James Tapp, Jr. was born in the Magnolia Projects of New Orleans, Louisiana. Tapp released his debut album, The Dark Side, on Hype Enough Records in 1994 under the name Magnolia Slim, a reference to his neighborhood. In 1998, Tapp, now calling himself Soulja Slim, released Give It 2 'Em Raw on No Limit Records with his single and video "From What I Was Told." Following a prison stint for armed robbery, Slim suffered addictions to heroin and cocaine. He reappeared three years later with Streets Made Me which was again released on the No Limit label. From there, he started his own label, Cut Throat Records and released Years Later in late 2002. In 2003, he released Years Later…A Few Months After, his last album before his untimely death. The album featured the hit “I'll Pay For It”. He also helped create the song "Slow Motion". Though the hot 100 hit was released under Juvenile's name, the song was originally written by Soulja Slim.
On November 26, 2003, Slim was on his way to a show, and returned to his mother's house to get a VHS copy of "Love Me Or Love Me Not" to show to a friend. He was shot dead — three times in the face and two times in the chest — in front of his mother's home in New Orleans' 8th Ward, and was buried in the leather, camo outfit he wore for the cover of his 1998 release "Give It 2 'Em Raw". There was rumored to have been a $10,000 dollar hit placed on him from a rival record label.
22-year-old Garelle Smith was subsequently arrested on December 30, 2003 and soon charged with Slim's murder. The charges were subsequently dropped in February 2004. Slim's killer has yet to be found.
Albums
The Dark Side · (1994)
Give It 2 'Em Raw · (1998)
Streets Made Me · (2001)
Years Later · (2002)
Years Later...A Few Months After · (2003)
Trivia
Slim had also been shot in 1995 in an unknown dispute.
He was mentioned as a suspect in an unrelated murder which occurred just two months before his demise.
Rapper Young Skrilla is Soulja Slim's younger god-brother.
From What I Was Told
Soulja Slim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
what's that big baby?
You know what's sound dog
They gon' like this here, ya heard me?
They go like, you know what I'm sayin'?
Fuck 'em
Chorus:
Hit Death Row and make some mon', now dance hoe
And blow, up like the world trade
And be protected by No Limit tanks, soldiers with K's and hand grenades
Could you recall a soulja that used to be crawlin'
Now I'm ballin', don't plan on fallin'
For the world
Left the furl in the dope man, on the set
Cause I got plans bigger then the desire projects
I run with steel object toes, niggaz that smoke coke
And watch 'em in they back scopin'
Outta all soldier haters
Quick Draw McGraw niggaz see ya later
Cradle to the grave ya
Ya daddy made ya?
Let's see if he can be ya savior
When I cave ya chest in with me murder weapon
They can't find out Smith and Wesson
Only glocks and street machines with infer beams
You know what I mean
Fully automatic things light up the scene
And break ham like Carl Lewis
Nothin but gun smoke is all ya smell
Niggaz lying dead on bullets and shells
My people dwells to Uptown
Where the shit goes down
Shot callers and big ballers, mothers know
And do-do brown, Beats By The Pound, somethin' you could smoke too
Flavors like ? red, beans, rice, gumbo the stew
My little one said its all on you, and Choppers City
My ? clique clanin' posse
Ain't no stoppin', my committee
Shits bigger then me, Nino Black
And a can of Trinity, ya feelin' me?
Chorus
Incarceration had me real impatient
I was local until ya heard me on Down South Hustlers, it was nation
That told this shit is my creation
Is it real, yeah, cause niggaz wearin' soldier rags and shit
Keepin' it twreal
My reservation is to make some mills
And stay independent
Stay wearin' girbauds and polos, and soldier Reebok tennis
Crushed out tank on my neck
Protect my chest like a vest
No more coke, no more dope, just alcohol and sess
Respect my rhyme because my mind is filled up with anger
Sound like I got a glock for it
With black ? bullets in the chamber
Wait to be released and decease fake ass MC's
Niggaz best freeze cause I squeeze gats and burn to the third degree
Make you wonder will you ever breathe again like Toni Braxton
Leave ya skull fraction, about more action than Jackson
So you better ask somebody that know me
If they real they gon' tell ya what's real
If they fake they gon' soldier hate
I can freestyle about it without makin' no mistake, ask Trey
That's my compadre, a nigga that I ride with, all day
Got it cocked
And in the trunk bumpin' nothin' but the Beats By The Pound funk
Pull that skunk out, the windows fogged up
And the system all the way pumped
Everything we drop be fire, don't nothin' be bunk
Chorus
I was a weed fiend, dope fiend and coke fiend with low key
And I was on the cumma move,
When you and LV used to rock the club 49
Back in 93
Hoe was givin' me love
Niggaz givin' me daps and hugs
Soldiers respect soldiers, and soldiers respect thugs
Thugs gotta respect soldiers, if they don't want they life to be over
Brought to a closin'
Ain't nothin' changed but the name
When ya say soldier
Mean magnolia
Ya got that?
And me keep me glock, for they cocked back
Hoes jock that, when a nigga be all the way real
Only thing they want is the dough, dick appeal
But I don't fuck around no more
And only saw me like that you little clown ass hoe
If my flow was a gun, bitch you would run
When you hear my come, from the head
Every lyric is a bullet
Fuckin' ya up with some of this shit I say
In 95 nigga left for me dead but I didn't die
And some of the soldiers die
They only multiply
God left me alive, so I can blow up in the world
I thank the man every night for takin' me off that furly girl
It gave me the opportunity to raise my son and my community
Cause now a days niggaz got guns and shit
Screamin' out unity
Motherfuckin' nigga bruisin' me
That something I can't go for
I done signed the contract
Shut the studio door
The song "From What I Was Told" by Soulja Slim is an example of gangsta rap in which the lyrics describe the artist's life experiences, including his rise from being a "crawlin'" soulja to a success. He talks about his plans that are "bigger than the desire projects." The song also includes various references to guns and violence, which are common themes in gangsta rap. The chorus of the song talks about how the artist wants to hit it big like Tupac, make money, and be protected by No Limit tanks, soldiers with K's and hand grenades. He views his success as a way to protect not only himself but also his community.
The first verse talks about how incarceration made him impatient and made him more determined to succeed. He also mentions that soldiers respect other soldiers and thugs have to respect soldiers if they don't want their life to be over. The second verse is about how he used to be addicted to drugs, but now he's sober and only drinks alcohol and smokes weed. He also talks about how the soldier community needs to be united and how he's grateful to be alive and raise his son.
Overall, this song is an expression of Soulja Slim's struggle to succeed and his desire to protect his community. The song includes various references to gangsta rap culture and the artist's life experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
From what I was told niggaz say I'm a hit No Limit like Pac, Hit Death Row and make some mon', now dance hoe And blow, up like the world trade And be protected by No Limit tanks, soldiers with K's and hand grenades
According to what I've heard, people believe that I have the potential to be as successful as Tupac on No Limit Records. They think I can make a lot of money and gain fame like artists on Death Row Records. They envision me blowing up in popularity like the World Trade Center, and being protected by armed forces associated with No Limit Records.
Could you recall a soulja that used to be crawlin' Now I'm ballin', don't plan on fallin' For the world Left the furl in the dope man, on the set Cause I got plans bigger then the desire projects
Can you remember a time when I was struggling? Well, now I'm living large and don't have any intentions of going back to a difficult life. I left behind my reliance on drugs and illegal activities because I have grand ambitions that surpass the confined limitations of the projects.
I run with steel object toes, niggaz that smoke coke And watch 'em in they back scopin' Outta all soldier haters Quick Draw McGraw niggaz see ya later Cradle to the grave ya Ya daddy made ya? Let's see if he can be ya savior When I cave ya chest in with me murder weapon They can't find out Smith and Wesson Only glocks and street machines with infer beams You know what I mean Fully automatic things light up the scene And break ham like Carl Lewis Nothin but gun smoke is all ya smell Niggaz lying dead on bullets and shells
I associate myself with dangerous individuals who carry firearms and engage in drug use. I keep an eye on my enemies, especially those who hate soldiers like myself. Those who oppose me will face the consequences, as I'm skilled in using lethal weapons. I prefer using untraceable firearms and high-powered street machines. When it comes to combat, I unleash a flurry of bullets that leave a trail of smoke and dead bodies.
My people dwells to Uptown Where the shit goes down Shot callers and big ballers, mothers know And do-do brown, Beats By The Pound, somethin' you could smoke too Flavors like ? red, beans, rice, gumbo the stew My little one said its all on you, and Choppers City My ? clique clanin' posse Ain't no stoppin', my committee Shits bigger then me, Nino Black And a can of Trinity, ya feelin' me?
My community resides in the Uptown area, which is notorious for criminal activity. It's a place where influential figures and wealthy individuals are known. The locals can enjoy illicit substances like marijuana, and the culture is rich with flavors like red beans, rice, gumbo, and stew. My child understands that my success rests on my shoulders, and together with my loyal group, we are unstoppable. Our alliance is stronger than just me alone, comparable to the combination of Nino Brown and Trinity from the movie, 'New Jack City'.
Incarceration had me real impatient I was local until ya heard me on Down South Hustlers, it was nation That told this shit is my creation Is it real, yeah, cause niggaz wearin' soldier rags and shit Keepin' it twreal My reservation is to make some mills And stay independent Stay wearin' girbauds and polos, and soldier Reebok tennis Crushed out tank on my neck Protect my chest like a vest No more coke, no more dope, just alcohol and sess Respect my rhyme because my mind is filled up with anger Sound like I got a glock for it With black ? bullets in the chamber
During my time in prison, I grew incredibly restless. My music only gained recognition in the local community until it reached a wider audience through the album 'Down South Hustlers'. That's when people started recognizing my talent and acknowledging that what I create is real. They began to embrace the soldier image, wearing soldier attire and behaving authentically. My goal is to generate wealth and maintain my independence. I dress in popular brands like Girbaud jeans, Polo shirts, and Soldier Reebok tennis shoes. I proudly display my affiliation with No Limit Records, symbolized by the tank pendant around my neck. I've left behind drugs and now focus solely on alcohol and marijuana. Respect my lyrics because they stem from my intense anger and aggression. It sounds like I'm armed with a gun, loaded with black bullets.
Wait to be released and decease fake ass MC's Niggaz best freeze cause I squeeze gats and burn to the third degree Make you wonder will you ever breathe again like Toni Braxton Leave ya skull fraction, about more action than Jackson So you better ask somebody that know me If they real they gon' tell ya what's real If they fake they gon' soldier hate I can freestyle about it without makin' no mistake, ask Trey That's my compadre, a nigga that I ride with, all day Got it cocked And in the trunk bumpin' nothin' but the Beats By The Pound funk Pull that skunk out, the windows fogged up And the system all the way pumped Everything we drop be fire, don't nothin' be bunk
While incarcerated, I eagerly anticipate my release so that I can rid the world of fake MCs. These individuals better freeze when I pull out my guns and inflict severe harm. You'll be left breathless, just like Toni Braxton's love songs make you feel. I'll fracture your skull and engage in more aggressive actions than Michael Jackson. If you want the truth about me, ask someone who truly knows me. They will speak honestly about who I am. Those who are fake will express their hatred towards me. I can effortlessly freestyle about my life without making any mistakes. My companion Trey understands me completely, and we ride together all day. We're prepared for any situation, and our car speakers blast Beats By The Pound's funky music. We even smoke a strong strain of marijuana, making our car windows foggy. The sound system is cranked up to the maximum, ensuring that everything we release is top-notch and nothing falls short.
I was a weed fiend, dope fiend and coke fiend with low key And I was on the cumma move, When you and LV used to rock the club 49 Back in 93 Hoe was givin' me love Niggaz givin' me daps and hugs Soldiers respect soldiers, and soldiers respect thugs Thugs gotta respect soldiers, if they don't want they life to be over Brought to a closin'
I used to heavily abuse drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, but discreetly. I was actively involved in illegal activities when you and LV performed at Club 49 back in 1993. The ladies showed me affection, and the guys gave me greetings and hugs. Soldiers have a mutual respect for each other, and they also show respect to the thugs in the streets. Thugs must also show respect to soldiers if they want to survive and avoid any life-threatening consequences.
Ain't nothin' changed but the name When ya say soldier Mean magnolia Ya got that? And me keep me glock, for they cocked back Hoes jock that, when a nigga be all the way real Only thing they want is the dough, dick appeal But I don't fuck around no more And only saw me like that you little clown ass hoe If my flow was a gun, bitch you would run When you hear my come, from the head Every lyric is a bullet Fuckin' ya up with some of this shit I say In 95 nigga left for me dead but I didn't die And some of the soldiers die They only multiply God left me alive, so I can blow up in the world I thank the man every night for takin' me off that furly girl It gave me the opportunity to raise my son and my community Cause now a days niggaz got guns and shit Screamin' out unity Motherfuckin' nigga bruisin' me That something I can't go for I done signed the contract Shut the studio door
Nothing has changed except for the name when people refer to me as a soldier. It signifies my affiliation with the Magnolia neighborhood in New Orleans. I always carry my gun for protection, and women admire that when I keep it real. However, I no longer engage in casual sexual relationships. If anyone still perceives me this way, they're mistaken, and I consider them foolish. If my flow of music was dangerous, it would intimidate you and make you retreat. Each line I deliver is like a bullet, damaging your perception with the things I say. In 1995, someone attempted to kill me, but I survived. Unfortunately, some soldiers weren't as lucky and lost their lives. However, their legacy lives on through the new soldiers who emerge. God spared my life so that I could achieve success and make an impact on the world. I express my gratitude to God every night for saving me from a destructive path. This saved me, allowing me to raise my son and contribute positively to my community. In today's society, the prevalence of guns and violence is alarming, so it's crucial to promote unity among individuals. I won't tolerate anyone trying to harm me. I've committed to my music career, shutting out distractions and focusing on my craft.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben Sanborn
on To Damn Cut Throat
I wish all no limit unreleased stuff was. For cmurder it’s like if hank Williams jr they don’t include lyrics. Like I heard tank dawgs was mostly finished or Mia x sista stories had promos pressed but I’d hate it all to disappear in the ether