Shyheim is a rapper from Staten Island, and is a member of the Wu-Tang Kill… Read Full Bio ↴Shyheim is a rapper from Staten Island, and is a member of the Wu-Tang Killa Beez. He shot straight onto the scene with his debut Single On & On in 1993. A year later, only 14 years of age, he released his debut album, AKA The Rugged Child. Lyrically, he impressed rappers with a skill level that would make any hip-hop fan forget about his age altogether. As a native of Staten Island, NY, Shyheim even spent time living with Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah. Shyheim released his second LP, The Lost Generation, in 1996. The acclaimed Manchild followed in 1999.

Discography:
AKA the Rugged Child (1994)
The Lost Generation (1996)
Manchild (1999)
The Greatest Story Never Told (2004)
Disrespectfully Speaking (2009)

Verses from the Arsenal
Shyheim Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(feat. Squig Trust)

"If we goin platinum, next week we goin platinum" [x2]

[Shyheim]
Uh
Trees'll die to make paper so I can write rhymes on em
Niggas shoot up the studio tryin to kill me so I can't record em

I'm nuclear like hydrogen gases
Push my buttons and I bomb the masses
'Pac ain't worry, you know I'm keepin it live Thug Life
Never sleep, I'm awaken seven days, seven nights
I don't give a fuck, don't give a fuck
They call me Shy two times, I say everythin twice
Niggas be like "Kid aiight", but that's cynical
On the mic I'm invincible
Pop your end of tube, flatline, 7-2-8, crime time
Promotin that live shit til I die
I'm so high, can't even open my eyes
What I do to MC's can't be televised
Blood everywhere, leave you terrified
Thuggin it out, I glorify
Do what I do to bring the honey to the hive (no lie)

[Chorus x2: Squig Trust]

Verbal Intercourse, comin at 'cha takin yours
Seagal niggas marked to death, we above the law
Gamble stacks, hustle cracks, cookin from the raw
Peace nigga if it ain't I guarantee it's war

[Shyheim]
Check this out y'all
Question, why you in my B.I.?
Spy ass nigga actin like you F.B.I.
You gossip like the girls do
I'ma smack the shit out you, watch
Better get your ox and your glocks
And be screamin "Shyheim, stop the cops from comin"
You a lame rapper dude, I wouldn't even write you somethin
This ain't nothin but a verse from my arsenal
I reposess styles, I'm the hip-hop marshall
Move a whole crowd from a dart-out groove
I'm headlinin, fuck a single, I perform armed robbery
You should've never been braggin
That's why you got carjacked for that Benz wagon
Bring it down to Philly, let my niggas tag it
Groupies, I don't touch em cuz I ain't tryin to get my Johnson Magic
In 1999 it's all about the papes
We could take it to the park
I catch wreck off anythin in the DJ crate
Make MC's feel raped
Don't make that mistake to step to me

[Chorus x2]

[Squig Trust]
I make money, take money, give me a break money
You talk a good one, but yo talk is cheap money
It's all about showin and provin
Show that shit to me, I stick ya up and keep it movin
Quick, in and out like the tai, Hit Em Up
For T.M.F. to take him on the rise, give it up

Cash Rules, jewels, all your life is a must
I get mines, nigga, it's only right, it's Squig Trust

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in this song are primarily focused on Shyheim expressing his lyrical prowess and his ability to take on any challenger. He states that he writes his rhymes on paper made from trees, and he is willing to fight to protect his ability to record them. Shyheim boasts about his rhyming skills and says that his nickname is "Shy two times" because he repeats everything twice. He also warns anyone who tries to challenge him that he will leave them "terrified" and will "thuggin it out." Shyheim mentions that his focus is on making money and promoting "live shit."

The chorus, performed by Squig Trust, emphasizes the importance of taking what you want in life and not being afraid of confrontation. Squig Trust brags about his ability to make and take money, and says that he will stick up anyone who talks too much.

Overall, the song emphasizes the harsh realities of life in the rap industry and the need to have a tough exterior in order to survive. Shyheim's lyrics are confident and confrontational, and Squig Trust's chorus emphasizes the importance of getting what you want by any means necessary.

Line by Line Meaning

If we goin platinum, next week we goin platinum
I am confident in my success and am eagerly waiting to achieve it

Trees'll die to make paper so I can write rhymes on em
I am aware of the negative impact my art has on the environment, but I continue to produce it anyway

Niggas shoot up the studio tryin to kill me so I can't record em
I face danger from others who want to stop me from making music

I'm nuclear like hydrogen gases
I am volatile and dangerous, like radioactive elements

Push my buttons and I bomb the masses
My words have the power to ignite and incite a large group of people

'Pac ain't worry, you know I'm keepin it live Thug Life
I am inspired by Tupac's philosophy and am dedicated to living the thug life

Never sleep, I'm awaken seven days, seven nights
I am constantly working and never taking a break, always alert and aware of my surroundings

Niggas be like "Kid aiight", but that's cynical
When people say I'm okay, it's usually insincere or critical

On the mic I'm invincible
I am unbeatable when it comes to rapping and performing

Pop your end of tube, flatline, 7-2-8, crime time
I am a skilled marksman and can take you out with one shot, anytime and anywhere

Promotin that live shit til I die
I am committed to promoting and performing live music for the rest of my life

I'm so high, can't even open my eyes
I am extremely intoxicated and unable to function normally

What I do to MC's can't be televised
My methods for defeating other rappers are too violent or controversial to be shown on television

Blood everywhere, leave you terrified
My violent actions and lyrics could leave you in fear for your life

Thuggin it out, I glorify
I view my life of violence and crime as something to celebrate and be proud of

Do what I do to bring the honey to the hive (no lie)
I engage in illegal activities to make money, which I then use to support myself and my community

Question, why you in my B.I.?
I am questioning why someone is interfering in my personal business

Spy ass nigga actin like you F.B.I.
I am accusing someone of acting like a spy or government agent, even though they are not

You gossip like the girls do
I am insulting someone for spreading rumors and acting immaturely

I'ma smack the shit out you, watch
I am threatening to physically assault someone

Better get your ox and your glocks
I am warning someone to be prepared for violence

And be screamin "Shyheim, stop the cops from comin"
I am telling someone to call for me if the police become involved in a situation

You a lame rapper dude, I wouldn't even write you somethin
I am insulting someone's skills as a rapper and would not waste my time writing a song for them

This ain't nothin but a verse from my arsenal
This rap is just one example of the many weapons in my arsenal of music

I reposess styles, I'm the hip-hop marshall
I claim ownership over certain styles of rap and see myself as a powerful figure in the hip-hop community

Move a whole crowd from a dart-out groove
I can energize and entertain a large group of people with my music, even in unexpected ways

I'm headlinin, fuck a single, I perform armed robbery
I am successful enough to headline concerts and disregard the need for hit singles, but I am still involved in violent crime

You should've never been braggin
I am criticizing someone for boasting about their luxuries and success

That's why you got carjacked for that Benz wagon
I am implying that someone's materialism and arrogance led to them being robbed for their car

Bring it down to Philly, let my niggas tag it
I am offering to have my associates in Philadelphia take care of a problem or issue

Groupies, I don't touch em cuz I ain't tryin to get my Johnson Magic
I am implying that I do not have sex with groupies because I want to avoid any potential issues or diseases

In 1999 it's all about the papes
In this time period, success and money are the most important things

We could take it to the park
I am suggesting that we could fight or settle a dispute in a public place

I catch wreck off anythin in the DJ crate
I am confident that I can rap well over any beat or instrumental

Make MC's feel raped
I am comparing my verbal destruction of other rappers to sexual assault

Don't make that mistake to step to me
I am warning others not to challenge me or they will face consequences

I make money, take money, give me a break money
I am skilled at earning and stealing money, and need a break from the constant hustle

You talk a good one, but yo talk is cheap money
I am accusing someone of talking a lot but not following through or delivering results

It's all about showin and provin
Success comes from demonstrating one's abilities and achievements

Show that shit to me, I stick ya up and keep it movin
I am threatening violence to someone who does not prove themselves to me

Quick, in and out like the tai, Hit Em Up
I am comparing my fast and efficient criminal activities to assassination tactics used by the mafia

For T.M.F. to take him on the rise, give it up
I am asking someone to surrender or give up their possessions to my associates in T.M.F.

Cash Rules, jewels, all your life is a must
Money and jewelry are necessary for a good life and must be obtained at all costs

I get mines, nigga, it's only right, it's Squig Trust
I will acquire wealth and success by any means necessary, and it is the philosophy of Squig Trust to do so

Contributed by Nathaniel R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS