The gold single peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song had two official remixes: one version from producer Crazy C and another version produced by Organized Noize, which was featured as the last track on ”ATLiens”.
Elevators
OutKast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A couple of years ago on Headland and Delowe
Was the start of somethin' good
Where me and my nigga rode the MARTA, through the hood
Just tryna find that hook up, now everyday we looked up at the ceilin'
Watchin' ceilin' fans go 'round, tryna catch that feelin'
Off instrumentals, had my pencil and plus my paper
We caught the 86 Lithonia headed to Decatur
Light off in that spot, knowin' that we could rock
Doin' the hole in the wall clubs, this shit here must stop, like "Freeze"
We makin' the crowd move, but we not makin' no G's, and that's a no-no (yeah, uh)
Check it, a one-two, a one-two dope niggas in the Cadillac
They call us, went from Player's Ball to ballers
Puttin' the South up on the map was like Little Rock to bangin'
Niggas say mothafuck that playin', they payin', we stayin' layin' vocals
Locales done made it with them big boys up in this industry
"OutKast, yeah, them niggas, they makin' big noise"
Over a million sold to this day, niggas they take it lightly
'96 gon' be that year that all y'all playa haters can bite me, I'm out this bitch
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
Uh, back in the day, when I was younger, hunger
Lookin' to fill me belly with that Rally's bullshit
Pull shit off, like it was supposed to be pulled
Full as a tick, I was stoned like them white boys
Smokin' them white girls, before them blunts, got crunk, chunky asses
Passes gettin' thrown like Hail Mary's, and they lookin' like Halle Berry's
So, so fine, intertwined, but we ain't sippin' wine
We's just chillin', I'm the rabid villain, and I'm so high
Smokin' freely, me, Lil B, Reek, Mone and Shug
And my little brother James, thangs changed in the hood
Where I live at, them rats know, "Mama, I want to sin'
But mama I want to trick, and mama I'm suckin' dick now"
We movin' on up in the world like elevators
Me and the crew, we pimps like '82, me and you like Tony Toni Tone
Yeah, yeah, like this, East Point and we gone
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
Got stopped at the mall the other day, heard a call from the other way
That I just came from, some nigga was sayin' somethin', talkin' 'bout
(Smoke somethin') "Ayy man, you remember me from school?"
"No not really", but he kept smilin' like a clown, facial expression lookin' silly
And he kept askin' me, "What kinda car you drive? I know you paid
I know y'all got beaucoup of hoes from all them songs that y'all done made"
And I replied that I had been goin' through the same thin's that he has
True, I've got more fans than the average man, but not enough loot to last me
To the end of the week, I live by the beat, like you live check-to-check
If you don't move your feet then I don't eat, so we like neck-to-neck
Yes, we done come a long way like them slim-ass cigarettes
From Virginia, this ain't gon' stop, so we just gon' continue (continue)
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
Elevators (or Me & You) is a song by the Atlanta rap duo Outkast, off their second album ATLiens, which was released in 1996. The song's intro "one for the money, two for the show" references a traditional rhyme used by performers to calm their nerves before a performance. The song is about the struggles of being an up-and-coming rap artist, and how that can impact friends and family. The lyrics also touch on the fame and pressures that come with success.
The first verse sets the tone by talking about the humble beginnings of Outkast. The duo used to ride the MARTA train, writing rhymes and trying to find their break in the music industry. The line "Off instrumentals, had my pencil and plus my paper" suggests that they started out with nothing but a blank sheet of paper and their rhyming skills. They caught the 86 Lithonia headed to Decatur, searching for the light and the spot where they could make people move. As they began to gain popularity, they realized that they weren't making money yet, and it was time to put a stop to the "hole in the wall clubs" and start making bigger moves.
In the second verse, they talk about their rise to fame and the pressures that come with it. They compare the beginning of their journey to "Little Rock to banging", a reference to the gang violence that plagued Little Rock, Arkansas in the early 1990s. They also mention how they went from being "players" to "ballers", suggesting that they were now making serious money. Despite their success, they still face criticism from "playa haters" who don't appreciate their music. The chorus repeats the line "Me and you, your mama and your cousin too", emphasizing their concerns for their community and how their success can benefit those close to them.
Line by Line Meaning
One for the money, yes sir, two for the show
We're starting something good
A couple of years ago on Headland and Delowe
We began our journey in this city
Was the start of somethin' good
We had potential for success
Where me and my nigga rode the MARTA, through the hood
We traveled through rough neighborhoods on public transport
Just tryna find that hook up, now everyday we looked up at the ceilin'
We were searching for opportunities and dreaming about a better future
Watchin' ceilin' fans go 'round, tryna catch that feelin'
We were searching for inspiration and motivation to achieve our goals
Off instrumentals, had my pencil and plus my paper
We were writing music
We caught the 86 Lithonia headed to Decatur
We headed to another part of the city to find new opportunities
Writin' rhymes, tryna find our spot off in that light
We were trying to establish ourselves and become recognized
Light off in that spot, knowin' that we could rock
We were confident in our abilities to perform and entertain
Doin' the hole in the wall clubs, this shit here must stop, like 'Freeze'
We were tired of performing in small venues and wanted to move up
We makin' the crowd move, but we not makin' no G's, and that's a no-no (yeah, uh)
We were gaining attention and popularity, but not making much money
Check it, a one-two, a one-two dope niggas in the Cadillac
We were starting to experience success and recognition
They call us, went from Player's Ball to ballers
We gained fame and status in the music industry
Puttin' the South up on the map was like Little Rock to bangin'
We were representing our region and putting it on the map
Niggas say mothafuck that playin', they payin', we stayin' layin' vocals
We were serious about our craft and continuing to make music
Locales done made it with them big boys up in this industry
We had achieved success and gained recognition in the music industry
'OutKast, yeah, them niggas, they makin' big noise'
People were talking about us and recognizing our music
Over a million sold to this day, niggas they take it lightly
We had sold millions of records but people still underestimated our success
'96 gon' be that year that all y'all playa haters can bite me, I'm out this bitch
We were confident in our success and leaving behind anyone who didn't believe in us
Me and you
Your mama and your cousin too
Rollin' down the strip on Vogues
We were enjoying our success and living the high life
Comin' up, slammin' Cadillac doors
We were making a statement and enjoying our status
Uh, back in the day, when I was younger, hunger
We started from humble beginnings and were driven to succeed
Lookin' to fill me belly with that Rally's bullshit
We were struggling to make ends meet and survive
Full as a tick, I was stoned like them white boys
Smokin' them white girls, before them blunts, got crunk, chunky asses
We were smoking and partying to cope with our struggles
Passes gettin' thrown like Hail Mary's, and they lookin' like Halle Berry's
So, so fine, intertwined, but we ain't sippin' wine
We were attracting attention from women and enjoying our newfound fame and success
We's just chillin', I'm the rabid villain, and I'm so high
We were enjoying life and feeling euphoric
Smokin' freely, me, Lil B, Reek, Mone and Shug
And my little brother James, thangs changed in the hood
We were smoking and hanging out with friends, while also reflecting on the changes in our community
Where I live at, them rats know, 'Mama, I want to sin'
But mama I want to trick, and mama I'm suckin' dick now'
We were aware of the dangers and temptations in our community
We movin' on up in the world like elevators
We were continuing to achieve success and reach new heights
Me and the crew, we pimps like '82, me and you like Tony Toni Tone
Yeah, yeah, like this, East Point and we gone
We were confident in our status and identity, and proud of where we were from
Got stopped at the mall the other day, heard a call from the other way
We were starting to attract attention and recognition from fans
That I just came from, some nigga was sayin' somethin', talkin' 'bout
(Smoke somethin') 'Ayy man, you remember me from school?'
'No not really', but he kept smilin' like a clown, facial expression lookin' silly
We were dealing with fans and acquaintances who were trying to connect with us
And he kept askin' me, 'What kinda car you drive? I know you paid
I know y'all got beaucoup of hoes from all them songs that y'all done made'
People were curious about our success and lifestyle
And I replied that I had been goin' through the same thin's that he has
True, I've got more fans than the average man, but not enough loot to last me
We were relating to our fans and acknowledging the struggles that come with success
To the end of the week, I live by the beat, like you live check-to-check
If you don't move your feet then I don't eat, so we like neck-to-neck
We were still working hard to maintain our success and earn a living
Yes, we done come a long way like them slim-ass cigarettes
From Virginia, this ain't gon' stop, so we just gon' continue (continue)
We had come a long way from our humble beginnings, and were determined to continue achieving success
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andre Benjamin, Antwan Patton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BlakeDaGreat12
If you’re listening to this in 2024, you’re a true legend.
@andreachristine2419
This still bangs today. GOD I miss the flow that OutKast had, there's nothing like it anymore. This that music you can vibe to, relax to, and dance too. OutKast is a genre itself.
@ao8878
Yeah literally, it’s so hard to find music that is soooo chill but you could also dance to, nothing out now is as good as the 90s sounds and especially outkast
@pickeerose4129
Outkast Music
@jrhunt5293
Frfr
@jeromepurgerson3093
I'll never forget being like 9 years old hearing so fresh so clean for the first time,back when you use to go around the corner to that shady ass spot on the corner for dvds and cds that just dropped for the low low 😆
@xg2922
Earthgang!
@MySuperman78
This was so far ahead of its time that I remember when it first dropped in 1996, I couldn’t understand their vision at the time. This is the true art of storytelling and intelligence infused into hip hop.
@HUGG0
Eminem fez o clipe fuck feito por esse clipe ai
@ShiftyShifts
I remember being shocked hearing this on MTV in tge middle of the night when they played upcoming artists thinking they were amazing but so niche sounding that they'd never be that big. I was wrong.