Day 2: Live By It Die By It - Cash Money Energy, Detroit Execution
Road to A Million ! EP Releases 2.20.26
November 2018. Six months after “First of His Name.”
I was trying to figure out what I wanted to sound like. Not copy, but channel. There’s a difference.
I grew up on Cash Money Hot Boys. That raw, unapologetic energy. That “everything is a choice” mentality. Juvenile, Wayne, BG - they had this bounce, this aggression, this confidence that felt untouchable.
But I’m from Detroit, not New Orleans. And I wasn’t trying to make a replication. I wanted to embrace that energy in my own way - infuse it with Travis, with Future, but way more lyrical. Way more dense.
“Live By It Die By It” was the result.
I wanted bars that hit hard but made you rewind to catch the wordplay. I wanted production that knocked but had layers. I wanted confidence without the hollowness that comes from faking it.
“The Drop” was me talking my s***: “Lookin like I won a settlement / Life journey got me way outta my element.” The beat switches. The flow switches. It became a real vibe once that happened.
“War Clothes” was me putting on armor: “When I put on my war clothes I be ready for action.” This was the reality check. Detroit breeds you for survival or jail. I wasn’t going to jail.
“Deep Love 4 The Gang” asked the hard question: “How deep is yo love for this gang shit? / You going front lines for this gang shit?” Loyalty is a whole different language. I wanted to explore that.
“Energy Change” was introspective: “I know you felt my energy change / You can get a laugh out me but it just ain’t the same.” People noticed I was moving different. I was protecting my peace before I even knew that’s what it was called.
“Pepperoni” was playful but sharp: “I be eating pasta with the chopped pepperoni.” The wordplay, the food references, the flex - this was me learning how to have fun with the pen.
“Separate” was heartbreak processed through ambition: “Find so hard to separate you / Can’t keep up with the hurt you gave me.” I blocked someone just to block them from my mind. It worked.
“Extra Exotic” was the victory lap I hadn’t earned yet: “Exotic life / Brazilian beach / Vegas lights / Champagne on ice.” But I was manifesting it.
“Don’t Hit Me Up” set boundaries: “Don’t hit me up when you see me making millions.” People who weren’t there for the struggle don’t get to celebrate the success.
“Operation” was calculated aggression: “Don’t you come around my way talking that tough shit / We on camera so I gotta get you bust quick.” I had too much to lose to be reckless, but I wasn’t soft.
“Toast to the Angels” was reverence: “Send a toast to the angels that’s above us / Middle fingers to the one who don’t love us.” Gratitude and defiance in the same breath.
“Homicide (Intermission)” was reflection: “After everything I been thru / The nubucks suede / And the benz too.” I wasn’t there yet, but I could see it.
“Out They League” closed it out: “I’m top speed give em what they need / Can’t have no greed pay yo fee / Ain’t shit for free bitch I’m out to league.” Self-explanatory.
Looking back, “Live By It Die By It” was me finding my voice.
I wasn’t trying to be anyone else. I was taking influences - Cash Money’s energy, Travis’s production sense, Future’s melody, but keeping my pen sharp - and making something that sounded like me.
Everything is a choice. I chose to keep going.
That’s what this project represents.
Stream “Live By It Die By It” now. New EP “When You Step On A Tiger’s Tail” drops 2.20.26.
Merch releases 2.13.26 at Midnight on gettothecorner.com !
— Jaevonn