Essaye Lyrics in English by 13 Block
Biff is a slang term for "money" in French, similar to "dough" or "cash" in English. It's an interesting word because it's not commonly taught in French classes but is very prevalent in informal speech and rap music.
In the song, the artist says, "Parle moi que de biff ou, que ton dialogue reste court" (Talk to me only about money, or keep your dialogue short). This line highlights the importance of money in his world and provides a glimpse into the street language used in French hip-hop.
13 Block's "Essaye" throws you right into the fast-paced, high-stakes world of the streets. The artist is constantly on the grind, making "deux, trois, grands, tours" [two, three, big rounds] and dealing with serious business, like opening a "pu-tain d'four" [damn oven] – likely a reference to drug dealing. It's all about the money, with lines like "Parle moi que de biff ou, que ton dialogue reste court" [Talk to me only about money or keep your dialogue short] and the ambition to turn "Deux, trois, kil'" [two, three kilos] into "douze" [twelve] by tomorrow.
Despite the hustle, there's a clear desire to live life on his own terms: "J'essaye de vivre ma vie Comme j'veux" [I try to live my life how I want]. But this isn't without its challenges, as he feels "les négros ne m'aiment pas" [the homies don't like me]. Money brings a certain comfort – "J'me sens bien, vu que les euros n'manquent pas" [I feel good, since the euros aren't missing] – but also a detachment, with "Plus d'love, plus d'calculs On s'kiffe qu'un soir" [No more love, no more calculations, we like each other for one night]. His mom's dream of him and his group becoming "boss dans cette vie" [bosses in this life] is a powerful motivator, and he promises to make her shine "comme les éclats d'la Tour Eiffel" [like the sparkles of the Eiffel Tower]. It's a raw look at ambition, survival, and the constant push to make it big, even if it means navigating a world where "La droiture j'crois que c'est plié" [Straightness, I think that's over].
