Buss Down Breakdown – KR$NA | Ft. Raftaar

Buss Down Breakdown

[Verse 1: KR$NA]

Diamond rings, chahiye diamonds in my chain
Cartier lenses, chahiye diamonds on my frames
Chahiye thi woh feeling jo aati with the fame
Banna chahta tha main baller, jaise rappers in the game

• Translation: “Diamond rings, I want diamonds in my chain. Cartier lenses, I want diamonds on my frames. I wanted that feeling that comes with fame. I wanted to become a baller, like rappers in the game”
  • This stanza details KR$NA’s past aspirations for material wealth and the luxurious lifestyle commonly associated with successful rappers. He lists several high-end desires: diamond rings, diamond-studded chains, Cartier lenses, and diamond-encrusted frames. Beyond just the items, he explicitly states that he “wanted that feeling that comes with the fame.”
  • The final line clearly articulates his ambition to “become a baller, like rappers in the game,” signifying his desire to achieve the same level of opulence and status as established figures in the hip-hop world. This paints a picture of his motivations early in his career, driven by the allure of fame and its material rewards.
• Name-dropping:
  1. The Game, born Jayceon Terrell Taylor in 1979, is an American rapper from Compton, California. He rose to fame in the 2000s, signed with Dr. Dre‘s Aftermath Entertainment, and is known for his critically acclaimed 2005 debut album “The Documentary.” He played a significant role in the resurgence of West Coast hip hop, known for his storytelling and vivid lyrics about his life experiences.

Top five, dead or alive, kabhi ban jaaun main
Take off karoon yahan, karoon touch down there
Kalaai pe hai Rollie, woh bhi bust down hain
Meri poori mob deep ’cause it’s tough down there

• Translation: “Top five, dead or alive, maybe I’ll become one day, I take off from here, and touch down there. On my wrist is a Rollie, and it’s busted down. My whole mob is deep ’cause it’s tough down there”
  • This stanza showcases KR$NA’s lofty ambitions and his grounded reality, alongside a display of his success. He expresses his aspiration to be recognised among the “Top five, dead or alive,” a classic hip-hop reference signifying the absolute greatest rappers, demonstrating his desire for legendary status.
  • He then describes his international reach, with plane metaphors of “taking off from here and touching down there,” indicating his global touring and influence. He flexes his material success with a “bust down Rollie” (a Rolex watch fully covered in diamonds), a clear symbol of wealth in hip-hop.
  • Finally, he emphasises the loyalty and strength of his crew (“mob deep”), explaining it’s a necessity because the environment he comes from or operates in is “tough down there.” This highlights both his achievements and the enduring need for a strong support system, given his challenging roots.
• Name Dropping:
  1. Takeoff, He was an American rapper. He was best known as the youngest member of the hip-hop group Migos.
  2. Mobb Deep was an American hip hop duo from Queens, New York, comprising Havoc and Prodigy. They were pioneers of hardcore East Coast hip hop, famous for their gritty sound and albums like “The Infamous.” Prodigy passed away in 2017.

Baitha main akela, dekhun khwaab poore din
Sunta tha main Biggie, sunta Pac poore din
Snoop jaise braids, aur daant pe the grills
Main bolunga ni zyada, karein baat mere skills

• Translation: “I used to sit alone, dreaming all day. I used to listen to Biggie, listen to Pac all day. Braids like Snoop, and grills on my teeth. I won’t say much, my skills do the talking”
  • This stanza offers a nostalgic look into KR$NA’s early days, marked by solitude, ambition, and a deep immersion in hip-hop culture. He describes spending his days alone, engrossed in dreams of success, while drawing inspiration from foundational rap legends like Biggie (The Notorious B.I.G.) and Tupac Shakur.
  • He also references adopting the iconic aesthetics of the culture, like “Snoop-like braids” and “grills on his teeth,” showcasing his dedication to the hip-hop lifestyle.
  • The stanza culminates in a powerful declaration of self-confidence: he doesn’t need to boast because his skills speak for themselves, letting his talent do the talking. This highlights his journey from a dreamer to a confident artist whose abilities are undeniable.
• Name Dropping:
  1. The Notorious B.I.G
  2. Tupac Shakur
  3. Snoop Dogg

Outcast in my class, sunoon walkman pe tape (Yeah)
Rappers pe tha naaz, phoonkta boys ke saath J (Yeah)
Mera raaz khaas, I start feeling so vain
Main kamron mein band, playing G-Unit for days

• Translation: “Outcast in my class, I listened to tapes on my Walkman (Yeah) I was proud of rappers, smoked blunts with the boys (Yeah) My secret is special, I start feeling so vain I was locked in rooms, playing G-Unit for days”
  • This stanza delves into KR$NA’s formative years and early immersion in hip-hop culture, painting a picture of a youthful outsider. He describes himself as an “outcast in his class,” finding solace and connection through listening to rap tapes on his Walkman.
  • He expresses immense pride in rappers and recounts partaking in typical hip-hop youth activities like “smoking blunts with the boys.”
  • He hints at a “special secret” that makes him feel “vain,” likely referring to his burgeoning rap talent or ambition that he nurtured privately.
  • The stanza concludes with the vivid image of him “locked in rooms, playing G-Unit for days,” showcasing his intense dedication to studying and absorbing the music of influential artists like G-Unit, ultimately shaping his style and skills in solitude.
• Name Dropping:
  1. OutKast
  2. Nas
  3. Jay-Z
  4. G-Unit

Jeulz Santana jaise baandhoon bandana (Bandana)
Have the game on lock aur yahi tha plan mera (Plan mera)
Karoon ignore hi, bas banna tha rap singer
Ek din I’ll bust a rhyme, tu banega fan mera kyunki

• Translation: “Like Juelz Santana, I tie my bandana (Bandana). Have the game on lock, and that was my plan (My plan). I ignored everything, just wanted to become a rap singer. One day I’ll bust a rhyme, you will become my fan because”
  • This stanza details KR$NA’s determined ambition and focus on mastering his craft, drawing inspiration from a specific rap icon. He references tying his bandana “like Juelz Santana,” directly associating himself with the famous American rapper known for his distinct style, showcasing his early influences and dedication to the culture.
  • He then reveals his long-standing goal, to “have the game on lock”, to dominate the rap scene, asserting that this was always his clear plan.
  • He states that he “ignored everything” else, with his sole focus being to “become a rap singer.”
  • The stanza builds to a confident prediction, he knows that “one day he’ll bust a rhyme,” which is a clever wordplay on the legendary rapper Busta Rhymes while also meaning to deliver an impressive rap. As a result, the listener “will become his fan,” highlighting his unwavering belief in the power of his lyrical ability.
• Name Dropping:
  1. Juelz Santana
  2. The Game
  3. Busta Rhymes

[Verse 2: Raftaar]

Chahiye mujhe bas joote das lakh jodi
Ek scooty bani Audi tabhi S class daudi
Chahiye mujhe bas thodi daal, thodi roti
Ek baag wali kothi, aur biwi lambi, no shawty, haan

• Translation: “I just want ten lakh pairs of shoes. A scooter became an Audi, then an S-Class ran. I just want a little lentil, a little bread, A bungalow with a garden, and a tall wife, no shorty, yeah”
  • Raftaar kicks off with a hyperbolic wish for “ten lakh pairs of shoes,” showcasing a desire for extreme luxury, before quickly tracing his rise from a humble “scooty” to an “Audi” and an “S-Class,” metaphorically illustrating his rapid journey to wealth.
  • He then pivots to simpler desires, wishing for just “daal, thodi roti,” representing basic comforts and his grounded roots. This is contrasted once more with the aspiration for a luxurious “bungalow with a garden,” culminating in a playful personal preference for a “tall wife, no shorty,” a well-known fact about his wife.

