Having spent the majority of the early part of his career behind the control board and not the mic, Kid Ink crafting his production skills working with multi-platinum artists like Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sean Kingston as well Yung Berg and Nipsey Hussle. Production came natural for Kid Ink, "I started making the beats because I already had several artists trying the rap thing out, so I thought I would be more useful supplying the production." But sitting behind the board was not enough for Kid Ink. Just a few short years ago, Kid Ink picked up the mic and a new contender in the Hip-Hop game was born.
Honing his skills as a songwriter creating hooks for his beats, Kid Ink stepped up his lyrical repertoire with full length and completed songs.
2010 was a breakout year in the young rapper’s career. Teaming up with world-renowned DJ ill Will and DJ Rockstar’s newly formed Tha Alumni Music Group; Kid Ink became more focused in his grind and began working on the underground hit, Crash Landing Mixtape. His hard work paid off and the music industry began to take notice. Within 10 days of its release, Crash Landing garnered critical acclaim, a position at the top of Datpiff.com’s ‘Top Mixtapes of the Week’ section and amassed an astonishing 50 thousand downloads.
After Crash Landings’ debut, national and international request to perform rolled in. Kid Ink has toured the states with stops in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Denver, Kansas City and Buffalo; and internationally in Toronto, Canada, Zurich, Switzerland, Melbourne, Australia and Krasnador, Russia.
Solidifying himself as a real MC, Kid Ink garnered career-defining features from Hip-Hop and R&B stars including Young Money's Gudda Gudda, Roscoe Dash, Sterling Simms, Bei Maejor, Meek Mill and many more. Kid Ink’s uncompromising work ethic would not allow him to rest on his more than impressive laurels; there needed to be a ‘visual’ movement to showcase his innovative style and unique persona.
Lensed by Director Alex Nazari, Kid Ink released an astounding 8 cutting-edge music videos in 2010 alone. Tearing the Net to shreds, to date his now 26 released videos have garnered a very impressive 50 plus million views.
2011 continued to be phenomenal for the young MC. Having released his (free to the public) sophomore album Daydreamer on June 21st via the internet, the lyrical juggernaut accumulated over 150 thousand downloads in its first week. Fans went ballistic over the album that featured all original production from the likes of The Runners, Lex Luger, Jahlil Beats, Cardiak & Tha Bizness as well as major features from the Cory Gunz, Meek Mill, Ray J, Sean Kingston, Dorrough, Bei Maejor and more.
Bucking the norm of waiting for a major label deal to kick off his career, the rapper has taken his fate in to his own hands and crafted an internet campaign that rivals many of the acts resting high on the Billboard charts. With videos under his belt including Internet sensations “Lowkey Poppin,” “Please” and “Cali Dreamin,’” Kid Ink is definitely rockin’ to his own beat.
Kid Ink continued his 2011 tear by releasing “Wheels Up,” yet another all original Mixtape on October 10th to an overwhelming response. Once again outdoing the numbers his previous project accumulated. Following the release of “Wheels Up,” Ink has been on a mini “Wheels Up” tour including stops in the Bay Area, Denmark, New York, Boston, Toronto, Denver & Chicago to name a few, performing to packed crowds of 600-2,000.
Ink started 2012 red hot as the first single “Time Of Your Life” off his debut album “Up & Away” was picked up in early January by radio & the first week this song was released on iTunes it sold a staggering 20k copies. “Time Of Your Life” peaked at #32 on the Rythmic Radio Charts with 750+ spins a week and has reached an audience of over 100 million selling 160k + singles Independently. In addition, the official video for “Time Of Your Life” has reached over 12 million views on Youtube and was added to regular rotation on MTV Jams and MTV2. Following the success of “Time Of Your Life” and the follow up single “Drippin,” Ink launched his Indie album “Up & Away” in June to commercial success with 20k albums sold the 1st week in the US reaching top 20 on Billboard charts (All Albums) and #2 that week in Hip-Hop/Rap. Immediately following the success of “Up & Away” Ink toured the US, selling out shows throughout the Country including 6 Summer Jam concerts, followed by a headlining “Up & Away” UK Tour that included 25 shows in 35 days – selling out 18 of the shows. “Up & Away” has sold well over 50k albums to date (US) & over 70k worldwide.
After the immediate sales success of “Up & Away,” Ink found himself in a bidding war with all the major labels. Ink decided to cap off his career defining 2012 with another Mixtape in November of 2012 titled “Rocketshipshawty” which has done well over 600k downloads online, followed by 6 videos off the project. Starting off the New Year in 2012 Ink decided to sign a major label deal with RCA Records. On January 3rd, 2013 Ink announced his signing and launched his debut Major Label single “Bad Ass” feat MMG heavyweights Wale & Meek Mill.
His Internet game is just as tight as his rap game. His website, www.kidinkmusic.com gets between 90,000 and 150,000 hits a month, his Facebook page has over a 500,000 Likes, his Twitter game is continually growing with 300k plus Followers, Instagram over 260k follows and via HotNewHipHop.com Kid Ink has a staggering 13 million + digital downloads.
City On My Back
Kid Ink Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yea
Yea
Uh
[Hook:]
I be running through the city, city on my back
It ain't nothing changed but the money on my lap
Til it's over, til it's over
I be running through the city, city on my back
It ain't nothing changed but the money on my lap
True I'm in the game til it's over
Til it's over, til it's over
[Verse:]
I be running through the city, city on my back
Way before the fame and all this love and all these stacks
I was just a little homie, now you see me bossin up
People see me in a suit, suit is why they love me
Got the whole team here, no coach needed ball
All coast season homecourt playin, why you sideline hatin?
When I'm just tryna go get mine, it's gang time, time I shine
My eyesight straight these lines to the go, ready for the show
Ready for the hoes, who ready to roll?
Gone with the wind, you gonna need a blow
Blow my high, don't kill the vibe
3rd degree still burning slow
You could never put my lights out, money I can swerve, got more to count
Probably get more than I care to count, I'm far
[Hook:]
I be running through the city, city on my back
It ain't nothing changed but the money on my lap
True I'm in the game, time til it's over
Til it's over, til it's over
I be running through the city, city on my back
It ain't nothing changed but the money on my lap
True I'm in the game til it's over
Til it's over, til it's over
The song "City On My Back" by Kid Ink is an upbeat rap song that talks about his success as he rises to the top in the music industry. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the track, as Kid Ink confidently declares, "Yea, Yea, Uh." The hook of the song repeats the line, "I be running through the city, city on my back," emphasizing the weight of his responsibilities as he represents his hometown. Despite his continued success, Kid Ink remains humble and acknowledges that although the money has changed, he still approaches his career with the same dedication and passion as when he started.
In the verses, Kid Ink reflects on his journey from being a "little homie" to "bossing up" in the music industry. He also mentions the support of his team and how he doesn't need a coach to guide him. The lyrics also touch on the idea of haters on the sidelines, but Kid Ink remains focused on achieving success and staying true to himself. He talks about being ready for the show and ready to party while keeping a clear mind to stay on top of his game.
Overall, "City On My Back" is a song about Kid Ink's success and the hard work he's put in to reach that level of achievement. It's a reminder to himself and listeners that although the journey may be tough, with persistence and dedication, anyone can rise to the top.
Line by Line Meaning
I be running through the city, city on my back
I am constantly moving through the city with a heavy burden, carrying the weight of my success and striving to maintain it.
Way before the fame and all this love and all these stacks
Long before I achieved fame and wealth, I was still putting in the effort to make something of myself.
I was just a little homie, now you see me bossin up
Although I started out small, I am now standing tall as a leader in my field.
People see me in a suit, suit is why they love me
The polished and professional image I present to the world is one of the reasons why I have gained so much respect and admiration.
Got the whole team here, no coach needed ball
I have built a strong and capable team around me, capable of achieving greatness without the need for outside guidance.
All coast season homecourt playin, why you sideline hatin?
I am dominating no matter where I go, so why are you wasting your energy on negative feelings instead of working to better yourself?
When I'm just tryna go get mine, it's gang time, time I shine
I am focused on my own personal success, working hard to achieve it and show the world what I am capable of.
My eyesight straight these lines to the go, ready for the show
I am always looking ahead, with a clear vision of where I want to go and what I need to do to get there. I am always ready to put on a great performance.
Ready for the hoes, who ready to roll?
I am open and ready for whatever opportunities come my way, including romantic and sexual ones.
Gone with the wind, you gonna need a blow
I am moving quickly and decisively towards my goals, and if you want to keep up with me you'll need to be willing to put in a lot of effort.
Blow my high, don't kill the vibe
Please don't do anything to bring me down or ruin the positive energy that I am riding high on right now.
3rd degree still burning slow
Although I've experienced some setbacks and disappointments along the way, I am still pushing forward with a persistent determination.
You could never put my lights out, money I can swerve, got more to count
No matter what challenges come my way, I will never give up or lose my focus. I have a lot of financial success to enjoy and more on the way.
Probably get more than I care to count, I'm far
I am so successful and wealthy that I couldn't even begin to count all of my riches if I wanted to. I have come so far in my journey to the top.
True I'm in the game, time til it's over
I am serious about my work and committed to succeeding, but I also know that eventually everything comes to an end.
Til it's over, til it's over
I will keep working hard and pushing forward until the very end, never giving up or losing sight of my goals.
Contributed by Aaron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carson Hodges
Need to start a petition to get this on Apple Music and Spotify
Moisymo81
Feel it
benja Garcia
Just pay the YouTube music subscription and you can have it all
ElijahBlue Yazza
Bro fr fr I been tryin to get this song since high school
DabbyDonte
He can’t, chief keef/chop own the beat🤷♂️
Laramie Payne
This needs to be on Spotify 🔥
- TheMaestro
2020 still being played
- TheMaestro
@Payton Harrison nope
Payton Harrison
get old yet
JxstinFPS
@Shane Bivens 💪💪💪🔥