When Lil B titled his last digital label released mixtape I'm Gay, he received several death threats. Although he is heterosexual, he says the title is a message of support to the LGBT community. Referring to the alternative definition of gay, he says he is gay because he is happy. Following the death threats, he added "I'm Happy" in parenthesis to the album's title. I'm Gay received positive reviews with many fans commenting on the album's wide variety of positive messages and noting the unique beats and lyrical styles not common to mainstream hip hop. He raps about many controversial issues including race relations, poverty, humanity, and the justice system. The album also, according to many fans, shows the "true" side of Lil B. It entered the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart at #56 and the Heatseekers Albums chart at #20 for the week of July 16, 2011. It is for sale on iTunes but Lil B also uploaded it to the Internet for free, posting a link to it on Twitter and Facebook saying, "for all my fans who don't have $10 to buy my album, here it is for free."
Lil B typically releases at least one mixtape every month; so far in 2012 he has released 13 mixtapes - 4 in July alone. One of those released in July was the massive 848-song, nearly 5GB collection of Based Freestyles, which is his largest release to date. In 2013, hip-hop listeners voted Lil B as the greatest rapper of all time.
Rags to Riches
Lil B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Houston Txas, Screwed Up Click
Bar None Click what's up Lil' O, Fat Pat
(Yungstar), know I'm saying we deep down here in the South
Putting it down know I'm saying, let y'all boys know the real
It's like rags to riches, Cadillacs and bitches
Champagne in the club, acting bad taking pictures
Hundred dollar billers, trying to stack seven figgas
I'm Gucci shaded up, big Benz plated up
Boppers looking like what, man this boy done came up
But my life still strenuous, the average hustler would faint
But even in my darkest hour, I shine like candy paint
I hit the freeway, sipping coedine
I'm out of drank, got's to go get some mo' lean
I'm starched and ironed, bald fade bitch I'm so clean
Deuce out the roof, Southside pocket full of green
Know what I'm saying, hit a lick bought a brick so I could make mo' scrilla
This for my certified thugs, in Hiram-Clarke to the Village
For my hustlers in Southwest, Woolfair and Clubkrey
To all my 8900, Braeswood block G's
For my niggaz in the 3rd, Sunnyside and the 4
For my niggaz in Mo City, Sugarland and South Park
It's Lil' O, bar none boys from the South to the North
I represent hustle city, had to break these boys off
I'm talking rags to riches, mobbing for bitches
Sliding on my switches, Southside got riches
How'd you figga, we wouldn't make that cash
Mash up on the gas, now we passed up your ass
Climbing the ladder, squash the chatter watch the plexers
It's Houston Texas, nationwide watch me wreck it
Long and strong, riding with that playa Lil' O
So watch your girl, 'fore I take that motherfucking hoe
Know I'm saying, this how it's going down
Riding on you punk bitches and snitches
Out for our riches, know I'm saying
H-Town Texas, feel us, Screwed Up baby fo' life
Everyday and all day, Southsi' for li'
The lyrics to Lil B's song Rags to Riches are about his journey from poverty to wealth and fame. He boasts about his success and newfound riches, riding in Cadillacs, drinking champagne, and attracting beautiful women. Despite his wealth, he remains vigilant and prepared for any threat, carrying a gun in case someone tries to harm him. He acknowledges that his success has come through hard work and hustling, and he represents those who have also come from humble beginnings and are on the same path to success.
Throughout the song, Lil B gives shoutouts to various neighborhoods and groups in Houston, Texas, where he hails from. He asserts his pride in being from the South and representing Houston, a city that he refers to as "hustle city." Lil B's lyrics, while braggadocious, also offer an insider's perspective on the rap world, including the importance of image and persona, as well as the dangers that come with success.
Line by Line Meaning
Ha-ha, boys ain't gon like this know I'm saying
I know some people aren't going to like what I have to say
It's like rags to riches, Cadillacs and bitches
I used to be poor, but now I have money and we are surrounded by beautiful women and luxury cars
Champagne in the club, acting bad taking pictures
We are partying and having a good time, showing off our success
Strapped at all times, cause these haters wanna kill us
We carry weapons with us because we have enemies who want to harm us
Hundred dollar billers, trying to stack seven figgas
We are focused on making a lot of money and becoming very wealthy
I'm Gucci shaded up, big Benz plated up
I'm wearing expensive designer clothes and driving a nice car
Boppers looking like what, man this boy done came up
Women are checking me out and impressed with my newfound success
But my life still strenuous, the average hustler would faint
Despite my success, my life is still difficult and not easy for most people
But even in my darkest hour, I shine like candy paint
Even when things are tough, I remain positive and confident
I hit the freeway, sipping coedine
I'm driving on the highway while drinking cough syrup with codeine
I'm out of drank, got's to go get some mo' lean
I'm running out of the cough syrup and need to get more
Deuce out the roof, Southside pocket full of green
I'm driving with the convertible top down and have a lot of money on me
Know what I'm saying, hit a lick bought a brick so I could make mo' scrilla
I robbed someone and used the cash to buy drugs so I can make more money
This for my certified thugs, in Hiram-Clarke to the Village
This is for the gangsters in different neighborhoods of Houston
It's Lil' O, bar none boys from the South to the North
I'm Lil' O and my crew is the best from all over Houston
I'm talking rags to riches, mobbing for bitches
I'm talking about how I went from poverty to wealth and how women are attracted to successful men
Sliding on my switches, Southside got riches
We are driving in cars with hydraulic suspensions and the South side has a lot of wealthy people
How'd you figga, we wouldn't make that cash
People underestimated our ability to make money, but we proved them wrong
Mash up on the gas, now we passed up your ass
We accelerated and drove past our competitors
Climbing the ladder, squash the chatter watch the plexers
We are working hard to climb the ladder of success and ignoring any negative talk and gossip
It's Houston Texas, nationwide watch me wreck it
I'm representing Houston all across the country and showing what we are capable of
Long and strong, riding with that playa Lil' O
We are unstoppable and riding with me, Lil' O
So watch your girl, 'fore I take that motherfucking hoe
Be careful of your girlfriend because I might steal her
Know I'm saying, this how it's going down
This is how we are living
Riding on you punk bitches and snitches
We are retaliating against our enemies and those who betrayed us
Out for our riches, know I'm saying
We are focused on making money and becoming successful
H-Town Texas, feel us, Screwed Up baby fo' life
We are from Houston and proud of it, representing the Screwed Up Click crew
Everyday and all day, Southsi' for li'
We are living this lifestyle every day, all day, and representing the Southside of Houston
Contributed by Leah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.