Meaning of "You not like me"

1

I was listening to the song "You not like me" by 50 cent. 50 uses the phrase in the hook many times,

If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot, you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me dude, you not like me

I think The sentence should be

You are not like me.

I guess the original version is peculiar to AAVE. Please tell me what does it mean, when and where is it used? Etc etc.

user31782

Posted 2015-03-14T12:01:10.167

Reputation: 1 693

Answers

1

You're right, the phrase should be "You are not like me". One of the reasons it's phrased as such is the context of the song-- the singer is in a rough area, and is supposedly not educated to the extent they could be.

It most likely also helps keep the song to the rhythm of the song, too.

Edit:

Regarding your comment-- no, it's not a usual phrase in speech. It might be more common in groups where being well-spoken isn't such a priority, though. Whilst it might be more common in colloquial speech, I can't recommend using it.

HarryCBurn

Posted 2015-03-14T12:01:10.167

Reputation: 1 260

So it is not a dialect use? – user31782 – 2015-03-14T16:27:25.413

I wouldn't recommend using it in speech, no. – HarryCBurn – 2015-03-14T17:19:50.503

Is it offensive or abusive? Is it AAVE grammar or intentional use of wrong grammar. – user31782 – 2015-03-14T19:14:03.730

I believe it's an intentional use of wrong grammar, but it's not offensive or abusive! :) – HarryCBurn – 2015-03-14T19:16:21.907

What does the 'no' mean at the end of your comment "*I wouldn't recommend using it in speech, no*"? Does it emphasize the recommendation? – user31782 – 2015-03-14T19:21:43.473

@user31782 Yes, it does! The part of my sentence makes a statement, and the second part answers your question directly. – HarryCBurn – 2015-03-14T19:35:02.833

Asked: 2015-03-14T12:01:10.167

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Active: 2015-03-14T17:26:08.637