Recording as Akshen, he began his career recording solo for Rap-A-Lot Records, a local label in Houston, Texas. In the late 1980s, he joined the Geto Boys as they were forming and released We Can't Be Stopped, a highly successful LP that garnered the Geto Boys a large fanbase, in spite of their ultra-violent lyrics keeping them far from radio and MTV. Akshen changed his name to Scarface (he even changed his flow from a rapid-fire Kool G Rap-like delivery to normal flow, this time with a darker tone), after the film Scarface, saying he felt that the main character of the movie was just like him in many ways. Scarface soon released his debut solo album, Mr. Scarface Is Back. The album was a success, and Scarface's popularity soon overshadowed the other Geto Boys.
Scarface left the group and released a series of solo albums that kept him in the public view in spite of decreasing sales. He turned this around with 2000's Last of a Dying Breed, which received overwhelmingly positive reviews and sales, and earned him Lyricist of the Year at the Source Awards. In 2002 he released The Fix, the critically acclaimed follow up to Last of a Dying Breed. In 2007 he released Made which overall recieved very positive reviews.
Discography
1991 - Mr. Scarface Is Back (Rap-A-Lot)
1993 - The World Is Yours (Rap-A-Lot/Priority)
1994 - The Diary (Rap-A-Lot/Noo Trybe)
1997 - The Untouchable (Rap-A-Lot/Virgin)
1998 - My Homies (Rap-A-Lot/Virgin)
2000 - The Last Of A Dying Breed (Rap-A-Lot/Virgin)
2002 - The Fix (Def Jam South)
2003 - Balls And My Word (Rap-A-Lot)
2006 - The Product: One Hunid (Koch)
2006 - My Homies Pt. 2 (Rap-A-Lot Records)
2007 - Made
2008 - Emeritus
Gotta Get Paid
Scarface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
..."let me spit some game to ya"...
[Verse 1]
You gotta war on drugs
Well every other day a nigga dies
You showed yours, now let me show you mine
And let me walk 'em in my shoes
Through what you call the inner city
And what I call the blues
I'm broke here, and I ain't wainting on a call
From a resturaunt to bust tables
When Petie's got a job
Making 35 a week and all he do is run the streets
This nigga always caked up
Chromed out and draped up
Constantly telling me we need to get this paper
I'm getting skinny and it's he who get my weight up
Straight up
And plus I'm tired of missing meals
So I paid the man a visit...
[Petie] "What's the goddamn deal?
It's good to see you dog
I thought you might've choked up
Respect and money, well I can get you both of 'em"
[Face] ...I went inside, watching him break it down
When he was finished he handed a nigga nine
A nine milimeter, nine zips
Said if I sold each one for nine, I'd have grip
I hesitated, I ain't never sold a stone
I done seen it fuck the hood up
Plus all my niggaz gone
And they ain't never coming out
So with that in consideration
I took the package and bounced
I'm headed home, dazing out in a zone
Eyes on my luggage, I'm abouts to get it on
Get to the house, spread it all on the couch
Getting this bank what it's about
[Hook]
That's how a nigga made
They got a nigga paid
I'm a muthafuckin' jacker not a slave
Get money everyday
It ain't no other way
That's how it is until they put me in a grave
[Verse 2]
I'm in the living room looking at the news
Got a razor and some zipper baggies
About to do the fool
Cutting hundred dollar slabs
Wholesaling niggaz halves
Getting money like a muthafucka
Serivng niggaz bags
Got the blocks all blowed up
The whole hood smoking
Got a pistol I ain't shot yet
So dude's wide open for it
I'm just a youngster, I ain't done it, but I will
'cause I was taught you got to get it
So I get it how I live
Finna get my ma a crib, she ain't working
So I'm forced to win the bread for the household
'cause dad was no support
Often in and out of court, caught a case out of town
Got a body on his conscience, but nobody made a sound
He was going through the motions
He gonna probably beat the case
Still I get down on my knees
And beg the Lord to let him raise
Get up and get my workers out
Supply 'em with the goods
Give instructions to the goons
To come up out the hood
I ain't gotta pay the fronters
So I'm finally finna raise
'cause the bottom line is this homie
You gotta get paid
[Hook]
That's how a nigga made
They got a nigga paid
I'm a muthafuckin' jacker not a slave
Get money everyday
It ain't no other way
That's how it is until they put me in a grave
I never learned a trade
I fuck with chess and spades
The only other game a nigga learned to play was
Working hopping yay
'cause kissing ass was gay
I'm on my business, I want money like I'm jade
[Verse 3]
I'm the nigga in the hood
These little homies wanna be like
I got when shit was good
But now-a-days off in this street life
These niggaz switch it on you
Quick to put you in the crosses
Now he standing in your crib
And got a pistol in your mouth
That's your muthafuckin' boy
He popped you and popped your broad
Now he headed to the closet
And he about to take it all
So watch your muthafuckin' friends
'cause them the ones that sell you out
Ain't no future in being loyal
When niggaz see you want the top
Jealous hearted muthafuckas
Always quick to say you hating
I don't want another homie dog
He swallowed that and chased it
You can make it like I made it
I think it's best you do it dolo (solo)
That way niggaz can't say shit about you
When talking to the po-po
Oh yo, you know that dude that fronted me my come up
I caught him coming out the neighborhood
And had him done up
That's why I'm skeptic
When it comes to different faces
'cause I know I got it coming
But 'til then, I'll get my bank, shit
[more ad libs]
..."fuck you think this is?"...
..."more food for thought"...
..."that's how this shit go
Muthafucka been foolin' you, fuckin' with you
All your muthafucking life
And he the muthafucka talking to the people
You know...get that nigga ass outta here"...
..."I ride by my muthafucking self"...
..."look for me"...
The song "Gotta Get Paid" by Scarface sheds light on the harsh realities faced in the inner city by those who are forced to survive through illegal means. In the first verse, the singer talks about how they are broke and can't make a living working in a restaurant. So, when "Petie" offers them a deal where they can make easy money, they reluctantly accept it. The singer explains that this situation is not unfamiliar to them and takes us through what they call "the blues" in the inner city. They explain how every other day, someone falls prey to the war on drugs. The hook emphasizes the necessity of making money to survive and how the singer will not be anyone's slave, but rather a jacker.
In the second verse, the singer is now deep into drug dealing, cutting up hundred-dollar slabs, wholesaling to others, and getting rich. The singer's father is of no support, so they want to put bread on the table for their mother and themselves. They preach about the importance of the bottom line being getting paid and quote, "kissing ass was gay." The singer further warns about fake friends saying how they'll sell you out and urges one to do everything solo.
The song's compelling narrative contextualizes creative expression and serves as a testament to the daily struggles and motivation to survive in inner-city neighborhoods like the one Scarface speaks of.
Line by Line Meaning
You gotta war on drugs
There is a constant battle against drug addiction and trafficking
Well every other day a nigga dies
There are frequent deaths related to violence and drug activity
You showed yours, now let me show you mine
You've explained your perspective, now I'll share mine
Bring the six o'clock news
Present the real-life situations and struggles in the inner city
And let me walk 'em in my shoes
Let me give you a personal and firsthand experience of what it's like
Through what you call the inner city
I'll show you the harsh reality of urban neighborhoods
And what I call the blues
To me, it's a constant state of struggle and hardship
I'm broke here, and I ain't waiting on a call
I have no money, and I can't rely on anyone else for help
From a restaurant to bust tables
I refuse to work in a low-paying job just to make ends meet
When Petie's got a job
While Petie, my associate, has a lucrative source of income
Making 35 a week and all he do is run the streets
He earns $3500 a week by involving himself in illegal activities
This nigga always caked up, chromed out and draped up
Petie is always flaunting his wealth, dressed impressively
Constantly telling me we need to get this paper
Petie emphasizes the importance of making money
I'm getting skinny and it's he who get my weight up
I'm losing weight due to lack of resources, while Petie prospers
And plus I'm tired of missing meals
I'm exhausted from going hungry
So I paid the man a visit...
I went to confront Petie about my situation
"What's the goddamn deal?
What's going on?
It's good to see you dog
I'm glad to see you, my friend
I thought you might've choked up
I was worried that you were struggling
Respect and money, well I can get you both of 'em"
I can help you earn both respect and money
...I went inside, watching him break it down
I entered his place and observed him explaining the process
When he was finished he handed a nigga nine
After he finished dividing the drugs, he gave me nine pieces
A nine millimeter, nine zips
He gave me a gun and nine bags of drugs
Said if I sold each one for nine, I'd have grip
He assured me that selling each bag for nine dollars would yield a substantial profit
I hesitated, I ain't never sold a stone
I hesitated because I've never been involved in drug dealing
I done seen it fuck the hood up
I've witnessed the negative impact of drugs on our community
Plus all my niggaz gone
Many of my friends have lost their lives or are incarcerated
And they ain't never coming out
They face long prison sentences with no chance of parole
So with that in consideration
Taking all that into account
I took the package and bounced
I decided to take the drugs and leave
I'm headed home, dazing out in a zone
On my way back, lost in deep thought
Eyes on my luggage, I'm abouts to get it on
Focusing on protecting my bag of drugs, ready for action
Get to the house, spread it all on the couch
Arriving home, I dump the drugs onto the couch
Getting this bank what it's about
My main objective is to make a significant amount of money
That's how a nigga made
That's how I earned my money
They got a nigga paid
It enabled me to become financially stable
I'm a muthafuckin' jacker not a slave
I am an opportunist, not someone controlled by others
Get money everyday
Strive to make money constantly
It ain't no other way
There's no alternative method
That's how it is until they put me in a grave
I'll continue this lifestyle until I die
I'm in the living room looking at the news
I'm at home watching the news
Got a razor and some zipper baggies
I have a utility knife and small bags for packaging drugs
About to do the fool
I'm about to engage in risky behavior
Cutting hundred dollar slabs
Dividing large quantities of drugs into smaller portions
Wholesaling niggaz halves
Selling half units of drugs at wholesale prices
Getting money like a muthafucka
Making a lot of money rapidly
Serving niggaz bags
Distributing drugs to customers
Got the blocks all blowed up
I've become successful in multiple neighborhoods
The whole hood smoking
The community is heavily involved in drug use
Got a pistol I ain't shot yet
I own a gun that I haven't used yet
So dude's wide open for it
People are vulnerable, unaware of potential danger
I'm just a youngster, I ain't done it, but I will
I'm young and inexperienced, but I'm willing to commit crimes
'cause I was taught you got to get it
I was raised with the belief that you have to do whatever it takes to succeed
So I get it how I live
I obtain money through illegal activities
Finna get my ma a crib, she ain't working
I plan to buy my mother a house because she's unemployed
So I'm forced to win the bread for the household
I'm responsible for providing for my family's financial needs
'cause dad was no support
My father didn't contribute to our well-being
Often in and out of court
He frequently faced legal issues
Caught a case out of town
He got into trouble in another city
Got a body on his conscience, but nobody made a sound
He killed someone, but no one reported it
He was going through the motions
He was just aimlessly living his life
He gonna probably beat the case
He will likely avoid conviction in court
Still I get down on my knees
Regardless, I pray earnestly
And beg the Lord to let him raise
I plead with God to give my father a chance to change
Get up and get my workers out
I instruct my employees to start their tasks
Supply 'em with the goods
I provide them with the necessary drugs
Give instructions to the goons
I direct my henchmen on what to do
To come up out the hood
To escape the neighborhood's poverty and struggles
I ain't gotta pay the fronters
I no longer owe money to my suppliers
So I'm finally finna raise
I'm about to achieve a higher level of success
'cause the bottom line is this homie
The ultimate truth is, my friend
You gotta get paid
You have to prioritize making money
I never learned a trade
I never gained a legitimate skill or profession
I fuck with chess and spades
I engage in gambling activities like chess and card games
The only other game a nigga learned to play was
The only other activity I learned was
Working hopping yay
Engaging in drug trafficking
'cause kissing ass was gay
Showing subservience for financial gain felt demeaning
I'm on my business, I want money like I'm jade
I'm focused on my own affairs and desire wealth like the singer Jade
I'm the nigga in the hood
I'm the respected figure in the community
These little homies wanna be like
Younger individuals idolize and want to emulate me
I got when shit was good
I made a lot of money during prosperous times
But nowadays off in this street life
However, in the current dangerous street lifestyle
These niggaz switch it on you
These individuals will betray and turn against you
Quick to put you in the crosses
They will readily set you up for harm
Now he standing in your crib
Now they're inside your home
And got a pistol in your mouth
Threatening you with a gun in your mouth
That's your muthafuckin' boy
That's the person you considered a close friend
He popped you and popped your broad
He killed you and your partner
Now he headed to the closet
Now he's going to search the closet
And he about to take it all
He plans to steal everything
So watch your muthafuckin' friends
Be cautious of your supposed friends
'cause them the ones that sell you out
Because they are the ones who betray you
Ain't no future in being loyal
Being loyal doesn't guarantee a positive outcome
When niggaz see you want the top
When others see your ambition and desire for success
Jealous hearted muthafuckas
Envious individuals
Always quick to say you hating
They are always ready to accuse you of hating or being against them
I don't want another homie dog
I don't need any more friends, my friend
He swallowed that and chased it
He understood my perspective and accepted it
You can make it like I made it
You can succeed just like me
I think it's best you do it dolo (solo)
I believe it's better for you to do it alone
That way niggaz can't say shit about you
That way, no one can talk negatively about you
When talking to the po-po
When dealing with the police
Oh yo, you know that dude that fronted me my come up
Hey, do you remember the person who helped me make my initial step towards success?
I caught him coming out the neighborhood
I caught him leaving the area
And had him done up
And I took care of him (likely implying violence)
That's why I'm skeptic
That's why I'm distrustful
When it comes to different faces
When encountering unfamiliar people
'cause I know I got it coming
Because I know I will face consequences
But 'til then, I'll get my bank, shit
But until then, I'll continue to accumulate wealth, my friend
..."fuck you think this is?"...
"What do you believe this situation to be?"
..."more food for thought"...
"An additional perspective to ponder"
..."that's how this shit go
"That's the way life unfolds, my friend
Muthafucka been foolin' you, fuckin' with you
Others have been deceiving and manipulating you
All your muthafucking life
Throughout your entire existence
And he the muthafucka talking to the people
He is the one speaking to the public
You know...get that nigga ass outta here"
You know...remove that person from the conversation/situation
..."I ride by my muthafucking self"...
"I travel alone without any companions"
..."look for me"...
"Search for my presence"
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANTHONY PKA TONE CAPONE GILMOUR, BRAD JORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Kelly
I'm a 46 yr old man from Alabama. From day 1 Brad has never let me down. While he was focused on how to be like J. Prince I was focused on standing on the same principles as Brad. I can literally stand beside him and spit every song he has ever made down to the features. I salute you Big Homie from one Geto Boy to another!
412hwc
@Ricardo Lewis i shuda known that
Ricardo Lewis
Brad is Scarface real name
412hwc
brooo who tha fucc is brad
Kendall Brown, II
Scarface, you can't ask for anyone better 'cause there ain't...Beats on point, lyrics on point, flow on point...plus he paints verbal pictures and on top of all that he's inspirational!!!
Jackie Green
Be political
tlove1983tl
I use to play this so much when I was a young lad. Now when I hear this all I think about is how good we had it back in the old days. Times changed and money getting aint the same no more.
john doe
@🐲DragonFire🐲 my homies ??? It says it lol
Sp@ce@ge713
Preach homie
🐲DragonFire🐲
tlove1983tl what album this on