Lucas received widespread exposure and critical acclaim after the release of his single "Ross Capicchioni" in 2015. In June 2017, he released his fourth mixtape, 508-507-2209, which was his first on a major label. On November 28, 2017, Lucas released his single "I'm Not Racist", which quickly went viral, gaining him further attention and praise. The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 61st Grammy Awards. Lucas was formerly signed to Atlantic Records, until he announced his departure from the label in December 2018.
Since 2016, Lucas has also become known for remixing popular hip hop songs like "Gucci Gang" by Lil Pump, "Bank Account" by 21 Savage, "DNA" by Kendrick Lamar and many others. In October 2018, he announced his debut studio album ADHD, which was released on March 27, 2020. He began rapping at the age of 10, and attended South High Community School in Worcester.
Gary Maurice Lucas, Jr. was born on August 17, 1988, in Worcester, Massachusetts to a black father and a white mother. He began rapping at the age of 10, and attended South High Community School in Worcester.
Joyner Lucas first started rapping under the name G-Storm, but by 2007 had changed his stage name to Future Joyner and started working with his cousin Cyrus tha Great, forming a group called Film Skool Rejekts. That year they released Workprint: The Greatest Mixtape of All Time. Lucas released his first solo mixtape, titled Listen to Me, in 2011.[citation needed] After rapper Future came to prominence, Lucas dropped the "Future" from his name and continued as Joyner Lucas. He released his first mixtape under this new moniker in 2013, titled LFO's (Low Frequency Oscillators). His next mixtape, Along Came Joyner, was released on April 5, 2015. This mixtape contained his critically acclaimed "Ross Capicchioni". Following the success of the song, Lucas was featured in the 2015 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher. Originally intended to appear in the online-only cypher, he was later promoted to rap as part of the live broadcast cyphers based on the strength of his initial performance.
Lucas signed to Atlantic Records on September 21, 2016. Lucas went on to release a project titled 508-507-2209 on June 16, 2017, with Atlantic Records. The mixtape charted at #7 on the Heatseekers Albums chart on Billboard and contained the singles "I'm Sorry", "Ultrasound", "Just Like You" and "Winter Blues". Ever since 2016, Lucas has also become known for remixing popular hip hop songs.
On November 28, 2017, Lucas released the single "I'm Not Racist" via his YouTube channel. The music video quickly went viral and gained critical acclaim. The controversial song is about race and society, and race relations from the perspectives of a white man and a black man. The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 61st Grammy Awards, but lost to Childish Gambino's "This Is America". Lucas and Chris Brown announced a collaborative project titled Angels & Demons on February 25, 2018, with the project's first single "Stranger Things" releasing the following day. On April 1, 2018, Lucas released the single "Frozen", a song focused on different forms of reckless driving. The second single from the Angels and Demons collaborative mixtape, "I Don't Die", was released on May 2.
On July 31, 2018, Lucas announced that he was forced to cancel appearances in the Australian and European legs of his I'm Kind of a Big Deal tour due to hoarseness and laryngitis. A month later, Lucas was featured on "Lucky You" from Eminem's tenth album, Kamikaze. The song debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Lucas' first top 10 entry on the chart. On October 12, 2018, Lucas announced that he would be releasing his debut studio album entitled ADHD. He also announced a single from the album that would be released the following Wednesday. The song, entitled "I Love", was released as the lead single from ADHD, which was released on March 27, 2020. It was preceded by nine singles from October 2018 to March 2020, the time before release.
On August 17, 2020, Lucas announced the release date of his debut EP, Evolution. It was released on October 23, 2020. It was preceded by two singles, "Snitch" and "Fall Slowly" featuring Ashanti.
Lucas has cited several artists as influences in his music, but he cites Eminem as his biggest musical influence. He also revealed he was influenced by Will Smith in his song "Will", which he would release a remix of featuring Will Smith himself on May 15, 2020. He cites Jay-Z as one of his influences too.
Joyner Lucas shares a son named Joyner Messiah Lucas (born February 20, 2016) with Carmen Julissa Ayala, whom he had an off and on romantic relationship with. Lucas tells the story of his son's conception in his song "Forever" on his mixtape 508-507-2209. Joyner Messiah Lucas is loved and adored by his father and referenced in many of his songs. He has also made cameos in his father's music videos. Most recently he played Will Smith's son Jaden Smith in the video of "Will".
Lucas has revealed that the title of his album ADHD comes from the fact that he was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. He explained that people surrounding him, including his own parents, made him feel like he was not normal and treated him differently as a result. Eventually, he would act out and get sent to an alternative school after expulsion.
Feuds
Logic
According to Lucas, when he was on Tech N9ne's tour bus, he heard some records from Tech's album The Storm. Lucas expressed interest on collaborating with Logic on the song "Sriracha" and felt that he could add to the display of fast-flow rapping, and Tech acquiesced. Logic was originally slated to be the only feature on "Sriracha", but when he spent over six months to deliver his verse, Lucas hopped on the track to offer his own. Joyner stated that when they got the record back, he could tell that Logic was not "too happy" about him being on the track once he heard it. On his remix of Future's "Mask Off", Joyner, unhappy by the work Logic turned in after taking nearly half a year to edit his verse, directly addressed the disappointing display. Both he and Tech N9ne were upset with Logic for not emulating the style of quick flow on the song.
After Logic's hit song "1-800-273-8255" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, Joyner Lucas immediately took offense and argued that the track was named in order to bring direct competition to his project, 508-507-2209. In a later interview, he called Logic "corny" and in another incident, he said that he thinks that Logic "can rap" but feels like "he tries to prove that he's black too much for me." With both Logic's single and Lucas' mixtape dealing with the issue of mental health representation and resource allocation, Lucas was careful to not slam the track too hard.
When Logic dropped his song "Yuck" from his mixtape Bobby Tarantino II in March 2018, the veiled diss inside the song was quickly spotted by Lucas and his fans, despite Logic saying that there was no diss in the song. Seemingly nonplussed by the insult, Lucas dared Logic to call him out directly on Twitter. That same month, Joyner took aim at Logic's song "44 More" and his album Everybody on his remix of BlocBoy JB's "Look Alive".
In 2019, the two rappers ended their feud, which was revealed when Logic made a guest appearance on Joyner Lucas' song "ISIS", the third single from ADHD. Lucas kept the name of the collaborator a secret until he released the song.
Hopsin
In September 2018, when a fan asked Los Angeles rapper Hopsin on Twitter who would win in a rap battle between him and Joyner Lucas, Hopsin replied, "That's a dumb question that I'm sure you already know the answer to." Not long after, Lucas commented, "Hold up. @Hopsin wtf is that supposed to mean???" In his response, Hopsin stated that he would "b[r]eak his soul" and also dissed Logic in the comment. This dispute would prove to be short-lived, when in less than two days Hopsin shared a screenshot of a FaceTime call with Lucas, indicating that they finally made peace, but still wanted people to consider who would beat the other in a rap battle. While the majority favored Hopsin, Lucas was adamant without arguing.
Tory Lanez
Joyner Lucas' feud with Canadian recording artist Tory Lanez began over matters similar to his beef with Hopsin. On November 19, 2018, Lanez claimed that he was a better rapper than Joyner Lucas on an Instagram Live session. Incredulous, Lucas immediately responded by inviting Lanez to a battle rapping challenge and telling him to let the public decide who is better. The next day, Lanez dropped a freestyle over Eminem's "Lucky You", of which Lucas made a guest appearance on. In less than 24 hours, Joyner responded with his freestyle over "Litty" by Meek Mill featuring Tory Lanez, also targeting rapper Trippie Redd, who joined Tory's Instagram Live and slandered Joyner's name as well. Shortly after, Lanez retaliated with his own freestyle of "Litty", titled "Litty Again", taking shots at Joyner's collaboration with Eminem. Lucas' answer song was a freestyle of Kodak Black's "Zeze". On the track, he mentions Tory's being accused of plagiarism in 2016, when listeners noticed that the ending of Lanez's song "4am Flex" was similar to Kendrick Lamar's "The Art of Peer Pressure". Joyner also accuses him of copying rapper Don Q's flow on his 2017 Funkmaster Flex freestyle. On November 23, Tory posted on Instagram a video of him declaring victory in the feud and celebrating. Displeased, Lucas reposted the video with his own comment, with a reference to Lanez as a singer.
The end of this rivalry was made public on August 8, 2019, when Joyner Lucas and Tory Lanez collaborated on their remix of "Suge" by DaBaby.
The Grammy Awards are held annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Joyner has two Grammy nominations altogether; one for Best Music Video for “I’m Not Racist” and one for Best Rap Song for “Lucky You” by Eminem.
Ramen & OJ
JOYNER LUCAS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need the hunnids, a lotta
Tell that lil' bitch that I'm outta her league, outta her league
Yeah, Joyner
Joyner, Joyner, Joyner
I got some needs, I need the money like I need to breathe
I needs some hunnids, and I need to scheme
Yadada mean, tell that lil' bitch that I'm outta her league
Enough is enough, and I think I'm allergic to suckers
You niggas keep makin' me sneeze
If them out for blood then I'm makin' 'em bleed
You try to run and I'm breakin' your knees
I made 'em fall like I'm rakin' the leaves
You know I ball like I play for the league
I mean what I say and I say what I mean
I ain't no joke, we ain't makin' no memes
If I pull up on 'em, I'm makin' a scene
Then I'm makin' 'em scream
Straight from the bricks, I need a lick
I dreamed about it since I was a jit
Nigga, I'm lit, I cannot miss
Came from the bottom and got me a check
Bitch, I'm a threat, I gotta flex
You want the crown but don't know what it takes
I am built different, I'm not what you think
I cannot lose, I go out with a bang
I hope you never say my name in vain
I'm with whatever, just not for no games
I know they say I changed, I cannot say the same
I bet they want me shackled and locked in the chains
I guess that's just what happens with bad news
On my mama, I never been fragile
I'm the wrong one to fuck with, it's taboo
Turn you niggas to R.I.P. tattoos
Still a youngin' but feel like a OG
Can't forget all this shit that they told me
Tired of niggas thinkin' that they know me
You gon' turn me back into the old me
You gon' turn me back into a savage
I done did shit you couldn't imagine
Leveled up and then bought me a mansion
I can never go back to a has-been
I can never go back to the old days, no way
Back to walkin' to work on a cold day
Back to thinkin' my ex was my soulmate
Back to tellin' myself, "We'll be okay"
We'll be okay, was survivin' off ramen and OJ
Shorty payin' the bills, I had no say
I can never go back to the bottom, to the bottom
Sellin' drugs, never know when the cops come
Niggas jealous, they wanted to rob us
I was just tryna get me some dollars, couple dollars
Turn my pennies from hundreds to commas
I'm so happy them days are behind us
I ride by different spots, I get flashbacks
I can't get on your level, I'm past that
Watch me run that shit up, I can't go back to nothin', tryna get to the top of the world
My nigga went crazy, walked in his condo and seen someone fuckin' his girl (girl)
Fuck all that spinnin' blocks, that's that lil' boy, shit, we catch him, we rockin' his world
I let everybody have their fun with me
Never had a woman say she done with me
I was workin', now I own the company
I keep money comin' in constantly
My lil' brodie them be having Runtz for cheap
Tryna get it, I been on the run for weeks
I'on't think none of you niggas can come for me
Both of my kids got it honestly
I'm the real deal, all the way, I don't half-step
Gotta do better than last year, that's my motto
Put a switch on the blick, fully auto
Put them thangs on the paint like I'm Rylo
Proud to say that I finally changed up
Why the fuck they keep bringin' my name up? 'Cause I'm poppin'
I can never go back to the old days, no way
Back to walkin' to work on a cold day
Back to thinkin' my ex was my soulmate
Back to tellin' myself, "We'll be okay"
We'll be okay, was survivin' off of ramen and OJ
I was payin' the bills, I had no say
I can never go back to the bottom, to the bottom
Sellin' drugs, never know when the cops come
Niggas jealous, they wanted to rob us
I was just tryna get me some dollars, couple dollars
Turn my pennies from hundreds to commas
I'm so happy them days are behind us
I'm so happy them days are behind me
I'm so happy the paper done found me
I done keep some good niggas around me
I got rid of them niggas who doubt me
Keepin' good energy and I'm prayed up
Tunnel vision, ain't nothing can faze us
Once you cross me, ain't nothin' can save you
Pull that thing out, and fuck it, it's dangerous
Bitch, I'm dangerous
The song Ramen & OJ by Joyner Lucas is a testament to the rapper's journey from the bottom to success. In the intro, he expresses his needs for money to match his needs for air to breathe, implying his dependence on wealth. He describes his struggles, hustles, and ambition to succeed in the rap game described as "the league." He feels like he's out of his female admirer's league and declares himself allergic to sycophants, indicating he has no time for bootlickers.
His lyrics flow on topics such as the tough life in their early days, selling drugs, dodging the police, and trying to survive off ramen noodles and orange juice. The rapper says he can never go back to his old life, walking on a cold morning to work, paying bills with no choice, and selling drugs while fearing for his life. He contrasts his past with his present success, such as buying a mansion and never going back to the underbelly of society.
Overall, Joyner Lucas uses Ramen & OJ to inspire his fans and listeners, emphasizing that no matter how tough the present may seem, chasing your dreams with hard work, perseverance, and determination will lead to success.
Line by Line Meaning
I got some needs, I need the money like I need to breathe
I have necessities, money is essential for my survival
I need the hunnids, a lotta
I require a large amount of hundred dollar bills
Tell that lil' bitch that I'm outta her league, outta her league
Inform that girl that I am superior to her and out of her reach
Enough is enough, and I think I'm allergic to suckers
I've reached my limit, and I believe I have an adverse reaction to foolish individuals
You niggas keep makin' me sneeze
You guys continuously annoy and bother me
If them out for blood then I'm makin' 'em bleed
If someone is seeking revenge, I'll make them suffer
You try to run and I'm breakin' your knees
If you attempt to escape, I will incapacitate you
I made 'em fall like I'm rakin' the leaves
I caused them to fail, similar to how one gathers fallen leaves
You know I ball like I play for the league
You are aware that I excel in basketball like a professional player
I mean what I say and I say what I mean
I am sincere and honest with my words
I ain't no joke, we ain't makin' no memes
I am serious, we are not creating any amusing internet memes
If I pull up on 'em, I'm makin' a scene
If I confront them, I will cause a disturbance or commotion
Then I'm makin' 'em scream
Subsequently, I will make them utter cries of fear or pain
Straight from the bricks, I need a lick
Originating from a challenging environment, I require a profitable opportunity
I dreamed about it since I was a jit
I have aspired for this since I was a young child
Nigga, I'm lit, I cannot miss
I am successful and popular, incapable of failure
Came from the bottom and got me a check
I emerged from a disadvantaged position and obtained financial success
Bitch, I'm a threat, I gotta flex
I am a formidable force and I must showcase my wealth and power
You want the crown but don't know what it takes
You desire the highest position, but lack the necessary qualities or dedication
I am built different, I'm not what you think
I possess unique qualities, I am not what you assume
I cannot lose, I go out with a bang
I am destined for victory, and I leave a lasting impact
I hope you never say my name in vain
I desire that you never use my name disrespectfully or carelessly
I'm with whatever, just not for no games
I am willing to engage in anything, except for meaningless activities
I know they say I changed, I cannot say the same
I acknowledge that people claim I have transformed, while I deny the same for them
I bet they want me shackled and locked in the chains
I am certain that they desire to imprison and restrict me
I guess that's just what happens with bad news
I suppose that is the inevitable outcome of negative information
On my mama, I never been fragile
I swear on my mother, I have never been weak or delicate
I'm the wrong one to fuck with, it's taboo
I am the individual you should avoid provoking, as it is considered forbidden or prohibited
Turn you niggas to R.I.P. tattoos
I have the power to cause your demise, leaving you commemorated as a tattoo
Still a youngin' but feel like a OG
Despite my youth, I possess the wisdom and experience of an older individual
Can't forget all this shit that they told me
I cannot disregard all the advice and words of wisdom they provided
Tired of niggas thinkin' that they know me
I am exhausted by individuals assuming they understand and comprehend who I am
You gon' turn me back into the old me
Your actions will result in a regression to my previous self
You gon' turn me back into a savage
Your behavior will cause me to revert to a wild and ruthless state
I done did shit you couldn't imagine
I have engaged in unimaginable acts or experiences
Leveled up and then bought me a mansion
I progressed and subsequently purchased a luxurious home
I can never go back to a has-been
I can never return to a state of being irrelevant or washed-up
I can never go back to the old days, no way
I can never return to the past, absolutely not
Back to walkin' to work on a cold day
Returning to a time when I had to endure freezing weather while commuting to work on foot
Back to thinkin' my ex was my soulmate
Returning to a phase where I believed my past partner was my destined life companion
Back to tellin' myself, "We'll be okay"
Returning to a mindset where I reassured myself that everything would turn out fine
We'll be okay, was survivin' off ramen and OJ
We managed to get by, sustaining ourselves with inexpensive food and drinks
Shorty payin' the bills, I had no say
My significant other was responsible for paying the bills, and I had no input
I can never go back to the bottom, to the bottom
I can never regress to a state of being at the lowest point
Sellin' drugs, never know when the cops come
Engaging in the illegal sale of drugs, constantly living in fear of law enforcement intervention
Niggas jealous, they wanted to rob us
Envious individuals desired to steal from us
I was just tryna get me some dollars, couple dollars
I was simply attempting to acquire money, even just a small amount
Turn my pennies from hundreds to commas
Transforming my modest earnings into substantial wealth
I'm so happy them days are behind us
I am relieved and content that those days are in the past
I ride by different spots, I get flashbacks
As I pass by various locations, I am reminded of past experiences
I can't get on your level, I'm past that
I cannot attain or reach the same level as you, as I have progressed beyond it
Watch me run that shit up, I can't go back to nothin', tryna get to the top of the world
Witness my success and how I rapidly achieve my goals, as I refuse to settle for mediocrity and strive for global dominance
My nigga went crazy, walked in his condo and seen someone fuckin' his girl (girl)
My friend experienced intense anger when he discovered someone having intercourse with his girlfriend
Fuck all that spinnin' blocks, that's that lil' boy, shit, we catch him, we rockin' his world
Disregard the notion of roaming and patrolling neighborhoods, that behavior is for young and inexperienced individuals, whereas we will confront and dominate anyone in our path
I let everybody have their fun with me
I allowed everyone to take advantage of me for their own amusement
Never had a woman say she done with me
I have never had a woman declare that she is finished or done with our relationship
I was workin', now I own the company
I was once an employee, and now I am the owner of the business
I keep money comin' in constantly
I consistently generate a steady income
My lil' brodie them be having Runtz for cheap
My younger sibling and his associates are able to sell Runtz cannabis at a low price
Tryna get it, I been on the run for weeks
I am endeavoring to achieve success, and I have been consistently working towards my goals for several weeks
I'on't think none of you niggas can come for me
I do not believe any of you individuals can compete or challenge me
Both of my kids got it honestly
Both of my children inherited their qualities or traits from me
I'm the real deal, all the way, I don't half-step
I am genuinely authentic, and I do not engage in halfhearted efforts
Gotta do better than last year, that's my motto
I must surpass and improve upon my achievements from the previous year, as that is my guiding principle
Put a switch on the blick, fully auto
I have equipped my firearm with a switch to enable automatic firing
Put them thangs on the paint like I'm Rylo
I strategically place bullets on my adversary's body like Rylo Rodriguez, indicating dominance and control
Proud to say that I finally changed up
I am pleased to admit that I have undergone a positive transformation
Why the fuck they keep bringin' my name up? 'Cause I'm poppin'
Why do they continue to mention my name? Because I am currently successful and popular
I'm so happy them days are behind us
I am overjoyed that those days are behind me
I'm so happy the paper done found me
I am delighted that financial success has come my way
I done keep some good niggas around me
I have managed to maintain the presence of trustworthy individuals in my circle
I got rid of them niggas who doubt me
I have eliminated those individuals who doubted or disbelieved in my abilities
Keepin' good energy and I'm prayed up
I am surrounded by positive vibes and I regularly engage in prayer
Tunnel vision, ain't nothing can faze us
I am completely focused on my goals, and no obstacles can deter me
Once you cross me, ain't nothin' can save you
Once you betray or provoke me, there is no way to protect or rescue yourself
Pull that thing out, and fuck it, it's dangerous
I will draw my weapon, and without hesitation, it becomes a dangerous situation
Bitch, I'm dangerous
I am a formidable and threatening individual
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gary Maurice Lucas, Dominique Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NoLifeShaq
Lil Baby can’t put out a bad verse
@LoganNagol
Fr baby don’t miss
@Aixmad
Finish dat man finish dat
@bobherforth9110
I'll be expecting a reaction from you soon shaq!!!!
@jelisabarnes2009
🚫🧢 🔥💯
@epixploits7826
too facts
@Azerrz
HARD
@biggy190
yessirrrr
@itsjaize
I’m a rapper from the same city as Joyner, I’d appreciate y’all feedback 🙏🏽
@ThePriceisRightB
Just got done watching your cleveland video...congrats....whose gonna voice all of mike Henry's other characters?