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
On My Grind
Scarface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man Z-Ro the crooked the mothafuckin Moe-city don
Yeah nigga I done hooked up with Rap-A-Lot
Knahimsayin I know y'all don't like that
But fuck y'all though feel me
From mansions, to Hummers, resently I want it all
Like every other nigga that's twenty-six I want to ball
So when my pockets lookin' low it's time to pay the suburbs
But this it I can't see my self at the bottom of the food chain
When a nigga hungry, and broke I go through some mood swings
Lay it down motherfucker I got kids to feed
I was on the block when it moved slow, all Z-Ro needed was speed
Do I suffer from greed? I gotta get some cash quick
Cause I look back on my life a nigga ain't never had shit
50-packin get me through the night, want get me but my profit
I gotta room but shit y'all them J's done kept on chopping
(??)on some big O's, keepin fiends lit (??)like pillows
I eat on the block, and sleep on the block, then I retreat on my block
Goin out of town for birds about the piece on my block
[Chorus]
Caught up in the game of chasing dough
I'm not mama's little boy no mo'
So next time you see me in public I'm on my grind
Starving I'm just tryna get fed
So I gotta get up and go get this bread
And I'm about to be a million, about to lose my mind
Catch me if you can is my vision of me screamin'
So I chase e'm like the law until my jewelry is gleamin
The lyrics to Scarface feat. Z-Ro's song On My Grind express the drive and hunger to succeed in the rap game and acquire wealth. The song starts off with Z-Ro boasting about his affiliation with Rap-A-Lot Records, a label that was founded by J Prince in Houston, Texas. He proceeds to talk about his materialistic desires, that he wants everything from mansions to Hummers, like any other 26-year old trying to make it big. Z-Ro stresses that he works hard and goes after what he wants, because he cannot afford to be at the bottom of the food chain. The rapper speaks about his struggles and hardships in life, where he was once hungry and broke and had to hustle to provide for himself and his family. Z-Ro emphasizes that he has never had anything handed to him on a golden platter, and that he wants to make millions and is willing to work hard to achieve that.
The chorus of the song highlights the rapper's obsession with chasing money, which is the driving force behind his grind. He asserts that he is no longer a mama's boy and has to fend for himself to survive. Z-Ro's hunger for success is so intense that it feels like he is losing his mind. In the second verse, Z-Ro uses the metaphor of chasing enemies like the law to describe his pursuit of wealth. He raps about his ambitious vision of becoming a millionaire, and that he would chase it down until his jewelry shines bright like a gleaming object.
Overall, the song On My Grind reflects the determination of not just Scarface and Z-Ro, but also many other aspiring rappers who want to make it big in the rap game. The lyrics drive home the point that the only way to achieve success in life is through hard work and persistent effort.
Line by Line Meaning
Uhhhh oh, y'all motherfuckers done fucked up now
Warning to those who have messed with Scarface and Z-Ro. They're coming out with guns blazing.
Man Z-Ro the crooked the mothafuckin Moe-city don
Z-Ro introduces himself in his typical braggadocious style. He's the 'crooked' from Moe-City, Houston.
Yeah nigga I done hooked up with Rap-A-Lot
Z-Ro proclaims that he has joined forces with Houston-based label Rap-A-Lot Records.
Knahimsayin I know y'all don't like that
'I know you don't approve,' Z-Ro taunts his enemies.
But fuck y'all though feel me
The haters can kick rocks according to Scarface.
From mansions, to Hummers, resently I want it all
Z-Ro wants everything in life too, just like everyone else.
Like every other nigga that's twenty-six I want to ball
Z-Ro is stating that he's just like any other twenty-six-year-old who desires success and wealth.
That's why I get off my rump and I go and get it(go and get it)
Z-Ro is a self-starter and will get out of his comfort zone to achieve his goals.
So when my pockets lookin' low it's time to pay the suburbs
Making money is necessary to maintain or elevate Z-Ro's lifestyle.
But this it I can't see my self at the bottom of the food chain
Z-Ro can't bear the thought of being broke and struggling to survive.
When a nigga hungry, and broke I go through some mood swings
In times of financial hardship, Z-Ro is prone to mood fluctuations.
Lay it down motherfucker I got kids to feed
Z-Ro is a family man and needs to provide for his children.
I was on the block when it moved slow, all Z-Ro needed was speed
Z-Ro can't sit idle and needs to keep moving forward.
Do I suffer from greed? I gotta get some cash quick
Z-Ro is realistic about his need for money, though he hopes it doesn't come across as greedy.
Cause I look back on my life a nigga ain't never had shit
Z-Ro has come from a place of nothing and wants to change his legacy.
50-packin get me through the night, want get me but my profit
Z-Ro is reliant on selling drugs to earn money.
I gotta room but shit y'all them J's done kept on chopping
Z-Ro can't stop selling drugs because he needs the extra money.
(??)on some big O's, keepin fiends lit (??)like pillows
Z-Ro is selling big kilos of drugs to keep his customers satisfied.
I eat on the block, and sleep on the block, then I retreat on my block
Z-Ro's entire life is centered around the block where he sells drugs.
Goin out of town for birds about the piece on my block
Birds is a drug dealer's term for kilos of cocaine. Z-Ro goes out of town to acquire more product.
Caught up in the game of chasing dough
Z-Ro is caught up in the life of chasing wealth.
I'm not mama's little boy no mo'
Z-Ro is no longer a child and has to fend for himself.
So next time you see me in public I'm on my grind
Z-Ro is devoted to his grind and hustling 24/7.
Starving I'm just tryna get fed
Z-Ro is driven by hunger to get as much money as he can.
So I gotta get up and go get this bread
Making money is an urgent priority for Z-Ro.
And I'm about to be a million, about to lose my mind
Z-Ro is on the verge of becoming a millionaire and can't wait to reap the rewards.
Catch me if you can is my vision of me screamin'
Z-Ro can't be caught or stopped in his quest for wealth.
So I chase e'm like the law until my jewelry is gleamin
Z-Ro chases money like the police chase criminals, relentlessly going after it until his jewelry shines.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSEPH WAYNE MCVEY, LEROY ANDRE WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind