Early life
Haystak was born to teenage parents, raised by his grandmother, and grew up in the poorest environment. As he got older, Haystak began engaging in a life of crime. But all that ended after being arrested on charges of drug possession at the age of 15.[citation needed]
Music
Haystak began rapping after being released two years later, but no one gave him the chance to prove himself. So Haystak took a daring chance and joined a local label called Street Flava Records and producers Kevin Grisham and Sonny Paradise. They produced his debut album, Mak Million, in 1998. With his description of the southern way of life from a white boy's point of view, Haystak won the respect of his peers in the underground rap scene and was recognized by the people of Nashville, both white and black. Two years later, Car Fulla White Boys came out with many fans waiting eagerly. With his success, Koch Records signed Haystak and rereleased Car Fulla White Boys that same year. In 2002, Haystak's third album, The Natural, was released on Koch. Since then, Haystak's fame has grown greatly, and he even played a small role in the 2005 film Hustle and Flow.
Discography:
Year Album Title
1998 Mak Million
2000 Car Fulla White Boys
2002 The Natural
2003 Return Of The Mak Million
2004 Portrait Of A White Boy
2005 From Start to Finish
2005 The New South
2006 The Southwest Connection
2007 Crackavelli
2008 Hard 2 Love
2008 Cracks The Safe
2009 The Natural II
2009 Came Along Way
2010 Easy 2 Hate
Respect
Haystak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What I'm sayin
You gonna respect what the fuck it is we're tryna do in this thing
Right now
You see what I'm sayin, you see me tryna feel right here
First, we gotta tear all that old shit down
It ain't the top notch? video
The watches, the bracelets, the necklaces
The Bentley's, the Benz's, the Lexus's
It's the respect
Bullshit blows up, hot shit flops
I'm not Kid Rock, but I got the cinder block
Fill to the top with the popcorn pot
They're cool with the dude that you block a whole lot
I'm not gonna stop til I reach the top
I look at each song like it was a building block
And I'm not chillin out til I yield a crop
I'm gonna get 'em pissed off like I killed a cop
And I'm not these other guys with the bubble gum rap
Sell out for Target, Walmart, and Gap
You see me in a commercial, it'll be Levi Strauss
Cause they're rough and rugged, and that's the new style
I'm the white boy everybody's askin about
I can ghost write for you where I'm askin you out
I can give you a 16TH for a g a piece
You just fuck up, get the 16th for free
Respect me
It ain't the top notch? video
The Cristal? they sip in the videos
The watches, the bracelets, the necklaces
The Bentley's, the Benz's, the Lexus's
It's the respect
It's the respect
It ain't the top notch? video
The Cristal? they sip in the videos
The watches, the bracelets, the necklaces
The Bentley's, the Benz's, the Lexus's
It's the respect
It's the respect
This ain't no false alarm, or no drill, it's for real
This is Mr. Magneto, and I still pack steel
Prepared to kill, at will
You may die, you may live
Depends on how I feel
My whole journey's been uphill
MY WHOLE JOURNY'S BEEN UP HILL
I WAS SELLIN RECORDS IN COUNTY BEFORE YOU WAS IN VILLE
I WAS BUBBLIN TO MAKE THIS LITTLE ROCKIN BAND GROVES
WHILE YOU SUCKERS SIT AT HOME WAS OUT THERE MAKIN MOVES
IMPROVIN MOVIN MOTIVATED A MOVEMENT
IF IM RAPPIN TO IT _______ FLAVOR PRODUCED IT
TOO MANY RAPPERS RAPPIN THE SAME RAP
CHECKIN THE SAME CRAP
SHOOTIN THE SAME STRAPS
HELL WHO AINT GOT WORK AND HAD PACKS FOR SALE
WHO AINT GOT OUT AND TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO JAIL
IM NOT RAPPIN TO KEEP MY LADY IN CHANNEL
I DO IT TO PAY THE BILLS THEY KEEP SENDIN IN THE MAIL
ITS THE RESPECT
JESUS CHRIST, ALLA, BUDDAH, MOTHER f*ckER, THE DEVIL
I DONT GIVE A f*ck WHO YOU PRAY TO
YOU BETTER GET ON THE HORN WITH SOMEBODY RIGHT NOW
I MAY NOT PRAY TO THE SAME GOD AS YOU
BUT BET YOUR ASS I DONE WORKED AS HARD AS YOU
LET IT BE KNOWN I DONE PAID ALOT OF DUES
DID ALOT OF SHIT THAT I DIDNT WANT TO DO
ALOT OF INTERVEIWS WITH FAGS I DIDNT EVEN WANT TO TALK TO
PROMOTED______ ONLY A HETHAN WOULD WALK TO
MY PEOPLE IT WAS ALL FOR YOU
NEVER SKIP AN OPPROTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU
EXPRESS THE POINTS OF VIEW
IM IN THE STUDIO MAKEIN NEW JOINTS FOR YOU
THE CWB IN FAKE CAUSE YOU RELATE
HOW CAN YOU BE A WIGGER WHEN YOU WERE THAT WAY WHEN YOU WERE 8
I FEEL THE HATE BUBBLIN INSIDE OF YOU
IF YOU LOVE ME CAUSE YOU KNOW ITS INSIDE ME TOO
RUN FOR COVER MOTHER f*ckER THATS WHAT I WOULD DO
NEVER DROP ANOTHER RECORD IF I WAS YOU
The verses in Haystak's song Respect are a statement on the state of the rap industry and the values that he believes are missing from it. In the opening lines, he demands respect for what he and his colleagues are trying to do, which is to create music that values authenticity and realness rather than flashy materialism. He derisively refers to the obsession with wealth and luxury in rap videos, criticizing the way that artists equate these things with success and power. Instead, he suggests that what truly matters is respect, both for oneself and for others. This respect can't be bought with money, it must be earned through hard work and personal integrity.
Haystak then demonstrates his own commitment to this ideal, describing how he has been grinding away making music for years, building his career one song at a time. He contrasts himself with other rappers who have sold out their values to make money, doing commercials for big-box retailers like Target and Walmart. Finally, he takes a philosophical turn, reminding the listener that ultimately what matters is not which deity one worships or how much money one has, but the effort one puts into the world and the way one treats others.
In summary, the song Respect is Haystak's attempt to cut through the superficiality and materialism that he sees in the rap industry and to promote a deeper, more meaningful set of values centered around respect, integrity, and hard work.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, you
Addressing the listener
What I'm sayin
Introducing the main point of the lyrics
You gonna respect what the fuck it is we're tryna do in this thing
Asserting the artist's need for respect and understanding for their creative vision
Right now
Emphasizing the urgency of the message
You see what I'm sayin, you see me tryna feel right here
Encouraging the listener to empathize with the artist's perspective
First, we gotta tear all that old shit down
Establishing a need for change and evolution in the music industry
It ain't the top notch? video
Rejecting the superficiality and materialistic elements of mainstream music
The Cristal? they sip in the videos
Further emphasizing the frivolity and shallowness of mainstream music
The watches, the bracelets, the necklaces
Listing more examples of superficiality in mainstream music
The Bentley's, the Benz's, the Lexus's
Listing more examples of materialism in mainstream music
It's the respect
Reiterating the importance of respect for the artist and their work
Bullshit blows up, hot shit flops
Suggesting the fickleness of mainstream music trends
I'm not Kid Rock, but I got the cinder block
Asserting the artist's unique identity and authenticity
Fill to the top with the popcorn pot
Using an extended metaphor to describe the artist's potential and ambition
They're cool with the dude that you block a whole lot
Suggesting the artist's willingness to take risks and push boundaries
I'm not gonna stop til I reach the top
Asserting the artist's persistence and determination
I look at each song like it was a building block
Describing the artist's creative process and attention to detail
And I'm not chillin out til I yield a crop
Asserting the artist's drive for success and productivity
I'm gonna get 'em pissed off like I killed a cop
Asserting the artist's willingness to challenge and provoke
And I'm not these other guys with the bubble gum rap
Rejecting the shallow and superficial elements of mainstream rap
Sell out for Target, Walmart, and Gap
Rejecting the commercialization of music
You see me in a commercial, it'll be Levi Strauss
Asserting a preference for brands that align with the artist's values
Cause they're rough and rugged, and that's the new style
Explaining the artist's choice of brand based on image and style
I'm the white boy everybody's askin about
Describing the artist's unique identity and position in the music industry
I can ghost write for you where I'm askin you out
Boasting about the artist's songwriting skills
I can give you a 16TH for a g a piece
Asserting the artist's ability to deliver quality content
You just fuck up, get the 16th for free
Warning other rappers to step up their game
Respect me
Reiterating the need for respect for the artist and their work
This ain't no false alarm, or no drill, it's for real
Stressing the authenticity and seriousness of the message
This is Mr. Magneto, and I still pack steel
Asserting the artist's toughness and street credibility
Prepared to kill, at will
Asserting the artist's willingness to defend their values and goals
You may die, you may live
Suggesting the risks and dangers of the music industry
Depends on how I feel
Asserting the artist's control and power
My whole journey's been uphill
Describing the artist's struggles and challenges
I WAS SELLIN RECORDS IN COUNTY BEFORE YOU WAS IN VILLE
Boasting about the artist's experience and history in the music industry
I WAS BUBBLIN TO MAKE THIS LITTLE ROCKIN BAND GROVES
Describing the artist's early success and ambition
WHILE YOU SUCKERS SIT AT HOME WAS OUT THERE MAKIN MOVES
Critiquing other rappers who are not putting in the same level of effort
IMPROVIN MOVIN MOTIVATED A MOVEMENT
Describing the artist's role in inspiring and leading a creative movement
IF IM RAPPIN TO IT _______ FLAVOR PRODUCED IT
Boasting about the artist's versatility and skill
TOO MANY RAPPERS RAPPIN THE SAME RAP
Critiquing the lack of originality in mainstream rap
CHECKIN THE SAME CRAP
Further emphasizing the lack of originality in mainstream rap
SHOOTIN THE SAME STRAPS
Suggesting the glorification of violence in mainstream rap
HELL WHO AINT GOT WORK AND HAD PACKS FOR SALE
Describing the artist's personal experience with crime and drug dealing
WHO AINT GOT OUT AND TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO JAIL
Describing the artist's struggle with incarceration
IM NOT RAPPIN TO KEEP MY LADY IN CHANNEL
Rejecting the commercial motivations of mainstream rap
I DO IT TO PAY THE BILLS THEY KEEP SENDIN IN THE MAIL
Explaining the artist's financial motivations for making music
JESUS CHRIST, ALLA, BUDDAH, MOTHER f*ckER, THE DEVIL
Expressing indifference towards religious beliefs
I DONT GIVE A f*ck WHO YOU PRAY TO
Asserting the artist's independence and autonomy
YOU BETTER GET ON THE HORN WITH SOMEBODY RIGHT NOW
Challenging the listener to step up and make changes
I MAY NOT PRAY TO THE SAME GOD AS YOU
Further emphasizing the artist's indifference towards religious beliefs
BUT BET YOUR ASS I DONE WORKED AS HARD AS YOU
Asserting the artist's hard work and dedication
LET IT BE KNOWN I DONE PAID ALOT OF DUES
Acknowledging the artist's struggles and hardships
DID ALOT OF SHIT THAT I DIDNT WANT TO DO
Explaining the artist's sacrifices and compromises
ALOT OF INTERVEIWS WITH FAGS I DIDNT EVEN WANT TO TALK TO
Expressing frustration with the music industry's expectations
PROMOTED______ ONLY A HETHAN WOULD WALK TO
Describing the artist's preference for promoting unique and unconventional ideas
MY PEOPLE IT WAS ALL FOR YOU
Expressing gratitude to the artist's dedicated fanbase
NEVER SKIP AN OPPROTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU
Asserting the artist's connection with their fans
EXPRESS THE POINTS OF VIEW
Encouraging open and honest dialogue through music
IM IN THE STUDIO MAKEIN NEW JOINTS FOR YOU
Describing the artist's ongoing creative process
THE CWB IN FAKE CAUSE YOU RELATE
Acknowledging the artist's influence and appeal among a young, white fanbase
HOW CAN YOU BE A WIGGER WHEN YOU WERE THAT WAY WHEN YOU WERE 8
Challenging the notion of cultural appropriation in music
I FEEL THE HATE BUBBLIN INSIDE OF YOU
Acknowledging the negativity and hostility within the music industry
IF YOU LOVE ME CAUSE YOU KNOW ITS INSIDE ME TOO
Asserting the artist's authenticity and transparency
RUN FOR COVER MOTHER f*ckER THATS WHAT I WOULD DO
Warning others to stay away from the artist's path of resistance and evolution
NEVER DROP ANOTHER RECORD IF I WAS YOU
Asserting the artist's ultimate power and control
Writer(s): Jason Winfree, Sonny Paradise
Contributed by Jordan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
bd
on My Lyrics
My lyrics are relentless, ruthless, if they were ___________
If they were bullets you'd be laid to rest.
if they were fists you'd be toothless
James herbert
on Wrong Side Of The City
Love it!@!