Shaolin Style
Shyheim Lyrics


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Yeah yeah!!
Where my Shaolin peoples at?
Stapleton, the craziest, why'all know what time it is
Wild wild West
Now born, Killa Hill, poor to the rich man
Jungle Nilz, let's get money why'all

[Verse One:]
It be the Scotch and Henessee that make me act like this
I'm wild hit em up project style never plead the fifth
Regardless, to the charges, chickenheads will be at court
Fightin and slicin each other to see who lies at my fort
Who woulda thought, little Shy Big Willie
Ninety-six we rollin dutches, nine-tray it was Phillies
First of the month be like Christmas to dealers
Hundred dollar seals come through the school zone area
Children at play keep the heat on the low
Little kids gettin hit, projects flooded with po'
Now shorty's rockin, Versace and Donna Karan
Playin the Miss Mob Queen role knowin hon the cousin Sharon
I live the glamarous life, girl
And go from limos to Dom Perignon, rich hotels

[Chorus: repeat 4X]
"Wild, the Shaolin Style is all in me
Child, the whole damn isle is callin me" -- Method Man

[Verse Two: Squig]
Facing two-five to life incarcerated activated
Stressed behind a cell with no way to escape it
Holdin on, true to ock steel tryin to appeal
Be landed without a bail so let the commisary reveal
I feel it's time, for me to let this sparkle in wine
Wet my throat rockin the trenchcoat, flashin to get mine
Not hesitant, 'cause the Henny keeps me bent
Just tryin to make a cent, diggin pockets down to the lint
Regardless of all the charges the D's want me for
Warrant after warrant, so I avoid the law
Stapleton on the rise, twenty-seven wearin lives
From day one until they none don't take it as no surprise

[Chorus]
[Verse Three: Shyheim]
I'm havin suicidal thoughts cause I'm screwed up in the game
But today's thang, is to hold it down and maintain
I got thirty days until I get remanded for this gun charge
Still I'm livin large, joint hard up in the mode and
long sexin, fishin for pre-model
I'm young black rich and dangerous, livin like I won the lotto
So nuff of wine sex and dutches
Them kids know who us is
GP rule, hundred-twenty-seven hustlers
Runnin from D's when they try to bust us
Fly crims and gats, mainly black cops, them faggots love us
And my district attorneys want to send me to jail
I told em, "People want to kill me", that's why I had the nine milli
I'm bustin dead and not to injure
Remember what I quote
Before you, enter my center





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "Shaolin Style" by Shyheim ft. Squig starts with a call-out to fellow Shaolin residents, establishing a sense of community with the listeners. The reference to Stapleton and Killa Hill establish a sense of pride and danger, as these areas are known for their rough reputation. Shyheim raps about his lifestyle amidst a backdrop of violence and poverty. He admits to drinking Scotch and Hennessey, which makes him reckless and willing to engage in actions that could lead to legal trouble. He boasts about his status as a wealthy drug dealer who does not hesitate to indulge in the luxuries of his elevated status. Squig's verse talks about his life behind bars, how he's aware of his status as a criminal, but he cannot help but keep engaging in illegal activities. Shyheim's final verse depicts him struggling with suicidal thoughts as he awaits his impending incarceration on gun charges.


The song's chorus by Method Man is repeated four times throughout the song, emphasizing the Shaolin style of living, echoing and creating a sense of unity among the Shaolin community. The song is a telling portrait of life in the projects, the feeling of being confined to a certain lifestyle with no exit. The lyrics exude a sense of desperation and hopelessness, with words that lean towards violence and disregard for the law. The song's composition is strong, with its hard-hitting beats and smooth flow. The choice of Method Man enhances the authenticity of the song, as he himself is from the Wu-Tang Clan, another group known for its rawness and frankness in discussing the realities of life in the projects.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah yeah!!
Starting off the song with an energetic call to the Shaolin people.


Where my Shaolin peoples at?
Asking where the Shaolin people are.


Stapleton, the craziest, why'all know what time it is
Stapleton is known for being wild and people are aware of it.


Wild wild West
Comparing the situation in Stapleton to the wild west.


Now born, Killa Hill, poor to the rich man
Different areas in Stapleton and their financial status.


Jungle Nilz, let's get money why'all
Encouraging everyone to make money.


It be the Scotch and Henessee that make me act like this
The influence of alcohol on the singer's behavior.


I'm wild hit em up project style never plead the fifth
The artist is confrontational and aggressive, and not afraid to speak their mind.


Regardless, to the charges, chickenheads will be at court
Even with legal troubles, the artist still has female attention.


Fightin and slicin each other to see who lies at my fort
Women are competing for the artist's attention and he is their prize.


Who woulda thought, little Shy Big Willie
Reflecting on how far the singer has come.


Ninety-six we rollin dutches, nine-tray it was Phillies
Mentions a specific period in time and the type of cigarettes being smoked.


First of the month be like Christmas to dealers
Dealers make a lot of money at the beginning of the month.


Hundred dollar seals come through the school zone area
Deals are being made in dangerous areas, even near schools.


Children at play keep the heat on the low
Guns are hidden to protect children.


Little kids gettin hit, projects flooded with po'
The violent reality in the projects.


Now shorty's rockin, Versace and Donna Karan
Women in the projects are fashion-conscious, regardless of their financial situation.


Playin the Miss Mob Queen role knowin hon the cousin Sharon
Women are competing for status among each other.


I live the glamorous life, girl
The singer has a life of luxury.


And go from limos to Dom Perignon, rich hotels
The artist enjoys high-end experiences.


Wild, the Shaolin Style is all in me
The Shaolin Style is a part of the artist's identity and behavior.


Child, the whole damn isle is calling me
The artist is popular and draws attention from everyone.


Facing two-five to life incarcerated activated
The singer is facing a long prison sentence.


Stressed behind a cell with no way to escape it
Prison is difficult and the artist feels trapped.


Holdin on, true to ock steel tryin to appeal
The singer is trying to fight their charges.


Be landed without a bail so let the commissary reveal
The singer is struggling financially in jail.


I feel it's time, for me to let this sparkle in wine
The singer is ready to celebrate and let loose.


Wet my throat rockin the trenchcoat, flashin to get mine
The artist is dressed in a flashy way and focused on getting money.


Not hesitant, 'cause the Henny keeps me bent
The artist is unafraid of taking risks while under the influence of alcohol.


Just tryin to make a cent, diggin pockets down to the lint
The singer is focused on making money, even if it means taking from others.


Regardless of all the charges the D's want me for
The singer is unconcerned about their legal troubles.


Warrant after warrant, so I avoid the law
The artist is adept at evading the police.


Stapleton on the rise, twenty-seven wearin lives
The community is changing, but violence still exists.


From day one until they none don't take it as no surprise
Violence has been a part of the community for a long time.


I'm havin suicidal thoughts cause I'm screwed up in the game
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and hopeless.


But today's thang, is to hold it down and maintain
The artist is focused on staying strong in the face of adversity.


I got thirty days until I get remanded for this gun charge
The singer is facing a serious legal issue.


Still I'm livin large, joint hard up in the mode and
The singer is unafraid of their legal troubles and continues to live recklessly.


long sexin, fishin for pre-model
The singer enjoys sex and is trying to attract attractive women.


I'm young black rich and dangerous, livin like I won the lotto
The artist enjoys a life of luxury and feels invincible.


So nuff of wine sex and dutches
The artist is ready to move on from partying and sex.


Them kids know who us is
The singer is well-known and respected by young people.


GP rule, hundred-twenty-seven hustlers
A group of people who are all about making money.


Runnin from D's when they try to bust us
The group is evading law enforcement.


Fly crims and gats, mainly black cops, them faggots love us
The group is well-armed and feels targeted by police.


And my district attorneys want to send me to jail
The artist is facing legal trouble from the district attorney.


I told em, 'People want to kill me', that's why I had the nine milli
The singer feels the need to protect themselves from violence.


I'm bustin dead and not to injure
The artist is willing to use violence if necessary.


Remember what I quote
The singer is imparting some knowledge or advice.


Before you, enter my center
Be aware of the danger you are entering when dealing with the singer.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FRED DOUGLAS JR. WASHINGTON, LESHAN LEWIS, PATRICE L. RUSHEN, ROGER TROUTMAN, SHEREELYNN SARAH BROWN, SHYHEIM FRANKLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Dyanna Harris

This is a classic. I remember when Shy filmed this in front of my building, 51 Hill Street Stapleton (See in the intro); my mom and I were on the balcony of the sixth floor. It was life. Proud to say we grew up together, and shout out to Ty Johnson, a rapper in the video; he's also gifted.

Swedish Steel

Awesome

J Dubb

He go by "squig"?

S N

That's dope

Las vegas Otis

Certainly is a classic

Matthew Jones

that's crazy man thank for the Ty Johnson info too thats dope bro

7 More Replies...

Blizzy B

This sound has New York written all over it. One of the purest and Quintessential NY vibes in boom bap. Always thought that when I bumped this track. One love 🗽forever

adam gilmore

He was 16 years old rapping like this 🙌🏿. He was a beast

Travis Carter

Or 17 depends on what months in 1996

Larry Soundz

so so young and ripping shittt! was so impressed, still am...!

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