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.
Why I Do It
August Alsina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's a million bucks, every two weeks
I'm fuckin' on an actress, we makin' movies
I'm pullin' out my camera, we shootin' new scenes
I'm flexin' stupid on these niggas, pukin' on these niggas
Sippin' all this drank, Lord I'm juicin' on these niggas
Got my bitch ballin' hard, Sheryl Swoopin' on these niggas
Mind your fuckin' business and stop googlin' on me, nigga
Ridin' through the city with a bad bitch with me
She wanna know if she can bring her friends
But my niggas wanna know if they're pretty
Yeah they can tag along
Bet you I could tag 'em all
With a little love and some alcohol
But I'ma pass 'em off to my niggas
Kick 'em out when I'm done, nigga, fuck 'em all
Back to the grind
I work so hard like I get paid overtime
But when I see the check come deep
Run up in the mall, buy the same thing three times
Call this foreplay
'Cause when the hoes see me shop, you can hear the panties drop
Runnin' up a check get 'em so wet
Gotta ball out, call it BowFlex
They wanna know how I go so hard but I'm still so young
And I'm eating so good, and I'm still not done
No I ain't stoppin' 'til I got it all
And I'm winnin' 'til it ain't no room for losin'
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Get cash, get cars, go hard
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Nigga I don't ask why you do your job
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I grind sundown to sunrise
Don't tell me to prove it, cause I might lose it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Don't have to tell you, the plan is relentless
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Nigga that's my business
Even if you say you don't fuck with it
'Cause you know for my niggas I'ma stay down
Stay down, stay down
We never trust them bitches, better lay down
Lay down, lay down
But they never come around when the money out
Money out, money out
I've done seen people that ran out
Tryna come around for a handout
I woke up this mornin', dick rock hard
If you lookin' for your woman, she just hopped off
If you lookin' for some trouble, ain't gotta look far
I put that dick in her stomach, she holla, "Good Lord"
I put that dick in her stomach, she holla, "Good God"
These niggas claimin' they thuggin', they know they good boys
My niggas call me KG, cause I'm the Kush God
And my coupe don't need a key, I'm talkin' push start, push start
Ridin' and vibin', ain't hidin', come find me
It ain't hard to find me cause nigga I'm shinin'
I ain't got to tell these boys, they know I'm shinin'
I ain't got to tell my goons turn up, they bother you
Fuck with me right now, that's bad timin'
Fatherless children and sad mommies
Fuck all this shit they be sayin' 'bout me
I'm on that sippin', too damn drowsy for that bullshit
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Get cash, get cars, go hard
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Nigga I don't ask why you do your job
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I grind sundown to sunrise
Don't tell me to prove it, cause I might lose it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Don't have to tell you, the plan is relentless
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Nigga that's my business
Even if you say you don't fuck with it
The lyrics of August Alsina's Why I Do It song paint a picture of a lifestyle where the rapper is living his best life, making a lot of money, and enjoying sexual relations with gorgeous women. He is bragging about his wealth, fame, and power and how he spends his time partying, shopping, and indulging in sexual pleasures. August Alsina asserts that he does not need to explain to anyone why he does what he does as his business and life are his own.
The line, "Get cash, get cars, go hard," emphasizes the importance of money and how it fuels Alsina's lifestyle. The line, "Ridin' through the city with a bad bitch with me" supports the idea that the rapper is confident and comfortable with his lifestyle. The line, "I ain't gotta tell you why I do it," is perhaps the most critical line in the whole song. August Alsina is confident in his life choices and isn't interested in outside opinions.
In conclusion, the lyrics of August Alsina's Why I Do It is a song that reflects a wealthy, self-centered, and sexually indulgent individual who is content with his way of life. He is proud of himself and shows no concern for how others perceive him.
Line by Line Meaning
Get off my dick, let me do me
Stop bothering me and let me live my life the way I want to.
That's a million bucks, every two weeks
I make a lot of money and I make it quickly.
I'm fuckin' on an actress, we makin' movies
I am having sex with a famous actress and we are also making movies together.
I'm pullin' out my camera, we shootin' new scenes
I am recording our sexual activities with my camera and we are creating new content.
I'm flexin' stupid on these niggas, pukin' on these niggas
I am showing off my wealth and success in an excessive manner and making other people feel bad about themselves.
Sippin' all this drank, Lord I'm juicin' on these niggas
I am drinking a lot of alcohol and feeling invigorated and energized.
Got my bitch ballin' hard, Sheryl Swoopin' on these niggas
My girlfriend is playing basketball really well and dominating other players, just like Sheryl Swoopes, a famous basketball player.
Mind your fuckin' business and stop googlin' on me, nigga
Stop trying to pry into my personal life and stay out of my business.
I do Tunechi on these niggas
I imitate Lil Wayne in my style and attitude and try to be as successful as he is.
Ridin' through the city with a bad bitch with me
I am driving around the city with a beautiful woman by my side.
She wanna know if she can bring her friends
My girlfriend is asking if she can invite her friends to come with us.
But my niggas wanna know if they're pretty
My friends want to know if my girlfriend's friends are attractive.
Yeah they can tag along
I allow my girlfriend's friends to come with us.
Bet you I could tag 'em all
I believe I could have sex with all of my girlfriend's friends.
With a little love and some alcohol
With some romance and alcohol, I could potentially hook up with my girlfriend's friends.
But I'ma pass 'em off to my niggas
I plan to let my friends have sex with my girlfriend's friends instead of doing it myself.
Kick 'em out when I'm done, nigga, fuck 'em all
After we are all finished, I plan to kick my girlfriend's friends out and forget about them.
Back to the grind
I am getting back to work and focusing on making more money and achieving more success.
I work so hard like I get paid overtime
I am a very hard worker and I put in a lot of extra time and effort to be successful.
But when I see the check come deep
When I receive my large paycheck, I feel gratified and rewarded for my hard work.
Run up in the mall, buy the same thing three times
I have so much money that I can buy multiple copies of the same expensive item.
Call this foreplay
Spending lots of money shopping is like foreplay to me.
'Cause when the hoes see me shop, you can hear the panties drop
Women are attracted to me because of my wealth and success, and seeing me shop turns them on.
Runnin' up a check get 'em so wet
Spending lots of money on material things makes women extremely excited and aroused.
Gotta ball out, call it BowFlex
I need to spend money extravagantly and make extravagant purchases to show off my wealth and status.
They wanna know how I go so hard but I'm still so young
People are curious how I am able to achieve so much success at a young age.
And I'm eating so good, and I'm still not done
Despite my current level of success and wealth, I still strive for more and want to continue improving my life.
No I ain't stoppin' 'til I got it all
I won't be satisfied or stop working hard until I have achieved all of my goals and dreams.
And I'm winnin' 'til it ain't no room for losin'
I plan to keep being successful and winning until there is no possibility of failure or loss.
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I don't need to explain or justify my pursuit of success and wealth to anyone else.
Get cash, get cars, go hard
My main priorities in life are making money, buying nice cars, and working hard to achieve success.
Nigga I don't ask why you do your job
Just like other people don't question why someone has a job and works, I shouldn't have to explain why I work hard for my success.
I grind sundown to sunrise
I work very hard and put in long hours from early morning to late at night.
Don't tell me to prove it, cause I might lose it
Don't pressure me to demonstrate my success or wealth, because I may not be able to maintain it or continue being successful.
Don't have to tell you, the plan is relentless
I don't need to explain the details of my plans for success, because they are unwavering and will persist no matter what.
Nigga that's my business
My business is my own and nobody else's, and I don't have to share it or explain it to others.
Even if you say you don't fuck with it
Even if someone says they don't approve of my goals or pursuits, I will still continue working hard and pursuing them.
'Cause you know for my niggas I'ma stay down
I will always remain loyal and committed to my friends, especially during difficult times or when facing adversity.
Stay down, stay down
I will remain loyal and committed to my friends, no matter what.
We never trust them bitches, better lay down
We don't trust women and should be cautious around them, especially during sexual encounters.
But they never come around when the money out
Women are only interested in me when I have money or they can benefit from my wealth.
I've done seen people that ran out
I have seen people who were once successful or had money, but then lost it all and became poor or unsuccessful.
Tryna come around for a handout
These same people who lost everything are now trying to come to me for money or financial assistance.
I woke up this mornin', dick rock hard
I woke up feeling sexually aroused and excited.
If you lookin' for your woman, she just hopped off
If someone is looking for their girlfriend, she was likely just having sex with me.
If you lookin' for some trouble, ain't gotta look far
If someone is looking for a fight or conflict, they will easily find it with me due to my attitude and behavior.
I put that dick in her stomach, she holla, "Good Lord"
I had sex with the woman so vigorously that she was very loud and enthusiastic about it.
These niggas claimin' they thuggin', they know they good boys
Other people who claim to be tough or intimidating are really just faking it and are actually good people at heart.
My niggas call me KG, cause I'm the Kush God
My friends refer to me as "KG" due to my reputation as someone who knows a lot about marijuana.
And my coupe don't need a key, I'm talkin' push start, push start
My car is so advanced and luxurious that it doesn't need a traditional key, instead using a push start system.
Ridin' and vibin', ain't hidin', come find me
I am riding around and enjoying myself without hiding or keeping a low profile, so anyone can come find me if they want to.
It ain't hard to find me cause nigga I'm shinin'
I am easy to spot because I am successful and wealthy, and therefore stand out from others.
I ain't got to tell these boys, they know I'm shinin'
Other people already know that I am successful and wealthy, so I don't need to advertise it to them.
I ain't got to tell my goons turn up, they bother you
My friends are already aggressive and intimidating, so I don't need to tell them to become more violent or threatening.
Fuck with me right now, that's bad timin'
If someone messes with me or tries to start something, it's a bad time for them because I won't back down or be easy to defeat.
Fatherless children and sad mommies
I am aware that there are many children who have grown up without a father and many mothers who are struggling and unhappy as a result.
Fuck all this shit they be sayin' 'bout me
I don't care about what people are saying or rumors that are being spread about me.
I'm on that sippin', too damn drowsy for that bullshit
I am drinking heavily and am too tired or unfocused to deal with any negativity or confrontation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, SPIKY I M IN PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CANDACE CURRY, KEYIARA SALLIE, NICODEMO GIOVANNI LALLI, AUGUST ALSINA, KEVIN PRICE, SEAN MCMILLION, RALPH JEANTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markjohnathan879
The old weezy is finally back!! They both went hard on this song.... August swag and music style is on a whole nother level 💯💯💯💯
@BadBoyMark1
that aint old weezy at all lol
@kyledavis5420
Deff not old Wayne but not bad
@BadBoyMark1
Idk bro im from new orleans and i have heard him go insane on tracks
@BadBoyMark1
I hope dee 1 can get more eyes on him
@BadBoyMark1
***** who dat dee 1?
@TEEEEV
August Alsina is so underrated.
@iBroter
No
@futureparadise.2089
+Dävid Näm do you even know what "Underrated" means
@iBroter
Dandre Eugene yes