While he is from uptown, he gives no telltale signs that he is from the hip-hop haven that Puffy made famous with his shiny suits and later on Cam’Ron with his pink attire. Riz has a more subdued style and has the ability to craft tracks that appeal to audiences, whether from the smallest town in Mississippi or the streets of NYC.
Riz is also living proof that it takes more than talent and a big name behind you to make it big in this business as he still sees the struggle on a daily basis. Despite the obstacles a new artist is bound to face in today’s rap scene, it’s only a matter of time for Riz, as his grind has brought him this far. Sixshot.com caught up with Riz to discuss working with Sha Money XL, his mixtape, and why the game is changing, and not for the better.
You’re from Harlem but you’re style doesn’t really indicate that, do you hear that a lot?
I get that a lot. As far as musically and how I compose my records I get that a lot. For me it’s a good thing because people who really listen to music as far as composition and arrangement tend
to pick up on things like that.
"Position of Power"as hot, were you happy with the response you got?
I think it was a hit and miss situation with that. It didn’t have the impact that I wanted it to have. It was a real good body of work but I think it skipped over peoples heads a little bit, I wanted a lot of people to get their hands on that. I guess we should have pushed it in a different way and I think we should have gone a lot harder than we did.
I feel you, so tell me, how did you hook up with Sha Money XL?
I was actually signed to David The Jeweler and I would be around certain video shoots like G-Unit and I’d just be around with my jewelry on and I’d be observing and seeing how they do it at the next level. I stayed in the cut and people started wondering who I was. After being around so much, Dave and Will, my manager's at the time went to the studio where they were mixing down Young Buck's album and he gave Sha my music. Sha called and said he wanted to work with us so we met up. Our first recording session was at the old Sony studios before they closed it down. He wanted to see how we would work one on one and we been working ever since.
Has your relationship with him raised people’s awareness of you in the industry?
I’m sure it has because last year when I was trying to meet people or do certain things it was a little harder. He has a different knowledge of the game than Dave. He was able to get to certain outlets and make it so more people know about me. It was based off his past and track record of working with G-Unit and other big artists. That connection alone brought a lot of awareness.
So have a lot of labels been approaching you?
We met with Jay-Z two weeks before he left Def Jam, we met with Atlantic. We met with some powerhouses as far as the record labels and this business is different than I expected and different than Sha expected, especially with the things that I’ve done and getting the response that I’ve been getting from all around. They like my music, my image, but I don’t have that record that been getting 500 or 600 spins a week. That’s what you need to get signed these days so it’s been rough.
Do you feel it’s like that because of the times? Do you feel if you came in the game five years ago you would have been signed already?
I can’t say that because I don’t feel I would have been as prepared musically as I am today. In 2005, I really got into hip-hop because I had some problems with the law and I really wanted to change my speed and turn my life around. I put out an indie album in my neighborhood called Young King of New York and that basically launched my rap career. The people in my neighborhood thought I should run with it so I been going hard ever since. I think New York is a selfish city. Everybody wants to be on top and be number one. You rarely see guys pulling people up and helping them blow. You might see a guy put somebody on but they keep them at bay so you can only associate them with that person and that’s what New York has become.
Why do you think things work like that in New York?
We have hip-hop powerhouses here like 50, Jay, and Diddy. It’s small in New York in terms of places you can go to win. Another thing, and this isn’t to downgrade New York music but it’ s not really believable anymore. The streets aren’t like they were four or five years ago when you came down here and people were clubbing downtown, popping bottles, and driving a fast car. It’s not that type of New York anymore, so in turn, the rap is suffering because you can’t rap about that no more and it be believable like Ross, Jeezy, and these guys from the South. When they rap about jewelry, cars, and money it’s believable because the money is different in Atlanta and Miami. It got to the point where rappers in New York can only talk about violence and guns and that’s not appealing to the masses anymore. The creativity is limited right now and we’re suffering as a city trying to get fresh people out there because epeople don’t wanna hear it, it’s like a different sound.
What’s your game plan to get around all these obstacles?
It’s like a gift and a curse for me, I’m diverse. I got a song called 'Brand New Cadillac'that the Track Boyz did and it’s fitting for what’s going on right now in the industry. I know it could win but when you send it out to the radio, because that’s really the only way to go these days is to pay somebody and keep paying them until the record gets where you want it to be. You really gotta have some money behind you. When we send a record, they know it’s Riz but they don’t think it’s cool to put out a record from New York that sounds like that but if you send a New York sounding record and it doesn’t catch, you don’t wanna waste your money. Me being diverse is hard because they criticize that I’m from New York. I could be from anywhere in the world right now and I’ll have a deal but I’m from New York. They judge everything harder.
Right now, as far as the game plan, I have a record with J.R. Writer, actually I’ve had it for about two years now. It’s called 'Put ‘Em Up' and it’s a really, really good record, expecially coming from me, it’s real well composed and everything. To this day we think that’s the record. Carl Blaze, God Bless him, started to play the record but when he got killed we lost our DJ support. You turn on New York radio and you rarely hear New York rappers.
So you think you need that one banger to get over the hump?
It’s real sad to have to say it like that man. These days you don’t know what record is a hit record until you put it out to the people and the people have to decide. The audience was different when Big and Pac were alive. People were feeling lyrics, flow, concepts, you know, now so long as you got a popcorn beat and a catchy hook and you’re good, people don’t care what you’re saying. In New York, we gotta try to sound simple but we cant be too simple, it’s just hard to judge which record is gonna hit. There’s only so many people you can go to for hits, Timbaland, Dre, Jr. Rotem, Polow The Don but these are multi million dollar people, you talkin’ 200 or 250 thousand for some beats, it doesn’t make sense.
What are you working on right now that we should check for?
At this moment, we’re trying to figure out which record we’re gonna put out there. We really had to come back to the table and decide what our next move was gonna be. That’s where we at, back to the drawing board. We’re not really recording, there’s some confusion within the camp as to what the next move is gonna be. My YouTube hits are at like 65,000 so I’m connecting with the people. Nobody understands how I could not have a deal.
Anything you wanna say to your fans out there?
Yeah, thanks for the support. Real recognize real and eventually the truth will come to the light. Keep your ears and eyes open because I’m coming.
Waiting Up
Riz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know there's other people that you talk to
But I just hate getting any proof shown to me (shown to me)
I know there's other places that you could go
But I just really love it if you made it home to me (home to me)
Yeah, young girl, ya love life
Same birthday as pac, thug life
Cause once you give away the pussy, you're fucked right?
I wonder if I should call you
But then again you never call me
And I'm just looking at my phone girl
And the last 3 messages are all me
Damn, that's doing a lot
I mean I've always been the type to know when to stop
For real, I want you in the worst way
And I know one day doesn't mean the first day
Yeah and it ain't morning but it's late enough
And I just showered I just shaved, I just straightened up
I'm tired of the games, we done played enough
I hope you're still coming cause I'm waiting up
[Chorus:]
All the missed calls got me thinking
Maybe I'm trippin'
But I want you to feel the other side (other side)
Now I'm waiting up (got you waiting)
Now I'm waiting up (ooh, got you waiting)
Now I'm waiting up
Now I'm waiting up, waiting up, up, up...
[Riz]
Voicemail when I call ya phone
I know just how you feel
I know just how you feel, how you feel
Baby when you home alone
I know just how you feel
I know just how you feel
Girl now I'm waiting up
[Riz]
Now it's you that's on the other foot
I'm here with my daughter she keeps staring like her mother look
And the hours keeps passing and I thinking 'bout spazzing
Couldn't even imagine, hood catching up with her passed friend
Saying how wasn't he asking, a has-been
Has been shady, then she telling her she hate me
And she been would've left if it wasn't for the baby
I know it sound crazy, that wasn't the plan
You see I'm just a young boy, that's raising a man
Listen look I'm really sorry for raising my hand
All the false allegations, I'm taking a stand
Damn, damn, how do we get here?
Girl, it's feeling like the end isn't near
You say you don't care
I just hope it's out of anger
Good girl gone bad, I can't blame ya
Signs read danger (I open my eyes)
Girl, you saying that you pregnant, I'm hoping it's lies
While they all sound true, it's sad girl the things that I do
They all affect you
Like they don't affect me
Girl, I'm mad cause the things you can't see
It's what it's gon' be
I'm making a change
The best thing we ever had, we take it in vain
[Chorus:]
The song "Waiting Up" by Riz featuring Drake talks about a relationship where one person is waiting up for the other, contemplating their mixed feelings and wondering if the other person feels the same way. Drake's verse portrays the insecurity and jealousy that arises when one knows their partner is talking to other people. He wants her to come home and sees himself as the one who has been making all the effort to keep the relationship going. Riz's verse switches the perspective, putting himself in the shoes of the other person who is being waited on. He talks about the difficulties and complications of their relationship and how it's affecting both of them.
The chorus of the song focuses on the missed calls that are causing doubts and confusion, wondering what the other person is doing and whether they feel the same way. The repetition of "now I'm waiting up" emphasizes the feeling of being left in the dark and waiting for something to happen.
The song's lyrics and melody blend together to depict the complicated feelings and thoughts of a relationship that seems to be on edge. The insecurities and doubts, the waiting and the missed calls all contribute to the uncertainty that the two people are experiencing in the relationship. The song's relatable message is for anyone who has gone through a similar experience and is waiting for their partner to make a move.
Line by Line Meaning
I know there's other people that you talk to
I am aware that you talk to other people
But I just hate getting any proof shown to me (shown to me)
I dislike seeing evidence of this fact
I know there's other places that you could go
I understand that there are other locations you could visit
But I just really love it if you made it home to me (home to me)
But I would greatly appreciate it if you came back to me
Yeah, young girl, ya love life
You are a young woman who enjoys life
Same birthday as pac, thug life
Your birthday is the same as Tupac's, and you enjoy living like a thug
Gemini, understand why ya uptight
Being a Gemini, I comprehend why you are anxious
Cause once you give away the pussy, you're fucked right?
Because if you give away your body too easily, you will be treated poorly
I wonder if I should call you
I question whether or not I should phone you
But then again you never call me
However, you never contact me
And I'm just looking at my phone girl
I am currently staring at my phone, girl
And the last 3 messages are all me
And I notice that I am the only person who has sent you a message in the last three attempts
Damn, that's doing a lot
Wow, that is quite excessive
I mean I've always been the type to know when to stop
I typically have the ability to cease things at the appropriate moment
For real, I want you in the worst way
Honestly, I desire you with great intensity
And I know one day doesn't mean the first day
I understand that just because we started talking recently, it does not mean we are exclusive
Yeah and it ain't morning but it's late enough
Although it is not yet morning, it is late enough to be waiting for you
And I just showered I just shaved, I just straightened up
I have recently freshened up to see you
I'm tired of the games, we done played enough
I am weary of the games we have played in our relationship
I hope you're still coming cause I'm waiting up
I am hoping you are still planning on coming, as I am waiting up for you
[Chorus:]
Chorus repetition
All the missed calls got me thinking
You not answering has caused me to ponder
Maybe I'm trippin'
Perhaps I am overthinking
But I want you to feel the other side (other side)
However, I desire you to realize how I am feeling
Now I'm waiting up (got you waiting)
Now I am staying awake, making you also wait
Now I'm waiting up (ooh, got you waiting)
Now I am remaining alert, making you wait as well
Now I'm waiting up
I am currently waiting for you
Now I'm waiting up, waiting up, up, up...
Repeating that I am waiting up for you
[Riz]
Starting Riz’s verse
Voicemail when I call ya phone
Whenever I call you, I am sent straight to voicemail
I know just how you feel
I understand exactly how you are feeling
Baby when you home alone
When you are alone at home
I know just how you feel
I understand exactly how you are feeling
Girl now I'm waiting up
Now I am the one waiting up for you, girl
Now it's you that's on the other foot
Now the tables have turned and it is your turn to wait for me
I'm here with my daughter she keeps staring like her mother look
I am spending time with my daughter, who looks like her mother and is constantly staring
And the hours keeps passing and I thinking 'bout spazzing
Time is passing and I am close to losing my cool
Couldn't even imagine, hood catching up with her passed friend
I cannot even fathom the fact that the neighborhood may be catching up with your deceased friend
Saying how wasn't he asking, a has-been
People are saying that he was not inquiring about her, and is now irrelevant
Has been shady, then she telling her she hate me
He has shady actions, and now she is telling others that she hates me
And she been would've left if it wasn't for the baby
She would have already left me if it was not for our child
I know it sound crazy, that wasn't the plan
It may sound unbelievable, but that was not what I had in mind
You see I'm just a young boy, that's raising a man
I am only a young man trying to raise a child into a man
Listen look I'm really sorry for raising my hand
I apologize sincerely for hitting you
All the false allegations, I'm taking a stand
I am standing up against all of the fake accusations
Damn, damn, how do we get here?
How did we end up in this situation?
Girl, it's feeling like the end isn't near
Girl, it seems as though the end of our relationship is far away
You say you don't care
You are claiming that you do not care
I just hope it's out of anger
I am hoping you only feel this way when you are angry
Good girl gone bad, I can't blame ya
A good girl who went bad; I cannot blame you for how you feel
Signs read danger (I open my eyes)
All of the warning signs point to danger (I am starting to see this)
Girl, you saying that you pregnant, I'm hoping it's lies
You informed me that you are pregnant, and I am hoping it is not true
While they all sound true, it's sad girl the things that I do
All of these things may be true, and it makes me upset to think about
They all affect you
All of my actions impact you
Like they don't affect me
Although I may not always show it, my actions also impact me
Girl, I'm mad cause the things you can't see
I am angry because there are things you cannot understand
It's what it's gon' be
Whatever is going to happen will happen
I'm making a change
I am trying to change my ways
The best thing we ever had, we take it in vain
We are ruining the best thing we ever had by not treating it properly
[Chorus:]
Chorus repetition
Contributed by Molly H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rubenortega2386
Yeah, I wonder if I should call you
But then again you never call me
And I’m just looking at my phone girl
And the last 3 messages are all me
Damn, that’s doing a lot
I mean I’ve always been the type to know when to stop
For real, I mean I want you in the worst way
And I know one day doesn’t mean the first day
Yeah and it ain’t morning but it’s late enough
And I just showered I just shaved, I just straightened up
And I’m tired of the games, we done played enough
I hope you’re still coming cause I’m waiting up
@johncon44
REAL DRAKE FANS HAVE LISTENED FOR YEARS. Heard This 6 Years Ago
@Ilovesoccer411
Josh Contreras facts
@diablodiabla6854
Facts when it first came out i was here the day of
@ricanboy_787pr5
9 years now bruh. Classic 🔥💪👏💯
@johncon44
@@ricanboy_787pr5 Damn Bro Time Flies Brotherr 🥺 Glad To Know You Out Here Livin’ Brotherrr, Stay Up 🙏🏼
@ricanboy_787pr5
@@johncon44 right back at you man. God is great
@marvinsocean9230
For All The Dogs coming really soon. But damn, this song is so good✨ Good old days, such of nostalgia
@highway70brownboy
Damn that's why I love Drake cuz he raps about how he feels and that a lot of people can relate to his problems
@Frankya92
Right when I think that I've heard all the unreleased Drake verses...I find this years later...
@EddieLove
ovo_Frank92 Right!!!!!!!! I just heard this like a couple weeks ago for the first time like wtf!! His verse is fucking amazing