Growing up, Boosie was hardened by the many difficult experiences he was put through. His neighborhood, notorious for drugs and violence, was a place feared by the general population. To outsiders, it was a jungle, to residents, it was life. Boosie got very involved in basketball to stay off the streets, and was actually expected to move on to college level basketball.
At 14 years old, Boosie moved in to live with his grandmother after his father was murdered over drugs. Growing up with no father figure and without a strong guiding hand, Boosie turned to drugs and crime. After being expelled from school, Boosie picked up freestyling and began to get serious about his music. Living in the 225, Boosie had no contacts, no real means of exposure. Lil Boosie teamed up with Baton Rouge rapper C-Loc in the late 1990s and made his debut on C-Loc's 5th album, "It's a Gamble", which also featured Three Six Mafia, South Park Mexican, and the rest of the Concentration Camp. This album was a saving grace for C-Loc, as he was slowly losing popularity. Releasing this album put him back in the spotlight, as he had a new young tallented rapper at his side. Baton Rouge couldn't get enough. Shortly afterwards, Boosie released his debut CD, "Youngest of the Camp", which sold over 10,000 units and featured fellow up and coming Baton Rouge rapper Max Minelli, which was exactly what boosie needed to jump start his career. The album spread like wildfire, every hood in Baton Rouge had flyers up for it, everybody was playing it.
After the incarceration, Boosie once again turned back to the streets. Ultimately, his behavior led to him also being incarcerated. At this point, Boosie felt as though he was a failure. However, fate lent Boosie a hand, and Boosie had an opportunity to join an up and coming record label called Trill Entertainment aka Trill Ent which was backed by Pimp-C of UGK. Trill signed Boosie and assisted him in bring his legal issues to an end. Soon after, Boosie and Trill independently released the CD "For my Thugs" under TrillEnt. This release went on to sell over 15,000 copies. Later in the summer of 2003, Boosie co-starred with one of his label-mates, Webbie, on the album "Ghetto Stories" which also went on to sell well over 15,000 copies.
Again paired up with Webbie, Lil Boosie's 2004 release, "Gangsta Musik" is what really gained him popularity. This CD featured the ever popular songs "Swerve" (which later made an appearance in the movie "Hustle and Flow"), "Give Me That", and "Bad Bitch". This was Boosie's first really popular album, actually penetrating the borders of Louisiana and reaching far beyond.
Boosie's talent was now undeniable, and he caught the eye of some Universal Records representatives. In late January of 2005, Boosie signed a deal with Universal, and released the CD "Boosie Bad Azz". This album, backed and promoted by Universal Records, was his strongest yet. Boosie continues to gain popularity at an astonishing rate, and is no stranger to trouble with the law. Already incarcerated for probation violation on drug and gun charges, the Trill Entertainment rapper and two associates (one of them only 17 years old) were indicted on first-degree murder charges by a grand jury on Thursday, June 17, 2010. The men are accused of being involved in the shooting of 35-year-old Terry Boyd in his own house in October. District attorney Hiler Moore stated that the killing seemed to be "over turf" and that if Lil Boosie is convicted the death penalty is not out of the question. The same day, Hatch was also indicted on multiple drug and conspiracy charges for smuggling large amounts of codeine, ecstasy and marijuana into prison with intent to distribute. His girlfriend, a prison guard and a fellow inmate were also charged as co-conspirators. In addition to these charges, prosecutors believe the 27-year-old rapper may have been involved in at least five other slayings.
Hands Up
Boosie Badazz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got my hands up (my hands up), hands up (my hands up), hands up
Don't know what they gone do man today (oh lord)
A crooked cop might try to shoot me today
Plus they dudes in the system
Acting like they ready for shit that they ain't ready for
Black power, they scared of us
Taraj want his brother back, fuck that, this shit real
Police killing kids, kids killing men
Broke and a fifth of gin'll make a nigga sin
You know you planted that shit on my homeboy
Motherfuckers gave the bench to my old boy
When shit real, your wrong ain't really wrong boy
So we clutching long toys dummy, bitch you see me coming
And something telling me to stand up (I'm tired of this shit)
Why you shooting? Officer I got my hands up (police)
My hands up, but something telling me to stand up (fuck that shit)
Lord knows the evil (the evil you do)
The DA fired you hot, the friends you called so that appeal get denied
I know it's hate cause when I won they had tears in they eyes
Said it's my lawyer, no that's karma for all the niggas you fried
Seen it firsthand, and man, they ain't got feelings inside
They be wanting ya boy to testify, we know he gone die
They smiled at me, it was lucifer in front of my face
Now my nephew fighting a body, how much more can I take? (fuck that shit)
And something telling me to stand up (I'm tired of this shit)
Why you shooting officer? (why you shooting?) Officer I got my hands up (police)
My hands up, but something telling me to stand up (fuck that shit, fuck that shit)
Rest in peace Michael Brown
Cold part about it (cold part about it)
He had his hands up (his hands up)
His hands up (his hands up)
His hands up (his hands up)
His hands up (his hands up)
He had his hands up
Rest in peace Trayvon Martin (Trayvon, Trayvon, Trayvon)
Cold part about it, nigga shot him cause
He had on black bruh (at nighttime), black bruh
He had a hood that was black bruh
Why they do it? cause we black bruh
Boosie Badazz's song "Hands Up" speaks on the injustices faced by black individuals at the hands of the police. The song starts with the artist addressing the police officer who is shooting at him despite having his hands up. He goes on to mention how crooked cops might shoot him today, showing the fear experienced by black individuals in the presence of the police. Furthermore, he speaks on the corrupt system where people are imprisoned for crimes they may not have committed but are unable to defend themselves against the accusations.
The song also talks about the flaws in the justice system, how some individuals with ulterior motives pose as officers who inflict harm instead of protecting citizens. Boosie Badazz mentions an incident where someone was shot through the windshield, someone's brother is gone and the police are killing innocent children, while the same children are killing other humans due to the burden they carry. He further reveals how the police may plant evidence on people of color, who have no chance of proving their innocence in court.
The heartbreaking lyrics of this song shed light on the reality faced by black people in America with regards to the police force. The song calls for justice and equality which is still being fought for by the black community.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Officer, Mr. Officer, Mr. Officer, why you shooting?
Questioning why cops shoot unarmed citizens
I got my hands up (my hands up), hands up (my hands up), hands up
Protesting innocence and displaying non-aggressive behavior
Don't know what they gone do man today (oh lord)
Expressing fear of unjust actions by law enforcement
A crooked cop might try to shoot me today
Highlighting the risk of police brutality and corruption
Plus they dudes in the system
Referencing corrupt officials and the broken justice system
Acting like they ready for shit that they ain't ready for
Accusing cops of excessive force and unpreparedness
Black power, they scared of us
Acknowledging the power of black unity and the fear it incites in some cops
"Just go kill a black", shot him through the windshield
Citing the disregard some police officers have for black lives
Taraj want his brother back, fuck that, this shit real
Referencing a victim's grieving family and the gravity of the situation
Police killing kids, kids killing men
Pointing out the unjust cycle of violence
Broke and a fifth of gin'll make a nigga sin
Explaining how poverty and alcohol can lead to criminal behavior
You know you planted that shit on my homeboy
Accusing cops of framing innocent people
Motherfuckers gave the bench to my old boy
Referring to an unjust legal decision against a friend
When shit real, your wrong ain't really wrong boy
Suggesting that the system is so corrupt that doing the right thing can be considered wrong
So we clutching long toys dummy, bitch you see me coming
Conveying the need for protection and resistance
And something telling me to stand up (I'm tired of this shit)
Feeling a need to stand up against systemic injustice
Why you shooting? Officer I got my hands up (police)
Questioning why police shoot even when the suspect is not displaying aggression
Lord knows the evil (the evil you do)
Acknowledging the evil actions of some police officers
The DA fired you hot, the friends you called so that appeal get denied
Suggesting that corrupt officials help each other and cover up wrongdoing
I know it's hate cause when I won they had tears in they eyes
Suggesting that some officials are biased against certain groups of people
Said it's my lawyer, no that's karma for all the niggas you fried
Highlighting the fact that some cops have used excessive force and wrongfully convicted people
Seen it firsthand, and man, they ain't got feelings inside
Asserting that some people in power are heartless and cruel
They be wanting ya boy to testify, we know he gone die
Referencing the danger that can come with speaking out against police corruption
They smiled at me, it was lucifer in front of my face
Comparing corrupt officials to the devil
Now my nephew fighting a body, how much more can I take? (fuck that shit)
Expressing frustration and sadness at the continued violence and injustice
Rest in peace Michael Brown
Paying respects to a victim of police brutality
Cold part about it (cold part about it)
Highlighting the tragedy of the situation
He had his hands up (his hands up)
Referencing Michael Brown's non-aggressive stance
Rest in peace Trayvon Martin (Trayvon, Trayvon, Trayvon)
Paying respects to another victim of racist violence
Cold part about it, nigga shot him cause
Explaining the senselessness of Trayvon Martin's murder
He had on black bruh (at nighttime), black bruh
Suggesting that wearing black clothing made Trayvon Martin a target
He had a hood that was black bruh
Referencing Trayvon Martin's hoodie and how it was used against him
Why they do it? cause we black bruh
Acknowledging the role racism plays in police brutality and violence
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEREMY REID, TORENCE HATCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jevon Cummings
Boosie is one of the few rappers that rap about reality. This is deep.
Nik Geekdom
This video gives me goosebumps. Anybody that really listens to Boosie's lyrics knows hes one of the realest in the rap game!
Bigdickchaney Tripp
Facts im from Mississippi
RoadRunnaMark B 24
2020 & I'm back listening.
Toushia Mason
Damn Boosie did that, the whole album is fire. Track after track.
BIG GRIZZ
Man this really hit me deep lost two dearly loved ones to the same thing THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS💯💯🔥
Mr. Win
Hands Up!! the message was deep and powerful! can't wait for the album to drop! Boosie is the people! #Salute
U. Güney Karagöz
I had goosebumps the whole song. Boosie. The hardest in the game. Running the whole thing.
F.T.D Dank
Hands together for lil boosie. He has spoken some real shit for yall. Keep speakin bro the world can hear ya and the real mf are listening. Thank you for real music
Shelia Ann Spikes
I LOVE THIS VIDEO THE REALITY OF LIL BOOSIE LYRICS ARE SO DEEP & SO REAL ALL U CAN DO IS PRAY & TRUST GOD 1 JOHN 3:16