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, Augustโs 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 motherโs 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 wouldnโt be long before August learned that the addiction to money could be just as deadly as the addiction to drugs. Just days before Augustโs 18th birthday, his older brother was gunned down in New Orleans East, another unsolved murder in one of the nations most dangerous cities. โI never expected them [the police] to find his killerโ, August explains. โPeople die everyday in the streets of New Orleans. Unfortunately, death has become a way of life,โ but not for August. His brotherโs 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/MMGโs own DJ Scream for the release of his debut mixtape, โThe Productโ, which garnered him an internet and radio buzz, and spawned the Sound Mob produced single, โSuckaโ featuring fellow New Orleans native, R&B crooner Lloyd. The anti-love track offers the opinion that โlove is for suckasโ, providing an alternative to the sappy love songs associated with todayโs R&B.
This past May, Alsina returned with his second installment of โThe Productโ series, this time teaming up with DJ Drama and his Gangsta Grillz brand. The debut single โI Luv This Shitโ finds August paired with fellow Def Jam label mate, Trinidad Jame$. The top 10 hit, produced by Knucklehead, speaks to the rebellious and, sometimes, reckless lifestyle that finds August singing words that many can relate to, โIโm way too drunk to be talking like this, Iโm way too high to be trippin like this, Iโm way too young to be livin like this, ask me why I do it Iโma put it like this... God Damn it, I luv itโ. Itโs that honest and rebellious tone that caught the ear of Cash Money CEO/Rich Gang boss, Birdman, who jumped on the remix to stamp the fellow New Orleans native.
With his buzz building, Augustโs next stamp would come from media giant MTV, as he was named one of 2013โs Fab 5, their annual list of hip-hop artist to watch. Exposure on the network helped to make his independent video โDowntownโ ft. Kidd Kidd, a viral hit, generating nearly 1 million views in less than 2 months. The autobiographical song/visual would become the title track for Alsinaโs first official NNTME/Radio Killa/Def Jam release, an 8-song EP titled, โDowntown: Life Under the Gunโ, which offers collaborations between Alsina and the previously mentioned Jame$ & Kidd Kidd, along with NOLA veteran Curren$y, and Atlanta newcomer Rich Homie Quan. Of the EP, Alsina says, โIt allows you to walk through my hood with me and see where Iโm from. Donโt get it confused, this isnโt my album, just a few songs to let people know what Iโm about and why I do thisโ.
While just 21 years old, and already a lifetime of experiences behind him, August Alsina is living proof that your past doesnโt have to dictate your future, and that lifeโs hardships can be the motivation required for success.
Grindin'
August Alsina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We come from fords and expeditions, slangin' papers with ambition
Cause back in my younger days that's just how we make a living
That's how I was taught to grind, learnt to hustle from my moms
That's that G shit and the G simply stands for grind
[Verse]
(Grind', Grind', Grind', Grind', Grind', Grind')
Cause I'm outchea grindin can't tell me shit
People asking why you took so long, how you go so strong
Because it's timing in all this shit, will a nigga trynna
Let his past go keep be reminded of all his shit
Niggas don't go as hard as I do, I be Fighting for all that I get
I got a question why you hatin' on me?
Cause I'm probably grindin' his bitch
Everybody who was checkin' for a nigga and was reppin' for a nigga
I appreciate your prayers I respect you my nigga, a lot of these lames kept hatin' on a nigga
When I took a little fall you was steppin' on a nigga,
If you keep it one hundred then I salute you my nigga
If I see you comin' for me, I'll shoot you my nigga
But I'm grindin' like I got something to prove my nigga
Bet you couldn't walk a mile in my shoes my nigga
A lot of my niggas ain't here this year, I cry for all my niggas
Love everybody in my squad, I die for all them niggas
I don't give a fuck bout all these rumors, cause the truth will never be in them
And they love to see when I'm losin', So they hate to see when I'm winning
That [?] house on the hill, I made it
Only 22 but I'm bout my business
If there's a million dollar club I'm in it, determined to get it so this shit don't face me
Even though [?] I see no competition I refuse to be defeated
A lot of these nigga ain't working at all, I cash this check for my family and all
I just got out of my comma, It showed me that when God is for me no weapon can hold me
That's why I go hard in [oew?] my homies and I pay homage for niggas before me
[Fool?] came back and told me go hard like Ginobili and grind for all this shit
Doctor tell me I'm exhausted and shit, can't stop now now I'm never gone quit
Not until I see my mama not wanting for nothing
And I see my brother just livin' for a livin'
And I see my squad spending money like it's nothing
That why I'm grindin' everyday till to make a way because
[Hook:]
We come from fords and expeditions, slangin' papers with ambition
( Way back in my younger dayss )
Cause back in my younger days that's just how we make a living
( Grind ) ( Momm )
That's how I was taught to grind, learnt to hustle from my moms
That's that G shit and the G simply stands for grind
[Bridge:]
My Nigga, I'm grinding for all my [?] [ x6 ]
[Outro:]
Imma drop this shit for the hell of it
Cause I'm outchea gridin' can't tell me shit
The song "Grindin" by August Alsina is a powerful expression of the importance of staying focused and determined in the pursuit of success despite obstacles and setbacks. The lyrics in the chorus that "We come from fords and expeditions, slangin' papers with ambition" suggests that the artist, and the people he's surrounded by, have grown up in harsh conditions, hustling hard to make ends meet. It is a way of life that has been passed down through generations, as explicitly acknowledged in the line "That's how I was taught to grind, learnt to hustle from my moms."
The lyrics in the verse "Imma drop this shit for the hell of it, Cause I'm outchea grindin can't tell me shit" imply that the artist has found a way to channel his pain and frustration into his music. For him, it's all about working hard and making progress in the face of adversity. The line "If I see you comin' for me, I'll shoot you my nigga" suggests that Alsina is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his hustle, but despite this aggressive tone, there's a vulnerability to his lyrics. The lines "A lot of my niggas ain't here this year, I cry for all my niggas, Love everybody in my squad, I die for all them niggas" show the deep love and connections he has with his community.
Overall, "Grindin" is a powerful song that captures the spirit of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It is an anthem for those who have been pushed to the margins of society but continue to hustle and work hard to achieve success.
Line by Line Meaning
We come from fords and expeditions, slangin' papers with ambition
We come from humble beginnings, hustling to make ends meet.
Cause back in my younger days that's just how we make a living
In our younger days, hustling was the only way to make a living.
That's how I was taught to grind, learnt to hustle from my moms
My mom taught me the importance of grinding and hustling to succeed in life.
That's that G shit and the G simply stands for grind
The 'G' in 'G shit' stands for the grind, which is essential for success.
Imma drop this shit for the hell of it
I'm sharing this music just for the fun of it.
Cause I'm outchea grindin can't tell me shit
I'm working hard and no one can stop me.
Because it's timing in all this shit, will a nigga trynna
Timing plays a crucial role in success and one must be patient.
Let his past go keep be reminded of all his shit
One must move past their past mistakes and not let them hold them back.
Niggas don't go as hard as I do, I be Fighting for all that I get
Most people don't work as hard as me and I have to fight for everything I achieve.
I got a question why you hatin' on me?
Why do you have to be negative towards me?
Cause I'm probably grindin' his bitch
You're jealous of my success and hard work.
Everybody who was checkin' for a nigga and was reppin' for a nigga
I appreciate everyone who supported me and believed in me.
When I took a little fall you was steppin' on a nigga
When I faced failure, some people were quick to abandon me.
If you keep it one hundred then I salute you my nigga
If you're honest with me, I respect you.
If I see you comin' for me, I'll shoot you my nigga
If I sense any negativity or jealousy towards me, I'll cut you out of my life.
Bet you couldn't walk a mile in my shoes my nigga
You wouldn't be able to handle the struggles and hardships I've faced.
A lot of my niggas ain't here this year, I cry for all my niggas
Many of my friends and family members have passed away and I'm still grieving their loss.
Love everybody in my squad, I die for all them niggas
I have love and loyalty towards my team and I would do anything to protect and support them.
I don't give a fuck bout all these rumors, cause the truth will never be in them
I don't pay attention to rumors because they're usually not true.
And they love to see when I'm losin', So they hate to see when I'm winning
Some people enjoy seeing me fail, so they resent my success.
That [?] house on the hill, I made it
I've achieved financial success and bought a house on a hill.
Only 22 but I'm bout my business
Despite being young, I'm focused on my career and making money.
If there's a million dollar club I'm in it, determined to get it so this shit don't face me
I'm determined to achieve financial success and nothing can stop me.
Even though [?] I see no competition I refuse to be defeated
I see myself as the best and refuse to be beaten by anyone else.
A lot of these nigga ain't working at all, I cash this check for my family and all
Many people aren't working hard, but I'm earning money to support my family and loved ones.
That why I'm grindin' everyday till to make a way because
This is why I work hard every day to create a better life for myself and those around me.
My Nigga, I'm grinding for all my [?] [ x6 ]
I'm working hard for myself and for those who support me.
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
NatesLife
My Favourite artist real talk...
Zachariah
๐ซ๐งข
Vรขnia
Shii you said it nah๐
Wisne Brizze
https://youtu.be/N-rKlkXGE8g
March Peden
NatesLife I'm a subscriber
Jemiya Holmes
NatesLife facts๐ฏ
Sayeh Sharelo
this song gets meee hypedddd
romelmbarnett
stfu..
CrazyFries_Ltd
Bro am with ya!!!
Tyler Horn
@ChrissNonstop a!!