Early years
Memphis "One Hit Away" Bleek's first mainstream rap vocals appeared on the Clark Kent produced song "Coming of Age", featured on Jay-Z's classic debut LP Reasonable Doubt. Shortly after, Bleek became the first artist signed to Roc-A-Fella Records.
"Coming of Age", ironiclly, was also the title of Memphis' debut LP, which didn't create massive records sales and chart-topping singles as his labelmate and peers' albums had. The same was the case of his second LP, "The Understanding", and third, "M.A.D.E", though the latter spawned his largest amount of sales yet (900,000).
Get Low label and rivalries
In the time between the releases of his second and third albums, Memphis Bleek started his own label, Get Low, which in turn led to the signing of former Junior MAFIA member Lil' Cease. The name of the label has sparked a hip-hop rivalry, or beef, between Memphis Bleek, JT tha Bigga Figga & The Game, the former of which built an independent record label with the same title.
Memphis Bleek was also caught in the middle of the epic Jay-Z and Nas battle, in which Bleek gained a few enemies, most notably Nas and Mobb Deep. Despite boosting Jay-Z and Nas's careers, the beef did little to help Bleek gain any more popularity than he had already attained.
Later years
Remaining one hit away, on May 17, 2005, Bleek released his fourth album titled "534" , in reference to the building he & mentor Jay-Z grew up in, located in the Marcy housing projects of Brooklyn. However, like many of Bleeks previous releases the album suffered in sales, despite decent exposure of the Swizz Beatz produced single 'Like That'.
In fall 2005, Memphis Bleek told MTV that he was recording an album called "The Process", that he would describe as a make or break album, saying "I want to do an album that's through the roof, I want to do a classic album. I feel that if this album I'm not recording is a classic, I'm not even gonna put it out. I have to do it bigger than anybody has ever done it. I have to make a good record this time, not just talking-junk records."The rapper has worked on the album since 2005 and during that time frame he would release the songs "Hustla", "Get Ya Money Off" and "Let It Off". During this time, he would also leave Roc-A-Fella after Jay-Z told him he could run his own company and had the proper distribution deals to do so. He found a new home in 2009 when he signed to Mass Appeal Entertainment which is where he will release his long anticipated album The Process is yet.
Albums
1999: The Coming of Age [Certified: Gold]
2001: The Understanding [Certified: Gold]
2003: M.A.D.E. [Certified: Gold]
2005: 534 [Certified: Gold]
534
Memphis Bleek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I seen a lotta niggas fall
Top to bottom, cause they flows wasn't hot
Them niggas swore they was chillin', reality they not
That's why I'm in the spot, Treat the stu like the pot
I'm strappin' up that product, get my strip back in order
Hit records, its like a brick, 16's is like a quota
That's why I'm tryna flip it, this time I'm a do it different
You niggas let 'em sample it, Neva give'm the work
Now his tape better then your album sales, lookin' hurt
I'm tryna take it back in the day, when it was 20 time
Industry is fucked up, the back to sellin' niggas dimes
Singles is nickles, lotta albums done flopped
Lotta labels done dropped, you was signed, now you not
That's why I neva' play wit the position I'm held wit
Who lie about sellin' drugs? Album ain't sell shit
You heard the title nigga, 5-3-4
I'm that same cat, with the fofo long
You niggas run shots but you throw yours wrong
Who flow like Bleek? There is no other
You heard the title nigga, 5-3-4
Niggas didn't want that, I'm still where you pump at
Catch me on anybody block, how you love that?
I'm bout to have this thing on lock, you can't tell me different
I got the soft n hard top, you could tell I'm livin'
I got that gat on my lap, just don't tell the snitches
They got they tail between they legs, you could tell they bitches
Their ain't no heaven for a G, so the hell with it
My life is deep, motherfuckers please delve in it
Started with promo, no homo, movin' 12 inches
Pimp the game, comin' to age at 12, bitches
(That's when I had well-wishes)
Niggas call me prince of the city
Next in line, call me king of new-yitty, pity
How the same niggas that bailed wit me, bailed on me
Took to many pulls of the L on me
Drank up all Kool-aid, left glasses in my kitchen
Food for thought, my nigga you do the dishes
You know the game and the name
I ain't change for shit
Yo you heard the title nigga, 5-3-4
I'm that same cat with the fofo long
You niggas run shots but you throw yours wrong
Who flow like Bleek? There is no other
You heard the title nigga, 5-3-4
Niggas didn't want that, I'm still where you pump at
Catch me on anybody block how you love that?
In "534," Memphis Bleek reflects on his rise from the bottom to the top of the game while watching others fall from the top to the bottom, citing their lackluster flows as the reason why. He acknowledges that he's in the spotlight now, and is treating it like the pot, strapping it up and getting his strip back into order. Bleek has hits that are like bricks, and his 16's are like a quota, so he's trying to flip it this time and do things differently. He's trying to take it back to the good old days when mixtapes were like a fiend, people were giving free hits, and now, his tapes are better than their album sales, looking hurt. The industry is messed up, and the back is selling people drugs again, selling singles for nickels, and albums have flopped. But Bleek doesn't lie about anything; he's not playing with the position he's held with, and he's not going to pretend about selling drugs when his album hasn't done nearly as well.
In the second verse, Bleek asserts that he's about to have the rap game on lock, afraid of nobody's opinion. He's living well, driving a soft and hard top, and his lap is comfortable with a gat. He's got people who snitch on him, but they'll soon realize that their tails are hidden between their legs. Bleek doesn't care about going to heaven since he knows that his life is deep, and neither do his listeners—he simply urges them to delve into it. The song goes on to mention Bleek's early come-up days, where he started with promo and moved 12 inches, becoming a game pimp and coming to age at just 12 years old. But now, the same people who bailed with him have turned away, taking too many pulls of L and drinking up all the Cool-Aid but leaving glasses in the kitchen sink. The song ends with Bleek reminding everyone that they've heard the name and the game and the title of the song three times—to remember that he's been successful and a force to be reckoned with.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I come from bottom to the top
I have risen from humble beginnings to a position of power and success.
I seen a lotta niggas fall
I have witnessed many individuals lose their success and status.
Top to bottom, cause they flows wasn't hot
These individuals have fallen from their high position due to a lack of skill in their art.
Them niggas swore they was chillin', Reality they not
These individuals believed they were successful, but in truth, they were not.
That's why I'm in the spot, Treat the ? like the pot
I am now in a high position and I will treat my success with care and attention like one would handle valuable merchandise.
I'm strappin' up that product, get my strip back in order
I am preparing myself for the challenges that come with maintaining my success, and ensuring my business is in order.
Hit records, its like a brick, 16's is like a quota
Producing hit records is like selling drugs, my goal is to meet a certain quota with each work that I produce.
That's why I'm tryna flip it, this time I'm a do it different
I am trying to take a different approach to my work to achieve even greater success.
Mixtapes is like a fiend, niggas givin' free hits and
Mixtapes are like addictive substances and artists give their music away for free to draw their audience in.
You niggas let'm sample it, Neva give'm the work
Other artists let their audience listen to their music for free, but they never give them the full product that they sell for a profit.
Now this tape better then your album sales, lookin' hurt
My mixtape is more successful than the albums created by these artists, and they are struggling as a result.
I'm tryna take it back in the day, when it was 20 time
I am trying to return to the time when the music industry was more fruitful and selling music garnered more profit.
Industry is fucked up, the back to sellin' niggas dimes
The industry is in a negative state and artists are only making a small profit compared to what they once made.
Singles is nickles, lotta albums done flopped
Singles sell for very little, and many albums are not achieving the same level of success they once did.
Lotta labels done dropped, you was signed, now you not
Many labels are no longer supporting their artists, and many artists who were once signed are no longer under any contract.
That's why I neva' play wit the position I'm held wit
I understand the value and importance of my current position in the industry and I will not take it for granted nor be reckless with it.
Who lie about sellin' drugs? Album ain't sell shit
Those who fabricate their success will ultimately be exposed, and it will be clear they never had a strong album to begin with.
You heard the title nigga, 5-3-4
This is my song, 534.
I'm bout to have this thing on lock, you can't tell me different
I am confident in my ability to take control of the industry and maintain my success.
I got the soft n hard top, you could tell I'm livin'
I have acquired both luxurious and practical items, illustrating my success and wealth.
I got that gat on my lap, just don't tell the snitches
I am carrying a gun for protection, but I am being cautious and keeping it a secret from those who may betray me.
They got they tail between they legs, you could tell they bitches
Those who have betrayed me are now afraid and act cowardly.
Their ain't no heaven for a G, so the hell with it
Those who have lived the life of a gangster will not find themselves in a peaceful afterlife, so they will not worry about it while they are alive.
My life is deep, motherfuckers please delve in it
My life is complex and worth exploring and analyzing.
Started with promo, no homo, movin' 12 inches
I started my career promoting my music, without any explicit or inappropriate content, and began with smaller projects.
Pimp the game, comin' to age at 12, bitches
I began mastering the game of the music industry at a young age and achieved success early.
(That's when I had well-wishes)
This was a time when I had high hopes for my success and future.
Niggas call me prince of the city
I am regarded as having dominion over the music scene in my area.
Next in line, call me king of new-yitty, pity
I am on track to become the most powerful and successful artist in my city.
How the same niggas that bailed wit me, bailed on me
Those who once worked with me and supported me have now abandoned me.
Took to many pulls of the L on me
They have indulged in drugs and have not prioritized their work with me.
Drank up all cool-aid, left glasses in my kitchen
They have consumed all of my resources and left me with nothing.
Food for thought, my nigga you do the dishes
I am providing insight and wisdom for others to think about and reflect upon, and it is up to them to take action.
You heard the game and the name
You are aware of the music industry and the artists within it.
You heard the title niggas, 5-3-4
You are listening to my song, 534.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Graham Preskett, Justin Gregory Smith, Malik Deshawn Cox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind