William Leonard Roberts II was born in Coahoma County, Mississippi and raised in Carol City, Florida, near Miami After graduating from Carol City Senior High School, he later attended the historically black college Albany State University in Albany, Georgia.
After being signed to Suave House Records, former label for rap duo 8Ball & MJG, he eventually signed a deal with Slip-n-Slide Records, which has been under the Def Jam umbrella since 2006. While signed to Slip-n-Slide, Ross toured with fellow rapper Trick Daddy and made guest performances on other Slip-n-Slide rap albums
His debut album Port of Miami was released in August 2006 and debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart, with sales at 187,000 units after its first week
In March 2008, his second album Trilla was released and, as its predecessor Port of Miami had, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.[8] Its lead single "Speedin'" featuring R. Kelly peaked at #121 on the Billboard Hot 100; the next one, "The Boss" featuring T-Pain peaked at #17 on the Hot 100. The third single "Here I Am" featured Nelly and Avery Storm
Deeper Than Rap is the third studio album by American rapper Rick Ross, released April 21, 2009 on his label Maybach Music Group and Slip-n-Slide Records, with distribution from Def Jam Recordings. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 158,000 copies its first week. Singles from the album were: Mafia Music, Maybach Music II, Magnificent, & All I Really Want.
Teflon Don is the fourth studio album by American rapper Rick Ross, released July 20, 2010 on Maybach Music Group and Def Jam Recordings. Production for the album took place during 2009 to 2010 and was handled by several record producers, including Clark Kent, No I.D., The Olympicks, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Lex Luger, Danja, The Inkredibles, The Remedy, and Kanye West
The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 176,300 copies in its first week. It attained some international charting and produced three singles with moderate Billboard chart success. Upon its release, Teflon Don received generally positive reviews from most music critics, earning praise for its cinematic production and Ross's lyrical persona.
Ross has signed Pill, Meek Mill, & Wale to his label Maybach Music Group. In 2010 Rick Ross made an offer to rapper Wiz Khalifa to sign to Maybach Music Group but he decided to sign with Atlantic instead.
Dear Lord
Rick Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I walk streets, speak brief to key piece
[?] y'all knee deep in the streets
Sweet lord show me a sign and close when I open my eyes I'm hoping to find what's rightfully mine
Serenity and respect being the man of color
When addressed, most politicians ran for cover
We don't come out to vote, we'll run 'round with coke in the projects' third floor gun 'round with coke
Hustlers ballin' whore, showin' these watchin' so as a revolving door we saw it all before
And in the gutta my nigga, that's all it was
I'm praying for an angel that can absorb the blood
I'm praying for an angel that can absorb the slug
I'm waiting for the blessings, just show me some love
When my daddy died, I came close to not giving a FUCK!
[Interlude]
If ye be willing an obedient
Ye should eat the good of the lamb
But if ye refuse and rebel
Ye should be devoured with the sword
For the mouth of the lord have spoken it
[Verse 2: Rick Ross]
What I did last night, lord, forgive me for that shit
But that 9 to five gig won't get that Benz
That 9 to five gig won't get that boat
That 9 to five gig don't impress these hoes
Cuz a real bitch is not impressed by clothes
She'll fuck you for free, depending on what you know, what you roll
Some back to the root, the dough baby
Homeboys know the hoes come before the dough baby
I'm ask em all, my passion to ball
To fraction ya all, caskets fall, practice the law flashin the fall eat on my necks if yours
And small jobs to the clean work for once
A dirty nigga wearing a clean shirt, it feels nice
Got the Cubans on hold
While Tony ? wash money
Turn the booth into the block
Rappers got Glocks for me
BANG! [Shots Fired]
[Interlude]
The lord is my light and my salvation
Whom shall I fear?
When my enemies and foes came upon me to eat my flesh, they stumbled, and failed
[Verse 3: Scarface]
You see God sees it all
Now I wonder if God liked if he let this Jews get away with the murder of Christ
Is the God you're praying to the same God cuz mine ain't white
With a chokehold on niggas in charge of all lightness
Have faith for ass nigga, I'm all prayed out
Got scarred up knees and I live in a crackhouse
Funny how people use their religion to fuck with bitches
Boys get molested inside the church by Archbishops
Preachers turn into faggots
And in the club gettin' lapdances
Bible contradicts, hands to the last chances
You give your life to God, you'll be forgiven for that
The muslims fucked around and went to prison for that
I guess the point I'm trynna make is if you're white you're alright
All the other colors they try to muscle motherfuckers
With that made up shit, that they fuck with
As far as I'm concerned [?] can get the duck sick
[Scarface talking]
All I need is one mic, one church, one God, one life, light
And I ain't preaching for no salary
I don't need no salary
Selling the word nigga!
[Outro:]
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
From that is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever
Amen
In this song, Rick Ross and Scarface address a wide range of sensitive issues from faith and inequality to social injustice and poverty. Ross, who rose from humble beginnings to become a successful rapper, reflects on the struggles that the black community has faced and continues to endure, such as the lack of representation in politics and the criminal justice system, and the pressure to resort to drug dealing to make ends meet. Throughout the song, Ross prays for divine intervention to help him find success and find his place in the world. Scarface, on the other hand, questions the legitimacy of religion and its practices, criticizing priests for their sexual misconduct and institutionalized racism. He also wrestles with the idea of God's role in the inequalities that exist in society.
The song is an emotional and insightful commentary on the African American experience, as well as a call to action for social and political change. It challenges listeners to confront these issues head-on and engage in meaningful conversations that can lead to positive change.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk streets, speak brief to key piece
I roam the streets speaking to trusted people to get access to what I need
[?] y'all knee deep in the streets
You are heavily involved in the streets
Sweet Lord show me a sign and close when I open my eyes I'm hoping to find what's rightfully mine
I am asking for a sign to guide me to what belongs to me when I open my eyes and look around
Serenity and respect being the man of color
I strive for peace and respect as a Black man
When addressed, most politicians ran for cover
Politicians avoid addressing issues affecting Black people
We don't come out to vote, we'll run 'round with coke in the projects' third floor gun 'round with coke
Instead of voting or being politically active, we engage in illegal activities in our communities
Hustlers ballin' whore, showin' these watchin' so as a revolving door we saw it all before
We continue to see the same cycle of hustlers making money and showing off while others watch in envy
Neighbors don't speak shit, they all at war
People in the neighborhood don't communicate with one another and there is tension and conflict
And in the gutter my nigga, that's all it was
Our surroundings and circumstances are difficult and challenging
I'm praying for an angel that can absorb the blood
I hope for an intervention that can stop the violence and prevent further bloodshed
I'm praying for an angel that can absorb the slug
I am asking for someone or something to take away the pain and trauma caused by gun violence
I'm waiting for the blessings, just show me some love
I am hoping for good things to happen to me and for someone to show me kindness and support
When my daddy died, I came close to not giving a FUCK!
When I lost my father, I felt like I didn't care about anything anymore
What I did last night, Lord, forgive me for that shit
I ask for forgiveness for my actions from the previous night
But that 9 to five gig won't get that Benz
Working a regular job won't get me the luxury car that I want
That 9 to five gig won't get that boat
A regular job won't afford me the opportunity to own a boat
That 9 to five gig don't impress these hoes
Women are not attracted to men who have regular jobs
She'll fuck you for free, depending on what you know, what you roll
A woman will sleep with you for free if you have the right connections and you can provide something valuable
The dough, baby. Homeboys know the hoes come before the dough, baby
Money is more important than loyalty among friends, and women are more important than money
I'm asking em all, my passion to ball
I am a skilled player and I'm asking everyone to acknowledge and recognize my talent
To fraction ya all, caskets fall, practice the law flashin the fall eat on my necks if yours
I am dividing and conquering my opponents and using my power to get what I want
And small jobs to the clean work for once
I am willing to do small, honest jobs instead of turning to illegal activities
A dirty nigga wearing a clean shirt, it feels nice
Even though I come from a difficult background, it feels good to look and feel clean and respectable
Got the Cubans on hold
I am waiting for my Cuban connections to come through
While Tony ? wash money
Tony is laundering money for me
Turn the booth into the block
I am turning the recording booth into the streets with my tough lyrics
Rappers got Glocks for me
Other rappers are threatened by me and carry guns
BANG! [Shots Fired]
Gunshots are fired
You see God sees it all
God is aware of everything we do
Now I wonder if God liked if he let this Jews get away with the murder of Christ
I question if God allowed the Jews to get away with killing Jesus
Is the God you're praying to the same God cuz mine ain't white
I don't believe in a white God that upholds white supremacy
With a chokehold on niggas in charge of all lightness
White people have power and control over Black people and control the narrative of what is considered normal and acceptable
Have faith for ass nigga, I'm all prayed out
I am tired of having blind faith and relying on prayer to solve my problems
Got scarred up knees and I live in a crackhouse
I have kneeled and prayed so much that my knees are damaged, and I live in a dangerous, drug-infested environment
Funny how people use their religion to fuck with bitches
People use their religion to manipulate and control women
Boys get molested inside the church by Archbishops
Sexual abuse occurs within the church, perpetrated by those in positions of power
Preachers turn into faggots
Religious leaders and those who preach against homosexuality are secretly gay themselves
And in the club gettin' lapdances
Those who are supposed to be virtuous and pious engage in sinful activities like getting lap dances in the club
Bible contradicts, hands to the last chances
The Bible is not always consistent and sometimes offers ambiguous advice
You give your life to God, you'll be forgiven for that
If you give your life to God, he will forgive your sins
The Muslims fucked around and went to prison for that
Muslims who take extreme measures in the name of their faith can end up incarcerated
I guess the point I'm trynna make is if you're white you're alright
I am saying that white people have an easier time in society because of their race
All the other colors they try to muscle motherfuckers
Non-white people are oppressed and marginalized by those in power
With that made up shit, that they fuck with
The system of oppression is based on lies and fabrication
As far as I'm concerned [?] can get the duck sick
I don't care about the opinions of those who are racist and hateful
All I need is one mic, one church, one God, one life, light
I only need one microphone, one church, one God, and one life to make my message heard and bring hope and light to those who need it
And I ain't preaching for no salary
I am not preaching for money, but to spread a message and bring positivity to the world
I don't need no salary
I am not motivated by money, but by faith and conviction
Selling the word nigga!
I am spreading my message and selling my music to make an impact
And lead us not into temptation
I am asking God to help me resist temptation and stay on the right path
But deliver us from evil
I am asking God to keep me safe and protect me from harm and negative influences
From that is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever
I acknowledge God's greatness and his control over all things
Amen
I am affirming my belief and trust in God
Contributed by Carson S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thor Stewart
Facemob tha goat