Steven Howse (born September 23, 1975) better known by his stage name of 'Layzie Bone' (or alias The #1 Assassin),and since his 2001 debut album Thug By Nature he also went by the name L-Burna[1]. He is the younger brother of fellow group member Flesh-N-Bone and also a member of the rap groups Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Bone Brothers. He is the CEO of the record label Mo Thugs Records.
The group of young men formed the band B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e (all except for Flesh-N-Bone) and recorded an album entitled Faces Of Death in the studio of their then mentor, Kermit Henderson (Krayzie Bone's older brother) on his indie label Stoney Burke in 1993. After this Layzie and the rest of the Bone Family boarded a Greyhound Bus to Los Angeles where they worked with notable producer and rapper Eazy-Eand his Ruthless/Relativity Records label. Diego Blak (born Diego hodge), a marketer and promoter and co-executive producer of Faces Of Death introduced them to Eazy E at a concert he promoted in Cleveland, Ohio where they auditioned for him in his dressing room and the travelled back to Los Angeles, California after the show to seal the deal. At this point they became known as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.
Listen
L-Burna aka Layzie Bone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hit the scene with another persuasion
A criminal invastion
Nigga thats what I'm workin with
Is it my fault or your fault
This world got me goin awol
Whatever the case may be you better believe lil lay play yall hey yall
This ain't the endin it's really just beginnin
I'm determined to make this work
Just hopin my music makes a difference
A change for better thangs
But most of all a better way
You know we pray and we pray and we pray like every day
But I think we need a little more faith
From across the word of my shoulder
A nigga is gettin older
And everyday I'm out here gettin closer to go
[Chorus]
Momma listen I'm on a mission for my future
If you new the new the was I perssure the common shoot
That you would listen, but you can't hear me
So I guess I'm going solo I'm still living
Brother listen I'm on a mission for my future
If you new the new the was I perssure the common shoot
That you would listen, but you can't hear me
So I guess I'm going solo I'm still living
Burn listen I'm on a mission for my future
If you new the new the was I perssure the common shoot
That you would listen, but you can't hear me
So I guess I'm going solo I'm still living
[Verse 2]
Sometimes it feels like a niga be talkin the wind
Late night when I'm in my Benz
Thinkin bout my homies in the pin
And my layin in bed and tucked in
And properly fed
Ima make it baby even if I have to bone wit bed
See I ain't worried bot the scrilla cause Ima go getta
A street livin thug nigga by night you should get the picture
Ima a acquir what I quin
Inspired by the pain
You can't retire from the game
When you got everything to gain can you
I'm leavin on the next plain
I don't know when I'll be back again
Trust me and wait for me
I'm hopin everything will be the same
I'm leavin on the next plain
I don't know when I'll be back again
Trust me and wait for me
I'm hopin everything will be the same
[Chorus]
Bone listen I'm on a mission for my future
If you new the new the was I perssure the common shoot
That you would listen, but you can't hear me
So I guess I'm going solo I'm still living
Mo thug listen I'm on a mission for my future
If you new the new the was I perssure the common shoot
That you would listen, but you can't hear me
So I guess I'm going solo I'm still living
[Verse 3]
If I ain't here with you right now
My nigga I'm with you in the heart
How it was just from the start
Y'all know we ain't never gonna fall apart
We know the art of wa
And we pssin it to our children
Yall really don't believe when we say its veary as we real it
Pump your first
You can resist
This thug shit we got to offer
Mo sext just might cost ya
Better pin with the lord who brought ya nigga
I know your moma taught you better than that
And when its cold outside put on a coat and a hat fool
[Chorus]
Momma listen I'm on a mission for my future
If you new the new the was I perssure the common shoot
That you would listen, but you can't hear me
So I guess I'm going solo I'm still living
Brother listen I'm on a mission for my future
If you new the new the was I perssure the common shoot
That you would listen, but you can't hear me
So I guess I'm going solo I'm still living
Burn listen I'm on a mission for my future
If you new the new the was I perssure the common shoot
That you would listen, but you can't hear me
So I guess I'm going solo I'm still living
[Talking]
And the moral of the story is
All for one, one for all
Yo lil nigga signin out, till next time nigga
In "Listen" by L-Burna aka Layzie Bone, the rapper is asserting his independence and determination to succeed in the music industry. He starts off by saying that he has a unique perspective and is willing to go to any length to achieve his goals. He asks if it's his fault or the world's fault that he feels the need to go "awol." He hopes that his music will make a difference and create positive change in the world. He recognizes that he's getting older, but he's still focused on his mission.
