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
Pleasure or Pain
U-God Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[U-God]
Once again...
Through the storms... I gotta stay strong
Take deep breaths, hold on long, bring the harm
With no regrets, on my chest, let me knowledge be born
When the riots form, my woman keeps me warm
>From Fort Green I sing the song mean
Bring the calm overseas, glide high in the skies
Sky dive... far... far as the eye could see
In the midst of acapell', I ball my fist up
Unravel, travellin to the cells of Gotti
I shot up a shell, will he drop? Will he flop?
Will he go pop a cell? Is his mind frail?
The worst is groove frantic, he expand the planet
Plan harder, your Godfather's plans failed
I air mail the senseless scar, two snub noses
Niggas love those expensive cars
Is it him and those twenty inch rims, splittin the tar?
An amazon woman from the stripbar
God, it varies, Halley Berry, stars eatin hard cherries
This world is bizarre, not bein far from Mars
Galaxy hoppin, non-stoppin the sun rays
Stay and paid for real, 'til I'm old and grey
Pretty legs, of course, soft as clay
Degrees, hot breeze in your hair all day, all day
Engaged a lot, rockin hot and cold chains
Is my brain vain? Flames, still dock the missles
Let off one, stay in your lane
Everybody got issues, I'm drunk off the rum
Numb, one case got thrown out in dismissal
Everybody got pistols, but will the referee blow the whistle
Before I lock on your ass, bone gristle?
These streets is crystal, crystal, crystal
[Hell Razah]
Pleasure and pain, some took lead to the brain
Got rich and couldn't live for the end of the game
Government chain, breakin off the slavery chain
From a weddin to a funeral, it's pleasure and pain
Guns, gangs cock back, ready to aim
Call in Fergusons, ridin on the back of the train
Televisions and this cocaine, got us insane
We got to war, if we all got a burner, then flame
Baby showers, same day as nuclear showers
Prophecy's harsh, world will be destroyed in an hour
Shots fired in the night, from the heart of the coward
Stop the crow from the young flowers, goin to Howard
Brooklyn Babe Ruth, raised in fatigues and boots
Blue-printin who we hittin, and we need to shoot
No description, all though it was dark, an Egyptain
And didn't have no love, but a grudge against Clinton
[U-God]
Representin... how much gold can one man claim?
Over horizon, recognize him, it's candy rain
Flusty, lookin out of dusty old window pane
With nothin to lose, but everythin to gain
So far to go, much more is unclaimed
No delay, when we spray, we Play IV Keeps in the Jeeps
Stumpin somethin gritty, it's gun nitty in the city
That never sleeps, street sweepin
Is senseless, intense, fenced in, fleein
A long road ahead, I'm still believin in my freedom
On the darkest day, I'd say your darkest hour
I came to realize, the sin is most inner-most power
So enchanted, cry inside, fryin and dancin
At God speed, damn it, fear is planted
Severe nature of man, there's still no cure
Seduce me, reduce me to ashes, caught in the law
Atoms scatter, brain lashes, to the core question
Still no answers, moves of the phantom, handsome
Midnight silence surround us, eye in the sky
Everythin is a lesson, riddle another God for all of your blessins
I'm reppin, grateful 'til I'm dead, hateful heads, we under Allah's
Protection
Essence of life, one second, after the blastin
I wonder, is Heaven truly everlastin?
I'm askin, I said it to four lost relatives missin, in action
Communication breakdown, it's all the same
Havin a nervous breakdown, draw you insane
It's just pleasure and pain, pleasure and pain
Another man's loss, another man's gain
Stay in the game, pleasure and pain
We treasure the fame, pleasure and pain
Pleasure and pain, pleasure and pain, pain, pain, pain
The lyrics of U-God's song Pleasure or Pain are raw and gritty, discussing the harsh realities of life on the streets. U-God talks about surviving through tough times, even in the midst of riots and chaos. He also touches on themes of love, freedom, and power. Hell Razah joins in on the chorus with a sobering reminder that life is a balance of pleasure and pain, and that the pursuit of wealth and power often ends tragically.
Throughout the song, U-God uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of life on the streets, including references to gun violence, drugs, and the struggle for survival. He acknowledges the power of fear and the importance of maintaining a strong sense of self despite the challenges. Overall, the lyrics of Pleasure or Pain present a stark commentary on the harsh realities of life in urban America.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the storms... I gotta stay strong
I must endure difficult times with strength
Take deep breaths, hold on long, bring the harm
Stay calm and persevere through pain, even when fighting back
On my chest, let me knowledge be born
I'm learning and growing in wisdom
When the riots form, my woman keeps me warm
I find comfort in my partner even in chaotic times
Is it him and those twenty inch rims, splittin the tar?
Does his wealth and flashy possessions come from drug dealing?
Pleasure and pain, some took lead to the brain
Some people become addicted to drugs and money, leading to their demise
Government chain, breakin off the slavery chain
The government enslaves people with policies and laws, but they can also free them from oppression
Shots fired in the night, from the heart of the coward
Violence is often committed by those who fear consequences, not by the brave
How much gold can one man claim?
Is wealth truly valuable if it can't be shared?
On the darkest day, I'd say your darkest hour
You can still find hope even in the worst of times
There's still no cure seduce me, reduce me to ashes, caught in the law atoms scatter, brain lashes
The world is full of suffering and there is no easy solution
Contributed by Hunter J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LightfingersKlepto
Deep ass lyrics been enjoying them for 11 years now. Thank you golden arms
Benny Smith
U-God doesn't get enough love.
As a teenager I remember always looking forward to his verses.
I actually prefer the members of Wu that don't get mentioned as much as they should, Gza, Inspectah Deck, U-God & Masta Killa...
PWLPC Unscripted
Same, those are my fave too and ODB
Ron Hayward
Gza always get love the rest don't unfortunately.....dont much matter wu tang forever
Benny Smith
Killah Priest is also very underrated
Heaterz 1979
@Ron Hayward ghost Meth Raekwon Rza Rebel INS ODB come on man they get ❤️
Asmodeus
this is one of the best instrumentals ive ever heard.
Senju.Amv1
I feel like I heard this from something else like a t.v show
DXOWNSNWO
This is one of the best songs I've ever heard !!!
gerald3637
This album is a fkn treasure