The group is unique because of the difference of races. Smilez is African-American while Southstar is Chinese and Filipino. Southstar was born in Hawaii.
Smilez met Southstar while rap battling in Orlando. Both were involved in rap battles.
The group's first single was "Who Wants This" featuring Kelis. The song had an underground vibe to it and created a buzz. The group's next single Tell Me hit the Top 40 charts. The duo followed it up with the melancholic "Now That You're Gone". Smilez talks about the death of his mother and Southstar speaks about the death of his son, Malik.
"Tell Me" used a sample from Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross's song Look, Listen, and Live. There was controversy when Ja Rule and Ashanti's song Mesmerized, released around the same time, used the same sample.
They toured with reggae artist Beenie Man.
The group has been quiet because of their switch in labels. They were indie but now have created their own independent record label Groundwerks Entertainment. The label features reggae artist Viper and rapper Vill.
Smilez and Southstar are currently working on their next album. The album features the songs "Found Out", "Been a Long Time", and "Good Look". "Good Look" features Cash Money rapper Gotti. Beenie Man and Killer Mike will be featured on the album. The lead single features rapper Treal.
TELL ME
Smilez & Southstar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is going out to all them girls out there
That did me and south wrong, ya know?
Tell you a lil story its the reason
Love, hate, mistakes, tell me wacha think is going on
We date, all day tell me wacha think is going on
Too late, heartbreak tell me wacha think is going on
Yo, eh yo me and miss thang
We run a perfect team
We had all the things all them other couples fiend
Love, trust, good sex, and security
If you ever felt weak Smilez was your energy
Trips across seas, show you the finer things
No more burger king it was fine dine, cuisine
And if it never had it, I don't think it mattered
We were a classic like Nas in Illmatic
I was so deceived, I thought we had a thing
You used to blow my 2 way up wit 143s
Da L-O-V had me blind I would had to see
I trusted my friends, all they were yelling at me
How could you do me so wrong, I don't want to get dogged
I invested three years ma, plus this song
I'm so confused, where to go? How do I choose?
I guess to find real love I gotta pay my dues
Love, hate, mistakes, tell me wacha think is going on
We date, all day tell me wacha think is going on
Too late, heartbreak tell me wacha think is going on
What's going on what's going on
It seems so good, yo we used to chill in the hood
You made me feel that tingle in my heart like nobody could
And all the long we stood, when times was hard
Even before all this rap shit made me a star
When I was working two jobs, just to survive
When I felt like killin' myself you kept me alive
What a pair, me and you, we was a match
Different tastes, but you know opposites attract
By my side, hold my head, and kept me strong
Still trying to figure out, where the hell we went wrong
I did what I can, young cat made a man
Stayed and weathered the storm, when most would of ran
Too much pride, and you know men don't cry
Had to let you go even though it hurt inside
All by myself, now I had to turn to these rhymes
Its the only way I know to release my mind.
Love, hate, mistakes, tell me wacha think is going on
We date, all day tell me wacha think is going on
Too late, heartbreak tell me wacha think is going on
What's going on what's going on
Its been a while yea you know time goes fast
Let me tell you though, some things still don't pass
Sit back in the pad, think about the times we had
Try not to let it make me sad, or make me mad
I'm tryin' to move on wit my life, the wound is healed
Yea I'm just speakin' it real, I'm ready to feel
Ready to provide for my seed, a man now
Bet you can't believe its me
You ruined a good thing and all of our dreams
Tryin' to lock me down a lifetime in the beam
Monitoring my calls, griping at my dawgs
I never really understood the cause
My friends were your friends
Your friends were my friends
Your doe was my doe
My doe is my doe
Mano why mano
We'll fought this weather
And everybody that's been through it
Then sing it together.
love, hate, mistakes, tell me wacha think is going on
we date, all day tell me wacha think is going on
too late, heartbreak tell me wacha think is going on
what's going on what's going on
(repeat until end)
The song "Tell Me" by Smilez & Southstar is about a failed relationship that was once a perfect match. The lyrics describe a love that once existed between the singer and his ex-girlfriend who provided him with security, good sex, trust, and love. As the song proceeds, the singer highlights how their relationship deteriorated and how he was left confused and heartbroken. He also acknowledges that he invested three years of his life in their relationship and although he trusted her, his friends tried to warn him about her betrayal.
The lyrics highlight the common themes of love, heartbreak, and trust that are often prevalent in failed relationships. It depicts how one can be blind to the faults in their partner only to realize later on the betrayal and the hurt that comes with it. The singer tries to move on with his life, but the wound is still there, and he can only express his emotions through music. Ultimately the song shows the emotional turmoil of a relationship gone sour and how it can affect an individual in a significant way.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea this right here
Introduction to the song
Is going out to all them girls out there
Dedication of the song to all the girls out there
That did me and south wrong, ya know?
Addressing the girls who did wrong to Smilez and Southstar
Tell you a lil story its the reason
The song is a story that has a reason behind it
Love, hate, mistakes, tell me wacha think is going on
Asking for opinions on the confusion between love, hate and mistakes
We date, all day tell me wacha think is going on
Asking for opinions on continuously dating and spending time with someone
Too late, heartbreak tell me wacha think is going on
Asking for opinions on heartbreak that happens after it's too late
What's going on what's going on
Asking the same question repeatedly to emphasize the confusion and need for answers
Yo, eh yo me and miss thang
Introducing the artist and his former partner
We run a perfect team
Claiming to have a perfect relationship
We had all the things all them other couples fiend
Having everything that other couples desire
Love, trust, good sex, and security
Listing the components of their supposed perfect relationship
If you ever felt weak Smilez was your energy
Claiming to be the source of strength for his partner when she is weak
Trips across seas, show you the finer things
Traveling together and experiencing luxury
No more burger king it was fine dine, cuisine
Upgrading from fast food to fine dining
And if it never had it, I don't think it mattered
Believing that material things did not matter in their relationship
We were a classic like Nas in Illmatic
Comparing their relationship to a classic album
I was so deceived, I thought we had a thing
Admitting to being deceived and thinking they had a real relationship
You used to blow my 2 way up wit 143s
Referring to receiving messages of 'I love you' (143 means I Love You)
Da L-O-V had me blind I would had to see
Love had blinded him and he did not realize the truth
I trusted my friends, all they were yelling at me
Ignoring the warnings of his friends who saw what was really happening
How could you do me so wrong, I don't want to get dogged
Asking why his partner would do him wrong and not wanting to be treated badly
I invested three years ma, plus this song
Acknowledging the time and energy he spent on the relationship, including writing this song
I'm so confused, where to go? How do I choose?
Expressing his confusion on what to do next
I guess to find real love I gotta pay my dues
Realizing that he has to go through tough times to find true love
It seems so good, yo we used to chill in the hood
Recalling the good times when they used to hang out together
You made me feel that tingle in my heart like nobody could
Describing the strong feelings he had for his partner
And all the long we stood, when times was hard
Staying together through tough times
Even before all this rap shit made me a star
Staying together even before becoming famous
When I was working two jobs, just to survive
Working hard to earn a living
When I felt like killin' myself you kept me alive
Giving credit to his partner for helping him through his rough times
What a pair, me and you, we was a match
Believing they were a great match as a couple
Different tastes, but you know opposites attract
Having different preferences, but still being compatible with each other
By my side, hold my head, and kept me strong
Supporting each other and being there for each other
Still trying to figure out, where the hell we went wrong
Reflecting on what went wrong in their relationship
I did what I can, young cat made a man
Growing and maturing as a person through the relationship
Stayed and weathered the storm, when most would of ran
Staying together through difficult times, when most people would have left
Too much pride, and you know men don't cry
Acknowledging his own pride and the stereotype that men are not supposed to cry
Had to let you go even though it hurt inside
Deciding to end the relationship, despite the pain it caused
All by myself, now I had to turn to these rhymes
Finding solace in writing songs and expressing his emotions through music
Its been a while yea you know time goes fast
Reflecting on the past and how time has gone by quickly
Let me tell you though, some things still don't pass
Admitting that some things are hard to forget
Sit back in the pad, think about the times we had
Reflecting on the memories of their relationship
Try not to let it make me sad, or make me mad
Trying to stay positive and not let the memories bring negative emotions
I'm tryin' to move on wit my life, the wound is healed
Trying to move on and heal from the past
Yea I'm just speakin' it real, I'm ready to feel
Being honest with his emotions and ready to experience new things
Ready to provide for my seed, a man now
Being ready to take care of his child and be a responsible adult
Bet you can't believe its me
Surprising his former partner with his growth and development
You ruined a good thing and all of our dreams
Blaming his partner for destroying their relationship and future plans
Tryin' to lock me down a lifetime in the beam
Feeling trapped and restricted in the relationship
Monitoring my calls, griping at my dawgs
Feeling controlled and monitored by his partner
I never really understood the cause
Not understanding the reason behind his partner's behavior
My friends were your friends
Shared the same circle of friends
Your friends were my friends
Their partner's friends were also his friends
Your doe was my doe
Sharing financial resources in the relationship
My doe is my doe
Going back to having his own financial resources
Mano why mano
Pitting themselves against each other
We'll fought this weather
Fighting through the storm of their failed relationship
And everybody that's been through it
Acknowledging that other people have gone through similar experiences
Then sing it together.
Encouraging everyone to sing along and relate to the song
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD BAILEY, MESHAC MIHOMME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind