U-God was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York. However he moved to Staten Island, New York as a youth. He was originally a beatboxer for clan affiliate Cappadonna, as well as being well known friends with future members Method Man, Inspectah Deck, and Raekwon. Sometime before the members united, U-God was mentored in rap by Cappadonna. He soon became friends with RZA and Ghostface Killah, and he began rhyming under the alias Golden Arms, based on the kung-fu movie The Kid with The Golden Arms. Later on narcotics possession prevented him from featuring heavily on the group's debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), his input on the seminal LP consisting of only a short bridge on the group's debut single "Protect Ya Neck" in 1992 as well as the famous opening verse of "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'". Nevertheless, after his release he quickly became known to fans for his rugged flow and bass-like voice on Wu tracks such as "Winter Warz", "Knuckleheadz", "Investigative Reports", and "Black Jesus". He was featured heavily on the group's second album Wu-Tang Forever on which he was one of only four of the group to get a solo track - "Black Shampoo" (While the others being Inspectah Deck with "The City", Ol' Dirty Bastard with "Dog Shit" and RZA with "Sunshower"; clan affiliate and singer Tekitha sang 'Second Coming' solo). Around this time his young son was accidentally shot and injured, an ordeal the rapper documented on the Wu-Tang Clan track "A Better Tomorrow". He appeared with all the clan members during the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors, as well as on tour for the release of Wu Tang Clan's latest album, 8 Diagrams. U-God released his third studio album Dopium in 2009 and touring around the globe in support of 8 Diagrams. He released his fourth studio album Keynote Speaker in 2013.
Name: U-God
Real Name: Lamont Hawkins
Web: www.myspace.com/ugod
Destiny
U-God Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus: Letha Face (Autumn Rue)]
I gotta keep it real... for my peeps, it's my destiny
(My life, my life, my life, my life)
I gotta squeeze the steel.. in the streets, you won't get the best of me
Uh-huh, I ain't never gonna stop... never
Yo, why this life have to be like this? I hang with the righteous
And bang with a tight fist gripped on the handle
Samples of my product, got fiends lurkin' the block
For them teens murkin' them cops, for death penalties at stake
Shakes scrapped off of porcelein plate, to the last grain
Never make the mistake of givin' my last name
To a woman who blames me for all the problems in her life
I play the wheel of fortune, spinnin' revolvers on my life
My life, is similar to a shooting range, but I'm aimed the target
And everybody's takin' shots at me
I pull up fab', but you was love, but I'm not happy
Ask me what motivates me, I'll tell you my baby son
Now it's back to the slums, where about 80 tons of bricks
Creative a building where I stack my chips
Flip, eject and keep squeezing, to the heat recordings
You disrespected, now you fertiziled trees deep in the soil
[Chorus]
[INF-Black]
Still in the same struggle, many pieces'll make a bundle
Like a jungle, make me wonder sometimes, still gotta hustle
On my grind, seen some furious eyes, some went blind
In the midst of the sunlight, it's like I'm stuck in the times
Hope for better days, gotta get mines, get out this cage
Full of rage on my life, now I express it on stage
Relieve the tension over mics, in the whole first page
My deepest feelings hide inside but always show over my face
A young youth behind the cage, now I'm growin' a fast pace
As I notice, and unfolded the years start to age
Reality'll hit you like a hand held grenade
Give me thanks to my earth, she knew when she made official
Birth of her first son, young gun, .38 special
For my daughter, now, I gotta think before I use the pistol
Wait in temple with today's plan, for tomorrow's issues
Wanna see me in the can? I'm too righteous in the mental
[Chorus]
[Letha Face]
You're never gonna make it in this rap game
My baby mamma cries out, as I'm jiving in the crack came
Swimmin' in fat chains, strapped with the dame
Backstrokin' to the blames of corruption
I'm sucked in the whirlpool of gus bustin' and drug hustlin'
Not for nothin', I need a lifeguard to save me from drowin'
I'm down for men, murderers, who murder murderers
And serve customers with that all night service
Purchase burners at retail, I'm tryin' balance the scale
The streets say the prayers, ya'll be conquered by the prodigal
Got it in hennessey, got my brains in a frenzy
Is sellin' cocaine my destiny, or the best of me?
Secret recipe for my music, I create thunder that shatters
The frame, on your H2 Hummer
I'm a bloodhound at heart, it's in my blood, I live it up
If I could trade this crime life for the music, I'll give it up, what
[Chorus x2]
Never gonna stop, never gonna stop, never gonna stop [repeated to end]
The song "Destiny" by U-God featuring Autumn Rue, INF-Black, and Letha Face is a raw and honest depiction of the struggles and challenges faced by those living in poverty and crime-ridden neighborhoods. The chorus sets the tone for the entire song, as the artists state that it is their destiny to keep it real for their people and that they will not let the streets defeat them. Letha Face speaks on the harsh realities of life, where he hangs with the righteous and bangs with a tight fist, trying to make a living. He is constantly surrounded by drugs, poverty, and violence, making it difficult to lead a normal life. His motivation for staying strong is his baby son.
INF-Black echoes similar sentiments, stating that he is still stuck in the same struggle and has to hustle to make it in life. He talks about his deepest feelings that hide inside him, but still, show over his face. He hopes for better days and a way out of the cage, full of rage on his life. Lastly, Letha Face talks about his trade-off between a life of crime and music, creating thunder with his music that shatters frames on H2 Hummers. But, he would trade this crime life if given a chance to.
Overall, the song is an honest and emotional account of the relentless battles that those living in poverty endure. The track is a powerful reminder to us about the resilience, courage, and determination of individuals who are challenged by the cyclical nature of poverty and a life of crime.
Line by Line Meaning
I gotta keep it real... for my peeps, it's my destiny
I need to be honest to my friends and family; it's my fate to do so.
I gotta squeeze the steel.. in the streets, you won't get the best of me
I have to carry a gun to protect myself from danger on the streets; nothing will defeat me.
Uh-huh, I ain't never gonna stop... never
Yeah, I'll never quit even in the face of adversity; never stopping.
Yo, why this life have to be like this? I hang with the righteous
Why does life have to be so hard? I associate with good people.
And bang with a tight fist gripped on the handle
I fight fiercely holding on tightly to my weapon.
Samples of my product, got fiends lurkin' the block
My product attracts addicts, and they roam around the neighborhood searching for it.
For them teens murkin' them cops, for death penalties at stake
Some teens kill police officers, knowing that they might face the death penalty.
Now it's back to the slums, where about 80 tons of bricks
I go back to my poor neighborhood where buildings are made of bricks, and I work hard to make money.
Creative a building where I stack my chips
I build a metaphorical structure with my money, saving and investing it.
Full of rage on my life, now I express it on stage
I'm filled with anger about my life, and I channel it into my performances on stage.
My deepest feelings hide inside but always show over my face
I try to conceal my emotions, but my facial expressions give them away.
Give me thanks to my earth, she knew when she made official
I'm grateful to my mother for giving birth to me since she knew that she had a special child.
Wanna see me in the can? I'm too righteous in the mental
If you want me to go to prison, it won't happen because I'm too morally upstanding.
Swimmin' in fat chains, strapped with the dame
I have a lot of expensive jewelry, and I'm carrying a gun.
I'm sucked in the whirlpool of gus bustin' and drug hustlin'
I'm caught up in the vicious cycle of gun violence and drug dealing.
Secret recipe for my music, I create thunder that shatters
My music has a distinct formula, and it makes a significant impact on listeners.
The frame, on your H2 Hummer
My music is so potent that it can damage the high-quality body of a Hummer vehicle.
I'm a bloodhound at heart, it's in my blood, I live it up
I have a natural inclination towards leading a wild and reckless lifestyle.
If I could trade this crime life for the music, I'll give it up, what
If I had the opportunity, I would choose to swap my illegal activities for a promising career in music.
Never gonna stop, never gonna stop, never gonna stop [repeated to end]
I'll keep pushing forward and never give up, no matter what.
Contributed by Evan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
2dope4ya1970
U-God, the most underrated Wu member... Nice upload!
Nathan Thackeray
Wish U-God was on every track of this album
John Morales
Sick son Love Big U God-zilla