[Intro: Maino]
All I ever been was a criminal
Maino left the street's it's a miracle
[Hook: Maino]
All I ever been was a criminal
Niggas said Maino left the street's it's a miracle
Left the drugs alone, took the thugs alone
If you know the words, won't you sing along
Ehey, ehey, now
Ehey, ehey, now
Ehey, ehey, now
Ehey, ehey, now
[Verse 1: Maino]
Rolling through the city in my big wheel
Raindrops dancing on my windshield
I can see the future in on plane view
While my past is peeking though my rear view
It's a miracle, how I made it out the slums
They said I'll be dead before I'm 21
Look ma, here's a gift from your oldest son
Never had a house so I'm bout to buy you one
Cause I remember days we needed help
Now it's champagne on the shelf
Trying to balance fame and the wealth, made a name for myself
But tell me what's important, the game or my health
So this is for the ones that remember me before rap
Where my only source of money came from home crack
Young boy, big heart, quit the click clack
Misled, little head and a big hat
[Hook: Maino]
[Verse 2: Maino]
Niggas saying I ain't really lyrical
It's cool if you don't get it, it ain't meant for you
You never faced the judge when he sentences you
You couldn't walk a mile in my Louis shoes
I used to play the block trying to dodge the D's
Ask Bird, ask Cream, they remember me
They remember me and Dog and that blue Ford
No class pants holding up that 44
Young and wild, headed for that B now
Before I knew it, I was in that pen wild
No music, way before the videos
Nikiya came to see me on the visit yo
Can't forget Fatty and Serena
Used to write me letters, it helped me keep my head up
I was trapped in, but you had my back then
Green prison clothes, I ain't even rap then
[Hook: Maino]
[Verse 3: Maino]
Yeah, things different for me, people listen to me
Little girls they see me, and snap pictures of me
You never know, never say never
Used to think that I will be in the street forever
Me and mouse yup, me and Seino
Early 90's baby what up to Gino
Laying back, pretty women bring me breakfast
Thinking back I kept the Tech and the Lexus
No record deal, just a big dream
Hoping the coke will bring me everything
Cause all I ever been was a criminal
You either end up in jail or in a funeral
Shout out to the homies I grew up with
Used to shoot, used to rob, sell drugs with
Bad choices, good friends turn to memories
Still the same, still Maino, I remember me
[Hook: Maino]
Maino grew up pretty poor and all. His family needed supports to survive. Referring to the line above, he now is able to give his Mom help, who wasn’t able to give him everything he needed as a kid, but she tried.
But again, with his success in hip-hop, his financial situation is quite the opposite. He is worth 4 million
Champagne is a symbol of upper class kind of.
Mouse is Maino’s brother, Sino is short for “Casino Mike” who was a big time Drug Kingpin in Bed-stuy.
Maino’s life is the complete opposite currently, of what it was when he was in prison.
In prison, you have no authority, or influences over anyone. Yeah, some people might respect you in there, but most of the people couldn’t give a damn about you, not what you have to say, or anything.
Obviously now Maino has influenced peoples lives with his success in the hip-hop game, people listen to his words, and take it to heart. And you know girls, they go crazy over celebrities.
It’s a common, and well known saying that if you live the life of crime, you will either; a) be killed; b) be a prisoner.
And yes, Maino spent 10 years in prison. Also, Maino was only a teen when this crime took place, so before his rap career, he never had a legal job.
Maino was born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, which is famously known for it’s uniquely styled apartments called brownstones. Since Maino was born there, I am assuming his Mom was as well, since he states his Mom never had a house.
With that being said, with Maino’s success in hip-hop, he has earned a lot of money. He is worth 4 million dollars, and so he can certainly afford a house.
It’s a common saying that those who live the street life (criminals, or join gangs will be dead of in jail before they’re 21… and it’s not false either considering these two factors;
- The average life expectancy for gang members is 20 years old and 5 months
- 60% of gang members are either dead or in prions by age 20.
Maino addresses these 4 bars to anyone who thinks his songs are bad and his lyrics are whack;
Maino tends to rap about his life, and in some songs he spits with a lot of emotions, puts his heart into the tracks, like in I Am Who I Am and Close To Heaven. Many people might not be able to relate, or understand his struggle and what he’s been through, so his music wouldn’t be something they turn to.
Maino also faced 10 years in prison for a drug related kidnapping.
So, he has had some serious bumps on the road in his life. And he has reached success overcoming these issues, so he mocks anyone hating on him by being a bit boastful, talking about his Louis Vuitton shoes, which is a high end brand of material objects. Everyone knows the term walk a mile in my shoes, which refers to, try to get through what I’ve been through.
