Born and raised in Minneapolis, Prince signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19, soon releasing the albums For You (1978) and Prince (1979). He went on to achieve critical success with the influential albums Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982). His sixth album, Purple Rain (1984), was recorded with his new backing band the Revolution, and was also the soundtrack to the film of the same name in which he starred. Purple Rain garnered continued success for Prince and was a major commercial achievement, spending six consecutive months atop the Billboard 200 chart. The soundtrack also won Prince the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. After disbanding the Revolution, Prince released the album Sign o' the Times (1987), widely hailed by critics as the greatest work of his career. In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol logo. Hollow circle above downward arrow crossed with a curlicued horn-shaped symbol and then a short bar (known to fans as the "Love Symbol") and was often referred to as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (or TAFKAP) or simply The Artist.
After signing with Arista Records in 1998, Prince reverted to his original name in 2000. Over the next decade, six of his albums entered the U.S. top 10 charts. In April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died after accidentally overdosing on fentanyl at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was a prolific musician who released 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased material left in a custom-built bank vault underneath his home after his death, including fully completed albums and over 50 finished music videos. He also released songs under multiple pseudonyms during his life, as well as writing songs that were made popular after being covered by other musicians, most notably "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor and "Manic Monday" by the Bangles. Estimates of the complete number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000. Released posthumously, his demo albums Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018) and Originals (2019) both received critical acclaim.
Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. His awards included the Grammy President's Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016, and was inducted twice into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician)
Studio albums
For You (1978)
Prince (1979)
Dirty Mind (1980)
Controversy (1981)
1999 (1982)
Purple Rain (1984)
Around the World in a Day (1985)
Parade (1986)
Sign o' the Times (1987)
Lovesexy (1988)
Batman (1989)
Graffiti Bridge (1990)
Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
Love Symbol (1992)
Come (1994)
The Black Album (1994)
The Gold Experience (1995)
Chaos and Disorder (1996)
Emancipation (1996)
Crystal Ball (1998)
The Truth (1998)
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale (1999)
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)
The Rainbow Children (2001)
One Nite Alone... (2002)
Xpectation (2003)
N·E·W·S (2003)
The Chocolate Invasion (2004)
The Slaughterhouse (2004)
Musicology (2004)
3121 (2006)
Planet Earth (2007)
Lotusflow3r (2009)
MPLSound (2009)
20Ten (2010)
Plectrumelectrum (2014)
Art Official Age (2014)
HITnRUN Phase One (2015)
HITnRUN Phase Two (2015)
Posthumous releases:
Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018)
Originals (2019)
Welcome 2 America (2021)
Prince also released two albums credited to Madhouse, three albums credited to the New Power Generation, and one credited to the N.P.G. Orchestra:
Madhouse:
8 (1987)
16 (1987)
The New Power Generation:
Goldnigga (1993)
Exodus (1995)
Newpower Soul (1998)
The N.P.G. Orchestra:
Kamasutra (1997)
For Serbian singer Princ, please use Princ.
The Word
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The return of award
Yea ah I smell the money
And Is Don Jazzy again ah
We don dey gather all the cheese nigga
Big shot chilling Overseas nigga
Fast whips automatic keys nigga
Look around my team you know I'm ill nigga
Surulere cats dey call me real nigga
I've been around the world and it wasn't like free nigga
Everyday and anywhere I hustle I can't afford to be cheated nigga
I'm pissed off and I'm angry
Oops I don't mean it like that
When I say pissed off and I'm angry
I'm talking bout how I bring it right back
Oleku to feeling my superstar
Jude already said who we are
Too much on my books my nigga my next show might be Jupiter
Walahi
That's the word on the streets nigga
I got my money and my goons I call em Gs nigga
R I P Dagrin truly that's a real nigga
Must be all your prayers wey dey make some people feel niggas
Turn up
I no dey chill with all these crap niggas
Them go smile with you and then stab you for back nigga
Say Zamani na wash na me be wack nigga
The joke funny me die I just dey laugh nigga
Camouflage on my body I'm just a Jos nigga
Chopping everyday see my belly dey pot bigger
Life is beautiful homie me sef I just figured
So when I see a hater I don't give a fuck nigga
Deep inside me homie I'm taking those shots at her
Cuz Twitter people these days connecting the dots quicker
And these days I be getting sick and retarded nigga
I just got a full tank and my engine just started nigga
We don dey hammer Overseas nigga
Boy them blow a lot of trees nigga
At a junction they call me real nigga
Elegushi dey halla oshey and they feel nigga
We don dey hammer Overseas nigga
Boy them blow a lot of trees nigga
At a junction they call me real nigga
Elegushi dey halla oshey and they feel nigga
T T Turn up
They don dey talk they don dey feel bigger
But na we dey chill with Trey songz and them Big Tigger
Real Gs move in silence we only think milla
Big man blowing Sirens I'm like a chinchilla
And obviously I don't give a hoot nigga
I'm on a Jazzy beat and still ain't put a hook nigga
The beat is toning down it's a moment of truth nigga
What else do you expect from an M I recruit nigga
I'm always Overseas I'm like a boat nigga
Broke records my record was broke nigga
They claiming they balling and I'm getting the joke nigga
E no pass all the Instagram wey them dey post nigga
We getting money Overseas nigga
Boy them blow a lot of trees nigga
Omota dey shayo call me real nigga
Elegushi dey halla oshey and they feel nigga
Turn up
We don dey hammer Overseas nigga
Boy them blow a lot of trees nigga
Aboki dey halla say na real nigga
Elegushi dey halla oshey and they feel nigga
The song “The Word” by Nigerian artist M.I. and produced by Don Jazzy is a braggadocious and boastful track that is all about success, money, and power. The lyrics describe M.I.'s luxurious lifestyle, his travels overseas, and his connections in the industry. He mentions his anger towards those who underestimate him and his eagerness to succeed despite any obstacles he may face.
Throughout the track, M.I. references various African artists, including his friend and fellow rapper Dagrin, who passed away in 2010. He also mentions his collaboration with American artist Trey Songz and his appearance on BET’s “106 & Park” with host Big Tigger. The song’s chorus is simple yet catchy, repeating the line “we don dey hammer overseas nigga” several times.
Overall, “The Word” is a confident and energetic track that celebrates success and affluence. It showcases M.I.'s bravado and his dedication to his craft, making it an empowering song for anyone striving for greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
Okay
Let's start
The return of award
Recognition and success have come back to me
Yea ah I smell the money
I can sense the wealth that's coming my way
And Is Don Jazzy again ah
Don Jazzy is producing this track and I'm excited about it
We don dey gather all the cheese nigga
We are collecting all the money, my friend
Big shot chilling Overseas nigga
I'm a successful person enjoying my time abroad
Fast whips automatic keys nigga
I own fast cars with automatic keys for easy access
So when we drive by e dey be like the breeze nigga
People can't keep up with me when I drive past them
Look around my team you know I'm ill nigga
My team is the best and we are unstoppable
Surulere cats dey call me real nigga
People from Surulere know I'm a genuine person
I've been around the world and it wasn't like free nigga
Travelling the world hasn't been easy for me
Everyday and anywhere I hustle I can't afford to be cheated nigga
I work hard every day and everywhere I go, I can't allow anyone to cheat me
I'm pissed off and I'm angry
I'm upset and frustrated
Oops I don't mean it like that
Sorry, I didn't mean to sound too negative
When I say pissed off and I'm angry
What I meant was that I'm determined and motivated
I'm talking bout how I bring it right back
I'm confident in my ability to bounce back from anything
Oleku to feeling my superstar
People recognize me as a superstar because of my hit song Oleku
Jude already said who we are
Jude Okoye (former manager) has already established our credentials and status
Too much on my books my nigga my next show might be Jupiter
I have too many commitments and my next performance might be on another planet
Walahi
I swear
That's the word on the streets nigga
That's what people are saying about me
I got my money and my goons I call em Gs nigga
I have my money and my loyal friends who I consider my gangsters
R I P Dagrin truly that's a real nigga
Rest in peace Dagrin, who was a genuine person
Must be all your prayers wey dey make some people feel niggas
Your prayers are making some people feel inferior
Turn up
Let's party
I no dey chill with all these crap niggas
I don't hang out with fake people
Them go smile with you and then stab you for back nigga
They will pretend to be your friend and betray you later
Say Zamani na wash na me be wack nigga
Some people say Zamani (Ice Prince's nickname) is fake, but I am the real deal
The joke funny me die I just dey laugh nigga
The joke is hilarious and I'm laughing so hard, my friend
Camouflage on my body I'm just a Jos nigga
I'm wearing camouflage attire, representing my hometown, Jos
Chopping everyday see my belly dey pot bigger
I'm eating and enjoying the good life, causing my belly to grow bigger
Life is beautiful homie me sef I just figured
Life is wonderful, my friend, and I've just realized that
So when I see a hater I don't give a fuck nigga
When I encounter someone who dislikes me, I don't care at all
Deep inside me homie I'm taking those shots at her
I'm secretly taking aim at my enemies
Cuz Twitter people these days connecting the dots quicker
People on Twitter are catching on to things faster than before
And these days I be getting sick and retarded nigga
These days, I'm feeling stressed out and exhausted
I just got a full tank and my engine just started nigga
I have a full tank of gas and my car is ready to go
Boy them blow a lot of trees nigga
They smoke a lot of marijuana, my friend
At a junction they call me real nigga
At a popular spot, people recognize and respect me
Elegushi dey halla oshey and they feel nigga
People at Elegushi Beach are acknowledging and praising me
T T Turn up
Let's turn up the music and party
They don dey talk they don dey feel bigger
They are talking a lot and feeling braver
But na we dey chill with Trey songz and them Big Tigger
But we are the ones hanging out with Trey Songz and Big Tigger
Real Gs move in silence we only think milla
True gangsters keep a low profile and only think about making money
Big man blowing Sirens I'm like a chinchilla
Important people are sounding sirens, but I'm calm and collected
And obviously I don't give a hoot nigga
And clearly, I don't care at all
I'm on a Jazzy beat and still ain't put a hook nigga
Don Jazzy produced this track, but I haven't added a catchy hook yet
The beat is toning down it's a moment of truth nigga
The music is becoming softer, and it's time for me to speak the truth
What else do you expect from an M I recruit nigga
What else would you expect from someone like me, who was trained by M.I.?
Broke records my record was broke nigga
I set a new record, but later someone broke my record too
They claiming they balling and I'm getting the joke nigga
They say they are successful, but I find it amusing
E no pass all the Instagram wey them dey post nigga
It's all just for show on Instagram
Omota dey shayo call me real nigga
My young boys are getting drunk and giving me respect
Aboki dey halla say na real nigga
Even people from the North acknowledge and respect me
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Michael Collins, Panshak Zamani
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind