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]
You
Memphis Bleek Lyrics
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Yeah
M-e-m-p-h-i-s Bleek
Why'all punk ass niggaz
Check it out yo
[Chorus:]
Is you a thug nigga?
It's no love nigga
We true thug niggaz
Streets is mine, One nine double nine, we shine
Niggaz stack one's act and and catch one
You a thug nigga?
Then bust a slug nigga
It's no love nigga
We true thug niggaz
Streets is mine, One nine double nine, we shine
Niggaz stack one's act and and catch one
Yo check it
Shit, I'm here now, where it's at?
I'm there now, when I walk through the club
The real have stare-downs
And I walk by, lil nigga play the short guy
Pockets is grown, when I cock it, it's on
You believe that, all the chickenz be where the treez at
Car hopping bitches be where the V's at
I plot to get mo, stacks and a crib
Sometimes I hear that Ele hold a gat in the crib
Can't relax in the crib
Niggaz did max bids
Niggaz clap shit, ain't no acting in this
You a playa? Well nigga who you working for?
'Cause who coachin' that team that you be otin' for?
When I ride by, I know you looking to spray me
But I got a ghetto bird that go half on a three-eighty
It's the game of life, you it, so play it right
Bitches like you, M-e-m-p-h Bleek, yeah right
[Chorus:]
In "You A Thug N," Memphis Bleek is essentially asking if listeners are "thug niggas," those who are not afraid to use violence and firearms to get their way. He asserts that there is no love among true thug niggas and that they are all just trying to stack more money and prove their toughness in the streets. Bleek uses his own experiences to justify his position as a true thug, claiming that he is always stared down in the club and that he carries a gun with him at all times. He also establishes that he is not afraid to use his firearm because he is always looking out for himself in the dangerous game of life.
Throughout the song, Memphis Bleek perpetuates the idea of black masculinity as it is often constructed in hip-hop culture. The constant references to guns, drugs, and money are all themes that contribute to the idea of hypermasculinity that is often expected of black men in the United States. Bleek himself establishes his own toughness by referencing the way others stare him down and the fact that he always carries a gun with him. This song is emblematic of the larger cultural context in which hip-hop music is created, one that has historically placed a strong emphasis on black male toughness and the ability to survive in dangerous, often violent environments.
Line by Line Meaning
Is you a thug nigga?
Are you really tough, my friend?
Then bust a slug nigga
If so, then shoot a gun
It's no love nigga
This world is cold and unforgiving
We true thug niggaz
We are authentic tough guys
Streets is mine, One nine double nine, we shine
The streets belong to us, and we're unstoppable
Niggaz stack one's act and and catch one
Stacking money and taking risks is our lifestyle
Shit, I'm here now, where it's at?
I have arrived, where's the action?
I'm there now, when I walk through the club
When I come in, everyone notices me
The real have stare-downs
The true tough guys give me a hard look
And I walk by, lil nigga play the short guy
The younger guys try to act tough, but I intimidate them
Pockets is grown, when I cock it, it's on
I have money, and I'm not afraid to use my weapon
You believe that, all the chickenz be where the treez at
All the women are where the money is
Car hopping bitches be where the V's at
Women who steal cars are attracted to high-end vehicles
I plot to get mo, stacks and a crib
I'm always planning to get more money and a better house
Sometimes I hear that Ele hold a gat in the crib
I've heard rumors that my friend, Ele, keeps a gun in his house
Can't relax in the crib
I can't let my guard down even in my own home
Niggaz did max bids
Some guys got sent to prison for a long time
Niggaz clap shit, ain't no acting in this
Some guys are shooting guns for real, there's no pretending
You a playa? Well nigga who you working for?
Are you really a player, or just pretending to be one?
'Cause who coachin' that team that you be otin' for?
Who's really in charge of the people you're hanging out with?
When I ride by, I know you looking to spray me
I know you want to shoot at me when I drive by
But I got a ghetto bird that go half on a three-eighty
But I have a friend with a helicopter who can give me half of his gun
It's the game of life, you it, so play it right
Life is a game, and you're a player, so play wisely
Bitches like you, M-e-m-p-h Bleek, yeah right
I don't believe women are really attracted to guys like you, Memphis Bleek
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING LORENZO, IRVING DOMINGO LORENZO, MALIK COX, MALIK DESHAWN COX, ROBERT MAYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind