Over the last decade few people have put so much time and energy into the c… Read Full Bio ↴Over the last decade few people have put so much time and energy into the culture they love. Beginning his career as a rapper and producer, Terrace Martin has lent his skills to artists such as Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Lalah Hathaway, Raphael Saadiq, Charlie Wilson, Stevie Wonder, and the legendary Emotions, just to name a few. Martins big break came when he produced a Power 106 radio drop with Snoop Dogg. Shattering the acknowledged rules of hip-hop production, he samples everything from funk to jazz to classical to create fresh and original tracks. His wildly imaginative productions have made him one of the most sought after upcoming producers on the streets of Los Angeles. Born to father, a jazz drummer and mother, a singer, Martin's birthright was music. Growing up listening to everyone from Coltrane to Parliament, he began playing the piano at the age of six. Producing his first tracks on his Casio CZ101 Keyboard and an Sp1200, Martin decided to broaden his musicality and picked up the saxophone. At Locke High, under the auspices of Reggie Andrews, Martin became first chair of the All-State jazz band. As a child prodigy, Martin gained the interest of talk show host Jay Leno, who presented him with a scholarship and later purchased his first professional horn. Not only did Hollywood elite recognize Martin but also world-renowned jazz musician, Billy Higgins, who later made Martin a member of his World Stage All-Stars. Fresh out of high school, Martin attended Cal-Arts but decided school wasnt for him and began touring with Puff Daddy and gospels own Gods Property. From jazz to hip-hop, Martins role models include Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Jackie McLean, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Stitt, Grover Washington, Jr., Dr. Dre, Dj Quik, Battlecat, Premier, Pete Rock, and 1580 K-Day. Martin says, "I started producing hip-hop tracks because it was the music of my time, but I never lost my love for jazz."

I Had No Idea
Terrace Martin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I had no idea who you were
Should have took my time and opened my eyes
I had no idea who you were
Should have took my time
But my love was blind

You was caring, you was
Sharing, you was thoughtful, you was sweet

You was upliftin', you was
Different, you was commited, you was me
You was supportive, you was honest
Easy going you had promise
That you'd never break a promise
You was life, you was free
From the bull shit i think

I had no idea who you were
Should have took my time and opened my eyes
I had no idea who you were
Should have took my time
But my love was blind

You was insecure, jealous hearted
Slight retarded i was nauseous, I was
Marching back and forth
And you was forcin' me to forfeit
Female fraudulent, you female doggin' it
It's like extortion on my heart and shit
I probably fell for it
Cause you was gorgeous
Now your course, done ran it's courses
And of course you know I'm exhausted
Time you know I surely lost it
Should of been wiser, should of been cautious
Should of been tighter with my game
I chose a dame that chose to
Entertain drama and what remains
Is hate, so fuck your fucking name
You fake and live in a hall of shame
Materialistic, egotistic, thirsty bitches
Open house
And mouth for niggas to stick they dick in
Thought you was different, but you wasn't
Take that back, i wish I would of just
Fucked with your cousin
Ass was fat, but never mind that
We out here fussin', fightin'
Ask your friends to give advice
But they just like you
Clashing like some titans
Could have broadcasted on pay-per-view
Promise that you never break a promise
Should I trust you?
Now you only go for condoms, on
Late nights just because you
With the bull shit

I had no idea who you were
Should have took my time and opened my eyes
I had no idea who you were

Should have took my time
But my love was blind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Had No Idea" by Terrace Martin and Devi Dev convey the singer's realization and regret about not truly knowing their partner, resulting in their blind love. The first verse emphasizes the lack of awareness and understanding of their partner, expressing that they should have taken their time and opened their eyes to see the truth. This regret highlights the consequences of their love being blind, meaning they were unable to see the true nature of their partner.

The second verse describes the qualities and characteristics that the singer thought their partner possessed. They believed their partner was caring, sharing, thoughtful, sweet, uplifting, and committed. This idealization emphasizes the singer's perception of their partner as someone special, which contributed to their blind love. The partner was seen as supportive, honest, easy-going, and full of promise, making the singer believe that they would never break their promises.

However, the following lines in the verse change the tone and reveal the reality of the relationship. The switch in perspective highlights the partner's negative traits, such as insecurity, jealousy, and manipulative behavior. The singer reflects on how they were deceived by their partner's actions, feeling nauseous and forced into compromising their own desires. The partner is described as fraudulent, taking advantage of the singer's emotions and causing distress on their heart. The singer realizes that their initial attraction to the partner's beauty was a mistake and that they should have been more cautious and wise in their choices.

The third verse continues to expose the partner's negative qualities and the impact it had on the singer. The partner is characterized as materialistic, egotistic, and thirsty for attention. They engage in promiscuous behavior, letting other people take advantage of them. The singer believed the partner was different but now sees their true nature. The frustration and resentment towards the partner are evident, as they express a wish to have chosen someone else, like the partner's cousin, and openly argue and fight with each other. The singer sought advice from friends, but their friends are similar to the partner, resulting in clashes and tensions.

The lyrics ultimately convey a sense of disappointment and betrayal in the relationship. The singer acknowledges their mistake in trusting the partner's promises and realizes the partner's true intentions and dishonesty. The blind love they had for the partner prevented them from seeing the partner's flaws and, as a result, caused them to lose time and experience pain. The overall message suggests the importance of being cautious and not letting love blind one's judgment when entering a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

I had no idea who you were
I was unaware of your true nature and character

Should have took my time and opened my eyes
I should have been more patient and observant

You was caring, you was
You appeared to be attentive and kind

Sharing, you was thoughtful, you was sweet
You seemed willing to share and considerate

You was upliftin', you was
You brought positivity and encouragement

Different, you was committed, you was me
You stood out from others and were devoted, like a reflection of myself

You was supportive, you was honest
You provided support and were truthful

Easy going you had promise
You were relaxed and showed potential

That you'd never break a promise
You assured me that you would always keep your word

You was life, you was free
You brought vitality and freedom

From the bull shit i think
Away from the negativity, I believe

You was insecure, jealous hearted
You had feelings of insecurity and possessiveness

Slight retarded i was nauseous, I was
I felt uneasy and sick because of your behavior

Marching back and forth
I was constantly going back and forth

And you was forcin' me to forfeit
You were pressuring me to give up

Female fraudulent, you female doggin' it
You were deceiving and betraying me, acting like a female dog

It's like extortion on my heart and shit
You were manipulating and hurting my emotions

I probably fell for it
I likely fell into your trap

Cause you was gorgeous
Because you were physically attractive

Now your course, done ran its courses
Now your actions and patterns have reached their limit

And of course you know I'm exhausted
And of course, you know I am tired and drained

Time you know I surely lost it
I wasted a significant amount of time

Should of been wiser, should of been cautious
I should have been more prudent and careful

Should of been tighter with my game
I should have been more skilled and calculated in my approach

I chose a dame that chose to
I picked a woman who decided to

Entertain drama and what remains
Engage in unnecessary conflicts, leaving behind

Is hate, so fuck your fucking name
All that is left is hatred, so I curse your name

You fake and live in a hall of shame
You are fake and live in a state of disgrace

Materialistic, egotistic, thirsty bitches
You are focused on material possessions, self-centered, and in pursuit of attention

Open house
Open to anyone, without filters

And mouth for niggas to stick they dick in
And offering oral sex to men

Thought you was different, but you wasn't
I believed you were unique, but you proved otherwise

Take that back, i wish I would of just
I regret that statement, I wish I had only

Fucked with your cousin
Engaged in sexual activity with your relative

Ass was fat, but never mind that
Your buttocks were big, but that doesn't matter now

We out here fussin', fightin'
We are constantly arguing and fighting

Ask your friends to give advice
Seek counsel from your friends

But they just like you
But they are just like you

Clashing like some titans
Engaging in intense conflicts

Could have broadcasted on pay-per-view
Could have been aired on television for a fee

Promise that you never break a promise
You made a commitment to not break your promises

Should I trust you?
Should I have faith in you?

Now you only go for condoms, on
Now you only use condoms, when

Late nights just because you
During late nights, solely because you

With the bull shit
Dealing with the nonsense

I had no idea who you were
I was unaware of your true nature and character

Should have took my time and opened my eyes
I should have been more patient and observant

I had no idea who you were
I was unaware of your true nature and character

Should have took my time
I should have been more patient

But my love was blind
But I was unable to see the truth due to my emotions

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kendrick Lamar, Terrace Martin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

PatArroz9

14y↑4

I love it.......just so on point.. i've been longing for real music like this!!!

Cavona Kush

12y↑5

you was carin you was sharin you was thoughtful you was sweet you was upliftin you was different you was commited you was me you was supportive you was honest easy goin you had promised that you'd never break a promise you was life you was free from the bullshit