His father was a doctor and Lilβ O and his four brothers and one sister had a middle class upbringing. His mother died from ovarian cancer when Lilβ O was 13 and suddenly his fatherβs strict Nigerian upbringing began to chase him to rebellion.
Soon after his motherβs death, Lilβ O began hanging in the streets with friends who were in the drug game, and he became addicted to the fast money that drug dealing brought in. βI got street fame, women, and a lot of money quickly and easily,β he says. Of course, he eventually got collared. After his arrest, his father kicked him out of the house and Lilβ O fell deeper into the lure of the drug game. While out on bond, he continued to sell drugs and was caught again. This time he attempted to swallow the evidence before the police could arrest him. He swallowed an ounce-and-a-half of crack cocaine and his lungs collapsed. He was put on life support and his father was told to prepare for his death. βItβs really a miracle that I woke up at all,β says Lilβ O. βI was breathing through tubes on my deathbed and I looked down and saw that my ankles were cuffed to the bed. I realized, if I recovered I was going to jail, and if I didnβt I was going to die.β
He went to Xavier University in New Orleans, where he studied business. Away from the drugs and the street life of Southwest Houston, Lilβ O also began to dabble in one of his first loves β hip hop. βMan, when I was growing up, LL Cool J came out with βRadioβ and that was it, I was hooked. I never thought about rapping as a career because I was making so much selling drugs, plus the money came faster than it does in the rap game,β says O. While at Xavier, in 1997, he recorded βCanβt Stopβ β featuring vocal contributions from the ladies that would go on to earn renown as Destinyβs Child. The track soon became Lilβ Oβs debut single and went on to score an instant local hit. Regardless, Lilβ O eventually found himself out of school and back in Texas, again exposed to the same lifestyle heβd tried to leave behind. In 1999, he then signed with the Houston-based indie label Game Face Entertainment, but also began selling drugs again. His debut album, Blood Money, sold 20,000 copies but he was unable to promote it due to spending time in jail.
After being released from prison, Lilβ O left the drug game behind for good and focused on his music completely. He also enrolled at the University of HoustonβDowntown ("UHD") and majored in business. βSome days I wouldnβt feel like going to class, and then I would look across the street at the county jail and remember how I felt when I was in there. That would be all the motivation I would need to get myself to class,β says Lilβ O with a hearty laugh.
In 2001, his album "Da Fat Rat With The Cheeze" sold over 75,000. He collaborated with Big Hawk on the hit single "Back Back". "Back Back" led him back to a nationwide deal with Atlantic Records, which he later left in 2003.
Ooh Wee
Lil' O Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, have mercy, mercy
Lord have mercy, mercy
(Chorus: Z-Ro)
Ooh wee, dear lord I don't want that to be me
Another black boy in the penitentiary
So many fall victim to these evil streets
(Lil' O)
Even though life is hard
I walk through the thunderstorm knowing there's a god
And when trouble comes he'll be my shield and my sword strike down my foes
But I feel sorry for the ones that don't have god and don't know
Inhale the weed through my mouth, exhale out my nose
I've seen many niggas fell chasing money and clothes
Look in the game, cause the block feeds us
Chasing blood money, that's why we block bleeders
We grew up hating the police cause the cops beat us
And now we grown full of hate and we got heaters
And what a wicked combination, cause now a nigga out of control
And we ain't trying to hear shit, about we on the wrong road
We always got to catch a case, and the jail cell close
For a nigga just like us, got to fill us with holes
And ain't it cold, cause we suppose to stick to the trend
Even though the trend is dying or ending up in the penn but
(Chorus)
Ooh wee, dear lord I don't want that to be me
Another black boy in the penitentiary
So many fall victim to these evil streets
And it just makes me say
Ooh wee dear lord I don't want that to be me
Another black boy in the ground six feet deep
So many fall victim to these evil streets
And it just makes me say ooh wee
(Lil' O)
You tell me how you take the pain out
When you hear your partner just blew his brians out
You see the pressure of these streets it make you crazy
And everybody say they love you huh, but everybody shady
And all the youngsters got babies with mouths to feed
But all the youngsters dropped out they ain't got no degree
Cause these youngsters chasing cars and material things
But all the youngsters ain't thinking about the pain it could bring
I lost soul on the block, I will walk the streets
Going so hard on my grind, I forgot to eat
I can't forget the day my partner got knocked off his feet
By a dopefiend with a gauge trying to rob him for cheese
I saw the fear in his eyes, he knew he'd been shot and his leg was paralyzed
They had to amputate his legs that's when I realized how raw could be
and living life in these streets cause it wasn't for me, cause
(Chorus)
(Lil' O)
Dear father up in heaven have mercy on us
Protect us from these evil streets that be murdering us
Protect us from these crooked cops that put burden on us
Protect us from these heartless D.A's that put hurting on us
Protect us from ourselves, some of us don't know no better
Thinking that a life of crime the only way to get cheddar
Protet us from our jealousy and our lust for power
Knowing the devil walk the street seeking room to devour
I ain't really got no friends
cause all my real dogs are in the grave or in the pen
They left when they was boys, I won't see them till they men
And then my little partner man he just signed for ten
Where does the drama end
I put money on they books to try to ease they pain
Praying to the lord hoping they find peace again
And I give thanks for my life knowing so meet they end
I'ma survive, stay alive and keep my ass out the penn cause
(Chorus)
(Z-Ro)
I don't want to end up in jail
I don't want to end up in the penn
I don't want to end up in the ground
I don't want to end up like my friends - 2x
I don't want that to be me - 8x
The lyrics of Lil' O's song "Ooh Wee" express the reality of living in the streets and the hardships that come with it. The song's chorus, excellently sung by Z-Ro, pleads to the Lord to show mercy to the young boys on the streets who fall victim to evil elements, ending up either in prison or dead. Lil' O's verse points out that while life may be hard, he believes in God, who he calls his shield and sword, to protect him during difficult times. He feels sorry for those who do not acknowledge God, who inhales weed and becomes victims of chasing money and material things, years later dying or ending up in jail. Lil' O reflects on the harsh realities of life in the streets, where hate-filled grown-ups carry guns, and violence is a common language that everyone speaks in. The lyrics paint a picture of the vicious cycle of crime that never seems to end, with one young boy after another falling victim to the viciousness in search of money and power.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, have mercy, mercy
The singer is asking for divine intervention and mercy
Ooh wee, dear lord I don't want that to be me
The singer is expressing a fear of being another victim of the harsh realities of the streets, ending up in jail or dead
Another black boy in the penitentiary
The singer is referring to the disproportionate number of black men who are incarcerated in the US
So many fall victim to these evil streets
The artist is commenting on the dangers and hardships of life in impoverished, crime-ridden neighborhoods
And it just makes me say ooh wee
The artist is expressing shock and dismay at the circumstances that so many people are faced with
Even though life is hard
The singer acknowledges the difficulties of life
I walk through the thunderstorm knowing there's a god
The singer has faith in a higher power that can help them through tough times
And when trouble comes he'll be my shield and my sword strike down my foes
The artist believes that god will protect them from harm and help them overcome adversity
But I feel sorry for the ones that don't have god and don't know
The artist expresses empathy for those who lack faith or support
Inhale the weed through my mouth, exhale out my nose
The artist is smoking marijuana as a coping mechanism or escape from their problems
I've seen many niggas fell chasing money and clothes
The singer is commenting on the dangers of materialism and how it can lead people astray
Look in the game, cause the block feeds us
The artist is pointing out the economic desperation that drives many people to illegal activities
Chasing blood money, that's why we block bleeders
The singer is commenting on the violence and harm that can arise from these activities
We grew up hating the police cause the cops beat us
The singer is referencing the historical and ongoing mistreatment of black communities by law enforcement
And now we grown full of hate and we got heaters
The singer is acknowledging that this mistreatment has led to anger and distrust of the police, and that many people feel the need to carry guns for protection
And what a wicked combination, cause now a nigga out of control
The artist is pointing out how this cycle of violence and distrust can lead people to become more dangerous and reckless
And we ain't trying to hear shit, about we on the wrong road
The artist is acknowledging that many people in this situation reject criticism or advice from others because they feel like they have no other options
We always got to catch a case, and the jail cell close
The singer is highlighting the role that the criminal justice system plays in perpetuating the cycle of poverty and violence in these communities
For a nigga just like us, got to fill us with holes
The singer is expressing how dangerous and potentially deadly life in these communities can be
And ain't it cold, cause we suppose to stick to the trend
The artist is noting the pressure to conform to certain behaviors or norms in their community
Even though the trend is dying or ending up in the penn but
The artist acknowledges that these trends ultimately lead to negative outcomes and urges listeners to break the cycle
You tell me how you take the pain out
The artist is underscoring the difficulties of life and questioning how one can cope with them
When you hear your partner just blew his brians out
The singer is referencing the trauma and grief that comes with witnessing violence and loss in their community
You see the pressure of these streets it make you crazy
The artist is acknowledging the emotional toll that life in these communities can take on a person
And everybody say they love you huh, but everybody shady
The singer is highlighting the feelings of betrayal and distrust that can come with relationships in these communities
And all the youngsters got babies with mouths to feed
The singer is commenting on the responsibilities and pressures that come with parenthood at a young age
But all the youngsters dropped out they ain't got no degree
The singer is highlighting the barriers to education and upward mobility that exist in these communities
Cause these youngsters chasing cars and material things
The artist is pointing out the materialism and consumerism that can distract or sidetrack people from pursuing meaningful goals
But all the youngsters ain't thinking about the pain it could bring
The artist is commenting on how the pursuit of material gain can come at a great emotional or physical cost
I lost soul on the block, I will walk the streets
The singer is grieving the loss of someone they knew, who was likely a victim of street violence
Going so hard on my grind, I forgot to eat
The singer is acknowledging the extreme focus and dedication that can be required to survive and succeed in tough circumstances
I can't forget the day my partner got knocked off his feet
The artist is referencing another instance of violence or tragedy affecting someone they knew
By a dopefiend with a gauge trying to rob him for cheese
The artist is describing the details of the act of violence that occurred
I saw the fear in his eyes, he knew he'd been shot and his leg was paralyzed
The artist is describing their personal experience witnessing the aftermath of a violent crime
They had to amputate his legs that's when I realized how raw could be
The singer is commenting on the brutality and life-altering consequences of violence
and living life in these streets cause it wasn't for me, cause
The artist is highlighting that these experiences are not desirable and that they seek an escape from them
Dear father up in heaven have mercy on us
The singer is addressing a higher power and asking for protection and guidance
Protect us from these evil streets that be murdering us
The singer is making a plea for safety and an end to the violence that plagues their community
Protect us from these crooked cops that put burden on us
The singer is also highlighting the negative impact that law enforcement can have in these communities
Protect us from these heartless D.A's that put hurting on us
The artist is calling out the criminal justice system for its role in inflicting harm and suffering
Protect us from ourselves, some of us don't know no better
The artist acknowledges that some people may be caught in a harmful cycle of behavior or thought, and asks for help in breaking this cycle
Thinking that a life of crime the only way to get cheddar
The singer is commenting on the desperation and lack of opportunities that can drive people to commit crimes for financial gain
Protet us from our jealousy and our lust for power
The singer is highlighting the toxic attitudes and behaviors that can arise from these circumstances
Knowing the devil walk the street seeking room to devour
The artist references the idea that evil or negative forces are present in their community and can prey upon vulnerable individuals
I ain't really got no friends
The artist is expressing feelings of isolation or distrust
cause all my real dogs are in the grave or in the pen
The artist is referencing the fact that many people they knew or were close with have died or been incarcerated
They left when they was boys, I won't see them till they men
The singer is referring to the fact that many young people in these communities are forced to grow up too fast and face adult problems and consequences
And then my little partner man he just signed for ten
The artist is noting that even young people who have potential and opportunities can still be sucked into the cycle of violence and punishment
Where does the drama end
The singer is questioning whether there is a way out of these tragic circumstances
I put money on they books to try to ease they pain
The singer is trying to support those who are incarcerated or experiencing hardship
Praying to the lord hoping they find peace again
The singer is expressing a hope for redemption or healing for those in difficult circumstances
And I give thanks for my life knowing so meet they end
The artist is acknowledging the fragility and preciousness of life
I'ma survive, stay alive and keep my ass out the penn cause
The artist is expressing a determination to avoid being dragged down by the cycle of violence and imprisonment
I don't want to end up in jail
The singer is stating a goal or desire
I don't want to end up in the penn
The singer is reiterating their desire to avoid incarceration
I don't want to end up in the ground
The artist is expressing a fear of death or violence
I don't want to end up like my friends
The artist is referencing the tragedy and loss experienced by many of their peers
Contributed by Jason A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
rj whitehead
Bring back memories, the first time stepping into Galveston back in day,heard this.Straight Classic
Billy Brown
Real Deal. Reality.π―
Michael Sullivan
Real spit Ive heard!
Broadcast Re
From Texarkana TX, this use to be my shit, I use to roll around Norfolk VA in my lac listening to this. I put my boy 40 from Alabama on this.
ssmfetti
Will listen to this song foreverππ
Alex Deezie
One of the best singers ever. Much love to that 8900 Braeswood and that Mo. City from lil Al outta BMT, Tx
GreenBoy026
After all these years I never knew that was Ro
R.A.M. G.O.E.
Mercy is devine!
Juanita Mason
Rip all my top boys ππΉ
The Indigenous One
2018 baby!! Free!!