This song was first released on February 10, 2016, but it gained more notoriety upon J.I.D’s signing to J. Cole’s Dreamville Records.
"I feel like I made it in a real crazy time in my life. When I was trying to get shit, but I didn’t really have shit. My parents, they kinda agreed with it. They fuck with it. But it was written from a past tense. It’s not like I’m never gonna be shit. People didn’t take it like that. It’s more so me saying, “This is what it was.”
"This song is so fuckin special to me: this shit set the precedent for who I am as an artist. I wrote the first part in my Pontiac and the second part in a dirty closet smoking a cigarillo roach, 2 very low points in my life: it was at least 7 other artist attached to the email when I opened the beat from Christo. Even how me and Childish Major connected on the second half of the beat was so organic, it’s hard to explain. I remember a lot of things vividly, but I still feel how real these moments were in those time of creating this music. Thank you to everyone who moshed, broke floors, screamed these crazy ass words."
—JID on Instagram.
And the second part of kinda like a brighter side of it, because it elevates. It makes you feel a little fun because the beginning starts off hella dark. So yeah, it just was coming from a past-tense mindset and where I was at that time period. I didn’t know the song would elevate me, but it did, and it made everything I was saying true."
NEVER
Jid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But a nigga never gave two shits
Never been a bitch, never had a Rollie on the wrist,
Never had shit, never take, never asking give me this,
Give me that shit, give me everything nigga,
Give me everything nigga
(Again)
Never been shit, never had shit, never knew shit,
But a nigga never gave two shits
Never been a bitch, never had a Bezel on the wrist,
Never had shit, never take, never asking give me this,
Give me that, give me everything nigga,
Give me everything nigga, give me everything
Never had a real dollar to my name, bruh
Shit been lame, bruh
I ain't even in this shit for the fame, bruh, it's the pain bruh
Most of the niggas I came up with, haven't came up
And doing the same stuff, but I haven't came up
This really ain't nothing, niggas thinking they fucking with JID
Ya'll got the game fucked up
Tremendously, can't fuck with the mind of a mental fiend
Who dig deep in the depths when he in too deep
I crept on the steps where the demons leap
And yell well show the Lord what He means to me
Oh my God, don't be mean to me
We arrived with a bean or three
And it's not what it seems to be
I can die, I can fly, I can try very easily
I'm a guy need a giant, she a vibrant thing, I probably won't buy it
Bird bitch take flight, no pilot
Serve dick, curve bitch, no bias
Back up, back up, chick bad timing
I got to get on stage, you better get on page
I have you looking out the window pane and in the rain and in the thing,
But in the way
If I say this is what it is forget the lip
Now what's my point, now I forget (now this bitch)
Got me fucking up my script, fuck this shit, I got this shit
Getting to the point where everybody say they from the block
And shit with Glocks and shit and poppin', pimpin', trapping, and sipping lean
Ya'll niggas fall for anything, you got the plug in Medellín?
Kingpin, you a pin king (Kingpin, you a pin king)
Bye, bye, niggas in sync
Try I? Nigga risky
Fire, fire from the wrist piece
Niggas shooting like the '60s (again)
Never been shit, never had shit, never knew shit, never out never do shit, damn
But a nigga never gave two shits
Never been a bitch, never had a Rollie on the wrist,
Never had shit, never take, never asking give me this,
Give me that shit, give me everything, nigga fuck you
(Let's go)
Alright what you call a chick that don't suck dick? You don't
And if you think you finna come up this, you won't
Down comes the boogie and up jumps the funk
This beat taking a beat and got hand out the lumps
Damn baby, yo ass stand out in pumps
That's outstanding, stand outside until your man come
Or you can leave with the kid, we can plan some
You know I came from the dirt like a sandstorm
Nigga, this a 3 point and-1, and 100, Wilt Chamberlain with the hand dumb
Shawty love JID, let me turn into a hand puppet
She moan sound like German or something
Run game, bitches think I'm Todd Gurley or something
Give me a jersey, I done balled so hard, I caught a hernia
Wheeled yo bitch out my bed in a gurney
You gotta leave lil mama, the clocks turning
I hit it first, Ray J or Ron Jeremy
They bleed like us so them niggas could never scare me
No niggas got more glow than JID
Barely scratching the fucking surface
You need work, you need purpose
Everybody good, everybody trap perfect
Everything cool, don't nobody act nervous
Just ignore the fact that your favorite rap nigga is a sap nigga
We don't dap niggas, get the rrrat from the ratchet
Get the pack out the package
Lil' savage ass, ratchet ass, bastard ass, havin' ass, rapping ass, jacking ass, wait
Finna black, green dot, send in cash, pen and pad, minivan,
Been in that, been with that bullshit nigga
I don't wake up to the bull like I usually do
Young niggas down the block on the woopty woop
Better pray to God they don't shoot at you
Dreams of cleanin' this dirty money out my cuticles
Then a nigga make the crowd jump like Zoboomafoo
Shit's beautiful (shit's beautiful, shit's beautiful)
Shit's beautiful (shit's beautiful, shit's beautiful)
Shit's beautiful
In Jid's song "NEVER," the lyrics explore themes of struggle, perseverance, and the pursuit of success. The opening lines reveal the artist's humble beginnings and the hardships he has faced throughout his life. Despite this, Jid asserts that he has never been "a bitch" or relied on material possessions to define his self-worth. He also notes his lack of interest in fame and celebrity, stating that he is in it for the pain, and that he has seen many people he has grown up with never make it out of their current situation.
The song's powerful chorus emphasizes Jid's never-say-die attitude and his unrelenting pursuit of success. He demands everything from the world, refusing to accept anything less than what he believes he deserves. The song also touches on issues of authenticity and the pressure to conform to certain lifestyles, where Jid insists that he would never fake anything for fame and recognition. The lyrics also make references to relationships and sexual encounters.
Line by Line Meaning
Ok, never been shit, never had shit, never knew shit, never out never do shit, damn
I've never had anything or accomplished anything, and it's frustrating.
But a nigga never gave two shits
But I never cared about it or let it bring me down.
Never been a bitch, never had a Rollie on the wrist,
I've never been weak, and I've never had a Rolex.
Never had shit, never take, never asking give me this,
I've never had anything, and I've never asked for anything.
Give me that shit, give me everything nigga,
But now I want everything and I'm not afraid to ask for it.
Give me everything nigga
I want it all.
(Again)
Never had a real dollar to my name, bruh
I've always been broke.
Shit been lame, bruh
I've never had anything exciting in my life.
I ain't even in this shit for the fame, bruh, it's the pain bruh
I don't care about being famous, I just want to escape the pain.
Most of the niggas I came up with, haven't came up
Most of the people I grew up with are still struggling.
And doing the same stuff, but I haven't came up
They're stuck doing the same things, but I've found a way to rise above it.
This really ain't nothing, niggas thinking they fucking with JID
People think they can compete with me, but they can't.
Ya'll got the game fucked up
You're underestimating me.
Tremendously, can't fuck with the mind of a mental fiend
I'm too creative and intelligent to be stopped.
Who dig deep in the depths when he in too deep
I explore the depths of my own mind when I'm overwhelmed.
I crept on the steps where the demons leap
I've faced my inner demons and conquered them.
And yell well show the Lord what He means to me
I want to show God what He means to me through my music.
Oh my God, don't be mean to me
Please be kind to me, God.
We arrived with a bean or three
We came prepared to handle any situation.
And it's not what it seems to be
Things are not always what they appear to be.
I can die, I can fly, I can try very easily
I'm capable of anything with ease.
I'm a guy need a giant, she a vibrant thing, I probably won't buy it
I'm looking for a powerful woman, but I probably won't pursue her.
Bird bitch take flight, no pilot
This woman is independent and doesn't need anyone to guide her.
Serve dick, curve bitch, no bias
I'm able to attract women without being biased towards any particular type.
Back up, back up, chick bad timing
She's interested, but the timing isn't right.
I got to get on stage, you better get on page
I have a performance to prepare for, so I need you to be in sync.
I have you looking out the window pane and in the rain and in the thing, But in the way
I have you distracted, but you're in the way of my success.
If I say this is what it is forget the lip
Believe me when I tell you what's true, without questioning it.
Now what's my point, now I forget (now this bitch)
I've lost my train of thought due to this woman's presence.
Got me fucking up my script, fuck this shit, I got this shit
She's causing me to mess up my plans, but I'll still figure it out.
Getting to the point where everybody say they from the block
Everyone claims to be from the streets.
And shit with Glocks and shit and poppin', pimpin', trapping, and sipping lean
Everyone tries to fit a certain stereotype, including guns and drugs.
Ya'll niggas fall for anything, you got the plug in Medellín?
You're all easily fooled, and you're searching for drug connections.
Kingpin, you a pin king (Kingpin, you a pin king)
You think you're a drug kingpin, but you're just a small-time dealer.
Bye, bye, niggas in sync
You're out of the game before you even start.
Try I? Nigga risky
It's a dangerous game, and I'm not sure I want to be a part of it.
Fire, fire from the wrist piece
I'm ready to shoot and defend myself.
Niggas shooting like the '60s (again)
Gun violence is escalating, and it's reminiscent of the 1960s.
Give me that shit, give me everything nigga, fuck you
I demand everything, and I don't care what you think.
(Let's go)
Alright what you call a chick that don't suck dick? You don't
The answer is, 'You don't.'
And if you think you finna come up this, you won't
You won't succeed in this arena.
Down comes the boogie and up jumps the funk
The rhythm changes unexpectedly.
This beat taking a beat and got hand out the lumps
The beat is powerful and can cause physical harm.
Damn baby, yo ass stand out in pumps
This woman's body looks incredible in high heels.
That's outstanding, stand outside until your man come
I'm impressed with her, but I'll wait outside for her boyfriend to arrive.
Or you can leave with the kid, we can plan some
She can come with me and we can make a plan.
You know I came from the dirt like a sandstorm
I've faced many challenges and have come a long way.
Nigga, this a 3 point and-1, and 100, Wilt Chamberlain with the hand dumb
I'm unstoppable, like a basketball player with a 3-point shot and a foul.
Shawty love JID, let me turn into a hand puppet
This woman loves me, and I'm willing to do anything to please her.
She moan sound like German or something
She makes unique, passionate noises.
Run game, bitches think I'm Todd Gurley or something
I have a lot of confidence with women, and they think I'm a pro athlete.
Give me a jersey, I done balled so hard, I caught a hernia
I've played so much basketball that I've injured myself.
Wheeled yo bitch out my bed in a gurney
I've had so much sex with her that she's exhausted.
You gotta leave lil mama, the clocks turning
It's time for her to go.
I hit it first, Ray J or Ron Jeremy
I had sex with her before famous porn actors did.
They bleed like us so them niggas could never scare me
We're all human, so I'm not scared of anyone.
No niggas got more glow than JID
I'm more confident and successful than anyone else.
Barely scratching the fucking surface
I'm just getting started.
You need work, you need purpose
You need to find your own path and goals.
Everybody good, everybody trap perfect
Everyone thinks they're doing well and have things figured out.
Everything cool, don't nobody act nervous
Everyone is acting calm and collected.
Just ignore the fact that your favorite rap nigga is a sap nigga
People are ignoring the fact that their favorite rapper is weak.
We don't dap niggas, get the rrrat from the ratchet
We don't shake hands, we get our guns ready.
Get the pack out the package
Take the drugs out of the package.
Lil' savage ass, ratchet ass, bastard ass, havin' ass, rapping ass, jacking ass, wait
I'm young, dangerous, and rebellious, and I rap about it.
Finna black, green dot, send in cash, pen and pad, minivan,
I'm ready to handle any situation, from violence to writing rhymes.
Been in that, been with that bullshit nigga
I've been through it all and can handle anything.
I don't wake up to the bull like I usually do
I'm trying to change my negative mindset.
Young niggas down the block on the woopty woop
Young men are causing trouble on the street corner.
Better pray to God they don't shoot at you
It's a dangerous place to be.
Dreams of cleanin' this dirty money out my cuticles
I want to clean my money and avoid legal trouble.
Then a nigga make the crowd jump like Zoboomafoo
I have the power to get people excited and moving.
Shit's beautiful (shit's beautiful, shit's beautiful)
Everything is going well, and it's beautiful.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: MARKUS ALANDRUS RANDLE, DESTIN ROUTE, JOHN WELCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KING-gp5kz
Xxl did something right, they added a guy with actual potential that didn’t blow up yet but enough people know who he is. I think thats what a “freshmen” should be tbh.
@Fadesluvsyou
KING ᴶᶜ tru af
@potipota9242
The cover title is we got clout they dont care about new artist with talent they want rappers that blowed up
@Oween
KING ᴶᶜ to be honest it might end up like a Denzel Curry situation again. Best artist by far next to lil Dicky but don't have much exposure :(
@aceisbad9866
Freshman
@Fadesluvsyou
Oween I hope that's not the case.
@KillerSaiyan
JID sounds like anderson.paak and raps like kendrick's love child. This shit is beautiful i tell you.
@darkfathom1
I agree feel like he has a bit of Lil Wayne in his lyrics too.
@Josh-os6ij
Anderson paak is from my city
@happyninjafighter2
Do you know what a love child is?