Discography:
AKA the Rugged Child (1994)
The Lost Generation (1996)
Manchild (1999)
The Greatest Story Never Told (2004)
Disrespectfully Speaking (2009)
One
Shyheim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Microphone check, one-two, one-two, yo
Microphone check, one-two, one-two, yo
Microphone check, one-two, one-two, yo
Microphone check, one-two,
chorus (x2)
One's for the money
three's for ya hooker
but we all say, HOE!
My slang and my gang bows up the concrete
Like everybeing rocking
Don't sweat the technics
So you got beef
Narrow sony go get ya posse
Cause I've got a mosse, when you wear haratchies
Then you hear me kicking as I own you, it's mad ruggie
The jump on my tip, but I taught nuff to naw it
Cause I let the microphone spark right after dark
And be dropping mad skillz like my name was Pad Mark
The rebel to society
Everyone's trying me
Loking at me strange leave dim raid it'll mase me
Had I did something wrong go and my dumb
Brothers keep stressing, no shorties the one
To make it real snappy, and little nasty-nasty
Things get pawsie-pawsie
And of to be hax me
It'll little gone and still can hold you on, on
Microphone so keep licking on that wish bone
You had you're chans but you feld out on tune,
So you're hanging out with deuce, now you say that rock rues
You make me laugh as you're mom's get smoke
You get ain't like a taffy, and red like the chokes
Flow with the flow from the Wu-tang free-style
You catch yo bow-bow, And they're two's this wild, child
From the Staten the Island, the temple
just an example how pop goes the pistole
chorus (x2)
One's for the money
two's for the show
three's for ya hooker
but we all say, HOE!
Here comes the shortie with the tec twenty two
but If you tell I'm gonna blast you
From the projects worst ghetto section
So my back but gun from protection
Shortie do-wa, more shoops and tupa'
Come and do with the Wu-tang hip-hop
Shortie wa-wa, shorts sniki sha-sha
Go-go, ga-ga, now you want me popa
I'm not a mack daddy or my daddy mack
Touch my napsack, boy you gettin' pitch smack
I've got a style may not be formilliar
It's like both way you're callin' round in a cosha
Who will be the next to flex and face death
ashes to ashes, and only dust is left
chorus (x2)
One's for the money
two's for the show
three's for ya hooker
but we all say, HOE!
Shyheim's "One's 4 Da Money" is a rap song that features the artist boasting about his skills and narrating his struggles in his community. He begins by hyping himself up with microphone checks, showcasing his linguistic and musical talent. The chorus, "one's for the money, two's for the show, three's for ya hooker, but we all say, HOE!" is a clever reworking of a popular nursery rhyme, asserting the artist's mastery over language and his ability to innovate. The lyrics are punctuated by raw, rugged beats that pound with a sense of urgency and aggression.
Shyheim's verse is full of vivid imagery that animates his lyrics, painting a picture of his gang and leaders who command respect on the concrete. He is unapologetically aggressive, warning anyone who dares to cross him of the consequences. The mood is one of defiance and rebellion, with Shyheim positioning himself as a rebel to society that everyone is trying to bring down. The second verse features more of his rhyming artistry and his stoic attitude towards life. The lyrics center on the dangers and struggles of growing up in a low-income community, with Shyheim outlining the ways in which he and his peers have learned to survive in a world that doesn't often value their existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Microphone check, one-two, one-two, yo
I'm testing the microphone, making sure it works properly
One's for the money
Money is the main motivation behind what I do
two's for the show
The performance aspect of what I do is important as well
three's for ya hooker
Prostitution is a reality in our society, but it's not something to celebrate
but we all say, HOE!
Despite the negative aspects of our society, we still find humor in it
My slang and my gang bows up the concrete
My language and the people I associate with create a strong presence in the urban environment
Narrow sony go get ya posse
If you have a problem with me, then gather your friends
Cause I've got a mosse, when you wear haratchies
I have a strong group of people on my side, and I'm not intimidated by those who wear expensive shoes
Then you hear me kicking as I own you, it's mad ruggie
When I start rapping, I take control of the situation and show my skills
The jump on my tip, but I taught nuff to naw it
People try to copy my style, but they can't do it as well as I can
Cause I let the microphone spark right after dark
I perform late at night, when the energy is high and people are ready to have fun
And be dropping mad skillz like my name was Pad Mark
I have a lot of talent and I'm not afraid to show it off
The rebel to society
I don't conform to societal norms and expectations
Everyone's trying me
People are always challenging me, testing my skills
Loking at me strange leave dim raid it'll mase me
If you look at me the wrong way, it might provoke me to act out
Had I did something wrong go and my dumb
If I make a mistake, I'll own up to it
Brothers keep stressing, no shorties the one
People keep bothering me, but I'm not the one they should be worrying about
To make it real snappy, and little nasty-nasty
I'm going to deliver my rap in a quick and provocative way
Things get pawsie-pawsie
Things can get out of control and uncomfortable
And of to be hax me
People might try to cause me harm or hack into my life
It'll little gone and still can hold you on, on
Even after I'm gone, my music will still have an impact on people
Microphone so keep licking on that wish bone
Don't waste your time wishing for things, focus on the present and the opportunities in front of you
You had you're chans but you feld out on tune,
You had your chance to succeed, but you failed to capitalize on it
So you're hanging out with deuce, now you say that rock rues
Now that you're not successful, you're associating with negative people and complaining about the industry
You make me laugh as you're mom's get smoke
Your attempts to impress me are comical and ineffective
You get ain't like a taffy, and red like the chokes
You're not smooth and you're embarrassing yourself
Flow with the flow from the Wu-tang free-style
I'm inspired by the Wu-tang Clan and their unique style
You catch yo bow-bow, And they're two's this wild, child
You try to copy me, but you can't replicate my success
From the Staten the Island, the temple
I'm representing Staten Island and it's important to me
just an example how pop goes the pistole
This is just one example of the violence and roughness that exists in our society
Here comes the shortie with the tec twenty two
I'm describing someone who is carrying a weapon
but If you tell I'm gonna blast you
If you report or snitch on me, I'll harm you
From the projects worst ghetto section
I'm from a very poor and dangerous area
So my back but gun from protection
I carry a gun with me for self-defense
Shortie do-wa, more shoops and tupa'
I'm using nonsensical words to make the rap flow better
Come and do with the Wu-tang hip-hop
I'm encouraging people to engage with and enjoy Wu-tang's music
Shortie wa-wa, shorts sniki sha-sha
Again, I'm using nonsense words to make the rap sound better
Go-go, ga-ga, now you want me popa
I'm mocking someone who is acting foolish and immature
I'm not a mack daddy or my daddy mack
I'm not a smooth talker or someone who flaunts wealth or power
Touch my napsack, boy you gettin' pitch smack
Don't touch my belongings or I'll hit you
I've got a style may not be formilliar
My style is unique and not everyone might like it
It's like both way you're callin' round in a cosha
It's like being lost in a maze, unsure of which direction to take
Who will be the next to flex and face death
I'm challenging other rappers to compete with me, potentially leading to physical harm
ashes to ashes, and only dust is left
When you die, you become nothing but ashes and dust - a reminder of the fragility of our lives
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: A. QUINN, K. ROBINSON, N. ROBINSON, R. DIGGS, S. FRANKLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rheathesecond
1993: Children rapping like adults
2022: Adults rapping like children
@abrahampalmer8761
Sad but true
@Ty_105
Word
@actionscott8033
WOW SMFH NOT ONE LIE TOLD 😵💫 shits a damn shame
@adamgordon2572
Real talk 💯
@roccbolden4416
Truer words have never been spoken!!!!
@habeshaspice5119
I never understood why RZA didn’t produce an entire album for him. He should have reached bigger heights of popularity. This song has aged like fine wine.
@jonez2020
The reason why is because shy was apart a production deal the Big Homie RNS who produced his classic Album. RNS was and still is that Brother on Staten Island..Where you think RZA get his style from?
@dassolosyndikat5113
rza wrote and produced the song little rascalz
@chucctailor9173
@@jonez2020 faccts