9th was then tapped to produce a track on Jay-Z's Black Album, which became his first major label placement. From there, 9th Wonder produced 3 songs for the R&B Super group Destiny's Child on the album "Destiny Fulfilled ("Girl", "Is She the Reason", "Game Over"), won a Grammy with Mary J. Blige for her album The BreakThrough ("Good Woman Down"), Erykah Badu's "Honey", and "20 Feet Tall" on the album New Amerykah 1 and 2, Ludacris' "Do the Right Thang", a song featuring Common and Spike Lee, and most recently David Banner on the album Death of a Popstar. 9th will also be working with Drake for the second time on his sophomore album release. 9th also has 3 albums with Murs, an Emcee that hails from MidCity, CA, in which all three albums have received critical acclaim.
9th was chosen by Aaron McGruder to score music for the critically acclaimed series "The Boondocks". He has endorsed companies such as M-Audio Electronics, FL Studio, LRG Clothing Company, and Creative Recreation Shoe Company. 9th Wonder was one of 12 individuals selected by The Pepsi Corporation for the African American Calender, "The First Of Many". 9th has also worked on an album with Hollywood actor Idris Elba.
He is the president, founder and CEO of It's a Wonderful World Music Group, which focuses on catering to the 28 to 40 year old demographic of hip-hop music lovers, 9th Wonder hosts a radio show along with Kyle Santillian on Soul 104.5 FM in Fayetteville, NC called "TRUE SCHOOL RADIO" playing the first 24 years of hip-hop, along with 80's R&B, and New Jack Swing.
9th Wonder and six other individuals founded the True School Corporation in 2006 to celebrate the music, culture, and film of 70's babies and The Spike Lee Era. In the United States there are millions of Black Americans between the ages of 28-40 that grew up in a time where hip-hop was diverse, informative, and soulful. These same individuals have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, accountants, dentists, etc., and still have a love of what hip-hop used to be. The media has demonized hip-Hop in the last 10 years; so many Black Americans tend to shy away from the picture that the media has created for hip-hop. True School has changed the minds of the generation before us (50's and 60's babies) and let them know that emcees such as Chuck D, Rakim, KRS-One, The Native Tongues, Outkast, and countless other has had much of an effect on our lives as our teachers and educators.
9th believes in the preservation of Black Music throughout all its divisions (jazz, gospel, funk, soul, afrobeat, hip-hop), and its connections to music enthnocology and the African diaspora. 9th was recently appointed the National Ambassador For Hip-Hop Relations and Culture for the NAACP by Ben Jealous, President of The NAACP, where he leads a board of PhD's, Hip-Hop Artists, and Juris Doctorates. 9th was recently interviewed by Neill McNeill of FOX 8 News in The Piedmont, NC, for a segment entitled "NewsMaker", to showcase North Carolinians who are making a difference in the community. 9th Wonder is also a member of the Zulu Nation, a hip-hop peace organization started by Afrika Bambaataa in 1973.
9th was appointed Artist in Residence by former North Carolina Central University Chancellor James Ammons (now President of Florida A&M University) in the fall of 2006. An Artist in Residence is someone involved heavily in the music industry to conduct a course or seminar of a particular subject. He was approached by Dr. Kawachi Clemons, PhD of Education, to develop a course called "Hip Hop in Context, 1973-1997, a study of the development and cultural history of Hip-Hop starting with James Brown in the late 1960's, going all the way to death of The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997. He is now currently an Adjunct Professor at Duke University while still traveling the country lecturing at different universities.
"You have to see one to be one." Hip-Hop is now making its 20yr generational turn, and there are a new breed of artists who are children of the first hip-hop generation, that have studied that generation's sound, look, and feel. "If the younger generation. . . " he continues. With President Barack Obama's message, and the new movement of hip-hop hipsters. . . "Along with several colleagues, I plan to have Summits, Festivals, and lecture panel series throughout the year, to show kids the true manifestation of the hip-hop culture and lifestyles," 9th says.
"Hip-Hop is the voice of at least 2 generations. At one time, it was the POSITIVE voice, as stated earlier. Chuck D was the black history teacher I never had, along with countless other black Americans my age. It can be that again, but with the right voices and the right players. As the late Curtis Mayfield said, "We must educate and Well as Entertain."
Side Talk
9th Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen, this is side talk
You side-step to the side walk
Or ride off with the boss
See it's y'all loss
If I ain't coming around
'cause I ain't fucking around
I'm gone
[Verse 1]
Listen up, bro
I'ma let yo know
Fuck it, hit when I spit, I throw body blows
Why? Every line is powerful enough
And now that you stuck
Next time you know, acknowledge the Buck
'cause Duck-down is still arround
We ain't going no-where
We iller now, fuck a rap line or a verse
We're contemplating on letting this nine off first
But 'ma just chill and just work
To murk niggaz ain't worth the jerk that coming along
With bitch niggaz like you, bird, hum along
I heard you making a song, but got no deal
Oh yeah, the record that you making so the cops don't squeal
You amazing like blocking O'Neal - Not for real
You amazing everytme you think you shopping a deal
With ya - mixtape of the year
On ya side of the desk of an A&R sipping a beer
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
I chant 1-2-3
Let me know me if you're ready for me...lawwd
'cause if are, I'ma hit ya hard like Boa construct
You know it, it's Buck
This little nigga blowing it up
I ain't a killa
I am a vet
I am a threat
I am the reason that you sweat at night
Watch your neck
Disrespect ain't a part of my vocab
Ya know that
Step to me, get caught like a slow cab
No jab, just hooks and bars
Hooked the underground first right after I hooked them stars
Got niggaz in their cars bobbing their heads
Talking about - Buck ain't shit
You heard what he said, off with his mouth
I coulda told you, when you like act like a bird
You get kicked when you come around, stupid, back on the curb
Listen, A word is a word, but that can cause war
Next time, watch your lips or watch your jaw
[Chorus]
The chorus of "Side Talk" tells listeners that the rapper is not to be trifled with. If you don't like what he's saying or doing, he'll simply leave and take his talents elsewhere. The lyrics warn listeners not to underestimate the power of the rapper's lyrics and skills: "Listen to this side talk / You side-step to the sidewalk / Or ride off with the boss / See it's y'all loss / If I ain't coming around / 'cause I ain't f***ing around / I'm gone." The verse describes the rapper's demeanor and outlook on his own skills. He promises to hit hard with every line he speaks, and listeners should take note: "Fuck it, hit when I spit, I throw body blows / Every line is powerful enough / And now that you stuck / Next time you know, acknowledge the Buck."
Line by Line Meaning
Listen, this is side talk
Pay attention, what I'm about to say is somewhat confidential
You side-step to the side walk
Get out of the way or walk alongside me
Or ride off with the boss
Do what you gotta do to get ahead
See it's y'all loss
If you're not involved, then you're missing out
If I ain't coming around
If you don't see me around
'cause I ain't fucking around
It's because I'm serious about what I'm doing
I'm gone
I'm outta here
Listen up, bro
Hey man, check this out
I'ma let yo know
I'm gonna tell you
Fuck it, hit when I spit, I throw body blows
I'm coming at you with everything I've got
Why? Every line is powerful enough
I know what I'm doing and I'm doing it well
And now that you stuck
You're in trouble now
Next time you know, acknowledge the Buck
Remember who I am and what I can do
'cause Duck-down is still arround
Our organization is still here and still doing well
We ain't going no-where
We're not planning on leaving anytime soon
We iller now, fuck a rap line or a verse
We're better than ever, and we don't need just one line or verse to prove it
We're contemplating on letting this nine off first
We're considering using our weapon first
But 'ma just chill and just work
But I'll just calm down and focus on my craft
To murk niggaz ain't worth the jerk that coming along
To kill people who are unworthy is not worth the effort
With bitch niggaz like you, bird, hum along
People like you who are weak and indecisive should just stay quiet and listen
I heard you making a song, but got no deal
I heard you're doing music, but don't have a record deal
Oh yeah, the record that you making so the cops don't squeal
The music you're making is trying to avoid attracting the attention of the police
You amazing like blocking O'Neal - Not for real
You think you're amazing like Shaquille O'Neal blocking shots, but you're not
You amazing everytme you think you shopping a deal
You're amazing at thinking you're close to getting a record deal
With ya - mixtape of the year
With your mixtape being the best one this year
On ya side of the desk of an A&R sipping a beer
On your side of the desk at a record company, with the A&R representative drinking beer
I chant 1-2-3
I'm counting down, getting ready to make a move
Let me know me if you're ready for me...lawwd
Tell me if you're really ready for what I'm about to do
'cause if are, I'ma hit ya hard like Boa construct
If you are ready, I'll come at you fast and strong
You know it, it's Buck
You already know who I am
This little nigga blowing it up
I'm making a name for myself, despite being underestimated
I ain't a killa
I'm not a murderer
I am a vet
I've been around a long time and I know what I'm doing
I am a threat
People should be wary of me
I am the reason that you sweat at night
I'm the reason you're scared in your sleep
Watch your neck
Be careful, I'm coming for you
Disrespect ain't a part of my vocab
I don't use disrespectful language
Ya know that
You should already know that
Step to me, get caught like a slow cab
Challenge me and I'll trap you like a slow-moving taxi
No jab, just hooks and bars
I'm not playing, I'm coming at you with heavy blows in rap form
Hooked the underground first right after I hooked them stars
I first gained popularity with the underground hip-hop scene, and then became a mainstream success
Got niggaz in their cars bobbing their heads
I have fans who enjoy my music while driving
Talking about - Buck ain't shit
Some people are doubting my talents
You heard what he said, off with his mouth
Someone has been talking badly about me and they need to be silenced
I coulda told you, when you like act like a bird
I could have warned you, acting like a coward will only get you into trouble
You get kicked when you come around, stupid, back on the curb
You get punished when you come near me, so go back to where you came from
Listen, A word is a word, but that can cause war
Be careful what you say, because it can lead to conflict
Next time, watch your lips or watch your jaw
Next time, watch what you're saying or you'll get hurt
[Chorus]
Repeat of the chorus
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: K. BLAKE, PATRICK DOUTHIT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind