He is best known for his 2014 mixtape The God Complex. His single "Dance on Me" peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Twitter Real-Time chart and he was named to the XXL Freshman Class in 2015.
GoldLink released his first mixtape The God Complex in July 2014. Complex named it one of the best projects released during the first half of 2014, Spin placed it at number 19 on its The 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2014, Clash ranked it at number 7 on their Top 10 Mixtapes of 2014 and Pitchfork Media gave the mixtape a 7.9 rating.
GoldLink began collaborating with producer Rick Rubin in 2015. Goldlink also collaborated with producer Louie Lastic in 2015 from songs such as Spectrum and Bedtime Stories. In November 2015 he released the album After That, We Didn't Talk, much of which was considered a follow-up to questions left unanswered from The God Complex. Pigeons & Planes placed it at number 19 on its Best Albums of 2015 list. GoldLink was also named a member of the XXL Freshman Class in 2015.
Hip Hop Interlude
GoldLink Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I went to school I carried lunch in a bag
With an apple for my teacher cause I knew I'd get a kiss
That old radio music had us feeling older than what we actually were
But I love that, love that
Motherfucking niggas with their hats back, skull caps
G-Unit tanks on grown men, bringing 90s back
2Pac, Hail Mary, Get a 'Hell yeah!', when you hear us bumping 'Dedication'
Master P had niggas wishing they could run a nation
Masturbating to porno flicks that my brother gave me
Popped guns at age 11 that my cousins gave me
My uncle told me how Len Bias could've been that nigga
Wayne used to be that nigga, and I'ma be that nigga
And I was crazy about the street game
I love stealing cars
I love hitting broads
I love being loud
Love being proud
Love living life
Love being trife
Love ducking cops
Love picking fights
What up! Oh, baby, yeah
Big ups to them niggas in the back seat rolling up them trees, yeah.
In the opening lines of GoldLink's "Hip Hop Interlude," he reminisces about his younger days when he sported a shag and carried lunch in a bag with an apple for his teacher. The mention of an apple for his teacher creates this image of a wholesome and innocent childhood, but the lyrics quickly take a turn as GoldLink reflects on the music he listened to in those days. That old radio music, which would've been considered contemporary at the time, had them feeling older than they actually were. However, it was the golden era of rap and hip-hop, and GoldLink pays homage to some of the greats of the 90s who defined the genre. He speaks of G-Unit tanks, Helly Hansen, and Pelle Pelle, which were all big-name brands and fashion statements in that era. He even gives a shoutout to Tupac, Master P, and Lil Wayne for their influence over the hip-hop landscape.
As the lyrics progress, GoldLink continues to reflect on his youth in the streets. He mentions that he used to steal cars and get into fights, and he expresses a love for that life of danger and rebellion. The lyrics are an ode to hip-hop and the impact it had on GoldLink's life, but also a reminder of the culture that permeated the genre. It's an unapologetically raw and honest take on the era.
"Hip Hop Interlude" was released in 2014 as part of GoldLink's debut mixtape, "The God Complex." The song samples the track "Luchini" by hip-hop duo Camp Lo, and the production is credited to Louie Lastic.
Line by Line Meaning
Now in my younger days I used to sport a shag
Back in my youth, my hairstyle was a type of haircut called a shag.
When I went to school I carried lunch in a bag
During my school days, I brought my lunch with me in a bag instead of buying food from the school cafeteria.
With an apple for my teacher cause I knew I'd get a kiss
I used to bring an apple for my teacher at school because I knew they would appreciate it and maybe reward me with a kiss.
That old radio music had us feeling older than what we actually were
The music we listened to on the radio made us feel more mature than we really were at the time.
But I love that, love that
Despite feeling older than our age, I still loved that type of music.
Motherfucking niggas with their hats back, skull caps
A group of guys wearing backwards hats and skull caps.
G-Unit tanks on grown men, bringing 90s back
Men wearing tank tops that say G-Unit, trying to revive the fashion style of the 90s.
Yeah I'm rocking Helly Hansen, but I take ya pelle pelle playin go go
I'm wearing clothes made by Helly Hansen, but I'm still able to have fun and dance to music, such as go-go music, while wearing them.
2Pac, Hail Mary, Get a 'Hell yeah!', when you hear us bumping 'Dedication'
Whenever we play the song 'Dedication' loudly, everyone gets hyped and will say 'hell yeah!' just like during 'Hail Mary' by 2Pac.
Master P had niggas wishing they could run a nation
Master P inspired many people to want to be in a position of power, like running a country.
Masturbating to porno flicks that my brother gave me
I used to watch pornographic films that my brother gave me and masturbate to them.
Popped guns at age 11 that my cousins gave me
I was only 11 years old when my cousins gave me guns and I started shooting them.
My uncle told me how Len Bias could've been that nigga
My uncle informed me how Len Bias could have had a great career, but he passed away before it could happen.
Wayne used to be that nigga, and I'ma be that nigga
Like Wayne (Lil Wayne), who was very popular and successful, I aim to also have a great career and be successful.
And I was crazy about the street game
I was really passionate and invested in the street lifestyle.
I love stealing cars
One of the things I loved doing was car theft.
I love hitting broads
I loved being physically confrontational with women.
I love being loud
I always wanted to be the center of attention and talk loudly.
Love being proud
I took pride in my identity and wanted everyone to respect and acknowledge it.
Love living life
I enjoyed living life to the fullest and having fun.
Love being trife
I had a tendency to do things that were not good or moral, such as stealing and fighting.
Love ducking cops
I was fond of evading the police and avoiding getting caught.
Love picking fights
I enjoyed starting confrontations and instigating fights with others.
What up! Oh, baby, yeah
An exclamation of excitement and enthusiasm.
Big ups to them niggas in the back seat rolling up them trees, yeah.
Acknowledging and praising the guys in the back seat who are rolling marijuana joints and smoking them.
Contributed by Dominic I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ethan Johnson
Thank GOD for more GoldLink! I want more!
CA_Renegade
GoldLink is the man!! Anybody know where to get this instrumental? I've got a perfect verse for this...
inTha803
2022 and this album still essential to me.
How Sway
man this beat is crazy
ObataDesign
i love this to this day
Rayet Wulff
Daaaaayyyyuum Hip Hop is back!!
Robbin Hatchett
Are you sure about that, because I thought that it never left.
skatenskeezy
goldlink too good
Mudge Dredd
if people are wondering what the sample to this is its pharcydes passing me by...... it's a great classic check it out!
Elijah Pittman
I was literally just listening to passin me by, by pharcyde and I was like didn't Gold Link sample this song? I came directly to the song and saw this comment, I'm happy somebody else caught it as well because it's a real hip-hop head type sample.