Birdman was born and raised in Uptown New Orleans. With his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams, Birdman founded Cash Money Records in 1991. He used his first moniker B-32 (Baby with the 32 Golds) and released his only independent album I Need a Bag of Dope in 1993.
In 1997, he joined rapper Mannie Fresh to form the duo Big Tymers. Big Tymers debuted in 1998 with the album How Ya Luv That? and went on to release I Got That Work in 2000 and Hood Rich in 2002. I Got That Work had the hit singles "Get Your Roll On" and "#1 Stunna"; Hood Rich had "Still Fly", which was nominated for a Grammy, and "Oh Yeah!". Big Money Heavyweight followed in 2003, the group disbanded in 2004.
In 2002 Birdman released his self-titled debut studio album, Birdman, with the singles "Do That" and "What Happened to That Boy" (with Clipse). Since that album, Birdman made guest performances on the singles "Let's Get Down" by Bow Wow, "Hell Yeah" by Ginuwine, and "Bounce Back" by Juvenile.
Birdman released his third studio album Fast Money in 2005, Fast Money spawned the singles "Get Your Shine On" and "Neck of the Woods", both of which featured Lil Wayne. For Lil Wayne, Birdman produced and performed on tracks on Tha Carter and Tha Carter II.
Birdman & Lil' Wayne released an album titled Like Father, Like Son. It was certified Gold and spawned three singles, including "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" and "Leather So Soft". He was also featured on the remixes of the bestselling rap singles "We Fly High" by Jim Jones and "Make It Rain" by Fat Joe. In 2007 Birdman released his fourth studio album, 5 * Stunna. The first single, "Pop Bottles," featuring Lil Wayne and Jadakiss, was a hit, as well as the second single "100 Million," which featured Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Dre & DJ Khaled. The third single featuring Lil Wayne, titled "I Run This," was a hit as well.
Birdman's first single from his fifth album Pricele$$ was "Always Strapped", featuring Lil Wayne, and the second "Written on Her", featuring British singer Jay Sean. "Southside" featuring Lil Wayne is the third single. "Money to Blow" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne is the fourth single. "4 My Town (Play Ball)" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne is the fifth single. "Written on Her" also became Birdman's first UK release in December 2009.
In 2010 he was going to release an album titled "Priceless 2" a sequel to his previous album, but changed it to "Bigger Than Life'' The first promotional single was titled "Loyalty" and featured Lil Wayne and Tyga. Other collaborations will come from Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Bun B and Drake. The album will drop during first quater of 2011. He released a music video for a possible future single, "My Jewel" which features Bun B and Young Jeezy. He released the first official single "Fire Flame" on November 22, 2010 which features Lil Wayne.
Birdman has an estimated net worth of over $400 million. Much of that money has come from a variety of business deals with Universal Music Group as well as from sales within Cash Money Records. His total net worth makes him the second richest rapper in history behind Jay-Z.
Hustle
Birdman Lyrics
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Just like priceless
Something you can't see nigga
Ya see times is hard as it is
That's why I got guns
And my guns got kids
And all I wanna do is handle my biz
Everyday I been prayin' to you
I hope you hear everything that I'm sayin' to you
I get money money money money money money
Money money money money money money
Young Money, Gudda (Gudda)
Nigga I don't trust a soul so I ride alone
I keep my eyes in my rear view ridin' home
See I'm ready for whatever, understand me
Any situation, whatever the lord hand me
We pull guns, you niggas don't pull a damn thing
The only thing you niggas pullin' is a hamstring
Roll the dice man we kill time gambling
W-wintertime top down, nigga real arrogant
Big money so we blowin' it apparently
C-cash money, young money, yea it's all family
Birdman, Weezy they payin' all salaries
And I'm a ride wit 'em til they bury me
Ya see times is hard as it is
That's why I got gun
And my guns got kids
And all I wanna do is handle my biz
And all I'm gonna do is whatever I did (A-R)
Every day I been prayin' to you
I hope you hear everything that I'm sayin' to you
I get money money money money money money
Money money money money money money
Livin' that life
Livin' that life from under dem streetlights
But it ain't bright enough to show me where I'm goin'
But I still find my way and when I do I keep goin'
And I'm, a nigga wit strikes
Try me and your family don't sleep right
Didn't think I was tough enough to make it on my own
But I can get through anything if I done made it through the storm
And uh, now I'm killin' at night,
Killin' that night life on the east side
Leather on chrome
Television with the phone
And the top is so gone
Ya see times is hard as it is
That's why I got guns
And my guns got kids
And all I wanna do is handle my biz
And all I'm gonna do is whatever I did (A-R)
Every day I been prayin' to you
I hope you hear everything that I'm sayin' to you
I get money money money money money money
Money money money money money money
(Yea L-F-L-S nigga, like father like son
All day very day bitch, make money til it don't make sense)
Yea flash the bright lights
Nigga smash on site
Born rich bitch-nigga live with no wife
Keep the pain of the price
Prices with the dice
Give a fuck about your life
Rollin' rally stripes
High like a kite, G-4 every night
Overseas money bitch we do it so right
Don't do it right so we don't it all
Money hard
Bitch nigga playin' like a ball
Ball life, ya head life
Ya gettin' getcha game right
Ya paid the price, hit ya up and laid you right
Twist ya life nigga, we live in sunshine
5-star condo and stay fly
Ya see times is hard as it is (Yea just like dat)
That's why I got girls
And my girls got kids
(Pearl white, snow white you understand me nigga?)
And all I wanna do is handle my biz
(So clean, so fresh)
And all I'm tryna do is whatever I did
(Sharp red diamonds nigga)
Every day I been prayin' to you Pretty black tools
(you understand me)
I hope you hear everything that I'm sayin' to you
(Yea hood bags of money nigga)
(you understand me?)
I get money money money money money money
(Gold picture frames nigga you understand me?)
Money money money money money money (Big money shit)
Let's get it big money poppin' boy
I see you little nigga
Just like dat
Uptown, we in the building bitch
Worldwide gettin' money boy
Yea, I'm talking that big money poppin' shit
Big money nigga, that 100
Birdman's song "Hustle" is about the struggles of making ends meet in a difficult world, with a focus on the gun violence and hustling that permeate many communities. The lyrics express the desire to handle one's own business and pray for a better life, while also boasting about the lavish lifestyle that comes with success in the music industry.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, painting a picture of something precious and rare that cannot be seen: "Just like priceless / Something you can't see nigga." This is followed by the admission that times are hard and the declaration that the singer has guns to protect himself and his "biz," while also acknowledging the responsibility that comes with gun ownership: "And my guns got kids." The chorus repeats the phrase "I get money" as a way of emphasizing the importance of financial success in a tough world.
Further into the song, Birdman expresses his mistrust of others and his willingness to go it alone, riding through the streets with his eyes on the rearview mirror. He also brags about his wealth and the support he receives from his crew, Cash Money and Young Money. The final verse asserts that the singer has made it through difficult times and is now living the high life, with "pearl white, snow white" women and "sharp red diamonds."
Overall, "Hustle" is a song about the realities and dreams of life in the streets, with a focus on the necessity of hustling and the desire for success and financial security.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, Just like priceless, Something you can't see nigga
Money is valuable and essential, but it is something intangible and cannot be seen. A person who relies on money to come from an external source is unable to see past the abstract concept of its worthiness.
Ya see times are hard as it is, That's why I got guns, And my guns got kids, And all I wanna do is handle my biz, And all I'm gonna do is whatever I is (A-R), Every day I been prayin' to you, I hope you hear everything that I'm sayin' to you, I get money money money money money money, Money money money money money money
Due to the existing hardships of life, the singer believes that having weapons is essential to protect him and his investments. The singer's weapons have become his family, and all he seeks to do is protect his own. The singer prays daily that his efforts will bring in money for his future.
Nigga I don't trust a soul so I ride alone, I keep my eyes in my rearview ridin' home, See I'm ready for whatever, understand me, Any situation, whatever the lord hand me
The singer does not trust anyone and chooses to travel on his own. The singer is always on his guard and prepared for any unexpected turn of events the future may bring him, whether by chance or divine intervention.
We pull guns, you niggas don't pull a damn thing, The only thing you niggas pullin' is a hamstring, Roll the dice man we kill time gambling, W-wintertime top down, nigga real arrogant, Big money so we blowin' it apparently, C-cash money, young money, yea it's all family, Birdman, Weezy they payin' all salaries, And I'm a ride wit 'em til they bury me
The artist's adversaries do not have the capacity to fight, while the artist continues to risk his future by gambling with his wealth. The artist is arrogant and doesn't care about consequences due to his abundant income from his family. The artist will be loyal to his family until his death.
Livin' that life, Livin' that life from under dem streetlights, But it ain't bright enough to show me where I'm goin', But I still find my way and when I do I keep goin', And I'm, a nigga wit strikes, Try me and your family don't sleep right, Didn't think I was tough enough to make it on my own, But I can get through anything if I done made it through the storm, And uh, now I'm killin' at night, Killin' that night life on the east side, Leather on chrome Television with the phone And the top is so gone
The artist once lived under harsh circumstances, represented by the streetlights, but was able to overcome them and keep moving forward. The artist's toughness intimidates anyone who dares to go against him. The artist has outgrown his doubt and is now flourishing in the night time, particularly on the east side. The artist enjoys living a luxurious life with expensive commodities such as leather and television.
(Yea L-F-L-S nigga, like father like son, All day very day bitch, make money til it don't make sense) Yea flash the bright lights, Nigga smash on site, Born rich bitch-nigga live with no wife, Keep the pain of the price, Prices with the dice, Give a fuck about your life, Rollin' rally stripes, High like a kite, G-4 every night, Overseas money bitch we do it so right, Don't do it right so we don't it all, Money hard, Bitch nigga playin' like a ball, Ball life, ya head life, Ya gettin' getcha game right, Ya paid the price, hit ya up and laid you right, Twist ya life nigga, we live in sunshine, 5-star condo and stay fly
The singer is proud to be a part of the L-F-L-S family and continues to make money every day without it losing its worthiness. The singer has an ostentatious lifestyle and does not have a wife since he believes that life is stressful enough. The singer believes that wealth comes at a cost, as shown by rolling the dice in a high-stake game. The singer does not care about anyone's life and lives every day extravagantly with expensive cars such as G-4s. The singer enjoys wealth across international borders and will not settle until all his investments bear fruit. Money is important, and those who lack it are essential figures in the background, represented by the singer's derogatory views towards them. The singer proclaims that his successes showcase his stature in life, as represented by his luxurious 5-star accommodations.
Ya see times are hard as it is (Yea just like dat), That's why I got girls, And my girls got kids (Pearl white, snow white you understand me nigga?), And all I wanna do is handle my biz (So clean, so fresh), And all I'm tryna do is whatever I did (Sharp red diamonds nigga), Every day I been prayin' to you Pretty black tools (you understand me), I hope you hear everything that I'm sayin' to you (Yea hood bags of money nigga) (you understand me?), I get money money money money money money, (Gold picture frames nigga you understand me?) Money money money money money money (Big money shit)
The singer reaffirms that life is difficult, just as before. The singer sees women as part of his investments; just like his guns, his girls have children whom he intends to protect. The singer wants to keep the way he conducts his business clean and fresh like new. The singer is confident in his past successes that have resulted in the sharp red diamonds that he wears. The singer hopes that his efforts will continue to bring in more money, and his prayers will be answered with the tools he needs. The singer emphasizes the worthiness of money with its power to redeem items considered valuable as represented by the gold picture frames.
Let's get it big money poppin' boy, I see you little nigga, Just like dat, Uptown, we in the building bitch, Worldwide gettin' money boy, Yea, I'm talking that big money poppin' shit, Big money nigga, that 100
The artist urges the listener to seize every opportunity to gain wealth, and he encourages him to strive for big money in the future. The artist acknowledges the listener's limited experience in money acquisition but assures him that it is possible to succeed. The artist states that the money he makes is his rightful worth and that he is proud of his accomplishments.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Bryan Williams, Rondell II Cobbs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind