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]
Straight Path
Memphis Bleek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My brother got hit the other day by straight blasts
In the brain, on the train, on his way to work
A guy that spent most of his life dealin' with dirt
But as soon as he decides to get a 9 to 5
Why would God decide to take his life?
There's no such thing as the straight path
So it's whatever with me, I walk through the mind
Feel whatever could hit me
My mind filled with anger hope the angels is with me
Change could be dangerous
Goin' legit could be signing your death certificate
Calling it quits could be the worst thing you do
I mean consider your enemy
He ain't gonna quit 'coz you quit now, is he?
Think about it
So what's on infinitely with me
I'm gonna turn to finity for the tough times I pour Hennessey
In memory of that one thing that meant one thing to me
I'm on, somethin' in me wishin' I wan't born
Come on, a gangsta say quttin' the game
Man, you lookin' at a dead man talkin'
He's always a brother or cousin to somebody you fought
Who might forgive but that don't happen too often
I said there's no such thing as the straight path
My brother got hit the other day by straight blasts
In the brain, on the train, on his way to work
A guy that spent most of his life dealin' with dirt
But as soon as he decides to get a 9 to 5
Why would God decide to take his life?
There's no such thing as the straight path
I said there's no such thing as the straight path
I said there's no such thing as the straight path
When the gun burn everythin'
You been taught you must unlearn
With one turn of the world, one fatal stroke I'd have lost all hope now I'm goin' for broke
So my new motto is smoke clear, kiss smoke
When you lose everything you love it's time to grip the snob
The time for talking is done, listen for one
If you got that weight on you I'll be liftin' you up
Hope you got that aid on you, I ain't givin' a fuck
If God love me, why I'm missin' my bro?
Is God ugly? If ya'll love me, nigga, wish me love
Appetite for destruction, I'm back popping [Incomprehensible] again
Drinkin' 'nac heavy until I'm happy again
Although I get comfort from friends
I won't be truly happy till I see him I again
So until that day I'm goin' out in the blaze
Hope the world forgive me 'coz I lost my way
I said there's no such thing as the straight path
My brother got hit the other day by straight blasts
In the brain, on the train, on his way to work
A guy that spent most of his life dealin' with dirt
But as soon as he decides to get a 9 to 5
Why would God decide to take his life?
There's no such thing as the straight path
Disappointedly, the craziest things happen
I mean, never knew I'd lose so many people, you know
Such a short time, you know what I'm sayin'?
I'm only twenty five, know what I mean?
Lord, it was not even like I was fifteen know what I'm sayin'?
Lost all hopes by fourteen, know what I mean?
[Incomprehensible]
Lot of stress, man, right now
So much [Incomprehensible], yo, it's time, hold your head up [Incomprehensible]
And to my man Lou who just passed, know what I mean?
All this nonsense goin' on in the street
It's just that life we lead know what I'm sayin'
We caught up in it man, but just when you do dirt
Just know you can never clean it up man
There's no such thing as a straight path
I said there's no such thing as a straight path
Unless you come out the womb on a straight path
And if you live, way I live, dog, how long can that last?
When everyday of our life we live more like a task
I said there's no such thing as a straight path
I said there's no such thing as a straight path
In this song, Memphis Bleek shares his experiences and perspectives on life's unpredictability. The chorus repeats the line "there's no such thing as the straight path," highlighting the idea that life is never straightforward or easy to predict. The first verse tells a story about Bleek's brother getting shot on his way to work, even though he had recently left a life of criminal activity to pursue a more legitimate career. This event underscores the theme of unpredictability and the lack of control one can have over life's outcomes.
The rest of the song depicts Bleek's mindset in the aftermath of his brother's death. He acknowledges that going straight in life can be just as dangerous as living a life of crime, indicating that neither path provides a guarantee of safety. Instead, he walks through life with an expectation that he will face challenges and hardships, hoping that the angels will protect him. He also reflects on the idea of quitting the game, arguing that simply giving up one's criminal lifestyle won't necessarily protect them from enemies who may still be seeking revenge.
Ultimately, Bleek is left feeling lost and confused by his brother's death, questioning why God would take such a sudden and tragic turn despite his brother's recent efforts to change his life. The final lines of the song emphasize that there is no such thing as a straight path, leaving listeners with a sense of uncertainty and a reminder that life is unpredictable and often out of our control.
Line by Line Meaning
I said there's no such thing as the straight path
Life is unpredictable and we cannot expect things to always be straightforward.
My brother got hit the other day by straight blasts
My brother was tragically killed by a sudden attack.
In the brain, on the train, on his way to work
He was killed while commuting to work on a train, and the attack affected his brain.
A guy that spent most of his life dealin' with dirt
My brother had a past involving criminal activity.
But as soon as he decides to get a 9 to 5
He was trying to move towards a more legitimate lifestyle.
Why would God decide to take his life?
It seems unfair or unjust that he was killed despite attempting to make positive changes in his life.
So it's whatever with me, I walk through the mind
I am willing to take whatever comes my way as I navigate through life.
Feel whatever could hit me
I am prepared to face any challenges or hardships.
My mind filled with anger hope the angels is with me
I am carrying emotional trauma and hope for protection or guidance from a higher power.
Change could be dangerous
Making positive changes in life can come with risks and dangers.
Goin' legit could be signing your death certificate
Turning towards a more legitimate lifestyle can come with risks or potentially negative consequences.
Calling it quits could be the worst thing you do
Giving up on your goals or dreams could have a negative impact on your life.
He ain't gonna quit 'coz you quit now, is he?
Your enemies or obstacles will not simply go away if you give up or quit.
I'm gonna turn to finity for the tough times I pour Hennessey
During difficult times, I turn to alcohol for comfort.
In memory of that one thing that meant one thing to me
I often drink in remembrance of someone or something that was important to me.
Man, you lookin' at a dead man talkin'
Once you enter a dangerous lifestyle, you are essentially a walking target.
Who might forgive but that don't happen too often
Even if someone forgives you, it is not always easy to move on from past conflicts or hurt feelings.
When the gun burn everythin', you been taught you must unlearn
Violence only leads to destruction and it is important to unlearn violent behavior.
With one turn of the world, one fatal stroke I'd have lost all hope now I'm goin' for broke
One sudden event could shatter your hope or motivation, but I am willing to take risks to keep going.
Hope you got that aid on you, I ain't givin' a fuck
I do not care about the consequences and just hope you have someone to help you.
If God love me, why I'm missin' my bro?
I struggle with the idea of a loving God when I have lost someone I care about.
So much stress, man, right now
I am currently experiencing a significant amount of stress.
All this nonsense goin' on in the street
There is a lot of unnecessary and dangerous behavior happening in my community.
Just know you can never clean it up man
Once you have committed a negative or destructive act, it is difficult or impossible to undo the consequences.
Unless you come out the womb on a straight path
It is nearly impossible to have a completely straightforward and easy life.
And if you live, way I live, dog, how long can that last?
Living a dangerous or risky lifestyle is not sustainable and can lead to negative outcomes.
When everyday of our life we live more like a task
Life can feel like a repetitive or difficult obligation for many people.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: MALIK COX, JUSTIN SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind