His father was a doctor and Lil’ O and his four brothers and one sister had a middle class upbringing. His mother died from ovarian cancer when Lil’ O was 13 and suddenly his father’s strict Nigerian upbringing began to chase him to rebellion.
Soon after his mother’s death, Lil’ 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. “I got street fame, women, and a lot of money quickly and easily,” he says. Of course, he eventually got collared. After his arrest, his father kicked him out of the house and Lil’ 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. “It’s really a miracle that I woke up at all,” says Lil’ O. “I 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 didn’t I was going to die.”
He went to Xavier University in New Orleans, where he studied business. Away from the drugs and the street life of Southwest Houston, Lil’ O also began to dabble in one of his first loves – hip hop. “Man, when I was growing up, LL Cool J came out with ‘Radio’ 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,” says O. While at Xavier, in 1997, he recorded “Can’t Stop” – featuring vocal contributions from the ladies that would go on to earn renown as Destiny’s Child. The track soon became Lil’ O’s debut single and went on to score an instant local hit. Regardless, Lil’ O eventually found himself out of school and back in Texas, again exposed to the same lifestyle he’d 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, Lil’ O left the drug game behind for good and focused on his music completely. He also enrolled at the University of Houston–Downtown ("UHD") and majored in business. “Some days I wouldn’t 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,” says Lil’ 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.
Revenge
Lil' O Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ha-ha, money's good, ha-ha
Bitches is crazy, but you know what
Ain't nothing sweeter than revenge
Feel me (feel me)
(Hook)
I've been waiting for the day, I can get my revenge
To let shit ride, wasn't never in the plan
Whoever did me wrong, I'll pay em back times ten
(Poppy)
I was treated like rubbers, I was used and threw away
It's hard knowing my dogs, wanna do me away
See we was close, and man that's what really hurts the most
See I was short of roast, if I wasn't filled with the Holy Ghost
See we was kin folk, now what was between us is jeopardized
You crossed Poppy, now I'm peeping your weakness like leopard eye
Should I let him slide, forgive him let God step inside
But we better collide, severe our ties and let him fry
And show him it's real, we heathen up a slow in his grill
Or let him make it, even though I know I owe him the steel
The Devil's tempting me, to let these niggaz know how I feel
But I won't never have peace, within my soul if I kill
You know the deal, my mind keeps painting dramatic scenes
Cause my friends basically did me, with no Vaseline
But I'm the raw cat, niggaz who want static bewteen
Cause testing me, is like smoking while bathing in gasoline
(Hook)
(Godfather)
It wasn't really nice, I got a car on my motor
My nigga screaming through the phone, said he sold a soda
Said the product wouldn't sell, like there's no promoters
Every graham straight vanished, like hocus pocus
These are dope back, besides Hector know that
Bout my money, have his family kissing Kodak's
With ten bricks in the Benz 6, I'm well connected
Motorized stash spot, no smell detected
It's getting hectic, I got the power like snap
I was a ghetto chemist, who turned powder to crack
I need revenge, cause this was passed over due
Revenge, if it's the last thing I do
Revenge, silencers no sound
Revenge, what goes around comes around
Revenge is sweet, revenge is just a part of the streets
He made it harder, for my daughter to eat
(Hook - 2x)
(Lil' O)
When they said you was a snitch, I should of cracked your jaw
Put a bat to your cranium, and cracked your skull
But I trusted you, I was like that's my brah
We grew up together, he would never rat to laws
You called and asked for raw, said you need it non-soft
I dropped it off and left, but before I got far
Laws hopped out, yelling stop the car
And if you try something fly, we gon stop your heart
You set the trap, nigga I'ma get you back
You like a soldier with no gun, you need protection black
Right when you think it's all good, and ain't expecting that
I'ma pop up in your rear, and go and split your hat
Mafia style, kill you in front your wife and your child
Ask em how they want you done, cooked spicy or mild
Laugh loud while I watch the slugs, slicing you down
And I'ma celebrate go wild, and have a night on the town bitch
(Hook - 2x)
The song "Revenge" by Lil' O talks about the concept of revenge in the world of the streets. The lyrics portray the feeling of being betrayed by someone close to you and the desire to repay them for their actions. The song consists of four verses, each delivered by a different rapper, all sharing their personal experiences and feelings of betrayal that lead them to seek revenge.
The first verse, delivered by Poppy, talks about how he was used and thrown away by someone close to him, making him contemplate whether to forgive and forget or seek revenge. The second verse, delivered by Godfather, talks about his efforts to make money and how someone betrayed him, costing him ten bricks. He also talks about the power he has and the revenge he will take if necessary. The final verse, delivered by Lil' O, talks about his personal experience of being betrayed by someone who he thought was his friend and the revenge he plans to take. He talks about how he trusted this person and how they set him up to be arrested.
The song highlights the negative consequences of betrayal and how it can lead to violence and revenge. It also portrays the harsh reality of the streets and the moral code that is followed in these environments. The concept of revenge is presented as a necessary and justified action to protect oneself from future harm.
Line by Line Meaning
ha-ha, money's good, ha-ha
Laughing at the irony that despite the betrayal, the singer has come out on top and has money now.
Bitches is crazy, but you know what
Acknowledging the unpredictable nature of people, but reaffirming the desire for revenge.
Ain't nothing sweeter than revenge
Believing that there is no greater satisfaction than seeking revenge.
I've been waiting for the day, I can get my revenge
Expressing a long-standing desire for revenge.
Now my money right, nigga I'm a made man
Feeling empowered, successful, and untouchable because of newfound wealth.
To let shit ride, wasn't never in the plan
Never considering letting go of the wrong that was done.
Whoever did me wrong, I'll pay em back times ten
Promising to seek revenge that is proportional to the perceived wrong.
I was treated like rubbers, I was used and threw away
Feeling disposable and undervalued by those who betrayed the artist.
It's hard knowing my dogs, wanna do me away
Struggling with the fact that even close friends seem to want the artist dead.
See we was close, and man that's what really hurts the most
Expressing pain and disappointment that the betrayal came from someone the artist considered close.
See I was short of roast, if I wasn't filled with the Holy Ghost
Admitting that without faith, the desire for revenge might have been violent.
See we was kin folk, now what was between us is jeopardized
Reflecting on how the relationship between the artist and the betrayer was family-like and how that trust was lost.
You crossed Poppy, now I'm peeping your weakness like leopard eye
Viewing the betrayer as vulnerable and weak due to their betrayal and using that to plan for revenge.
Should I let him slide, forgive him let God step inside
Reflecting on the idea of forgiveness, but ultimately deciding that revenge is necessary.
But we better collide, severe our ties and let him fry
Acknowledging that the relationship between the singer and the betrayer is over and that the betrayer deserves punishment.
And show him it's real, we heathen up a slow in his grill
Planning to show the betrayer the reality and seriousness of their wrong by using violent means.
Or let him make it, even though I know I owe him the steel
Reflecting on the idea of letting the betrayer live, but still feeling compelled to seek revenge.
The Devil's tempting me, to let these niggaz know how I feel
Feeling the strong pull of the desire for revenge and acknowledging it as a potentially negative influence.
But I won't never have peace, within my soul if I kill
Expressing the internal struggle between the desire for revenge and the desire for inner peace.
You know the deal, my mind keeps painting dramatic scenes
Feeling consumed by thoughts of revenge and imagining different scenarios.
Cause my friends basically did me, with no Vaseline
Feeling that the betrayal was done in a shameful and dishonorable way.
But I'm the raw cat, niggaz who want static bewteen
Asserting that the artist will not back down and will confront anyone who poses a threat.
Cause testing me, is like smoking while bathing in gasoline
Comparing testing the singer to a dangerous situation.
It wasn't really nice, I got a car on my motor
Feeling wronged because of a failed business deal gone wrong.
My nigga screaming through the phone, said he sold a soda
Receiving news of lost profits due to the betrayer's actions.
Said the product wouldn't sell, like there's no promoters
Hearing excuses for the failure of the business
Every graham straight vanished, like hocus pocus
Feeling that the money disappeared without explanation or cause.
These are dope back, besides Hector know that
Acknowledging the illicit nature of the business and how it can attract dangerous people.
Bout my money, have his family kissing Kodak's
Promising that the betrayer will face consequences and that their family will be left grieving.
With ten bricks in the Benz 6, I'm well connected
Feeling powerful and in control because of successful criminal connections.
Motorized stash spot, no smell detected
Describing a method of storing drugs that is undetectable by the police.
It's getting hectic, I got the power like snap
Feeling that the situation is getting out of control but still feeling in control due to powerful connections.
I was a ghetto chemist, who turned powder to crack
Describing his past successful drug dealing operation.
I need revenge, cause this was passed over due
Believing that the time for revenge is long overdue.
Revenge, if it's the last thing I do
Feeling the intense desire to seek revenge.
Revenge, silencers no sound
Planning to seek revenge in a way that is quiet and undetectable by authorities.
Revenge, what goes around comes around
Believing in the concept of karma and hoping that the betrayer will suffer consequences.
Revenge is sweet, revenge is just a part of the streets
Believing that revenge is a common occurrence in criminal and gang cultures.
He made it harder, for my daughter to eat
Feeling the personal impact of the betrayal on his family and livelihood.
When they said you was a snitch, I should of cracked your jaw
Feeling angry and regretful for not reacting to initial warnings about the betrayer.
Put a bat to your cranium, and cracked your skull
Imagining a violent act of revenge.
But I trusted you, I was like that's my brah
Expressing disappointment and disbelief that the betrayer was someone the singer trusted.
We grew up together, he would never rat to laws
Reflecting on the initial trust he had for the betrayer.
You called and asked for raw, said you need it non-soft
Recalling the moment when the betrayer placed an order for drugs.
I dropped it off and left, but before I got far
Describing the delivery of the drugs to the betrayer.
Laws hopped out, yelling stop the car
Recalling the moment when the police confronted him.
And if you try something fly, we gon stop your heart
Remembering the threat made by the police.
You set the trap, nigga I'ma get you back
Feeling justified and determined to seek revenge against the betrayer.
You like a soldier with no gun, you need protection black
Viewing the betrayer as helpless and in need of protection.
Right when you think it's all good, and ain't expecting that
Planning to surprise the betrayer by seeking revenge when they least expect it.
I'ma pop up in your rear, and go and split your hat
Showing the violent means the singer plans to use for revenge.
Mafia style, kill you in front your wife and your child
Invoking the image of organized crime to describe how ruthless the act of revenge will be.
Ask em how they want you done, cooked spicy or mild
Feeling the need for the victim's family to witness the act of revenge.
Laugh loud while I watch the slugs, slicing you down
Describing the singer's reaction to inflicting harm on the betrayer.
And I'ma celebrate go wild, and have a night on the town bitch
Feeling triumphant and reveling in the victory of successfully seeking revenge.
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
thaistomp
Still dope asf
Gene Hill
o r u still alive you are still a king
candr61
Who's Poppy, he's a featured artist in this song, but I never heard him before???
McMore Lane
He was also on Lil O "Food on The Table", and Hawk self entitled album. Paul Wall albums "Peoples Champ" and "Chick Magnet"
McMore Lane
Poppy of the Grit Boys