MO3 was born Melvin Noble in 1992. His rap debut came in the form of his 2014 mixtape, Shottaz. On the strength of that effort, he developed a local following and inked a deal with his idol, rapper Boosie Badazz. The sequel to his debut, Shottaz Reloaded, arrived at the close of 2015. The album featured "Hold Ya Tongue," which went on to become a moderate hit for MO3, notching nearly two million streaming views in the year after its release. Reloaded hit number 14 on the Billboard Rap chart, climbing to number two on the Heatseekers chart. His follow-up, 4 Indictments, appeared in late 2016 and topped the Heatseekers chart early the following year. He also issued the Gangsta Love, Pt. 1 mixtape in 2017.
Badazz MO3MO3's 2018 project Shottaz 3.0 would include one of his biggest hits yet, the cautionary "Errybody," which also racked up millions in streaming numbers. The next year found MO3 mainly releasing singles, including the Aaliyah-sampling "No Feelings" and the stormy "Too Much Pride." In February 2020, he teamed with storied Louisiana rapper Boosie Badazz for the collaborative mixtape Badazz MO3. The project quickly entered the Billboard 200 chart at number 136.
Noble was shot and killed on November 11, 2020. While being pursued by another vehicle as he was driving on Interstate 35 in Dallas, he crashed on the side of the road and attempted to flee on foot before an unidentified gunman shot him in the back of the head.
By The River
Mo3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ayy, you see how a nigga livin', nigga, like
Nigga came from nothin', nigga
Give a fuck 'bout what a nigga talkin' 'bout, nigga
I'm cutthroat like that, nigga, I got it out the mud
That's on gang
(Keise On Da Track)
MO-motherfuckin'-3
Down by the river (that river)
That's where I threw my pole (yeah, that's where I threw that pole)
Down by the river (that river)
Yeah, that's where I took his soul (yeah, I took a nigga soul)
You gotta feel us (feel us)
'Cause this is all we know (yeah, this the life we chose, we chose)
This for my niggas (my niggas, my niggas)
That did not make it home (that did not make it home, gang)
Traumatized by the block, I gotta think a lot (yeah)
Thug stimulate your mind, I'm on some ventin' shit (for real)
Dope fiend beggin' for a dollar from me (what?)
But all I got is fifty cents for a cigarette (here)
Landlord in my apartment knockin' at the door (what?)
Got an eviction, I'm like fuck, I need to hit a lick (I do)
Catch a nigga lackin', put a jackin' on him (what?)
Stick the gun through the window just a lil' bit (yeah)
Big blues in my pocket, fuck the politics (yeah)
I really got it out the mud on some different shit (I did)
They really felt what I was sayin' when I was talkin' to 'em
Without the radio, Osama made a difference (I did)
I rode the wave like Rod from the rags to riches
Had to slave, no job, just some baggy britches (yeah)
I get active, I'm a savage, I was baggin' nickels
Toe tag 'em with that ratchet, I get active with it (grrt)
They say rappin' wasn't for me, I ain't lettin' up (nah)
I ain't have the money, she ain't let me fuck (ah)
Same bitch after my show wanna take pictures with me (she do)
She want my number, told her book me through my manager (ho)
Burner phone when I slide, I'm not an amateur (nope)
Ski'd up, so I ain't worried about no camera
I treat the opps like dominos at the table (what?)
When it's beef and it's up, I be slammin' 'em (yeah), that's on gang
Down by the river (that river)
That's where I threw my pole (yeah, that's where I threw that pole)
Down by the river (that river)
Yeah, that's where I took his soul (yeah, I took a nigga soul)
You gotta feel us (feel us)
'Cause this is all we know (yeah, this the life we chose, we chose)
This for my niggas (my niggas, my niggas)
That did not make it home (that did not make it home)
One time for my niggas in the state yard (thug life)
Two times for my niggas in the graveyard (thug life)
Three times for the lil' niggas went shot up everything
Lil' nigga got a brave heart (thug life)
He ain't make it back home, he ain't make it home
He felt it was comin', guess he was ready
He took a deep breath, said him a prayer
And threw up his fours at the paramedics
Lil Glenny was deadly, he died too
He part of that car that tracked Murder Gang
Deep hit your phone with his mask on
This life, my lil' niggas don't last long
My uncle, he showed me cocaine in the kitchen (damn)
It should've been math, though
I guess I'm an animal born in a cage
And you can't get out 'less your bag strong
Down by the river (down by that river)
I done did some crimes that I ain't forgettin'
Down by the river (ask around)
I got fishing poles on side of fishes
You gotta feel us
We the real goons, it's a difference
Took his soul away
Threw the pole away when we handled the business
Bitch, where I'm from
Down by the river (hell yeah, nigga, that river)
That's where I threw my pole (yeah, that's where I threw that pole, 1130 West Garfield shit)
Down by the river (that river, baow)
Yeah, that's where I took his soul (yeah, I took a nigga soul, I took his soul)
You gotta feel us (yeah, feel us)
'Cause this is all we know (yeah, this the life we chose, this all we know)
This for my niggas (my niggas, my niggas, free the real, nigga)
That did not make it home (that did not make it home)
Down by the river (what we did?)
Took that nigga's soul (yah), took that nigga's soul
Down by the river
Thug life, nigga, this all we know
The song "By The River" by Mo3 is a reflection on the artist's upbringing and the brutal realities of his environment. The lyrics depict a life of struggle and hardship, where every day is a battle to survive. Mo3's gritty delivery and vivid imagery create a haunting portrait of a world most people can only imagine.
The first verse describes a world of poverty and desperation, with Mo3 detailing the challenges he faces on a daily basis. He talks about living in an apartment with an eviction notice on the door, and the constant pressure to "hit a lick" to make ends meet. He also portrays the danger of his environment, describing how he has to be constantly vigilant to survive.
The chorus of the song, "down by the river," serves as a metaphor for the harshness of life in this environment. It is a place where people go to "throw their pole" and "take a soul," embodying the brutal nature of the streets. The song ends with Mo3 paying tribute to those who did not make it out of this environment alive.
Overall, "By The River" is a powerful statement on the brutal realities of life in poverty-stricken communities. Mo3's vivid lyrics and haunting delivery make this a track that stays with you long after it's finished.
Line by Line Meaning
For real
I'm being honest here
Ayy, you see how a nigga livin', nigga, like
Look at my lifestyle, I'm doing well
Nigga came from nothin', nigga
I had nothing before, now I have something
Give a fuck 'bout what a nigga talkin' 'bout, nigga
I don't care about anyone's opinions
I'm cutthroat like that, nigga, I got it out the mud
I'm ruthless and I had to work hard for what I have
That's on gang
I promise on my life
Down by the river (that river)
I was near the river
That's where I threw my pole (yeah, that's where I threw that pole)
That's where I disposed of evidence from a crime
Yeah, that's where I took his soul (yeah, I took a nigga soul)
I killed someone there
You gotta feel us (feel us)
You have to understand us and our lifestyle
'Cause this is all we know (yeah, this the life we chose, we chose)
This is the only life we know, and we chose it
This for my niggas (my niggas, my niggas)
I'm dedicating this to my friends
That did not make it home (that did not make it home, gang)
Those who died and couldn't come back home
Traumatized by the block, I gotta think a lot (yeah)
I'm constantly thinking about the violence and struggle in my neighborhood
Thug stimulate your mind, I'm on some ventin' shit (for real)
Being a thug causes you to think deeply, and I'm expressing myself here
Dope fiend beggin' for a dollar from me (what?)
A drug addict asked me for money
But all I got is fifty cents for a cigarette (here)
I only had a little money to spare
Landlord in my apartment knockin' at the door (what?)
My landlord came knocking, probably to demand rent
Got an eviction, I'm like fuck, I need to hit a lick (I do)
I got an eviction notice, so I need to commit a crime to make money
Catch a nigga lackin', put a jackin' on him (what?)
If I find someone vulnerable, I'll rob them
Stick the gun through the window just a lil' bit (yeah)
I'll use a gun to commit the crime, but only enough to scare them
Big blues in my pocket, fuck the politics (yeah)
I have a lot of money, and I don't care about the laws
I really got it out the mud on some different shit (I did)
I had to work really hard, and it was a difficult situation
They really felt what I was sayin' when I was talkin' to 'em
People really understood me when I spoke with them
Without the radio, Osama made a difference (I did)
I made an impact without mainstream media support
I rode the wave like Rod from the rags to riches
I've had a successful journey from poverty to wealth
Had to slave, no job, just some baggy britches (yeah)
I had to work hard without a traditional job, and my clothes were worn
I get active, I'm a savage, I was baggin' nickels
I'm very active and aggressive, and I used to sell drugs for a small profit
Toe tag 'em with that ratchet, I get active with it (grrt)
I'll kill with a gun, and I'm not afraid to do it
They say rappin' wasn't for me, I ain't lettin' up (nah)
Some people didn't think I could rap, but I won't stop trying
I ain't have the money, she ain't let me fuck (ah)
I couldn't afford a prostitute, so she didn't sleep with me
Same bitch after my show wanna take pictures with me (she do)
After my performance, a girl wanted to take pictures with me
She want my number, told her book me through my manager (ho)
She wants to contact me, but I directed her to my manager
Burner phone when I slide, I'm not an amateur (nope)
I use a disposable phone when I'm committing a crime, and I'm experienced with it
Ski'd up, so I ain't worried about no camera
I'm wearing a mask, so I'm not concerned about being recorded
I treat the opps like dominos at the table (what?)
I treat my enemies like objects to be knocked down
When it's beef and it's up, I be slammin' 'em (yeah), that's on gang
When there's conflict, I'll fight back hard, and I promise on my life
One time for my niggas in the state yard (thug life)
I'm dedicating this to my friends in prison
Two times for my niggas in the graveyard (thug life)
I'm dedicating this to my friends who died
Three times for the lil' niggas went shot up everything
I'm honoring the young kids who were violent and destructive
Lil' nigga got a brave heart (thug life)
The young kids had a lot of courage and strength
He ain't make it back home, he ain't make it home
The young kid died before he could return home
He felt it was comin', guess he was ready
The kid knew he would die soon, and he was prepared for it
He took a deep breath, said him a prayer
Before dying, the kid took a deep breath and prayed
And threw up his fours at the paramedics
He made a gang sign towards the medical professionals
Lil Glenny was deadly, he died too
Another kid named Glenny who was violent died as well
He part of that car that tracked Murder Gang
Glenny was a part of the car that went after the rival gang
Deep hit your phone with his mask on
Glenny called with a disguised number
This life, my lil' niggas don't last long
In our lifestyle, young kids often die young
My uncle, he showed me cocaine in the kitchen (damn)
My uncle introduced me to cocaine when I was young
It should've been math, though
I should've been learning math instead
I guess I'm an animal born in a cage
I feel like I was destined to be trapped in a rough life
And you can't get out 'less your bag strong
Only those with a lot of money can escape this lifestyle
I done did some crimes that I ain't forgettin'
There are some crimes I've committed that still haunt me
I got fishing poles on side of fishes
I have fishing equipment next to dead bodies
We the real goons, it's a difference
We're not just any criminals, we're the toughest ones
Took his soul away
I killed someone
Threw the pole away when we handled the business
I disposed of evidence when we committed the crime
Bitch, where I'm from
This is how things are where I live
That's where I threw my pole (yeah, that's where I threw that pole, 1130 West Garfield shit)
I threw evidence away at the location 1130 West Garfield
That's where I took his soul (yeah, I took a nigga soul, I took his soul)
I killed someone there
Down by the river (that river, baow)
I was near the river
You gotta feel us (yeah, feel us)
You have to understand our struggle
'Cause this is all we know (yeah, this the life we chose, this all we know)
This lifestyle is all we know, and we chose it
This for my niggas (my niggas, my niggas, free the real, nigga)
I'm dedicating this to my friends and hoping they get released from prison
Took that nigga's soul (yah), took that nigga's soul
I killed someone
Thug life, nigga, this all we know
This is our lifestyle, and it's all we know
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Torence Hatch, Melvin Noble
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kadewilliams8281
Bro, this nigga could rap, rap! Like 3s rap ability was up there with greats. That cadence is too crazy🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😢
@nellamonroe1111
Boosie talking that shit ‼️💯
@jwhite716.
Damn... Yall gone make me cry tonight! 💔🖤🙏🏾 Rest up Mo3 👑
@taedavis5695
@JWhite I know what you mean 💔😭🤦♀️
@smokingopps1488
🚀🚀 https://youtu.be/QJPvxKaBIZs 🚀🚀
@WUGGAMAKK
This nigga still the heart of Dallas culture
@boswelllifestyletv8441
I swear mo3 sound like he still alive 😓😓😓 🇯🇲one love💯📌
That mo3 vouch the Jamaican part got me all the time like., "Me a top shotta me go murder them go ask them they go vouch an when its war time they scared of him they won't come out the house😂"
@richniggaboswell i.g🇯🇲😎
@smokingopps1488
🚀🚀 https://youtu.be/QJPvxKaBIZs 🚀🚀
@SavageKE
Negro Spirituals 🙏🏾 LL3🕊
@musicsicum2954
Here we go! 🔥 #LongLive3 #BG4L #RIPRoyLee