Drama's fourth album is titled Quality Street Music. The We In This Bitch Songfacts explains that concept for the record is one that Drama says he came up with while hosting Young Jeezy's Trap or Die mixtape back in 2005.
No More
DJ Drama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bright lights, street lights
Summertime in apartment 409
Had to clean up the kitchen with 409
It was cookin' up work, while my granny at work
My big cuz, he ain't understand me at first
I'm like dude, either way you need cash and a nice suit
The street lights where I found my strength
Be with four rich men and you bound to be the fifth
Let's go
I lost my daddy at a early age
Told my mama, don't cry for me
If I trade tomorrow in for yesterday
Oh, how much different my life would be
But that's in my dreams, back to reality
Tryna get outta these street lights
So I won't have to live this street life
No more, no more
No more, no more, no
Just gotta learn to deal with problems
If you're young and from slum with no father
Got killed when you was little, still got mama
She try to tell him go to school but why bother
When gettin' paid is the only way to solve 'em
Seems the stars get farther and farther
Out of my reach, out of these streets
Will they ever make it big?
'Cause I lost my daddy at a early age
Told my mama, don't cry for me
If I trade tomorrow in for yesterday
Oh, how much different my life would be
But that's in my dreams, back to reality
Tryna get outta these street lights
So I won't have to live this street life
No more, no more
No more, no more, no
I ain't ashamed to say that I shed a tear
Thinkin' 'bout my dad, I wish I had him back
I'd give up everythin' just to have him here
After this storm and rain I have no fear
Gotta keep holdin' on, hold my head up strong
I know it won't be long
(I'm livin' for the moment)
Until we'll be together again, fo real
(If I could turn back the days)
(Sure you could turn this back)
Hey, I was born with the hustle, never been a sucker
Daddy wasn't in the crib, that made me tougher
Momma struggled with the bills, that made me stuff up
Powder in a sack which made me dumber
Now I'm standin' on the corner, bag full of marijuana, crack
Pistol in my pocket for anybody who disrespect
In the trap chillin' where robbers and killers kick it at
My arms up in the feds for ten, they say I'm goin' in
Ha, bet that I'm a stretch that, backish to this rappers
Show these niggas what I'm best at
Get a lil' check, flip it and invest that
Years later, oh now you see what my heads at
Like meals chasers, we be everywhere the bread at
You keep on hatin', you'll be layin' where the dead at
You rappers suckers, you can tell them that I said that
If nothin' else but the hustle, you gon' respect that
I lost my daddy at a early age
Told my mama, don't cry for me
If I trade tomorrow in for yesterday
Oh, how much different my life would be
But that's in my dreams, back to reality
Tryna get outta these street lights
So I won't have to live this street life
No more, no more
No more, no more, no
Guess this is my life and I wanna live it right
I don't wanna run the streets no more, no
Guess this is my life and I wanna live it right
I don't wanna run the streets no more, no
The lyrics to DJ Drama's "No More" showcase the struggles and hardships of growing up in a tough environment and trying to make something better of oneself. Willie The Kid raps about his experiences, including having to clean up the kitchen with 409 while cooking up work and dealing with his cousin's misunderstanding of his ambitions. He knows that either way he needs cash and a nice suit, whether it's for the courtroom or the casket. Despite the difficulties, it's the street lights where he found his strength and he's determined to get out of the street life.
The chorus expresses the desire to escape the street life and the pain that comes with it, including losing a father at an early age. Willie The Kid acknowledges that he sheds tears thinking about his dad and wishes he had him back. But he also knows that he has to keep holding on and living for the moment. The song ends with a powerful message about the importance of the hustle and earning respect through hard work.
Overall, "No More" is about striving for a better future despite the obstacles in one's path. It's about being honest and introspective about one's past and present, and using that as motivation to push forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Summertime in apartment 409
The setting and time of year in which the events of the song took place.
Had to clean up the kitchen with 409
Using 409 cleaner to clean up a mess in the kitchen.
It was cookin' up work, while my granny at work
Engaging in illegal activity while his grandmother was at work.
My big cuz, he ain't understand me at first
His cousin didn't initially understand or agree with his choices.
He said the court room or the casket
His cousin warned him that he would either end up in jail or dead.
I'm like dude, either way you need cash and a nice suit
Acknowledging that both scenarios would require money and dressing well.
The street lights where I found my strength
The difficult experiences he faced in the streets helped shape him and make him stronger.
Be with four rich men and you bound to be the fifth
Implying that who one associates with can affect their financial status.
I lost my daddy at a early age
The artist's father passed away when he was young.
Told my mama, don't cry for me
Encouraging his mother not to worry or be sad for him.
If I trade tomorrow in for yesterday
Expressing a desire to go back in time and change things.
Oh, how much different my life would be
Reflecting on how his life would be different if he could change the past.
But that's in my dreams, back to reality
Returning to the present and acknowledging that the past cannot be changed.
Tryna get outta these street lights
Trying to leave behind the difficult experiences of the streets.
So I won't have to live this street life
Expressing a desire to move away from a life of crime and struggle.
No more, no more
Repeated desire to leave the past behind and start a new chapter.
Just gotta learn to deal with problems
Understanding that life will always have challenges and one must learn to handle them.
If you're young and from slum with no father
Commenting on the challenge of growing up in a difficult environment without a father figure.
Got killed when you was little, still got mama
Acknowledging that even when faced with tragedy, he still had his mother.
She try to tell him go to school but why bother
His mother encouraging him to get an education, but him feeling like it won't make a difference.
When gettin' paid is the only way to solve 'em
Explaining why some individuals turn to illegal activities to solve their problems, due to lack of other options.
Seems the stars get farther and farther
Feeling like achieving success and reaching one's goals is becoming increasingly difficult.
Out of my reach, out of these streets
Feeling like success and a better life is impossible to attain while still living in the streets and engaging in illegal activity.
Let's go
Phrase used to transition into the next verse/section of the song.
I ain't ashamed to say that I shed a tear
Being vulnerable and admitting to feeling emotional.
Thinkin' 'bout my dad, I wish I had him back
Reflecting on missing his father and wishing he could have him back.
I'd give up everythin' just to have him here
Expressing how much he wishes his father was still alive and how important he was to him.
After this storm and rain I have no fear
Feeling like he has gone through difficult times and come out stronger and unafraid.
Gotta keep holdin' on, hold my head up strong
Encouraging himself to stay strong and persevere through hardships.
I know it won't be long
Feeling confident that success and a better life is not too far away.
(I'm livin' for the moment)
Focusing on the present and making the most of it.
(If I could turn back the days)
Hypothetical desire to change the past.
(Sure you could turn this back)
Unclear meaning, potentially suggesting wishing to turn back time is not a realistic option and accepting reality.
Hey, I was born with the hustle, never been a sucker
Being born into a difficult environment and having to learn survival skills to make it through life.
Daddy wasn't in the crib, that made me tougher
Growing up without a father figure being present, which may have contributed to becoming more resilient and independent.
Momma struggled with the bills, that made me stuff up
Watching his mother struggle to make ends meet may have contributed to engaging in illegal activity to make money.
Powder in a sack which made me dumber
Acknowledging that his involvement in illegal activity may have had negative consequences on his life.
Now I'm standin' on the corner, bag full of marijuana, crack
Describing current involvement in illegal activity, specifically selling drugs.
Pistol in my pocket for anybody who disrespect
Feeling the need to carry a weapon for protection and to assert dominance in a dangerous environment.
In the trap chillin' where robbers and killers kick it at
Hanging out in a dangerous area where others engaged in illegal activity spend their time.
My arms up in the feds for ten, they say I'm goin' in
Being caught by law enforcement and facing a significant amount of time in prison.
Ha, bet that I'm a stretch that, backish to this rappers
Having confidence in being able to make it through the legal system and return to the rap industry.
Show these niggas what I'm best at
Using this as an opportunity to showcase his skills and prove himself.
Get a lil' check, flip it and invest that
Describing a plan to use whatever money he makes legally to invest in his future and start a new life.
Years later, oh now you see what my heads at
Implying that after a significant amount of time has passed, people will see how he has changed and what he is capable of achieving.
Like meals chasers, we be everywhere the bread at
Being able to find success and financial stability in various areas and industries.
You keep on hatin', you'll be layin' where the dead at
Challenging those who doubt him to see what he will achieve, suggesting that their negativity will lead to failure and an unhappy life.
You rappers suckers, you can tell them that I said that
Asserting dominance in the rap industry and confidently challenging other rappers.
Guess this is my life and I wanna live it right
Accepting that this is the only life he has and wanting to make the most of it by living in a positive and productive way.
I don't wanna run the streets no more, no
Reiterating the desire to leave behind a life of crime and illegal activity.
Contributed by Ella H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.