Plies was born Algernod Lanier Washington on July 1, 1976, in Fort Myers, Florida and grew up in Cape Coral, Florida. While at Fort Myers Senior High School, he played in the football team, was crowned Homecoming King, and was named the "Best Dressed" student of his class. He attended Miami University for a year and played in its basketball team, then transferred to the University of Central Florida for sophomore year and dropped out. In the late 1990s, Plies and his stepbrother Ronnell Lawrence Lavatte, also known as Big Gates, established an independent record label, Big Gates Records. Although Plies initially refused to rap, after a demonstration for one of his artists, Big Gates decided to keep Plies' verse on the track "Tell Dem Krackers Dat". Big Gates and Plies promoted the single and traveled many times to Miami, which eventually led to a deal for Plies on Slip-n-Slide Records. Plies's girlfriend Brandy Lacole Lyons gave birth to a son, Nijier Lanier Washington, at the University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida on October 20, 2003. After signing to Slip-n-Slide in 2004, Plies released several mixtapes.
On July 2, 2006, after a shooting at a Gainesville, Florida nightclub, Plies was charged with illegal possession of a concealed weapon, and members of his entourage were charged with attempted murder. The shooting, in which 5 people were injured, started after Plies' microphone was cut off for Lil' Boosie to perform, after Plies' performance ran over time. According to the promoter Jonathan Smith, Plies became "enraged". A fight began with fists and shouting, and ended with at least six rounds of bullets being fired.
I Chase Paper
Plies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just had somebody come up to me and ask me, I chase paper
What do you do for a living, sir? I chase paper, What you told 'em?
I told 'em, I chase paper, what da fuck do you do? I chase paper
If you wanna know what my occupation is, homie
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Twenty, four)
(Seven, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Monday, through)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Sunday, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Twenty, four)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Seven, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Monday, through)
I chase paper, I chase paper, I chase paper
(Sunday, homie)
Hustle now, sleep when I'm dead
Niggas with paper, they go fed
Grandma told me, that's where I'm headin'
Gon' chase paper, can't be scared
All I know, I won't beg
Owe me paper, I want my bread
Don't wanna pay, I want your head
Yoppa loaded, under my bed
Gon' chase paper 'til I'm dead
How much paper it's gon' take?
Just for me to be straight
Me to be rich, I can't wait
All I do is paper chase
I won't got time, I can't wait
'Cause I need millions on my plate
I chase paper all day
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Twenty, four)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Seven, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Monday, through)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Sunday, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Twenty, four)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Seven, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Monday, through)
I chase paper, I chase paper, I chase paper
(Sunday, homie)
Wake up early, lookin' for a check
'Til I get rich, I can't rest
Broke and black, now that's stress
Wanna break bread wit' me, be my guest
When I got paper, I'm at my best
Only money can fix my mess
Tired of Chevy's, I want jets
All I need is one big lick
I want now, I won't next
I want paper, he don't want shit
I want mansions, he want a bitch
That's the last thang on my list
Without paper, I am sick
Paper ain't there, I want it
I chase paper 'til I quit
The mo' I hustle the mo' I get
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Twenty, four)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Seven, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Monday, through)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Sunday, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Twenty, four)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Seven, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Monday, through)
I chase paper, I chase paper, I chase paper
(Sunday, homie)
I lost it all, I almost cried
Can't sleep, I got bags under my eyes
I need paper, fuck bein' tied
I need paper, mo' than I do a wife
If I go broke, I would die
Hustle longer than nine to five
Can't be broke, got too much pride
What's after broke, suicide
Been chasin' paper all my life
They hatin' on me, that's alright
I need haters, they my high
Easy gettin' the mo' you try
Paper chaser, that is I
Hundred mil', still won't retire
My brother in prison, chasin' it now
Say I won't chase paper, that's a lie
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Twenty, four)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Seven, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Monday, through)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Sunday, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Twenty, four)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Seven, homie)
I chase paper, I chase paper
(Monday, through)
I chase paper, I chase paper, I chase paper
(Sunday, homie)
Oh, I know all about chasin' paper, brah
Three albums in sixteen months, homie
I'm all about chasin' paper
This how we comin' out the gates, homie
Da REAList in stores December 16th
What time it is, brah?
5:22 in the mornin', brah, am
Either they hatin' or they tryna be just like me, man
Either they hatin' or they tryna be just like me
The song "I Chase Paper" by Plies is an ode to hustling and making money. In the opening verse, Plies proudly proclaims that he chases paper, which is street slang for pursuing wealth through hard work and determination. He is not afraid to let people know that his main goal is making money, and he doesn't care what other people do for a living. Throughout the song, he repeats the refrain "I chase paper" over and over again to emphasize his dedication to the pursuit of wealth. Plies also touches on the theme of pride in pursuit of wealth, rapping that he won't beg and that he wants his due payment. Plies also stresses that he needs money because he has high standards and wants the finer things in life. He's taking no breaks and is working for his money 24/7, as the chorus indicates.
The song has some dark themes as well. Plies raps about how he almost cried when he lost all his money, and how the fear of being broke is worse than death. He sees paper chasing as a last resort before suicide, highlighting the desperation that can come with pursuing wealth at all costs. Plies also references his brother, who is currently in prison and chasing paper in his own way.
Overall, "I Chase Paper" is a gritty and intense track that speaks to the realities of life in the streets. It highlights the drive and determination of people who are willing to do whatever it takes to make money and survive in a harsh environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, it's Plies again, I chase paper
Introducing the artist and his main occupation
I just had somebody come up to me and ask me, I chase paper
Narrating an incident where someone approached him and asked about his occupation
What do you do for a living, sir? I chase paper, What you told 'em?
Repeating the question asked by the person and his response
I told 'em, I chase paper, what da fuck do you do? I chase paper
Responding with sarcasm and emphasizing his focus on earning money
If you wanna know what my occupation is, homie
Acknowledging the listener's curiosity about his work
I chase paper, I chase paper
Confirming his main activity
(Twenty, four)
Stating that he works continuously without any break
(Seven, homie)
Referring to working every day of the week
(Monday, through)
Adding to the previous statement that he works all days, starting from Monday
(Sunday, homie)
Concluding that he works even on Sundays
I chase paper, I chase paper, I chase paper
Repeating his primary activity three times
Hustle now, sleep when I'm dead
Advocating for working hard now and resting later in life
Niggas with paper, they go fed
Observing that wealthy people live comfortably
Grandma told me, that's where I'm headin'
Mentioning his grandmother's advice to seek financial stability
Gon' chase paper, can't be scared
Asserting that he will pursue earning money and isn't afraid of doing so
All I know, I won't beg
Expressing his refusal to ask for money
Owe me paper, I want my bread
Demanding repayment if someone owes him money
Don't wanna pay, I want your head
Threatening those who refuse to pay him back
Yoppa loaded, under my bed
Revealing that he keeps a gun for protection
Gon' chase paper 'til I'm dead
Reiterating his determination to earn money throughout his life
How much paper it's gon' take?
Asking himself how much money he needs to achieve his financial goals
Just for me to be straight
Clarifying that his purpose behind earning money is to live comfortably
Me to be rich, I can't wait
Expressing his desire to become wealthy as soon as possible
All I do is paper chase
Summing up his daily routine of pursuing money
I won't got time, I can't wait
Emphasizing that he is too busy earning money to waste time
'Cause I need millions on my plate
Explaining that he wants to accumulate a significant amount of money
I chase paper all day
Repeating his primary activity
Wake up early, lookin' for a check
Describing his daily routine of starting work early and searching for jobs
'Til I get rich, I can't rest
Asserting that he won't stop working until he becomes wealthy
Broke and black, now that's stress
Highlighting the difficulties he faces due to being both poor and black
Wanna break bread wit' me, be my guest
Inviting others to share his money if they work hard with him
When I got paper, I'm at my best
Feeling confident and productive when he earns money
Only money can fix my mess
Believing that only money can help him solve his problems
Tired of Chevy's, I want jets
Desiring expensive items that he can't afford right now
All I need is one big lick
Hoping for one profitable opportunity that can change his financial situation
I want now, I won't next
Preferring to earn money quickly, rather than waiting for future opportunities
I want paper, he don't want shit
Comparing his focus on earning money and someone else's lack of ambition
I want mansions, he want a bitch
Stating that his goals are different from someone who only wants a romantic partner
That's the last thang on my list
Placing earning money as his highest priority
Without paper, I am sick
Claiming that he feels unwell without money
Paper ain't there, I want it
Expressing his desire to earn money if he doesn't have any
I chase paper 'til I quit
Repeating his determination to earn money throughout his life, until he stops working
The mo' I hustle the mo' I get
Believing that his efforts to earn money will lead to more success
I lost it all, I almost cried
Admitting that he experienced failure and felt emotional about it
Can't sleep, I got bags under my eyes
Sacrificing his sleep to work and earn money
I need paper, fuck bein' tied
Preferring earning money over being tied down to responsibilities
I need paper, mo' than I do a wife
Emphasizing that he values making money more than having a romantic partner
If I go broke, I would die
Admitting that he fears being poor and unable to earn money
Hustle longer than nine to five
Working harder and longer than regular hours to earn money
Can't be broke, got too much pride
Feeling ashamed of being poor and lacking money
What's after broke, suicide
Believing that being poor is worse than death
Been chasin' paper all my life
Stating that he has been pursuing earning money for his whole life
They hatin' on me, that's alright
Acknowledging that some people don't like his focus on earning money
I need haters, they my high
Enjoying criticism and opposition from others
Easy gettin' the mo' you try
Believing that earning money becomes easier with consistent effort
Paper chaser, that is I
Identifying himself as someone who always seeks to earn money
Hundred mil', still won't retire
Desiring to earn a significant amount of money and continue working afterwards
My brother in prison, chasin' it now
Revealing his family member's involvement in a crime and his need to earn money to support him
Say I won't chase paper, that's a lie
Responding to those who don't believe in his focus on earning money
Oh, I know all about chasin' paper, brah
Asserting his experience and expertise in earning money
Three albums in sixteen months, homie
Citing his musical success as evidence of his hard work and focus on earning money
I'm all about chasin' paper
Reiterating his primary activity
This how we comin' out the gates, homie
Expressing his confidence and determination in earning money
Da REAList in stores December 16th
Promoting his album release date
What time it is, brah?
Asking for the current time
5:22 in the mornin', brah, am
Receiving the time and offering the time of day
Either they hatin' or they tryna be just like me, man
Noticing that some people are either jealous or inspired by his focus on earning money
Either they hatin' or they tryna be just like me
Repeating the previous line, emphasizing the division between those who dislike or admire his pursuit of wealth
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER GHOLSON, ALGERNOD WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind