Success doesn't come easily for anybody. Since day one, persistence has bee… Read Full Bio ↴Success doesn't come easily for anybody. Since day one, persistence has been the name of the game for Bay Area rapper Sage The Gemini.

When he made the decision to rap, nobody would help him. He’d bring rhymes to his peers for beats, and no one jumped at the chance to collaborate. So, he went even harder and he did everything himself. By the age of 14, he had taught himself how to create beats, produce, and even mix and master. He’d become a wholly self-sufficient artist before tenth grade. Now 21, he recalls, “All I cared about was music. I would stay up all night working on tracks and go to school tired. It didn’t matter. I wanted to be heard.”

Inspired by everyone from Chris Brown and Usher to Jay-Z and Pharrell, he studied various genres inside and out. That determination and dedication eventually yielded a viral sensation.

In 2008, he dropped his first online track "You Should Know" on MySpace. It became a viral hit, generating over three million views and buzzing amongst listeners worldwide. Joining up with the famed crew HBK Gang, the Bay Area began to embrace him as he performed countless gigs, developed a local presence, and honed a sound of his own.

"Musically, it's a mixture of everything," he explains. "It's like going to McDonalds and pouring every drink in one cup. I want to start my own genre—like a crossover of R&B and Bay Area party hip-hop."

That crossover revs up on "Gas Pedal." This smash hit switches lanes between a club-ready beat and a swaggering hook. Sage's smooth flow coasts alongside a slick verse from HBK's Iamsu.

He continues, "It's a dancing song. I like to keep the violence to a minimum. Dancing helps kids in a big way that no one wants to pay attention to. If they're dancing, it's all good. I grew up listening to Iamsu. To have him on there is a blessing."

The song attracted Republic Records who inked a deal with him in 2013. Then, as part of the EP of the same name, "Gas Pedal" sped toward the top online and at radio, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hip-Hop Chart and racking up over 12 million YouTube/VEVO views. At the same time, countless fans uploaded their own takes on the song to both YouTube and Vine, making the impact simply seismic. Cumulatively, there are over 110 million viral views fueled by this immense audience response without radio. It also serves as a gateway to his forthcoming full-length debut album for the label.

Another banger "Red Nose" wiggles from an unshakable chorus and a massive groove, becoming an anthem in its own right. It showcases just how clever he really is too. "I wanted to say something that means 'ass-shaking' without simply saying it," he grins. "That's where the comparison to a red nose pit bull came from."

Ultimately though, everything about Sage stands out. Producing and writing, he architects his own vision completely from the music to the rhymes. Now, he's speeding towards the top.

"I want people to feel like they can live with me through the music," he concludes. "It's about having a good time together. The album's going to have turn-up and party songs as well some more emotional moments. It's everything, and everyone is welcome along for the ride."

Butter
Sage The Gemini Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You ain't fuck with me in school, but you do now, like it's all cool, but I knew that
You flaked on me for old dude, now he on rap facts and it's cool 'cause I knew that (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Hear this and hit the playback
Bounce to Fairfield in a Maybach
And tell them niggas who said that I wasn't where I said I was from, oh wait, they ain't say that
AK SQ , yeah my home dawg
I was in the field like I was looking for a home run

Old haters, let the new ones hold some
Your new freak, that's my old stunt
I got old beef that just rolls up
Face to face, they don't know nuttin'
Feel like I'm speakin' loud with Elsa, how you froze up
Focused on the yeast, get your dough up

You ain't fuck with me in school, but you do now, like it's all cool, but I knew that (but I knew)
You flaked on me for old dude, now he on rap facts and it's cool 'cause I knew that (ee-yeah)
And now all a sudden you a bird 'cause you see me in a coupe, but it's cool 'cause I knew that (whoa)
And now you want to wait until you lost, saw your ass just to come, double back, but you blew that (yeah, yeah, yeah)

I'm on the phone with Steve B right now
I only rock with older niggas, bring the heat down
I'm on the the line with Corley right now, he said "calm down, leave it up to us to hold the streets down
You do this rap shit and don't fucking fail"
Free Turtle, he gon' show you how you shouldn't tell
I know the block dreaming 'bout you coming home on bail
To show these young niggas how they really frail
I'm so good in the hood, new nigga, you should get it understood, yeah yeah yeah
And if you really ain't new, then it's part of the song shouldn't change yo' mood, yeah yeah yeah

You ain't fuck with me in school, but you do now, like it's all cool, but I knew that (but I knew)
You flaked on me for old dude, now he on rap facts and its cool 'cause I knew that (ee-yeah)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sage the Gemini’s song “Butter” are predominantly about people who didn’t believe in him, but now want to bask in his glory. The first verse talks about someone who didn’t want to hang out with him in school, but now wants to be his friend because of his success. Sage is not bothered by this because he saw it coming. He also references someone who flaked on him for an old dude who is now doing “rap facts” – presumably referring to a successful career in the music industry. Again, Sage isn’t fazed by this because he knows the person for who they really are.

The second verse talks more about Sage’s success and how some people are only interested in him now that he’s driving a nice car. He also references some of the people who have supported him, such as his friend Steve B and Corley. They reassure him that they have his back and he shouldn’t worry too much about people who only want to hang out with him because of his newfound fame. Sage also uses some clever wordplay in this verse when he says “I'm so good in the hood, new nigga, you should get it understood” – he’s saying he’s successful in the ‘hood as a new artist, and the line rhymes with “Butter” which is the title of the song.

Overall, the song is about people who didn’t believe in Sage the Gemini but now want to be associated with him. Sage is reflecting on this, but ultimately he’s not worried because he saw it coming.

Line by Line Meaning

You ain't fuck with me in school, but you do now, like it's all cool, but I knew that
You didn’t show me love in the past, but now that I have success, you want to be my friend. I knew you were fake from the start.

You flaked on me for old dude, now he on rap facts and it's cool 'cause I knew that (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
You chose another guy over me before, and now he’s doing well in the rap game. It's alright because I knew it would happen.

Hear this and hit the playback Bounce to Fairfield in a Maybach And tell them n-ggas who said that I wasn't where I said I was from, oh wait, they ain't say that
Listen to my music and play it back. I ride in a Maybach to Fairfield. But those who doubted my origins can't say anything because I'm really from there.

AK SQ , yeah my home dawg I was in the field like I was looking for a home run Old haters, let the new ones hold some Your new freak, that's my old stunt I got old beef that just rolls up Face to face, they don't know nuttin' Feel like I'm speakin' loud with Elsa, how you froze up Focused on the yeast, get your dough up
I'm with AK SQ, my close friend. I worked hard like I was trying to score a home run. Let the new haters talk while old haters are long forgotten. Your new girl was previously with me. I still face problems from my past but I don't let them stop me. And like Elsa, my presence freezes my competition. I focus on making money.

And now all a sudden you a bird 'cause you see me in a coupe, but it's cool 'cause I knew that (whoa) And now you want to wait until you lost, saw your ass just to come, double back, but you blew that (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Because of my success, you are now acting fake and hesitant to approach me. You want to reconnect after realizing I’m successful, but it's too late because you missed your chance.

I'm on the phone with Steve B right now I only rock with older niggas, bring the heat down I'm on the the line with Corley right now, he said "calm down, leave it up to us to hold the streets down You do this rap shit and don't fucking fail" Free Turtle, he gon' show you how you shouldn't tell I know the block dreaming 'bout you coming home on bail To show these young n-ggas how they really frail I'm so good in the hood, new n-gga, you should get it understood, yeah yeah yeah And if you really ain't new, then it's part of the song shouldn't change yo' mood, yeah yeah yeah
I'm currently talking with my mentors, Steve B and Corley. They advise me to keep rapping and not to give up. My friend Turtle will teach you how to be real. People in my neighborhood are excited for me to come back and inspire the young. I'm respected in the hood, and people should understand that. Whether or not you’re new, this song shouldn't change your mindset.

You ain't fuck with me in school, but you do now, like it's all cool, but I knew that (but I knew) You flaked on me for old dude, now he on rap facts and its cool 'cause I knew that (ee-yeah) And now all a sudden you a bird 'cause you see me in a coupe, but it's cool 'cause I knew that (whoa) And now you want to wait until you lost, saw your ass just to come, double back, but you blew that (yeah yeah yeah)
Repeating previous verses.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOMINIC WYNN WOODS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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