Moonshooter

## Single by Ab-Soul

"**Moonshooter**" (stylized in all caps) is a song by Ab-Soul, released as the second single and fourth track from the former's fifth studio album, *Herbert*, on September 16, 2022. It interpolates his own song "Picture That" and "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar. The album version features guest vocals from Joey Bada$$.

*Stereogum* reported, "On the song, Ab-Soul waxes philosophical over a moody breakbeat and a melodic string-sample. He seems to be questioning his place in the current rap ecosystem, and his conclusion is this: 'I don't know what to think.'"

## Credits and personnel

* Andrew Boyd – mixing engineer
* Bert Gervis – recording engineer
* Demetrius Lewis II – mastering second engineer
* Herbert "Ab-Soul" Stevens – vocals, lyricist, composer
* Jamal Smith – composer
* James Hunt – mixing engineer
* Jo-Vaughn Scott – lyricist
* Nicholas de Porcel – mastering engineer
* Poptartpete – producer
* Rory Behr – mixing engineer, recording engineer
* Zacari Pacaldo – lyricist, composer

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro: Ab-Soul]

Who the fuck asked you, man?

Hahahaha

[Verse 1: Ab-Soul]

It's kill or be killed

Not heal or be healed, fake is the new real

I wanna say, "What happened to hip-hop?" but then I'd be naggin'

I wanna say you n\*\*\*as wack but then I'd be braggin'

Huh, the last dragon, flame thrower

Lawn mower, charge toward

Your greener grass, bypass your bandwagon

'Til it's all over, bring the white flag in

Towels get thrown, thrones get new kings

Feelings go numb cause you've been through things

Balls get dropped, pause, think hoop dreams

Get fried over the gravy, that's poutinе, see

I decorate my emotions in mеtaphors

Tell stories with allegories, so on, so forth

But who give a shit? The long lost lyricist

N\*\*\*as got rich talkin' nonsense, get yours

[Chorus: Ab-Soul]

Shoot for the moon and keep a gun around

In a world so cold at least the sun is out

Live in my mind, I question everything

To that point I don't know what to think

I don't know what to think

I don't know what to think

I don't know what to think

Shoot for the moon and keep a gun around (Ayy, man, look)

[Verse 2: Ab-Soul]

Hopped of the porch like, "One of these days

I'ma hop out the Porsche", caught up in a daze

Had a pack of Newports, couple dollars to my name

Some knowledge in my brain and my best foot forth

I never been afraid, I'm protected by a force

I can't really explain and I'm guided by the source

Fuck up out my way 'fore I knock you off course

I was donkey of the day, now I'm on my high horse

I, shoot for the moon and keep a gun around

Janky promoters always gave me the run around

Hard times like (Huh), bad trips like (Huh)

Head to the sky like "Can I win one time?" (Fuck!)

Yeah, 'tis the question

I had to eat, the industry was giving me indigestion

But opting out ain't a option in my profession

You don't know what I'm talking 'bout though, here's the lesson

[Chorus: Ab-Soul, *Joey Bada$$*]

Shoot for the moon and keep a gun around

In the world so cold at least the sun is out (Soul)

Live in my mind, I question everything

To that point I don't know what to think

I don't know what to think

I don't know what to think

I don't know what to think

Shoot for the moon and keep a gun around (*BADMON*)

[Verse 3: Joey Bada$$]

Listen kids, best to shoot for the moon 'cause if you miss

You'll still be amongst those stars to live foris

So take a risk and make a wish, close your eyes and picture this

Whatever you do, just don't end up like Icarus

Try and fly too close to the sun, you get your wings burnt

Best you stay close to a gun, shoot for your dreams first

Joey be an army of one, get your whole team hurt

Ain't no telling where they souls gone when they leave Earth

Church, Soulo told me lay em to rest

All these death stares but I'm still taking steps

I've been looked up to so long I'm starting to break necks

I shoot sharp like the Glock came with a bayonet

I'm taking bets how long it's gon' take 'em to say that I'm the best

A seasoned vet, a legend in the making so they see me as a threat

My biggest flex is I did it all and never really broke a sweat

I'm aiming so far they can't tell what I'm shooting at

[Chorus: Ab-Soul]

Shoot for the moon and keep a gun around

In the world so cold at least the sun is out

Live in my mind, I question everything

To that point I don't know what to think

I don't know what to think

I don't know what to think

I don't know what to think

Shoot for the moon and keep a gun around

## References

1. ↑ Breihan, Tom (September 16, 2022). "Ab-Soul - "Moonshooter"". *Stereogum*.