He has one older brother who is five years older than him. He had a tough childhood growing up with a father who was addicted to crack and a mother who was diagnosed breast cancer. A lot of his struggles are reflected in the lyrics of his music. OnCue graduated from Newington High School and attended Central Connecticut State University and Brooklyn College before dropping out to pursue music full time.
OnCue started rapping at the age of 11 and recording music when he was 13-years-old at local studios in the Hartford area. Throughout his teenage years, OnCue focused on honing his craft and developing his sound. In 2010, OnCue moved to Brooklyn to take his rap career more seriously.
To help earn some money to get by, OnCue would create album covers for producers and other rappers. Two prominent Brooklyn he did work for were MICK and Terry Urban. One day he came up to them and showed them his bars. Impressed, they worked with OnCue, hosting several of his mixtapes including "Cueyfornication" and "Cuey Sings the Blues".
In addition, OnCue started working with producer C.J. Luzi, who he would collaborate with throughout his career. Adam Ross would direct several of his music videos to much acclaim by critics and fans.
In early 2012 after his "Leftovers" and "Can't Wait" mixtapes dropped, OnCue linked up with Just Blaze through AThe Bald God. For the next two years, they would work together and create one mixtape, "Leftovers 2", and his first album, "Angry Young Man".
Common themes in his music are about love and hardships. His family and difficult situation growing up have been a huge inspiration to his lyrics and often get very personal. He raps about the struggles he went through and overcoming them. OnCue constantly mentions his past relationships and how they affected his life. Also, many times in his music, he makes references to his dick.
Rent Money
ONCUE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I said fuck depression
After that, started finnessin'
Smoking, drinking, keep the stressin' away
Away all my sessions like confession
Hardly ever learned my lesson
But I always keep reppin' my state, my state
Nothing else to lose, nothing else to prove
Bout to do this all again
Ay, you should see this view
How they switch they tone? Me and her
Haven't talked but fuck it imma hit
Her friend like who know?
I deserve this shit I'm real as
Shit until the mood blown
Yeah you heard the kid
I work the biz til pockets sumo
I been schemin', I been
Plottin', yeah I'm next, i'm too close
I like drinking
Why you pour that bourbon for me too slow
Let's be honest
I'm like Hov and Death Cab in a blender
Mixed a lil Yeezy, I should
Got the hoes tweakin' like that
One guy that's in Panda
I been drunk all weekend
Damn I been on a bender
Oh not this again, I been on 10
Shit don't make sense
How I'm blowing through this rent I said
Oh not this again, getting hella bent
Got whiskey on my shirt, and my landlord
He a jerk
There go my rent money, ya ya ya, ay
There go my rent money, bye, bye, bye, bitch
There go my rent money, ya ya ya, ay
There go my rent money, fuck my life
I think they know my name
And I never changed, no
This been in my veins, been
Engraved in my bones, hey
I don't win no change, don't
Play games with the hoes, no
In the studio, late night to get the dough
Yeah my bourbon, I mixed up
Helps clear the picture
Pour me a river, I don't need my liver
My momma in a home now
I don't got a home now
I just got a throne now
Your boy up in the zone now
I been hitting notes and taking tokes
Since I was 6 years old
Lost control of sleeping
Will I learn to let them demons go?
Since I these hoes bagging hoes
Is like a finger roll
Your name Captain, I don't
Put shit on pedestals, damn
I just made a plan, all I
Did was stick to it, man
She a fan of 3AM, she want my dick to it
Got me reminiscing
All them days you wouldn't listen
Dissing, shitting on me
Now you get the vision so
You kissing on me yeah
Oh not this again, I been on 10
Shit don't make sense
How I'm blowing through this rent I said
Oh not this again, getting hella bent
Got whiskey on my shirt, and my landlord
He a jerk
There go my rent money, ya ya ya, ay
There go my rent money, bye, bye, bye, bitch
There go my rent money, ya ya ya, ay
There go my rent money, fuck my life
ONCUE's song "Rent Money" is a raw and candid exploration of the artist's struggles with mental health, substance use, and the constant pressures of adult life. The opening lines, where he explicitly declares "Man, fuck depression," set a confrontational tone, as he acknowledges his battle with this pervasive emotional state. The subsequent lines reveal a coping mechanism that blends indulgence—smoking and drinking—with a sense of reckless abandon. The mention of sessions that feel like confessions highlights a desire for catharsis, even as he admits to hardly learning from his past mistakes. This dichotomy of knowing what is right yet continuing to stray from it illustrates the struggle of mental health, where moments of clarity can be overwhelmed by emotional turbulence. The repeated assertion of pride in representing his state conveys a sense of identity and resilience amid chaos.
As the song progresses, ONCUE touches on themes of materialism intertwined with personal ambition. The lines "Nothing else to lose, nothing else to prove" suggest a turning point where, after experiencing significant loss, he reclaims his sense of self and purpose. The metaphor of losing and regaining everything highlights the fickle nature of life and success, framing it as a cyclical endeavor. This transient view of achievement is further emphasized by his casual mention of interactions with women and the shifting nature of relationships, symbolizing his place in a world where both connections and disconnections are inevitable. The playful references to various artists like Jay-Z and Death Cab for Cutie underscore a blending of influences that further enhances his identity as an artist caught between different worlds.
The refrain "Oh not this again, I been on 10" encapsulates a feeling of frustration and futility, embodying the cyclical nature of his life experiences. The image of "blowing through this rent" conveys a sense of irresponsibility and self-sabotage, as he wrestles with the consequences of his choices. This part of the song serves as both a confession and a taunt—ONCUE acknowledges his reckless spending on alcohol instead of adequately managing his rent responsibilities. The landlord is depicted as a nefarious figure, adding an antagonistic tension to his narrative, while this juxtaposition of external conflict against his internal struggles creates a deeper resonance with listeners who might share similar experiences of financial instability paired with self-destructive behavior.
Finally, the final verses capture a broader sense of isolation and reflection. As he discusses his mother's situation, it becomes clear that personal life is intricately tied to emotional distress. The juxtaposition of physical space—“I don’t got a home now”—with figurative acknowledgment of a “throne” symbolizes triumph despite adversity, but it also introduces the notion of emptiness in achievement without a stable foundation. The mention of his crafting process in the studio reveals a commitment to his art amidst chaos, indicating that music serves as both a vehicle for expression and a refuge from everyday struggles. The repetitive assertion of "There go my rent money" in the chorus becomes a mantra that encapsulates his feelings of frustration, illusion of success, and ultimate resignation to life’s unpredictable nature. Collectively, these lyrics paint a vivid portrait of an artist grappling with the complexities of adulthood, mental health, every fleeting moment of joy tempered by the shadows of his circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Man, fuck depression
I'm fed up with feeling low and defeated.
Yeah, I said fuck depression
I'm openly rejecting the weight of my sadness.
After that, started finnessin'
I began to adapt and survive in tough times.
Smoking, drinking, keep the stressin' away
I resort to substances to numb my anxieties.
Away all my sessions like confession
I escape my problems during moments of reflection.
Hardly ever learned my lesson
I repeatedly fail to grasp valuable life lessons.
But I always keep reppin' my state, my state
I proudly represent my roots, no matter what.
Nothing else to lose, nothing else to prove
I'm at a point where I've lost everything, leaving me with no pressure to impress anyone.
Lost it all, got it back
I've faced major setbacks but managed to recover.
Bout to do this all again
I'm preparing to face these challenges repeatedly.
Ay, you should see this view
There's beauty around me that I appreciate.
How they switch they tone? Me and her
People change their attitudes quickly in relationships.
Haven't talked but fuck it imma hit
I haven’t spoken to her in a while, but I’ll reach out anyway.
Her friend like who know?
I’ll interact with her friend to gauge the situation.
I deserve this shit I'm real as
I believe I’m genuine and worthy of my experiences.
Shit until the mood blown
I’ll keep it real until the atmosphere changes.
Yeah you heard the kid
I want you to recognize my presence and words.
I work the biz til pockets sumo
I hustle hard to fill my pockets with money.
I been schemin', I been
I've been plotting my next move carefully.
Plottin', yeah I'm next, I'm too close
I’m strategizing because success is within reach.
I like drinking
I enjoy consuming alcohol.
Why you pour that bourbon for me too slow
I’m impatient for you to serve me my drink.
Let's be honest
It's time to face the truth openly.
I'm like Hov and Death Cab in a blender
I combine different musical influences in my style.
Mixed a lil Yeezy, I should
Incorporating elements of Kanye West into my sound.
Got the hoes tweakin' like that
I attract attention from women in an enticing way.
One guy that's in Panda
I connect with trends, similar to the viral effect of songs like 'Panda.'
I been drunk all weekend
I’ve spent the last few days heavily drinking.
Damn I been on a bender
I’ve engaged in excessive drinking that feels out of control.
Oh not this again, I been on 10
Once more, I'm feeling overwhelmed and energetic.
Shit don't make sense
My situation feels confusing and chaotic.
How I'm blowing through this rent I said
I’m struggling to manage my rent with my spending.
Oh not this again, getting hella bent
Here I go again, getting heavily intoxicated.
Got whiskey on my shirt, and my landlord
I’m dealing with the aftermath of my drinking, while my landlord is unforgiving.
He a jerk
My landlord is unkind and difficult.
There go my rent money, ya ya ya, ay
I've lost my money for rent once again.
There go my rent money, bye, bye, bye, bitch
I'm saying goodbye to my money with frustration.
There go my rent money, ya ya ya, ay
Lost my funds again, feeling hopeless.
There go my rent money, fuck my life
I’m overwhelmed by these repeated financial struggles.
I think they know my name
I believe I’m becoming recognized within my community.
And I never changed, no
Despite my circumstances, my identity has stayed the same.
This been in my veins, been
This lifestyle and struggle are deeply ingrained in me.
Engraved in my bones, hey
These experiences are fundamental to who I am.
I don't win no change, don't
I’m not making any real progress or gains.
Play games with the hoes, no
I don’t engage in trivial relationship games.
In the studio, late night to get the dough
I work hard at night in the studio to earn money.
Yeah my bourbon, I mixed up
I combined my bourbon with something else to enhance it.
Helps clear the picture
It assists me in finding clarity amid confusion.
Pour me a river, I don't need my liver
I want to drink excessively, regardless of the consequences to my health.
My momma in a home now
My mother is living in a care facility now.
I don't got a home now
I feel rootless and lack a stable living situation.
I just got a throne now
Despite my struggles, I have risen to a position of respect or power.
Your boy up in the zone now
I’m in a focused and determined state of mind.
I been hitting notes and taking tokes
I’ve been enjoying music and smoking for a long time.
Since I was 6 years old
These habits have been part of my life from a young age.
Lost control of sleeping
I struggle to manage my sleep patterns.
Will I learn to let them demons go?
I wonder if I will ever truly overcome my inner struggles.
Since I these hoes bagging hoes
The complexities of relationships have always captivated me.
Is like a finger roll
Navigating these relationships feels effortless and skillful.
Your name Captain, I don't
I recognize the authority of others without idolizing them.
Put shit on pedestals, damn
I don’t elevate anyone to an unrealistic status.
I just made a plan, all I
I’ve created a strategy for my future.
Did was stick to it, man
I’ve committed to following through with my plans.
She a fan of 3AM, she want my dick to it
She enjoys late-night conversations and intimacy with me.
Got me reminiscing
This takes me back to former relationships.
All them days you wouldn't listen
Reflecting on times when others ignored my feelings.
Dissing, shitting on me
People were critical and dismissive of me.
Now you get the vision so
Now, they see things from my perspective.
You kissing on me yeah
There’s newfound affection in our connection.
Oh not this again, I been on 10
Once more, I’m experiencing an overwhelming surge of energy.
Shit don't make sense
My life feels chaotic and irrational.
How I'm blowing through this rent I said
I don’t understand how I’m wasting my rent money.
Oh not this again, getting hella bent
Here I go again, losing myself in alcohol.
Got whiskey on my shirt, and my landlord
I'm facing consequences for my drinking habits with my landlord.
He a jerk
My landlord is unpleasant and unhelpful.
There go my rent money, ya ya ya, ay
I've lost my rent money yet again.
There go my rent money, bye, bye, bye, bitch
I’m frustrated as I say goodbye to my financial resources.
There go my rent money, ya ya ya, ay
Another loss of funds, leaving me stuck.
There go my rent money, fuck my life
These struggles make me feel hopeless about my situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FNorbert
Hello Oncue.
Iam rly happy that u still make and share musics. Its a pleased for me. Iam listening you since 2011 and u always give me good feelings with your flow.
btw i renember that once few years ago i forgot your name.:D and i spent a lot of time to find you. i needed 2-3 hour to find u on youtube history.:D but at least i got u. Worth it.
Iam just sad that u still isnt famous enough. when i listened your musics first time i thought u will be one of the most famous rap artist but meh..its never gonna happen.:(
thanx for your music again. greetings from Hungary.
@mynamecuey
AYYYY thank you for all the love. We all worked very hard on this oneeee forreal. Share it please. Send to some friends lets get these viiiiewwwws uppppp!
@mrcampos14able
Found you cause of floating roots on Insta bro this shit bumps
@MsSwan-wn6vj
Love ya sooo muuach
@cecilianewburn5180
🎧🚬🌲💯
@ChoirboyDank
pop up video shit this shit lit af
@SokzMusic
nice song <3333
@DiplexHeated
Haha the old school feel man, that's genius.
@springvisuals
I'm noticing a lot of gaming YT content creators like his music. Help him blow up. Plug his shit to your fanbase
@GlutenSnois
Alot of his music were used in 'montages' on a game called Call of Duty back in the days!
@kpiorkowski05
love this tune too getting better n better