After appearing on two Lox albums, 1998’s platinum debut Money, Power & Respect, and 2000’s follow-up We Are The Streets, Sheek became a business man. First, he bought a recording studio in his hometown city of Yonkers, NY, and then founded the record label D-Block with lifelong friends Jadakiss and Styles P.
When Jadakiss feuded with Beanie Sigel, the battle also brought along Sheek Louch and Styles P. Shortly before Beans went to jail, however, Sigel and Kiss made up definitively, performing together at a show; after his release from jail, the two did a remix on a Sheek Louch song and appeared on a track on a Funkmaster Flex compilation.
When The Lox left Bad Boy Records, the group and each of its members' publication was still owned by label head Sean Combs. The group fought with him over royalties, debt issues and other things until 2005 when they briefly put their differences aside to perform with Jay-Z at his I Declare War concert.Combs still owned The Lox's publishing because they only completed one album on their contract. Afterward they went on New York radio station Hot 97 bashing Diddy about taking all their money.
Sheek Louch has played a supporting role in D-Block's battle with 50 Cent. Originally, after a guest appearance in Ja Rule's single "New York", Jadakiss was insulted on 50 Cent's track "Piggy Bank" on the 2005 album The Massacre. Sheek has in turn insulted 50 Cent and other members of G-Unit on tracks on various mixtapes, including ones by Big Mike and DJ Clue.
Shame on you for ever underestimating Sheek. Shame on you for thinking that his membership in the LOX is all he had and all he’d ever be. After dropping two LOX albums, 1998’s platinum debut Money, Power & Respect, and 2000’s chart topping follow up We are the Streets, Sheek became a business man. First, he bought a recording studio in his hometown town of Yonkers, NY. Then, he founded the record label D-Block with lifelong friends Jadakiss and Styles P. Sheek has been quietly focused. While Jadakiss and Styles were busy making guest appearances with everyone from Mary J. Blige to Jennifer Lopez, Sheek was planning and securing the foundation for what will undoubtedly become one of hip hop’s greatest classics, “D Block.” As the first artist signed to D-Block, Sheek’s debut Walk Witt Me takes hip hop back to the good days when MCs rapped with the kind of passionate power that could move entire coasts. After listening to Walk Witt Me, you’ll never sleep on Sheek again. In fact, you’ll be excitedly waiting for the next 16 bar ride through his life. “This album is all me,” says Sheek. “With the LOX, I have to write about the topic agreed on by all three of us. But on my album, I can get deep into it and let you understand me.”
Mixtape DJs like Kay Slay, Clue, and Whoo Kid understand Sheek. For months, the streets have been buzzing with his highly sought after freestyles. But when Walk Witt Me drops, the buzz will stop and the raucous will begin. Super lyrical songs like the standout “How I Love You,” take listeners on a mental journey through Sheek’s ups and downs in the hip hop game. “I’m explaining everything that has happened to me,” he says. “How I was chillin with the LOX, got comfortable, and then this hip hop thing left me alone because I got so comfortable.” Tracks like the bonafide hit “Don’t Worry,” featuring legendary DJ Kid Capri, samples the Jackson 5 Motown classic “Don’t Worry.” Sheek’s cocky declaration of his triumphant return to the spotlight will keep kids rapping along to “Don’t Worry” for days. Hardcore cuts like “Love You” and “Don’t Mean Nutin’ featuring Jadakiss, Styles, and J-Hood remind LOX lovers that Sheek will never loose his grimy touch. While the happy, carefree vibe on “Good Day” with the memorable hook “White tees, white airs, TK/Benz coup, rims spinnin, jake hatin me/ But that’s my life, my life in the sunshine” guarantees a summertime bass knocker. Spin queen Cocoa Chanel produced “Ok” the party anthem which is one of Sheek’s favorite album singles. And when the club closes and cats take a minute to focus, the title track “Walk Witt Me” will show a deep, intellectual side of Sheek that will make listeners stretch their eyes wide with amazement. “When I got into this solo project I was in a zone,” he says. “ A lot came out. And I’m still in a zone right now.”
But Sheek has always been focused. As 11 year old Sean Jacobs, he rapped with childhood friend Jayson “Jadakiss” Phillips and started the group Lil J and Shawn Ski. Years later, after signing with the LOX to Bad Boy, fighting for release, and eventually signing to Ruff Ryders, Sheek has only thought about one thing. “I was always the cat like, “Let’s get a label and sign to ourselves,” Why don’t we get our own artists and put ourselves out there? he says.’ Years later, Sheek’s focus paid off. As the first MC set to drop from D-Block, Sheek is concentrating on the task at hand. “I have to blow up this album and take this label to another level,” he says. “I can’t dance on stage forever.”
So although you may’ve doubted Sheek, he never underestimated himself. Because the stellar work on Walk Witt Me is all about confidence and focus. “This is mental. All soul and very carefully thought out,” he says. “Run with it.” And after people witness Walk Witt Me, they’ll be running with Sheek for life.
Sheek's second album, "After Taxes", was released in 2005 with guest spots from Fabolous, Beanie Sigel, T.I., Redman and his two LOX homies Jadakiss and Styles P. It also featured production from producers like Havoc, Rockwilder, Red Spyda and The Alchemist. Unlike his first album, "After Taxes" was released on Kock Records, one of the largest independent labels in the United States. Sheek got a minor hit "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye". Also included on the album was a diss track going at 50 Cent called "Maybe If I Sing".
* He, as well as Jadakiss, made guest appearances in the movie Honey.
* Sheek Louch met Jadakiss during his early childhood.
* In high school, he used to play football on the varsity team. However, due to an injury, he was force to not continue football.
Don't Be Them
Sheek Louch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't be Jigga, don't be Nas, don't be Kim
Don't be them, don't be 'Pac, don't be BIG
Be yourself for real homie, you that kid
Don't be Sheek, don't be LOX
Don't be P, don't be Kiss, don't be Fox'
Don't be 50, don't be Weezy, don't be Slim
Be yourself for real homie, don't be them
Aiyyo, now I ain't gon' sit here and preach to y'all niggas
like I'm all fucked up and I ain't seeing no figures
But if I had the choice to tell niggas who to be
I'm just keeping it thorough, shit it won't be me
All you see is the fake shit that's on TV
You don't be in the hood when niggas empty three
Court cases, no laces, orange dickies
Jewish lawyer helping you but he cost Gs
Drunk, tryna figure how the hell I'm getting home
Cause ain't nobody left in this, just me and my chrome
D-W-Y'd, I already been tried
So I know the jake watching to see if I abide
Yeah, don't be Swizz, don't be Tim'
Don't be N.O.R.E., don't be Cam, don't be Jim
Don't be them, don't be 'Pac, don't be BIG
Be yourself for real homie, you that kid
Don't be Wade, don't be Moss
Don't be Pun, don't be Crack, don't be Ross
Don't be them, don't be Common, don't be Em
Be yourself for real homie, don't be them
Aiyyo, now everybody got things that going on in their life
From their fake ass friends to their fake ass wife
Money problems, bills due
Niggas scared to turn on the news cause all you hear is who killed who
So you see us at the shows and think that we straight
Niggas tired, I don't remember the last time we ate
Just drinking, smoking, jumping on planes
Trying to be careful of what chick give me brains
There's AIDS out there, and blades out there
Niggas trying to cut you like fades out there
Everything pretty behind the scene
until you find out your favorite rapper's a fiend
Yeah, don't be Luda', don't be Tip
Don't be 'Face, don't be Usher, don't be Flip
Don't be them, don't be 'Pac, don't BIG
Be yourself for real homie, you that kid
Don't be Sharpton, don't be Jesse
Don't be Kan', don't be Melo, don't be 'Bron
Don't be them, don't be Bush, please not him
But for real little homie, don't be them
Aiyyo, this ain't to down little rappers and crews
I'm just tryna tell niggas that we stressed out too
If you sick, we get sick nigga, flu is flu
You don't know, I don't know nigga, who is who?
Niggas think we just entertainers, and big complainers
You don't know how much shit a day bring us
I'm just saying, ain't no guarantees
Next single you drop just might freeze
You be hot for a minute then you cool on down
Look at rap for years, niggas been passing the crown
I'm just do you homie, don't be him
Don't be me either, fuck that, but don't be them
Yeah, don't be them
Don't be Jigga, don't be Nas, don't be Kim
Don't be them, don't be 'Pac, don't be BIG
Be yourself for real homie, you that kid
Don't be Sheek, don't be LOX
Don't be P, don't be Kiss, don't be Fox'
Don't be 50, don't be Weezy, don't be Slim
Be yourself for real homie, don't be them
Yeah, don't be Swizz, don't be Tim'
Don't be N.O.R.E., don't be Cam, don't be Jim
Don't be them, don't be 'Pac, don't be BIG
Be yourself for real homie, you that kid
In "Don't Be Them," Sheek Louch advises listeners to be themselves and not try to emulate famous rappers like JAY-Z, Nas, and Tupac. He speaks about the difficulties and struggles that people face in their daily lives, which are not depicted on television. Sheek explains that fame is not all that it appears to be and emphasizes that there is more to life than trying to be like someone else.
Sheek's lyrics teach an essential lesson about individuality and the impracticality of trying to imitate others. The song encourages people to embrace their unique personalities, flaws, and strengths. Sheek also touches upon societal issues such as court cases, poverty, and violence that can affect individuals from all backgrounds. Through the lyrics, the audience also gets to understand the pressures that come with being a celebrity and the potential negativity that it could cause in someone's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, don't be them
Don't try to be like other famous artists or figures
Don't be Jigga, don't be Nas, don't be Kim
Don't be Jay Z or Nas or Lil' Kim or any other famous rapper from the past
Don't be them, don't be 'Pac, don't be BIG
Don't be Tupac or Notorious B.I.G. or any other iconic rapper from the 90s
Be yourself for real homie, you that kid
Be true to yourself and your own artistic vision
Don't be Sheek, don't be LOX
Don't try to emulate Sheek Louch or other members of The LOX
Don't be P, don't be Kiss, don't be Fox'
Don't try to be like other members of The LOX or Foxxy Brown
Don't be 50, don't be Weezy, don't be Slim
Don't try to be like 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, or any other famous modern rapper
Aiyyo, now I ain't gon' sit here and preach to y'all niggas
I'm not going to lecture you all
like I'm all fucked up and I ain't seeing no figures
Like I'm broke and unsuccessful
But if I had the choice to tell niggas who to be
If I could tell people who to emulate
I'm just keeping it thorough, shit it won't be me
I'm being honest with you and saying that you shouldn't try to be like me either
All you see is the fake shit that's on TV
All you see is the fake lifestyles shown on television
You don't be in the hood when niggas empty three
You're not here in the streets when people start shooting
Court cases, no laces, orange dickies
Legal troubles, no shoelaces, and orange prison jumpsuits
Jewish lawyer helping you but he cost Gs
A Jewish lawyer helping you out but he's very expensive
Drunk, tryna figure how the hell I'm getting home
Drunk and trying to figure out how to get home safely
Cause ain't nobody left in this, just me and my chrome
Because everyone else has left and I'm alone with my gun
D-W-Y'd, I already been tried
Arrested for driving while intoxicated already
So I know the jake watching to see if I abide
So I know the police are watching me to see if I follow the law
Yeah, don't be Swizz, don't be Tim'
Don't try to be like Swizz Beatz or Timbaland
Don't be N.O.R.E., don't be Cam, don't be Jim
Don't try to be like N.O.R.E. or Cam'ron or Jim Jones
Don't be Wade, don't be Moss
Don't try and be like Dwyane Wade or Randy Moss
Don't be Pun, don't be Crack, don't be Ross
Don't try to emulate Big Pun, Fat Joe, or Rick Ross
Don't be Common, don't be Em
Don't try to be like Common or Eminem
Be yourself for real homie, don't be them
Be true to yourself and don't try to emulate other famous artists
Aiyyo, now everybody got things that going on in their life
Everyone has problems in their life
From their fake ass friends to their fake ass wife
From their fake friends to their dishonest spouses
Money problems, bills due
Financial problems and overdue bills
Niggas scared to turn on the news cause all you hear is who killed who
People are afraid to watch the news because it's full of reports of murders
So you see us at the shows and think that we straight
When you see us perform, you think we're doing well financially
Niggas tired, I don't remember the last time we ate
We're exhausted and hungry from constant touring
Just drinking, smoking, jumping on planes
We're just drinking, smoking, and traveling all the time
Trying to be careful of what chick give me brains
Trying to be careful about which women we engage with intimately
There's AIDS out there, and blades out there
There's a risk of contracting AIDS and a risk of being attacked with knives
Niggas trying to cut you like fades out there
People are trying to harm you like they trim hair
Everything pretty behind the scene
Everything looks nice from the outside
until you find out your favorite rapper's a fiend
Until you find out your favorite rapper is addicted to drugs
Don't be Sharpton, don't be Jesse
Don't try to be like Rev. Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson
Don't be Kan', don't be Melo, don't be 'Bron
Don't try to be like Kanye West, Carmelo Anthony, or LeBron James
Don't be them, don't be Bush, please not him
Don't try to be like George W. Bush or any other controversial political figure
But for real little homie, don't be them
But seriously, don't try to emulate anyone else
Aiyyo, this ain't to down little rappers and crews
I'm not trying to criticize up-and-coming artists
I'm just tryna tell niggas that we stressed out too
I'm just trying to tell everyone that famous artists have their own struggles too
If you sick, we get sick nigga, flu is flu
If you get sick, we get sick too because we're all human
You don't know, I don't know nigga, who is who?
You don't know who to trust and neither do I
Niggas think we just entertainers, and big complainers
People think that all we do is entertain and complain
You don't know how much shit a day bring us
You don't know how much crap we have to deal with every day
I'm just saying, ain't no guarantees
I'm just saying that there's no certainty in this business
Next single you drop just might freeze
Your next song might not do well and freeze your career
You be hot for a minute then you cool on down
You might be popular for a short time and then lose your relevance
Look at rap for years, niggas been passing the crown
Look at the history of rap, artists have been passing the torch to each other for years
I'm just do you homie, don't be him
Just be yourself and don't try to be like anyone else
Don't be me either, fuck that, but don't be them
Don't try to be me either, but definitely don't try to be like anyone else
Contributed by Alice B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.