9th Wonder is a hip hop producer from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.. He began his career as the main producer for the hip-hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with the likes of Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Murs, and Destiny's Child. As part of Little Brother he gained widespread recognition and critical acclaim. He has since left Little Brother. 9th Wonder stated that as long as both Phonte and Big Pooh welcomed a reunion somewhere down the line, he would be completely open to the idea.
The duo released two albums. The first one, Chemistry in 2005 and the sophomore album titled The Formula in 2008.
The Change Up
9th Wonder & Buckshot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I’m on the streets, ain’t no time to play
All I do is look up in the night, I don’t see no light
All I do is see the dark, then I let my gun spark
Listen
Everyday I wake up, I’m thinking of something different
My life is just like a visit, I’m only here for a minute
Nothing y’all gotta give it
I’m doing a lot of business
Everybody just drop and just give me
One hundred push-ups
What’s up with Buck?
He here, you not
You scared, you shot
I dare two cops to play the hero uh oh
Whether or not you agree with my vision
A lot of niggas rot in the prison
Power no different
Television is telling lies, so I
Hit the street, street Bible wise
And tell the Ten Commandments
My niggas is bandits
Outlandish with hammers
No wonder why they can’t stand us
Cannabis, fatigues, raw power
Strapped for the battle
I’m walking the block with ease
Let’s go, let’s go
Every day
When I’m on the streets, ain’t no time to play
All I do is look up in the night, I don’t see no light
All I do is see the dark, then I let my gun spark
Listen
I’m on fire, call me molten metal
It ain’t my folks you settle
This shit I spit go through metal, I roll with the devil
Every dollar in my pocket’s from the flows I pedal
Like handbags of Louis and Gucci come up
You a replica of the real
Almost there, so what?
I ain’t never seen ya CD
Only D I see is the D’s that sweep me
With me, a frisbee out at night
Who didn’t disappear on em? Yeah, I ain’t on em
I was in the zone
Take money money, make money money
That’s the only thing on my dome
I’m a beast if I don’t eat
Fuck beef, all I need is a rapper or one beat
I’m a boss
You Chinese niggas is duck sauce
You half a chicken
Go half on your living
Get lost
Every day
When I’m on the streets, ain’t no time to play
All I do is look up in the night, I don’t see no light
All I do is see the dark, then I let my gun spark
Listen
Yeah, I’m a murderer
A motherfucking killer on the loose
Y’all niggas is filla on the roof
I know, I can’t get mad at you
But I can say ‘Damn, that’s bad for you’
Broke ass, broke glass, cut it nigga severely
Fuck what you heard, y’all niggas hear me
I’m bullhorn, you niggas bullshit, come one
Got bitches waiting on my lawn
I walked at night like Spawn
(?), oh yes, half that niggas is gone
Make moves, my shit is SA-radius
Street approved in the jails like the essay’s rated
The lyrics of 9th Wonder & Buckshot's song The Change Up depict a harsh reality of life on the streets. The artist describes his daily routine of waking up and chasing the bag, with no time to play around. He looks up to find darkness instead of light and sees no hope but to let his gun spark. The song addresses the prison industrial complex and the power of the media to control the narrative of society. The artist finds solace in the streets, where he shares the "street Bible" and the Ten Commandments with his fellow gang members. He is on fire, fueled by his hatred for the system that has failed him.
The song simultaneously exudes bravado and vulnerability. The artist asserts his dominance as a "boss" and "murderer," yet acknowledges the dangers of his lifestyle. He references his enemies, who are "filla on the roof," and expresses sympathy for their tragic fate. The overall message of the song is that life on the streets is tough, but it's the only life the artist knows. He must hustle to survive and take care of his people, even if it means resorting to violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day
I wake up to another day full of opportunities
When I’m on the streets, ain’t no time to play
I'm serious about getting things done and won't let anything distract me
All I do is look up in the night, I don’t see no light
It may seem hopeless at times, but I still keep going
All I do is see the dark, then I let my gun spark
I won't hesitate to use violence if necessary to achieve my goals
I’m on fire, call me molten metal
I'm unstoppable and nothing can stand in my way
It ain’t my folks you settle
Don't bother trying to intimidate or threaten me through my loved ones
This shit I spit go through metal, I roll with the devil
My words have power and I'm not afraid to use them to do whatever it takes
Every dollar in my pocket’s from the flows I pedal
I've earned everything I have through hard work and dedication to my craft
Like handbags of Louis and Gucci come up
I'm living the high life and enjoying the fruits of my labor
You a replica of the real
You're a fake and I can see right through you
Almost there, so what?
I'm not satisfied with just being close to my goals, I want to exceed them
I ain’t never seen ya CD
You're not even on my radar and I don't care about your music
Only D I see is the D’s that sweep me
The only police presence I notice is when they're trying to arrest me
I’m a beast if I don’t eat
I'm determined to succeed and won't let anything stop me
Fuck beef, all I need is a rapper or one beat
I don't have time for drama, all I care about is my music
I’m a boss
I'm in charge and nobody can tell me what to do
You Chinese niggas is duck sauce
I don't respect you and your culture, you're insignificant to me
You half a chicken
You're weak and powerless compared to me
Got bitches waiting on my lawn
I have many women who desire me and want to be with me
I walked at night like Spawn
I move with purpose and confidence, like a superhero
(?), oh yes, half that niggas is gone
I'm not sure what this line means, it may be a reference to something specific to the artist's experience or culture
Make moves, my shit is SA-radius
I'm always making progress and expanding my reach
Street approved in the jails like the essay’s rated
I have street cred and even those in prison respect me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clay Soggyfries
One of the best beats I heard by 9th wonder
Vintage27
This is my favorite track on the whole album! I have to admit the video is lacking. Not sure what I was expecting, 9th is a FOOL for that beat tho gotdamn!
MrEligone
i thought 9th was gonna spit a verse for s second there lol
Mad Villain Gaming
Buckshot kinda looks like Rakim in this vid
FlyOnDaWallMedia
This is my shitttttt. I was today years old when i found out there was a video for it!!!
Ahnyia love so cute
thi s is my dad i love him do u wanna know has real name
Marc
Deserves a million views at least. I love Buckshot's delivery over this banger by 9th.
Aaron Prangner
The album gonna be FIRE!! The third installment! The Solution!
chrismorale
almost feels like ENTA DA STAGE Buck in the voice. almost. i need that. just the voice + energy
Ahmosethe1st
Yeah! lol Buck spit flame like Dhalsim! Always got dem fire rhymes & lines. BCC forever sun. Classic