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
Dopium
U-God Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the time I'm finished, you gon' be a fan, muthafucka
Trust me when I tell you
[U-God:]
I kick back, retire mics, take rap to higher heights
Big back, fiend rap, blow it up, dynamite
Sniff my China white, touchdown with king cobras
Switch lane, lean over, get brain, green Rover
Mean soldiers run through, kung fu, break shoulders
Rep my W, rumble through, takeover
Heat holder, heavy best, countdown, every breath
Last chance, tapdance, devil cop, every step
Murderous, instinct, champions, never left
Shaolin veteran, thug heads, never learn
Dumb shit, every turn, hell, son, let 'em burn
Still here, standing firm, black man in progress
Crack dreams, conquest, burners in my arm rest
Baby boy's a target, heads on my cannonball
You messed up the package, the legacy, you had it all
"Come on"
"Come on"
[U-God:]
Sandstorms, kick up, millimeters blow rounds
What happened to the music, Newburgh, Motown
I know the low down, on half of these niggas
Come out the closet, these Vaseline niggas
I'm flawless, I'm lawless, all I need is one block
Crazy legs, hat low, check out my up rock
Respect my jumpshot, when I just, hug the rim
Tie up my Jordans, then I jump, out the gym
It's the Brothers Grymm, automatic coke rush
Dice hit the walls, we gambles at the gold dust
Descendants of the Cold Crush, long car garage doors
One finger cake walk, nose is the concord
Hands like windmills, possessed with the I'll skill
Aiming for your soft spots, the scene out of Kill Bill
"Come on"
"Come on"
[U-God:]
I got the iron for your mans, one foot in the frying pan
Rock hardhats, fireman, 8 Diagrams
Lion eating out my hands, no it's not in Africa
Soul brother #1, you're just a passenger
Right before the massacre, first comes the lynching
Caught in the mouse trap, bounce back, Redemption
Contact the henchmen, watch how I drenched them
Wetting with waterhose, long nose extention
Ain't no question, you in suspended animation
You fucked up, drop garbage tossed the side of sanitation
Homey, you jumped up, you get lumped up, blamp your face in
Champ in the steel cage match, snatch the foundation back
Step on a forty gallon stage, laced with I'll grace
Took a long time, but I'm glad that you still wait
"Come on"
"Come on"
The lyrics to U-God's song "Dopium" are ripe with vivid imagery and clever wordplay that showcase the rapper's skill and versatility. The song touches on a variety of themes and topics, including drug use, street life, and the music industry. In the opening lines, U-God boasts that he can win over anyone who listens to his music, setting the tone for the rest of the song.
From there, he delivers a rapid-fire barrage of rhymes that touch on a range of topics. He raps about using drugs, including "China white," a powerful form of heroin, and references king cobras, fiend rap, and dynamite. He also boasts about his skills as a rapper, claiming to retire mics and take rap to higher heights. He talks about switching lanes, getting brain, and driving a green Rover, as well as running through mean soldiers and breaking shoulders with kung fu moves.
Throughout the song, U-God also references his affiliation with the Wu-Tang Clan, mentioning that he reps his W and rumble through to take over. He talks about being a Shaolin veteran and facing off against thug heads, but notes that they never learn. He also references "Crack dreams," conquest, and having burners in his armrest, touching on the dangers and violence of the drug trade.
The second verse of the song is equally dense, with U-God rapping about sandstorms, music, and lowdown info on certain people. He takes shots at his fellow rappers, calling some of them "Vaseline niggas" and claiming that he is flawless and lawless. He talks about his jumpshot, up rock, and Jordans before referencing the Brothers Grymm, automatic coke rushes, and gambling at the gold dust. He also touches on his family's long-standing involvement in the rap industry and the legacy that they've built.
The final verse of the song is perhaps the most aggressive, with U-God threatening violence and chaos for anyone who crosses him. He talks about having the iron for his enemies and taunts them by saying they'll be just passengers. He references lynching, mouse traps, and Redemption, as well as henchmen, water hoses, and long-nosed extensions. He claims that anyone who messes with him will be in "suspended animation" and compares them to garbage that's been tossed to the side of sanitation.
Overall, "Dopium" is a masterful display of U-God's lyrical ability and penchant for vivid storytelling. The song touches on a variety of themes, including drug use, street life, and the music industry, and showcases his versatility as a rapper.
Line by Line Meaning
By the time I'm finished, you gon' be a fan, muthafucka
I am confident that once you hear me rap, you will become a fan of mine
Trust me when I tell you
Believe me when I say this
I kick back, retire mics, take rap to higher heights
I relax, impress others with my skills, and bring rap to a new level
Big back, fiend rap, blow it up, dynamite
I have a strong flow, addicted to making music, and will explode onto the scene
Sniff my China white, touchdown with king cobras
I am indulging in drugs and associating with dangerous individuals
All my life, pay the price, nickname me steamroller
I have worked hard my whole life, overcome obstacles, and am now a dominating force
Switch lane, lean over, get brain, green Rover
I drive a fancy car, get oral sex, and pass other vehicles
Mean soldiers run through, kung fu, break shoulders
My crew is fierce and skilled in martial arts, capable of injuring others
Rep my W, rumble through, takeover
I represent Wu-Tang Clan and will conquer the rap game
Heat holder, heavy best, countdown, every breath
I carry a gun, wear bulletproof vests, and am always ready for danger
Last chance, tapdance, devil cop, every step
I am constantly in danger and must be cautious of law enforcement
Murderous, instinct, champions, never left
My fighting nature has helped me become successful and I will never back down
Shaolin veteran, thug heads, never learn
I am a experienced member of Wu-Tang Clan and those who oppose me never seem to learn
Dumb shit, every turn, hell, son, let 'em burn
People continue to make foolish mistakes and suffer the consequences
Still here, standing firm, black man in progress
I have faced many challenges but continue to stand tall as a proud black man
Crack dreams, conquest, burners in my arm rest
I aspire for success through selling drugs, carry weapons on me at all times
Baby boy's a target, heads on my cannonball
My enemies see me as an easy target and are after me
You messed up the package, the legacy, you had it all
You ruined the opportunity to become great and lost everything you had going for you
Sandstorms, kick up, millimeters blow rounds
Dangerous conditions arise from sandstorms and bullets fly everywhere
What happened to the music, Newburgh, Motown
I question why modern music has deteriorated, referencing both Newburgh and Motown
I know the low down, on half of these niggas
I possess knowledge about many people in the industry
Come out the closet, these Vaseline niggas
I challenge some rappers to reveal their true identity and not hide behind their persona
I'm flawless, I'm lawless, all I need is one block
I am confident in my abilities and can overcome any obstacle with ease
Crazy legs, hat low, check out my up rock
My dance moves are impressive and draw attention
Respect my jumpshot, when I just, hug the rim
I demand respect in all aspects, even when I dunk a basketball and hang on the rim
Tie up my Jordans, then I jump, out the gym
I am athletic and can jump very high, especially when I wear my Jordans
It's the Brothers Grymm, automatic coke rush
My crew is known as the Brothers Grymm and we quickly sell cocaine
Dice hit the walls, we gambles at the gold dust
We throw dice against walls and gamble for money at a place called Gold Dust
Descendants of the Cold Crush, long car garage doors
We come from a lineage of respected rappers and have expensive cars
One finger cake walk, nose is the concord
I walk with confidence and my nose looks like the supersonic plane, Concorde
Hands like windmills, possessed with the I'll skill
My hands move quickly like windmills and I have a talent for rapping
Aiming for your soft spots, the scene out of Kill Bill
I aim to hurt my enemies where it will cause the most pain, just like in the movie Kill Bill
I got the iron for your mans, one foot in the frying pan
I have a gun to use against your friends and am in a precarious situation
Rock hardhats, fireman, 8 Diagrams
I wear a hardhat and am like a firefighter, referencing Wu-Tang Clan's album 8 Diagrams
Lion eating out my hands, no it's not in Africa
I am in control and have power even over dangerous animals
Soul brother #1, you're just a passenger
I am a respected member of the black community and you are just a bystander
Right before the massacre, first comes the lynching
Before things escalate to deadly violence, there is typically a warning or act of intimidation
Caught in the mouse trap, bounce back, Redemption
I may have been trapped but will overcome the situation and be redeemed
Contact the henchmen, watch how I drenched them
I call for my accomplices and will make my enemies suffer
Wetting with waterhose, long nose extention
I will torture my enemies with water and a long hose
Ain't no question, you in suspended animation
There is no doubt that you are in a helpless state
You fucked up, drop garbage tossed the side of sanitation
You made a crucial mistake and are now like trash thrown away
Homey, you jumped up, you get lumped up, blamp your face in
You made a foolish move and now face severe consequences
Champ in the steel cage match, snatch the foundation back
I am like a champion wrestler and will take back what is rightfully mine
Step on a forty gallon stage, laced with I'll grace
When I perform, I command attention and have the power of grace
Took a long time, but I'm glad that you still wait
It may have taken me a while, but I am happy that you are still anticipating my music
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@topbackpodcast2615
Still my favorite U-God album. It has aged extremely well
@buckingham412
one of the best wu tang tracks of the last 10 years
@MikeMiddy813
This type of beat compliments U-GOD's style and flow. nice
@stevenandrewfabricius7735
Thanks, CDTV.
@micheljacobsen3901
Track of my life! Best man!
@dans4042
Killa Beez !!
@rickychabizle
Just found out about this album an hour ago, its a damn fine wutang solo release.
@wiccaslick879
Yes rickychabizle...
for real man, for rizzle...wi' a sizzle and a sausage don't come round 'ere wiv' no boffins. It's science class at 4:20 o' clock....no room for fickle, apologies like puppets with socks. No, I mean I agree as in the same here. Sort of. Had the album hanging around in my vaults of chambers. I mean chambers of vaults....I'm high again dammit...
@babyzorilla
You Know It. Mathematics ,Wu Syndicate, Gravediggaz not to mention all of Wu-Tang its mostly all good to me.
@Theluckypessimist
This is one of the few songs I liked by U-God