Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Levine began his musical career in 1994, when he co-founded the alternative rock band Kara's Flowers, of which he was the lead vocalist and guitarist. After the commercial failure of their only album, The Fourth World (1997), the band split up. In 2001, the group was reformed – with guitarist James Valentine joining the line-up – and began a new, musical chapter, changing their name to Maroon 5. In 2002, the band released their first album, Songs About Jane, which went multi-platinum in the US. Since then, they have released four more albums, It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007), Hands All Over (2010), Overexposed (2012) and V (2014). As part of Maroon 5, Levine has received three Grammy Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, two American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and a World Music Award.
Since 2011, Levine has served as a coach on NBC's reality talent show The Voice. The winners of the first and fifth seasons, Javier Colon and Tessanne Chin, were on his team. In 2012, he made his acting debut as a recurring character in the horror television show American Horror Story: Asylum for the series' second season. He also appeared in the film Begin Again.
As an entrepreneur, Levine launched his own eponymous fragrance line in 2013. The same year, he collaborated with Kmart and ShopYourWay.com to develop his menswear collection. He also owns a record label, 222 Records. In 2013, The Hollywood Reporter reported that "sources familiar with his many business dealings" estimated Levine would earn more than $35 million that year.
Heard 'Em Say feat. Adam Levine
Adam Levine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I heard 'em say, nothin' ever promised tomorrow today
From the Chi, like Tim its the Hard-a-way
So this is in the name of love, like a rob would say
Before you ask me to get a job today,
Can I at least get a raise on a minimum wage?
And I know the Government administered AIDS
Allah O'Akbar and throw 'em some hot cars
Things we seen on the screen are not ours
But these niggas from the hood so these dreams not far
Where I'm from, the dope boys is the rock stars
But they can't cop cars without seein' cop cars
I guess they want us all behind bars, I know it
Uh, and I heard 'em say, nothin' ever promised tomorrow today
And I heard 'em say, (Nothin' ever promised tomorrow today) but we'll find a way
(And nothing lasts forever but be honest babe, it hurts but it may be the only way)
They say people in your life are seasons
And anything that happen is for a reason
And niggas guns a clappin' and keep to squeezin'
And Gran' keep prayin' and keep believin'
And Jesus, one day that ya see him
Till they walk in his footsteps and try to be him
The devil is alive I feel him breathin'
Claimin' money is the key so keep on dreamin'
And put those lottery tickets just to tease us
My aunt Pam can't put those cigarettes down
Now my 'lil cousin smokin' those cigarettes now
His job trying to claim that he too niggar-ish now
Is it 'cause his skin blacker than licorice now?
I can't figure it out, I'm stickin' around
Uh, and I heard 'em say, nothin' ever promised tomorrow today
And I heard 'em say, (Nothin' ever promised tomorrow today) but we'll find a way
(And nothing lasts forever but be honest babe, it hurts but it may be the only way)
Cause every worthless word we got more far away,
And nothing's ever promised tomorrow today,
And nothing lasts forever but be honest babe,
It hurts but it may be the only way
The lyrics of Adam Levine's Heard'Em Say, featuring Kanye West, are a reflection of the political and social unrest in America. The song starts with Kanye's monologue, where he says that nothing is promised for tomorrow, and Love could be the only answer. He mentions Tim Hardaway, who was a basketball player for the Miami Heat, and likened his tenacity to his own. Kanye then references getting a job, highlighting the inequities in minimum wage laws, and insinuates that the government is responsible for the spread of AIDS. He emphasizes the power of prayer, as a way to cope with the troubling reality of the world. Kanye then shifts focus to the materialism of the entertainment industry, saying how the wealthy hood boys can never truly have these things. He relates a certain continued struggle to keep the police from arresting them. Adam Levine’s verse follows, he implores that we should embrace mortality in everything- seasons come and go, and we should cling to prayer and faith when faced with despair. He mentions Jesus and how people should be true followers, and not just self-seeking individuals only interested in material gain, likening it to the devil's work. The song brings to attention social issues while also calling for reflection and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
(Mr. West) Uh, yeah, uh, yeah, uh, yeah, uh, yeah
Kanye West introducing himself with some ad libs
And I heard 'em say, nothin' ever promised tomorrow today
The uncertain nature of tomorrow and the reality that nothing is guaranteed
From the Chi, like Tim its the Hard-a-way
Proudly proclaiming his Chicago roots, comparing himself to Chicago Bulls player Tim Hardaway
So this is in the name of love, like a rob would say
Doing things for love, a reference to the lyric 'in the name of love' from The Miracles' song 'Tears of a Clown'
Before you ask me to get a job today,
Addressing criticisms of not having a 'real job'
Can I at least get a raise on a minimum wage?
Pointing out the unfairness of minimum wage not being a living wage and expressing a desire for better income
And I know the Government administered AIDS
Conspiracy theory that the government was involved in the spread of AIDS in certain communities
So I guess we just pray like the minister say
Turning to faith when there is little else to do
Allah O'Akbar and throw 'em some hot cars
Referencing the Islamic phrase 'Allahu Akbar' meaning 'God is great' and expressing a desire for material success
Things we seen on the screen are not ours
Being aware that what is shown on TV is not necessarily attainable in reality
But these niggas from the hood so these dreams not far
Despite the difficulties, there is still hope for success for those from marginalized communities
Where I'm from, the dope boys is the rock stars
In certain communities, drug dealers are seen as more successful and glamorous than other professions
But they can't cop cars without seein' cop cars
The dangers and obstacles that come with illegal or less-than-savory means of acquiring wealth
I guess they want us all behind bars, I know it
Feeling like the system is designed against certain communities and that there is little hope for change
They say people in your life are seasons
People come and go in life, and each phase signifies something different
And anything that happen is for a reason
Believing that everything happens for a purpose and that there is a greater plan
And niggas guns a clappin' and keep to squeezin'
The prevalence of violence and gun culture in certain communities
And Gran' keep prayin' and keep believin'
The importance of faith and perseverance, even in difficult circumstances
And Jesus, one day that ya see him
Looking forward to the afterlife and meeting Jesus
Till they walk in his footsteps and try to be him
Striving to live a life in accordance with Jesus' teachings
The devil is alive I feel him breathin'
Acknowledging the existence of evil in the world
Claimin' money is the key so keep on dreamin'
The false belief that money is the solution to all problems
And put those lottery tickets just to tease us
The false hope that comes with playing the lottery, knowing the odds are highly unlikely
My aunt Pam can't put those cigarettes down
The difficulty of breaking bad habits, even when it negatively affects health
Now my 'lil cousin smokin' those cigarettes now
The negative influence and impact of behavior on younger generations
His job trying to claim that he too niggar-ish now
Experiencing discrimination and racism in the workplace
Is it 'cause his skin blacker than licorice now?
Wondering if the discrimination is truly based on race
I can't figure it out, I'm stickin' around
Not fully understanding the reason for discrimination, but persevering despite it
Cause every worthless word we got more far away,
The prevalence of negativity and meaningless speech pushing people further apart
And nothing's ever promised tomorrow today,
Reiterating the uncertainty of the future and the importance of living in the present
And nothing lasts forever but be honest babe,
The importance of being truthful and authentic in all situations
It hurts but it may be the only way
The difficulty of facing the truth, but acknowledging that it is necessary for growth and progress
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERRY GOFFIN, ADAM LEVINE, MICHAEL MASSER, KANYE WEST, KANYE OMARI WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leanoleotwane6710
Adam Levine: ooooooooooo
Me: damn that's hard
@Virginia__q
😂😂🔥🔥🔥
@uneedrambo716
Fax
@negusnutrino8863
Supa hard
@zhzrl6909
Real Eyes. Realize. Real Lies. What u expect 10 years from now
@quintusquintus5316
big facts
@tvtoot6694
The beat, the melody, the lyrics, the chorus...Nostalgia!!! Who's still listening in 2023?
@brandieebutler961
Me!
@tiffanyjones8787
Me
@rome4060
Hell yeah still remember this playing in pacsun while I was looking for some skate shoes... life was simple for me back then