Yo, alot of people be steppin to us like
Y'all from San Francisco right?
Nah G we show alot of love
But in the state of California from Humboldt to Oceanside ya dig
But L.A. is where it all happens for the Dub and Thes One
All you MC's say L.A. when you on stage
And when you do spit that hot verse
We gonna make it happen man

Who wanna test?
We lickin' off shots in the west
We make believers out the best
Lay the weak to rest
In southern California ain't no place like this
Half the stuff y'all doin' we created this shit
So don't be saggin young buck in the presence of this
Don't even come from the city and your runnin your lips
I'm 'bout to make a call get the news van out
Explain to Tritia Toyota on how your crew ran out
We comin live from the trey two three area code
Mad clouds of smoke and ain't no room for snow
Sucka niggas with sucka beats
Stay in the back seat and buckle up for the ride
I'm chillen with bad guys
And got time on my side
Cause this is my city this is where I live
And if ya bring bad vibes I got something to give
Hangin out under the sun is an everyday thang
And gettin crazy in the labs the only way I bang
Don't step to me with that mean face
Buddy I'm all smiles and I'm countin the miles
Down Crescent Heights boulevard
Home of the stars
Get ya pulled out ya car for frontin' too hard
Just listen, you ain't down with the streets my brotha?
I can forsee in your future ther'es some runnin for cover
Alot of y'all talk a good game
But ain't playin
I learned about the hood and now feel thats where your stayin
Fools be givin you the mad dog after the show
Cause we ain't feelin them flows
Or your designer clothes
Its phony people in L.A. I counted its alot
And if the hanus catch your a bully there claimin your block
Just get it right its Crescent Heights all day all night
The community where I was raised
Livin my days
Wishin I could be the mayor i'd deport you fools
And send you back to squareland cause over here we brew
Authentic people in the town
Throw up your dub take a drag
It's Double K signin off from the home of the bodybags

Yo about five years after they kill
Creep up the hipe
Wrestlee moovahs the sleepers
Drugdealers rock beepers
T tops, jerry curls, jelly flip flops for girls
C.B.'s on the strip and a commercial for
World on Wheels I whistle to my crew up on the block
The Color soundtrack rock the Fatburger jukebox
My L.A. U.S.C. memories are every sticks who filed down clowns
Claimin the same tricks on this turf
My roots go deep like turbo Nerf
And the cops still sweat us
I roll on all blocks like I'm sellin paletas
And rock the bells
Home of the drive-by where they pop the shells
I eat at Charro's and La Barca, not Taco Bell
And if your not from the city then you should probably bail
Cause alot of cats are implants
Claimin our labels something to say and something to prove and
At the shows with the flows and they think the crowds groovin
Its like the 405 at 5:30 nobodys movin
I'm tired of non-recognition losin the mission to proven to cats
That my soundtracks and L.A. hat
When newjacks strap New York rap on the block
With a palm tree it makes me sick
All you underground producers get off Premier's dick and just (chill)
I'm headed back to Pedro to sit up on the hill
Next to the Korean bell eatin Busy Bee
Watchin waves swell high visibility Catalina and sail boats
Hollywood hip hop soaps and sit-com dreams
I make morphine for beat fiends
Support L.A. teens stay trippin with Cal Green
O.G. Jerry Duffey when I'm on your screen
I'm friends with neighborhood crack heads
And I know (?Ben?)
L.A. is the place where I solve my problems
In it i'll never fear
I'll always stay here
Cause when I'm in L.A. my family's there

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of People Under The Stairs's song "The L.A. Song" express the pride of the rappers for their city of L.A. and their contempt for other cities that try to replicate its vibe. The song celebrates the unique lived experience of their city, from the rich mc-ing tradition to the specific streets where they grew up. The lyrics say, ‘This is my city, this is where I live, and if you bring bad vibes, I got something to give.’ The rappers also warn against false claims of being from the city and the fake people in L.A. who do it only for the show (designer clothes), while they themselves embrace the authentic elements of the city, such as the double dub or the street food from Charro's and La Barca. They are true L.A. and proud of it.

The song's authenticity is rooted in the specific cultural and historical aspects of L.A. The rappers reference events that happened in L.A., such as the riots after the Rodney King beating and the death of their friend, Creep, who was gunned down on the streets. They also mention the cultural elements of the city, such as the World on Wheels club, the Color soundtrack, and USC college football games. All these references show that their love for L.A. comes from a deep sense of connection to the city and its people.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo, alot of people be steppin to us like
A lot of people approach us and ask us whether we are from San Francisco

All you MC's say L.A. when you on stage
MCs claim that they are from L.A. when they perform on stage

In southern California ain't no place like this
There is no place in Southern California like L.A.

Half the stuff y'all doin' we created this shit
We are the originators of half the things that people do in L.A.

Don't even come from the city and your runnin your lips
If you're not from L.A., you should refrain from talking about it

Mad clouds of smoke and ain't no room for snow
There is a lot of smoke, and there is no place for snow in L.A.

I'm chillen with bad guys
I am hanging out with tough guys

And got time on my side
I have the luxury of having a lot of time

And if ya bring bad vibes I got something to give
If you bring negative energy, I have a response

Its phony people in L.A. I counted its alot
There are many fake people in L.A.

The community where I was raised
I grew up in this neighborhood

My L.A. U.S.C. memories are every sticks who filed down clowns
My memories of going to USC in L.A. are of everyone looking the same

I'm tired of non-recognition losin the mission to proven to cats
I'm tired of not being recognized for our contributions and having to prove ourselves

When newjacks strap New York rap on the block
When newcomers in L.A. try to copy New York rap style

Hollywood hip hop soaps and sit-com dreams
L.A. is obsessed with Hollywood and sitcoms, even in music

L.A. is the place where I solve my problems
I can deal with my problems when I am in L.A.

In it i'll never fear
I feel safe in L.A.

I'll always stay here
I will never leave L.A.

Cause when I'm in L.A. my family's there
My family is in L.A., so I will always feel at home

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