I guess the precedent of Rarely Seen Above Ground’s stage set-up is those arena shows where Elvis’ old band knock out the cobwebbed chops, while the spectral King phones it in from the big screen. Well, almost, if instead you had the band on screen, and Elvis on the stage, with Elvis singing from behind a drum set, and with a David Byrne kinda cadence. That’d be the precedent. Well, no, you’d also need the band on screen to be decked out not in faded crushed velvet or weary leather, but in fur-lined playground hoods, and in noir-ish yet psychedelic black and white, and you’d have to suspect that all of them were Elvis, filmed from a variety of angles.
Thinking about it now, I’ve painted a bit of a nightmarish vision there, so let’s take the sideburns and jumpsuits out of it, and just place in an unassuming Kilkenny sticksman in t-shirt and jeans. The hoods remain the same. That, you might think is the hook of Rarely Seen Above Ground, a.k.a. Jeremy Hickey, the fact that rather than just sing and crash away to a backing tape, he has a projection of the ‘band’ (as ‘twere) going throughout. Not just a half-arsed four-bodies-in-silhouette black and white image either. Instead, it’s done like a music video, albeit a particularly enigmatic one, with cuts, angles, swoops and production effects.
However, it is ultimately the distraction to the main event, and that is Hickey himself to the left of the screen, with his dexterous, inventive, gleeful drumming, and the strangled soul of his voice. It is a kind of distant, hollow vibrato that appears as though to be coming through the walls from two rooms over, but yet at the same time sharp and arresting.
The Climb
R.S.A.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
G
I live dis hard life man ive been trappin moving ushy and this hard white
I live dis hard life
I live dis hard life man ive been trapping moving is ushy and dat hard white
I heard my dad use to use it was all night
Man I was 15 in da streets playin my cards right
Yeh It was on us we ain't slippin it was on sight
I remember going for my bail didnt have my bond right
No way Dat she go spend da night unless da bond right
Naw i ain't fuckin wit u niggas like a blond dike
I'm bout this bag I be chasing dis cash
If you broke you got no business to be chasing that ass
When in da club we Rollin up u be smelling dat gas
In vip im blowing os while ur hoe in my lap
Da realest nigga to ever do it u know it's a facts
Naw I ain't choose this life I live I was born in da trap
I'm from da six where youngins wilding they Totin da straps
It go be a homi when it ring like a phone its a rap
I'm from a city where we wild out
I sware dem em youngins dey ain't playing dey go fire out Lou lou
Dese youngings busy pullin iron out, if there's a problem shots go fly dats how they iron it out Lou lou
You better have it or ur time out don't dig a hole that U can't climb out Mmmm Mmmm
I've seen it all it all and yo id Nuttin to be proud bout
man im jus tryna show u homie grind it out
I'm from a city where we wild out
I sware dem em youngins dey ain't playing dey go fire out Lou lou
Dese youngings busy pullin iron out, if there's a problem shots go fly dats how they iron it out Lou lou
You better have it or ur time out don't dig a hole that u can't climb out Mmmm Mmmm
I've seen it all it all and yo id Nuttin to be proud bout
man im jus tryna show u homie grind it out
last of a dying breed ain't Nuttin dat reala got my hittas right beside me
Man ive Thuggin and been dealin tryna find GS
If u don't live dis life I live don't try to judge me
Man the only thing I fear is GOD and thats a must G
Man I heard on da low but claim dey love me
Man i stay away from niggas who always saying truss me
And your baby momma on my line she tryna Fuk me
Naw I ain't tryna take ur wife it's just a nut B
Dese younings shooting dey be all for da killing
I'm jus tryna show suttin nigga im thuggin for really
And If im riding i be sober no poppin a pilly
I heard some niggas got a problem and wanna get busy
Man I've been tryna lock my city u stuck in ur building
Man ima pull up on u niggas and spark and drill it
Ill have my youngins shoot it up while dey poppin a wheely
Ain't Nuttin Realer man I'm feel in like Pac wen he winning mhmmmm
I'm from a city where we wild out
I sware dem em youngins dey ain't playing dey go fire out Lou lou
Dese youngings busy pullin iron out, if there's a problem shots go fly dats how they iron it out Lou lou
You better have it or ur time out don't dig a hole that U can't climb out Mmmm Mmmm
I've seen it all it all and yo id Nuttin to be proud bout
man im jus tryna show u homie grind it out
I'm from a city where we wild out
I sware dem em youngins dey ain't playing dey go fire out Lou lou
Dese youngings busy pullin iron out, if there's a problem shots go fly dats how they iron it out Lou lou
You better have it or ur time out don't dig a hole that u can't climb out Mmmm Mmmm
I've seen it all it all and yo id Nuttin to be proud bout
man im jus tryna show u homie grind it out
The Climb by R.S.A.G. is a street anthem that speaks to the harsh realities of a life full of crime and violence. The song is narrated by the artist who tells the story of growing up in the streets and struggling to make ends meet. He describes his involvement in drug trafficking and the crude methods that he and his associates use to protect their interests. The lyrics are an unapologetic depiction of the gritty existence that is characteristic of the 6th district of Paris, where R.S.A.G. hails from.
The overarching theme of the song is one of perseverance in the face of adversity. The lyrics describe the many challenges that the singer has had to overcome, from being caught by the police to facing off against rival gangs. R.S.A.G. uses his art to inspire others who may be going through hard times, urging them to keep grinding and stay focused on their goals. The chorus is particularly memorable, with the repeat of the phrase "You better have it or your time's out, don't dig a hole that you can't climb out."
Line by Line Meaning
Yeh yeh
Expressing agreement or confirmation
G
Slang term for friend or mate
I live dis hard life man ive been trappin moving ushy and this hard white
I am living a tough and dangerous life as a drug dealer selling illegal drugs such as heroin
I heard my dad use to use it was all night
My father used to use drugs all night long
Man I was 15 in da streets playin my cards right
I started dealing drugs at the age of 15 and became street smart about how to stay safe and profitable
Yeh It was on us we ain't slippin it was on sight
We were very cautious and vigilant, always ready to defend ourselves if threatened
Man we was going for the neck just like a dog fight
We were ruthless and determined to win, using any means necessary to eliminate our competition
I remember going for my bail didnt have my bond right
I recall struggling to pay for my bail because I didn't have enough money or resources
No way Dat she go spend da night unless da bond right
I don't let anyone stay overnight unless they can pay the cost
Naw i ain't fuckin wit u niggas like a blond dike
I don't associate with people I don't trust or like, similar to how a woman who is attracted to other women will not have sexual relations with men
I'm bout this bag I be chasing dis cash
I am focused on making money and building my wealth
If you broke you got no business to be chasing that ass
If you are poor, you have no reason to be spending money on trying to attract romantic or sexual partners
When in da club we Rollin up u be smelling dat gas
When I am in the nightclub, I am smoking marijuana and you can smell the fragrance in the air
In vip im blowing os while ur hoe in my lap
In the VIP section, I am smoking marijuana while another man's girlfriend or wife sits on my lap
Da realest nigga to ever do it u know it's a facts
I am the most authentic and genuine person you will ever meet, that is an indisputable fact
Naw I ain't choose this life I live I was born in da trap
I did not choose to live a life of crime and violence, I was born into it because of my surroundings and environment
I'm from da six where youngins wilding they Totin da straps
I am from an area in the city known as 'the six', where young people carry guns and are quick to use them
It go be a homi when it ring like a phone its a rap
When someone gets shot and killed, it is referred to as a 'homicide' and it becomes a permanent situation
You better have it or ur time out don't dig a hole that U can't climb out Mmmm Mmmm
You need to have a weapon or be prepared to defend yourself, otherwise you will not survive or have a way out of a dangerous situation
I've seen it all it all and yo id Nuttin to be proud bout
I have experienced many terrible things and there is nothing to feel good or proud about in terms of the violence and crime that takes place in my community
man im jus tryna show u homie grind it out
I am simply trying to show others how to work hard and achieve success through diligence and perseverance
last of a dying breed ain't Nuttin dat reala got my hittas right beside me
I represent a rare and disappearing type of person who is truly dedicated to their friends and associates, with their committed followers supporting them
Man ive Thuggin and been dealin tryna find GS
I have been living a life of crime and violence trying to achieve my goal of finding a larger quantity of valuable drugs
If u don't live dis life I live don't try to judge me
If you have not experienced the harsh realities of street life, do not form opinions or criticisms of me and my actions
Man the only thing I fear is GOD and thats a must G
The only thing that scares me is the power of God and I believe it is necessary to respect and acknowledge this
Man I heard on da low but claim dey love me
I have heard that some people talk about me behind my back, but claim to have affection for me when they are around me
Man i stay away from niggas who always saying truss me
I avoid people who have a habit of telling me to trust them, as I consider them to be untrustworthy and possibly deceitful
And your baby momma on my line she tryna Fuk me
Your child's mother is attempting to have sexual relations with me
Naw I ain't tryna take ur wife it's just a nut B
I am not trying to steal your wife or have a long-term affair with her, I am only interested in having a brief, sexual encounter
Dese younings shooting dey be all for da killing
Many young people are carrying guns and using them to commit violent crimes and kill others
I'm jus tryna show suttin nigga im thuggin for really
I am attempting to prove that I am truly living a life of crime and violence
And If im riding i be sober no poppin a pilly
If I am driving or riding in a vehicle, I will not take drugs or drink alcohol, as I recognize the danger involved
I heard some niggas got a problem and wanna get busy
I have heard that there are people who have an issue with me and they are willing to get into a physical altercation or conflict
Man I've been tryna lock my city u stuck in ur building
I have been attempting to gain control over my community and am taking action, while others are not as involved or committed
Man ima pull up on u niggas and spark and drill it
I will come to where you are and start a gunfight or shoot at you with the intention to kill
Ill have my youngins shoot it up while dey poppin a wheely
I will have my young followers shoot at you while they are performing stunts on their motorcycles
Ain't Nuttin Realer man I'm feel in like Pac wen he winning mhmmmm
There is nothing more authentic or true than what I am doing, and I feel powerful and influential in the same way that Tupac did when he was successful
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Joshua Glover
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
budgethemusicsponge
Man, that sounds incredible! Love it!
The Pickled Onions
A talented man 👏