Some would say, Bills ain’t bossing you (I.t.c.h.) was written with clear 2020 vision. In the United States, the country seems to be more divided as the Presidential election draws near. In response to the global pandemic, tensions are high due to months of quarantine and practicing social distancing. Protesting has escalated after the killings of Ahmad Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor just to name a few and frustration grows as many citizens continue to blame police for misconduct and abuse of power. The economy has taken a hit and many people are out of work, or have lost income with little to no assistance, while big corporations have been bailed out by the government. Many people are left to fend for themselves, and figuring out how to adjust and survive in the new world, post pandemic.
Produced by Eric G (Soul Council), One Be Lo’s first verse describes the pandemic as feeling like a “fish stuck in a bowl.” While looking for different ways to change his element, the clock is ticking. Some people are still flashing, while others are out here selling their souls to stay relevant. As the verse points out that politicians are able to be corrupted, he mentions, “You need more than campaigns to get us to vote.” People are looking for major changes, especially in response to the pandemic but overall due to many things coming to light in 2020 vision. Freeways verse explains the pain going on in America’s urban areas. Speaking from experience, while he was in the studio writing this verse, he received a phone call that one of his friends was killed by another so called friend. People die and life goes on, while the survivors are left trying to figure out the best way to cope.
The cover art is a photograph of One Be Lo aka Nahshid Sulaiman and a fellow inmate taken 25 years ago on the same day of this song being released, 9/29/95. The photograph was taken in prison. The pic was chosen as a reminder because we were behind bars for doing some of the things this song talks about. It reminded me of how folks are trying to figure out what they are going to do to make money, and how bad choices can land you behind bars or maybe even turn fatal. In the chorus, the question is rhetorical. “What you gonna do in the city? What you gonna do about money? Easy to get locked up in a life of sin and shame.” The message here is, in the midst of all the tension and drama, use your brain and think smart. Make good decisions. There’s a lot on the line during this election year, but also in general.
lyrics
Living in the city so heavy
Hustler man
Momma said
What you gonna’ do in the city?
What you gonna’ do about money?
Easy to get wrapped up in a life of sin and shame
(I be on the block hustling, counting my stack)
What you gonna’ do in the city?
What you gonna’ do about money?
Easy to get wrapped up in a life of sin and shame
(I be on the block hustling, counting my stack)
(Verse 1)
I feel like a fish in the water
But the
fish, stuck in a bowl
Same as the residents
But trynna change my element
Similar to Midas
When his finger
tips touch the gold
I puffed the O’s
Blowing ideas up in smoke
Time bomb ticking fast
Brain still running slow
Pitching pennies in the well
Wishing that I wasn’t broke
F#c% what you buy
And wanna flash like a thunderbolt
What you own
What you sold
Everything but your soul
Without the money
Ain’t a
damn thing
funny joke
Trynna lift hearts
But they numb and cold
Just like
Your hands
when you shovel snow
But you say it wasn’t dope
Pigs undercover so
Negus snitching under oath
Politics and governments
Filled with corruptables
You need more than campaigns
to get us to vote
I was thinking just the same thang
as some gutter folks
Saying “That’s a Muth@f#c%in shame“
What you cussin’ for?
Money makes the West world spin
And diamonds are a girls best friend
You could ask Miss Wonderful
Trynna get married
Have kids
Live comfortable
The Bills Cliff Huxtable
But Cops still f#c% with you
(chorus)
What you gonna’ do in the city?
What you gonna’ do about money?
Easy to get wrapped up in a life of sin and shame
(I be on the block hustling, counting my stack)
What you gonna’ do in the city?
What you gonna’ do about money?
Easy to get wrapped up in a life of sin and shame
(I be on the block hustling, counting my stack)
Verse 2
(R-O-C)
See the
City got love
The city got pain
They be throwing heavy metal
Every ghettos the same
Some Negus pop Negus
Spend they’re life in the bing
Other Negus on the streets doing the trifle-list things to friends
They say money is the root of all evil
They will Desert Eagle people for the ice and the chain
Got muslims killing muslims
Afterlife in the hellfire
Tell me why they’re not using their brain
(I don’t know)
I tell you what though
I’m using my brain
I’m trynna get a couple dollars
without using the stainless steel
But all that chillin’ don’t pay the bills
Most of my Negus knee deep in the game
A few of my Negus they left in a hearse
While I was writin’ this verse
My close friend got slain
It’s f#c%ed up
Me and One Be Lo
Humble doe
We live the struggle
Came to bring y’all the pain
Come on
chorus
What you gonna’ do in the city?
What you gonna’ do about money?
Easy to get wrapped up in a life of sin and shame
(I be on the block hustling, counting my stack)
What you gonna’ do in the city?
What you gonna’ do about money?
Easy to get wrapped up in a life of sin and shame
(I be on the block hustling, counting my stack)
credits
from Baby (Being a black youth),
released November 7, 2020
BEAT PRODUCTION: Eric G (Soul Council)
ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS: Jonas Siegel
LYRICS: One Be Lo, Freeway
CHORUS PERFORMED BY: Wes Restless
SCRATCHES: DJ Abilities
RECORDED/MIXED by: Aaron Angus
MASTERING by: D Sane
supported by 35 fans who also own “Bills aint bossing you (i.t.c.h.) produced by Eric G, feat. Freeway and DJ Abilities”
This is my favourite album of the 2020’s. A classic in the first order. Every song is truly great. Nothing sounds repetitive and it continues to be fresh and new to this day. William "Tycoon" Russ