Bas was born in Paris, France, in 1987, to Sudanese parents. At the age of 8, his family moved to New York City. He attended St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, New York.
In 2011, Bas released his debut mixtape titled Quarter Water Raised Vol. 1. In 2013, his second mixtape was released entitled, Quarter Water Raised Vol. 2.
In 2013, Bas was featured on J. Cole's "New York Times" along with 50 Cent from Cole's album Born Sinner, and then on DJ Khaled's "Hells Kitchen" from Suffering from Success. He then appeared on the Dreamville compilation mixtape Revenge of the Dreamers. That mixtape was released in celebration of Dreamville's partnership with Interscope Records, resulting in Bas being signed to Interscope. Two weeks prior to the release of his debut album Last Winter, Bas released a free EP titled Two Weeks Notice.
Last Winter was released on April 29, 2014, by Dreamville Records/Interscope Records. The album was a conceptual project that touches on the cold days in New York City recording the album. The album was supported by the single "My Nigga Just Made Bail" produced by GP808 and featured guest appearances by J. Cole. Last Winter would debut at 103 on the Billboard 200 with 3,601 copies sold in its first week.
Following its release, Bas went on a 10-city nationwide tour titled after the album. Bas followed his own "Last Winter" tour by going on a 24-city nationwide and international tour with TDE rapper Ab-Soul. In 2015, Bas supported J. Cole on the '2014 Forest Hills Drive' Tour alongside Omen, Cozz, Jeremih, YG, and Big Sean.
Bas released his second album, Too High to Riot on March 4, 2016. The album also includes guest appearances from his labelmates J. Cole and Cozz, as well as the Hics. The album would debut at 49 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 10,965 copies in its first week. He also later released a music video for each song on the album. Bas went on tour after the album in June 2016 with Cozz and EarthGang. It included 26 cities in North America and 10 cities in Europe. On January 29, 2017, the documentary highlighting the tour was released on Tidal.
On April 10, 2018, Bas released the one-off single "Pinball II", featuring Correy C. The first single for his third album "Boca Raton" was released on June 19, and featured ASAP Ferg. On August 22, he released the second single "Tribe" featuring J. Cole. Bas released his third album, Milky Way on August 24, 2018. The album debuted at number 35 on the Billboard 200, selling 13,150 album-equivalent units in the first week. Bas announced a 43-city tour to support the album, which began in November 2018 and concluded in February 2019. In late 2018, Bas announced he was working on an album with frequent collaborators, The Hics, the album is due out in late 2021 to early 2022.
Run It Up
Bas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me and my boys make major moves
Still the same ones that I came with
Uppin' the payment, told you we nothin' to play with
Guess some things unchangeable
Me and my thirst insatiable
'Til we all big time, face on my Rollie on big time
Still my floor's unshakeable
Run it up
I cannot quit it, I need it
I ain't where I wanna be
I can admit it
Never submitting
I'm fighting my darkest of thoughts
I am a force
I harbor the light that's inside of my heart
I'm writing my art, and give you my story
You are the witness, I came on a mission
To give you my pain, and give you my glory
All this time
I'm on the grind
Oh, I'm shining
Nothing can stop me
All these years
Blood, sweat, and tears
But I'm still here
Nothing can stop me
Run it up (yeah)
Run it up (whoa)
Run it up (yeah)
Run it up (whoa)
Run it up
Nothing can stop me
Run it up (yeah)
Run it up (whoa)
Run it up (yeah)
Run it up (whoa)
Run it up
Nothing can stop me
I overcame all the odds
I ain't been playing it safe, nah
I was just giving my all
I'm taking it there
Hop in a Wraith and we lay in the stars
I made a habit a boss, yeah
I was just playing my cards
I'm taking it there
I'm taking it there
I'm taking it there
It's gon' be a riot, that means quiet
I got the can of gas, I'm 'bout to ignite
I am driven, I won't ever get tired
'Cause I been left behind, I had to get right
Waiting on a sign, now I just wait on myself
Got nothing weighing on the mind
One thing I learn after all this time
The mountain you carry meant for you to climb
All this time
I'm on the grind
Oh, I'm shining
Nothing can stop me
All these years
Blood, sweat, and tears
But I'm still here
Nothing can stop me
Run it up (yeah)
Run it up (whoa)
Run it up (yeah)
Run it up (whoa)
Run it up
Nothing can stop me
Run it up (yeah)
Run it up (whoa)
Run it up (yeah)
Run it up (whoa)
Run it up
Nothing can stop me
Nothing can stop me
The lyrics to Bas's song "Run It Up" convey a sense of determination, ambition, and perseverance. The repeated phrase "run it up" serves as a mantra, encouraging the artist and his crew to keep pushing forward and making progress in their careers. Bas emphasizes the importance of staying true to his roots, as he states that he is still surrounded by the same friends he started with. He asserts that his hunger for success is insatiable, and until they all reach the top, he will continue to work relentlessly.
The chorus reaffirms Bas's relentless pursuit of his goals and his refusal to quit. He acknowledges that he may not be where he wants to be yet, but he refuses to give up or settle. Bas believes in the power of his own talent and resilience, expressing his determination to overcome any obstacles or doubt that may stand in his way.
In the second verse, Bas reflects on his journey and the challenges he has faced. He acknowledges that he has taken risks and refused to play it safe in order to achieve his goals. He speaks of the sacrifices he has made and the dedication he has shown in order to come this far. Bas recognizes that he has what it takes to succeed, and he's ready to take it to the next level. He likens himself to a boss, confidently asserting his place in the industry and declaring that he's ready to take charge.
Overall, "Run It Up" is an empowering anthem about staying focused, working hard, and never giving up on one's dreams. It captures the determination and drive of an artist who is determined to make his mark and achieve greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
Run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up
Continuously hustle and work hard to achieve success and make significant progress in life.
Me and my boys make major moves
My friends and I are taking significant steps and making significant progress in our lives.
Still the same ones that I came with
I have remained loyal to the same group of friends who have been with me from the beginning.
Uppin' the payment, told you we nothin' to play with
We are increasing our earnings and showing everyone that we are serious and should not be underestimated.
Guess some things unchangeable
Certain things in life cannot be altered or changed.
Me and my thirst insatiable
I have an unquenchable thirst and relentless drive for success.
'Til we all big time, face on my Rollie on big time
Until all of us achieve significant success, and I can proudly wear a prestigious Rolex watch.
Face on my girls, that's a big climb
Seeing the proud and satisfied expressions on the faces of the people important to me is a great achievement.
Still my floor's unshakeable
Despite facing challenges and obstacles, my foundation and stability remain strong.
I cannot quit it, I need it
I cannot give up on my pursuit of success, as it is something I truly desire and require.
I ain't where I wanna be
I have not yet reached the level of success I aspire to achieve.
I can admit it
I can acknowledge and accept that I haven't reached my desired level of success.
Never submitting
I will never surrender or give up.
I'm fighting my darkest of thoughts
I am battling with my deepest and most negative thoughts and emotions.
I am a force
I possess a powerful and unstoppable drive and determination.
I harbor the light that's inside of my heart
Within me, I hold the positivity and optimism that radiates from my heart.
I'm writing my art, and give you my story
Through my music, I express my creativity and share my personal experiences and journey.
You are the witness, I came on a mission
All of you are witnessing my journey because I have a purpose and mission to fulfill.
To give you my pain, and give you my glory
I aim to share both my struggles and triumphs with you, revealing the highs and lows of my life.
All this time
Throughout all this duration or period
I'm on the grind
I am consistently and persistently working hard to achieve my goals.
Oh, I'm shining
I am prospering and standing out with success and achievements.
Nothing can stop me
No obstacles or hindrances can prevent me from reaching my goals and achieving success.
All these years
Throughout all these past years
Blood, sweat, and tears
I have put in immense effort and endured hardships and emotional struggles to get to where I am.
But I'm still here
Despite the challenges, I have persisted and remained determined and resilient.
I overcame all the odds
I have successfully triumphed over difficult and unfavorable circumstances.
I ain't been playing it safe, nah
I have taken risks and ventured outside of my comfort zone rather than opting for a safe approach.
I was just giving my all
I have been wholeheartedly dedicating myself and putting forth maximum effort.
I'm taking it there
I am pushing myself to reach new heights and achieve even greater success.
Hop in a Wraith and we lay in the stars
I enjoy luxurious experiences, such as riding in a Rolls-Royce Wraith and admiring the beauty of the night sky.
I made a habit a boss, yeah
Over time, I have cultivated a mindset and behavior of being a leader and someone in charge.
I was just playing my cards
I have been strategizing and making calculated decisions in my pursuit of success.
It's gon' be a riot, that means quiet
There will be a lot of noise and chaos, indicating significant changes and disruptions.
I got the can of gas, I'm 'bout to ignite
I possess the fuel and energy to spark and ignite a powerful and impactful transformation or movement.
I am driven, I won't ever get tired
I have a strong motivation and determination that keeps me going, without ever feeling fatigued.
'Cause I been left behind, I had to get right
As I have experienced being left behind or left out, I have worked hard to improve and achieve my goals.
Waiting on a sign, now I just wait on myself
Instead of relying on external signs or indications, I now depend on my own actions and decisions.
Got nothing weighing on the mind
I have no burdens or concerns occupying my thoughts or causing me stress.
One thing I learn after all this time
Throughout my journey, one valuable lesson I have learned is
The mountain you carry meant for you to climb
The challenges and obstacles you face are meant to be conquered by you, as they are a part of your personal journey towards success.
Run it up (yeah)
Continue working hard and making significant progress (expression of encouragement).
Run it up (whoa)
Keep striving towards success and achieving greater heights.
Nothing can stop me
No obstacles or hindrances can prevent me from reaching my goals and achieving success.
Nothing can stop me
No obstacles or hindrances can prevent me from reaching my goals and achieving success.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes
Written by: Martin Wave, Abbas Hamad, Neil Ormandy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind