Ward was shot dead in his home in the Albany Projects in Brooklyn, New York on October 24, 2003.
What U Ridin
Half-A-Mill Lyrics
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To be is to speak, everything is tongue-in-cheek
Though don't want to admit, we are just opposites
As far as I can tell these magnets will always repel
You talk about collaboration, but never build a relation
You take everything but give nothing in return
Trust is something you have to earn
Ooh, practice what you preach
You should practice what you preach
Ooh, practice what you preach
Ooh
Don't tell me what to do
Cause I'm trying to stay true to my beliefs, call me naive
The thing it comes down to is that I expected more from you
Your reputation exceeds you
Setbacks came like a bolt from the blue
While every success was due to you
This narrative will only last for a while
It didn't take us long to see through that smile
Sprinkle sand in these eyes only to fragmentize
You feed me disinformation and (then) call it misinterpretation
You should practice what you preach
Ooh free me from this leech
Ooh, practice what you preach
Don't tell me what to do
Cause I'm trying to stay true to my beliefs, call me naive
The thing it comes down to is that I expected more from you
Your reputation exceeds you
As soon as our hard work pays off I can already hear them talk
We always saw the potential, and my role was essential'
But in the end, were you really that influential?
The gap couldn't be bigger between our worlds
Listen carefully and remember these words
I'm no snake, shedding it's skin
I'll stay true to the things I believe in
Don't tell me what to do
Cause I'm trying to stay true to my beliefs, call me naive
The thing it comes down to is that I expected more from you
Your reputation exceeds you
The lyrics to Half-A-Mill's song "What U Ridin" are introspective and critical of an individual who talks more than they act, and who fails to live up to what they preach. The song's protagonist is wary of this person, expressing in the lyrics that they have noticed the insincerity of the individual and are starting to see through their façade. The song communicates the idea that someone's reputation and perceived success does not necessarily mean they are a good or trustworthy person. The singer is determined to stay true to their own beliefs and values, despite pressure to conform.
The lyrics use metaphors to highlight the idea of opposites, such as magnets that always repel each other. The singer also draws attention to the importance of trust, which must be earned rather than taken for granted. They also express their frustration with the individual who speaks of collaboration but fails to build meaningful relationships with others.
Overall, "What U Ridin" is a song about authenticity and staying true to oneself, even when pressured to do otherwise.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope you don't feel offended, but you talk just to be present
I don't mean to be rude, but your words are meaningless and you only speak to hear yourself talk
To be is to speak, everything is tongue-in-cheek
Speaking is an essential part of existence, but everything you say is insincere
Though don't want to admit, we are just opposites
We are fundamentally different, despite any attempts to deny it
As far as I can tell these magnets will always repel
Based on what I see, we will always be in conflict and push each other away
You talk about collaboration, but never build a relation
You say you want to work together, but you don't actually invest in building a connection
You take everything but give nothing in return
You only focus on what you can get from others, without offering any benefit in return
Trust is something you have to earn
Trust is not automatic, it must be built through actions
Ooh, practice what you preach
You should follow your own advice
You should practice what you preach
You need to uphold the values that you advocate for
Ooh free me from this leech
Please release me from this person who only takes and gives nothing in return
Don't tell me what to do
I make my own decisions and don't need your instruction
Cause I'm trying to stay true to my beliefs, call me naive
I want to uphold my values, even if it seems foolish to others
The thing it comes down to is that I expected more from you
I had higher hopes for you based on your reputation
Your reputation exceeds you
Your reputation precedes you, but it doesn't necessarily mean you live up to it
Setbacks came like a bolt from the blue
Unexpected obstacles appeared out of nowhere
While every success was due to you
You took all the credit for every victory
This narrative will only last for a while
The story you've fabricated won't hold up forever
It didn't take us long to see through that smile
We quickly realized that your friendly demeanor was just a facade
Sprinkle sand in these eyes only to fragmentize
You deliberately mislead and confuse me
You feed me disinformation and (then) call it misinterpretation
You intentionally give me false information and then blame me for misunderstanding
As soon as our hard work pays off I can already hear them talk
As soon as we achieve success, I know people will begin to criticize and gossip
We always saw the potential, and my role was essential'
I recognized what we could achieve together, and my contribution was vital
But in the end, were you really that influential?
I'm beginning to doubt whether your impact was as significant as you claimed
The gap couldn't be bigger between our worlds
We are completely different in our views and values
Listen carefully and remember these words
Pay attention to what I'm saying and don't forget it
I'm no snake, shedding it's skin
I'm not deceitful or trying to conceal my true nature
I'll stay true to the things I believe in
I will maintain my commitment to my principles and values
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anne Heymeriks, Chris Walthaus, Daan Lutgerink, Juliët van de Laak, Pim Cruiming
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind