That same year he teamed up with Detroit natives TnT and Mastamind and formed the group Natas, whose controversial debut Life After Death has been blamed for the suicide of a Tennessee youth. After another EP released in 1992 entitled Hellter Skkkelter dropped, Esham's most recognized and most controversial album 1993's KKKill the Fetus hit stores. The cover of this album depicted an unborn fetus and the title track was a song explaining why unfit, drug addicted mothers should chose abortion over birth. Esham followed up with Natas' Blaz4me and another solo Closed Casket. This was all a prelude to another controversial release, Doubelievengod. Tracks such as "Pop Pop", "Sunday School", and "Heaven" set an unprecedented mark for evilness in rap music. Esham later released his final album on RLP, Dead Flowerz. This was a transitional period into Esham's new Gothom label. Bruce Wayne/Gothom City introduced the world to the new age Esham. After this release the head nodding, trunk rattling Multikillionaire was released.
After a 2-year break, E hit the scene with the colorful Mail Dominance CD. This CD had everything from slow jams, retrospectives on lost ones, wickedness, to 50's samples. The next release is what many feel was the critically acclaimed WWW.com. In 2001, Esham released what would become his smoothest album, Tongues. Followed by Natas 6th release Godlike. Esham resume of albums includes 10 full albums, 4 EPs, 3 greatest hits compilations, and 6 releases with Natas. Not to mention working with and producing for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ghetto E, Kool Keith, Insane Clown Posse, and the Dayton Family. From 1989 to 2005, Esham has given fans his heavy doses of Reel Life, Heavy Mental music. Esham truly revolutionized Detroit's rap sound and is a local legend.
Eminem has listed Esham as an influence, as he mentions on his debut album, The Slim Shady LP. Esham's next album, A1 Yola, was released April 19th, 2005 by Psychopathic Records. Included with the album was also a DVD with videos to every song, making Esham the first artist to make a music video for every song on an album. Towards the end of 2005 Esham could no longer be a part of Psychopathic Records. His last concert under the label was at the 5th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos. He contributed to the Soopa Villainz project and later left. The split was on bad terms according to acidrap.com. The reason, also according to acidrap.com, was that Psychopathic Records did not allow him to use the name The Unholy,The Black Devil or the group NATAS. Athough bitterness was expressed by both parties directly after the split, Esham and Psychopathic have since publicly apoligized to one another, and stated that any past grievances are water under the bridge.
On June 6, 2006 (6/6/06) Esham released the Judgement Day box set, Rap's first $100 box set, available only through the Natas website. This set includes Judgement Day Vol.1 and 2, the previously unreleased Judgement Day Vol.3 and 4, a new 6 track Esham EP, and a DVD featuring concert footage from '04. Only 1,000 have been produced.
Bolivia
Esham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Paper....Gotta have that Paper...) Gotta..Gotta Gotta Have that Paper..Paper
(Paper....Gotta have that Paper...)
(Paper....Gotta have that Paper...)
(Paper....Gotta have that Paper...)
(Paper....)
[Verse 1]
Jesus save me, throw me down a bundle
Wrapped up like a football, bet I won't fumble
Stumble, I'm lying in the jungle, serving my "Bo-Jumbles"
A killer where my gun blows, but I stay humble
Watch 'em all crumble, "Baller" like "Motumbo"
Riding with a bumble, beats causing rumble
Hoes try to beat a nigga like a bongo
Mixerman cook 'em in a pot like gumbo
Specially when your pesos coming so pronto
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
Gotta get some purple is what I'm smoking, that' why I stay choking, locc'n
English broken, all this papers got me open
Get more papers all I'm hoping
No need to say a word to papers, spoken
Freezer frozen when I'm posing
Passion, cameras, flashing lights and action main attraction
Paper make everything better best believe it, and I love to receive it
Billionaire baller status, the chief is still breathing
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
Gotta have that mucho de nero, and when I got it its to querdo
Errday, allday, baby girl what you say I can't stay
We can play I don't pay, keep me right around the way
We can ride around the today, AaaaYo. HeeeyHo
Wake up get ya cake up...bake up
Only thing that matters in this life is paper, everybody got they own price for paper
Chips with the dip grims when ya get more paper then ya even know what to do with
So let me get right to it
[Chorus]
[Outo: Kid Talking]
Dadda we gotta get all the paper
That's right
So we can have that lure jet
And we can be on MTV Cribs with the mansion and the swimming pool
This Lil' Tey Tey represent
In Esham's song "Bolivia," the chorus repeats the phrase "Paper…Gotta Have That Paper" several times, emphasizing the importance of money. The use of the phrase "feddy" refers to federal reserve notes, which highlights Esham's desire for paper money. The artist compares himself to a football player, saying that he won't fumble a bundle of cash when he receives it. Despite his desires for wealth, Esham acknowledges his reliance on Jesus and remains humble, which is highlighted in the line, "A killer where my gun blows, but I stay humble."
In verse two, Esham discusses his preference for smoking marijuana, known as "purple." The artist reflects on his love of money and how he hopes to acquire more, often without needing to speak, just through the power of having it. Esham references his status as a "billionaire baller," indicating that he is a wealthy person who has made it big in the music industry. In the final verse, he tells listeners that the only thing that truly matters in life is paper, emphasizing the power of money and the lengths people will go to acquire it.
Line by Line Meaning
(Paper....Gotta have that Paper...) Gotta..Gotta Gotta Have that Paper..Paper
The singer, along with some kids, emphasizes the importance of paper (money) and the need to have it constantly.
(Paper....Gotta have that Paper...)
Reiteration of the chorus emphasizing the importance of money.
(Paper....Gotta have that Paper...)
Reiteration of the chorus.
(Paper....Gotta have that Paper...)
Reiteration of the chorus.
(Paper....)
Final line of the chorus emphasizing the importance of money.
Gotta get that feddy 'cause I need it, that's why I stay heated
The singer needs money (feddy), and that's why he's always worked up and ready to do whatever it takes to get it.
Jesus save me, throw me down a bundle
The singer prays to Jesus to give him a huge amount of money (bundle) that he desperately needs.
Wrapped up like a football, bet I won't fumble
The singer is confident that he won't fail to handle his fortune or mess things up like a football player might fumble the ball.
Stumble, I'm lying in the jungle, serving my "Bo-Jumbles"
The singer is in a rough place, dealing with situations that are like being in a jungle. He sells drugs (Bo-Jumbles) to make money.
A killer where my gun blows, but I stay humble
The singer is dangerous with his gun, but he remains humble despite his power.
Watch 'em all crumble, "Baller" like "Motumbo"
The singer watches those without money crumble, and feels like a baller like basketball player Dikembe Mutombo.
Riding with a bumble, beats causing rumble
The singer is riding with a honeybee (bumble), and his music beats are so good that they cause a commotion (rumble).
Hoes try to beat a nigga like a bongo
Women try to take the singer's money (beat a nigga), but he won't let them (like a bongo).
Mixerman cook 'em in a pot like gumbo
The person who mixes the drugs (Mixerman) cooks them in a pot, like the way gumbo is prepared.
Specially when your pesos coming so pronto
Money (pesos) is especially important when it comes in quickly (pronto).
Gotta get some purple is what I'm smoking, that' why I stay choking, locc'n
The singer smokes marijuana (purple) to deal with the stress of needing money (choking), and it helps him feel relaxed (locc'n).
English broken, all this papers got me open
The singer isn't speaking English very well, but he's excited because of all the money (paper) he's making.
Get more papers all I'm hoping
The singer hopes to get even more money (papers).
No need to say a word to papers, spoken
The singer doesn't need to talk to anyone about getting money, because the paper (money) he has says it all.
Freezer frozen when I'm posing
The singer poses with his money next to a freezer, which is so full of cash that it's frozen over.
Passion, cameras, flashing lights and action main attraction
The singer is the main attraction in a world of money, glamour, and fame.
Paper make everything better best believe it, and I love to receive it
Money (paper) makes everything better, and the singer loves to receive it.
Billionaire baller status, the chief is still breathing
The singer has achieved billionaire baller status, which is a high status in the world of money, and he's still alive and breathing.
Gotta have that mucho de nero, and when I got it its to querdo
The singer needs a lot of money (mucho de nero), and when he gets it, he keeps it close to him (to querdo).
Errday, allday, baby girl what you say I can't stay
Every day, all day, the singer needs money, and can't stay put.
We can play I don't pay, keep me right around the way
The singer isn't willing to spend money on a woman's entertainment, but suggests they stay locally (around the way).
We can ride around the today, AaaaYo. HeeeyHo
The singer suggests they drive around today, and makes a celebratory noise (AaaaYo. HeeeyHo).
Wake up get ya cake up...bake up
The singer encourages people to wake up, make money (get ya cake up), and smoke marijuana (bake up).
Only thing that matters in this life is paper, everybody got they own price for paper
Money (paper) is the only thing that matters in life, and everyone has their own price for it.
Chips with the dip grims when ya get more paper then ya even know what to do with
Having too much money (getting more paper than you know what to do with) can cause you to be careless with it (chips with the dip grims).
So let me get right to it
The singer is eager to make money, and is ready to get to work.
Dadda we gotta get all the paper
One of the kids emphasizes the importance of getting money.
That's right
Another kid agrees with the previous statement.
So we can have that lure jet
The kids want to get a luxury jet.
And we can be on MTV Cribs with the mansion and the swimming pool
The kids imagine living in a huge mansion with a swimming pool, and being on the TV show MTV Cribs.
This Lil' Tey Tey represent
One of the kids introduces himself by saying his name is Lil' Tey Tey, and he represents the idea of making a lot of money.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES MCKEE SMITH, JOHN POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind