August learned at an early age that drugs and money could make you, or break you. With both his father and stepfather battling crack addiction, August’s mother moved their family to Houston, Texas in search of a fresh start. But Houston provided no happy ending. For years, a young August endured a home life plagued by drugs and violence. At just 14, he got word from New Orleans that is father, August Sr., lost his battle with drugs and alcohol.
In an attempt to escape his reality, August took to Youtube, where he posted dozens of homemade performance videos. His clips covering the likes of Musiq Soulchild and Lyfe Jennings went viral, generating millions of views in just over a month. It seemed that he was finally taking his first steps toward a bright future in music, but just a year later, reality hit home when his best friend was shot and killed in the streets of Houston. As quickly as August appeared, he vanished form Youtube, back to the real world. With tensions mounting, 16-year-old August was kicked out of his mother’s home. Alone, he returned to New Orleans. He bounced around between family and friends houses, but on some nights, only the corner store provided him shelter. Eventually, he took to the streets, selling drugs as a means of survival.
With his older brother also in the streets hustling, it wouldn’t be long before August learned that the addiction to money could be just as deadly as the addiction to drugs. Just days before August’s 18th birthday, his older brother was gunned down in New Orleans East, another unsolved murder in one of the nations most dangerous cities. “I never expected them [the police] to find his killer”, August explains. “People die everyday in the streets of New Orleans. Unfortunately, death has become a way of life,” but not for August. His brother’s death became his motivation to not become a statistic, but to pursue his musical aspirations on an entirely new level.
Under the guidance of NNTME MuCo, AKA Noontime, (management/production company), August relocated to Atlanta in 2011 to begin carving his own musical path, creating music in a lane that would separate him from his R&B counterparts. His experiences in life are what shaped him, so those experiences, no matter how brutally honest, positive or negative, would serve as the focal point of his artistry. In April of 2012 August teamed up with Hoodrich/MMG’s own DJ Scream for the release of his debut mixtape, ‘The Product’, which garnered him an internet and radio buzz, and spawned the Sound Mob produced single, “Sucka” featuring fellow New Orleans native, R&B crooner Lloyd. The anti-love track offers the opinion that “love is for suckas”, providing an alternative to the sappy love songs associated with today’s R&B.
This past May, Alsina returned with his second installment of ‘The Product‘ series, this time teaming up with DJ Drama and his Gangsta Grillz brand. The debut single “I Luv This Shit” finds August paired with fellow Def Jam label mate, Trinidad Jame$. The top 10 hit, produced by Knucklehead, speaks to the rebellious and, sometimes, reckless lifestyle that finds August singing words that many can relate to, “I’m way too drunk to be talking like this, I’m way too high to be trippin like this, I’m way too young to be livin like this, ask me why I do it I’ma put it like this... God Damn it, I luv it”. It’s that honest and rebellious tone that caught the ear of Cash Money CEO/Rich Gang boss, Birdman, who jumped on the remix to stamp the fellow New Orleans native.
With his buzz building, August’s next stamp would come from media giant MTV, as he was named one of 2013’s Fab 5, their annual list of hip-hop artist to watch. Exposure on the network helped to make his independent video “Downtown” ft. Kidd Kidd, a viral hit, generating nearly 1 million views in less than 2 months. The autobiographical song/visual would become the title track for Alsina’s first official NNTME/Radio Killa/Def Jam release, an 8-song EP titled, ‘Downtown: Life Under the Gun’, which offers collaborations between Alsina and the previously mentioned Jame$ & Kidd Kidd, along with NOLA veteran Curren$y, and Atlanta newcomer Rich Homie Quan. Of the EP, Alsina says, “It allows you to walk through my hood with me and see where I’m from. Don’t get it confused, this isn’t my album, just a few songs to let people know what I’m about and why I do this”.
While just 21 years old, and already a lifetime of experiences behind him, August Alsina is living proof that your past doesn’t have to dictate your future, and that life’s hardships can be the motivation required for success.
Been Around The World
August Alsina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
First thing first, I'm off, freaks, all the honies
Dummies, Playboy bunnies, hoes getting money
That's the one they like cause they only get the pipe
These girlie's wanna be with me
These hoes tryna trap a G, but I ain't with it
Money out there, nigga tryna get it
A lot 'em biches tell me I be slipping, I admit it
Had my share of every kind of girl
But lately, this ain't what you need, not me girl
'Cause you know they gon hate on you
And they really gon hate me too cause I'm too young to honest about it
Been around, swear this shit been crazy
I don't know how, I don't why I should choose one lady
Been around the world, met the girls who get down
You should know I get around, when you fucking with a nigga like me, girl I hope you see
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
Baby girl, show me what makes you different from the other girls
You must not know me, girl I'm the best you ever had
So girl don't you start running a game on me
Don't be listening to them weak niggas, a nigga rich, we taking trips, I spend a week witcha
Baby now we on the beach, rolling in the sand
Go to Paris, I know you like France
You can bring your girls, ain't a lot of niggas
I'mma end up grabbing your booty with both hands
Then you like "please baby"
Can we go somewhere one on one so you can put it on me baby?
Girl I'mma put it down, you know I've been around
You get the dick 'cause I
Been around, swear this shit been crazy
I don't know how, I don't why I should choose one lady
Been around the world, met the girls who get down
You should know I get around, when you fucking with a nigga like me, girl I hope you see
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
In "Been Around The World," August Alsina sings about his experiences and travels. He boasts about the many women he has been with, and how he isn't tied down to just one woman. He mentions that there are girls who try to trap him into a relationship, but he is not interested. He warns any woman who tries to play games with him, and he also talks about the hate he receives from others because of his lifestyle. August suggests that he is not ready to commit to anyone because he's still young, and he just wants to live his life without any strings attached.
The lyrics suggest that August Alsina is a playboy who is not looking for a serious relationship. He enjoys his freedom to travel and to be with different women without any obligations. However, he also seems to be aware that his lifestyle comes with its own set of problems, such as the hate he receives from others. It is evident that August doesn't want to be tied down and is unapologetic about his lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been around, I've been around the world
I have traveled extensively and seen many different parts of the world.
First thing first, I'm off, freaks, all the honies
I am attracted to women of all types, including those who are wild or sexually liberated.
That's the one they like cause they only get the pipe
These women are only interested in me for sex, which is why they are drawn to me.
And if they act right, they might get to spend the night
If these women behave according to my expectations, they may be given the opportunity to stay with me overnight.
These girlie's wanna be with me
Many women desire to be in a relationship with me or experience sexual encounters with me.
Money out there, nigga tryna get it
I am motivated to accumulate wealth and pursue monetary opportunities.
Had my share of every kind of girl
I have experienced relationships or sexual encounters with women of many different types and backgrounds.
But lately, this ain't what you need, not me girl
However, I recognize that this lifestyle and attitude may not be what a woman truly needs or desires in a partner or relationship.
'Cause you know they gon hate on you
If a woman forms a relationship with me, others may criticize and judge her harshly for being involved with me.
And they really gon hate me too cause I'm too young to honest about it
I also receive negative attention and judgement from others due to my age and my openly sexual behavior.
Baby girl, show me what makes you different from the other girls
I am searching for a woman who stands out from the others and has unique qualities that I find appealing.
You must not know me, girl I'm the best you ever had
I am confident that I am a superior sexual partner and that any woman who experiences me will find it to be the best sexual experience they have ever had.
So girl don't you start running a game on me
I am wary of women who may try to manipulate or deceive me in any way.
I spend a week witcha
If we develop a connection or sexual relationship, I am willing to spend extended periods of time with a woman.
Then you like 'please baby'
I have the ability to please a woman sexually and make her beg for more.
Can we go somewhere one on one so you can put it on me baby?
I would like to have the opportunity to engage in sexual activity with a woman in a private setting.
Girl I'mma put it down, you know I've been around
I am confident in my ability to perform sexually and have a lot of experience with sexual encounters.
You get the dick 'cause I've been around
I am willing to have sex with a woman because I have had many sexual experiences before.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andy Morris, Etterlene Jordan, Ian Devaney, Lisa Stansfield, Mark Dwayne Debarge, Paul Hardcastle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NateGotKeysUAD
Ready to buy the album.
@geesusfr
whats good nate! album gonna be great / inspiring!
@ashanntiii
It's available for pre-order right now!
@qvangz2631
Nateee!!
@jacktheripper5661
Nategotkeys?? Wtf😂
@gmailazerty
Did u buy it?
@Pikathunderboltt
I think we all love when August and Chris are on a track together
@fareedPF94
true shit! do they do more music together. they're genius.
@Pikathunderboltt
Cristo Nguyen lmao, another one
@kemauneanderson3036
+Cristo Nguyen another oneee 👆🏾