He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of the singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely", from his debut album "Trouble". His second album, "Konvicted", earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single Smack That featuring Eminem. His latest album, "Freedom", was released in 2008. Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently accredited with over 200 guest appearances and 32 Billboard Hot 100 songs.
He is the first solo artist to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. He has also founded two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution and has a clothing label, Konvict clothing
Akon is a Muslim and has many charities of his own.
Akon's father is the Senagalese drummer Mor Thiam.
Gangsta Bop
Akon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go gangsta – ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay
Go gangsta, keep boppin' (Block Boy up!)
Rock with me, let's get this bitch poppin' (Upfront!)
Go gangsta, keep boppin' (Geah!)
Like back when a nigga was clockin'
See, nowadays it seems like e'rybody wanna be killas
You die quicker, paramedics drive back slow to the hospital
You get pronounced dead at 4, to the hospital
Stop frontin' when you know you won't pull nothin'
First nigga to retreat when the tools bustin'
Playing with death is bad for your health
All your homeboys gone, you the last one left
Now, they hearts beatin', but these niggas be scared
The real ones are all locked up or dead
Nowadays you can't find a good connect
But if you do, you might be the feds, so...
I don't know you, you don't know me
You don't know the history I got on these streets
Only if you see what my eyes have seen
Then you'll understand why I'm surrounded by G's
If you owe me, and we got beef
I recommend you reach for your heat and don't freeze
Pause for a minute, guaranteed you gon' bleed
'Cause that's how we was raised growing up in these streets
Go gangsta, keep boppin'
Rock with me, let's get this bitch poppin'
Go gangsta, keep boppin'
Like back when a nigga was clockin'
See, it's hard to be good, but easy to do evil
And I ain't really into meeting with new people
Just put the money in the bag and I'll leave you
The weed, coke, Lambo or Evisu
You make a hundred dollars, to the streets you made a G
When you coppin' O's, they swearing you move ki's
Feds getting close and the rats seeing cheese
And they tryin' to find them birds
Not the ones that sleep in trees
We got that bird, we got that blue
You want short skirts? We got that too
Whatever you need, my nigga, show me the cheese
And baby, you can believe that we can make that brew
I don't know you, you don't know me
You don't know the history I got on these streets
Only if you see what my eyes have seen
Then you'll understand why I'm surrounded by G's
If you owe me, and we got beef
I recommend you reach for your heat and don't freeze
Pause for a minute, guaranteed you gon' bleed
'Cause that's how we was raised growing up in these streets
Go gangsta, keep boppin'
Rock with me, let's get this bitch poppin'
Go gangsta, keep boppin'
Like back when a nigga was clockin'
Streets been watchin' and they don't blink
Sidewalk got ears, the pavement don't sleep
The fittest will survive, the weak just don't eat
E'rybody in between just gettin' a rap sheet
The streets been watchin' and they don't blink
Sidewalk got ears, the pavement don't sleep
The fittest will survive, the weak just don't eat
E'rybody in between just gettin' a rap sheet
I don't know you, you don't know me
You don't know the history I got on these streets
Only if you see what my eyes have seen
Then you'll understand why I'm surrounded by G's
If you owe me, and we got beef
I recommend you reach for your heat and don't freeze
Pause for a minute, guaranteed you gon' bleed
'Cause that's how we was raised growing up in these streets
Go gangsta, keep boppin'
Rock with me, let's get this bitch poppin'
Go gangsta, keep boppin'
Like back when a nigga was clockin'
Go gangsta, keep boppin'
Rock with me, let's get this bitch poppin'
Go gangsta, keep boppin'
Like back when a nigga was clockin'
See, it's hard to be good, but easy to do evil
And I ain't really into meeting with new people
See, it's hard to be good, but easy to do evil
And I ain't really into meeting with new people
See, it's hard to be good, but easy to do evil
And I ain't really into meeting with new people
See, it's hard to be good...
The lyrics to Akon's song "Gangsta Bop" paint a picture of the harsh realities of street life and the pressure to fit the gangster image. The song begins with the refrain "Go gangsta, keep boppin'" and an invocation of the Konvict record label. The first verse acknowledges the prevalence of gangster posturing in contemporary culture, but warns that playing with death is bad for one's health. The second verse describes the dangers and temptations of the drug trade and the need to always be prepared for violent confrontation. The chorus repeats the refrain and reminisces about the glamour and excitement of the hustler life before concluding with the refrain once more.
Overall, "Gangsta Bop" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of the gangster lifestyle. Akon highlights the fragility and transience of this lifestyle, noting that many of those who aspire to it end up dead or in jail. At the same time, he recognizes the appeal of this lifestyle, with its emphasis on toughness and loyalty. The song is a powerful commentary on the allure and the costs of the gangster image.
Line by Line Meaning
Konvict, Konvict ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay
Introduction music to the song.
Go gangsta – ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay
Encouragement to adopt a tough attitude.
Go gangsta, keep boppin' (Block Boy up!)
Keep up the tough attitude and stay alert.
Rock with me, let's get this bitch poppin' (Upfront!)
Let's get this show on the road and make things happen.
Go gangsta, keep boppin' (Geah!)
Continue to stay tough and alert.
Like back when a nigga was clockin'
Like in the past when one was making money and being successful.
See, nowadays it seems like e'rybody wanna be killas
Observation that many people today try to act like tough killers.
Gorillas getting high off their weed and liquor
People act tough and consume drugs and alcohol.
You die quicker, paramedics drive back slow to the hospital
Living like a tough guy may lead to unintended results and longer response times from emergency services.
You get pronounced dead at 4, to the hospital
The consequences of trying to act tough can be serious.
Stop frontin' when you know you won't pull nothin'
Don't act tough if you're not willing to follow through.
First nigga to retreat when the tools bustin'
If you can't handle the heat, don't get involved.
Playing with death is bad for your health
Tough talk may come at a high cost.
All your homeboys gone, you the last one left
Being tough can leave you alone and vulnerable.
Now, they hearts beatin', but these niggas be scared
Even those who try to act tough may feel fear deep down.
The real ones are all locked up or dead
Those who truly live a tough lifestyle may not be around for long.
Nowadays you can't find a good connect
It's harder now to find reliable sources for things like drugs.
But if you do, you might be the feds, so...
If you find a connection, there's a risk of getting caught by law enforcement.
I don't know you, you don't know me
An acknowledgement that we don't really know each other.
You don't know the history I got on these streets
There is a complicated history behind everyone's life and experiences.
Only if you see what my eyes have seen
To really understand someone, you have to experience what they've been through.
Then you'll understand why I'm surrounded by G's
People surround themselves with others who understand their experiences.
If you owe me, and we got beef
If there's a disagreement between us.
I recommend you reach for your heat and don't freeze
Be prepared to defend yourself.
Pause for a minute, guaranteed you gon' bleed
Think it over, but be ready for potential consequences.
Cause that's how we was raised growing up in these streets
It's a tough world out there and sometimes we have to be rough to survive.
Streets been watchin' and they don't blink
The environment we live in is always watching us and everything that happens.
Sidewalk got ears, the pavement don't sleep
The streets are always listening and watching.
The fittest will survive, the weak just don't eat
Only the strong will make it out of tough situations.
E'rybody in between just gettin' a rap sheet
Those in the middle will often just end up with a criminal record.
See, it's hard to be good, but easy to do evil
It can be a challenge to stay on the right side of the law.
And I ain't really into meeting with new people
I don't trust strangers.
Just put the money in the bag and I'll leave you
I want your money and nothing else, so just give it to me.
The weed, coke, Lambo or Evisu
I'm interested in all forms of material possessions.
You make a hundred dollars, to the streets you made a G
Even small amounts of money can seem like a lot in certain environments.
When you coppin' O's, they swearing you move ki's
Even if you're not moving large quantities of drugs, people may think you're a big-time dealer.
Feds getting close and the rats seeing cheese
The police are getting closer and informants are tempted to give information for rewards.
And they tryin' to find them birds, not the ones that sleep in trees
The police are looking for drugs, not actual birds.
We got that bird, we got that blue
We have a lot of drugs available.
You want short skirts? We got that too
We have all kinds of illegal products available.
Whatever you need, my nigga, show me the cheese
We have products available for sale, but we need to see the money upfront.
And baby, you can believe that we can make that brew
If you give us your money, we can get you what you need.
Go gangsta, keep boppin'
Keep up the tough attitude.
Rock with me, let's get this bitch poppin'
Let's be tough and make some things happen.
Like back when a nigga was clockin'
Like when things were going well for us.
See, it's hard to be good, but easy to do evil...
A repeated acknowledgement that it's tough to stay on the right side of things.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TROELS MOELLER NIELSEN, RUNE RASK, ALIAUNE THIAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind