August learned at an early age that drugs and money could make you, or break you. With both his father and stepfather battling crack addiction, August’s mother moved their family to Houston, Texas in search of a fresh start. But Houston provided no happy ending. For years, a young August endured a home life plagued by drugs and violence. At just 14, he got word from New Orleans that is father, August Sr., lost his battle with drugs and alcohol.
In an attempt to escape his reality, August took to Youtube, where he posted dozens of homemade performance videos. His clips covering the likes of Musiq Soulchild and Lyfe Jennings went viral, generating millions of views in just over a month. It seemed that he was finally taking his first steps toward a bright future in music, but just a year later, reality hit home when his best friend was shot and killed in the streets of Houston. As quickly as August appeared, he vanished form Youtube, back to the real world. With tensions mounting, 16-year-old August was kicked out of his mother’s home. Alone, he returned to New Orleans. He bounced around between family and friends houses, but on some nights, only the corner store provided him shelter. Eventually, he took to the streets, selling drugs as a means of survival.
With his older brother also in the streets hustling, it wouldn’t be long before August learned that the addiction to money could be just as deadly as the addiction to drugs. Just days before August’s 18th birthday, his older brother was gunned down in New Orleans East, another unsolved murder in one of the nations most dangerous cities. “I never expected them [the police] to find his killer”, August explains. “People die everyday in the streets of New Orleans. Unfortunately, death has become a way of life,” but not for August. His brother’s death became his motivation to not become a statistic, but to pursue his musical aspirations on an entirely new level.
Under the guidance of NNTME MuCo, AKA Noontime, (management/production company), August relocated to Atlanta in 2011 to begin carving his own musical path, creating music in a lane that would separate him from his R&B counterparts. His experiences in life are what shaped him, so those experiences, no matter how brutally honest, positive or negative, would serve as the focal point of his artistry. In April of 2012 August teamed up with Hoodrich/MMG’s own DJ Scream for the release of his debut mixtape, ‘The Product’, which garnered him an internet and radio buzz, and spawned the Sound Mob produced single, “Sucka” featuring fellow New Orleans native, R&B crooner Lloyd. The anti-love track offers the opinion that “love is for suckas”, providing an alternative to the sappy love songs associated with today’s R&B.
This past May, Alsina returned with his second installment of ‘The Product‘ series, this time teaming up with DJ Drama and his Gangsta Grillz brand. The debut single “I Luv This Shit” finds August paired with fellow Def Jam label mate, Trinidad Jame$. The top 10 hit, produced by Knucklehead, speaks to the rebellious and, sometimes, reckless lifestyle that finds August singing words that many can relate to, “I’m way too drunk to be talking like this, I’m way too high to be trippin like this, I’m way too young to be livin like this, ask me why I do it I’ma put it like this... God Damn it, I luv it”. It’s that honest and rebellious tone that caught the ear of Cash Money CEO/Rich Gang boss, Birdman, who jumped on the remix to stamp the fellow New Orleans native.
With his buzz building, August’s next stamp would come from media giant MTV, as he was named one of 2013’s Fab 5, their annual list of hip-hop artist to watch. Exposure on the network helped to make his independent video “Downtown” ft. Kidd Kidd, a viral hit, generating nearly 1 million views in less than 2 months. The autobiographical song/visual would become the title track for Alsina’s first official NNTME/Radio Killa/Def Jam release, an 8-song EP titled, ‘Downtown: Life Under the Gun’, which offers collaborations between Alsina and the previously mentioned Jame$ & Kidd Kidd, along with NOLA veteran Curren$y, and Atlanta newcomer Rich Homie Quan. Of the EP, Alsina says, “It allows you to walk through my hood with me and see where I’m from. Don’t get it confused, this isn’t my album, just a few songs to let people know what I’m about and why I do this”.
While just 21 years old, and already a lifetime of experiences behind him, August Alsina is living proof that your past doesn’t have to dictate your future, and that life’s hardships can be the motivation required for success.
Mama
August Alsina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama said don't be a fool
Mama said stay in somebody's church
Mama said boy stay in school
Mama told me I better get home, before the street lights come on
Mama always use to cry when I left her
Maybe cause daddy was gone
I still remember the lessons my mama taught me
Mama I made it, ahhhh yeaaah
Mama I made it
I could of been locked up,
I could of been gunned down but I found my own way
I ain't gonna stop now cause mama I made it
And I hope I made you proud
Mama said stay humble
Mama said stay true
Mama said boy keep that drama far away from you
Mama told me keep working
Busting on to the future
Mama told me she lost one and she ain't tryna lose two
But I had to find my way, and I had to get my own
Mama ain't always right, but she never let me round
I don't know if I'ma make it big, mama but I made it out
I know I didn't make it easy, I know you had your doubts
I still remember the lessons my mama taught me
But now it's my turn to show you how far they brought me
Mama I made it, ah yeah
Mama I made it
I could of been locked up,
I could of been gunned down but I found my own way
I ain't gonna stop now cause mama I made it
And I hope I made you proud
Mama I made it,
Mama I made it
I could of been locked up,
I could of been gunned down but I found my own way
I ain't gonna stop now cause mama I made it
And I hope I made you proud
In August Alsina's song "Mama," he pays tribute to his mother and the lessons she taught him growing up. Through the lyrics, we can see how influential his mother was in keeping him out of trouble, emphasizing the importance of education, and instilling values such as staying humble and true to oneself. August recalls how his mother always made him come home before the street lights came on, safeguarding him from the dangers of the streets. He also acknowledges that his father was absent, and his mother had to take on the role of both parents. He reflects on the struggles and doubts his mother may have had while raising him, but he affirms that he made it out and hopes he has made her proud.
The chorus, "Mama I made it," is a triumphant declaration of his success and a way of showing his mother and the world that through hard work and perseverance, he has overcome his obstacles. August admits that he could have been locked up or gunned down, but he found his own way, and he will not stop now.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama said stay out of trouble
My mother advised me to stay away from any unlawful activities or risky behaviors.
Mama said don't be a fool
My mother warned me against behaving foolishly or making hasty decisions.
Mama said stay in somebody's church
My mother suggested that I attend religious activities and seek guidance from spiritual figures.
Mama said boy stay in school
My mother emphasized the importance of education and encouraged me to stay in school.
Mama told me I better get home, before the street lights come on
My mother instructed me to come back home before it gets too dark outside.
Mama always use to cry when I left her, Maybe cause daddy was gone
My mother would often shed tears when I left home, possibly due to the absence of my father.
I still remember the lessons my mama taught me, But now it's my turn to show you how far they brought me
I still recall and cherish the valuable life lessons that my mother taught me, and now it is my responsibility to demonstrate how I have put them into practice.
Mama I made it, ahhhh yeaaah Mama I made it
I am proud to announce to my mother that I have succeeded in life and achieved my goals.
I could have been locked up, I could have been gunned down but I found my own way
Even though I faced difficult circumstances and situations that could have led to negative outcomes, I was able to make wise decisions and find my own path.
And I hope I made you proud
I hope that my success fills my mother with a sense of pride and satisfaction.
Mama said stay humble
My mother reminded me to remain modest and avoid becoming arrogant, even when I achieve success.
Mama said stay true
My mother stressed the importance of being sincere and honest, and remaining true to myself and my values.
Mama said boy keep that drama far away from you
My mother advised me to distance myself from any unnecessary conflicts or dramas in life.
Mama told me keep working
My mother motivated me to keep putting in hard work and strive towards achieving my goals.
Busting on to the future
I am determined and working hard towards a successful future.
Mama told me she lost one and she ain't tryna lose two
My mother shared with me her past experiences of losing someone, and she did not want to lose me as well.
But I had to find my way, and I had to get my own
Even though my mother provided me with guidance and support, I had to find my own path and make my own decisions in life.
Mama ain't always right, but she never let me down
Although my mother may not have always been right, she remained supportive and never let me down.
I don't know if I'ma make it big, mama but I made it out
I may not be sure of future success, but I am proud of having overcome challenges and made it to where I am now.
I know I didn't make it easy, I know you had your doubts
I am aware that I may have caused difficulties for my mother and that she may have had doubts about my decisions in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, SPIKY I M IN PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RALPH JEANTY, SEAN MCMILLION, AUGUST ALSINA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Craig Malone Robinson
on I Luv This Shit
HOt Sound,,,,,,,,,,,, I luv this shit