Desi Rap Scene

Indian hip-hop heavyweight KR$NA (aka Dollar Sign) has always been known for his razor-sharp bars and layered writing. His track “Knock Knock” is no different, a mix of Hindi and English wordplay, storytelling, and clever punchlines aimed at doubters and haters who still underestimate him.

But behind the aggression and swagger lies a reflection of his journey, loyalty, and frustration at fake friends and critics. Let’s break down the meaning of KR$NA’s “Knock Knock” lyrics line by line.

Intro

“कौन खड़ा बाहर? / कौन खड़ा बाहर? / कौन खड़ा बाहर? / कौन खड़ा बाहर?”
Translation: “Who’s standing outside?” (repeated)

Explanation: Sets the central metaphor: KR$NA is “knocking” — showing up at the door (industry, rivals, doubters). Repetition builds suspense and a confrontational mood: he’s at the threshold and demands attention.

Verse 1

“Knock, knock on your door”
Explanation: Literal English continuation of the intro — a direct announcement that he’s at your door. Aggressive, attention-seeking opener.

“जाके देखो बेटा कौन खड़ा बाहर”
Translation: “Go check, kid — who’s standing outside.”
Explanation: A challenge — telling the listener (or rival) to look and see who’s arrived. “Béta” (kid) adds a patronizing tone.

“Dollar Sign with the flow, in the zone लगातार”
Translation: “Dollar Sign (his moniker) with the flow, continuously in the zone.”
Explanation: Brand flex: KR$NA rebrands himself as “Dollar Sign.” Claims consistent focus and momentum — he’s locked in creatively and commercially.

“तुझे नाम दिखे रोज़ जभी खोल समाचार”
Translation: “You see my name every day when you open the news.”
Explanation: Boast about media presence / visibility — his rise is public and ongoing.

“तेरे सोच-समझ पार, रहना रोज़ ख़बरदार”
Translation: “Beyond your thinking, stay warned every day.”
Explanation: He’s out of the opponent’s league and warns them to be careful — confidence / superiority claim.

“मुझे राए दे रे लोग, मिले रोज़ सलाहकार”
Translation: “People give me opinions; I get advisors every day.”
Explanation: Commentary on fame: lots of unsolicited opinion and people trying to advise him. Also implies influence — people seek his counsel as well.

“अगर दोस्त बना यार तो मैं most वफ़ादार”
Translation: “If you become my friend, I’m the most loyal.”
Explanation: Loyalty is prized; he positions himself as a true, dependable friend — but elsewhere he’s ready to retaliate.

“आके जो करे वार, मिले सो दफ़ा हार”
Translation: “Whoever attacks will be defeated immediately.”
Explanation: Threat — mess with him and you lose. Street code / competitive stance.

“मैं वो कलाकार”
Translation: “I’m that artist.”
Explanation: Straight claim of craft; positions himself as the real deal artistically.

“मिली बहुत दगा यार फिर न हो सका प्यार”
Translation: “I received a lot of betrayal, friend; love couldn’t happen again.”
Explanation: Betrayal has hardened him — relationships broken, trust damaged. Explains emotional distance.

“जाके रोज़ गला फाड़, तू ना हो सका star”
Translation: “You scream every day, but you couldn’t become a star.”
Explanation: Taunt at someone who talks a lot (brags/complains) but never made it — hollow noise vs. genuine success.

“तू है खोकला, मिली तुझमें no कला यार”
Translation: “You’re hollow; there’s no art in you, friend.”
Explanation: Direct diss: the target lacks substance/skill — all talk, no craft.

“तेरा मौका लगा पर हुआ चौका ना पार”
Translation: “You had your chance, but you didn’t get past the out (couldn’t cross).”
Explanation: Sports metaphor: you didn’t capitalize on opportunity. Could reference cricket/baseball “chowka/chautha” imagery — you failed to score.

“चाहिए दो double R, थोड़ा रोकड़ा यार”
Translation: “Need two double Rs, a little cash, buddy.”
Explanation: “Double R” might mean Rolexes or money slang (contextual). “Rokda” = cash. He’s saying success costs or he wants a couple of expensive flexes and cash — either a demand or a brag.

“मैने जो करा आज, चढ़ा बहुत बड़ा पहाड़”
Translation: “What I’ve made happen today — I climbed a huge mountain.”
Explanation: Metaphor for struggle and achievement: he overcame massive obstacles to reach current status.

“अब मैं रोज़ कर रहा show, कर रहा नोट जमा चार”
Translation: “Now I do shows daily, stacking notes by the fours (money).”
Explanation: Touring/gig economy — performing and making money regularly; “notes” = cash.

“दिलाऊं तुझे आज दिलासा (Yeah)”
Translation: “I’ll give you reassurance today.”
Explanation: Could be sarcastic — promising consolation to those who doubted or reassuring a friend. Tone depends on delivery.

“जहां मैं पला-बड़ा वो ना खास इलाका”
Translation: “The area I grew up in wasn’t special.”
Explanation: Roots: he comes from a rough / humble neighborhood, grounding his rise in struggle.

“अब हुआ थोड़ा बड़ा तो मुझे भी पता चला”
Translation: “Now that I’ve become a bit bigger, I too learned (saw) things.”
Explanation: Fame taught him truths about people — who’s real, who isn’t. Growth brings perspective.

“मुझे दिखे इनके मुंह पे अब साफ़ निराशा”
Translation: “I now see clear disappointment on their faces.”
Explanation: Haters are clearly upset; his success causes envy.

“आज कल लौंडे जले मेरे नाम से ज्यादा”
Translation: “These days boys burn (get upset) more because of my name.”
Explanation: People are angry or resentful because of his rise — they’re “burning” with jealousy.

“तेरी आंखों में भी दिखे जब तू हाथ मिलता”
Translation: “I even see it in your eyes when you shake hands.”
Explanation: Even when people feign friendliness, he sees the hidden resentment — fake relations.

“ये ना लेंगे मेरी जगह, दे दूँ आज ये वादा”
Translation: “They won’t take my place, I’ll give this promise today.”
Explanation: He vows no one will replace him — loyalty to his position.

“अब रहम नहीं आता, जैसे साथ Bipasha”
Translation: “Now mercy doesn’t come (to me), like with Bipasha.”
Explanation: Ambiguous line. Likely references Bipasha (probably Bipasha Basu — Bollywood actress known for bold onscreen persona). Could mean: he’s hardened (no mercy), comparing the lack of mercy/softness to the intensity of a public figure. (Interpretation: cultural/cinematic imagery used to heighten “coldness.”)

“Ooh, cold as usual”
Explanation: Reinforces emotional coldness / hardened vibe — he’s unfazed and ruthless as usual.

“मैं Pitbull in a row of poodles”
Translation: “I’m a pitbull among a row of poodles.”
Explanation: Animal metaphor: tough and aggressive compared with weak imitators — dominant and dangerous among soft pretenders.

“बुला ली पूरी crew, ’cause they know it’s crucial”
Translation: “I called the whole crew because they know it’s crucial.”
Explanation: Strength in numbers: his squad shows up when important — loyalty and preparedness.

“Came with two sticks, जैसे खाता रोज़ ये noodles”
Translation: “Came with two sticks, like I eat these noodles every day.”
Explanation: Double entendre: “two sticks” could mean weapons (guns) or drumsticks/chopsticks. Coupled with “noodles,” it intentionally evokes chopsticks — playful violent imagery: he’s armed and ready, but also referencing daily routine. Hip-hop likes these layered images.

“नौकरी पे जाता, मिले stipend (Stipend)”
Translation: “Went to work, got a stipend.”
Explanation: Reflects humble beginnings — low pay, working for a stipend rather than big money, implying how far he’s come.

“पसंद ना वो दिन, I didn’t like them (Like them)”
Translation: “I didn’t like those days.”
Explanation: He disliked hardships and lowly times — humility to hustle contrast.

“बोलूं fuck you and your five friends (Five friends)”
Translation: “I say fuck you and your five friends.”
Explanation: Aggressive dismissal of enemies and their entourage; classic rap contempt line. Explicit, intended to shock.

“I don’t like you, I don’t like them (Oh, no)”
Explanation: Reiteration of disdain — he separates himself from fake people.

“मेरे दोस्त movin’ keys, they weren’t typin’ (Typin’)”
Translation: “My friends were moving keys; they weren’t typing.”
Explanation: Double meaning: in rap, “keys” can refer to drugs (cocaine kilos) or important items — “moving keys” implies action/business (not just keyboard/typing). He’s saying his crew was active in real business, not just online talk.

“हम भाई नहीं, you were never my friend (My friend)”
Translation: “We are not brothers; you were never my friend.”
Explanation: Disowning fake friends — severing ties with people who pretended to be close.

“If I talk about my dick, then it’s gigant (Gigant?)”
Explanation: Brag about masculinity/sexual prowess — hyperbolic flex. The “(Gigant?)” looks like an intentional stutter or playful mispronunciation for emphasis.

“Tic what she say when I slide in”
Explanation / Likely meaning: Probably means “take note of what she says when I slide in (arrive/approach).” Could be about reaction from women when he shows up — admiring/noticeable presence. The line is a little ambiguous/colloquial.

“मुझसे कभी छुटे ना punches, ये जानते I keep it a hunnid”
Translation: “My punches (bars) never stop; they know I keep it a hundred (keep it real).”
Explanation: His bars/hits are relentless; he’s honest and consistent — “a hunnid” means genuine.

“I’m keepin’ it comin’, लगे मुझे weak in the stomach”
Explanation: He keeps delivering and that gives others butterflies or makes rivals nauseous — his flow creates discomfort in opponents.

“ये आके देंगे मुझे heat somewhere deep in the comments”
Translation: “They’ll come and give me heat deep in the comments.”
Explanation: Refers to online critics leaving heated comments — social media hate. He expects it.

“मैं खाता beat just like a freak and then I leave in the mornin’”
Translation: “I eat the beat like a freak and then leave in the morning.”
Explanation: He devours instrumentals (raps energetically) and moves on — success and grind mentality.

Chorus

“Knock, knock, who’s there? / दरवाज़े पे मै खड़ा और ये रूठ गए”
Translation: “Knock, knock, who’s there? I’m standing at the door and they’re sulking.”
Explanation: He shows up and people are bitter/upset — his success displeases some.

“Knock, knock, who’s there? / Dollar Sign, तुम्हे लगा था ये भूल गए?”
Translation: “Dollar Sign — did you think we’d forget you?”
Explanation: Rhetorical question: did haters think he’d be forgotten? No — he’s not gone; he’s here. Also flips the “Dollar Sign” handle as brand recognition.

(The chorus repeats, reinforcing the core message: arrival, presence, and the reaction of others.)

Verse 2

“हाँ, सुना मैने अभी भी ये खफ़ा है (क्यों?)”
Translation: “Yes, I heard they’re still upset (Why?)”
Explanation: He’s aware of lingering resentment and rhetorically asks why he already knows.

“क्योंकि चली मेरी हवा है (Ooh)”
Translation: “Because my wind (influence/buzz) is blowing (growing).”
Explanation: “Hawa chalna” = people talk about you; your reputation/energy spreads. His influence causes jealousy.

“मिली दगा और ये गाने मेरे दवा है”
Translation: “I got betrayal and these songs are my medicine.”
Explanation: Music heals him; art is therapeutic against betrayal.

“The iron stay smokin’, छोटे गरम रहता तवा हैं”
Translation: “The iron stays smoking; the small tava (griddle) stays hot.”
Explanation: Food imagery + weapon/heat metaphor. Could mean the kitchen (hustle) is always hot — or weapons are “hot” — he and his environment are always active. Dual reading: cooking up success or staying armed/ready.

“It’s me against the world, जैसे Pac बोला (Pac बोला)”
Translation: “It’s me against the world, like Pac said.”
Explanation: Reference to Tupac Shakur’s “me against the world” ethos. Aligns himself with legendary, rebellious rap persona.

“ऊपर वाले के ही आगे मैने हाथ जोड़ा (Yeah)”
Translation: “I folded my hands (prayed) only before the One above (God).”
Explanation: He respects a higher power but otherwise relies on himself — humility + faith.

“करता जाली ना बर्दाश, करता गालियां ना माफ”
Translation: “I don’t tolerate fraud; I don’t forgive abuses.”
Explanation: Zero tolerance for fake people and disrespect — hardened stance.

“नीयत होगी कैसे साफ जब तू नालियों में पाप धोरा (Ah)”
Translation: “How will your intentions be clean when you wash sins in the gutters?”
Explanation: Strong moral indictment: those who live corruptly can’t claim pure motives. Very condemnatory.

“Never changed, I’m the same guy still”
Explanation: Despite success, he claims he hasn’t changed at his core — authenticity claim.

“मैं तो अभी भी हूँ वो, if I aim, I kill”
Translation: “I’m still that guy; if I aim, I kill.”
Explanation: Threat/skill metaphor: lethal with precision — could be about rap skills or street readiness.

“तेरी बातें क्यों सुनूं? Do you pay my bills?”
Translation: “Why should I listen to your talk? Do you pay my bills?”
Explanation: He won’t be bothered by empty talk; only people who support him or contribute have privilege to speak.

“इनकी बंदिया backstage and they might chill”
Translation: “Their girls are backstage and might chill.”
Explanation: Bragging: their women hang with him backstage — sexual/celebrity flex.

“देख भाई, still, I might make five mil’”
Translation: “Look bro, I might still make five million.”
Explanation: Financial ambition — projecting future earnings.

“ये तो चश्मा लगा के भी ना देख पाए skill”
Translation: “Even with glasses they can’t see the skill.”
Explanation: He’s so skilled that even attention can’t perceive it — or rivals are blind to his talent.

“इनकी बातें बड़ी-बड़ी, काफी fake I feel”
Translation: “Their talks are big; I feel they’re fake.”
Explanation: Calling out hype and empty promises from others.

“कभी करे ना deliver, like they take i-pills”
Translation: “They never deliver, like they take I-pills.”
Explanation: Comparison to a pill that doesn’t work (I-pills = emergency contraceptive? Or metaphor for ineffective remedy) — they promise but don’t deliver.

“I’m knee deep in the game, करूं defeat”
Translation: “I’m deep in the game, I defeat (others).”
Explanation: Fully invested in rap, winning competitions and conflicts.

“These beats करे मुझे suit, जैसे three piece”
Translation: “These beats suit me like a three-piece (suit).”
Explanation: Music matches him perfectly, like a tailored suit — elegance + fit.

“GGs on top जैसे DPs”
Explanation / Likely meaning: Ambiguous shorthand. “GGs” often means “good games” or “G wannabes”; “DPs” may mean “display pictures” or something else. Probable reading: he’s topping charts / top metrics like strong online presence; or it’s a flex about dominance in digital spaces. (This line is somewhat cryptic — could be boastful shorthand about online metrics or industry standings.)

“T3, लेता हूँ मैं flight every three weeks”
Translation: “T3 (terminal 3), I take a flight every three weeks.”
Explanation: Terminal 3 is at major Indian airports (Delhi/Mumbai). He’s traveling frequently — success = travel lifestyle.

“Time नहीं है मेरे पास सोच-विचार का”
Translation: “I don’t have time for overthinking.”
Explanation: Busy, focused; action over contemplation.

“Flow बेकार सा फिर भी मैं दोष नि डालता”
Translation: “Even if my flow seems off, I don’t blame anyone.”
Explanation: He accepts imperfections and takes responsibility, maturity.

“जीत ता आज तो मेरा दोस्त नि हारता”
Translation: “Today my friend wins; he doesn’t lose.”
Explanation: Victory mantra: his circle wins now.

“I’m a stand-up guy, पर मैं jokes नि मारता, हाँ”
Translation: “I’m reliable, but I don’t make jokes, yeah.”
Explanation: Seriousness, he’s respectable and doesn’t play around with his craft.

“लगा मेरा pen हैं rusty”
Translation: “My pen seemed rusty.”
Explanation: Self-critical moment: he acknowledges a temporary drop in writing sharpness.

“और आ रहे नहीं गाने तो ये पन्ने dusty”
Translation: “And if songs aren’t coming, these pages get dusty.”
Explanation: Writer’s block or gap in releases can make creative pages unused.

“I’m back son, देखो इनकी तब किलस्ति”
Translation: “I’m back, son — see their devastation.”
Explanation: Return announcement, when he returns, rivals are destroyed/overwhelmed.

“जब drop करूं bomb, लगे जंग फिलस्तीन”
Translation: “When I drop a bomb, it feels like the Palestine war.”
Explanation: Hyperbolic simile for massive impact — controversial imagery but used to illustrate explosive effect of his release.

“इना मीना डिका, मेरे बिना जीना फीका”
Explanation: Nonsensical ad-lib/chant (“ina meena dika”) followed by “life is bland without me.” Party/anthemic line — he’s central to the scene.

“पीया सोलह पे sativa, फिर मदिरा पीना सीखा”
Translation: “I smoked sativa at 16, then learned to drink liquor.”
Explanation: Confessional flashback, youthful experimentation (weed, alcohol), coloring his coming-of-age and lifestyle.

“बोलूं दाई डामा डिका, बोलूं, ‘Hi mamacita’”
Explanation: More ad-libs and a flirtatious “Hi mamacita” (Spanish for “hot mama”). Mixing global pop culture with local ad-libs to sound playful and international.

“Lookin’ fine, I won’t lie / Comin’ right through your speaker like”
Explanation: Final bars of the verse: complimenting an attractive person; then a classic rap signoff — his music comes powerfully through speakers.

Outro

79–82. “कौन खड़ा बाहर? / (repeated x4)”
Translation: “Who’s standing outside?” (repeated)

Explanation: The song closes by returning to the intro call: cyclical structure. The repeated question nails the hook: he keeps knocking, keeps showing up, and the culture/industry keeps reacting.

Give it a listen now: https://open.spotify.com/track/2Kw97Ze8yhh5WDlRkEURKh?si=cbcfc89d5f1d4afe