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.
Sincerely
August Alsina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems like it was just the other day, you was a baby
In my arms and soon you gon' be all grown and it's so crazy
I wish I could turn back the clock
Or better yet make it stop
And give you all that I've got
Like every guy's gonna tell you that you're beautiful
Remember I would tell you first, so it ain't new to you
You gon' think that you know it all
But that ain't gon' be the truth
I'ma always be there for you
Love and care for you
But you so royal, probably gon' spoil ya
Long as you do what you're supposed to do
Giving everything you got in school
I will try to give you every tool
At my disposal, so that you
You gon' know what kinda road to chose
Your decision, gon' be up to you
In the flash you gon' look up
You gon' be out there on your own
Giving me love
Hope whatever I teach will stay
In the moment, you feel it's time
Don't be wantin' you feelin' like
Your mom and dad ain't here with y'all
That you out here alone
I need that to be clear to ya
Sincerely
I love you with everything in me
PS, I hope that you feel me
Hope you know I got you
Without a doubt in my heart
Yours truly
Dear Maya
I know sometimes how you feel overlooked, because you quiet
I used to be the same as you when I was younger
When I was hurt and I would keep it all inside
'Til it burned me up and turned into a fire
It's okay, to tell someone when your heart race
Trust in me, promise that I won't betray
We all need, need somebody to confide in
And a shoulder we can lean on
Safe space, you can cry in
In these arms, I got you
Want you to know how proud you make me, with your schoolin'
Anything that you wanna be in this life, know you gon' do it
Not even the sky is the limit
Just gotta say that you want it
You gotta go out and get it
I can't wait to see the world in you turn out to be
It ain't a moment you're alive, you ain't impressin' me
I really hope that I can bless you, how you're blessin' me
You just put your trust in God and put the rest in me
Sincerely
I love you with everything in me
PS, I hope that you feel me
Hope you know I got you
Without a doubt in my heart
Yours truly
Dear Kay-kay
What can I say, say, say?
Ever since your first day
It's like you've been here before
Wiser beyond your days
Truly you move to the beat of your own drum
And your own parade
I know when life gets tough, that you're gonna be okay
You keep a smile on your face, even on the darkest days
Even with an ounce of your strength, I can face a hurricane
And with a face just like mine, when you cry I feel your pain
And I try to hug it away
So that you ain't feelin' the same
Use your voice to sing, every melodies
Fill it up with the joy you bring
Big things are done, so you gon' do greater things
Take your time young princess
One day you'll be a queen
You're so special, hope you know I'm there for you
I got so much love to give, I'll share with you
Stay who you are, don't let no one dim your storm
Take it from me, one of the ones who understands you
Sincerely
I love you with everything in me
PS, I hope that you feel me
Hope you know I got you
Without a doubt in my heart
Yours truly
The song "Sincerely" by August Alsina is a heartfelt tribute to his goddaughters Shay, Maya, and Kay-kay. In each verse, he addresses his love and concern for them as they grow up and face the challenges of life. He wishes he could turn back the clock and give them all the love and support they need but knows that eventually, they will have to make their own decisions and live their own lives. The song is a reminder that no matter what happens, they will always have his love and support.
In the first verse, August Alsina talks to Shay, acknowledging that she is growing up and he won't always be able to protect her. He emphasizes how beautiful she is and assures her that he will always be there to love and care for her, but she also needs to do her part and work hard in school. The second verse is for Maya, who he knows is quiet and introverted. He encourages her to open up and not keep everything inside, offering himself as a trustworthy confidante. He praises her for her academic achievements and tells her that she can be anything she wants to be. Finally, in the third verse, August Alsina addresses Kay-kay, who he sees as wise beyond her years. He tells her to embrace her unique personality and talents and not let anyone dim her light. He also reassures her that he will always be there to support her and remind her of her worth.
Overall, "Sincerely" is a touching and poignant tribute to August Alsina's goddaughters, expressing his love and concern for them as they navigate through life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems like it was just the other day, you was a baby
It feels like yesterday when you were a baby
In my arms and soon you gon' be all grown and it's so crazy
Now you are growing up, and it's hard to believe
I wish I could turn back the clock
I wish I could go back in time
Or better yet make it stop
Or stop time altogether
And give you all that I've got
And give you everything I have
Like every guy's gonna tell you that you're beautiful
Like any other guy will say that you are beautiful
Remember I would tell you first, so it ain't new to you
But I was the first person to tell you that, and you already know it
I know in a while, it's gon' be hard for me to get through to you
I know it will be tough for me to communicate with you as you get older
You gon' think that you know it all
You will think you know everything
But that ain't gon' be the truth
But that won't be true
I'ma always be there for you
I will always be there for you
Love and care for you
I will love and take care of you
But you so royal, probably gon' spoil ya
But you are so special that I might spoil you
Long as you do what you're supposed to do
As long as you do what you should do
Giving everything you got in school
You should give everything you have in school
I will try to give you every tool
I will try to give you everything you need
At my disposal, so that you
Within my capacity, so that you
You gon' know what kinda road to chose
You will know what kind of path to choose
Your decision, gon' be up to you
But the decision will be yours
In the flash you gon' look up
Suddenly, you will grow up
You gon' be out there on your own
You will be on your own out there
Giving me love
You will still give love to me
Hope whatever I teach will stay
I hope you will remember what I've taught you
In the moment, you feel it's time
When you feel it's the right moment
Don't be wantin' you feelin' like
I don't want you to feel
Your mom and dad ain't here with y'all
Like your mom and dad are not here with you
That you out here alone
That you are alone out there
I need that to be clear to ya
I need you to understand that
Sincerely
With all my heart
I love you with everything in me
I love you with all my heart and soul
PS, I hope that you feel me
Postscript, I hope you understand what I mean
Hope you know I got you
I hope you know that I am here for you
Without a doubt in my heart
I have no doubt in my heart
Yours truly
With love
I know sometimes how you feel overlooked, because you quiet
I know that sometimes you feel overlooked because you are quiet
I used to be the same as you when I was younger
I used to be the same as you when I was young
When I was hurt and I would keep it all inside
When I was sad, I would keep it to myself
'Til it burned me up and turned into a fire
Until it became too much for me and turned into a problem
It's okay, to tell someone when your heart race
It's okay to tell someone when you are nervous
Trust in me, promise that I won't betray
Trust me, I promise not to let you down
We all need, need somebody to confide in
We all need someone to talk to
And a shoulder we can lean on
And someone who can support us
Safe space, you can cry in
A safe place where you can cry
In these arms, I got you
I have you in my arms
Want you to know how proud you make me, with your schoolin'
I want you to know how proud I am of your achievements in school
Anything that you wanna be in this life, know you gon' do it
Anything you want to be in life, know that you can achieve it
Not even the sky is the limit
There is no limit to what you can achieve
Just gotta say that you want it
You just have to express that you want it
You gotta go out and get it
You have to go out and work for it
I can't wait to see the world in you turn out to be
I am excited to see who you will become
It ain't a moment you're alive, you ain't impressin' me
You impress me every moment that you're alive
I really hope that I can bless you, how you're blessin' me
I hope I can be a blessing to you, like you are to me
You just put your trust in God and put the rest in me
You just have to trust in God and me for the rest
What can I say, say, say?
What can I say?
Ever since your first day
Since your first day
It's like you've been here before
It's like you were here before
Wiser beyond your days
You are wiser than your age
Truly you move to the beat of your own drum
You truly march to the beat of your own drum
And your own parade
And your own celebration
I know when life gets tough, that you're gonna be okay
I know that you will be okay when things get tough
You keep a smile on your face, even on the darkest days
You keep smiling even during the hardest times
Even with an ounce of your strength, I can face a hurricane
With just a little of your strength, I can face any storm
And with a face just like mine, when you cry I feel your pain
And your face looks like mine, so I feel your pain when you cry
And I try to hug it away
And I try to comfort you
So that you ain't feelin' the same
So that you don't feel the same way
Use your voice to sing, every melodies
Use your voice to sing, every melody
Fill it up with the joy you bring
Fill it up with the happiness you bring
Big things are done, so you gon' do greater things
You have done big things, so you will do greater things
Take your time young princess
Take your time, young princess
One day you'll be a queen
One day you will be queen
You're so special, hope you know I'm there for you
You are so special, and I hope you know that I am here for you
I got so much love to give, I'll share with you
I have so much love to give, and I will share it with you
Stay who you are, don't let no one dim your storm
Stay true to yourself, don't let anyone diminish your sparkle
Take it from me, one of the ones who understands you
Take it from me, someone who understands you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: August Anthony Alsina
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tinaye7610
Verse 1]
Dear Shay
Seems like it was just the other day, you was a baby
In my arms and soon you gon' be all grown and it's so crazy
I wish I could turn back the clock
Or better yet make it stop
And give you all that I've got
Like every guy's gonna tell you that you're beautiful
Remember I would tell you first, so it ain't new to you
I know in a while, it's gon' be hard for me to get through to you
You gon' think that you know it all
But that ain't gon' be the truth
I'ma always be there for you
Love and care for you
[?]
Long as you do what you're supposed to do
Give it everything you got, it's cool
I will try to give you every tool
At my disposal, it's alright you
You gon' know what kinda road to chose
Your decision, gon' be up to you
In the flesh you gonna [?]
You gon' be out there on your own
Hearin' me love
Hope whatever I teach was [?]
In the moment, you feel it's dumb
Don't be wantin' you feelin' like your mom and dad ain't here with y'all
That you out here alone
I did that to be [?]
[Chorus]
Sincerely
I love you with everything in me
PS, I hope that you feel me
Hope you know I got you
Without a doubt in my heart
Yours truly
[Verse 2]
Dear Maya
I know sometimes how you feel overlooked, because you quiet
I used to be the same as you when I was younger
When I was hurt and I would keep it all inside
'Till it burned me up and turned into a fire
It's okay, to tell someone when your heart race
Trust in me, promise that I won't betray
We all need, need somebody to confide in
And a shoulder we can lean on
Safe space, you can cry in
In these arms, I got you
Want you to know how proud you make me, with your schoolin'
Anything that you wanna be in this life, know you gon' do it
[?], sky is the limit
He's gonna say that you want it
You gotta go out and get it
I can't wait to see the world in you turn out to big
It ain't a moment you're alive, you ain't impressin' me
I really hope that I can bless you, how you're blessin' me
You just put your trust in God and put the rest in me
[Chorus]
Sincerely
I love you with everything in me
PS, I hope that you feel me
Hope you know I got you
Without a doubt in my heart
Yours truly
[Verse 3]
Dear Kay-kay
What can I say, say, say?
Ever since your first day
It's like you've been here before
Was here beyond your days
Truly you move to the beat of your own drum
And your own parade
I know when life gets tough, that you're gonna be okay
You keep a smile on your face, even on the darkest days
[?] off your strength, I can face an hurricane
And with a face just like mine, when you cry I feel your pain
And I try to hug it away
So that you ain't feelin' the same
Use your voice to sing, every melodies
Fill it up with the [?]
Big things are done, so you gon' do greater things
Take your time young princess
One day you'll be a queen
You're so special, hope you know I'm here for you
I got so much love to give, I'll share with you
Stay who you are, don't let no one dim your storm
Take it from me, [?] understands you
[Chorus]
Sincerely
I love you with everything in me
PS, I hope that you feel me
Hope you know I got you
Without a doubt in my heart
Yours truly
@ricandralloyd
“Every guy will tell you that you beautiful, but remember I told you first so it’s not new to you”😭😭😭😍🥰 @August Alsina !
@mandasedway8115
💕😩
@sandysunrise9618
Lord have mercy .. I just so greatly adore this beautiful young soul. Through August's openness sharing his anguish, pain & sorrow, he has become a magnificent light of the highest order around the entire Globe. Fellow feelings and understanding of his incredible spirit is easy, relatable & safe. His amazing presence is proof we are not alone in our own hurts, damage or isolation .. and we can still smile, understand, help and feel PRETTY!!!! Gosh this top-notch, wonderful guy is so rare. Wishing him abundant excellence in his health, peace, happiness & love. August Alsina Receives Direct Blessings From God's Glorious Hands All Day Long!!! GOD'S GOT YOU!!!!
@lashayacephas
“It Ain’t A Moment You’re Alive, You Ain’t Impressing Me . I Really Hope I Can Bless You How You Blessing Me . You Just Put You Trust In God & Put The Rest In Me .” I Truly Think This Is The Best Song He’s Ever Made 🤞🏾💛.
@natashanicolew5240
That line is one of my favorites as well. Aug is soooo talented :-)
@lashayacephas
@@natashanicolew5240 He Truly Is . The Amount Of Love Displayed In This Song Is Slightly Overwhelming . It’s Definitely One Of Those Special Songs That Will Always Tug At Your Heart Strings 😩❤️ .
@natashanicolew5240
@@lashayacephas Exactly, he has a lot of love in him and I am glad those girls are the beneficiary of it. I look forward to seeing the day he falls in love again and I hope it is with a queen who truly cherishes him. He is definitely special.
@kimberlyhankins2036
This is why I will always rock with August. His music comes from his soul.
@jahanghir528
Real shit brother, his music speaks to your soul.
@LadyZ-A-R_GQ
True , his music always has a massage behind it.