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]
Alright
Memphis Bleek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They feel the style inside 'em call it jujitsu
Back to new York all the shit that I've been through
Some niggas say they dogs but to me they just shitzu's
I pencils down through all the thoughts and the issues
All the principals had to keep it official
'Cause you don't want no nigga have to grip that mistol
My fault the pistol turn dudes to fish food
Don't want me getting paper, go to Jacobs, or spend a few
But I be in them interviews
Takin bout how I spin in coups
And how the tech will spin a nigga like a interlude
Fuck around, give you flats like an inner tube
Poke you up, just some of the shit I'm into
So fall back, maybe you can get a clear view
On my life and how I steer through my rear view
They got me back on the block again
Back with the rock again
Watching for cops again
All about the profit and
They got me back in this game again
But I swear we all gon' be alright
I'm back on the block again
Back with the rock again
Watching for cops again
All about the profit and
They got me back in this game again
But I swear we all gon' be alright
Yo, ay yo they said it can't be done, no one can do it
I'm straight off promo, right back to it
Back to the booth where I gotta spit fluent
It's money in them streets, I gotta go pursue it
I'm the truest, you knew it, you know that 9th produced this
Soon as Guru looped it, the flow gets stupid
I'm sort of a live band, cause my sound is acoustic
They ain't biting the style, they wearing girders to boost it
But, they say I'm slipping, that ain't no new shit
Them numbers never lie, so you can't refute it
And don't confuse M with none of them bullshits
To the streets I'm tied, like my momma's tubes is
I couldn't fathom the sight of me losing
Any Malcolm X Boulevard, I'm 'bout movement
I'm getting money, I don't need your two cents
The structure been built way before The Blueprint
They got me back on the block again
Back with the rock again
Watching for cops again
All about the profit and
They got me back in this game again
But I swear we all gon' be alright
I'm back on the block again
Back with the rock again
Watching for cops again
All about the profit and
They got me back in this game again
But I swear we all gon' be alright
Yo, it's M to the E-M, headed to the top with this
Say it's niggas on the Roc that don't rock with this
Damn, that's the thanks I get, when you know I'm the one
That started all this fucking gangsta shit
Wilding out for no reason, smoking that reefer with your heater
Just me and Geda, tag teaming, heating the beat up
Rocking the Caeser, pushing a two seater with divas
Niggas didn't believe us, now they hate when they see us
And the grip got multiple features
Everybody got a car, dog, none of 'em leased
This a gift from a God, I don't go to the preacher
I floss for years, you watch me, I'll teach you
I just dropped MADE, I admit it was a sleeper
Everybody went out, copped it, now beating the streets up
Put it in my hood, in two weeks, it heats up
Bleek done stepped up, but Jay would never leave us
Back on the block again
Back with the rock again
Watching for cops again
All about the profit and
They got me back in this game again
But I swear we all gon' be alright
I'm back on the block again
Back with the rock again
Watching for cops again
All about the profit and
They got me back in this game again
But I swear we all gon' be alright
The song "Alright" by Memphis Bleek is a celebration of living life to the fullest, doing what you want, and enjoying the moment. The chorus encourages listeners to enjoy themselves, whether it be by dancing, playing ball, or smoking, and assures them that it's "alright." Memphis Bleek reflects on his own success and wealth, mentioning his private jet and expensive jewelry. He also acknowledges the struggles and violence he has experienced in his life, mentioning wearing a vest in the middle of a war and losing friends. However, he remains unapologetic about his success and money, stating that he worked hard to get where he is and that he will do anything to protect himself and his wealth.
Overall, the lyrics of "Alright" promote a carefree attitude and living life to the fullest despite the struggles and violence that exist in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Bounce if you wanna bounce, ball if you wanna ball
Do what you want and live your life how you want.
Play if you wanna play, floss if you wanna floss
Indulge in enjoyment and success as you desire.
It's alright, you heard?, It's alright, holla back
No need to worry, everything is okay.
Get ill if you wanna ill, smoke if you wanna smoke
Engage in risky or dangerous behavior if that's what you enjoy.
Kill if you wanna kill, loc if you wanna loc
You have the power to take control of your situation and surroundings.
I need a ho in my life to blow on my dice
I want a woman to be with me while I gamble so we can win more money.
So we can make our points twice and skate out a town
If we win at gambling, we can leave town happily and quickly.
I need that glow in my ice, e-class
I want to show off my wealth with expensive jewelry and a fancy car.
Jay-Z and me holdin the mic
When Jay-Z and I perform together, we are unstoppable.
Can't touch like hot potatoes, ya heard?
We are untouchable and should not be underestimated.
In the middle of a war rockin a vest
I am brave and confident even in dangerous situations.
Who's the illest shorty alive, I confess
I am the most talented and successful rapper out there.
I take nine to the chest and I swear to the heaven sky's, I bless
I am willing to risk my life for my art and for success.
Anything left out, you can blame it on the brain, not the heart
If I make any mistakes, it's due to my mind not my heart.
On the two jew-el's I blew more money than latrell, who else?
I have spent more money on jewelry than even the wealthy NBA star Latrell Sprewell.
They don't know you, think they know you too well, you jell
People may try to judge or criticize you, but they don't really know you.
Charge it to the game, I'm platinum like american express
Accept the ups and downs of life and keep moving forward, like my platinum credit card.
My boy died, and all I did was inherit his stress
The death of a friend has caused me great emotional turmoil and pain.
Close you're casket tight
Come to terms with your own mortality and be prepared for the end of your life.
Take you're last two deep breaths and pass the mic
Before dying, make a final statement and pass on your legacy to those who come after you.
To Jay-Z nigga, that's right!
Jay-Z is the ultimate and he and I are an unbeatable team.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Malik Cox, Patrick Douthit
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind