Discography:
AKA the Rugged Child (1994)
The Lost Generation (1996)
Manchild (1999)
The Greatest Story Never Told (2004)
Disrespectfully Speaking (2009)
Re-Up
Shyheim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo tell em, 12, huh? (Yo hold the fuck up)
Yo Shyheim
Yo tell me it's on (I'ma punch niggas in the face)
Hold that, hold that down son (I got this, I got this)
Word up, we got this (fuck that nigga, man)
Shit is real, all you rats on both coasts
Brooklyn, Shaolin
(Read the rims)
Eighty seven, drug, never change their game
We reign terror, projects slang to ring up in the Beakle's leather
Plaque for the cheddar, shots out the face of the Beretta
Through the corner store that lady and kid, they caught it raw
Smokin' leaf poor, make me wanna crack that nigga's jaw
Eatin' with the poor, tryin' to live life for what it's for
Twelve years later, caught me on tour Two on da road
Two on the track, two with the plaques, two with the gats
Iced out cats, better think twice before you rap
Up in your bitch back, only a snitch get that
Fuck the chit-chat, click-click-clack, through your Adam's app'
Brook-nam grace and charm, remain calm
In these big streets we struggle just to make ends meet
Pigs with heat, livin' out the Devil's deceit
See I'm a rebel plus my level's complete
Bitches say I'm sort of unique
You can catch me as a Playboy sheets
Solid steel meet, I keep it real with the 'nique
Fuck a fair fight, come out my corner with a knife
Y'all big elephant niggas beware of us little mice
You know that we like that cheddar, to make our life better
Every color, low sweater, drop-top Benz
with the AMG letters, floatin' like feathers
Does it get any better? (Uh-uh, uh-uh) Never, no
'Cause I write the rhymes, the rhymes I write be bumpin'
Rhyme architects that be brutal on production
My brick house, you can't blow me down
My thug drug music, smoked out ya town
Radio Shyheim, you can't choke me out
Cuz where the fuck I'm from, we moke popo out
[Chorus]
Shit is crazy real in the field
Watch nigga blood get spilled over five dollar bills, nigga
And major drug deals on the real
Watch a nigga get mils, and his bitch get him killed
Yo, P let's get this dough quick, shit on the wrist
Platinum bracelets, see his Range's the whip
Summer time, comin' quick you got eighty-five percent
Nigga talk that slick and get his brain blown to bits
Throw you in pits and nigga lock like pits
Got my whole fuckin' click, nigga, handlin' fifths
They blastin' and shit, I'm after that kid
Who rock that glass Benz, nigga throw it in his wig
Kidnap his kid, throw his brain in the fridge
Slappy and pig, nigga, place where I live
A nigga lookin' jig and I run up in ya crib
Who the fuck murdered big? Whoever did, do a bid
And let his daughter drop a fridge on his
Move like the wind to Brooklyn Bridge, straight to my crib
[Chorus: x3]
Close the mothafuckin' door, what?
Got my nigga R'son on this track
12 O'Clock on this track
Prodigal Sunn on this track
Got my nigga Shyheim the ManChild
Definitely Brooklyn Zu
Rewind that shit, nigga!
The opening lines of Shyheim’s “Re-Up” set the tone for the rest of the song, which is a bold proclamation of the rapper’s confidence and willingness to take on anyone who comes his way. Shyheim speaks of rats on the East and West Coasts, and asserts his dominance in the game with lines like “I'ma punch niggas in the face.” It’s evident that Shyheim and his crew are not to be messed with, as they run the projects and make moves to stack their cheddar. The song is full of aggression and bravado, with lines like “Fuck a fair fight, come out my corner with a knife” and “Watch a nigga get mils, and his bitch get him killed” demonstrating the harsh realities of life on the streets.
One notable aspect of “Re-Up” is its impressive roster of featured artists, including 12 O’Clock, Prodigal Sunn, and members of the Brooklyn Zu crew. The production on the track is also noteworthy, with a booming beat and haunting samples creating a menacing soundscape for Shyheim’s aggressive flow. “Re-Up” is a testament to Shyheim’s skills as both a rapper and a curator of talent, and stands as one of his most memorable songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo son I know what time it is
I am aware of what's happening
Yo tell em, 12, huh? (Yo hold the fuck up)
Are you telling the truth? Hold on a second
Yo Shyheim
Hey, Shyheim
Yo tell me it's on (I'ma punch niggas in the face)
Confirm that we are ready to go (I'm willing to fight)
Hold that, hold that down son (I got this, I got this)
Please be patient, I'm handling this (I'm in control)
Word up, we got this (fuck that nigga, man)
Okay, we're all set (I don't care about that person)
Shit is real, all you rats on both coasts
The situation is serious, and you're all a bunch of cowards
Brooklyn, Shaolin
Referring to Brooklyn and Staten Island, the birthplace of Wu-Tang Clan
The block is hot, straight up (Pussy nigga)
The area is dangerous (Coward)
(Read the rims)
Look closely at the wheels of my car
Eighty seven, drug, never change their game
People from the late 80s who sell drugs haven't changed the way they do business
We reign terror, projects slang to ring up in the Beakle's leather
We cause fear, and use slang in the projects to make money (Beakle is a reference to a British brand of leather)
Plaque for the cheddar, shots out the face of the Beretta
Money is the motivation, but violence is still present (Beretta is a type of gun)
Through the corner store that lady and kid, they caught it raw
An innocent woman and child experienced violence firsthand (Caught it raw means they were not spared)
Smokin' leaf poor, make me wanna crack that nigga's jaw
Weed is bad for my financial situation, and makes me want to beat someone up
Eatin' with the poor, tryin' to live life for what it's for
I'm not wealthy, but I'm trying to live life to the fullest
Twelve years later, caught me on tour Two on da road
After 12 years, I'm now on tour
Two on the track, two with the plaques, two with the gats
Two people are making music, two have achieved success, two have guns
Iced out cats, better think twice before you rap
Don't try to compete with us (Iced out cats means people who are wearing a lot of jewelry)
Up in your bitch back, only a snitch get that
We're having sex with your girl, and only someone who talks too much will find out
Fuck the chit-chat, click-click-clack, through your Adam's app'
Stop talking and be ready for violence (Adam's apple is a reference to the neck)
Brook-nam grace and charm, remain calm
The people from Brooklyn and Staten Island have a unique personality and are able to keep their cool
In these big streets we struggle just to make ends meet
We have a tough time surviving in these areas
Pigs with heat, livin' out the Devil's deceit
Cops are carrying guns and using them with no regard for justice (Devil's deceit refers to dishonesty)
See I'm a rebel plus my level's complete
I'm a troublemaker, but I'm also very skillful
Bitches say I'm sort of unique
Women think I'm special
You can catch me as a Playboy sheets
You might see me posing in a Playboy magazine
Solid steel meet, I keep it real with the 'nique
I'm tough, but I'm still honest and true to myself
Fuck a fair fight, come out my corner with a knife
I don't believe in fighting fair, and I'll use a knife to defend myself
Y'all big elephant niggas beware of us little mice
Don't underestimate small people like us
You know that we like that cheddar, to make our life better
We want money to improve our lives
Every color, low sweater, drop-top Benz with the AMG letters, floatin' like feathers
We have nice clothes, a luxurious car, and it feels like we're flying
Does it get any better? (Uh-uh, uh-uh) Never, no
Is there a better life than this? No, there isn't
'Cause I write the rhymes, the rhymes I write be bumpin'
I'm a good rapper, and my lyrics sound great
Rhyme architects that be brutal on production
We are skilled at making music, and we're not afraid to be brutal
My brick house, you can't blow me down
I'm tough and durable, and you can't defeat me
My thug drug music, smoked out ya town
My music is about drugs and violence, and it's popular in your area
Radio Shyheim, you can't choke me out
You can't stop my career, no matter how hard you try
Cuz where the fuck I'm from, we moke popo out
Where I'm from, people don't respect the police
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus several times to emphasize the theme of violence and drugs in the community
Yo, P let's get this dough quick, shit on the wrist
Hey, let's make some money, and flash our expensive watches
Platinum bracelets, see his Range's the whip
We have platinum watches, and his car is a Range Rover (whip is a slang term for car)
Summer time, comin' quick you got eighty-five percent
Summer is approaching, and we have 85% of our plan completed
Nigga talk that slick and get his brain blown to bits
If someone tries to deceive us, they will be violently punished
Throw you in pits and nigga lock like pits
We will bury you alive and leave you helpless
Got my whole fuckin' click, nigga, handlin' fifths
My entire crew is here, and we have weapons (fifths are bottles of alcohol)
They blastin' and shit, I'm after that kid
They are shooting guns, and I'm pursuing a specific target
Who rock that glass Benz, nigga throw it in his wig
The person who owns a nice car will be attacked and their hair will be torn out
Kidnap his kid, throw his brain in the fridge
We will abduct the person's child, and leave their head in a refrigerator
Slappy and pig, nigga, place where I live
I live in a place where people are violent and aggressive
A nigga lookin' jig and I run up in ya crib
If someone looks suspicious, I will enter their home
Who the fuck murdered big? Whoever did, do a bid
We want to find out who killed Notorious B.I.G., and punish them (doing a bid means serving time in prison)
And let his daughter drop a fridge on his
We want his daughter to take revenge on him by dropping a fridge on him
Move like the wind to Brooklyn Bridge, straight to my crib
We need to move quickly to escape to my home in Brooklyn
[Chorus: x3]
Repeating the chorus several times to emphasize the theme of violence and drugs in the community
Close the mothafuckin' door, what?
Please close the door, okay?
Got my nigga R'son on this track
My friend R'son is featured on this song
12 O'Clock on this track
Another member of the Wu-Tang Clan, 12 O'Clock, is featured on this song
Prodigal Sunn on this track
Another member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Prodigal Sunn, is featured on this song
Got my nigga Shyheim the ManChild
I, Shyheim, am featured on this song
Definitely Brooklyn Zu
We are affiliated with the hip-hop group Brooklyn Zu (which features members of the Wu-Tang Clan)
Rewind that shit, nigga!
Please play that part again
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind