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.
You Deserve
August Alsina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Misused and abused
Yeah, yeah yeah
Pick ya head up love, smile
This is for you
Girl I know sometimes that I mistreat you, and you still come back
And I see your homegirls try to reach you, but you ain't hearing none of that
I don't know, cause girl it might be true
When they tell you, you should walk away but you stay anyway
Girl I think it's best for me to say this, I ain't no good
And your heart ain't something I should play with
So let's get it understood
I ain't trying to ruin your life
If anything I just want to make it right
And tell the judge I ain't even gotta plead my case
I can tell my baby to her face
I was just your nigga next door
But girl I see more for you, (I see more for you)
And you ain't gotta have no fear, no I'll always be here for you, girl I'm here for you
And I know you may not end up with me
'Cause I'm still playing outchea in these streets
But I'm just saying
You deserve better, I'm saying, you deserve better
I know that love can be blind
But you should open your eyes (open your eyes)
Take a look in the mirror
Baby girl you a prize
And any man that don't see that you should let his ass go, believe that
Because his love ain't real
What he won't do another nigga will
Girl I think it's best for me to say this, I ain't no good
And your heart ain't something I should play with
So let's get it understood
I ain't trying to ruin your life
If anything I just want to make it right
And tell the judge I ain't even gotta plead my case
I can tell my baby to her face
See I was just your nigga next door
But girl I see more for you, (I see more for you)
And you ain't gotta have no fear, no I'll always be here for you, girl I'm here for you
And I know you may not end up with me,
'Cause I'm still playing outchea in these streets
But I'm just saying
You deserve better, I'm saying, you deserve better
You deserve all the love, (you deserve all the love)
You deserve all the care, (you deserve all the care)
You deserve all that and more, (you deserve all that and more)
You deserve better, you deserve better
You deserve to laugh, (you deserve to laugh)
Baby you deserve to smile, (baby you deserve to smile)
You deserve the best of everything
You deserve better
See I was just your nigga next door
But girl I see more for you, (girl I see more)
And you ain't gotta have no fear, no I'll always be here for you, girl I'm here for you
And I know you may not end up with me,
'Cause I'm still playing outchea in these streets
But I'm just saying
You deserve better, I'm saying, you deserve better
Yeah, yeah yeah
You deserve better
Smile
You deserve better
The song is dedicated to a woman who is constantly mistreated and abused, who is advised by her friends to leave the relationship. Although the singer recognizes that he is not treating her well, he is asking for a chance to make it right. Despite him admitting to being no good and playing around in the streets, he wants her to know that she deserves better. The singer's message is that she should realize her self-worth and not settle for someone who doesn't treat her right.
The lyrics emphasize the importance of self-love and respect. The singer urges the woman to pick her head up and smile, acknowledging the pain and hurt she may have gone through. Although the singer might not be the right one for her, he still believes she deserves someone better. The song encourages women to value themselves and not accept less than they deserve in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
This is for the girl down the hall
August is dedicating the song to the girl who is his neighbor.
Misused and abused
August acknowledges that the girl has been treated unjustly and unfairly by other men.
Pick ya head up love, smile
August is encouraging the girl to look at the positive side of things.
This is for you
The whole song is dedicated to the girl who deserves better treatment.
Girl I know sometimes that I mistreat you, and you still come back
August admits that he has not always treated the girl well, but she still forgives him.
And I see your homegirls try to reach you, but you ain't hearing none of that
The girl's friends try to intervene and warn her about August's behavior, but she chooses to ignore them.
They try to get through, they say I ain't the move
The girl's friends are trying to convince her that August is not the right choice for her.
I don't know, cause girl it might be true
August is not sure if the girl's friends are right about him not being the right choice.
When they tell you, you should walk away but you stay anyway
The girl's friends advise her to leave August, but she still chooses to stay with him.
Girl I think it's best for me to say this, I ain't no good
August admits that he is not a good person and does not want to hurt the girl.
And your heart ain't something I should play with
August acknowledges that the girl's heart is precious and he should not take it for granted.
So let's get it understood
August wants to make sure that the girl knows how he truly feels.
I ain't trying to ruin your life
August does not want to cause any harm to the girl's life.
If anything I just want to make it right
August wants to rectify his mistakes and make things right between him and the girl.
And tell the judge I ain't even gotta plead my case
August is confident that he can explain everything to the girl without any legal interference involved.
I can tell my baby to her face
August wants to be honest and upfront with the girl, even if it hurts her feelings.
See I was just your nigga next door
August reminisces about how he used to be just a regular guy who lived next door to her.
But girl I see more for you, (I see more for you)
August believes that the girl deserves better and he wants to be the one to provide that for her.
And you ain't gotta have no fear, no I'll always be here for you, girl I'm here for you
August promises to always be there for the girl, even if they end up not being together.
And I know you may not end up with me
August understands that he may not be the one the girl ends up with in the long run.
'Cause I'm still playing outchea in these streets
August is still focused on his music career and is not ready to settle down just yet.
But I'm just saying
August wants to express his feelings for the girl and let her know that she deserves the best.
You deserve better, I'm saying, you deserve better
August emphasizes that the girl deserves someone who will treat her right and make her happy.
I know that love can be blind
August acknowledges that sometimes love can cloud one's judgment.
But you should open your eyes (open your eyes)
August wants the girl to see things clearly so that she can make the right decisions for herself.
Take a look in the mirror
August wants the girl to reflect on herself and recognize her own worth.
Baby girl you a prize
August wants the girl to realize that she is valuable and deserves to be treated as such.
And any man that don't see that you should let his ass go, believe that
August advises the girl to let go of any man who does not appreciate and value her.
Because his love ain't real
August believes that any man who does not see the girl's worth does not truly love her.
What he won't do another nigga will
August assures the girl that there is someone out there who will love and appreciate her for who she is.
You deserve all the love, (you deserve all the love)
August emphasizes that the girl deserves to be loved deeply and sincerely.
You deserve all the care, (you deserve all the care)
August believes that the girl deserves to be taken care of and treated with kindness and consideration.
You deserve all that and more, (you deserve all that and more)
August wants the girl to know that she deserves everything good in life and more.
You deserve to laugh, (you deserve to laugh)
August believes that the girl deserves to experience joy and happiness in her life.
Baby you deserve to smile, (baby you deserve to smile)
August wants the girl to know that a genuine smile should always be on her lips.
You deserve the best of everything
August believes that the girl deserves nothing short of the absolute best in everything.
Smile
August wants the girl to always have a smile on her face, no matter what.
You deserve better
August emphasizes again that the girl deserves better than what she has been receiving.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLIFFORD OCTAVE HENSON, AUGUST ALSINA, RICKIE KENNETH FAMBRO, RALPH JEANTY, SEAN MCMILLION, PRINSTON MOON, TERIUS YOUNGDELL NASH, CLARENCE ALEXANDER SCARBOROUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hh h
[Intro]
This is for the girl down the hall
Misused and abused, yeah, yeah yeah
Pick ya head up love, smile
This for you, this for you
[Verse 1]
Girl, I know sometimes that I mistreat you and you still come back
And I see your homegirls try to reach you, but you ain't hearing none of that
They try to get through, they say I ain't the move, I don't know 'cause girl, it might be true
When they tell you, you should walk away but you stay anyway
[Pre-Hook]
Girl, I think it's best for me to say this, I ain't no good
And your heart ain't something I should play with, so let's get it understood
I ain't tryna ruin your life, if anything I just want to make it right
And tell the judge I ain't even gotta plead my case, I can tell my baby to her face
[Hook]
See I was just your nigga next door
But girl, I see more for you, I see more for you
And you ain't gotta have no fear
Know I'll always be here for you, girl I'm here for you
And I know you may not end up with me, it ain't gotta be me
'Cause I'm still playing outchea in these streets
But I'm just saying you deserve better
I'm saying, you deserve better
[Verse 2]
I know that love can be blind but you should open your eyes, open your eyes
Take a look in the mirror, baby girl, you're a prize
And any man that don't see that, you should let his ass go, believe that
Because his love ain't real, what he won't do another nigga will
[Pre-Hook]
Girl, I think it's best for me to say this, I ain't no good
And your heart ain't something I should play with, so let's get it understood
I ain't tryna ruin your life, if anything I just want to make it right
And tell the judge I ain't even gotta plead my case, I can tell my baby to her face
[Hook]
See I was just your nigga next door
But girl, I see more for you, I see more for you
And you ain't gotta have no fear
Know I'll always be here for you, girl I'm here for you
And I know you may not end up with me, it ain't gotta be me
'Cause I'm still playing outchea in these streets
But I'm just saying you deserve better
I'm saying, you deserve better
[Bridge]
You deserve all the love
You deserve all the care
You deserve all that and more
You deserve better, you deserve better
You deserve to laugh
Baby you deserve to smile
You deserve the best of everything
You deserve better
[Hook]
See I was just your nigga next door
But girl, I see more for you, I see more for you
And you ain't gotta have no fear
Know I'll always be here for you, girl I'm here for you
And I know you may not end up with me, it ain't gotta be me
'Cause I'm still playing outchea in these streets
But I'm just saying you deserve better
I'm saying, you deserve better
[Outro]
Yeah, yeah yeah
You deserve better
Smile
You deserve better
Tamia Price
I will always love this song, I miss his music.
Shamese Loft
I will for ever love this song Smile ❣️
NATASHA ALEXANDER
This song deserves a reward word
Sunshine B
WHERE HAVE BEEN???? THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HEARING THIS. Most definitely on my playlist ‼️❤️🎤
jay Brazil
@Itz Toonz ong
Itz Toonz
Where yall been under a rock 😭
CDrumz95
Just found this gem too , so good
Ms BeautyBoss
It’s on his 2014 “Testimony” album. 👍
Aaliyah Moore
Sunshine B : mine too 😍❤️📀🎤
Tyesha Thomas
2020 Still going hard 🔥