Since Interscope Records had many other popular artists like Eminem and 50 Cent, Planet Asia did not get much promotion. The Fresno rapper stayed with Interscope until 2003 and did not release one album. He did however get nominated for a Grammy Award in 2002 for the song "W" by Mystic. In October, 2007 Asia performed at the OC Tavern after Aliso Black an acclaimed member from the X-tort Clan opened for him. He also made many collaboration tracks with famous artists such as Linkin Park, Bun B, Talib Kweli and Ghostface Killah.
In 2003, Avatar Records signed Planet Asia to an exclusive world-wide recording contract and in 2004 released Planet Asia's debut album, The Grand Opening, to positive feedback. It earned him another Independent Album of the Year award from The Source. Avatar also released 12" vinyl records including "Summertime In The City" b/w "G's & Soldiers" featuring Kurupt, "Its All Big" b/w "Right or Wrong", and "Real Niggaz" featuring Ghostface. His record "G's & Soldiers" featuring Kurupt was prominently featured in John Travolta's 2005 film "Be Cool" released by MGM. After leaving Avatar, Planet Asia started his own record label, Gold Chain Music, with Walt Liquor.
His latest album, The Medicine, was released on October 3, 2006 on ABB Records. The entire album was produced by Evidence of Dilated Peoples, with co-production credits from The Alchemist, Nucleus & Bravo.
Paper Up
Planet Asia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Ye-ye-ye-yeah, ye-ye, ye-yeah
Ah one two
[x4]
La la la la la LAH, la la-lah
I was chillin on the corner, just me and my fam
And everybody had at least a G in they hand
That's when one of my brothers came with this master plan
He told me, "As' - no more sellin this hand to hand
You got talent then you should use it don't waste it man
There comes a time in your life one must take a stand"
I looked at him and said, "You got me mistaken man
It'll all come in time, just be patient man," but
[Chorus: x2]
My peoples gotta get they paper up
Cause nowadays these streets ain't safe for us
How many more lives they gon' take from us
This life will make you crazy like angel dust
[Verse Two]
I wrote this for my peoples who stay on the grind
The Lord might not come when you call but he's always on time
Like this friend of mine I know who was left behind
Had no one to care so therefore it vexed his mind
But then he transformed his energy, utilized his strength
And took it as a blessing as a part of his identity
No need for worry just keep your pride
Crooked cops on the block with the piece inside, but
[Chorus]
[Asia] Now everybody sing it!
[Repeat x4: w/ ad libs]
La la la la la LAH, la la-lah
[Verse Three]
If you ain't got no dough, get your paper up
All the mothers on the Earth, just pray for us
It will be many more lives that they take from us
But in the end there really ain't no escapin us
I used to think that I would end up paperless'
'Til the homies in the hood started cakin up
But I'm an artist, no not as in paintin brush
But a hustler's theme song, your favorite stuff
[Chorus]
[Asia] Now everybody sing it!
[Repeat 8X w/ ad libs]
La la la la la LAH, la la-lah
[Planet Asia]
C'mon
Kutmasta Kurt, Planet Asia, G.C.M.
C. Ayyyy! {?}
The song "Paper Up" by Planet Asia is about the struggles of making a living in a world that is not always kind to those who grow up in harsh environments. In the first verse, Planet Asia is with his friends on the corner, who are all holding money when one of his friends suggests that he has talent and should not be wasting it selling drugs hand-to-hand on the street. His friend tells him that there comes a time when you have to take a stand, and use your talents to make money in a more legitimate way. In response, Planet Asia tells his friend that he should be patient, and it will all come in time.
In the chorus, Planet Asia sings about the need to make money, as nowadays the streets aren't safe for them anymore. He also talks about how life can make you crazy like angel dust, a drug that can cause hallucinations and alter your state of mind. In the second verse, he talks about his friend who was left behind and had no one to care for him. He transformed his energy, utilized his strength, and took it as a blessing as a part of his identity. He advises everyone to keep their pride, despite crooked cops carrying weapons around them.
Line by Line Meaning
I was chillin on the corner, just me and my fam
Planet Asia was hanging out casually with his family on the corner of the street.
And everybody had at least a G in they hand
Everyone around him had a minimum of $1,000 cash in their hands.
That's when one of my brothers came with this master plan
One of Asia's brothers came up with a great idea.
He told me, "As' - no more sellin this hand to hand
His brother advised him to stop selling their products one by one in the street.
You got talent then you should use it don't waste it man
If you have particular skills or abilities, you should use them to their fullest extent and not squander them.
There comes a time in your life one must take a stand"
There is a moment in everyone's life when they must make a stand for something.
It'll all come in time, just be patient man," but
Planet Asia believes that eventually, things will work in his favor, he just needs to be patient.
My peoples gotta get they paper up
His friends need to earn more money.
Cause nowadays these streets ain't safe for us
The streets are not safe for Planet Asia and his friends anymore.
How many more lives they gon' take from us
Planet Asia is questioning how many more people will be killed on the streets.
This life will make you crazy like angel dust
Living life in the streets will make you go insane.
I wrote this for my peoples who stay on the grind
The song was written for his friends who work hard to earn money.
The Lord might not come when you call but he's always on time
God may not be present whenever we want it, but eventually he'll come and help us.
Had no one to care so therefore it vexed his mind
One of Planet Asia's friends was upset because no one cared about him.
It will be many more lives that they take from us
Planet Asia believes that more people will die.
But in the end there really ain't no escapin us
No one can escape death.
I used to think that I would end up paperless'
At one point, Asia didn't think he would make much money at all.
But the homies in the hood started cakin up
But his friends started earning well.
But I'm an artist, no not as in paintin brush
Planet Asia's an artist, and not a painter.
But a hustler's theme song, your favorite stuff
The song is a hustler's go-to track that he enjoys.
Contributed by Alice J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mr.internazional8429
Uffff easyly on fiiiire !!!!
@alvarocamonte8431
2018 rockin!
@seananderson1397
Dam I missed this song 💚💚💚💚🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@judekidner4961
Dope ASF. 🔥 🔥 🔥
@djrj6668
Bought this when it came out
@HalfBaked19
Thanks for this! Throwback!
@MagnusCagnus
LUCIO BATTISTI - RESPIRANDO
@LOMEDIOJOH
classic !!!!
@khokazsa4
of mine too!!
@OSCroniclessTHUGSCROATIA
and all sing LA LA LA LAAL A LLAA