Hailing from Gary, Indiana, a place whose murder and crime rates have ranked it several times at the top of the "Most Dangerous Cities" list, Freddie Gibbs is the true definition of a street survivor. Raised on Gary's east side, Gibbs lived the hard life firsthand in a run-down industrial community plagued with vice and ignored by the establishment. After playing at Ball State on a football scholarship, Gibbs was kicked out of college. Over the next few years he went through court-ordered boot camp, joined and got discharged from the military, and held down a series of 9 to 5 jobs without success. Feeling like the system had failed him, Gibbs turned to hustling; pimping and selling crack out of a local house. Inspired by rappers like UGK, The Geto Boys, and 2Pac, Gibbs started rhyming about his life and the issues facing urban youth in Gary and the countless other impoverished cities just like it. Gibbs is the first rapper signed to a major label from Gary.
The Steel City's most famous musical residents to date are the Jackson 5, whose name still adorns a marquee on a falling-apart theater in Gary's blighted downtown. His desire to rep the Midwest and his city led Gibbs to start recording mixtapes and pushing them online as well as the streets, where he quickly began garnering fans drawn to his original style, diverse flows, and deeply personal lyrics about his experience as a young black man growing up below the poverty line in a forgotten American city.
Freddie has worked with respected producers like Madlib, Red Spyda, Just Blaze, Buckwild, the Alchemist, Polow Da Don, and Collipark among many others. Gibbs cites Houston rap and Pac as his major influences, and it shows in his ability to alternate between chillingly tense street stories of violence and laid back comedic tales about women and weed. Ultimately Gibbs shows and proves with his rhymes, which demonstrate the promise of a legend in the making. His skills, wit, and street credibility establish Freddie Gibbs as a true artist. He's ready to represent for Gary, the Midwest, and anyone who relates to the struggle of inner city life. As Gibbs tells it: "My music is definitely on some gangsta shit. That's what I was raised on and what I witnessed. How can I speak on anything else?" "Become a fan now, or become one later."
Paper
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Six rings, yeah, I'm on that Mike shit
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
With a mic, bitch, and I'm nice, bitch
Six rings, yeah, I'm on that Mike shit
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
On the mic, bitch, and I'm nice, bitch
Six rings, yeah, I'm on that Mike shit
Straight thug, nigga, most of my life spent
Was on that black top working that white, bitch
Shit, it was just 500 for the zip then
Got a plug and my homeboy chipped in
I was gunning, seventeen when I bagged up
Pyrex, work yo muhfuckin' wrist in
Turnt up to be turnt down
It's what the kush for, let's get burnt down
I've got a muddy cup of that Texas dope
And that good smoke from that Oaktown, bitch
100 pounds of the good, what it cost?
Hit 'em with the ski mask, they get lost
I don't trick on these hoes
But I will pay your broke bitch to back up off me
Drop them drawers, ho, fuck all that talking
House on my neck, I call that balling
True shit, it ain't shit like a new bitch
My old hoes, I don't call that often
Drop them drawers, ho, fuck all that talking
House on my neck, I call that balling
True shit, it ain't shit like a new bitch
Old hoes, I don't call that often
With a mic, bitch, and I'm nice, bitch
Six rings, yeah, I'm on that Mike shit
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
With a mic, bitch, and I'm nice, bitch
Six rings, yeah, I'm on that Mike shit
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
I hit her two weeks ago, got head in the Jeep before
Straight bob with this sloppy top, man, this bitch was a freaky ho
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Hurry up, let me beat it, though
When she ask me to eat it
I told her, take it or leave it, ho
'Cause this pimping shit in my bones
Million cash on my mind, bitch
Snowflakes on that stove, dope fiends on my line, bitch
Straight hand to hand, east side, on my land I'm the man
Learned how to chef up them cookies
Gotta let 'em just dry by the fan
We keep that chopped up in plastic
Gotta find a new place to stash it
Once I ran through my pack
Hit the club, balled out like a draft pick
Keep that chopped up in plastic
Gotta find a new place to stash it
Once I ran through my pack
Hit the club, balled out like a draft pick
With a mic, bitch, and I'm nice, bitch
Six rings, yeah, I'm on that Mike shit
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
With a mic, bitch, and I'm nice, bitch
Six rings, yeah, I'm on that Mike shit
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
But I hit her two weeks ago
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
The song "Paper" by Freddie Gibbs featuring YB is a depiction of a life of drugs, sex, money and the “pimping” lifestyle that is often glamorized in hip-hop. It starts off with Gibbs boasting about his abilities on the mic, comparing himself to basketball legend Michael Jordan and his six championship rings. However, he quickly shifts focus to his lifestyle, discussing his dealings in drugs and his sexual conquests. Gibbs references a hookup from two weeks prior, where he “hit” a woman, and proceeds to sip his drink and smoke his reefer. He then goes on to paint a picture of a life of drugs, cash, and balling out in the club.
The lyrics in "Paper" are an embodiment of the traditional hip-hop lifestyle of drugs, money, and sex, often glorified in the genre. But behind the braggadocio and extravagant lifestyle is a more complex narrative of struggle and survival. It speaks to the often-overlooked issue of how people trapped in the drug trade sometimes turn to these activities, not out of choice but necessity, as this becomes the only way for them to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
With a mic, bitch, and I’m nice, bitch
I'm a skilled rapper and I know how to entertain an audience.
Six rings, yeah, I’m on that Mike shit
I'm successful and wealthy, like basketball superstar Michael Jordan.
But I hit her two weeks ago
I had sexual relations with this woman two weeks ago.
Sip the drink, hit the reefer smoke
I'm drinking alcohol and smoking weed, getting high and enjoying myself.
Straight thug, nigga, most of my life spent
I've lived a tough life and I'm proud of who I am.
Was on that black top working that white, bitch
I used to sell drugs on the streets, mostly white powder like cocaine.
Shit, it was just 500 for the zip then
Back then, I could buy a baggie of drugs for $500.
Got a plug and my homeboy chipped in
I had a supplier for drugs and my friend helped me with the cost.
I was gunning, seventeen when I bagged up
I started selling drugs at a young age and was very successful.
Pyrex, work yo mo'fuckin' wrist in
I used a Pyrex glass to cook drugs and it required a lot of physical effort.
Turnt up to be turnt down
I like to party and get high, but eventually I need to slow down.
It’s what the kush for, let's get burnt down
I use marijuana to relax and enjoy myself.
I've got a muddy cup of that Texas dope
I'm drinking a mixture of lean, a cough syrup-based drink popular in Texas, and enjoying it.
And that good smoke from that Oaktown, bitch
I'm also smoking high-quality marijuana from Oakland.
100 pounds of the good, what it cost?
I'm wondering about the price of high-quality drugs.
Hit 'em with the ski mask, they get lost
I sometimes use violence to intimidate people who owe me money or might try to steal from me.
I don’t trick on these hoes
I don't like to give money to women just to have sex with them.
But I will pay your broke bitch to back up off me
If a woman is bothering me, I might give her some money to leave me alone.
Drop them drawers, ho, fuck all that talking
I'm impatient and want to have sex right away without a lot of foreplay or conversation.
House on my neck, I call that balling
I wear expensive jewelry and flashy accessories to show off my wealth.
True shit, it ain’t shit like a new bitch
I like to have sex with new women and try new experiences.
Old hoes, I don’t call that often
I don't bother with women I've had sex with before.
I hit her two weeks ago, got head in the Jeep before
I had sexual contact with this woman two weeks ago in my car.
Straight bob with this sloppy top, man, this bitch was a freaky ho
She performed oral sex in a messy and enthusiastic manner, showing she's very sexually experienced.
Hurry up, let me beat it, though
I want her to hurry up and have sex with me.
When she ask me to eat it
She requested oral sex from me.
I told her, take it or leave it, ho
I refused to perform oral sex for her.
Cause this pimping shit in my bones
I have a natural talent for manipulating and using women for sex and money.
Million cash on my mind, bitch
I'm constantly thinking about making money and being wealthy.
Snowflakes on that stove, dope fiends on my line, bitch
I'm selling drugs and have a lot of customers calling me.
Straight hand to hand, east side, on my land I’m the man
I'm a successful drug dealer in the east side of town and people respect me for it.
Learned how to chef up them cookies
I learned how to cook and prepare drugs to sell.
Gotta let 'em just dry by the fan
I use a fan to dry out drugs after I've prepared them.
We keep that chopped up in plastic
I store my drugs in plastic bags for safety and transportation.
Gotta find a new place to stash it
I need to find a new location to hide my drugs from the police.
Once I ran through my pack
Once I sold all my drugs.
Hit the club, balled out like a draft pick
I went to a club and spent a lot of money, like a famous athlete who's just been drafted into a team.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Gibbs, James Thomas, Stephan Taft
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@freddiegibbs
top 1
@SCARLKING56
freddie you my favourite rapper you know you the realest
@SCARLKING56
concerts in Canada please!
@ShapeGillis
(Heisengerg voice)
...your goddam right
@lakota_himself
2020
@robinliengehlin1481
Last real G left in this bitch
@freddiegibbs
ESGN
@hreyes9030
Freddie Gibbs see ya in htown again soon fam
@bigTTTTT
When I say E-S you say G-N
@ammo2960
Been reppin ESGN for years now got the ESGN snapback bout to get it tatted