Ya Boy was given his name by his cousin Bailey, and was helped to develop into a rap artist by his other cousin San Quinn. In the Summer of 2005, Ya Boy released his first solo mixtape, Future of The Franchise, and it sold 10,000 copies in the first month alone. This was to be followed up by his debut album, Rookie of the Year. His album features E-40, Turf Talk, Clyde Carson of The Team, San Quinn and more. The first single off the album was produced by Rick Rock and is titled "Step Ya Game Up."
In 2006, Ya Boy began an affiliation with The Black Wall Street. The Game took him under his wing and the two began to network. His affiliation with Game brought him a step higher in the rap game, as he began to collaborate with big name producers such as JR Rotem, Nu Jerzey Devil and Scott Storch to name a few. Pop star Britney Spears' ex-husband Kevin Federline, aka [artist[K-Fed[/artist], called upon Ya Boy's talent for writing, and had him ghost write for his debut album Playing With Fire.
Ya Boy makes a cameo appearance in the 1996 crime film Mad Dog Time.
We Run L.A.
Ya Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hit the Louis store right on Rodeo.
White SL, the colour of Yayo
Pass the cup to my girl and told her to sip slow.
This my show, watch me baby, The way i go can't stop me baby
Seatbelt beside me baby, LA just drive me crazy.
We could float through the city night, im drunk and your lookin real pretty right.
Make love i ain't finna fight.
What it cost i can fit the price
Got a house in hills you can spend the night.
When they ask who turns you out.
(Chorus)
She came from over-seas
To be a star on the boulevard
She wants sex on the beach
We can share, its only fair
Ive got paradise on call, its ours, its ours!
She got a little taste and she wants more, some moreee
We run L.A!
Yeh, cut alot of girls, cut alot of cheques.
Thats the life here on sunset.
Rich and famous i am sucess.
Met her at Les Deux and she do love sex.
Ima sip this, you do the rest
You know what you do, you do the best
Do me a favour, lose the dress
Its nice by the way, Chanel i guess.
LAMB handbags i know where they sell those.
Maybe later on we can hit Melrose.
All you gotta do is hit me on my cellphone.
Baby girl me and you can kick it like a field goal.
Know who i be, call me YB.
Red carpet i dont need the I.D
Cazals on my face, you dont see what i see
(Where) Girl you know where i be
(Where) Hollywood Swingin'
(Thats right) Hollywood Swingin'
(Thats right) Hollywood Swingin'
(Where) Girl you know where i be
(Where) Hollywood Swingin'
(Thats right) Hollywood Swingin'
(Thats right) Hollywood Swingin'
(Chorus)
She came from over-seas
To be a star on the boulevard
She wants sex on the beach
We can share, its an all in affair
Ive got paradise on call, its ours, its ours!
She got a little taste and she wants more, some moreee
We run L.A!
The lyrics of this song seem to celebrate the lavish lifestyle that comes with living in LA, as Ya Boy and Dr. Hollywood boast about their wealth, fame, and the luxurious activities they enjoy. The opening lines, "One for the money, two for the show," may be a reference to the entertainment industry, with "the show" indicating the stage or screen. The duo then visits the Louis store on Rodeo Drive, where they purchase a white SL (presumably a Mercedes-Benz) that matches the color of yayo, or cocaine. They share a drink, and Ya Boy declares the night as his show while asserting that nothing can stop him. He seems to be living in the moment and allowing the city to take him away.
Throughout the rest of the song, Ya Boy and Dr. Hollywood continue to boast about their wealth and sexual exploits, name-dropping designer brands like Chanel and LAMB. They talk about meeting women who are eager to experience the LA lifestyle and offer them the chance to "share" in their paradise. The chorus reminds us that "we run LA," indicating their dominance over the city and perhaps even their sense of entitlement to its pleasures.
Overall, "We Run L.A." seems to be a brash statement of wealth, fame, and sexual prowess. The lyrics paint a picture of two men living carefree lives, indulging in the luxuries that LA has to offer. Whether this lifestyle is admirable or not is up for debate, but Ya Boy and Dr. Hollywood seem to revel in it.
Line by Line Meaning
One for the money, two for the show.
Let's get the party started with all eyes on us.
Hit the Louis store right on Rodeo.
We're going shopping at the most expensive boutiques in LA.
White SL, the colour of Yayo.
Cruising around in a fancy white car.
Pass the cup to my girl and told her to sip slow.
Sharing a drink with my lady and asking her to take it easy.
This my show, watch me baby, The way i go can't stop me baby
I'm in charge here and nothing can bring me down.
Seatbelt beside me baby, LA just drive me crazy.
Riding around Los Angeles is an exciting experience.
We could float through the city night, im drunk and your lookin real pretty right.
We can drive around the city together, enjoying each other's company.
Make love i ain't finna fight.
I'm not going to argue or fight with you, let's just have a good time.
Not once, we can go till we get it right.
We can keep having fun until we're both satisfied.
What it cost i can fit the price
I have enough money to afford anything I want.
Got a house in hills you can spend the night.
You're welcome to come over and stay at my place.
When they ask who turns you out.
When people wonder who's responsible for making you feel good.
She came from over-seas
The girl I'm with is not originally from LA.
To be a star on the boulevard
She came here to make it big in Hollywood.
She wants sex on the beach
My girl is interested in being intimate with me in a particular setting.
We can share, its only fair
We can both participate in the activity equally.
Ive got paradise on call, its ours, its ours!
I have everything we need to have a great time together.
She got a little taste and she wants more, some moreee
She's enjoying herself and wants to continue.
We run L.A!
We're in charge of the city and everyone knows it.
Yeh, cut alot of girls, cut alot of cheques.
I've been with many women and spent a lot of money.
Thats the life here on sunset.
This is how we live on Sunset Boulevard.
Rich and famous i am sucess.
I'm a successful person who has achieved wealth and fame.
Met her at Les Deux and she do love sex.
I met my girl at a club where we bonded over our shared interest in intimacy.
Ima sip this, you do the rest.
I'll take a sip of my drink, while you keep the party going.
You know what you do, you do the best.
You're good at keeping the party going, so keep it up.
Do me a favour, lose the dress.
I'd like my girl to change into something more comfortable.
Its nice by the way, Chanel i guess.
Her dress looks expensive and high-end, perhaps it's from Chanel.
LAMB handbags i know where they sell those.
I know where to find expensive handbags from the brand LAMB.
Maybe later on we can hit Melrose.
Perhaps we can drive to Melrose Avenue later.
All you gotta do is hit me on my cellphone.
Just call me on my cell phone if you want to hang out again.
Baby girl me and you can kick it like a field goal.
We can spend time together like we just scored a touchdown.
Know who i be, call me YB.
My name is YB and people know me.
Red carpet i dont need the I.D
I'm so famous, I don't need identification to walk on the red carpet.
Cazals on my face, you dont see what i see
I'm wearing sunglasses and you can't see what I'm looking at.
(Where) Girl you know where i be
You know where to find me and what I'm all about.
(Where) Hollywood Swingin'
I'm partying in Hollywood and enjoying myself.
(Thats right) Hollywood Swingin'
This is where the party's at and I'm fully involved.
Contributed by Alyssa Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gracie Kattan
I wanna cry. This song suddenly just popped into my mind, I forgot this song existed. This song brings back so many memories of summer 2009. It was always played on the radio that summer. I had so much fun that summer. I was entering my teen years, and that summer I hung out at the beach and backyard bbq with my summer crush. My family had a lot of company over that year. Me and my friend and sister and her friend went to the Boyz and Girlz club on the weekdays. Sadly that year MJ died but it was nice hearing MJ music being remembered and played on the radios again. Things have changed a lot, my teen years were definitely hard for me. 2009-early 2010 was the last worry free year for me. Ive changed a lot since then, but it’s sad to me cause I know that young worry less time will never come again.
Empress Benedict
Same, I was actually 28 turning 29 going through my Saturn return but still looked young and hung w/ a younger crowd of friends. I had finished college, did some traveling around the world and wanted to settle back in Glendale. This was always on the radio and the sound of the Synth made me nostalgic at that time for my childhood in the 80's. Now I'm nostalgic for 2009...I feel like 2009 to 2012 were my best years. Worry-free, chill, good times. I don't even know what it is now.
PORK MAN
@Empress Benedict honestly I feel like late 2000s early 2010s were such great eras. Everyone is so angry at everything now. It makes me so sad.
Angel Amaral
@PORK MAN im 23 so i wasnt really doing much in those years but i had older cousins that influenced my taste in music and style and i wish i would have been in my early 20s to enjoy that era.
Roxanna Sanabriga
🥺🥺
Kb Bethany
I feel this!
Danny
Man... As someone born and raised in L.A., this song hits a little deeper than I remember. Really missing summer of '09.
solomon cochran
Too beautiful bro. Priceless music
That_1_Trucker
I remember summer 2009 , getting ready to pickup my girlfriend to this jam . It’s 2020 we’re married now with 3 kids . This song will always bring back good memories
Metephies
That's right king