The piano-filled beat for the track was smoothly produced and handled by first-time collaborator of Tjay’s, ZiggyOnTheKeyboard.
Tjay also performed this track live at Genius' Open Mic studios on October 15, 2019, four days after the track’s official release.
One Take
lil tjay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a plan to run up some bands
You tell me can't, I tell you, "I am"
Free all my brothers that's stuck in the can
Glizzy on me, .38 on jam
I pack, I can make you a strand
Free Mark, he went down off the Xan
I be flexing, you can look at my 'Gram
Bitches see me and they know who I am
Lil Tjay, oh my God, I'm a fan
Lil Tjay, oh my God, I'm the man
I remember I was whippin' the pan
Wasn't right, but I did what I can
Fuck it doe, 'cause I'm just livin' my life
Remember times when the day wasn't bright
Half a pint up in a two-liter Sprite
I'ma make sure all my niggas a'ight
Commissary and I'm shippin' out kites kites
Takin' off, 'bout to book me a flight
Diamonds dancin' in the middle of night
Fire bitches started bein' polite
I remember when I was watchin' their type
Now they figure I can better they life
I ain't listenin' to niggas advice
Unless I feel what you tellin' me right
Fuck tomorrow, I'ma ball for tonight
I got potential to ball like I'm Mike
Vvs diamonds, no regular ice
Heard a mistake when they see me on sight
Bitch, all that talkin' endanger your life
I keep a strap, Lil Tjay a dyke
Brought on my head like I dealt with the price
Nigga, runnin' your mouth
I have my young niggas run in your house
You could be dead 'fore the sun even out
Bitch, you could mob, ain't no toungin' me down
Made fun of me now, they see me like, "Wow"
Niggas gon' hate and wanna down, runnin' your mouth
I have my young niggas run in your house
You could be dead 'fore the sun even out, ayy
It's not about holdin' my pants up
This money gon' call, I'm gon' answer
I used to be down, but look at me now
I just fucked some bitch named Amanda
And bitches be blingin' my hotline
Drop top at the stop sign
You say that you flexin', boy, stop lyin'
And your bitch an eater, she not mine
And I'm goin' straight to the top, watch how I open up shop
Fuck out my way, I don't need you I'll be great, gettin' to it out of state
I need a bag, that's the reason that I splash every time I'm on the track
Foot on the gas, leave them niggas in the past, I remember I was trash
Down to my last, I ain't never even ask, now I look at y'all and laugh
Niggas be mad, why don't you look at my dad? It's crazy this happened so fast
I'm on the road and I'm bringin' my bros, I'ma do it for all of the guys on the ave'
Pop me a flag, pop me a tag, sippin' dirty, I don't know how to act
They said I'm the new A Boogie, relax
I ain't never try to copy your swag
I'm just tryna put my hood on the map
Ellie use to live right next to the trap
Love or hate me, I'ma get to the racks
Skippin' niggas, and they paw on ya back
I was sleepin', yeah I was takin' a nap
Ohh, oh nah
Runnin' your mouth
I have my young niggas run in your house
You could be dead 'fore the sun even out
Bitch, you could mob, and no tongin' me down
Make fun of me now, they see me like, "Wow"
Niggas gon' hate and wanna down, runnin' your mouth
I have my young niggas run in your house
You could be dead 'fore the sun even out, ayy
'Fore the sun even out
You could be dead 'fore the sun even out
Yo, yo, yo
Lil Tjay
In Lil Tjay's song "One Take," he starts the verse bragging about his ambition to earn money and his confidence in achieving it. He is determined to prove doubters wrong and is ready to fight for his freedom and that of his imprisoned friends, indicated by the Glizzy on him and the .38 on jam. He also mentions his ability to create strands of marijuana and mentions his friend Mark, who allegedly got locked up for using Xanax. He then talks about owning designer jeans from Japan, and flexing on Instagram to let people know who he is. He also mentions attracting women simply by his fame and name. Tjay recalls when he was hustling drugs and everything was a lot harder, but he was still determined to succeed. He then switches back to his present successes and mentions how he is able to provide for his friends and family with his music career. He does not pay much attention to advice and negativity around him and has the potential to become a massive superstar, expressed in the lines "I got potential to ball like I'm Mike/ Vvs diamonds, no regular ice." In the chorus, Tjay talks about how he won't tolerate people mouthing off to him and threatens to send his young gang to finish them off, highlighting a violent side to his personality. He repeatedly says, "You could be dead 'fore the sun even out." Then, in the second verse, Tjay brags about his success and how girls now call his phone constantly. He also takes a jab at other rappers, implying that they are lying about their wealth when he says, "You say that you flexin', boy, stop lyin'." He addresses people who once made fun of him but are now impressed by his status in the industry. He talks about who he is doing it for and mentions that he used to be poor but is now living the high life. Finally, he talks about how people have been comparing him to another rapper, A Boogie, but he insists that he's not trying to copy anyone's style and is only trying to put his hood on the map and make his own way.
In conclusion, the song is about Lil Tjay's growing success and confidence in himself as a rapper, despite having come from difficult circumstances. He is determined to prove his worth and achiever his goals, taking no criticism or negativity from those around him. The chorus, however, shows a much more violent side to him, in which he threatens anyone who doesn't respect him or his talents.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a plan to run up some bands
I have a strategy to accumulate wealth
You tell me can't, I tell you, "I am"
If you doubt me, I will prove you wrong
Free all my brothers that's stuck in the can
Release all of my friends who are currently incarcerated
Glizzy on me, .38 on jam
I am carrying a weapon, ready for any potential danger
I pack, I can make you a strand
I can prepare and sell drugs
Free Mark, he went down off the Xan
Mark is imprisoned for being under the influence of Xanax
Fake jeans, that shit come from Japan
Those counterfeit clothes originated from Japan
I be flexing, you can look at my 'Gram
I am showing off my wealth on social media
Bitches see me and they know who I am
Women recognize me and are attracted to me because of my fame and wealth
Lil Tjay, oh my God, I'm a fan
People admire me and my music
Lil Tjay, oh my God, I'm the man
I am confident in my abilities and success
I remember I was whippin' the pan
I used to cook and sell drugs
Wasn't right, but I did what I can
I engaged in illegal activities because I had limited options
Fuck it doe, 'cause I'm just livin' my life
I am unconcerned with others' opinions, as I am simply living my life
Remember times when the day wasn't bright
I recall struggling and facing hardships
Half a pint up in a two-liter Sprite
I mixed alcohol with soda
I'ma make sure all my niggas a'ight
I will ensure that my friends are well and succeed
Commissary and I'm shippin' out kites kites
I am sending letters to my incarcerated friends and supplying them with funds
Takin' off, 'bout to book me a flight
I am becoming more successful and ready to travel
Diamonds dancin' in the middle of night
My jewelry is noticeable even in darkness
Fire bitches started bein' polite
Attractive women are now giving me more respect because of my success
I remember when I was watchin' their type
I used to observe beautiful women from a distance
Now they figure I can better they life
Now, those same women believe that I can improve their lives
I ain't listenin' to niggas advice
I am not taking advice from anyone other than myself
Unless I feel what you tellin' me right
I will only listen to guidance that feels right to me personally
Fuck tomorrow, I'ma ball for tonight
I am focused on enjoying my present success, rather than worrying about the future
I got potential to ball like I'm Mike
I have the ability to succeed like Michael Jordan did
Vvs diamonds, no regular ice
My diamonds are of the highest quality
Heard a mistake when they see me on sight
People underestimate me based on my appearance
Bitch, all that talkin' endanger your life
If you continue to speak negatively about me, it could lead to violence
I keep a strap, Lil Tjay a dyke
I carry a gun for protection, and am always ready to defend myself
Brought on my head like I dealt with the price
There are consequences to my actions, and I am aware of the risks involved
Nigga, runnin' your mouth
If you are speaking negatively about me
I have my young niggas run in your house
I will send my friends to attack you
You could be dead 'fore the sun even out
This violence could result in your immediate death
Bitch, you could mob, ain't no toungin' me down
Do not try to intimidate or silence me
Made fun of me now, they see me like, "Wow"
People who once underestimated me now recognize my success and skill
Niggas gon' hate and wanna down, runnin' your mouth
People may resent me for my achievements and attempt to bring me down
It's not about holdin' my pants up
My appearance and style are not the most important thing about me
This money gon' call, I'm gon' answer
I prioritize making money
I used to be down, but look at me now
I used to struggle, now I am successful
I just fucked some bitch named Amanda
I recently had sex with a woman named Amanda
And bitches be blingin' my hotline
Women are constantly calling me
Drop top at the stop sign
I am driving a convertible car and enjoying my success
You say that you flexin', boy, stop lyin'
Do not claim to have wealth or success if it is not true
And your bitch an eater, she not mine
The woman you are with may be promiscuous, but she is not involved with me
And I'm goin' straight to the top, watch how I open up shop
I am confident in my abilities to reach the height of success
Fuck out my way, I don't need you I'll be great, gettin' to it out of state
I am focused on my goals and will succeed regardless of others' opinions or hindrances
I need a bag, that's the reason that I splash every time I'm on the track
I am making music to earn money and it shows
Foot on the gas, leave them niggas in the past, I remember I was trash
I am leaving those who doubted me behind and rising above their past opinions of me
Down to my last, I ain't never even ask, now I look at y'all and laugh
I used to be in a tough financial situation and had to rely on myself to get by, now I am being successful on my own terms
Niggas be mad, why don't you look at my dad? It's crazy this happened so fast
People may be envious of my success and overlook the work my father and I have put in to achieve it
I'm on the road and I'm bringin' my bros, I'ma do it for all of the guys on the ave'
I am sharing my successes with my friends who have always been by my side
Pop me a flag, pop me a tag, sippin' dirty, I don't know how to act
I am enjoying my success and indulging in expensive tastes, like alcohol and designer clothing
They said I'm the new A Boogie, relax
People are comparing me to another popular rapper, but I am trying to create my own path
I ain't never try to copy your swag
I am not imitating anyone else's style or image
I'm just tryna put my hood on the map
I am representing my community and trying to bring it recognition
Ellie use to live right next to the trap
Someone named Ellie lived close to where I used to sell drugs
Love or hate me, I'ma get to the racks
People may have mixed feelings about me, but I will still succeed and earn money
Skippin' niggas, and they paw on ya back
I am distancing myself from people who want to bring me down or hold me back
I was sleepin', yeah I was takin' a nap
I used to lack motivation and drive
Ohh, oh nah
An expressive statement, without a clear meaning
'Fore the sun even out
The violence and danger can happen before morning
Yo, yo, yo
An exclamation to grab attention or get hyped
Lil Tjay
The artist's name, Lil Tjay
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alphanso Cole, Tione Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@301reacts8
“They said Im the new A boogie relax , I ain’t never trying copy your swag, Im just trying to put my hood on the map”🔥🔥
@kvngbeto
I had to go back to that shit twice I’m like damn 🔥
@omarihill2304
SJ 2 Saucey what bro that shit vaild yo😭
@harlemmadezay6062
SJ 2 Saucey that shit hit different🤧
@Jorich196
Meaning he don’t want static with boogie just trynna get on like Boogie 🔥🤷🏾♂️They gunna collab soon
@makusforshort
Jordan Richardson 💯💯💯
@JustAbbassy
I hope you find $20 on the ground , get a text message from your crush and that thing that you have been stressed about turns out to not be a problem, god made us strong and gave us a life for a reason so lets make sure everyday is a good day. like polo said it's all about perseverance .🤞🏼🙏🏼
@AlatAMelanin
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
@jaqueline5023
Look at JustAbbassy man so inspirational
@sebastiannyamambi3632
Dammb