<<

” 1994–2017 MA CCC CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS

1 F.Sargentone march 2017 ed: /2

2 READY TO BE The Anti-Cinematographic eye

Writing an introduction to this publication has probably been one of the most difficult things I have ever done in the recent years. I thought it could have been easy to talk about one of the most influential records of the whole music history. It turned out that this loose, A5 –sized, home printed book- let is the only existing monographic work on Notorius B.I.G.’s Ready To Die.

By stating this at the beginning of the sup- posed dissertation, I want to make sure that the reader could read these lines as the raw output of a deep, although instinc- tive, research on one of the milestones of hip-hop cultural history. The research pro- cess, of which this booklet testifies the ma- terial result, has been spontaneous, in the sense that did not started as a canonical research question, but instead it happened a posteriori, being the record a very famil- iar matter for me since ages.

As you will see, the lyrics of the songs contained within Ready To Die are formal- ly printed –without any additional editing– from RapGenius, a world famous website collecting lyrics and anecdotes of hip-hop songs from users. The oral history com- ponent of this platform is an essential el- ement shared with early hip-hop culture, in which realities existed and formalised themselves only via word of mouth or so- cio-cultural affinity with the hip-hop phe- nomenon.

3 No lyrics booklets were provided with the records.

Starting from this oral, user generated ap- proach towards street literature, I have progressively developed a visual research through Google Images, entering generic, stereotyped queries within Google’s search engine. All the visual references within the publication are publicly and widely dissem- inated, organised into macro-themes be- longing to generalised black-culture topoi. “Gangsta car”, “gangsta bedroom”, “pimped nails”, “black Brooklyn 90s”, “90s guns”, “police in Brooklyn”, “police in Har- lem”, “bucks and guns”, “black woman hair”, “black hair”, “3D black woman mod- el” are few examples of my automatized research via Google.

In doing this, I wanted to perform the stig- ma with which early hip-hop culture and rap music were dealing in their primitive environment. In its vernacular age, hip-hop has been read mostly as black-folklore rather than as a literary and musical genre, as a sort of street-oriented, rudimentary novel depict- ing the life of the ghetto. The categorisation of rap music as rudi- mentary and primitive has been an enor- mous trend in music history, especially when opposed to rock and pre-heavy metal music in the early 80s, and it actually end- ed when rap became to be market-placed by the big players in the music industry.

There is a line drawn by Ready To Die. And it is the line of consciousness within hip-hop lyrics. In his first record, Notorius B.I.G is effectively conscious of what was happening to hip-hop culture, aware of the

4 commoditization and appropriation of the whole black culture. This process of ap- propriation became a schema during the late 90’s, when brands as Nike and Adidas started to create an imaginary, stereotyped character of the so-called urban man. Of course that was the time in which a young, almost desperate, black man could find his own luck instantaneously. And no shame on this; the rap game is based on chains and bucks, it has its own rules based on the “I did it” criterion.

Formally, Ready To Die is different from every rap record of that age. It is not funky, not musically appealing, not easy, not hap- py, not positive, not goliardic and not cir- cumstantial as rap records used to be (i.e. alluding to personal background through a cinematographic amplification of the reali- ty). There is a deep, claustrophobic feeling within the songs, both in the lyrics and the musical structure. The atmospheres are oppressive, auto-referential and hypnotic; totally against any accepted paradigm in 90s hit-parade rap music. The beats are rhythmically essential, with the drum-kits totally pitched down of two or three oc- taves in order to resemble to bass notes. The samples are repeated continuously, as looping sounds for hypnosis.

The general macro-framework in which the record may be read is an advanced, intellectual version of early gangsta-rap, based on real, unfiltered life events. The record is probably the first cultural product of hip-hop culture that features elements of pure autobiography, intended as the ac- tual description of feelings, emotions as well as drug dealing and shootings. This stylistic mixture appears evident in the

5 lyrical component, where lines describing Biggie’s chronic depression are rhymed with very raw events belonging to the crim- inal sphere. In the lyrics, Biggie’s authorial presence is emotionally relevant, confiden- tial in its candour, especially in the closing track, “Suicidal Thoughts”.

Ready To Die is a unique masterpiece of self-awareness. A brilliant work of criticism toward rap-game schemata and clichés, in which being emotional may result as being weak, which is probably the only charac- teristic that a gangsta should never show out in the streets. In the There is no need for street-credibility, no impulse to instigate a certain mentality, even if narrating it at the same time.

That beats, that never-ending samples. Everything is authentic, non-fictional. The most direct de-constructional jazz ap- proach within street music.

Federico Sargentone

6 1. Intro Wallace C., Combs S.

(What the fuck do you, what do you do?) If if you can’t fucking control him (All you fucking do is bitch at me) Bitch, what I say, I’mma send his motherfuckin ass to a group home goddamnit, what? I’ll smack the shit outta you bitch (Take your black ass the fuck outta here) Motherfucker, you are fucking up (Comin in here, smelling like pile of shit, dumb motherfucker) [Part 1: Puff Daddy] Push *Sugarhill Gang - “Rapper’s Delight” C’mon Shorty stay push, c’mon fades out* C’mon, c’mon push it’s almost there One more time, c’mon *Audio Two - “Top Billin’” fades in* *baby cries* C’mon push baby, one more time [Part 3: The B.I.G. & *baby cries* Accomplice] Harder harder, push harder Accomplice: What nigga you wanna rob Push, push, c’mon them motherfuckin trains, you crazy? One more time, here it goes! B.I.G.: Yes, yes, motherfucker, I see the head! motherfuckin right, nigga yes Yeah c’mon! Accomplice: Nigga what the fuck nigga? YEAH! YEAHHHH! We gonna get... You did it baby, yeah! B.I.G.: Nigga it’s eighty-seven nigga, is you dead broke? * - “Super Fly” plays over Accomplice: Yeah nigga but, but... this* B.I.G.: Motherfucker is you broke motherfucker? *Sugarhill Gang - “Rapper’s Delight” We need to get some motherfuckin fades in* paper nigga Accomplice: Yeah but nigga it’s a train [Part 2: ‘Prince’ Charles Alexander] ain’t nobody robbed no motherfucking God damnit Voletta, what the fuck are train you doin? B.I.G.: Just listen man, your mother You can’t control that god damn boy? giving you money nigga? My moms (What?) don’t give me shit nigga, it’s time to get I just saw Mr. Johnson, he told me he paid nigga. Is you wit me? *gun clicks* caught the motherfucking boy shoplifting Motherfuck is you wit me? (Get your black ass off!) Accomplice: Yeah I’m wit you nigga You can’t control the god, I don’t know c’mon what the fuck to do with that boy

7 B.I.G.: Alright then nigga let’s make it happen then! All you motherfuckers get on the fuckin floor! *blam blam* Get on the motherfucking floor! B.I.G.: Chill, give me all your motherfucking money Accomplice: And don’t move nigga! B.I.G.: Give me all your motherfucking money, I want the jewelry! Give me every fucking thing Accomplice: Nigga I’d shut the fuck up or I’mma blow your motherfuckin brains out! Nigga, give me your jewelry, give me your wallet B.I.G.: Fuck you bitch, off that shit. What the fuck you holding on to that shit for bitch?

*Audio Two - “Top Billin’” fades out*

* - “Tha Shiznit” fades in*

[Part 4: The Notorious B.I.G. & Guard] Guard: Open C-74, Smalls. Mr. Smalls, let me walk you to the door. So how does it feel leaving us? B.I.G.: C’mon man, what kind of fucking question is that man? Trying to get the fuck up out this joint dog Guard: Yeah, yeah, you’ll be back. You niggers always are B.I.G.: Go ahead man, what the fuck is you hollering about? You won’t see me up in this motherfucker no more Guard: We’ll see B.I.G.: I got big plans nigga, big plans, hahahaha

8 2. Things Done Change Wallace C., Owen D., Scott K.

[Hook x4] Back in the day [Verse 2] on this side No more coco-levio 1, 2, 3 Remember they used to thump 1, 2, 3... all it is to me, is a mystery but now they blast, right I hear you motherfuckers talk about it [Verse 1] But I stay seeing bodies with the Remember back in the days when motherfucking chalk around it niggas had waves And I’m down with the shit too Gazelle shades and corn braids For the stupid motherfuckers want Pitching pennies, honeys had the to try to use Kung-Fu high-top jellies Instead of a MAC-10, he tried Shooting skelly, motherfuckers scrapping was all friendly Slugs in his back and that’s what Lounging at the barbecues, the fuck happens drinking brews When you sleep on the street With the neighborhood crews, Little motherfuckers with heat hanging on the avenues wanna leave a nigga six feet deep Turn your pages to 1993 And we coming to the wake Niggas is getting smoked, G: To make sure the crying and believe me commotion ain’t a motherfucking Talk slick, you get your neck slit fake quick Back in the days our parents used Cause real street niggas ain’t to take care of us having that shit Look at ‘em now, they even fuckin’ Toting Tecs for rep scared of us Smoking blunts in the project Calling the city for help because hallways they can’t maintain Shooting dice all day Damn, shit done changed Wait for niggas to step up on some fighting shit [Hook x4] We get hype and shit and start Back in the day lighting shit Things done changed on this side So step away with your fist-fight Remember they used to thump ways but now they blast, right Motherfucker, this ain’t back in the days [Verse 3] But you don’t hear me though If I wasn’t in the rap game I’d probably have a key knee- [Hook x4] deep in the crack game Back in the day Because the streets is a short Things done changed on this side stop Remember they used to thump Either you’re slinging crack rock but now they blast, right or you got a wicked jump shot

9 Shit, it’s hard being young from Don’t ask me why I’m the slums motherfucking stressed, things Eating 5 cent gums, not knowing done changed where your meal’s coming from And now the shit’s getting [Hook x4] crazier and major Back in the day Kids younger than me, they got Things done changed on this the Sky brand pagers side Going out of town, blowing up Remember they used to thump Six months later, all the dead but now they blast, right bodies showing up It make me wanna grab the 9 and the shotty But I gotta go identify the body Damn, what happened to the summertime cookouts Every time I turn around, a nigga getting took out Shit, my Momma got cancer in her breast

10 3. Gimme The Loot Wallace C., Harvey O.

[Intro] Then I’m dipping up the block and I’m Yeah, mothafuckas better know robbing bitches too I’m a bad bad bad Up the herringbones and bamboos Lock your windows, close your doors I wouldn’t give a fuck if you’re pregnant Biggie Smalls Give me the baby rings and the #1 Mom pendant [Notorious B.I.G.] My man Inf left a Tec and a 9 at my crib [Young Biggie] Turned his self in, he had to do a bid I’m slamming niggas like Shaquille, shit A 1-to-3, he be home the end of ‘93 is real I’m ready to get this paper, G: you with When it’s time to eat a meal, I rob and me? steal Cause mom dukes ain’t giving me shit [Young Biggie] So for the bread and butter I leave niggas Motherfucking right, my pockets looking in the gutter kinda tight Huh, word to mother, I’m dangerous And I’m stressed Crazier than a bag of fucking angel dust Yo, Biggie let me get the vest When I bust my Gat, mothafuckas take dirt naps [Notorious B.I.G.] I’m all that, and a dime sack, where the No need for that, just grab the fucking gat paper at? The first pocket that’s fat, the Tec is to his back [Interlude] Word is bond, I’mma smoke him, yo, When he’s sticking you and taking all of don’t fake no moves (what?) your money Treat it like boxing, stick and move, stick and move [Hook] Gimme the loot, gimme the loot (I’m a [Young Biggie] bad bad bad) Nigga, you ain’t got to explain shit Gimme the loot, gimme the loot (I’m a I’ve been robbing motherfuckas since the bad bad bad) slave ships Gimme the loot, gimme the loot (I’m a With the same clip and the same .45 bad bad bad) Two point blank, a motherfucker sure to Gimme the loot, gimme the loot (I’m a die bad bad bad) That’s my word, nigga even try to bogart (What’s mines is mines and what’s yours Have his mother , it’s so hard is mine) [(What’s mines is mines and what’s yours [Notorious B.I.G.] is mine)] Yes love, love your fucking attitude Because the nigga play pussy, that’s the [Notorious B.I.G.] nigga that’s getting screwed Big up, big up, it’s a stick up, stick up And bruised up from the pistol whipping And I’m shooting niggas quick if ya hiccup Welts on the neck from the necklace Don’t let me fill my clip up in ya back and stripping headpiece

11 The opposite of peace, sending Mom blakka duke a wreath You’re talking to the robbery expert [Young Biggie] Step into your wake with your blood on So go get your man bitch, he can get my shirt robbed too Don’t be a jerk and get smoked over being resistant [Notorious B.I.G.] Cause when I lick shots, them shits is Tell him Biggie took it, what the fuck he persistent gonna do? Man I hope apologetic or I’m a have [Young Biggie] to set it Goodness And if I set it, the gracious, cocksucker won’t the papers! forget it Where the cash at? [Interlude] Where the Hey bitch, hey stash at? bitch, gimme your Nigga pass money bitch (when that he’s sticking you Before you and taking all your get your money) grave dug from the [Hook] main thug Gimme the loot, .357 slug gimme the loot (I’m a bad bad bad) And my nigga Biggie got a itchy one Gimme the loot, gimme the loot (I’m a grip bad bad bad) Gimme the loot, gimme the loot (I’m a [Notorious B.I.G.] bad bad bad) One in the chamber, thirty-two in the Gimme the loot, gimme the loot (I’m a clip bad bad bad) Motherfuckas better strip, (yeah nigga, [(What’s mines is mines and what’s peel) yours is mine)] Before you find out how blue steel feel [(What’s mines is mines and what’s yours is mine)] [Young Biggie] From the Beretta, putting all the holes [Young Biggie] in ya sweater Man listen, all this walking is hurting The money-getter, motherfuckas don’t my feet know better Ooh money looks sweet Rolex watches and colorful Swatches I’m digging in pockets, motherfuckas [Notorious B.I.G.] can’t stop it Where?

[Notorious B.I.G.] [Young Biggie] Man niggas come through I’m taking In the Isuzu jeep high school rings too Bitches get strangled for their earrings [Notorious B.I.G.] and bangles Man, I throw him in the fiend you grab And when I rock her and drop her, I’m the fucking cream taking her doorknockers And if he start to scream, bom bom, And if she’s resistant: blakka, blakka, have a nice dream

12 Hold up, he got a fucking bitch in the car Fur coats and diamonds, she think she a superstar

[Young Biggie] Ooh Biggie let me jack her, I’ll kick her in the back Hit her with the Gat

[Notorious B.I.G.] Yo chill shorty, let me do that Just get the fucking car keys and cruise up the block The bitch act shocked getting shot on the spot

[Young Biggie] Oh shit the cops [Notorious B.I.G.] Be cool, fool They ain’t gonna roll up, all they want is fucking doughnuts

[Young Biggie] So why the fuck he keep looking?

[Notorious B.I.G.] I guess to get his life tooken I just came home, ain’t trying to see central booking Oh shit, now he looking in my face

You better haul ass cause I ain’t with no fucking chase So lace up your boots, cause I’m about to shoot A true motherfucka going out for the loot

[Outro] Take that motherfuckers

13 4. Machine Gun Wallace C., Harvey O.

[Intro] Until we motherfucking meet again Damn! I’m doing rhymes now, fuck the crimes Is that the Chronic? now Yeah, it’s that chronic boy Come on the ave, I’m real hard to find now [Verse 1] Cause I’m knee-deep in the beats So you wanna be hardcore In the Land Cruiser Jeep with the MAC- With your hat to the back 10 by the seats Talking about the gats in your raps For the jackers, the jealous-ass crackers But I can’t feel that hardcore in the *blue suits* Appeal that you’re screaming I’ll make you prove that it’s bulletproof Maybe I’m dreaming Hold your head, cause when you hit the This ain’t Christopher Williams, still bricks some I got gin, mad blunts, and bitches MC’s got to feel one sucking dick Caps, I got to peel some The funk, baby To let niggas know That if you fuck with big-and-heavy [Hook] I get up in that ass like a wedgie Says who - says me, the lyrical [Verse 3] Niggas saying: “Biggie off the street, it’s So I guess you know the story, the rap- a miracle!” side, crack-side Left the drugs alone, took the thugs How I smoked funk, smacked bitches along with me on the backside Just for niggas acting shifty Bed-Stuy: the place where my head Sticks and stones break bones, but the rests gat’ll kill you quicker 50-shot clip if a nigga want test Especially when I’m drunk off the liquor The rocket launcher, Biggie stomped ya Smoking funk by the boxes, packing High as a motherfucking helicopter Glocks That’s why I pack a Nina, fuck a It’s natural to eat you niggas like misdemeanor chocolates Beating motherfuckers like Ike beat The funk, baby Tina “What’s love got to do”? [Hook] When I’m ripping all through your whole “I live for the funk, I’ll die for the funk” crew Strapped like Bamboo but I don’t sling [Verse 2] guns All I want is bitches, big-booty bitches I got bags of funk and it’s selling by the Used to sell crack, so I could stack my tons riches Niggas want to know how I live the Now I pack gats to stop all the snitches mack life From staying in my business, what is Making money, smoking mics like crack this, relentless pipes Approach to know if I’m broke or not It’s type simple and plain to maintain Just cause I joke and smoke a lot I add a little funk to the brain Don’t mean I don’t tote the Glock The funk, baby 16 shots for my niggas in the pen

14 5. Warning Wallace C., Harvey O.

[Notorious B.I.G.] Who the fuck is this? Paging me at 5:46 [Pop] In the morning, crack of dawn and They heard about the Rolexes and the Now I’m yawning, wipe the cold out my Lexus eye With the Texas license plates out of See who’s this paging me and why? state It’s my nigga, Pop, from the barbershop They heard about the pounds you got Told me he was in the gambling spot down in Georgetown and heard the intricate plot And they heard you got half of Virginia Of niggas wanna stick me like flypaper, locked down neighbor They even heard about the crib you Slow down love, please chill, drop the bought your moms out in Florida caper The Fifth Corridor

[Pop] [Notorious B.I.G.] Remember them niggas from the hill up Call the coroner! in Brownsville There’s gonna be a lot of slow singing That you rolled dice with, smoked blunts and flower bringing and got nice with? If my burglar alarm starts ringing What ya think all the guns is for? [Notorious B.I.G.] All-purpose war, got the Rottweilers by Yeah my nigga Fame up in Prospect the door Nah them my niggas nah love wouldn’t And I feed em gunpowder, so they can disrespect devour The criminals trying to drop my decimals [Pop] Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my I didn’t say them, they schooled me to cream some niggas And it ain’t a dream, things ain’t always That you knew from back when, when what it seem you was clocking minor figures It’s the ones that smoke blunts with ya, Now they heard you’re blowing up like see your picture nitro Now they wanna grab they guns and And they wanna stick the knife through come and get ya your windpipe slow Bet ya Biggie won’t slip So, thank Fame for warning me cause I got the Calico with the black talons now I’m warning you loaded in the clip I got the Mac, nigga tell me what you So I can rip through the ligaments gonna do Put the fuckers in a bad predicament, where all the foul niggas went [Notorious B.I.G.] Touch my cheddar, feel my Beretta Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my Buck! What I’mma hit you with you paper motherfuckers better duck Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my I bring pain, bloodstains on what paper remains Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my Of his jacket - he had a gun he shoulda paper packed it Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my Cocked it, extra clips in my pocket paper So I can reload and explode on you

15 rasshole I fuck around and get hardcore C-4 to your door, no beef no more nigga Feel the rough, scandalous The more weed smoke I puff, the more dangerous I don’t give a fuck about you or your weak crew What you gonna do when comes for you? I’m not running, nigga I bust my gun and Hold on, I hear somebody coming

16 6. Ready To Die Wallace C., Harvey O.

[Intro - Puff Daddy] Getting paid is all I expected Yeah, you ready motherfucker? My mother didn’t give me what I want, We gonna kill your ass what the fuck? Now I’ve got a Glock making [Verse 1] motherfuckers duck As I grab the Glock, put it to your Shit is real, and hungry’s how I feel headpiece I rob and steal because that money got One in the chamber, the safety is off that whip appeal release Kicking niggas down the steps just for Straight at your dome, holmes, I wanna rep see cabbage Any repercussion lead to niggas getting Biggie Smalls the savage, doing your wet brain cells much damage The infrared’s at your head real steady Teflon is the material for the imperial You better grab your guns cause I’m Mic ripper, girl stripper, the Henny sipper ready, ready I drop lyrics off and on like a lightswitch Quick to grab the right bitch and make I’m ready to die! her drive The Q-45, Glocks and tecs are expected [Interlude - Puff Daddy] when I wreck shit Nah we ain’t gonna kill your ass yet Respect is collected, so check it We gonna make you suffer I got techniques dripping out my buttcheeks [Verse 3] Sleep on my stomach so I don’t fuck up In a sec, I throw the tec to your fucking my sheets, huh neck My shit is deep, deeper than my grave, Everybody hit the deck, Biggie bout to G get some rec I’m ready to die and nobody can save Quick to leave you in a coffin, for slick me talking Fuck the world, fuck my moms and my You better act like CeCe and keep on girl walking My life is played out like a Jheri curl, I’m When I hit ya, I split ya to the white meat ready to die! You swung a left, you swung a right, you fell to the concrete [Verse 2] Your face, my feet, they meet, with As I sit back and look when I used to be stompin’ a crook I’m rippin MC’s from Tallahassee, to Doing whatever it took from snatching Compton chains to pocketbooks Biggie Smalls on a higher plane A big bad motherfucker on the wrong Niggas say I’m strange deranged road because I put the 12 gauge to your I got some drugs, tried to get the avenue brain sewed Make your shit splatter I want it all from the Rolexes to the Mix the blood like batter then my pocket Lexus gets fatter

17 After the hit, leave you on the street with your neck split Down your backbone to where your motherfucking cheek drip The shit I kick, ripping through the vest Biggie Smalls passing any test, I’m ready to die!

I’m ready (Time to go, we gonna put you out your misery motherfucker) Niggas definitely know what time it is The Notorious one in full effect For ninety-three! (All y’all motherfuckers come Suicidal, I’m ready! with me if you want to)

[Outro - Puff Daddy] (Biggie Smalls the biggest (Now I lay me down to sleep) man) Yeah (Rocking on and on in ninety- (Pray the Lord my soul to keep) three, ) (If I should die before I wake) (Third Eye, and the rest of the (I pray the Lord my soul to Bad Boy fam) take) (I don’t wanna see no crying at (Cause I’m ready to die) my funeral)

18 7. One More Chance Wallace C., Harvey O.

[Intro: Answering Machine] All you hoes calling here for my daddy, *beep* get off his dick Like that mommy? [Verse 1: Biggie] When it comes to sex, I’m similar to the *beep* Thrilla in Manila Honeys call me “Bigga the Condom Hi Daddy, how you doing, this is Tyiest Filler” I was thinking about you last night Whether it’s stiff tongue or stiff dick Mm you actin’ like you can’t call me no Biggie squeeze it to make shit fit, now more cause you busy n all that, but you check this shit trying to tell me it wasn’t good? I got the pack of Rough Riders in the back of the Pathfinder *beep* You know the epilogue by James Todd Smith That shit is real fucked up what you did! I get swift with the lyrical gift I hooked you up with my girl and shit Hit you with a dick, make your kidney you fucked her every time you see her, shift you don’t even say shit to her, you know Here we go, here we go, but I’m not what I’m saying! Domino And all that bitch do is call me all day I got the funk flow to make your drawers talking about you, “why the fuck Big drop slow don’t want me?” So recognize the dick size in these Karl Kani jeans *beep* I wear thirteens, know what I mean? I’ll fuck around and hit you with the Yo Big this is Quita, Kenya told me she Hennessy dick saw you and Shanie at the mall and I Mess around and go blind, don’t get to know you ain’t fucking her see shit You fucked with me last night, that’s my The next batter, here to shatter your best friend and we don’t get down like bladder that! It doesn’t matter: skinny or fat or light- skinned or black *beep* Baby, I drop these Boricua mamis screaming ¡ay papi! Yeah motherfucker this is Stephanie I love it when they call me Big Poppa I was waiting outside for your ass for I only smoke blunts if they rolled proper like a fucking hour Look, I gotcha caught up with the drunk I don’t know what’s going on, flow motherfuckers trying to rob me, you be Fuck tae kwon do, I tote a .44 disappearing and shit, and I’m waiting For niggas getting mad cause they bitch in the cold chose me What the fuck is going on? A big black motherfucker with G When you get in give me a fucking call You see, all I do is separate the game alright? from the truth

19 Big bang boots from the Bronx to Bolivia Used to lick the clits a lot, but licking Getting physical like Olivia Newt clits had to stop Tricks suck my clique dick all day with ‘Cause y’all don’t know how to act when no trivia the tongue go down below So give me a ho, a bankroll and a bag Peep the funk flow of weed: Really, though, I got the cleanest, I’m guaranteed to meanest penis fuck her ’til her nose You never seen this bleed stroke of genius Even if your new So take off your Tim man’s a certified boots and your body mack suit You’ll get that H-Town I mean the spandex -- in ya: you want that and hit my man next Sex get rougher when it come to the nut [Hook: & buster Biggie] Pussy crusher, black nasty motherfucker Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance I don’t chase ‘em, I replace ‘em I got that good dick, girl, you didn’t And if I’m caressing ‘em I’m undressing know? ‘em Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance Fuck what you heard, who’s the best in I got that good dick, girl, you didn’t New York know? Fulfilling fantasies without that nigga Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance Mr. Roarke or Tattoo I got that good dick, girl, you didn’t I got you wrapped around my dick and know? when I nut I got to split Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance Backshots is my position, I got you wishing for an intermission [Verse 2] Fuck the kissin’ Is my mind playing tricks, like Scarface Lick you down to your belly button, I and Bushwick ain’t frontin’ Willie D, having nightmares of girls They don’t call me big for nuttin’ all of killing me a sudden She mad because what we had didn’t last [Hook: Faith Evans] I’m glad because her cousin let me hit Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance the ass Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance Fuck the past: let’s dwell on the 500SL, Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance the E&J and ginger ale Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance The way my pockets swell to the rims with benjamins Another honey’s in the crib? Please, send her in I fuck non-stop, lick my lips a lot

20 8. Fuck Me (Interlude) Wallace C., Combs, S.

( song playing in the background and sound of Biggie and Lil Kim having sex on a bed.)

[Lil Kim] Uuh, yeah, uh, oooh, oh yeah, mmm, yeah Oh fuck me you black mothafucka, oooohh yeah!!! MMMMMM, Aaahhh Oh fuck me you black Kentucky Fried Chicken eatin’ Ohhh, ooohhh, yeah OOOHHHHH You mothafuckin’ gangsta killin’, mutha fuckin black mafia ass [Biggie] Muthafuckin, you, ohhhhh my god [Woman] You chronic smokin’, Oreo cookie eatin’, Biggie! pickle juice drinkin’ Chicken gristle eatin’, biscuit suckin’, [Biggie] MUTHAfucka V8 juice drinkin’, slim fast, blendin’ [Woman] black greasy muthafucka Biggie! Oh yeah

(Sound of Biggie and the woman falling off the bed)

[Biggie] I’m sorry [Woman] Ahhhh.... [Biggie] Oh shit. Damn [Woman] (laughing) Jenny Craig eatin’ muthafucka [Biggie] (laughing) Fuck you bitch...

21 9. The What (feat. ) Wallace C., Harvey O., Smith, C.

[Verse 1: Notorious B.I.G.] So what you want nigga, you won’t I used to get feels on a bitch nigga Now I throw shields on the dick, to stop I got a 6-shooter and a horse named me from that HIV shit Trigger And niggas know they soft like a Twinkie It’s real, ‘94 rugged-raw filling Kicking down your goddamn door Playing the villain, prepare for this rap (And it goes a little something like this) killing Biggie Smalls is the illest, your style is [Hook: Method Man & Notorious B.I.G.] played out Fuck the world, don’t ask me for shit Like Arnold and that, what you talkin’ Everything you get you gotta work hard bout Willis for it The thrill is gone, the Black Frank White Honeys shake your hips, you don’t stop Is here to excite and throw dick to dykes And niggas pack the clips, keep on, Bitches I like em brainless, guns I like bitch em stainless steel I want the fucking Fortune like the [Verse 3: Method Man] Wheel Verse two, coming with that Olde E I squeeze Gats till my clips is empty brew Don’t tempt M.E Meth-tical, putting niggas back in I.C.U {Meth}...T-H-O-D Man, here I am I’m lifted troop, you can bring your You don’t want to fuck with the me wack-ass crew I got connections, I’ll get that ass stuck [Verse 2: Method Man] like glue I’ll be damned if this ain’t some shit Huh, no question, I be coming down Come to spread the butter lyrics over and shit harmony grit Yo I gets rugged as a motherfucking It’s the low killer death trap, yes I’m a carpet get jet-black ninja And niggas love it, not in the physical Coming where you rest at, surrender form but in the mental Step inside the ring, you’s the number I spark and they cells get warm one contender I’m not a gentle-man, I’m a Method Man Looking cold-booty like your pussy in Baby accept it, utmost respect it, and December [Notorious B.I.G.] (Assume the position) Nigga stop bitching, button up your lip [Method Man] Stop look and listen and I spit on your grave then I grab my From Method all you getting is a can of Charles Dickens ass-whipping Bitch Hey, I’ll be kicking, you son, you doing all the yapping [Verse 4: Notorious B.I.G.] Acting as if it can’t happen Welcome to my center, honeys feel it Your frontin’ got me mad enough to deep in they placenta touch something Cold as the pole in the Winter Yo I’m from Shaolin Island and ain’t Far from the inventor, but I got this rap afraid to bust something shit sewed

22 [Notorious BIG] I make it hot [Method Man] niggas won’t even stand next to you [Notorious BIG] Nigga touch me you better bust me three times in the head Or motherfucker’s dead, you thought so

[Hook: Method Man & Notorious B.I.G.] Fuck the world, don’t ask me for shit Everything you get you gotta work hard for it Honeys shake your hips, you don’t stop And niggas pack the clips, keep on, bitch

And Fuck the world, don’t ask me for shit when my Mac unloads I’m guaranteed Everything you get you gotta work hard another video for it Ready to die, why I act that way? Honeys shake your hips, you don’t stop Pop Duke left Mom Duke, the faggot And niggas pack the clips, keep on, took the back way bitch So instead of making hoes suck my dick up [Outro: Notorious B.I.G. (Method Man)] I used to do stick-ups, cause hoes is Junior M.A.F.I.A. clique in full effect irritating like the hiccups (Punk bitch, yeah, what the fuck you Excuse me, flows just grow through me want nigga) Like trees to branches, cliffs to Ah, yeah, hell yeah (Biggie Smalls and avalanches Methical) It’s the praying mantis, deep like the Bedford–Stuyvesant the livest one mind of Farrakhan My borough is thorough, recognize A motherfucking rap phenomenon, plus (9-4 comin’ at you raw Shaolin Island, [Method Man] I got more Glocks and yeah) Tecs than you

23 10. Juicy Wallace C., Philips P., Combs,S., Oliver, J.

[Intro: The Notorious B.I.G.] (That’s right) Fuck all you hoes! Get a grip, It’s all good (It’s all good) motherfucker! And if you don’t know, now you know, Yeah, this is dedicated nigga To all the teachers that told me I’d never amount to nothin’ [Hook: ] To all the people that lived above the You know very well buildings that I was hustlin’ in front of Who you are Called the police on me when I was just Don’t let ‘em hold you down tryin’ to make some money to feed my Reach for the stars daughter You had a goal And all the niggas in the struggle But not that many You know what I’m sayin’? It’s all good, ‘Cause you’re the only one baby baby I’ll give you good and plenty

[Verse 1: The Notorious B.I.G.] [Verse 2: The Notorious B.I.G.] It was all a dream, I used to read Word I made the change from a common thief Up! magazine To up close and personal with Robin Salt-n-Pepa and up in the Leach limousine And I’m far from cheap, I smoke skunk Hangin’ pictures on my wall with my peeps all day Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way The Moët and Alizé keep me pissy, girls I let my tape rock ‘til my tape popped used to diss me Smokin’ weed on Bambu, sippin’ on Now they write letters ‘cause they miss Private Stock me Way back, when I had the red and black I never thought it could happen, this lumberjack rappin’ stuff With the hat to match I was too used to packin’ gats and stuff Remember Rappin’ Duke? Duh-ha, Now honeys play me close like butter duh-ha play toast You never thought that hip hop would From the Mississippi down to the East take it this far Coast Now I’m in the limelight, ‘cause I rhyme Condos in Queens, indo for weeks tight Sold-out seats to hear Biggie Smalls Time to get paid, blow up like the World speak Trade Livin’ life without fear Born sinner, the opposite of a winner Puttin’ five carats in my baby girl’s ear Remember when I used to eat sardines Lunches, brunches, interviews by the for dinner pool Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri Considered a fool ‘cause I dropped Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starski outta high school (Wassup?) Stereotypes of a black male I’m blowin’ up like you thought I would misunderstood Call the crib, same number, same hood And it’s still all good

24 Uh, and if you don’t know, now you [Hook: Total + The Notorious B.I.G.] know, nigga You know very well Who you are [Hook: Total] Don’t let ‘em hold you down You know very well And if you don’t know, now you know, Who you are nigga Don’t let ‘em hold you down Reach for the stars Reach for the stars You had a goal You had a goal But not that many But not that many ‘Cause you’re the only one ‘Cause you’re the only one I’ll give you good and plenty I’ll give you good and plenty And if you don’t know, now you know, nigga [Verse 3: The Notorious B.I.G.] Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis [Ad-Libs: The Notorious B.I.G.] When I was dead broke, man, I couldn’t Representin’ B-Town in the house picture this Junior Mafia, mad flavor 50-inch screen, money-green leather Uh, yh, yeah, a’ight sofa Got two rides, a limousine with a [Hook: Total] chauffeur You know very well Phone bill about two G’s flat Who you are No need to worry, my accountant Don’t let ‘em hold you down handles that Reach for the stars And my whole crew is ’ You had a goal Celebratin’ every day, no more public But not that many housin’ ‘Cause you’re the only one Thinkin’ back on my one-room shack I’ll give you good and plenty Now my mom pimps a Ac with minks on her back [Outro: Puff Daddy + Total] And she loves to show me off of course Biggie Smalls, it’s all good, nigga Smiles every time my face is up in The Junior Mafia, it’s all good, nigga Source Bad Boy, it’s all good, nigga We used to fuss when the landlord It’s all good dissed us That’s right, ‘94 No heat, wonder why Christmas missed And on and on, and on and on us You know very well Birthdays was the worst days It’s all good Now we sip Champagne when we Who you are thirsty Yeah… Uh, damn right, I like the life I live Don’t let ‘em hold you down ‘Cause I went from negative to positive Reach for the stars And it’s all… (It’s all good, nigga) And if you don’t know, now you know, [Produced by and Poke of nigga ]

25 11. Everyday Struggle Wallace C., Glover, N., Ellis, R.

[Hook] wasn’t tryin’ to hear it I don’t wanna live no more Smoking mad Newports ‘cause I’m due Sometimes I hear death knocking at my in court front door For an assault that I caught in Bridgeport, I’m living every day like a hustle New York Another drug to juggle, another day, Catch me if you can like the Gingerbread another struggle Man I don’t wanna live no more You better have your gat in hand, ‘cause Sometimes I hear death knocking at my man… front door I’m living every day like a hustle [Hook] Another drug to juggle, another day, I don’t wanna live no more another struggle Sometimes I hear death knocking at my front door [Verse 1] I’m living every day like a hustle I know how it feel to wake up fucked up Another drug to juggle, another day, Pockets broke as hell, another rock to another struggle sell I don’t wanna live no more People look at you like you’s the user Sometimes I hear death knocking at my Selling drugs to all the losers, mad front door buddha abuser I’m living every day like a hustle But they don’t know about your stress- Another drug to juggle, another day, filled day another struggle Baby on the way, mad bills to pay That’s why you drink Tanqueray, so you [Verse 2] can reminisce I had the master plan, I’m in the caravan And wish you wasn’t living so devilish, on my way to Maryland, with my man shit Two-TEC’s to take over this projects I remember I was just like you They call him Two-TEC’s, he tote two Smoking blunts with my crew, flippin’ TEC’s over 62’s And when he start to bust, he like to ‘Cause G-E-D wasn’t B-I-G ask, “Who’s next?” I got P-A-I-D, that’s why my moms hate I got my honey on the Amtrak with the me crack She was forced to kick me out, no doubt In the crack of her ass, two pounds of Then I figured out nicks went for 20 hash in the stash down South I wait for hon to make some quick cash Packed up my tools for my raw power I told her she could be lieutenant, bitch move got gassed Glock 19 for casket and flower moves At last, I’m literally lounging, black For chumps tryin’ to stop my flow Sitting back, counting double digit And what they don’t know will show on thousand stacks the autopsy Had to re-up, see what’s up with my Went to see Papi to cop me a brick peeps Asked for some and he Toyota Deal-a-Thon had it cheap on the

26 Jeeps Breaking days on the set, no sweat See who got smoked, what rumors was Drunk off Moet, can’t bag yet because spread it’s still wet Last I heard I was dead with six to the But when that dry, bagging five at a time head I can clock about nine on the check Then I got the phone call, it couldn’t hit cashing line me harder I had the first and the third, rehearse, We got infiltrated, like Nino at the Carter that’s my word Heard Tec got murdered in a town I Thick in the game, D’s knew my first never heard of name By some bitch named Alberta over Should I quit? Shit no, even though they nickel-plated burners had me scared And my bitch, swear to God she won’t Yo, they got a eight, I got a TEC with snitch air holes I told her when she hit the bricks, I’ll make the hooker rich [Ad-Lib] Conspiracy, she’ll be home in three And that’s just how the shit go in the Until then I looks out for the whole struggle, mothafucka family; a true G, that’s me Hah, come on, what you say? Blowing like a bubble in the everyday struggle [Hook] I don’t wanna live no more [Hook] Sometimes I hear death knocking at my I don’t wanna live no more front door Sometimes I hear death knocking at my I’m living every day like a hustle front door Another drug to juggle, another day, I’m living every day like a hustle another struggle Another drug to juggle, another day, I don’t wanna live no more another struggle Sometimes I hear death knocking at my I don’t wanna live no more front door Sometimes I hear death knocking at my I’m living every day like a hustle front door Another drug to juggle, another day, I’m living every day like a hustle another struggle Another drug to juggle, another day, I don’t wanna live no more another struggle Sometimes I hear death knocking at my front door [Verse 3] I’m living every day like a hustle I’m seeing body after body and our Another drug to juggle, another day, mayor Giuliani another struggle Ain’t tryin’ to see no black man turn to I don’t wanna live no more John Gotti Sometimes I hear death knocking at my My daughter use a potty so she’s older front door now I’m living every day like a hustle Educated street knowledge, I’mma Another drug to juggle, another day, mould her now another struggle Trick a little dough buying young girls fringes [Outro: The Notorious B.I.G. & Puff Dealing with the dope fiend binges, Daddy] seeing syringes Junior M.A.F.I.A. right In the veins, hard to explain how I Yeah, rock on maintain Biggie Smalls, right The crack smoke make my brain feel Junior M.A.F.I.A so strange 27 12. Me & My Bitch Wallace C., Glover, N., Ellis, R., Thompson, C., Combs, S.

[Skit: Puff Daddy & Girl] and my bitch) Yo let—let—let me ask you a question Just me and my bitch, me and my bitch yo Just me and my bitch Yo, would you kill for me? Hmmm... yeah [Collision/Skit: Puff Daddy & Girl] What took you so long to answer But you know you love that ass, don’t motherfucker? you? I don’t know Yeah, no question The fuck wrong with you bitch? No question Yo, let me ask you another question [Verse 1] What? When I met you I admit my first thoughts You been fuckin’ ‘round on me? was to trick Why would I do that? You look so good huh, I suck on your Yo, don’t lie to me motherfucker daddy’s dick I never felt that way in my life [Verse 2] It didn’t take long before I made you my Moonlight strolls with the hoes, oh no, wife that’s not my Got no rings and shit, just my main I wanna bitch that like to play ceelo, and squeeze craps Comin’ to the crib, even had a set a Packin gats, in a Coach bag steamin keys dime bags During the days you helped me bag up A real bitch is all I want, all I ever had my nickels With a bop just as strong as me In the process, I admit, I tripped a little Totin guns just as long as me, the bitch But you was my bitch, the one who’d belongs with me never snitch Any plans with another bitch, my bitch’ll Love me when I’m broke or when I’m spoil it filthy fuckin’ rich One day, she used my toothbrush to And I admit, when the time is right, the clean the toilet (that’s nasty) wine is right Throwin my clothes out the windows, I treat you right, you talk slick, I beat so when the wind blows you right I see my Polos and Timbos Hide my car keys so I can’t leave [Hook] A real slick bitch, keep a trick up her Just me and my bitch, me and my bitch sleeve Just me and my bitch, uh, just me and And if I deceive, she won’t take it lightly my bitch She’ll invite me, politely, to fight, G Just me and my bitch, just me and my And then we lie together, cry together bitch I swear to God I hope we fuckin die Just me and my bitch, just me and my together bitch Just me and my bitch, just me and my [Hook] bitch Just me and my bitch, just me and my Yeah, just me and my bitch (just me bitch

28 Just me and Stepped to police with the shoves and my bitch, just the pushes me and my It didn’t take long before the tears start bitch I saw my bitch dead with the gunshot to Just me and the heart my bitch, just And I know it was meant for me me and my I guess the niggas felt they had to kill bitch the closest one to me Just me and my bitch, just me and my And when I find ‘em your life is to an bitch end Just me and my bitch, just me and my They killed my best friend... me and my bitch bitch Just me and my bitch, just me and my bitch [Hook] Just me and my bitch, just me and my Just me and my bitch, me and my bitch bitch Just me and my, just me and my bitch, Just me and my bitch, yeah uh Just me and my bitch, me and my bitch [Collision/Skit: Puff Daddy & Girl] Just me and my, just me and my bitch, Let me tell you nigga, if I ever uh (just me and my bitch) Ever catch your ass fuckin’ around Just me and my bitch, just me and my I’ma cut your mother-fuckin’ dick off bitch Hah, heheh stop playin, hah Yeah, just me and my bitch (just me I ain’t playin, ain’t no jokes, ain’t no and my bitch) jokes Just me and my bitch, me and my bitch Ain’t no jokes Just me and my bitch Yo, don- don’t play with my dick [Skit: The Notorious B.I.G. & Girl] [Verse 3] So when did you first start rappin’? She helped me plan out my robberies Um, I was like about 18 years old. Yeah, on my enemies about 18… Didn’t hesitate to squeeze, to get my So how did you first get started? Who life out of danger influenced you? One day, she put 911 on the pager Ain’t nobody influenced me, you know Had to call back, whether it’s minor or what I’m saying? I was just tired of major being on the streets, you know what No response, the phone just rung I’m saying? Had to get up off that, you Grab my vest, grab my gun, to find out know the problem I see. So where you from? When I pulled up, police was on the Brooklyn scene Had to make the U-turn, make sure my shit was clean Drove down the block, stashed the burner in the bushes

29 13. Big Poppa Wallace C., Isley, R., Isley, O., Isley, E., Jasper, C.

[Intro: The Notorious B.I.G. + (Puff I love it when you call me big poppa Daddy)] If you got a gun up in your waist Uh, uh, check it out (yeah), uh Please don’t shoot up the place! Junior M.A.F.I.A., uh (hehe) ‘Cause I see some ladies tonight Uh (I like this) yeah, yeah That should be having my baby, baby Nine-fo’ (keep bangin’) [Verse 2: The Notorious B.I.G.] [Verse 1: The Notorious B.I.G.] Straight up, honey, really I’m askin’ To all the ladies in the place with style Most of these niggas think they be and grace mackin’, but they be actin’ Allow me to lace these lyrical douches Who they attractin’ with that line in your bushes “What’s your name? What’s your sign?” Who rock grooves and make moves Soon as he buy that wine, I just creep with all the mamis? up from behind The back of the club, sippin’ Moët is And ask what your interests are, who where you’ll find me you be with The back of the club, mackin’ hoes, my Things that make you smile, what crew’s behind me numbers to dial Mad question askin’, blunt passin’ You gon’ be here for a while? Music blastin’, but I just can’t quit I’m gon’ go call my crew, you go call Because one of these honeys Biggie your crew got to creep with We can rendezvous at the bar around 2 Sleep with, keep the ep a secret, why Plans to leave, throw the keys to Lil not? Cease Why blow up my spot cause we both Pull the truck up front, and roll up the got hot? next blunt Now check it: I got more mack than So we can steam on the way to the telly, Craig, and in the bed go fill my belly Believe me, sweetie, I got enough to A T-bone steak, cheese eggs and feed the needy Welch’s grape No need to be greedy, I got mad friends Conversate for a few, ‘cause in a few with Benzes we gon’ do C-notes by the layers, true fuckin’ What we came to do, ain’t that right, players boo? Jump in the Rover and come over Forget the telly, we just go to the crib Tell your friends jump in the GS3, I got And watch a movie in the jacuzzi, the chronic by the tree smoke L’s while you do me

[Hook: The Notorious B.I.G.] [Hook: The Notorious B.I.G.] I love it when you call me big poppa I love it when you call me big poppa Throw your hands in the air if you’s a Throw your hands in the air if you’s a true player true player I love it when you call me big poppa I love it when you call me big poppa To the honies getting money To the honies getting money Playing niggas like dummies Playing niggas like dummies

30 I love it when you call me big poppa Tell your friends to get with my friends If you got a gun up in your waist And we can be friends Please don’t shoot up the place! Shit, we can do this every weekend, ‘Cause I see some ladies tonight aight? That should be having my baby, baby Is that aight with you? Yeah… keep bangin’ [Verse 3: The Notorious B.I.G.] (How you living, Biggie Smalls?) In [Hook: The Notorious B.I.G.] mansions and Benzes I love it when you call me big poppa Givin’ ends to my friends, and it feels Throw your hands in the air if you’s a stupendous true player Tremendous cream: fuck a dollar and a I love it when you call me big poppa dream To the honies getting money Still tote gats strapped with infrared Playing niggas like dummies beams I love it when you call me big poppa Choppin’ Os, smokin’ la in Optimos If you got a gun up in your waist Money, hoes and clothes: all a nigga Please don’t shoot up the place! knows ‘Cause I see some ladies tonight A foolish pleasure? Whatever That should be having my baby, baby I had to find the buried treasure, so grams I had to measure [Outro: Notorious B.I.G.] However, , Coogi Uh, check it out sweater now Nine-fo’ shit for that ass, uh Drop top BM’s, I’m the man, girlfriend Puff Daddy, Biggie Smalls, Junior M.A.F.I.A [Interlude: Puff Daddy] Represent—baby, baby, uh Yeah, honey, check it—

31 32 33 14. Respect Wallace C., King, D., Casey, H.

[Intro: & The Notorious Me holla respect, to all the gun men B.I.G.] dem No people pon gun men, seen? (big up, Gun men alone, keep gun men friend big up) Fire bun, fi all the informer dem Comes on 94’ where the African people Informer lone keep informer friend and [?] [?] on the corner [Verse 2: The Notorious B.I.G. ] Watch this, lawd Now I’m thirteen, smoking blunts, making cream [Hook: Diana King] On the drug scene, fuck a football team: Me holla respect, to all the gun men Risking ruptured spleens by the age of dem sixteen Gun men alone, keep gun men friend Hearing the coach scream ain’t my Fire bun, fi all the informer dem lifetime dream! Informer lone keep informer friend I mean I want to blow up, stack my dough up [Verse 1: The Notorious B.I.G. ] So school I didn’t show up, it fucked my Nineteen-seventy something, nigga I flow up don’t sweat the date Mom said that I should grow up and My moms is late so I had to plan my check myself escape Before I wreck myself, disrespect myself Out the skins, in this world of fly girls Put the drugs on the shelf? Nah, Tanqueray and Hennessy until I cold couldn’t see it hurl Scarface, King of New York, I want to Ten months in this gut, what the fuck be it I wish moms would hurry up so I could Rap was secondary, money was get buck necessary Wild juvenile ripping mics and shit Until I got incarcerated--kinda scary New York, New York, ready for the likes C74-Mark 8 set me straight of this Not able to move behind the great steel Then came the worst date, May 21st gate 2:19, that’s when my momma water Time to contemplate, damn, where did burst I fail? No spouse in the house so she rode for All the money I stacked was all the self money for bail To the hospital, to see if she could get a little help [Hook: Diana King] Umbilical cord’s wrapped around my Me holla respect, to all the gun men neck dem I’m seeing my death and I ain’t even Gun men alone, keep gun men friend took my first step Fire bun, fi all the informer dem I made it out, I’m bringing mad joy Informer lone keep informer friend The doctor looked and said, “He’s going to be a bad boy” Me holla respect, to all the gun men [Hook: Diana King] dem

34 Gun men alone, keep gun men friend Now this is Diana King doing a Yankee Fire bun, fi all the informer dem thing Informer lone keep informer friend In a Biggie Small’s thing, do it, Ja! Have Mercy! [Verse 3: The Notorious B.I.G. ] The gunman in all de party Ninety-four, now I explore new horizons And everybody feel irie Mama smile when she see me, that’s And everybody just follow me, follow surprising me, follow me! Honeys is tantalizing, they freak all Have Mercy! night The halloween at de party Peep ducking cops on the creep all And everybody look irie night Now I demand them sexy, sexy, sexy As I open my eyes and realizing I Do it! changed Not the same deranged child stuck up [Outro: Diana King] in the game No mercy for the people [?] And to my niggas living street life [?] seen? Learn to treat life to the best, put stress Hardcore thing we are be with to rest Oh yes, we are the best Still tote your vest man, niggas be [?] tripping In the streets without a gat? Nah, nigga [Skit: The Notorious B.I.G. & Woman] you’re slipping Shit mami, damn, why you actin like If I’m pimping on The F with weed on that man? my breath ‘Cause I don’t be doin’ this Original hustler with the muffler on the I’m sayin’, you know it ain’t nothin’ Te c It’s just part of sex, ya know’m saying Respect to the macks in the Ac’s But you know I don’t do this, I don’t To the freaks in the Jeeps, lick shots to even know how to do this my peeps I’m just sayin’, jus-just a little peck mami, for daddy [Hook: Diana King] Just a little peck Me holla respect, to all the gun men Like that? dem That’s what I’m sayin’, yeah Gun men alone, keep gun men friend You know I don’t be doin’ this though Fire bun, fi all the informer dem tho’, you know that Informer lone keep informer friend Whatever bitch, damnit

Me holla respect, to all the gun men dem Gun men alone, keep gun men friend Fire bun, fi all the informer dem Informer lone keep informer friend

[Break: Diana King]

35 15. Friend Of Mine Wallace C., Harvey, O.

[Intro] [Hook] Fuck the bitches, fuck all the stank-ass You know that ain’t right hoes, all my niggas know With a friend of mine Junior M.A.F.I.A. clique, Gucci Don, you know how we play [Verse 2] Fuckin scandalous-ass bitches; you You see, I don’t sweat these hoes know how it go, Gooch I keep them in flavors like Timbos and I meet a bitch, fuck a bitch Girbauds Next thing you know you fuckin the bitch Bitches just like to play the merry-go You just pass it around and shit, pass (Yeah we know, drop the scenario) the shit like a cold and shit It was me, Dee, the MPV Fuck ‘em The blunts and brew thang, knocking some Wu-tang [Verse 1] M-E-T-H-Oh shit, look at them lips and Now when I’m fucking off gin I’m them hips on that bitch invincible Dee hit the dip, so I can drop my Don’t love no ho, that’s my principle mackadocious shit Cause uh, bitches come [and uh] Light the blunt clip, and recognize a bitches go pimp That’s why I get my nut and I be out the Needless to speak, the G’s obsolete fucking door Don’t sleep, banged the skins in a week [You know] they might be the one to set On the creep up the avenue me up I seen her on the block, who she rapping Want to get they little brother to wet me to? up That’s my nigga Dee, damn he got G That’s why I tote Tecs and stuff to get Now she fucking him and fucking me, them off my case see Just in case the little fucker ends up You know that ain’t right misplaced I don’t give a bitch enough to catch the [Hook] bus And when I see the semen I’m leaving [Verse 3] Bitches be scheming, I kid you not Uh now I play her far like a moon play That’s why I keep my windows locked a star and my Glock cocked She still sweat me hard cause I’m a rap One ho said (Big, why you so hard on star us? I be cruising up the block, I be passing Why you swear all bitches are so her scandalous?) Pimping hard with the female passenger Thug nigga until the end, tell a friend And the only time I call her to hang bitch Is when me and Dee blunted up, pissy, Cause when I like you, then you go and scheming on a gang-bang fuck my friend bitch She should have used her intuition [And you know that ain’t right] Then she wouldn’t be classified in that position, listen

36 She’s saying I dissed her cause I’m fucking her sister A message to the fellas, that really gets them pissed, uh But she started that fucking family She fucked my man Dee, so why she mad at me? (True) Plus your sister look better than you Give head better than you, pussy get wetter than you So break the fuck out like a rash I’m glad I ain’t spend no cash to hit your nasty ass

[Hook]

37 16. Unbelievable Wallace C., Martin, C.

[Produced by DJ Premier] Oh I, thought he was wack, oh come come now [Verse 1] Why y’all so dumb now, hunt me or be Live from Bedford-Stuyvesant, the hunted livest one I got three hundred and fifty-seven ways Representing BK to the fullest To simmer sauté, I’m the winner all day Gats I pull it Lights get dimmer down Biggie’s Bastards duckin’ when Big be bucking hallway Chickenheads be clucking in my My forte causes Caucasians to say bathroom, fucking He sounds demented, car weed scented It ain’t nothing, they know BIG be If I said it, I meant it handling Bite my tongue for no one With the Mac in the Ac’ door paneling Call me evil or unbelievable Bandaging MC’s, oxygen they can’t breathe [Hook x4] Mad tricks up the sleeve It’s unbelievable Wear boxers so my dick can breathe Biggie Smalls is the illest Breeze through in the Q-45 by my side, lyrical high [Verse 3] And those that rushes my clutches get Buck shots out the sun roof of Lexus put on crutches coupes Get smoked like dutches from the Leave no witnesses, what you think this master is Hate to blast you but I have to, you see Ain’t no amateurs here, I damage and I smoke a lot tear Your life is played out like Kwame and MC’s fear me, they too near not to hear them fucking polka dots me Who rock the spot, Biggie Clearly, I’m the triple beam dream You know how the weed go, unbelievable One thousand grams of uncut to the gut It seems fucked up, the way I touched [Hook x4] up the grill It’s unbelievable Trying to play guerilla, when you ain’t Biggie Smalls is the illest no killer The gat’s by your liver, your upper lip [Verse 2] quiver B-I-G, G-I-E, A.K.A., B.I.G Get ready to die, tell God I said hi Get it, Biggie And throw down some ice, for the nicest Also known as the bon appetit MC Rappers can’t sleep Niggas know the steelo, unbelievable Need sleeping, Big keep creeping Bullets heat-seeking [Hook till fade] Casualties need treating It’s unbelievable] Dumb rappers need teaching Biggie Smalls is the illest Lesson A - don’t fuck with B-I, that’s that

38 17. Suicidal Thoughts Wallace C., Hall, R.

[Intro: Puff Daddy] Who’s to blame for both of them (Nah Hello, aw shit nigga, what the fuck time nigga, not you) is it man? I swear to God I want to just slit my Oh goddamn, nigga do you know what wrists and end this bullshit time it is? Throw the Magnum to my head, threaten Aw shit, what the fuck’s going on? to pull shit(Nigga what the fuck) You a’ight? Nigga what the fuck is And squeeze, until the bed’s completely wrong with you? red (It’s too late for this shit man) [Verse: The Notorious B.I.G. (Puff I’m glad I’m dead, a worthless fucking Daddy)] buddha head When I die, fuck it, I wanna go to hell The stress is building up, I can’t (Yo, I’m Cause I’m a piece of shit, it ain’t hard to on my way over there man) fucking tell I can’t believe suicide’s on my fucking It don’t make sense, going to heaven mind, I wanna leave with the goodie-goodies I swear to God I feel like death is fucking Dressed in white, I like black Timbs and calling me black hoodies But nah, you wouldn’t understand God’ll prolly have me on some real (Nigga talk to me please, man) strict shit You see it’s kinda like the crack did to No sleeping all day, no getting my dick Pookie, in New Jack licked Except when I cross over, there ain’t no Hanging with the goodie-goodies coming back(Yo, I’ma call you when I lounging in paradise get in the car) Fuck that shit, I wanna tote guns and Should I die on the train track, like shoot dice Ramo in Beat Street (You talking some crazy shit now, nigga) People at the funeral fronting like they All my life I been considered as the miss me (Ayo where your girl at, man?) worst My baby momma kiss me but she glad Lying to my mother, even stealing out I’m gone (Yo, put your girl on the phone, her purse nigga) Crime after crime, from drugs to She know me and her sister had some’n extortion going on I know my mother wish she got a fucking I reach my peak, I can’t speak (Ayo, abortion you listening to me motherfucker?) She don’t even love me like she did Call my nigga Chic, tell him that my will when I was younger (Get a hold of is weak (Ayo c’mon nigga) yourself nigga) I’m sick of niggas lying, I’m sick of Sucking on her chest just to stop my bitches hawkin’ fucking hunger Matter of fact, I’m sick of talking (BANG) I wonder if I died, would tears come to (Ayo Big, ayo Big) her eyes Forgive me for my disrespect, forgive [Outro] me for my lies (Heartbeat slowing) My baby mother’s eight months, her Please hang up, and try your call again little sister’s two Please hang up—is a recording

39 40