Mujhe team nahin, yaar chahiye
Likhe lafzon se, show pe kataar chahiye
Mere sapnon ko apnon ka pyaar chahiye
Meri kothi na dikhe, oonchi deewar chahiye

• Translation: “I don’t need a team, I need friends. From written words, I need queues at shows. My dreams need the love of my people. My bungalow shouldn’t be visible, I need a high wall”
  • Raftaar expresses a preference for genuine friendships over mere teams, desiring the impact of his lyrics to draw massive crowds to his shows.
  • He emphasizes that his dreams are fueled by the love and support of his close ones, and humorously, he wishes for his success (represented by his bungalow) to remain private, desiring a high wall for discretion and security.
• “Meri kothi na dikhe, oonchi deewar chahiye”
  • The line expresses a desire for privacy and exclusivity, despite having immense wealth. Even though Raftaar owns a grand “kothi”, he doesn’t want it to be openly displayed or easily seen by everyone. The “high walls” symbolise a barrier or a protective shield, indicating a preference for Privacy, Security, Exclusivity, and maintaining a Low Profile
  • The high walls can also symbolise a desire to create a haven from the noise, demands, and potential negativity that can come with fame. It’s about having a sanctuary.

Job pe na tika kyunki boss ki na maani
Mujhko toh Maa ki thi naukri chhudaani
Gaon ki deewaaron pe roshni puraani
Behnon ki shaadi pe tokri bhi jaani thi

• Translation: “I didn’t stick to a job because I didn’t listen to the boss I wanted to make my mother quit her job Old light on the village walls Baskets also had to go for my sisters’ weddings”
  • Raftaar reflects on his defiance of traditional employment, driven by a deep-seated desire to free his mother from work and provide for his family’s significant life events like his sisters’ weddings, all while cherishing the simple, enduring memories of his village upbringing.

Got the game from Kane, Wayne se bling
Pehla rap daala jab DHH wasn’t a thing
Jay Z tha mera Badshah, Nelly tha mera king
Ra se pehle Raja phir tu baakiyon ko gin

• Translation: “Got the game from Kane, bling from Wayne. Released my first rap when DHH wasn’t a thing. Jay Z was my Emperor, Nelly was my king. Before Ra (Raftaar), I was Raja, then you count the rest”
  • Raftaar acknowledges his foundational influences, crediting Kane (The Rapper) for his rap style and Lil Wayne for his ‘bling’ aesthetic, while highlighting his early entry into the scene “when DHH (Desi Hip Hop) wasn’t a thing.”
  • He declares iconic artists Jay-Z and Nelly as his personal “Badshah” (Emperor) and “King,” respectively, before asserting his own royal status, stating that he was “Raja” (King) even before adopting the name Raftaar, cementing his position as a pioneer before anyone else.

Chali teri reel kyunki phaatak maine khola
Hua tera Eddison kyunki raff tha Nikola
Rap mainstream hoga, maine Labelon ko bola
Aata bag mein dinero, toh amigo karein ola

• Translation: “Your reel went viral because I opened the gate. Your Edison happened because. Nikola was rough/Raftaar. Rap will be mainstream, I told the Labels. When money comes in the bag, friends say ‘hola'”
  • Raftaar powerfully asserts his role as a pioneer who paved the way for others’ success, implying he was the “Nikola” (Tesla) whose “rough” work (referencing himself as Raftaar, also meaning rough/raw) allowed others to become “Edisons” (achieve mainstream success). He proudly declares that he foresaw and advocated for rap going mainstream to the labels, now observing how the influx of “dinero” (money) attracts new “amigos” (friends) who greet him warmly.
• “Dinero” is the Spanish word for money
• “Amigo” is the Spanish word for friend
• “Ola” is the Spanish word for Hello

Summary of “Buss Down” Lyrics

“Buss Down” by KR$NA featuring Raftaar is a song where both artists express their aspirations for luxury and reflect on their journey in hip-hop. The chorus repeatedly emphasises the desire for expensive items like a “buss down Rollie,” a fancy car, and a large house, symbolizing the fruits of their labor. KR$NA’s verse details his early dreams of fame and wealth, highlighting his dedication to music, while Raftaar’s verse balances material desires with family responsibilities and his pioneering role in making Indian hip-hop mainstream. Ultimately, the song serves as a declaration of their hard-earned success and the transformation of their ambitious dreams into reality through their artistic craft.