Growing up, Boosie was hardened by the many difficult experiences he was put through. His neighborhood, notorious for drugs and violence, was a place feared by the general population. To outsiders, it was a jungle, to residents, it was life. Boosie got very involved in basketball to stay off the streets, and was actually expected to move on to college level basketball.
At 14 years old, Boosie moved in to live with his grandmother after his father was murdered over drugs. Growing up with no father figure and without a strong guiding hand, Boosie turned to drugs and crime. After being expelled from school, Boosie picked up freestyling and began to get serious about his music. Living in the 225, Boosie had no contacts, no real means of exposure. Lil Boosie teamed up with Baton Rouge rapper C-Loc in the late 1990s and made his debut on C-Loc's 5th album, "It's a Gamble", which also featured Three Six Mafia, South Park Mexican, and the rest of the Concentration Camp. This album was a saving grace for C-Loc, as he was slowly losing popularity. Releasing this album put him back in the spotlight, as he had a new young tallented rapper at his side. Baton Rouge couldn't get enough. Shortly afterwards, Boosie released his debut CD, "Youngest of the Camp", which sold over 10,000 units and featured fellow up and coming Baton Rouge rapper Max Minelli, which was exactly what boosie needed to jump start his career. The album spread like wildfire, every hood in Baton Rouge had flyers up for it, everybody was playing it.
After the incarceration, Boosie once again turned back to the streets. Ultimately, his behavior led to him also being incarcerated. At this point, Boosie felt as though he was a failure. However, fate lent Boosie a hand, and Boosie had an opportunity to join an up and coming record label called Trill Entertainment aka Trill Ent which was backed by Pimp-C of UGK. Trill signed Boosie and assisted him in bring his legal issues to an end. Soon after, Boosie and Trill independently released the CD "For my Thugs" under TrillEnt. This release went on to sell over 15,000 copies. Later in the summer of 2003, Boosie co-starred with one of his label-mates, Webbie, on the album "Ghetto Stories" which also went on to sell well over 15,000 copies.
Again paired up with Webbie, Lil Boosie's 2004 release, "Gangsta Musik" is what really gained him popularity. This CD featured the ever popular songs "Swerve" (which later made an appearance in the movie "Hustle and Flow"), "Give Me That", and "Bad Bitch". This was Boosie's first really popular album, actually penetrating the borders of Louisiana and reaching far beyond.
Boosie's talent was now undeniable, and he caught the eye of some Universal Records representatives. In late January of 2005, Boosie signed a deal with Universal, and released the CD "Boosie Bad Azz". This album, backed and promoted by Universal Records, was his strongest yet. Boosie continues to gain popularity at an astonishing rate, and is no stranger to trouble with the law. Already incarcerated for probation violation on drug and gun charges, the Trill Entertainment rapper and two associates (one of them only 17 years old) were indicted on first-degree murder charges by a grand jury on Thursday, June 17, 2010. The men are accused of being involved in the shooting of 35-year-old Terry Boyd in his own house in October. District attorney Hiler Moore stated that the killing seemed to be "over turf" and that if Lil Boosie is convicted the death penalty is not out of the question. The same day, Hatch was also indicted on multiple drug and conspiracy charges for smuggling large amounts of codeine, ecstasy and marijuana into prison with intent to distribute. His girlfriend, a prison guard and a fellow inmate were also charged as co-conspirators. In addition to these charges, prosecutors believe the 27-year-old rapper may have been involved in at least five other slayings.
I NEED U
Lil Boosie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a dope fiend need his dope I need my money in stacks
if it don't work out with these rhymes I'm gone turn to my gats
I need cash and plus I need it fast
that's why I got a skimask if I ever need to blast
since I found out about you we been hangin like the fellas
you the reason why I'm beefin wit them niggaz who be jealous
we gone thug to the end that's cause you my fuckin friend
its just like with ken so together we actin fools
you the one that got Lil' Boosie poppin off to Baton Rouge
as long we pay our do's we gone sit back and just laugh
whether checks, credit cards or cash look I need you bad
I need ya
[Chorus]
like a weed head needs to smoke
like a dope fiend needs his dope
I need you
like a baby needs to cry
if you go I swear I'll die I need you
I need you
like a player needs to play
we laugh and go from day to day
I need you
I found out all about you
now I can't live without you
ohh no ohh nooooo
[Verse Two]
since I was small I been tryin to make some cheese
till I snatched a purse for 12 and went scored a couple p's
and now I keep my sacks in a dorito bag my rocks in my mouth
plus I'm on g-street the hardest rollin block in the south
and now I'm poppin it off and stackin green
got my first thousand dollars and I ain't even 17
and plus I keep that thang in my hand cause I don't care
go to school with a grand and pull it out them hoes stare
but tho without you I ain't shit
I hate to say it but it's the truth
on the slip these hoes fuckin me just to get to you
we'll never have no problems shit as long you keep in touch
and I love livin this life that's why I need so much
that's why I need you so much
[Chorus]
[Verse Three]
you the reason why I went at home kickin doors off
you the one who bought my clothes and put my golds in my mouth
but at times I gotta sit back and wonder why you sin
you the one that got my nigga in the feds doin 10
we don't look at the bad calls we look at all the fun shit
hoes and fast cars and power to make you run shit
as long as you comin I can't complain that's the game
like a weed head need his weed man I need my fuckin change
if I didn't I'll be lame probably still on the cornor
tryin to make two hundreds dollars off a ounce of marijuana
but its times like this like when my problems getting deeper
you got to understand niggaz robbing cause they need ya
they need ya
[Chorus]
In the song "I Need U" by Lil Boosie and Webbie, the artists express their dependence on money, but also on their friend who they refer to as "U". The first verse starts with the comparison of the rapper's need for money to a drug addict's need for their fix. The lyrics go on to explain that if the money from their music doesn't work out, then they'll turn to violence, which is why they keep a ski mask handy. The artists then explain that "U" is the reason why they're beefing with other jealous artists and that they'll stick together to the end. Lil Boosie even mentions that "U" was the reason why he became popular in Baton Rouge.
In the chorus, the artists explain their need for "U" by comparing it to a weed head needing to smoke or a baby needing to cry. They state that they can't live without "U" and that they need "U" like a player needs to play - in other words, it's an integral part of their lives. In the second verse, Lil Boosie speaks about his struggles with making money when he was young and how he started selling drugs to support himself. He also mentions that he keeps a gun with him at all times because his success and lifestyle have made him a target. He then goes on to explain that without "U", he wouldn't be anything and that women only sleep with him because they want to get close to "U".
Overall, the lyrics of the song express the artists' dependence on their friend, but also on the money that they generate. They explain that without both of those things, they wouldn't be successful or happy. The song is a testament to the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people and having the financial means to support a desirable lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a dope fiend need his dope I need my money in stacks
I need money just as much as a drug addict needs their drugs
if it don't work out with these rhymes I'm gone turn to my gats
If I can't make money from music, I'll resort to using guns to get it
I need cash and plus I need it fast
I need money quickly
that's why I got a skimask if I ever need to blast
I have a ski mask in case I need to commit a violent crime
since I found out about you we been hangin like the fellas
Since I met you, we've been hanging out like close friends
you the reason why I'm beefin wit them niggaz who be jealous
You're the reason I have problems with people who are jealous
we gone thug to the end that's cause you my fuckin friend
We'll stick together through everything because we're close friends
jump me straight out the pen when they had me facin ten
You bailed me out of jail when I was facing ten years in prison
as long we pay our do's we gone sit back and just laugh
As long as we pay our dues, we'll relax and enjoy ourselves
whether checks, credit cards or cash look I need you bad
Whether it's through checks, credit cards, or cash, I need you a lot
like a weed head needs to smoke
I need you just as much as a marijuana addict needs their weed
like a dope fiend needs his dope
I need you as much as a drug addict needs their drugs
I need you
I need you a lot
like a baby needs to cry
I need you as much as a baby needs to cry
if you go I swear I'll die I need you
If you leave, I won't be able to function and it will feel like I'm dying
like a player needs to play
I need you as much as a player needs to play their game
we laugh and go from day to day
We have fun and take life one day at a time
I found out all about you
I learned everything about you
now I can't live without you
Now I can't survive without you
since I was small I been tryin to make some cheese
Since I was young, I've been trying to make money
till I snatched a purse for 12 and went scored a couple p's
Until I stole a purse at age 12 and sold drugs for profit
and now I keep my sacks in a dorito bag my rocks in my mouth
Now I keep my drugs in a Dorito bag and hold some in my mouth
plus I'm on g-street the hardest rollin block in the south
I live on G-Street, one of the toughest blocks in the southern region
and now I'm poppin it off and stackin green
Now I'm making a lot of money and saving it
got my first thousand dollars and I ain't even 17
I earned my first thousand dollars before I even turned 17
and plus I keep that thang in my hand cause I don't care
I carry a gun because I don't care about the consequences
go to school with a grand and pull it out them hoes stare
I go to school with a thousand dollars in cash and girls are amazed
but tho without you I ain't shit
I'm nothing without you
I hate to say it but it's the truth
I don't like admitting it, but it's true
on the slip these hoes fuckin me just to get to you
Girls are having sex with me just to try and get closer to you
we'll never have no problems shit as long you keep in touch
We won't have any problems as long as you stay in contact with me
and I love livin this life that's why I need so much
I love my lifestyle, which is why I need a lot of money
you the reason why I went at home kickin doors off
You're the reason I started committing burglaries
you the one who bought my clothes and put my golds in my mouth
You're the one who bought me clothes and helped me get my gold teeth
but at times I gotta sit back and wonder why you sin
Sometimes I wonder why you do bad things
you the one that got my nigga in the feds doin 10
You're the reason my friend is in prison for 10 years
we don't look at the bad calls we look at all the fun shit
We focus on the fun parts of our life and ignore the negative aspects
hoes and fast cars and power to make you run shit
Having girls, fancy cars, and power to control things is what we want
like a weed head need his weed man I need my fuckin change
I need money just as much as a marijuana addict needs their dealer
if I didn't I'll be lame probably still on the cornor
If I didn't have money, I'd still be on the corner selling drugs
tryin to make two hundreds dollars off a ounce of marijuana
Trying to make $200 by selling an ounce of marijuana
but its times like this like when my problems getting deeper
But when I have more problems, I need you even more
you got to understand niggaz robbing cause they need ya
You have to understand that people are committing crimes because they need money
they need ya
They need money
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREA MONICA MARTIN, GREGORY DARRYL SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind