Raised in Gwinnett County, Rittz embodies the same level of irony and self-conflict as his hometown. Born into a musical family, he, his twin sister and their brother had always been exposed to the inner workings of music. The fact that their parents were heavily into rock and roll ensured that the kids were always around instruments or in studios. The family moved from small-town Pennsylvania (Waynesburg) to the Atlanta outskirts when he was eight years old, and once Rittz got to junior high, his musical tastes evolved. Atlanta’s booming bass and rap movement had traveled north on I-85 to get the entire metro area jumping.
Going Through Hell
Rittz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to make it to heaven
So I'm going through hell
Nobody knows my pain
So my cup is full
I'm trying to make it to heaven
So I'm going through hell
Dad was never home, mom was miserable
They just got divorced, (?) the cosmic boys
Argue for some drugs, learn to pass some (?)
Like lorena's course, years were flying by
Homie's back in jail, I am not surprised
They gave him a second chance, caught his final strike
He probably gon' die inside, they just gave him life
When life's unstable I, try to pray but my
Prayers ain't gettin' heard, and I keep begging to god
To show me a way my boss just fired me from a job
Afraid I'ma lose my ride, my payments are way behind
I'm back to selling pills, scared of going to jail
Fighting with my girl, things are looking bad
I'm thinking she's fucking her ex and I just whooped his ass
My knuckles are bleeding all over the dash in my cadillac
Driving cadillacs through the atl
Trying to make it to heaven
So I'm going through hell
Nobody knows my pain
So my cup is full
I'm trying to make it to heaven
So I'm going through hell
Hoping that we can meet relief
Try to envision the future but how can I possibly succeed
My dreams are bleak, I need to go to church
Hate when people preach, faithfully believe in jesus
Recently the devil won't leave me be
My lady just told me she pregnant and begging that we can keep the baby that she conceived
And wouldn't consider it, told her we gotta get rid of it
Why are you tripping and acting like you don't remember what we agreed
Was thinking about myself, selfish and overwhelmed
I just paid to kill my own one child
The guilt was setting in, I felt like filth
These people picked and then decide to spill and saying I'm going to hell
But I was just a child, cloudy memory
Summer stage making, life we made to be
But shit a corner pass sip and bumping cash
Reminiscing 'bout the past in my cadillac
Driving cadillacs through the atl
Trying to make it to heaven
So I'm going through hell
Nobody knows my pain
So my cup is full
I'm trying to make it to heaven
So I'm going through hell
The song "Going Through Hell" by Rittz featuring Mike Posner is a poignant depiction of the struggles faced by the two artists in navigating the challenges of life. The song conveys the hardship and pain they experience daily as they strive to make it to heaven. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who has faced a difficult childhood, with parents who were never present and going through the pain of divorce. The artist had to grow up fast, among friends who were never on the right side of the law. As he looks back on his life, he sees all the missed opportunities, the hard-won battles, and the searing heartache that he’s faced along the way.
In the first verse, Rittz reflects on his childhood memories and the experiences that have left him scarred. He talks about his father's absence and his mother's misery. The memories of him struggling in school and his friends ending up in jail serve as vivid reminders of the difficulties he has faced in life. Throughout the song, the artist has vivid imagery of turbulence in his life, including losing his job, selling drugs to get by, and fighting with his girlfriend. The juxtaposition of this turbulence with the luxury of driving Cadillacs in the ATL underlines the complex pain felt by someone who is at once successful yet still so lost.
Moreover, Mike Posner's part of the song speaks to the guilt that comes with having lived a self-centered life. Posner discusses his partner's unwanted pregnancy and the difficult decision to terminate it. This situation causes him to reflect on his own selfishness, highlighting the disconnection he feels with his religious beliefs. It is almost like his faith has been tested in trying to reconcile these painful life experiences with his beliefs. Throughout both music verses, the chorus serves as a constant reminder that though they feel pain and struggle every day, their ultimate goal is to make it to heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving cadillacs through the atl
I am driving through Atlanta, Georgia in a Cadillac.
Trying to make it to heaven
I am trying to succeed in life and become a better person.
So I'm going through hell
The process of trying to turn my life around is difficult and painful.
Nobody knows my pain
I am suffering and keeping my struggles to myself.
So my cup is full
I am overwhelmed with emotions and difficulties in life.
Fucked up as a kid, never finished school
As a child, I had a tough life and didn't complete my education.
Dad was never home, mom was miserable
My father was absent and my mother was unhappy.
They just got divorced, (?) the cosmic boys
My parents recently split up, causing turmoil in my life.
Argue for some drugs, learn to pass some (?)
I got involved with drugs and learned how to sell them.
Like lorena's course, years were flying by
Time is passing quickly and I am struggling to stay on track.
Homie's back in jail, I am not surprised
A friend of mine is in prison again and it doesn't shock me.
They gave him a second chance, caught his final strike
He was given an opportunity to turn his life around but failed, and now faces a harsher punishment.
He probably gon' die inside, they just gave him life
He will likely spend the rest of his life in prison and may not survive the experience.
When life's unstable I, try to pray but my
When my life feels chaotic, I attempt to turn to religion for guidance.
Prayers ain't gettin' heard, and I keep begging to god
I don't feel like my prayers are being answered and I desperately ask God for help.
To show me a way my boss just fired me from a job
Just when I needed a break, I lost my job and feel lost.
Afraid I'ma lose my ride, my payments are way behind
I am worried that I will lose my transportation, and I am behind on payments.
I'm back to selling pills, scared of going to jail
I returned to selling drugs out of desperation, but am fearful of the legal consequences.
Fighting with my girl, things are looking bad
I am having relationship problems and things seem bleak.
I'm thinking she's fucking her ex and I just whooped his ass
I am paranoid that my girlfriend is cheating on me with her ex-boyfriend, and recently confronted him violently.
My knuckles are bleeding all over the dash in my cadillac
I injured my hands while punching the car's dashboard out of anger and frustration.
Hoping that we can meet relief
I am hoping to find some sort of relief from my struggles in life.
Try to envision the future but how can I possibly succeed
I am struggling to see a positive future for myself and my chances of success seem slim.
My dreams are bleak, I need to go to church
I feel hopeless and lost, and am considering turning to religion for guidance.
Hate when people preach, faithfully believe in jesus
I am skeptical of those who preach religion, but still believe in Jesus myself.
Recently the devil won't leave me be
I feel plagued by negative thoughts and emotions.
My lady just told me she pregnant and begging that we can keep the baby that she conceived
My girlfriend recently informed me she is pregnant and wants to keep the child.
And wouldn't consider it, told her we gotta get rid of it
I am opposed to the idea of having a child, and told her we need to terminate the pregnancy.
Why are you tripping and acting like you don't remember what we agreed
I am frustrated with my girlfriend for not remembering our agreement about the pregnancy.
Was thinking about myself, selfish and overwhelmed
My decision was driven by selfishness and my struggles in life.
I just paid to kill my own one child
I paid for an abortion, which feels almost like infanticide.
The guilt was setting in, I felt like filth
I started to feel consumed by guilt and ashamed of my actions.
These people picked and then decide to spill and saying I'm going to hell
Others judge me and condemn me for my mistakes, telling me I am destined for Hell.
But I was just a child, cloudy memory
I remind myself that I made mistakes when I was young and don't always recall events clearly.
Summer stage making, life we made to be
I think back to a time when life seemed easier and full of potential.
But shit a corner pass sip and bumping cash
I get nostalgic for the past, but recognize that life goes on and changes.
Reminiscing 'bout the past in my cadillac
As I drive through Atlanta in my Cadillac, I reflect on my past experiences and how they shaped me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CRAIG BALMORIS, JONATHAN MCCOLLUM, JULIAN NIXON, MIKE POSNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind