R&B crooner Young Steff is definitely a believer.
And the 21-year-old takes pride in making sure others feel
just the same way.
Case in point. After carefully shopping his demo around, Steff's music
landed in the hands of hit-making producer Rich Harrison. Having only
heard of Harrison through his work with Beyonce ("Crazy In Love") and
Amerie ("1 Thing"), Steff didn't know what to expect from him.
Likewise, for Harrison, who only knew of Steff as a stout, teen singer
from the early 2000s.
But when Steff met with Harrison for an impromptu audition, dancers in tow, things quickly changed.
"Unfortunately, talent isn't always a pre-requisite for a superstar, and vice versa but Steff is that rare combination of both a shining stage presence and powerful personality, together with a truly, truly unique voice. This alone already makes him competitive on a world-class level, and he's only 17!
He's something the world has never quite seen before" states Harrision of Steff.
The New Jersey native thrilled Harrison with his syrupy voice and energetic show, having become a seasoned performer by singing at high schools, talent shows, and on the road with his father, who had been part of a gospel singing troop. The multi-platinum then producer promptly offered to sign Steff to his burgeoning Richcraft Inc. label through Atlantic Records. Steff immediately obliged.
"I wanted someone I could be personal with, says Steff of his decision to join Harrison. Because the more personal the producer and the record company are, the better the records. And I wanted to be special this time, so it could be a sure thing. Because I know what I have and I wanted them to know that, too.
The dynamic young performer first got his start crooning alongside
his father as an eight-year-old imitator.
"He'd tell me to hit a note, and I'd do it," recalls Steff, laughing
at the memories. Quickly, Steff took to writing his own songs
and performed one for is father, who was floored at his son's talent.
From there, his father began preparing the young prodigy for a career
in music.
By 11, Steff was hard at work on his first demo, which eventually
spawned "Can I Holla," featuring Bow Wow and was featured on the Like
Mike soundtrack.
The father-and-son produced track caught the attention of a prominent
Philadelphia music insider who passed Steff's demo along to Jay-Z and
Damon Dash of Roc-A-Fella Records. Within a week, Steff was on his way
to New York to audition for the duo.
Although Steff eventually signed with the Roc, the experience was
short lived. Given the chance to either stay with Dash as he launched
a new music venture, or become a free agent, Steff chose the latter.
"Me and my pops were like, 'We're good'," remembers Steff. "So, we
went back to the drawing board."
Steff returned to his hometown of Vineland, New Jersey and began recording new material. Along the way Steff, a once short, pudgier young Michael Jackson look-a-like grew into a young man. Fortunately, his voice and upbeat personality - remained in tact.
On "Thang,Thang," from his steamy, forthcoming debut, Young Steff flexes those elastic vocals over Scott Storch's pulsating club track. In a searing
falsetto, Steff sings of eyeing a cutie: "Your twerk is so crazy," he
croons. "Got me so dizzybrings out the freak in me." He more than
holds his own alongside a featured rapper, who caps the track with a
furious battle rap.
"I'm Feeling," with its cascading piano-tinged production, finds Steff
singing and spitting fly love raps to his girl.
But its on 'Hallway," where Young Steff shows that he's all grown up
now. "I was just having fun with that," he sheepishly admits of the
steamy ballad. "It's just about wanting to see a shorty, that's all."
Having been influenced by his fathers group, Spirit, Steff has a solid foundation most artists his age only hope to achieve. He cites another gospel artist, J Moss, as a major inspiration.
I look up to him as a vocalist, says Steff. Because at the end of the day, as a young artist, I could do a thousand riffs and it wont mean anything. But if a person can growl at you and touch your heart, and say one word to make you feel it, then thats when I know Im doing my job. And thats my whole goal, to make this thing personal between me and my fans. From my heart to another persons heart.
Though things haven't always been easy for Steff, from his first failed record deal to his upbringing in New Jersey ("Where I'm from, nobody is prospering," explains Steff), he's always remained optimisticwhether it's been about career or lifeand hes ready to share that with the world.
"God puts a special gift in everyone, you know?" says Steff, mulling the idea
around his head before finally finishing. "You just got to find out what it
isand then utilize it."
Young Steff is a believer. Are you?
Can I Holla
Young Steff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Poptracks baby
It's Monday morning
I gotta get up and go to school
I wish I could sleep all day but Mom said you know your rules
The weekend's over, seems like school never ends
The only thing that keeps me going, I can go and chill with my friends
So let me get up and get myself together, be on my way
I get to school and everything's cool I see shorty's
I smile at her, she smile back and it makes my day
So I say
Can I holla, would you mind
If I stand up with two time
You don't have to be alone
I can call you on the phone
Can I holla, what's the deal
Can I holla, I'm for real (I'm for real)
You don't have to be alone
Oh no
Uh Lil Steff
Pop tracks, let's go
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday later on I'm at the spot
It's a place where me and my boys go hanging
The girls and the music be hot
It's a place where young people go and there we be having fun
That's when I seen that shawty from school and I said
"Yo, she the one"
It was on and poppin' and there was no stoppin'
The crush that I had on you
And I wondered if you really know
Can I holla, would you mind
If I stand up with two time
You don't have to be alone
I can call you on the phone
Can I holla, what's the deal
Can I holla, I'm for real (I'm for real)
You don't have to be alone
Oh no
Can I holla, would you mind
If I bother you for a minute
Just a minute of your time
Me and you we can kick it
Can I holla (holla holla)
Yo, yo Bow Weezie
Rappers steppin' to me
They want to get some but it's yo boy Lil Weezie
You know the outcome
Another victory, they can't get wit me
So pick a PCD 'cause you're history
And stop trying to be like this rap mine
'Cause as long as I'm around you gon' be behind
I'm like a new bike to a kid
A perm to your wig
There's a lot of copy catin' but I know who ya wit
Can you holla at this big dolla getting sitting pretty hard
Representin' So So
You know the flow, baby, everything gravy
Everything big, ma, everything crazy
That means you ain't got to worry 'bout nothing
That means I'ma keep ya fly and crushing
That means when people see me they see you
And all you got to do is holla
Can I holla would you mind
If I stand up with two time
You don't have to be alone
I can call you on the phone
Can I holla, what's the deal
Can I holla I'm for real (I'm for real)
You don't have to be alone
Oh no, yeah yeah
In the song "Can I Holla" by Young Steff ft Bow Wow, the lyrics explore the everyday life of a teenager who is trying to navigate school and social life. The song starts with the singer being forced to go to school on a Monday morning, feeling tired and wishing to stay in bed. However, going to school presents an opportunity to see his crush, who makes his day by smiling back at him. The song then progresses to explain how the singer gets together with his friends and has fun, but his ultimate highlight is seeing his crush on a regular basis.
The chorus of the song interrogates the crush's availability, indicating the singer's interest in dating her. The lyrics ask, "Can I holla, would you mind if I stand up with two-time, you don't have to be alone? I can call you on the phone." The singer wants to be close to her and be with her, hence the need to ask if he can "holla" (slang for talk/flirt) with her.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Monday morning
The day of the week is Monday, indicating the start of a new school week.
I gotta get up and go to school
I have to wake up early to attend school.
I wish I could sleep all day but Mom said you know your rules
Although I desire to sleep all day, I have to abide by my mother's rules and attend school.
The weekend's over, seems like school never ends
Upon the arrival of Monday, it feels like the school week never ends.
The only thing that keeps me going, I can go and chill with my friends
The only motivating factor for me is being able to hang out with my friends during break time.
So I bust 'em on the basketball team 'cause basketball's my thing
I play basketball for the school team because it is my area of expertise and passion.
So let me get up and get myself together, be on my way
I need to prepare myself for school and leave for the day.
I get to school and everything's cool I see shorty's
Upon arriving at school, I see attractive girls, and everything seems fine.
I smile at her, she smile back and it makes my day
She smiles back at me, which brightens up my day.
So I say Can I holla, would you mind If I stand up with two time
I ask her if it's okay to talk and possibly pursue a romantic relationship with her.
You don't have to be alone I can call you on the phone
I offer her company and the possibility of connecting with her via phone calls.
Can I holla, what's the deal Can I holla, I'm for real (I'm for real)
I repeat my request while being sincere, asking if she is interested in me or not.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday later on I'm at the spot
On weekdays, I and my friends hang out at a specific location.
It's a place where me and my boys go hanging The girls and the music be hot
It's a location for my male friends to hang out and where attractive girls and lively music can be found.
It's a place where young people go and there we be having fun
The location is popular with young people, and we enjoy ourselves while there.
That's when I seen that shawty from school and I said "Yo, she the one"
It is at this location that I notice the girl from school and realize she is the one for me.
It was on and poppin' and there was no stoppin' The crush that I had on you
Upon seeing her, the crush that I have on her intensifies, and everything feels right.
And I wondered if you really know Can I holla would you mind
I wonder if she realizes my affection for her and ask again for a chance to talk and potentially connect.
If I bother you for a minute Just a minute of your time
I do not wish to take too much of her time, asking only for a chance to speak with her briefly.
Me and you we can kick it Can I holla (holla holla)
I want to connect with her and see if we can establish a relationship together.
Yo, yo Bow Weezie Rappers steppin' to me They want to get some but it's yo boy Lil Weezie
I am Bow Wow, and other rappers challenge me, but I, Lil Wayne, am the superior rapper.
You know the outcome Another victory, they can't get wit me So pick a PCD 'cause you're history
As usual, I come out victorious in my rap battles, and my opponents cannot keep up. They should pick a new career path because they will lose to me.
And stop trying to be like this rap mine 'Cause as long as I'm around, you gon' be behind
My competitors should stop attempting to mimic my style because they will always be inferior to me.
I'm like a new bike to a kid A perm to your wig
I am necessary for the development of a child's feelings, just as a new bike is essential for their growth. Just as a perm changes the way a hairstyle looks, my influence alters rap music.
There's a lot of copy catin' but I know who ya wit
Several other musicians try to mimic my rap style, but I know who is loyal to me.
Can you holla at this big dolla getting sitting pretty hard Representin' So So
I am a wealthy rapper from the company So So, and I request that she contact me to pursue a course of action.
You know the flow, baby, everything gravy Everything big, ma, everything crazy
You are aware of my talented rap flow, and everything in my life is going well. Everything is going well, and everything seems larger than life.
That means you ain't got to worry 'bout nothing That means I'ma keep ya fly and crushing
You should not worry about anything because I will ensure that you look good and feel happy.
That means when people see me they see you And all you got to do is holla
People who see me also see you because we are together, and all you have to do is request my attention.
Can I holla would you mind If I stand up with two time
I repeat my request for a chance to speak with her and possibly establish something greater.
You don't have to be alone I can call you on the phone
I ensure that she is not alone and offer to connect with her via phone calls.
Can I holla, what's the deal Can I holla I'm for real (I'm for real)
I repeat my request while being sincere, asking if she is interested in me or not.
You don't have to be alone Oh no, yeah yeah
I repeat my offer for her to not be alone and request a chance to connect with her and improve her current situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEON, GEORGE GOLDSBORO, JAMES ROLLINS, JERMAINE DUPRI, JR HUFF, JR LEON HUFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zachary2127
any one here bc of caucasian james??
@mary.catherine7278
Zachary Bui it took me forever to find it lmao
@jonathanambriz1943
Lmaooo same
@smileysmiles28
meeeee omg
@ohayyyy
I'm crying hahahaha
@traceyeppes1697
Lol! Yes! And did anybody else try to buy the track on iTunes to find out you have to buy the whole Like Mike soundtrack album to get the song??!! Bullsh$t! Lol
@1980starjustice
Got tears in my eyes listening to this.....NEPHEW WAS/IS SO TALENTED 💯....I love this kid man, he was like my little brother/nephew FOR REAL....I wish he’d signed the deal with Jive Records instead of Rocafella.....Chris Brown took his spot....Jive was the better choice for his career 1000%.
@AmirTori
Awww how is doing?
@tias.6675
Be glad he didn't make it. Hollywood is sick.
@1980starjustice
@@tias.6675 true