pressure.

JID then references slipping past cops (“juking the jakes”), speeding, and partying wildly. Despite the madness, he’s a survivor—took hits, but still standing. He shows resilience, comparing himself to Tisha Campbell from *Martin* who always bounced back.

He paints a post-storm picture of the city, where even after cleaning up the blood, things are still broken—burnt by deeper issues. He brings in spiritual reflections, noting how people cry for mercy while the world continues its cycle of destruction. He compares past and present—slaves used to be whipped, now they’re whipping up drügs in the kitchen. The curse of oppression hasn’t left, it just changed form.

He wants to speak for those struggles. That’s why he raps—to put that story out there, straight from the soul. No filters. He closes with a raw, honest line: you’ll see him at church, but don’t expect a sanitized version of the truth.

[Verse 3: Lil Yachty with JID]
Yachty starts off calling out how people crack under pressure. The Devil’s watching people slip, and society isn’t making it easy to stay strong. He throws in a wild moment about someone getting beaten in prison and converting, showing how deep the system messes people up.

Then he shifts to people trying to act close to him, but he doesn’t buy it. He’s not interested in fake love or fake loyalty. He calls out people who would rather fade out or betray others than stick to a real path. He’s saying a lot of people talk big but fold easily, like Tyson-level soft.

He’s confident in himself—calls himself a holy but flawed man. He owns his sins but stands tall as a provider, especially for his kids. He’s not playing around: if there’s trouble, he needs to settle it immediately. No delays, no talking. He criticizes people who only talk tough online and don’t show up in real life.

Yachty gets into a rhythm—he’s preaching, playing the game, and fully owning who he is. He brags about his weapons, his skills, and staying true to himself. He even shouts out NBA players like Stojaković and Dončić to say he’s not switching sides. He’s a southern guy wearing leather, wild with style, and always on point.

[Verse 4: JID & Lil Yachty]
They both step back and reflect on the world around them. JID mentions his crew, the BlakkBoyz, and says the time people spend should match the urgency he feels. The world may look beautiful on the outside, but it’s full of chaos underneath.

He talks about trying to find hope, but all he sees are construction cranes—no angels, just buildings. His ancestors, his people, his past—they all shape how he sees the world. It’s messing with his mind, and he feels like we’re stepping into a new age with deeper meaning, possibly spiritual or even revolutionary.

He says he’s ready to shake things up. He compares himself to fireworks, dismissing the typical Fourth of July celebration. He’s got real things to say, and he’s not holding back. He’s using the pain from history—especially the pain of slavery—to fuel his power and voice.

It’s a bold finish, full of defiance and soul.