"The tongue is powerful," he observes. "I want to educate the world about what's really going on in these streets. My words are meant to be street awareness. This is how we survive."
Hotboy Wes hails from "the hardest hood in Waco." With dad behind bars for almost 12 years and mom and grandma in the streets, he primarily stayed with his aunt during his formative years. Unfortunately, his aunt caught a case and landed in a penitentiary, leaving him alone with his mother. "That's when shit became really turbulent and rocky for me," he admits. "My mom ended up hooked on that dope. I was always in trouble, but I started rapping. I had it in my heart I was going to be a rapper, for real."
So, he studied "the greatest albums in hip-hop." He religiously listened to Ms. Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Nas's Illmatic, and OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below in addition to pulling inspiration from Hot Boys, Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Soulja Slim, and B.G. He shuffled in and out of juvenile detention centers, yet he took every opportunity possible to freestyle on social media. Building an audience, his freestyles regularly cracked 100K views.
Following a bid in jail, Hotboy Wes came home to an invitation from Trapboy Freddy to record in Dallas. Working out of a professional studio for the first time, he cooked up the Never Had Shit mixtape in 2019. The video for "I Can't" quickly eclipsed half-a-million views and increased his buzz throughout the industry. One day, he sent Gucci Mane a direct message on Instagram and said, "I'm hard. You've got to sign me."
Not long after, the rap icon and The New 1017 founder FaceTimed him...
"When Wop told me he was going to sign me, I decided to put my gun and dope away," he says. "On God, I had it on me, but I said, ‘Fuck that shit'. I started taking this seriously and rapping even harder. We came from the same background. I had read his book while I was in jail, and it made me fuck with him even more. Wop gave me so much advice. He told me, ‘Wait your turn. If you work hard, it's going to happen'."
It's happening now. He joined forces with Gucci Mane on the single "My Lil Dance." Right out of the gate, it trended at #13 on YouTube Music and raked in 1 million-plus views first week. Over ominous piano-laden production, Hotboy Wes tears apart caustic and confessional verses with a gruff flow as he declares, "I came up from nothin', I'm straight out the gutter," before locking into an instantly irresistible hook.
"As soon as I heard the beat, I was doing a little dance," he laughs. "When I'm creating music, there's so much weighing on my mind, so I go out and vibe around. Everything inspires me. I rap about the trenches a lot, but this is a fun record."
In the end, Hotboy Wes is giving the streets the voice it needs now.
"Sometimes, I've got to relive my past and go somewhere I don't really want to go," he leaves off. "Other times, it's not as dark; it's meant to be a good time. I'm a big believer in manifestation. Whatever you speak into existence in the universe is what you're going to get out of it. I said I was going to be rapper. That's what I'm doing."
Shiesty Way
Hotboy Wes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
(Winners Circle)
(Damn, Yak)
When you jump out, feel my SRT
Just know your life at stake (your life at stake)
I might lose my life the day I'm livin' life
The shiesty way (the shiesty way)Strapped up with this dope
Hope them white folks don't run my licence plate (don't run my-)
Made it out with music
Mama thought I threw my life away (she thought I threw my life-)
My granny was an addict
My daddy ass was absent (he gone)
In the gutter, where we was trappin' (we trappin')
Now it's double-Gs on my jacket (my jacket)
These fuck niggas ain't my fabric
I don't fuck with a nigga, I'm taxin' (no)
John Wick with the stick, no lackin' (bah, bah, bah)
He a bitch, send the blitz like Madden (like Madden)
Pull up in something, it look like I can not afford it (skrrt)
Strapped with a rocket, my pockets on Norbit (big bag)
That my lil' bitch, she be scammin' shit out
Finna slam her for forgin' (ayy)
This ain't no rap, this a street nigga poetry
When I was twelve, my first stick was a tourist (bah, bah, bah)
Been rappin' 'bout work, I'ma stick to the story
Fly out to Cali and get me a forest (forest)
Get me a stick in my mama name (mama name)
Growl like the bitch from the hunger pains
I'm from a street like the Hunger Games (Hunger Games)They gon' get low when that llama bang (bah, bah)
Dope in the cash 'fore the commas came
Dope in the cash when the commas came
Spin a block, 'cause a opp think it's fun and games
When we split 'em, we grill 'em, like Johnny Dang
Night-night, baby, night-night (night-night)
Ice bright, nigga, ice bright (ice bright)
Nice white for the right price (right price)
Writin' kites to niggas doin' life (free my dawg)
Free all my Locs in the jail cell (free 'em)
Fuck on your ho, holla, "Farewell" (farewell)
Used to trap with a strap in the stairwell
And the bricks, way they spin like a ferris wheel?
You'd rather fuck on a ho' 'fore you charge her a fee
I'm where the warriors be
I was down deep like a shark in the sea (shark in the sea)
Turned to a star, spent a car on my teeth
I like to rob and go hard on the beat
Mama so pussy, my father was street
My brother a hooligan, he used to harbor a fugitive
He took them targets for me
Glizzy gon' bark, you can't argue with me
Sixes on sharp when I park in the street
In my apartments, they snort it for cheap
Told the carpenter, "These niggas ain't targetin' me"
Showin' what workin' shit really mean
I was broker than a bitch but had bigger dreams
On the porch, stickin' dope in Amiri jeans
Couldn't spell that good, but I bet I could count
Mama on dope, used to smoke up the stamps
I was stuck in the rain but came out like a champ
Put the dope in the pot, make it loud like a cramp
On the block, sellin' dust, I was up like a vamp (I was up)
Young nigga hell, better ask 12, I make the law do a leg race
Spin on they residence, wrap it in red tape
Can't leave the post, sellin' dope on the leg brace
I gotta get me a mil' for the fast tape
'Fore I heard Money Bagg, I was a fed baby
You should've seen what I did for them dead faces
Shit that I did for them dead faces
Night-night, baby, night-night (night-night)
Ice bright, nigga, ice bright (ice bright) (huh)
Nice white for the right price (right price)
Writin' kites to niggas doin' life (free my dawg) (go)
I come from the gutter, the heart of the Cresc'
My daddy was drunk and my mama was stressed (mama)
Trappin' all night, at the top of the set
Made me go to sleep late, end up flunkin' the test
Had to stop gamblin', started to invest
When my partner got killed, it was hard to digest (damn)
Trippin' on lean make me really regress (lean)
Like a jacker with money, my life was a mess (woah)
Say you a shooter, not really impressed
Flooded my crew with invisible sets (clean)
Rollies and APs, baguetties, baguettie
We ballin' like Brady without the confetti
Thinkin' it's checkers but really it's chess
I'm livin' my life without any regrets
I was a jit with a vest and a TEC (graow)
Stop playin' with Wop, that's like Russian Roulette (huh?)
Moved on to Wop with the stocks and the jet
Not the same Wop with the Glock in the 'Vette (no)
I was dead broke, I knew I would be rich (yeah)
I peeped from the jump, I knew you was a bitch (you)
Gloves on his hand, he ain't leavin' a print
Free all my hitters, I need 'em out quick (free 'em)
Bogus ass charges ain't makin' no sense (nah)
They gave him a ligt so he jumped in the fence (go)
Night-night, baby, night-night (night-night)
Ice bright, nigga, ice bright (ice bright)
Nice white for the right price (right price)
Writin' kites to niggas doin' life (free my dawg)
In the song "Shiesty Way," Hotboy Wes reflects on his gritty upbringing and the struggles he faced growing up in a tough neighborhood. The lyrics depict a life filled with poverty, crime, and overcoming adversities, as well as the desire to make a better life for himself.
The opening lines, "When you jump out, feel my SRT, Just know your life at stake," suggest that Hotboy Wes drives a powerful car (SRT) that symbolizes his dangerous lifestyle. He warns that those who encounter him should be cautious because their lives are in danger. He further acknowledges that living the shiesty (untrustworthy) way may ultimately lead to jeopardizing his own life.
He continues by sharing snippets of his upbringing, mentioning that his granny was an addict and his father was absent. Growing up in this environment, he and his community turned to trapping (selling drugs) to survive. Now, he proudly wears double-Gs on his jacket, symbolizing his success and defiance against those who doubted him. He declares that he doesn't associate with individuals who are not trustworthy and asserts his dominance, comparing himself to John Wick with a gun.
Hotboy Wes then shifts the focus to his lifestyle, stating that he appears to have possessions he can't afford and carries a rocket (gun) for protection. He references his partner's involvement in scamming, hinting at illegal activities. He emphasizes that his lyrics are a reflection of street life rather than mere entertainment. Despite the hardships, he remains committed to his story, even if he has to travel to California to make it happen.
The song also touches on the struggles of the streets and the dangers involved. Hotboy Wes expresses his affiliation with a gang, comparing the streets to the Hunger Games, where individuals have to constantly be on guard for their safety. He references drug deals and the fear of getting caught, boasting about his ability to navigate these risky situations.
In the final verses, Hotboy Wes reflects on his journey and the lessons he has learned. He notes that despite his difficult upbringing, he has overcome obstacles to pursue success. He recalls writing letters (kites) to incarcerated friends, hoping for their release. He acknowledges the challenges he faces, having come from a broken family and a troubled neighborhood. However, he also mentions his ambition to achieve financial stability and mocks his critics. He reinforces the importance of loyalty, the consequences of betrayal, and his determination to leave his troubled past behind.
Overall, "Shiesty Way" provides a raw and honest glimpse into Hotboy Wes's life and his journey from a disadvantaged neighborhood to aspiring success in the music industry. The lyrics depict his struggles, resilience, and ambitions, while also highlighting the realities and dangers of street life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wesley Lewis, Radric Delantic Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@T_ROLLA_DACOLDEST
Hot Boy West and big walk dog is the best rappers on 1017 I'm convinced
@ChristopherMitchell-en9vv
Ong both pressure 🤧
@arielevans815
He so cold!
@kolarichkid1567
Scarr Was the Hardest
@IsmokeHiphopLive
Hotboy Wes LET GO gANG! 💯🔥🔥
@kingbryant2675
Them 1017 boys dropping the Hits back to back
@205mrha
wes out rappin these boys ......call me a lie! 1017 hotboy!
@nicifclean
"This ain't no rap, this street ni99a poetry"
Hot buy Wes🔥🔥🔥
@kat8375
💯
@urbannuance5151
HotBoy Wes got BARS, Plain and Simple. The nigga can rap!