E.S.G., or Cedric Hill as he was born, is a rapper from Houston, Texas (although he was born in Louisiana and moved to Houston later in life) who played a key role in the development of Houston’s ‘Chopped And Screwed’ sound alongside DJ Screw in the mid to late ’90s, beginning with his debut LP “Oceans Of Funk” in 1994. The more popular songs from this album were repackaged with new songs and released as a faux-sophomore effort by Perrion Entertainment in 1995, as the landmark “Sailin’ Da South”. This album contained several radio-friendly, summery tracks, none moreso than Swangin’ & Bangin’, which was also re-worked (or “screwed”) by close friend DJ Screw. Both the original track and its slowed down alter-ego cemented Hill’s place as a mainstay in the burgeoning Houston rap scene and also the wider southern rap movement.
E.S.G. spent several years in jail following an incident in which his partner was shot dead in a home invasion. E.S.G. returned fire and killed the intruder (“Nigga broke in my crib, shot my partner in the head, so I grab my chopper left a bitch nigga dead”). He was subsequently charged with first degree murder and was incarcerated before beating the charge. “Sailin’ Da South” was released and gained him notoriety while he was on lock.
He was then released and increased his workrate, releasing Return Of The Living Dead shortly after in 1998. He is an original member of Screwed Up Click, the group formed by the late DJ Screw.
E.S.G. is known for having ongoing beef with other Houston rappers, namely Slim Thug, whom Hill claims cut him out of a potential deal, and also Lil’ Flip, for reasons less publicly documented (“Had Flip under my wing, Slim Thug too, and both them niggaz switch like some homosexuals do”).
E.S.G. is married and has a son and a daughter. His father died from complications related to Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome / Human Immunodeficiency Virus during E’s childhood in Bogalusa, Louisiana (“Then my daddy died, he had full blown AIDS, he was tootin’ up, then that nigga started shootin’ up”). This left E with his uncle as his primary male role model during his youth (“Uncle started recruitin’ us, he was hustlin’ crack, it’s safe to say I was born in the trap”).
In the early ’90s, he moved from Bogalusa to nearby Lafayette, Louisiana, while attending USL (University of Southern Louisiana), before again moving to Houston, Texas, where he made his name as a rapper (“Sold my first thirty Gs, game’s gettin’ deeper, moved to H-Town ‘cause the bricks were cheaper”).
No Matter What
E.S.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold up, nothing but the real nothing but the truth
E.S.G., Grease Monkeys man
Anything I put my heart in, it's gotta be real
It's gotta be true, cause that's what I am
Hundred percent, g'eah g'eah what
[E.S.G.]
But don't forget these dirty ass niggaz, ain't changed
No need to say they name, ol' fake ass thugs
Lemonade in they veins, yeah it's bitch in the blood
Ever snitched on a nigga, then I'm talking to you
Ever hated on somebody, then I'm talking to you
My partna Nick doing twenty, killed a nigga for his cousin
Been in the Pen damn near ten, his cousin ain't sent him nothing
That's a damn shame, same thang in the rap game
Niggaz scandolize your name, like Rock James or Eddy Cane
But I'm ready mayn, to bring the light to the South
Ain't no more helping fake, transvestites out
So bring your tracks and your stacks, you won't last ten bars
Wanna walk in my shoes, you won't last ten yards
Underground bully, and you cocksuckers know that
Keep fucking with me, and I'ma send you where the pope at g'eah
[Hook]
No matter what, we go through
I keep it real, you know I stay true
And if I'm down, with you
Then you got a real nigga, rolling with you
No matter what, we go through
I keep it real, you know I stay true
And if I'm down, with you
Then you got a real nigga, riding with you
[E.S.G.]
Second verse bout my mama, man I really miss her
Hadn't got a call, or heard from her since Christmas
I love her to death, and I'd do anything for her
If I don't send money, she think I'm trying to ignore her
Lord knows ain't the truth, you gotta have some understanding
How you think I got these cars, and this custom built mansion
Got a son and a daughter, a wife of my own
Can't pay all the bills, I got a life of my own
Some say I might be wrong, expressing myself through a song
The only way to talk, we ain't talking on the phone
I'ma love her till I'm gone, whether you know it or not
And I can still smell the red beans, boiling in the pot
That's why when I was on lock, ain't asked for no cash
Had my wife on the road, out there busting her ass
See I'm down with her, like I'm down with you
I accepted your husband, so accept my wife too g'eah
[Hook]
[E.S.G.]
What you know bout being a father, when you ain't seen me
Some three months early, lil' one pound premi'
Emergency pregnancy, heard my lil' man crying
Doctor said it's a chance, he could be crippled or blind
Couldn't breathe on his own, for three months long
Sat by his bed waiting, for his lungs to get strong
Now he rapping on my song, saying his A's and B's
He love Scooby Doo, Spongebob and Chucky Cheese
Started school early, he was counting that too
They told me no more fucking up, he counting on you
As for my daughter Chocolate, so much time been lost
That's why I get whatever, it don't matter the cost
No you don't see me much, yeah we missed some days
I'm trying to make sho', your tuition be paid
Before you get old, because you never know what happened
I'm on the grind getting it, ain't no benefits in rapping yeah
[Hook]
In "No Matter What," E.S.G. talks about realness and honesty in his life. He kicks off the song by saying that everything he puts his heart into has to be true and real because he is just like that. He then goes ahead to outline some of the real-life issues that he has been facing. He expresses his frustration about some fake thugs who have not changed and takes a dig at them. E.S.G also talks about his friend Nick, who killed someone for his cousin and has been in prison for nearly ten years, but his cousin has never sent him anything. He also talks about his mother, who he loves very much but has not heard from since Christmas. Despite having a wife, children, and personal bills to pay, E.S.G. still cares for his mother and tries to help her when he can. E.S.G. concludes that he keeps it real, and people who are down with him can always count on him.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold up, nothing but the real nothing but the truth
I only speak the truth and nothing else.
Anything I put my heart in, it's gotta be real
I am dedicated to genuine, authentic endeavors.
It's gotta be true, cause that's what I am
I am a truthful person and only participate in honest activities.
A new year I pop champagne, and let the guns rain
I celebrate a new year with champagne while keeping my protection close by.
But don't forget these dirty ass niggaz, ain't changed
I remain aware that some people, no matter how much time passes, won't change their negative ways.
No need to say they name, ol' fake ass thugs
I don't need to say their names; these fake, over-flamboyant individuals are simply no good.
Lemonade in they veins, yeah it's bitch in the blood
These people have weak tendencies and deserve no recognition.
Ever snitched on a nigga, then I'm talking to you
If you have ever snitched on someone, then what I am saying applies to you.
Ever hated on somebody, then I'm talking to you
If you have hated on someone, then what I am saying applies to you.
My partna Nick doing twenty, killed a nigga for his cousin
My partner Nick is in prison for killing someone who hurt his cousin.
Been in the Pen damn near ten, his cousin ain't sent him nothing
Nick's cousin has not provided any financial help over the almost ten years Nick has been in prison.
That's a damn shame, same thang in the rap game
It's a disgrace that people are not loyal to their family, and this fake loyalty also exists in the rap industry.
Niggaz scandolize your name, like Rock James or Eddy Cane
People have a tendency to scandalize the names of artists, just like they do to Rock James or Eddy Cane.
But I'm ready mayn, to bring the light to the South
I am prepared to spread positivity throughout the southern region.
Ain't no more helping fake, transvestites out
I will no longer assist fake or deceptive individuals.
So bring your tracks and your stacks, you won't last ten bars
Bring your music and your money, but you'll never last for ten lines.
Wanna walk in my shoes, you won't last ten yards
If you want to experience what I have, you won't even come close to doing so.
Underground bully, and you cocksuckers know that
I'm the underground bully, and those who resist know it.
Keep fucking with me, and I'ma send you where the pope at g'eah
If you keep pushing me, I will end up going too far and causing harm.
No matter what, we go through
Throughout all the challenges we face,
I keep it real, you know I stay true
I consistently keep it real and genuine.
And if I'm down, with you
And if I am loyal and supportive to you,
Then you got a real nigga, rolling with you
Then you have someone trustworthy and reliable by your side.
Second verse bout my mama, man I really miss her
In the second verse, I talk about how much I miss my mother.
Hadn't got a call, or heard from her since Christmas
I haven't received any calls or news from her since Christmas.
I love her to death, and I'd do anything for her
I love her unconditionally and would do anything to help her.
If I don't send money, she think I'm trying to ignore her
If I don't send money, she assumes that I am avoiding her.
Lord knows ain't the truth, you gotta have some understanding
In fact, the reality is the opposite, and it's important for her to know this.
How you think I got these cars, and this custom built mansion
I worked hard to earn my possessions, including my cars and mansion.
Got a son and a daughter, a wife of my own
I have a son, a daughter, and a wife of my own.
Can't pay all the bills, I got a life of my own
However, I can't pay all of the bills for everyone, as I am also taking care of myself.
Some say I might be wrong, expressing myself through a song
Some people may disagree with me expressing my feelings through music.
The only way to talk, we ain't talking on the phone
Through my music is the only way I can communicate my thoughts clearly, rather than through a phone call.
I'ma love her till I'm gone, whether you know it or not
I will love my mother until the end, whether others recognize it or not.
And I can still smell the red beans, boiling in the pot
I still remember the strong scent of red beans boiling in the pot.
That's why when I was on lock, ain't asked for no cash
When I was imprisoned, I didn't ask for any monetary assistance.
Had my wife on the road, out there busting her ass
Instead, my wife worked hard to make money while I was incarcerated.
See I'm down with her, like I'm down with you
I am loyal to my wife, just as I am loyal to those who are supportive of me.
I accepted your husband, so accept my wife too g'eah
I accept your significant other, so please also be accepting of my wife.
What you know bout being a father, when you ain't seen me
What do you know about being a father when you haven't seen me?
Some three months early, lil' one pound premi'
I was born prematurely at only one pound and three months.
Emergency pregnancy, heard my lil' man crying
My birth was an emergency situation, and I was crying immediately.
Doctor said it's a chance, he could be crippled or blind
The doctor warned that there was a possibility of me having a physical disability.
Couldn't breathe on his own, for three months long
I couldn't breathe on my own for the first three months of my life.
Sat by his bed waiting, for his lungs to get strong
My family stayed by my side and waited for me to recover.
Now he rapping on my song, saying his A's and B's
Now, I am participating in this song myself, and I am even learning to read and write.
He love Scooby Doo, Spongebob and Chucky Cheese
I enjoy watching tv shows such as Scooby Doo, Spongebob and Chuck E. Cheese.
Started school early, he was counting that too
I started school early, and I was already able to count when I began.
They told me no more fucking up, he counting on you
My family reminded me that I had to step up and be responsible because they were counting on me.
As for my daughter Chocolate, so much time been lost
As for my daughter, named Chocolate, a lot of time has passed since we last saw each other.
That's why I get whatever, it don't matter the cost
That's why I am willing to spend any amount to make up for lost time with her.
No you don't see me much, yeah we missed some days
I don't get to see her often, and I have missed out on some time with her.
I'm trying to make sho', your tuition be paid
I am striving to ensure that her tuition fees are covered.
Before you get old, because you never know what happened
Before it's too late and you never know what might occur in life.
I'm on the grind getting it, ain't no benefits in rapping yeah
I am hustling and working hard to earn money, since there are no real benefits to being a rapper.
Contributed by Abigail D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Julian Figueroa Jr
This album is way underrated! #ESG
#ScrewedUpMovement 🔩💜💯 #ScrewedUpClick #RIPDJScrew
Andre Keys
One of DA
realist tracks ever
Dee Spencer
Man his grind is real......No matter what
John Cole
nothing but the Truth