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".
Where I'm From
Lil' Flip Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O-kay black kingdom stand up
My name Grafh ya'll-my nigga Lil' Flip
My nigga Gravy it's all gravy nigga
Watch this, uh uh let me show you what it's where I'm from
Ya hear me....it's like this
Listen up brick uh, yeah I said, I said
They keep it under they skin until it snap they nerves
They clap them burners that go(raaaattt)ya heard
Now every bullet gotta name-and every cap is deserved
The odyssey ain't gotta be my team
We tryna be the last of a dyin grave, we blast if you tryna play
Then spell it out for ya ass if you tryna read
You fall like the spot behind ya knees
You get sufforcated when you tryin to breathe
I dare you to try to sneeze lil'nigga-please lil'nigga
My snipers squeeze I gotta connect this dianese
Tryna keep dope and his rice and beans
I'm tryna show you what it's like in Queens ya heard me
I've sold dimes of green and if I ran out of sticky-icky
I'd sell a nigga dimes of seeds motherfucker I'm a hustler
(go get a dutch bruh)
[Chorus]
Where I'm from niggaz down to ride or die
Niggaz don't get high off ya own supply
Where I'm from niggaz pack glocks and guns
We invest in bricks-fuck stocks and bonds
Now where I'm from niggaz sell crack all day
And where I'm from niggaz be buckin they mac all day
And where I'm from niggaz'll hustle and pack all day
And where I'm from they'll clap off strays better run nigga!
I'll pistol whip a nigga in front of his click
Don't play with my money-you son of a bitch!
I'm a greedy motherfucker when it comes to mine
So I put in extra work in the summertime
'Cause ain't nobody in the world gon' give you shit
And don't nobody in yo' hood want to see you rich
So fuck that I'm all about goin and get it
And if anybody in the way they gonna get it
I'm a G I was raised by killers and thug niggaz
That'll sufforcate you(hard breathing)and leave you in a tub nigga
Hub niggaz for kilo's-and take they work
Play with me and they gon' have yo face on a shirt
I don't play, won't play, I never did
I fucked up I could've been a better kid
But now it's too late to turn back-stripes on my shirt I earned that
[Chorus: x 2]
Now where I'm from niggaz sell crack all day
And where I'm from niggaz be buckin they mac all day
And where I'm from niggaz'll hustle and pack all day
And where I'm from they'll clap off strays better run nigga!
Where I'm from niggaz down to ride or die
Niggaz don't get high off ya own supply
Where I'm from niggaz pack glocks and guns
We invest in bricks-fuck stocks and bonds
Yo where I'm from we do or die for that money
Ain't nothing funny, niggaz is bummy, and hungry
Strugglin, hustlin don't mean shit where they sleep at
Tryna get off they G-pack, I'm from the ??
Haters ain't never stop me yet
I made a couple of mistakes but ain't nothing I don't regret
It's $5.00 a pop in the hood for some cigarettes
Where I'm from niggaz'll pop up where you rest
Where I'm from it's too much for a man to digest
Where I'm from niggaz lose sleep and get no rest
Where I'm from it's too much for a man to digest
Where I'm from niggaz lose sleep and get no rest
Where I'm from we aim shoot at ya neck (where I'm from)
Where I'm from I run with a pack
Of killers and ex con's that'll run in ya drought
Them three bricks right there they come with them rats
And if the cops hit the spot, I'll have 'em runnin in laps
I'm the same young nigga pumpin that crack
I'm the same young nigga dumpin the gat
I'm the same young nigga that'll jump out the 'Lac
Hit you with the mac and watch that shit jump out ya back
Throw the gun in the back, plus the bump, and the mac
Motorize stash box for that
So know you know we don't keep 'em under the mat
Fuckin with the Clover nigga have you under attack
[Chorus: x2]
Where I'm from niggaz down to ride or die
Niggaz don't get high off ya own supply
Where I'm from niggaz pack glocks and guns
We invest in bricks-fuck stocks and bonds
Now where I'm from niggaz sell crack all day
And where I'm from niggaz be buckin they mac all day
And where I'm from niggaz'll hustle and pack all day
And where I'm from they'll clap off strays better run nigga!
The song "Where I'm From" by Lil' Flip depicts the harsh realities of street life in Queens, New York. The lyrics paint a picture of a dangerous world where drug dealers and addicts coexist, violence is a common occurrence, and loyalty is everything. Lil' Flip, Grafh, and Gravy vividly describe the grim circumstances that they experienced in their respective neighborhoods, where selling drugs and carrying firearms was a way of survival.
The verse "Now where I'm from we got fiends that'll kill ya-4 that crack to serve," highlights the extreme violence that exists in their community. The lyrics illustrate that crack cocaine is a powerful influence that drives addicts to commit heinous acts of violence. Additionally, the line "We invest in bricks-fuck stocks and bonds," exposes the reality that the only investment in their communities is drugs. Consequently, drug dealers risk their lives to protect their "inventory" while creating a network of enforcers, making it clear that the drug game is serious business.
Furthermore, Lil' Flip declares his loyalty to his hood by stating that he was raised by killers and thugs who taught him the important lesson of living and dying for money. His music is a reflection of the life he experienced first-hand, where every day is a battle to survive. The song speaks volumes about the reality of poverty, police brutality, and government neglect.
Line by Line Meaning
Now where I'm from we got fiends that'll kill ya-4 that crack to serve
In my neighborhood, there are drug addicts who would murder you for a hit of crack cocaine.
They keep it under they skin until it snap they nerves
These addicts will go to great lengths to hide their addiction until it ultimately leads to mental breakdowns.
They clap them burners that go(raaaattt)ya heard
These addicts will resort to violence and use guns to protect their drug supply.
Now every bullet gotta name-and every cap is deserved
In my neighborhood, gun violence is common and everyone who gets shot has typically done something to deserve it.
We tryna be the last of a dyin grave, we blast if you tryna play
The people in my community are fighting to survive and will use violence if necessary to protect themselves.
Then spell it out for ya ass if you tryna read
If someone doesn't understand the seriousness of the situation, they will be verbally warned or threatened.
You fall like the spot behind ya knees
If someone tries to fight back, they will be taken down easily and won't be able to run away.
I've sold dimes of green and if I ran out of sticky-icky, I'd sell a nigga dimes of seeds motherfucker I'm a hustler
I'm a drug dealer and I'll do whatever it takes to make a profit, even if it means selling less potent drugs.
Where I'm from niggaz down to ride or die
The people in my community are loyal and would do anything for each other, even if it means risking their lives.
Where I'm from niggaz sell crack all day
Drug dealing is a common profession in my neighborhood.
And where I'm from they'll clap off strays better run nigga!
People in my neighborhood will shoot indiscriminately, and if you're in the way, you better run for your life.
I'll pistol whip a nigga in front of his click
I'm not afraid to use violence to get what I want, even if it means attacking someone in front of their friends.
And if anybody in the way they gonna get it
If someone gets in my way, they will be met with force and violence.
I'm a G I was raised by killers and thug niggaz
I come from a background of violence and have been raised by people who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive.
Them three bricks right there they come with them rats
These three blocks of drugs will be mixed with other, less expensive fillers to increase profits and make it harder to detect.
And if the cops hit the spot, I'll have 'em runnin in laps
If the police come, I'll have my associates run in circles to distract them and buy time to hide the drugs.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAEL WILLIAMS, TAJH MCGHEE, MAC ROBINSON, BRIAN KEITH WARFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind