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.
Like A Star
August Alsina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since I;m young and I'm ambitions I buy everything I want
I see swanty chosing like is she want
She love cuz the color that the other niggas dont
I can put it down, I can put it down
Go way to got me baby, I can put it down
I'm not wragging, I'm not stucking
I'm just talking what I know
Baby I can bang it on, say the words and we can go
Zu I'm feeling like a star tonigth maybe cuz I shine so bright
I don't wana touch the ground cu I don't wana this high
Feeling like a star, feeling like a star
Feeling like a star, feeling like a star
She chasing me, asking for a photograph
Those are my ..sign my autograph
Now she telling me she wanna go in my place
So we woke in the front barely
I get it up, I bet it down
Told you I can put it down
When I dragging on my stucking
I'm just talking what I know
Baby I can bang it on, say the words and we can go
Zu I'm feeling like a star tonigth maybe cuz I shine so bright
I don't wana touch the ground cu I don't wana this high
Feeling like a star, feeling like a star
Feeling like a star, feeling like a star
I got a pocket full of money,I can put it down, I can put it down
I got everything I want
I see you you;re chosing I can put it down
I see swanty chosing like is she want
She love cuz the color that the other niggas dont
I can put it down, I can put it down
feeling like a star tonigth maybe cuz I shine so bright
I don't wana touch the ground cu I don't wana this high
Feeling like a star, feeling like a star
Feeling like a star, feeling like a star
Feeling like a star, feeling like a star
Tell you I'm feeling like a star,
Tell you I'm feeling like a star,
Tell you I'm feeling like a star,
Tell you I'm feeling like a star,
Tell you I'm feeling like a star
The lyrics of August Alsina's song Like a Star are centered on him feeling confident and on top of the world. The first few lines depict his financial standing and the way he spends his money, which suggests that he is living a lavish lifestyle. He describes how he can attract women easily and portrays himself as very desirable. The line "I can put it down" could be interpreted as a reference to his sexual prowess, implying that he is skilled in this area.
The chorus of the song reveals the reason behind Alsina's confidence - he feels like a star. He feels like he is shining brighter than anyone else and is above everyone. This line sets the tone for the entire song and carries the dominant theme of the song.
The verse that follows the chorus highlights his ability to attract women and his celebrity status by mentioning how they ask for autographs and want to go to his place. The verse brings forth the idea that he can get any woman he desires. In the end, the chorus comes back to re-emphasize his self-confidence and how he feels like a star.
Overall, the song seems to be a depiction of someone who has money, fame, and is living life on their terms.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a pocket full of money, wistle full of stone
I have a lot of money and drugs on me.
Since I'm young and I'm ambitions I buy everything I want
Because I am young and ambitious, I spend my money on whatever I desire.
I see swanty chosing like is she want
I notice women who are interested in me and seem to be making their choice.
She love cuz the color that the other niggas dont
She likes me because I have qualities or features that other men lack.
I can put it down, I can put it down
I am skilled in satisfying my sexual partners.
Go way to got me baby, I can put it down
I can make you feel good and satisfied.
I'm not wragging, I'm not stucking
I am not bragging or boasting, I am simply speaking the truth.
I'm just talking what I know
I'm just speaking from my own experiences.
Baby I can bang it on, say the words and we can go
I am capable of having sex with my partner and getting them aroused.
Zu I'm feeling like a star tonigth maybe cuz I shine so bright
Tonight, I am feeling confident and important, maybe because of my success or status.
I don't wana touch the ground cu I don't wana this high
I feel so confident and successful that I don't want to come back to reality.
She chasing me, asking for a photograph
Women are pursuing me and want to take pictures with me.
Those are my ..sign my autograph
I am a famous person and they want me to sign their things.
Now she telling me she wanna go in my place
Now, one of my fans wants to be with me in my personal space.
So we woke in the front barely
We got intimate in the car in a public parking area.
I get it up, I bet it down
I am good at getting and satisfying women sexually.
When I dragging on my stucking
When I hesitate or stumble in my speech.
Feeling like a star, feeling like a star
I feel confident and successful.
I got a pocket full of money, I can put it down, I can put it down
I have a lot of money and am skilled at pleasuring my partner.
I got everything I want
I have all the material things that I desire.
Tell you I'm feeling like a star
I want to express how confident and successful I feel, like a star.
Contributed by Anthony S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tinotenda.7
Oooooh God