Thier debut album 718 (2004) was met with a fair amount critical acclaim due to its 'grimey ass' lyrics.
Work
Theodore Unit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, you know
Niggaz keep talkin' bout
Theodore this, and Theodore that
Niggaz need to stop worryin' about the Theodore
Worry about your muthafuckin' self
[Chorus: Solomon Childs]
Rep your work, move that work
Apply that work, kill or get hurt
Eastside, hear the adrenaline, dirty
[Solomon Childs]
Money make the world go round
Here, muthafuckas can't fuck with me, pound for pound
We only got one life to live, so I need a gangsta bitch
A ratchet with a big kick, captain of my own ship
'cause fake niggaz dream too much
And talk too much shit, do it sound like I'm playin'
With you muthafuckas, go 'head, me squeeze like Smucker's
This ain't a gimmick, for me to get on
Do an R&B remix with P. Diddy and R. Kelly
I don't know those muthafuckas
You see me in the club, high poster
Never who that, see me on the block with the roaster
Never who that, see me in somethin' pretty and big with the chauffeur
Never who that, model type, tipsy on the side of the coaster
Uptowns, white on white, valor suits, the color of _mocha
Upstate New York, ran with the trademark, the kid poker
I ain't talkin' bout a card game, talkin' bout blood on your face frame
[Chorus]
[Solomon Childs]
You bitch ass niggaz, you ass cheeks, and it reeks
Like the smell of dead Mafia, at the bottom of creeks
Mahonda speaks, that the true Messiah is speaked
This the first year of the future, walk with me, little nigga
Order to my people, people to my order
And pull myself together with the thought of a flat five
For manslaughter, I'm prepared to lead nations
From Muslims, to Bloods, to Masons
Music to guide killas through out dreams
Of self destruction, 20-05 eruption
Get the drop on, who cousin? I believe in guns hustling
Blood in your mouth, mumbling
Misinformation is the height of ignorance
That invites disaster and suffering
To blow a whole through the fader
Theodore Unit AKA the Al Qadea
[Chorus]
Theodore Unit's song "Work" is a song about the importance of hard work and the dangers of getting caught up in talking too much without actually doing anything. From the intro, the song sets the tone that the group is tired of people talking about them and wants everyone to focus on their own work. Solomon Childs emphasizes the importance of working hard and applying one's self to achieve success. He also talks about the need for a "gangsta bitch" and a "ratchet with a big kick" to help support him.
Childs uses vivid, violent language throughout the song to emphasize that he is serious about his work and that he is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. He talks about "squeezing like Smucker's" and refers to the group as the "Al Qadea". Childs also references being prepared to lead nations from Muslims to Bloods to Masons, showing a desire to unite people from different backgrounds towards a common goal.
Overall, "Work" is a song about focusing on one's self and putting in the hard work necessary to achieve success. Childs uses language that emphasizes the violent reality of achieving success, but also emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and determination in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, you know
Acknowledgment of what people say about Theodore Unit
Niggaz keep talkin' bout
People talk a lot about Theodore Unit
Theodore this, and Theodore that
People mention Theodore Unit a lot
Niggaz need to stop worryin' about the Theodore
People should stop paying attention to Theodore Unit
Worry about your muthafuckin' self
People should focus on themselves instead of others
From the door, you gotta put in that work
Success requires hard work from the start
Rep your work, move that work
Promote and distribute your product
Apply that work, kill or get hurt
Work hard or suffer the consequences
Eastside, hear the adrenaline, dirty
Feeling the excitement of the hard work in the Eastside
Money make the world go round
Money is the driving force behind many things in life
Here, muthafuckas can't fuck with me, pound for pound
I am great in every aspect of life
We only got one life to live, so I need a gangsta bitch
Life is short, and I need a partner who can handle it
A ratchet with a big kick, captain of my own ship
I need a strong and confident partner who can also lead
'cause fake niggaz dream too much
People who are not true to themselves fantasize a lot
And talk too much shit, do it sound like I'm playin'
People who are not true to themselves talk a lot of nonsense
With you muthafuckas, go 'head, me squeeze like Smucker's
I am not playing games and will act accordingly
This ain't a gimmick, for me to get on
I'm not doing this for attention or fame
Do an R&B remix with P. Diddy and R. Kelly
I don't collaborate with those artists
I don't know those muthafuckas
I don't associate with certain people
You see me in the club, high poster
I stand out in the club
Never who that, see me on the block with the roaster
I am always recognizable
Never who that, see me in somethin' pretty and big with the chauffeur
I have expensive tastes and ride in style
Never who that, model type, tipsy on the side of the coaster
I am always in great company and enjoy myself
Uptowns, white on white, valor suits, the color of _mocha
I dress in expensive clothes that match my style
Upstate New York, ran with the trademark, the kid poker
I grew up in upstate New York and went by the nickname 'kid poker'
I ain't talkin' bout a card game, talkin' bout blood on your face frame
I am referring to a violent altercation
You bitch ass niggaz, you ass cheeks, and it reeks
Insulting people who are not true to themselves
Like the smell of dead Mafia, at the bottom of creeks
The stench of deceit is overwhelming
Mahonda speaks, that the true Messiah is speaked
Mahonda is speaking the truth about the Messiah
This the first year of the future, walk with me, little nigga
A call to follow and work together towards the future
Order to my people, people to my order
A command for people to follow orders and take control
And pull myself together with the thought of a flat five
Trying to stay composed with the assistance of a flat five
For manslaughter, I'm prepared to lead nations
I am willing to risk everything for my beliefs
From Muslims, to Bloods, to Masons
Reaching out to different groups of people
Music to guide killas through out dreams
Music as a guiding force for people's goals, especially those involved in violence
Of self destruction, 20-05 eruption
A reference to a future event, possibly violent
Get the drop on, who cousin? I believe in guns hustling
Focusing on successful careers involving guns and violence
Blood in your mouth, mumbling
Intimidating and violent behavior
Misinformation is the height of ignorance
Spreading false information is the most ignorant thing to do
That invites disaster and suffering
It leads to bad consequences for everyone involved
To blow a whole through the fader
To make a big impact on the music industry
Theodore Unit AKA the Al Qadea
A reference to Theodore Unit being an influential, powerful group
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Out To Launch Productions
This was the stand out track to me when I heard it 10 years ago. The flow, the lyrics, the beat...confident, grimy, an original sound. Solomon is underrated. Tell the young bucks.
Black kratos
Tha wild west saloon beat always caught my ear,This was 1 of my tracks on this album
Eli Lownds
This used to slap so hard in my truck.. That bass drop was real. Dope track. Dope album 🔥
KINGRAMSES
So underrated one of the illest lyrical drops
Tate Evans
This shit 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Simon Forrest
OMMFG!!!! .. i forgot about this joint... soooo hard
LIL6RUHA GAMING
My cousin produced this track. DJ skillspins Columbus Ga in the building
KINGRAMSES
Word?
premothegod1
Been my shit for 16 years 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Simon Forrest
This shit craaaaaazy yo