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.
Neck Of The Woods )
Birdman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Yeah
Nigga
Well, let me take to to the neck of the woods
Of my hood (uptown), show you what we livin' like
(Uptown)
Of my hood (uptown), show you what we livin' like
(Uptown)
Chyeah, gangsta to the core
Ankle-wrap flamer, paint your kitchen floor
With you're whore, shit you can't ignore
Things you endure when fuckin' with the boy
All I heard was, "Wheezy, don't kill me no more"
I hear your bullshit, I play matador
I'm out of category, I ain't there with y'all
I got a positive vibe, but I ain't scared of y'all
Get the kid negative, never that at all
That rat-a-tat go off, that blat-kak-kak-kak-kak-kak
I got a bitch so fine, her name Pérignon
She no how to stash quarters in a carry-on
I blow out town grass when I'm out oftown
Uptown in the buildin', not a sound
'Cause killers don't get heard about
They get whispered about or you get murdered out, nigga
Well, let me take to to the neck of the woods
Of my hood (uptown), show you what we livin' like
Walking like a man, finger on the trigger
Got money in my pocket, I'm a uptown nigga, nigga
Well, let me take to to the neck of the woods
Of my hood (uptown), show you what we livin' like
Walking like a man, finger on the trigger
Got money in my pocket, I'm a uptown nigga, nigga (yeah, yeah)
Look, the first shot, the first nigga got shot
We bust him open like a blunt on a Marley, nigga (yeah)
A hundred G's, nigga score some ki's
And then we went to the hood (believe that)
And then we started to ball, nigga (started ballin', nigga)
We know them people been paper chasin' (watch them)
So we stay out the way, then we pull out the Harley's, nigga (let's ride)
We keep the gauge close (yeah), incase you wan' know (uh-huh)
You come through the hood, I bet you a target, nigga
It's all good 'til you catch a case (stay up, nigga)
A nigga never escape because you addicted to money, nigga (you addicted to money, nigga)
Well, let me bring you back yesterday (yeah)
A lil' homie I know, he got full of that barma, nigga (ease up, nigga)
Fuckin' 'round with that Kid-N-Play (play too much, man)
Nigga fuckin' with Gs, a nigga twisted his body, nigga (nigga twisted his body)
Well, let me tell you about this game I know
(You keep flippin' dough, homie) And you'll be ridin' the flyest, nigga
Well, let me take to to the neck of the woods
Of my hood (uptown), show you what we livin' like
Walking like a man, finger on the trigger
Got money in my pocket, I'm a uptown nigga, nigga
Well, let me take to to the neck of the woods
Of my hood (uptown), show you what we livin' like
Walking like a man, finger on the trigger
Got money in my pocket, I'm a uptown nigga, nigga
You got it on your mind, lil' daddy, say somethin'
All that play buckin' gon' get your face buttoned up
Now when you smirk, you look like Jay-Z shirt
Fuckin' with the turf
I'm puffin' on that Smurf, fuck you, come holler
And tellin' Papa, "Put away your dollars, your son got chopppers"
And if you got enemies, your son got enemies (yeah, believe that, nigga, fuck 'em)
That's uptown energy, nigga
Don't waste no time on no bullshit (bullshit)
It ain't hood shit, we'll spend a lil' paper, nigga (we'll spend a lil' paper, shawty)
But if you catch 'em in the hood, nigga (if you catch 'em)
It's all good (it's all good), shit, go 'head do me that favor, nigga (bow down, bitches)
Well, let me take you down deep in the inside (deep down)
It's where they hustle and the homies tryna get it right (grindin', nigga)
It's when you got to ride, it's when the homie die
And the money can't stop the pain in the inside (believe that)
Well, let me take to to the neck of the woods
Of my hood (uptown), show you what we livin' like
Walking like a man, finger on the trigger
Got money in my pocket, I'm a uptown nigga, nigga
Well, let me take to to the neck of the woods
Of my hood (uptown), show you what we livin' like
Walking like a man, finger on the trigger
Got money in my pocket, I'm a uptown nigga, nigga
Hot Beezoh (Beezoh), holdin' it down, Birdman (Birdman)
(Uptown)
You got a problem? You know how we rock, homie
Whole uptown down, big dog
(Uptown)
Big dog, you heard me?
(Uptown)
(Uptown)
(Uptown)
The song "Neck Of The Woods" by Birdman is a braggadocious anthem detailing the lifestyle and culture of Uptown, New Orleans. Birdman describes the area and its inhabitants as "gangsta to the core" and "flipping dough" while carrying guns for protection. He talks about keeping enemies close and avoiding the drama, the pain of losing a friend to the streets, and the pursuit of money as the driving force behind every action. The lyrics also touch on the dangers of living in the area, including violence and addiction. Birdman speaks in a confident and menacing manner, using his voice to convey the message that Uptown is a place where survival of the fittest is the law of the land.
One of the key themes of the song is the idea of Uptown as a culture where violence and drug trafficking are common realities of life. However, despite the dangers, the lyrics also express a sense of pride in the community and the people who live there. The song celebrates the unique spirit of Uptown, with its bold, loud, and unapologetic approach to life. Birdman emphasizes this spirit through his use of repetition and vivid imagery, painting a picture of a culture that is steeped in violence yet defined by its resilience.
Overall, "Neck Of The Woods" is a powerful rap song that is both raw and honest in its portrayal of life in Uptown. The song's lyrics give listeners a glimpse into a world that is often overlooked by mainstream media but is a reality for many people living in urban neighborhoods across the United States.
Line by Line Meaning
Uptown.....
Introducing the location of the song's theme
Yeah...yeah..nigga
Expressing enthusiasm and acknowledging the listener
Well let me take to to the neck of the woods
Inviting the listener to explore the neighborhood
In my hood (uptown)
Reiterating the location of the song's theme
Show you wat we livin like (uptown)
Sharing the lifestyle and experiences of living uptown
Shhh
Hushing the listener to keep their attention
Gangsta to the core
Identifying with a gangster lifestyle
Ankle wrap flamer
Wearing fashionable items like ankle wraps
Paint your kicthen floor
Indicating willingness to make renovations
Wit you're whore
Having sexual relations with a woman
Shit you can't ignore
Acknowledging that there are aspects of this lifestyle that may be controversial or problematic
Things you indore when you fuckin wit the boy
Describing the things one experiences when living a gangster lifestyle
All I hear is weezy don't kill me no more
Referencing Lil Wayne and the potential danger in this lifestyle
I hear your bullshit
Being aware of others' lies and manipulations
I play mat at door
Ensuring safety by keeping a gun nearby
I'm not a category
Not being limited to one particular classification
I ain't there wit ya'll
Choosing not to participate in certain activities or behaviors
I got a positive vibe but I ain't scared of ya'll
Having a positive attitude but refusing to be intimidated
Git the kid nigga did never that at all
Maintaining a reputation of never being defeated
That rat a tat go off
Referring to the sound of gunfire
A black kak kak kak
Imitating the sound of gunfire once again
I gotta bitch so fine her name perrion(?)
Having a beautiful girlfriend named Perrion
She no how to stash quarters in a carry on
Knowing how to hide money in a carry-on bag
I blow outta town
Traveling out of town frequently
Grass when I'm outta town
Smoking marijuana while traveling
Uptown in the buildin not a sound
Being quiet and low-profile while in uptown
'cause killas don't get heard about
Recognizing that killers don't make a lot of noise
They get whispered about
Reiterating the idea of killers being talked about in hushed tones
Or you get murdered out (nigga)
Emphasizing the extreme danger in this lifestyle
Well let me take to to the neck of the woods
Reiterating the invitation to explore the neighborhood
Burnin homie
Feeling a sense of powerful confidence
Finger on the trigger got money in my pocket
Having both power and wealth
I'm a uptown nigga NIGGA!
Identifying strongly with the uptown lifestyle
Walkin like a man
Walking with confidence and pride
The first shot
Starting a violent conflict
The first nigga got shot
The first person killed in the conflict
We bust him open like a blunt on a marley nigga (yeah)
Killing the first person in a brutal and violent way
A hundred g's
Making a lot of money
Nigga score some keys
Acquiring drugs for resale
Then we went to the hood and then we started to ball nigga (started to ball)
Spending money extravagantly after making a big score
We know them people been paper chasin
Knowing that others are also in pursuit of wealth
So we stay out the way then we pull out the hardest nigga
Avoiding conflict until it is absolutely necessary
We keep the gats close,incase you wan know
Always having guns nearby in case they are needed
You come to the hood I bet you a target nigga
Noting that outsiders may be at risk in this neighborhood
Its all good till you catch a case
Things are fine until you get in legal trouble
A nigga never escape 'cause you edicted to money nigga
Being addicted to money can prevent someone from escaping a dangerous lifestyle
Well let me bring you back yesterday
Returning to a previous moment in time
I lil homie I know got full of that barma nigga
Knowing a young man who got high on a specific drug (likely 'barbiturates')
Fuckin round wit that kid and play
Engaging in risky behavior with unstable people
Nigga fuckin wit gs a nigga twisted his body nigga
Engaging in violence can have serious and lasting consequences
Well let me tell you bout this game I know
Sharing knowledge about the gangster lifestyle
You keep flippin dough homie you'll be ridin the flyest nigga
Continuing to make and sell drugs can bring wealth and success
Got it on your mind let daddy say sumtin
Encouraging the listener to speak up
All that play buckin
All the playful talk and bragging
Gon get your face buttoned up
Bringing danger and violence to those who talk too much
Now when you smirk
When you smile knowingly
You look like jay-z's shirt
Your smile resembles a popular rapper's clothing
Fuckin wit that turf,I'm puffin on that smurf
Being involved in territorial disputes while smoking marijuana
Fuck it come holla and tell that poppa put away your dollas
Encouraging people not to waste their money or lives on this dangerous lifestyle
Your son got choppas
Your child has access to guns
And if you got enemies (yeah)
If you have people who want to harm you
Your son got enemies (believe that)
Your child is also at risk
That's uptown energy nigga!
Describing the dangerous and chaotic energy of uptown
Don't waste no time on no bullshit
Avoiding unimportant things
If it ain't hood shit
If it's not related to the hood or gangster lifestyle
We spend a lil paper nigga
Spending money on things that are important to this lifestyle
Well if you catch em in the hood nigga
If you find yourself in the neighborhood
It's all good shit
Everything is fine as long as you respect the lifestyle
Go head do me that favor nigga
Asking the listener to respect the rules of the neighborhood
Well let me take you down deep in the inside
Inviting the listener to explore the inner workings of the gangster lifestyle
It's where they hustle and the homies try to get it right
Describing the constant struggle to make money and survive
It's when you gotta ride
When it's time to take action and fight for your survival
It's when the homie die
When someone within the gang dies
And the money can't stop the pain in the inside
Despite having wealth, there are still internal struggles and pain
Uptown...[repeat]
Reiterating the location and theme of the song
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tristan Jones, Dwayne Michael Carter, Brian Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind