Discography:
AKA the Rugged Child (1994)
The Lost Generation (1996)
Manchild (1999)
The Greatest Story Never Told (2004)
Disrespectfully Speaking (2009)
Intro
Shyheim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Straight up
We up we up we up
We up Next
Damn near lost it all
To get it all back
Never switched on my dogs
You know thats all facts
So fallback if you fucking with my energy
The only things I want in my life
Are things that are meant for me
Keep having the same dream every night
So it feel like destiny
Now tell me who gonna really check for me
Who gonna hold a nigga down
When I got the opps sending threats for me
I know you say you love me
It's different to want the best for me
I tuned in I'm focused
I'm working on being legendary
Cause I can't settle for no secondary
Had to level up on niggas
It was Necessary
I'm a problem child its hereditary
I don't back down I stay dedicated
I'm a top dog talking heavy weight
You get hit dog we don't hesitate
No we don't hesitate at all
Na not at all
It's hard being that nigga
When people want you to fall
Gotta know who I can trust in this game that's a must
I don't care who it is
Cuz anybody can get it cut
Uh
On the east side
With my young niggas and they loaded
The wrong move will get you noticed
Swear my city is the coldest
In my city it get so cold
Ya neva know you just neva know
On the east side
With my young niggas and they loaded
The wrong move will get you noticed
Swear my city is the coldest
In my city it get so cold
Ya neva know you just neva know
And that's just how it goes
Been stacking this money but I need plenty more
A lot of niggas talk about change
I don't think they ready for it
I did what I had to do
If you really want it
Gotta make a move
As long as God got me
I can never lose
Cause I was born to win
That don't mean i'll never sin
That don't mean i'll never fail
It means that if it's meant to be
Than i'll prevail
Means that i'm a always know to tip the scale
And when I do I know it cause i'm gifted
And he always there
He always there
No we don't hold back
It's gonna be bad days you can't control that
As long as you can get your flow back
On the east side
With my young niggas and they loaded
The wrong move will get you noticed
Swear my city is the coldest
In my city it get so cold
Ya neva know you just neva know
On the east side
With my young niggas and they loaded
The wrong move will get you noticed
Swear my city is the coldest
In my city it get so cold
Ya neva know you just neva know
In Shyheim's song "Intro," the rapper talks about his struggles and achievements. He starts by acknowledging that he has always been on the grind to get where he is and that he almost lost everything but managed to get it all back. He emphasizes his loyalty to his close friends and how he cannot even call back the ones he has lost along the way. The rapper then warns anyone messing with his energy to back off because he only wants things that are meant for him. Shyheim delves into his personal life and how he keeps having the same dream every night, making him feel like it's his destiny.
The chorus of the song is a reflection of life on the east side, where things can get cold quickly. The rapper states that anyone can get cut, which means that he stays cautious of whom he trusts. He ends the song by saying that although he has been stacking his money, he needs plenty more, and he is always ready for change. The overall theme of the song is one of resilience, loyalty, and success.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh huh
Affirmation of agreement, acknowledgement
Straight up
Emphasizing authenticity, sincerity
We up we up we up
Celebrating success, achievement
We up Next
Indicating readiness for the next level, future success
Damn near lost it all
Acknowledging struggle and setback
To get it all back
Highlighting the effort and work put in to regain success
Never switched on my dogs
Staying loyal to friends and supporters
You know thats all facts
Asserting the truth of that statement
I lost real ones who I can't even call back
Acknowledging the loss of important people in his life
So fallback if you fucking with my energy
Warning those who bring negativity to stay away
The only things I want in my life
Clearly defining his goals and desires
Are things that are meant for me
Focusing on destiny and purpose
Keep having the same dream every night
Noticing a recurring dream, perhaps indicating a vision or goal
So it feel like destiny
Suggesting that the dream is linked to his destiny/purpose
Now tell me who gonna really check for me
Asking who will truly support and look out for him
Who gonna hold a nigga down
Asking who will stand by his side and support him
When I got the opps sending threats for me
Facing opposition and threats from others
I know you say you love me
Acknowledging love from others
It's different to want the best for me
Highlighting the importance of supportive actions, not just words
I tuned in I'm focused
Being aware and attentive to what matters
I'm working on being legendary
Pursuing greatness and success
Cause I can't settle for no secondary
Refusing to settle for less than the best
Had to level up on niggas
Improving his skills, abilities, and success
It was Necessary
Highlighting the importance of that growth
I'm a problem child its hereditary
Connecting his identity to his upbringing and personality
I don't back down I stay dedicated
Showing resilience and commitment
I'm a top dog talking heavy weight
Asserting his status and success
You get hit dog we don't hesitate
Warning opponents that he won't hold back
No we don't hesitate at all
Reemphasizing his lack of hesitation
Na not at all
Reemphasizing that point
It's hard being that nigga
Acknowledging the challenges of success and status
When people want you to fall
Facing criticism and negativity from others
Gotta know who I can trust in this game that's a must
Highlighting the importance of trustworthy allies
I don't care who it is
Asserting that loyalty is more important than social status
Cuz anybody can get it cut
Warning that disloyalty will be punished
On the east side
Referring to a specific location
With my young niggas and they loaded
Being with his friends who are armed and dangerous
The wrong move will get you noticed
Warning of the potential consequences of bad decisions
Swear my city is the coldest
Suggesting that his city is tough and unforgiving
In my city it get so cold
Reinforcing the harshness of his environment
Ya neva know you just neva know
Implying that anything can happen
And that's just how it goes
Accepting the unpredictability of life
Been stacking this money but I need plenty more
Acknowledging financial success but emphasizing the need for more
A lot of niggas talk about change
Noting that many people speak about improvement
I don't think they ready for it
Suggesting that those people are not truly committed
I did what I had to do
Taking responsibility for his actions
If you really want it
Qualifying that success requires significant effort
Gotta make a move
Emphasizing the importance of action and initiative
As long as God got me
Acknowledging a belief in divine support
I can never lose
Expressing confidence and determination
Cause I was born to win
Asserting his inherent potential for success
That don't mean i'll never sin
Admitting that he is not perfect
That don't mean i'll never fail
Acknowledging that failure is a possibility
It means that if it's meant to be
Highlighting the role of destiny
Than i'll prevail
Expressing confidence in his ability to succeed
Means that i'm a always know to tip the scale
Implying that he can influence outcomes in his favor
And when I do I know it cause i'm gifted
Acknowledging his talent and abilities
And he always there
Reinforcing the belief in a divine presence
No we don't hold back
Reemphasizing the lack of hesitation
It's gonna be bad days you can't control that
Coming to terms with the inevitability of difficult times
As long as you can get your flow back
Highlighting the importance of regaining momentum after setbacks
On the east side
Reiterating the specific location mentioned earlier
With my young niggas and they loaded
Repeating the danger associated with his group of friends
The wrong move will get you noticed
Repeating the potential consequences of bad decisions
Swear my city is the coldest
Repeating the harshness of his environment
In my city it get so cold
Reemphasizing the unforgiving nature of his city
Ya neva know you just neva know
Repeating the unpredictability of life
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Jason Henry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind