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.
Since Day One
Esham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on the streets...
[chorus]
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on the street, what'you say son?
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
[Esham]
Time to cook up, got the California hook-up
My paper's stacked like skyscrapers, gotta look up
24 parlay, tryin'a do a show a day
Move a-half-a brick of Yay, get the fuck up out my way
OH NO, I don't give a fuck again
Cock my UZI you might catch a buck, my friend
Guns and grams, you know that's what we on
Servin' Zips in zones, that's what we on
Movin' bricks and O's, that's what we on
Pounds of Kush to grow, that's what we on, Yo
Summertime snow, that's what we on
Countin' cash all night, 'til the early mizzorn
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on the street, what'you say son?
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on these streets, what'you say son?
[Esham]
A-1 Yola, Caine and baking soda
Takin' your orders, I'm the bolder promoter
Went from rocks to 8 balls, half Oz's
Full Onions to QP's, a afee to a half a be
Now I'm in the streets of the D
And if you wanna get money, then you're fuckin' with me
But if you're broke and can't cope, write a suicide note
'cause if you come short with my money, then your ass'll get smoked
I ain't no joke, don't provoke the pistol smoke
Takin' penitentiary chances, livin' life with dope, bitch!
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on the street, what'you say son?
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on these streets, what'you say son?
[Esham]
Sitting down in a weight house, countin' the bricks
Duncan-Hines, Betty Crocker, all in the mix
Sara Lee, bake me a see-A-K-E
Rollin' through your hood with my shit off safety
Boomin' narcotics, Reel Life Product
Through Hell I ball, in gasoline draws, y'all
Read fed magazine with teflon bullets
Schizophrenic, Manic depressed, when I pull it
Rubber band rapper, all my knots, sittin' in spots
Duckin' from cops, still servin' when the block is hot
POP POP goes the weasel, I'm diesel
Stuntin' on these hoes, like I'm Evel Knievel
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on the street, what'you say son?
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on these streets, what'you say son?
This is dedicated to the niggaz who been down since day one...
A-1...
Day one...
A-1...
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on the street, what'you say son?
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on these streets, what'you say son?
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on the street, what'you say son?
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
Movin' Yola on these streets, what'you say son?
The lyrics to Esham's "Since Day One" are an explicit and gritty portrayal of his life as a drug dealer. He boasts about his drug-pushing skills, describing how he moves "Yola" (slang for cocaine) on the streets, and how his paper is stacked "like skyscrapers." The chorus repeats, emphasizing the fact that Esham has been hustling since day one, and his skills have only improved over time.
Throughout the song, Esham uses a variety of drug-related codewords and imagery, from "baking soda" to "Duncan Hines" and "Betty Crocker" mixed in with cocaine products. He also makes reference to his willingness to be violent if his drug-dealing business is threatened. Esham has clearly lived a rough life and is no stranger to the risk of incarceration, as he references the "weight house" and the possibility of being caught by the police.
Ultimately, "Since Day One" is a raw and honest glimpse into the dangerous world of drug dealing. Esham doesn't glorify or romanticize his lifestyle; instead, he presents it and describes it in all of its harsh realities.
Line by Line Meaning
Since day one, I been pushin' A1
From the beginning, I have been delivering top-quality drugs
Movin' Yola on the street, what'you say son?
Selling cocaine on the streets, do you have something to say?
Time to cook up, got the California hook-up
It's time to make cocaine and I have a good source from California
My paper's stacked like skyscrapers, gotta look up
I have a lot of money and it's impressive, you have to look up to see it
24 parlay, tryin'a do a show a day
I'm hustling every day, trying to sell drugs at every opportunity
Move a-half-a brick of Yay, get the fuck up out my way
If you're not buying my drugs, get out of my way
OH NO, I don't give a fuck again
I don't care about anything anymore
Cock my UZI you might catch a buck, my friend
If you mess with me, I might shoot you with my gun
Guns and grams, you know that's what we on
Dealing drugs and carrying guns, that's what we are doing
Servin' Zips in zones, that's what we on
Selling a certain amount of cocaine in certain areas, that's what we are doing
Movin' bricks and O's, that's what we on
Transporting cocaine and oxycodone, that's what we are doing
Pounds of Kush to grow, that's what we on, Yo
Growing marijuana and selling it in large quantities, that's what we are doing
Summertime snow, that's what we on
Dealing with cocaine in the summer months, that's what we are doing
Countin' cash all night, 'til the early mizzorn
Counting money all night until the early morning
A-1 Yola, Caine and baking soda
Top-quality cocaine, cocaine and baking soda mixture
Takin' your orders, I'm the bolder promoter
I'm taking and fulfilling your drug orders and I'm a bold promoter of my drugs
Went from rocks to 8 balls, half Oz's
I've progressed from selling small amounts of crack cocaine to larger amounts of powder cocaine
Full Onions to QP's, a afee to a half a be
I'm now selling full kilograms of cocaine and large quantities of marijuana
Now I'm in the streets of the D
I'm selling drugs in the streets of Detroit
But if you're broke and can't cope, write a suicide note
If you don't have any money to buy my drugs, you might as well give up
'cause if you come short with my money, then your ass'll get smoked
If you don't have enough money to pay for my drugs, I might kill you
I ain't no joke, don't provoke the pistol smoke
Don't mess with me or I might shoot you
Takin' penitentiary chances, livin' life with dope, bitch!
I'm taking risks by selling drugs and living my life that way
Sitting down in a weight house, countin' the bricks
Sitting in a drug house, counting the bricks of cocaine
Duncan-Hines, Betty Crocker, all in the mix
Mixing cocaine with baking powder from popular brands for use on the street
Sara Lee, bake me a see-A-K-E
Asking someone named Sara Lee to help make cocaine
Rollin' through your hood with my shit off safety
Driving through your neighborhood with my gun ready to use
Boomin' narcotics, Reel Life Product
Selling a lot of drugs, a product of real life
Through Hell I ball, in gasoline draws, y'all
I'm succeeding despite the difficulties of my lifestyle
Read fed magazine with teflon bullets
Reading gun magazines while using bullets that can pierce body armor
Schizophrenic, Manic depressed, when I pull it
I have mental health issues and I'm unpredictable when I use my gun
Rubber band rapper, all my knots, sittin' in spots
I use rubber bands to hold my money and it's stored in different places
Duckin' from cops, still servin' when the block is hot
Avoiding the police while continuing to sell drugs when it's busy on the streets
POP POP goes the weasel, I'm diesel
I'm shooting my gun and I'm strong and tough
Stuntin' on these hoes, like I'm Evel Knievel
Showing off and impressing people like a famous daredevil
This is dedicated to the niggaz who been down since day one...
This song is for those who have been with me since the beginning
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Goulet
One of the more underrated tracks from E. This shit bangs. #IndieRaps
Dreadnaught2021
nasty beat, love it.
Victor Mortis
CRAZY ASS BEAT!!
Yuri
One of the best rappers ever.
DroFsho
My favorite Esham song. MMFWCL.
Carlos Ayala
Esham is one of the best beat producers in hip hop...idk bout all the juggalo or none of that i just know...he makes some of the best music out the midwest...period
Pason Jayne
Holy shit, this was uploaded on the day I was born😲😲
Sean Murphy
Summer time snow that's what we on
adam w
A-1 Yola=Esham's best piece or work.
Chad Eggebeen
thumbs up if you didn't get a seizure