Raised in Gadsden, Alabama, Atha appeared on the reality series The Road to Stardom with Missy Elliott and released his independent debut album Creek Water in 2005. Two years later, Atha signed to Columbia Records and released the single "Kickin'" from his unreleased first studio album, before being released from the label later that same year. From 2008 to 2010, Atha released an extended play and four mixtapes with Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment. Trunk Muzik 0-60, Atha's fourth mixtape, was also released by Interscope Records. In 2011, Atha signed to Shady Records and his debut studio album Radioactive was released on November 21, 2011 to positive reviews. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 27. He spent much of his childhood in various locations around the southern United States, including Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Atlanta, Georgia, and Antioch, Tennessee.
Atha is half white and Cherokee, and the name Yelawolf is a reference to his Native American roots.
Yelawolf is an avid skateboarder and made attempts at a professional skateboarding career but was forced to abandon due to injuries. Yelawolf began releasing mixtapes independently in 2007. He was briefly signed to Columbia Records in 2007 and left the label the same year.
In 2009, Yelawolf was featured on the Slim Thug album Boss of All Bosses, and in the lead single Mixin' Up the Medicine from Juelz Santana's upcoming album Born to Lose, Built to Win. In 2010 he appeared in the track Down This Road from Bizarre's third studio album Friday Night at St. Andrews, in Big Boi's first solo album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty track "You Ain't No DJ" which was produced by André 3000, and his most recent appareance is in Paul Wall's fifth studio album Heart of a Champion track "Live It" which also features Jay Electronica and Raekwon, produced by Travis Barker. In 2010, Atha confirmed he has signed with Interscope Records, he announced that he is working in his debut studio album with the label, and has a desire to work with Eminem.
In 2011 Yelawolf revealed that he went to visit Eminem in Detroit, Michigan and has subsequently been signed to Shady Records.
Fame
Yelawolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, just bought a black Bentley truck
But I got no black tuxedo
I ain't even put a post up, givin' no fucks
No ego huh, know that's a lie, homie
We all got a little bit of high rise, homie
A PBR, yeah, but I got bub on a shelf
You asking why not, why me, homie
Get tough don't cry on me
Bitch, I suffered to get rich
I became a president
But they can't put a tie on me
Gave my mama a new whip
A CVO clean as a new Q-tip
A Harley Davidson trike
The hard way to spend right
I gave part of my life just to do this
And gave part of my heart
When Shawty Fatt died
Know my brother wasn't on the block
Crack guy
Blood on my face from the shot, trap side
I didn't realize I was baptized at the time
But the time was a rhyme
I confined and compartmentalized
I built like a builder
Milled and I drilled up
Dirt to a tiller, marginalized
And part of it's pride
The other part of it is my eyes
What I've seen, what I've
Done, what I've lost, what I've won
I was made to become that guy
So when the stage lights hit the boy
In the leather jacket
That's me at the steeple
Rock and roll, here's the church
Rock and roll, here's the people
And we're all evil
Always wanting something new
To be famous people
We've been watching over you
We are (We are) evil (Evil)
Always wantin' something new
(Always wanting something)
To be famous (Famous) people (People)
We've been watching over you
Yeah they been watchin' and lookin'
Right through a peephole claim fame is nice
So I'ma need some insurance on it
So I can get half of what it equals (yeah)
The other half in case I turn evil
Is reparations for the misled people
I never meant to do that
But in between the alcohol and shows
And couple of bad hoes
I may of feel a bit off track
See, I was never meant fall in line
Every track was a stand
I don't walk left-right 'less we
Talking 'bout a marchin' band
The headspace that I'm in
Got these people looking at me
Like I'm Martian Man
They butter me up, margarine
Said my soul was the cost to trend
And my consciousness, and as a result
I ain't never fuckin' pickin'
Up the call again
I don't give a fuck what you
Say, I ain't never gon' change, bitch
I came and I did it my way
I got the crowd packed, screamin' words back
Saying "Dax" every time I
Hit the goddamn stage
Pussy, you ain't gonna touch what I made
Don't you ever try to say that you
Know or you feel my pain
We not the same, I'm off the chain
I'm in the storm, but meant to reign
And I ain't fuckin' with bad vibes
Dax is an American past time
Blowin' up on defeat like a landmine
So don't ever ask why I'm the bad guy
'Cause that's what happens when you
Something they can't find
As I look into my eyes and
Pass by the mirror lies
I see someone broken inside
That hides as the fame deprives
But helps build the life that they all
Define as one of a kind
We are evil always wanting something new
To be famous people
We've been watching over you
We are (We are) evil (Evil)
Always wantin' something new
(Always wanting something)
To be famous (Famous) people (People)
We've been watching over you
(We are evil, Always wanting something new)
(We are evil, Always wanting something)
The lyrics to Yelawolf's song "Fame" delve into the inner struggles and contradictions that come with fame and success. Yelawolf reflects on his own experiences, acknowledging the material possessions he has acquired, such as a black Bentley truck and a new whip for his mother, but also admitting that these external markers of success don't necessarily equate to inner fulfillment or happiness. He recognizes the egotistical aspect of fame but also acknowledges that everyone has their own insecurities and vulnerabilities.
Yelawolf discusses the sacrifices he has made to achieve his success, referencing the loss of his friend Shawty Fatt and the dangers he faced growing up in a rough environment. He admits that he may have felt "a bit off track" due to alcohol, encounters with negative influences, and moments of feeling disconnected from his true self. The lyrics also touch on the pressures of fame, with people constantly watching and judging his every move. Despite the challenges, Yelawolf remains defiant, asserting that he will stay true to himself and continue to do things his own way.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, just bought a black Bentley truck
I recently purchased a luxurious black Bentley truck
But I got no black tuxedo
However, I don't own a formal black tuxedo
I ain't even put a post up, givin' no fucks
I haven't even posted about it, showing that I don't care
No ego huh, know that's a lie, homie
I claim to have no ego, but that's actually not true, my friend
We all got a little bit of high rise, homie
We all possess some level of arrogance, my friend
A PBR, yeah, but I got bub on a shelf
I have a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, but I have expensive champagne stored away
I'm in love with myself, won't die lonely
I have great self-confidence and believe I won't die alone
You asking why not, why me, homie
You're questioning why I am the way I am, my friend
Get tough don't cry on me
When faced with difficulties, don't show your emotions to me
Bitch, I suffered to get rich
I went through hardships to achieve wealth
I became a president
I reached a high level of success
But they can't put a tie on me
But they can't control or restrict me
Gave my mama a new whip
I gifted my mother a new car
A CVO clean as a new Q-tip
A clean Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) model, as clean as a new Q-tip
A Harley Davidson trike
A three-wheeled Harley Davidson motorcycle
The hard way to spend right
A challenging yet fulfilling way to spend money appropriately
I gave part of my life just to do this
I dedicated a significant portion of my life to pursue my passion
And gave part of my heart
And I sacrificed emotionally
When Shawty Fatt died
When my friend Shawty Fatt passed away
Know my brother wasn't on the block
My brother wasn't involved in illegal activities
Crack guy
He wasn't associated with crack cocaine
Blood on my face from the shot, trap side
I had blood on my face from a gunshot on the dangerous side of town
I didn't realize I was baptized at the time
I didn't understand the significance of the experience in that moment
But the time was a rhyme
However, it became a significant part of my story
I confined and compartmentalized
I kept my experiences and emotions separate
I built like a builder
I constructed myself, much like a builder
Milled and I drilled up
I refined myself and put in hard work
Dirt to a tiller, marginalized
I transformed from something seemingly insignificant to someone marginalized by society
And part of it's pride
And a portion of it is due to my pride
The other part of it is my eyes
The rest is due to my perspective on life
What I've seen, what I've done, what I've lost, what I've won
My experiences, achievements, and losses have shaped me
I was made to become that guy
I was destined to become the person I am today
So when the stage lights hit the boy in the leather jacket
So when the spotlight shines on me, the boy wearing a leather jacket
That's me at the steeple
That's me standing tall and proud
Rock and roll, here's the church
Rock and roll music represents my belief system
Rock and roll, here's the people
Rock and roll is also the community I belong to
And we're all evil
And all of us have a dark side
Always wanting something new
Always desiring something fresh or different
To be famous people
To be recognized as celebrities
We've been watching over you
We have been observing you closely
Yeah they been watchin' and lookin'
Yes, others have been observing and monitoring me
Right through a peephole claim fame is nice
They look at me cynically and claim that fame is enjoyable
So I'ma need some insurance on it
Therefore, I need reassurances or safeguards in place
So I can get half of what it equals (yeah)
So I can receive half of what fame brings
The other half in case I turn evil
The remaining half as protection in case I become corrupted
Is reparations for the misled people
It serves as compensation for those who have been misinformed
I never meant to do that
I never intended to cause harm or deception
But in between the alcohol and shows
However, amidst the alcohol consumption and performances
And couple of bad hoes
And encounters with promiscuous women
I may of feel a bit off track
I might have deviated from my intended path
See, I was never meant fall in line
You see, I was never destined to conform
Every track was a stand
Each song I created was a statement
I don't walk left-right 'less we talking 'bout a marchin' band
I don't adhere to society's norms unless we're discussing a marching band
The headspace that I'm in
The mental state that I currently occupy
Got these people looking at me
Leads people to gaze at me
Like I'm Martian Man
As if I am an extraterrestrial like the character Martian Manhunter
They butter me up, margarine
They try to flatter or deceive me with false praise
Said my soul was the cost to trend
Claimed that my soul was the price to pay for popularity
And my consciousness, and as a result
And my awareness, and consequently
I ain't never fuckin' pickin' up the call again
I refuse to answer their calls again
I don't give a fuck what you say, I ain't never gon' change, bitch
I don't care about your opinions, I will never alter myself, fool
I came and I did it my way
I arrived and accomplished things in my own unique manner
I got the crowd packed, screamin' words back
I have a packed audience, shouting my lyrics back to me
Saying 'Dax' every time I hit the goddamn stage
Chanting my name, 'Dax,' every time I step onto the stage
Pussy, you ain't gonna touch what I made
You won't be able to surpass what I have created
Don't you ever try to say that you know or you feel my pain
Never attempt to claim that you understand or empathize with my pain
We not the same, I'm off the chain
We are not similar, I am wild and uncontrollable
I'm in the storm, but meant to reign
I may be in a turbulent situation, but I am destined to succeed
And I ain't fuckin' with bad vibes
And I don't want to be associated with negative energy
Dax is an American past time
My presence and music have become part of American culture
Blowin' up on defeat like a landmine
I rise to fame despite setbacks, exploding like a landmine
So don't ever ask why I'm the bad guy
Therefore, never question why some perceive me as the villain
'Cause that's what happens when you something they can't find
Because that's how people react when they can't comprehend or grasp who you are
As I look into my eyes and pass by the mirror lies
As I gaze into my own eyes, ignoring the false image in the mirror
I see someone broken inside
I see a person who is damaged internally
That hides as the fame deprives
Who conceals their true self as fame takes away from them
But helps build the life that they all define as one of a kind
Yet, it contributes to building a unique life as perceived by others
We are evil always wanting something new
Human nature inclines us towards darkness, continuously seeking novelty
To be famous people
To be recognized and admired as influential individuals
We've been watching over you
We, as famous figures, have been observing and overseeing your actions
(We are evil, Always wanting something new)
(We embody darkness, always desiring something fresh)
(We are evil, Always wanting something)
(We embody darkness, always desiring something)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALEX NOUR, DANIEL NWOSU, MICHAEL ATHA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mary Willie Hartsell
on Tennessee Love
Who's the girl standing in the car
Yancy Tate
on Pop The Trunk
Telling a story that took place in life