Lil' Flip's career was launched when he released his first album "The Leprechaun". The album quickly gained national attention and spawned the hit single "I Can Do That". The album sold over 100,000 copies regionally and gained attention from Def Jam South, A & R, and well-known Houston rapper Scarface. He was briefly signed to Def Jam, but abruptly left the label a few years later after concerns about his financial earnings. He soon signed to Loud Records and began recording his first national debut album.
While recording his album, he was apparently shot by unknown assailants in a drive-by shooting. He survived the attack and pressed on to finish the album. At the age of 20, Lil' Flip released his sophomore album "Undaground Legend", his first nationally released album, which included the hit single "The Way We Ball" and a remix to his hit "I Can Do That". The album reached platinum status even though it didn't get much promotion from Loud Records.
Lil' Flip recorded his third album "U Gotta Feel Me" on Sony Records. This album was more commercial and featured Ludacris, Three 6 Mafia, and others. The album debuted at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #3 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts. It quickly became a crossover success with the Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 single "Game Over". The single used the Namco Pac-Man beat and the video showed Lil' Flip getting a tattoo while rapping to the single. The single reached #1 on the hip-hop charts. His follow-up single, the lover's anthem "Sunshine" featuring Lea, became the second hit single on Lil' Flip's album and went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It gained numerous requests on MTV 2 and BET. The album was certified double platinum.
Lil' Flip is known for his unique screwed style of freestyling (a form of slowed down rap technique) and for always releasing double disc CDs whenever he releases an album. He credits all of his success to the late DJ Screw and has tattooed DJ Screw's name on his arms. Lil' Flip has been credited for his lyrics by Three 6 Mafia, David Banner, Fam-Lay, Young Buck, UGK, Ludacris, among others. He has announced himself as the "King of The South" and the "Freestyle King".
The Ghetto
Lil' Flip Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this world I'm gon' pity
I was raised in the ghetto-out the city
(Naaaaah, mmmmmmm)
In this world I'm gon' pity
I was raised in the ghetto-out the city
(Naaaaah, mmmmmmm)
Look I was raised in in the(ghetto)
I got payed in the(ghetto)
a lot of gangsta's got made in the(ghetto)
a lot of wanksta's got, got in the(ghetto)
got shot in the(ghetto)-but not popped in they metal
I use to hang out with the ol' G's and peep game
they use to send me to the store and tell me keep the change
now it's eight years later and I run shit
kiss the ring 'cause now I'm on some dumb shit
and I ain't with that kissing ass shit dawg
you owe me stacks, don't hold me back-I'm backin heat with the Heatmakers
I can spitt it from the head I don't need a piece of loose sleeve paper
you wonder why I never mix and mingle
I'd rather roll a dutch and mix my single
and I don't know about ya'll but I'm workin
and I don't know about you but I ain't hurtin'
[Chorus]
In this world I'm gon' pity
I was raised in the ghetto-out the city
(Naaaaah, mmmmmmm)
[Verse 2]
My neighborhood ain't shit like Mister Rogers
cause in the(ghetto)niggaz quick to squabble
everybody unemployed in the(ghetto)-well fair, health care
shit the game ain't fair-a lot of ya'll never come back to the(ghetto)
'cause ya'll greedy ass fuck
niggaz don't take care of they kids they'd rather by a new truck
you want to be a ghetto star and ride in the hood
cause when the D's post up it's goin down in the hood
it's understood that more paper, bring more haters
everybody want to coach but we need more players
in eighth grade I got paid on a regular basis
I'm stepping out with Air Max with the regular laces
[Chorus]
In this world I'm gon' pity
I was raised in the ghetto-out the city
(Naaaaah, mmmmmmm)
Something is holdin me back {*repeat til the end*}
In Lil' Flip's song "The Ghetto," the rapper reflects on his upbringing in the ghetto and how it has shaped his mentality and approach to life. The chorus repeats the phrase, "In this world, I'm gon' pity. I was raised in the ghetto-out the city," emphasizing his roots and how they continue to influence him. In the first verse, Lil' Flip acknowledges the violence and danger that permeates the ghetto, but also celebrates the community and wisdom he gained from spending time with his elders. He contrasts his former position as a store-runner with his current success as a rapper, asserting his dominance in the rap game. In the second verse, he critiques the systemic inequalities that trap people in the ghetto and prevent them from escaping poverty. He also skewers the mentality of those who aspire to be "ghetto stars" but don't take responsibility for their families or contribute positively to their communities. The song ends with an eerie repetition of the line "something is holding me back," suggesting that despite his success, Lil' Flip still feels the weight of his past.
Line by Line Meaning
In this world I'm gon' pity
I have compassion for the world
I was raised in the ghetto-out the city
I grew up in a low-income urban area
Look I was raised in in the(ghetto)
I come from a disadvantaged area
I got payed in the(ghetto)
I earned money in the ghetto
a lot of gangsta's got made in the(ghetto)
Many gangsters were recruited in the ghetto
a lot of wanksta's got, got in the(ghetto)
Many wannabe gangsters got hurt in the ghetto
got shot in the(ghetto)-but not popped in they metal
They were shot in the ghetto but their bulletproof vests saved them
I use to hang out with the ol' G's and peep game
I used to spend time with experienced gangsters and learn from them
they use to send me to the store and tell me keep the change
They trusted me to go to the store for them and keep the extra money
now it's eight years later and I run shit
I am now in charge
kiss the ring 'cause now I'm on some dumb shit
Respect me because I am powerful and reckless
and I ain't with that kissing ass shit dawg
I am not interested in flattery
you owe me stacks, don't hold me back-I'm backin heat with the Heatmakers
You owe me money, do not prevent me from getting it - I am armed with weapons
I can spitt it from the head I don't need a piece of loose sleeve paper
I can rap without written lyrics
you wonder why I never mix and mingle
You may wonder why I don't socialize much
I'd rather roll a dutch and mix my single
I prefer to smoke a cigar and work on my music by myself
and I don't know about ya'll but I'm workin
I'm putting in hard work
and I don't know about you but I ain't hurtin'
I am not struggling financially
My neighborhood ain't shit like Mister Rogers
My community is nothing like the idealized world of Mr. Rogers
cause in the(ghetto)niggaz quick to squabble
There is a lot of fighting and conflict in the ghetto
everybody unemployed in the(ghetto)-well fair, health care
Many people in the ghetto are not employed and do not have access to welfare or healthcare
shit the game ain't fair-a lot of ya'll never come back to the(ghetto)
Life is not fair, and many people do not return to the ghetto once they leave
'cause ya'll greedy ass fuck
You do not care about the ghetto because you are too greedy
niggaz don't take care of they kids they'd rather by a new truck
People in the ghetto do not prioritize taking care of their children, but rather buying material possessions
you want to be a ghetto star and ride in the hood
You desire to be famous in the ghetto and drive around in that area
cause when the D's post up it's goin down in the hood
When the police are present in the ghetto, there will be chaos
it's understood that more paper, bring more haters
The more money you have, the more people will envy and hate you
everybody want to coach but we need more players
Everyone wants to be in charge, but we need more people to participate
in eighth grade I got paid on a regular basis
I started earning money regularly when I was in the eighth grade
I'm stepping out with Air Max with the regular laces
I am wearing Air Max sneakers with regular laces
Something is holdin me back {*repeat til the end*}
Something is preventing me from achieving my goals
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN WATTS, G.C. GREEN, JESSIE DOUGLAS JOHNES, S JOHNSON DUANE, STAYVE THOMAS, WESLEY ERIC WESTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind