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]
U Know Bleek
Memphis Bleek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aiyyo, this time it's for my family, we ride or die
It's in the blood til the death, now aim for the sky
My fo' blow for sure, for dough, for own land..
It's money, drugs, and hot slugs
It's money, drugs, and hot slugs
It's money, drugs, and hot slugs
Niggas said I can't do it
Funny I done it
The album is here, now who the fuck want it?
I let niggas eat now I'm here to collect
I admit they tried, but they ain't rep correct
Now the dinner table's set and it's my time to eat
Don't even wipe your mouth, get up, be out!
Don't let the cars fool you, or the jewelry blind you
My life's the realest nigga, I should write me a novel
This for them broads that'll hold me down
And my niggas on the Internet that download my style
And my dog in line in at chow
Just bangin with his walkman playin me loud
And the nigga with that plate
Choppin them grams, him and his man
Listening to music that they understand
And that white boy goin to college
He don't know about the ghetto but know how to hold metal
Them white boys, they'll shoot shit up
They can listen to this shit, I don't give two fucks
But back to it, sippin on that Cognac fluid
In the Porsche, burnin the conduit
This is ride music, get high music
That M dot, hot supply music
That's the answer, life's like cancer
I thought I told why'all niggas I'm serious!
It's money, drugs, and hot slugs, you know Bleek
The lyrics to Memphis Bleek's song U Know Bleek showcase the rapper's loyalty to his family and his determination to succeed in the rap industry. He proclaims that his family is ride or die, and they are in it together until the end. He encourages his family to aim for the sky in order to achieve their goals. Bleek acknowledges that money, drugs, and violence are all present in his world, and he raps about it without glorifying it. He also asserts his dominance within the rap game, saying that he has proved his naysayers wrong by releasing a successful album. He acknowledges that he has let others eat before, but now it's his turn to collect. He mentions those who support him, including his female fans, online listeners, prison friends, drug dealers, and even white college students who appreciate his music. Bleek emphasizes that he is serious about his life and career and that he will continue to succeed.
Overall, the lyrics to U Know Bleek convey the rapper's pride in his family and his determination to succeed in the rap industry. He acknowledges the harsh realities of his world, including violence and drugs, but he also emphasizes the importance of his loyal supporters. He is serious about his life and career and will continue to work hard to achieve his goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Aiyyo, this time it's for my family, we ride or die
I am dedicating this song to my family, and we will stick together through anything.
It's in the blood til the death, now aim for the sky
Our family bond is unbreakable and will last until the end of our lives. We are going to reach for the top.
My fo' blow for sure, for dough, for own land..
I am willing to use any means necessary, including violence, to earn money and achieve financial stability and ownership of property.
It's money, drugs, and hot slugs
The themes of this song are centered around the pursuit of wealth, the drug culture, and gun violence.
Niggas said I can't do it
People have doubted my abilities in the past.
Funny I done it
It's funny how I have proven my doubters wrong.
The album is here, now who the fuck want it?
My album is out now, and I am confident in its quality. Who wants to challenge me?
I let niggas eat now I'm here to collect
I have given others opportunities to succeed, but now I am focused on my own personal gain.
I admit they tried, but they ain't rep correct
Others have attempted to represent me in the past, but they didn't do it the right way.
Now the dinner table's set and it's my time to eat
I now have everything I need to succeed, and it's my turn to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Don't even wipe your mouth, get up, be out!
Don't linger around my success; get up and make your own way.
Don't let the cars fool you, or the jewelry blind you
Don't be impressed by superficial things like cars and jewelry.
My life's the realest nigga, I should write me a novel
My life is so authentic and full of experiences that I could easily write a book about it.
This for them broads that'll hold me down
This song is dedicated to the women who support me and stay loyal to me.
And my niggas on the Internet that download my style
My fans who follow me on the internet and listen to my music inspire me to keep going.
And my dog in line in at chow
My friend who is currently incarcerated is always on my mind, even when I'm doing well.
Just bangin with his walkman playin me loud
My incarcerated friend is listening to my music and supporting me from afar.
And the nigga with that plate
This could refer to someone dealing drugs, and Bleek acknowledges their hustle.
Choppin them grams, him and his man
The person mentioned earlier is working with a partner to sell drugs.
Listening to music that they understand
They are listening to music that speaks to their experiences and lifestyle.
And that white boy goin to college
This white boy is living a drastically different life from those involved in the drug culture.
He don't know about the ghetto but know how to hold metal
The college student may not know about inner-city life, but he knows how to use a gun.
Them white boys, they'll shoot shit up
White people are capable of committing acts of violence just like anyone else.
They can listen to this shit, I don't give two fucks
Anybody who wants to listen to my music is welcome to, regardless of race or upbringing.
But back to it, sippin on that Cognac fluid
After these brief digressions, let's get back to the song's themes of money, drugs, and violence.
In the Porsche, burnin the conduit
Bleek is driving a Porsche and probably speeding down the road.
This is ride music, get high music
This song can be enjoyed while driving or using drugs.
That M dot, hot supply music
The M (made)/ hot supply refers to the production and sale of drugs for financial gain. This song is designed to be enjoyed while doing that.
That's the answer, life's like cancer
The solution to life's problems is money, but the pursuit of it is toxic like a cancer.
I thought I told why'all niggas I'm serious!
Bleek is reminding his audience that he is serious about the lifestyle he is describing, and this song is a testament to that fact.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: AMIL WHITEHEAD, DWIGHT GRANT, JUSTIN SMITH, MALIK COX, MICHAEL KUNZE, SHAWN CARTER, SILVESTER LEVAY, TYRONE FYFFE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind