Tee Grizzley

Lyrics

[Verse]
They just know I ran it up, they don't know what I been through
Night time, bro speedin', I was out the window
That's a scary sight
You gon' get buried probably
Demons talking to me while I'm shooting, like, "Hit everybody"
Ain't shit to hide but I want the car tinted
I want the crib behind tall trees and fences
Have you ever had to kill one of your friends
'Cause the shit that he was on was coming between your plans?
Can't just cut him off 'cause he know too much about you
Sent a prayer up, don't worry about your kids and your momma, I got 'em
Then you gotta walk past the casket
Remembering how hard he hit the wall when you blast
To remembering how sad he sounded knowing he through
Seeing shock and just disbelief in his eyes 'cause it was you
I had to
My nigga, I had to, ayy
Have you ever played roles with a bitch?
And that shit went too far
You done met this bitch kids and you know that she in love
You tell her, she like "She stuck"
But you know that everything gon' change after you fuck?
But you couldn't reveal your true intentions
She ain't the typa bitch that just let a nigga hit her
But fuck that, I got to
Baby girl, I got you
Let me be the one you smile with and who you cry to
Anything you need, let me know, and I'll spot you
Hoping she don't really ask you though, 'cause it's not true
You fell victim to my lust, my bad, boo
But you so cold and so thick, bitch, I had too
Only had like 250 in the bank but that ice and them jewelers steady callin' my name
They want 90 for the charm, 80 for the Cuban
I'm just knowin' it gon' kill me but I gotta do it
Tryna make myself feel better like maybe it's gon' motivate me
Maybe when they see me with it, they gon' know I made it
I went and got it, that shit ain't no nothing for me, jack
And it's a custom piece, so I can't get no money back
[Outro]
I just thought I had to
Fuck that shit I thought I had to do
I just thought I had to
Fuck that shit I thought I had to do

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Tee Grizzley has made his mark in the music industry with his raw and honest lyrics. Known for his storytelling abilities, he leaves nothing off the table in his music, no matter how controversial. His latest single, “Had To,” produced by Timbaland, is no exception.

About Had To

“Had To” is a haunting reflection of the lengths that Tee Grizzley has gone to gain success and protect his circle. The production by Timbaland sets a somber and eerie tone throughout the song, drawing the listener into Tee’s dark yet honest world. The title of the song, “Had To,” is a reminder that sometimes we do things that we may not want to do but feel are necessary in order to survive, or in this case, thrive.

Tee Grizzley doesn’t hold back as he acknowledges that success isn’t always glamorous. He touches on topics such as losing friends to jealousy and greed and having to lie to his girlfriend in order to keep her from finding out about his past. While these themes may seem difficult to digest for some, Tee Grizzley artfully weaves his words together to bring the listener into his world.

The lyrics, “Diamonds they shining so bright, I’m paying the price, and they take up my life, and I can’t get my money back,” refer to the materialistic side of success. Tee is acknowledging that while he has achieved financial success, it has come at a sacrifice. He’s lost valuable time and relationships, and the materialistic items he has bought no longer hold the value they once did.

In an interview with Rap Radar, Tee Grizzley talks about the controversy around the “Had To” lyrics but stands by his authenticity and honesty.

“Some people won’t understand unless they’ve been in that position. And if you have, you know that everything I’m saying in that record is fact. You’ve had to do something that you didn’t want to do in order to keep your head above water, and that’s the reality of life.”

Through “Had To,” Tee Grizzley delivers a message that is both candid and resonating. In a world that celebrates only success and achievement, he offers a rare glimpse into the sacrifices that often come with it and the darker reality of what “having to” really means in order to succeed in life.

The Verdict:

“Had To” is a raw and unfiltered look into the reality of success. Tee Grizzley’s storytelling ability takes the listener on a journey into his dark world, unraveling the sacrifices he’s had to make along the way. With Timbaland’s production elevating the song’s already somber tone and Tee’s honesty in his lyrics, “Had To” serves as a significant reminder of the darker side of success and the “sacrifices” that come with it. “Had To” proves once again why Tee Grizzley is a force to be reckoned with, both in the music industry and the world of storytelling.

• Release Date: June 7, 2019
• Artist: Tee Grizzley