In 2006 she signed a recording contract with Jive Records. Lil Mama worked with producers such as Cool & Dre, Scott Storch, The Runners, Groove Chambersand Dr. Luke. In June 2007 she released her first single Lip Gloss. The single, which was produced by Groove Chambers, was her breakout hit. It peaked at 10 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated Monster Single of the Year at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. This song was #56 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.
Her second single G-Slide (Tour Bus) was released in September that same year but failed to match Lip Gloss's success failing to chart in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Though the single was a Top Ten hit peaking at #8 on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart making it her first single to chart worldwide. The single was featured in the film How She Move.
In February 2008, she released her third single Shawty Get Loose with T-Pain and Chris Brown. The single saw her return to the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in the top 10. The song was also used during promotion commercials for the sixth season of Dancing with the Stars.
Her debut album VYP (Voice of the Young People) was released via Jive Records April 29, 2008. A fourth official single What It Is (Strike a Pose) with T-Pain failed to chart. A Promo Single Truly In Love Featuring Peter Toh was released in 2009 coincided with a music video.
Lil Mama is currently a judge on America's Best Dance Crew on MTV. The series premiered on February 7, 2008 and has run for five seasons. She also participated in a group performance with the final four crews of Season 5 during the Illusion Challenge.
She came under fire in September 2009 when during the MTV Video Music Awards she jumped onstage and proceeded to interfere with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' performance of Empire State of Mind to close the show, posing with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys at the end of the performance. Many in the industry and fans alike criticized her for her actions in the coming weeks after the shows fallout. She defended herself as being caught up in the emotion of the performance as she also is a New York native. Her career has spiraled downward ever since.
what it is
Lil Mama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm what it is
I'm what it is
Ha-hah, eh-hah, eh-hah, ha ha
I'm what it is (what it is) what it is (what it is)
What it is (what it is) what it is (what it is)
What it is (what it is) what it is (what it is)
Fresh for the block, Friday nights, party nights
Fresh for the block, 'cause everybody in the party
Straight from the block, but what they gon' stop?
My netti wind is sick, my heel toe with twist-a
360, this is, (non-playwitable!)
My doo-wop is sick, hit that then hit the
360, this is, (five stacks critical!)
And I ain't tryna brag to you (no!)
And I ain't definitely tryna keep up, 'cause I'm ahead of you
Walk, krump, and I murder you
Magic with a verse-a, dude
And that's just somethin that ain't changed yet, straight wreck
On anybody talkin material 'cause I take checks
So let's, make this a foreclosure
Been where you nev-ah, been real and the game's ov-ah!
Y'all mo' the, crust of these rap chicks (yeah!)
Peep what it is, but they not like this - I'm what it is!
[Chorus]
She fine (she fine), she sexy, cool
And don't n'am dudes know what to do with her (know what to do with her)
{I'm what it is!} all these chicks can keep hatin'
But they know that they can't fool with her (they can't fool with her)
{I'm what it is!} she hit the spot and shut it dawn! (down!)
No messin' around, strike a pose, girl
(Aw yeah, aw yeah) strike a pose, girl!
Now get off, get off!
(I'm what it is! - whoa) "she's so aggressive, the girl pressin'"
(I'm what it is! - whoa) "but she's a whack adolescent"
(I'm what it is! - whoa) successin' is my only mission
It's impossible for anybody, come and get it
Definition of raw talent and I write all bars
Flay cars in the hood they call me no holds barred
Born star like my lil' brother on star
And I will, eat you rappers plus the candy's inside
Lil' mama nicka-nicknamed Dharma
I'm a truth in the booth, (shawty gets loose)
And they way I eat guys so mean
"lil' mama, you're so mean! " - so?!
I like to rock the party and I like to rock the show
When they step into my league, I gotta use all force
When you start tryin to play with my brain like I'm crazy
Oh baby! that's when it's rock-a-bye baby!
[Chorus]
Why don't you come around here, dawg?
Look for me, type ease in bees we breeze
Pass your team, 'cause I been to where you sightseen
Nothing that you do or could ever do to excite me
Can't see, like we know maybes or more than likely
She goin' have flow ? , which means I got flow sick disease
Which means I have no sympathies, no antedote, y'all heard of me!
Please, with these cb-4 chicks
Before I get up on some see mo', feed me mo'
This is what I been sayin for some time now (time now)
If anybody got an object-ion, time's now!
Mo' fitted and mo' stroll 'cause she's on
She's on - (wha?) she's on!
Wake up in the mornin, go to sleep at dawn
My mama shoulda named me dawn, ah-uh-uh, onnn!
Either way, I woulda been a trip, the way I flip {yeah!}
The script and switch then get down like this - I'm what it is!
[Chorus]
In Lil Mama's song "What It Is", she asserts her self-confidence with the repeated phrase "I'm what it is". She is describing herself as a raw talent with exceptional charisma and skill. Lil Mama uses lyrics such as "my netti wind is sick, my heel toe with twist-a" to emphasize her dance moves, which are a crucial part of her persona. Furthermore, she calls out other rap artists who rely on materialism rather than their talent for success.
Throughout the song, Lil Mama emphasizes that her success is due to her hard work and dedication. She says "successin' is my only mission" and makes it clear that she doesn't need to rely on anyone else to succeed. Lil Mama's confidence is also revealed by the way she ends the chorus with "now get off", telling anyone who doubts her abilities to simply step aside.
Overall, "What It Is" is a celebration of Lil Mama's unique talents and an assertion of her individuality in the rap music world. She wants to be recognized for her raw talent rather than her appearance or material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm what it is
The singer is confident in their identity and what they represent
I'm what it is
The singer repeats their message to emphasize their point
I'm what it is
The singer is proud of who they are and what they stand for
Ha-hah, eh-hah, eh-hah, ha ha
The artist adds some humor to their message, signaling that they shouldn't be taken too seriously
Fresh for the block, Friday nights, party nights
The artist describes their style and how they present themselves to the world
Fresh for the block, 'cause everybody in the party
The singer wants to stand out and be noticed among others in their community
Straight from the block, but what they gon' stop?
The singer acknowledges their background but refuses to let it limit their potential for success
My netti wind is sick, my heel toe with twist-a
The artist boasts about their dance skills and abilities
360, this is, (non-playwitable!)
The artist is unstoppable and unbeatable
My doo-wop is sick, hit that then hit the
The artist has a unique style that stands out and impresses others
360, this is, (five stacks critical!)
The singer is confident in their abilities and willing to take risks to achieve their goals
And I ain't tryna brag to you (no!)
The artist is not trying to boast or show off
And I ain't definitely tryna keep up, 'cause I'm ahead of you
The singer is so talented and skilled that they are ahead of everyone else
Walk, krump, and I murder you
The singer warns others not to underestimate them or they will face the consequences
Magic with a verse-a, dude
The singer has a talent for rhyming and creating captivating lyrics
And that's just somethin that ain't changed yet, straight wreck
The artist has been talented for a long time and has yet to lose their skill
On anybody talkin material 'cause I take checks
The artist has a successful career and earns money from their talent
So let's, make this a foreclosure
The singer is ready to put an end to negative energy and move forward with their success
Been where you nev-ah, been real and the game's ov-ah!
The singer has overcome challenges and obstacles and is ready to succeed even more in the future
Y'all mo' the, crust of these rap chicks (yeah!)
The artist is not like other female rappers who lack substance and talent
Peep what it is, but they not like this - I'm what it is!
The artist is confident in their uniqueness and talent
She fine (she fine), she sexy, cool
The artist describes their attractiveness and confidence
And don't n'am dudes know what to do with her (know what to do with her)
The singer is so unique and desirable that men are unsure how to approach them
{I'm what it is!} all these chicks can keep hatin'
The artist knows that other women may be jealous of their success and talent
But they know that they can't fool with her (they can't fool with her)
The singer is one of a kind and cannot be duplicated by others
{I'm what it is!} she hit the spot and shut it dawn! (down!)
The singer is so talented and skilled that they can impress others and make them dance
No messin' around, strike a pose, girl
The singer is confident and carefree, encouraging others to follow their lead
(Aw yeah, aw yeah) strike a pose, girl!
The artist is relaxed and having fun, making others feel comfortable around them
Now get off, get off!
The artist is commanding others to leave them alone and not waste their time
"she's so aggressive, the girl pressin'"
Others may perceive the singer as aggressive or intense
"but she's a whack adolescent"
Others may dismiss the singer as immature or inexperienced
"successin' is my only mission"
The artist is focused on achieving their goals and being successful
It's impossible for anybody, come and get it
The artist is unbeatable and unstoppable
Definition of raw talent and I write all bars
The artist is immensely talented in their craft and writes their own lyrics
Flay cars in the hood they call me no holds barred
The singer is fearless and takes risks, earning them respect in their community
Born star like my lil' brother on star
The artist comes from a family of talented individuals and is destined for greatness
And I will, eat you rappers plus the candy's inside
The singer is so talented that they will outperform and surpass other rappers
Lil' mama nicka-nicknamed Dharma
The singer has a unique nickname that sets them apart from others
I'm a truth in the booth, (shawty gets loose)
The singer is authentic and genuine in their music, and their energy makes others dance
And they way I eat guys so mean
The artist is so talented that they out-perform men and make them feel inferior
"lil' mama, you're so mean! " - so?!
The artist does not care if others dislike them or are intimidated by their talent
I like to rock the party and I like to rock the show
The singer enjoys entertaining and impressing others with their skills
When they step into my league, I gotta use all force
The singer recognizes when others are trying to compete with them and responds with full effort
When you start tryin to play with my brain like I'm crazy
The artist does not tolerate disrespect or manipulation from others
Oh baby! that's when it's rock-a-bye baby!
The artist will not engage with those who disrespect or challenge them
Why don't you come around here, dawg?
The artist challenges others to come and face them
Look for me, type ease in bees we breeze
The singer is confident that they will be easy to find and defeat
Pass your team, 'cause I been to where you sightseen
The artist has already been successful and experienced what others are just starting to see
Nothing that you do or could ever do to excite me
The singer is not impressed or intimidated by others' attempts to challenge them
Can't see, like we know maybes or more than likely
The singer is so talented that others cannot compete with them
She goin' have flow ? , which means I got flow sick disease
The singer is so talented that they inspire others and spread their influence
Which means I have no sympathies, no antedote, y'all heard of me!
The artist is powerful and unstoppable, and others acknowledge their talent
Please, with these cb-4 chicks
The artist does not take other female rappers seriously
Before I get up on some see mo', feed me mo'
The singer demands more attention and respect from others
This is what I been sayin for some time now (time now)
The singer has been confident and successful for a long time, and this is not new
If anybody got an object-ion, time's now!
The artist is so talented that others cannot compete with them or question their abilities
Mo' fitted and mo' stroll 'cause she's on
The artist continues to succeed and impress others, taking it to the next level
She's on - (wha?) she's on!
The artist is so confident and successful that they are beyond others' level
Wake up in the mornin, go to sleep at dawn
The singer works hard and stays up late to achieve their goals
My mama shoulda named me dawn, ah-uh-uh, onnn!
The artist is proud of their name and identity, and their hard work will make them shine
Either way, I woulda been a trip, the way I flip {yeah!}
The singer is unique and impressive in their abilities and personality
The script and switch then get down like this - I'm what it is!
The singer is unstoppable and talented, and everyone knows it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: FAHEEM RASHEED NAJM, FLOYD NATHANIEL HILLS, NIATIA JESSICA KIRKLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beesinparker5567
I will never understand why Lil' Mama isnt bigger than what she is smh.... She needs new management, promoters all that! This song is just one of many, that I feel didn't get the recognition it deserves. 💯
@luciano790
Sincity Carter because hov had her blackballed
@kanyeslaysurfav
Cause she ruined it by Jumping up on stage while Jay z was performing
@humblewatkins9076
Siniyah E. Parker Mean Girl....
@victoriaspence3800
Siniyah E. Parker you are very pretty wow
@jokenbob3
Yo Parker this is the remix
@Landofjello
I like how her lyrics is not sexual like some other female rappers.
@dannyglover7358
This go hard😍
@charmludwig662
Donovan Thompson probably cuz this was 2011, the year before things went wild
@dylanespinoza8668
Charmie Ludwig no it’s because she decided to rap like this , and not be sexual and curse , sex sells to records for a while lol