In verse two, Layzie talks about the sacrifices he has to make to pursue his dream, including leaving friends behind and focusing solely on his music. He recognizes that he will face challenges, but he's determined to acquire what he can and keep pushing forward. In the final verse, he talks about the importance of community and how they must pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
Overall, "Listen" is an anthem for independence and determination. Layzie Bone is focused on his personal goals and is determined to succeed, even if it means leaving others behind. However, he recognizes the importance of community and passing on knowledge to the next generation.
Line by Line Meaning
I hit the scene with another persuasion
I entered this world with a different mindset and perspective
A criminal invastion
The society, norms and systems in place are flawed
Nigga thats what I'm workin with
This is the reality I am dealing with
Is it my fault or your fault
Who is responsible for the state of the world?
This world got me goin awol
The state of the world is causing me to feel overwhelmed and lost
Whatever the case may be you better believe lil lay play yall hey yall
Regardless of the situation, I am here to make an impact and leave my mark
This ain't the endin it's really just beginnin
This is just the start of my journey
Grinnin lord forgive my sinnins
I acknowledge my mistakes and ask for forgiveness from a higher power
and we are can come up winnin
We can overcome this and come out victorious
I'm determined to make this work
I am dedicated to making a positive change
Just hopin my music makes a difference
I hope that my art can inspire and motivate others
A change for better thangs
I want to bring about a positive change in the world
But most of all a better way
I want to pave a path for a better future
You know we pray and we pray and we pray like every day
We hold onto hope and faith, despite the challenges we face
But I think we need a little more faith
We need to have more trust and belief in the possibilities for a better future
From across the word of my shoulder
I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders
A nigga is gettin older
I am getting older and time is limited
And everyday I'm out here gettin closer to go
Every day brings me closer to my eventual end
Momma listen I'm on a mission for my future
I am determined to make a better future for myself
If you new the new the was I perssure the common shoot
If you knew the pressure and struggle I face, you would understand
That you would listen, but you can't hear me
You may not be able to understand my struggle and perspective
So I guess I'm going solo I'm still living
I will continue to pursue my goals, even if I have to do it alone
Brother listen I'm on a mission for my future
I am working hard to create a better future for myself and others
Sometimes it feels like a niga be talkin the wind
Sometimes it feels as though I am talking to no avail
Late night when I'm in my Benz
When I am alone and lost in my thoughts
Thinkin bout my homies in the pin
I think about my friends who are in prison
And my layin in bed and tucked in
I think about my loved ones who are safe and sound at home
And properly fed
Comfortable and taken care of
Ima make it baby even if I have to bone wit bed
I am determined to succeed, even if it means sacrificing my comfort and sleep
See I ain't worried bot the scrilla cause Ima go getta
I am not concerned with money, as I am a go-getter and can make it on my own
A street livin thug nigga by night you should get the picture
I live a rough and tough life by night, and you should understand what it entails
Ima a acquir what I quin
I will attain what I deserve through hard work and perseverance
Inspired by the pain
My struggles and challenges motivate me to keep going
You can't retire from the game
I cannot give up on my goals and dreams
When you got everything to gain can you
When there is so much potential and opportunity, be willing to take a risk?
I'm leavin on the next plain
I am moving forward and onto the next chapter of my life
I don't know when I'll be back again
I am uncertain of what the future holds
Trust me and wait for me
Have faith in me and wait for my return
I'm hopin everything will be the same
I hope that things will not change too drastically during my absence
If I ain't here with you right now
If I am not physically present with you
My nigga I'm with you in the heart
I am there for you in spirit and mind
How it was just from the start
Our bond has been strong from the beginning
Y'all know we ain't never gonna fall apart
We will always remain united and strong
We know the art of wa
We understand the importance of perseverance and determination
And we pssin it to our children
We pass on these values to the next generation
Yall really don't believe when we say its veary as we real it
Many do not believe that our struggles are as real as we claim
Pump your first
Raise your fist in solidarity and strength
You can resist
You can fight against the odds and struggle
This thug shit we got to offer
This rough and tough lifestyle that we live has its own value and worth
Mo sex just might cost ya
This lifestyle may come with consequences and sacrifices
Better pin with the lord who brought ya nigga
It is better to have faith and trust in a higher power who has brought you into this world
I know your moma taught you better than that
I know that you were raised with good values and morals
And when its cold outside put on a coat and a hat fool
Use common sense and take care of yourself, even in the rough and tough conditions we live in
Contributed by Zoe D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.