3rd Bass was one of a sti… Read Full Bio ↴For the French trance act, see Third Bass.
3rd Bass was one of a still-small number of white hip hop artists to achieve wide acceptance in the larger community. Along with the Beastie Boys, 3rd Bass proved that white hip hop wasn't necessarily going to become a watered-down, commercially exploitative rip-off of the genuine article, as so many white interpretations of black musical forms had been in the past. Instead, they were possessed of a well-developed lyrical technique and were respectfully well-versed in hip hop culture and tradition. They helped set the tone for the way white rappers could credibly and intelligently approach the music, and despite staying together for only two albums, they managed to create a highly positive lasting impact.
3rd Bass was formed by Queens-born MC Serch (born Michael Berrin) and Brooklyn-native Prime Minister Pete Nice (born Pete Nash), along with African-American DJ Richie Rich (born Richard Lawson). Nice had been an English major at Columbia University and hosted a short-lived hip hop show on radio station WKCR. Serch, meanwhile, had honed his skills battle-rapping at clubs and block parties and had previously released a solo single called "Hey Boy" on the small independent Idlers label. Both Serch and Nice were working as solo acts until producer Sam Sever convinced the two 20 year olds to join forces in 1987. Along with Prince Paul and the Bomb Squad, Sever produced their 1989 Def Jam debut, The Cactus Album (aka Cee/D), which was greeted with enthusiastic reviews in most quarters. Clever, good-humored singles like "The Gas Face" featured Zev Love X (later known as the great MF Doom) from KMD first appearance, "Steppin' to the A.M.," and "Brooklyn-Queens" helped make 3rd Bass's name in the hip hop underground. They followed it in 1991 with Derelicts of Dialect, which featured one of the first recorded appearances by Nas and contained a viciously funny jab at Vanilla Ice called "Pop Goes the Weasel." Accompanied by an equally humorous video, "Pop Goes the Weasel" became 3rd Bass's biggest chart single and performed some much-needed damage control in the hip hop community: not only did it prevent 3rd Bass from getting lumped in with Ice, but by extension, it also distanced at least some of the Caucasian race from the whole phenomenon, opening doors for greater inclusiveness later on.
Despite their success, 3rd Bass disbanded in 1992 when MC Serch went solo. He issued Return of the Product later that year, and the remainder of the group, billed as Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich, teamed up for Dust to Dust in 1993. Neither was as successful or high-profile as the two gold-selling 3rd Bass albums. Serch, interested in discovering new talent, became the head of A&R at the respected, now-defunct Wild Pitch label, and later founded his own label, Serchlight Productions. Nice, meanwhile, dropped out of the music business and opened a store in Cooperstown, NY, that sold baseball memorabilia. In 2000, 3rd Bass reunited for several concerts.
Pop Goes The Weasel
3rd Bass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pop goes the, pop goes the windin' of the weasel
I see the empty pocket needs a refill
I got a squad with a list of complainers
I should have started RAPE
Rappers Against Phony Entertainers
It's ninety-one son, so somethin's gotta change
Gettin' paid to peddle sneakers and soda pop (pop pop pop)
Pop goes the weasel as drawers drop (drop drop drop)
Why not take your top ten pop hit
Fix the music and make senseless rhymes fit
I guess it's the fact that you can't be artistic
Intricate raps, becomin' so simplistic
I gotta strong mind it doesn't have to be spoon-fed
And I can read what doesn't have to be read
So some stay illiterate and feeble, legally licked
You go the ways of the weasel (the weasel)
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop goes the weasel, 'cause the weasel goes pop
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop goes the weasel, 'cause the weasel goes pop
Hip-hop, got turned into hit pop
The second a record was number one on the pop charts
For those that get on heart that gotta in the ghetto
Let no one forget about the hard part
Now in ninety-one we got a new brand, a new band
Lookin' like the same old Klan
Same old thieves that skeez so we gotta make sure
That real rap has got to endure
Why score all my points in one period
Appearin' in complex structure like a pyramid
The paper for the media presence
Ya learn lesson from the face of false legend
Stop vexin' on the skills, ya ain't originate
The thin ice you skate upon will break and set ya straight
Ate up on the plate, now who's diesel
Not the weasel, not the weasel, pop goes the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop goes the weasel, 'cause the weasel goes pop
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop goes the weasel, 'cause the weasel goes pop
Ya stole somebody's record then ya looped it, ya looped it
Ya boosted the record then ya looped it, ya looped it
Aiyyo, I came from Cali, and they hooped it, they hooped it
But now you're getting sued kinda stupid
Boosted tracks get slaps, ya got no haps
To reach all four corners of the map
For kids in Kansas to those who speak Spanish
Doin' crazy damage so the wack gets banished
Can't manage the truth until you buy a way
Ya ain't quick so ya switch off the exit from my highway
To rest but a crook, had to take a second look
Ever heard of a chef who can't cook?
But the Minister Prime can lay laws
Hey yo, Pete Nice, rip the mic and go for yours
Goes for mine, I goes for mine
Find the Prime won't eat the green eggs and swine
On line like the Serch, in the hoody with the woody
Get a disc or tape, at Sam Goody
Why'd ya run through the doors some left open?
Ropin' off the scenes of the crime smokin'
I got pub and I'ma nut like a SCUD see
Blowin' up, like I'm throwin' up a beef patty
Sell-outs run a bout like the measles
No cures, cause pop goes the weasels
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop goes the weasel, 'cause the weasel goes pop
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop goes the weasel, 'cause the weasel goes pop
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop goes the weasel, 'cause the weasel goes pop
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Pop goes the weasel, 'cause the weasel goes pop
In the song “Pop Goes The Weasel” by 3rd Bass, the lyrics criticize the direction of hip-hop music in the early 1990s, specifically the shift towards pop music and the increasing lack of authenticity in the genre. The opening line, “pop goes the windin’ of the weasel”, refers to the pop sound that has taken over hip-hop. “I see the empty pocket needs a refill” is a commentary on the lack of substance in popular music at the time.
The song continues to critique the industry, with lines like “gettin’ paid to peddle sneakers and soda pop” and “why not take your top ten pop hit, fix the music and make senseless rhymes fit”. The verse about rappers against phony entertainers also speaks to the need for authenticity in the industry, and to push back against the tendency to prioritize commercial success over artistic integrity.
Overall, "Pop Goes The Weasel" is a commentary on the state of hip-hop in 1991 and the increasing commercialization of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's all sing Pop Goes The Weasle
This song is catchy so let's all sing it together
Pop goes the, pop goes the windin' of the weasel
Things go pop and change like the winding of a weasel
I see the empty pocket needs a refill
I'm broke and need to make money
I got a squad with a list of complainers
I have friends who are upset about the state of hip hop music
I should have started RAPE
I wish I started a group called 'Rappers Against Phony Entertainers'
So we can make it known that we won't get swayed
We want to make it clear that we won't be convinced by fake artists
It's ninety-one son, so somethin's gotta change
It's 1991 and the music industry needs to change
Gettin' paid to peddle sneakers and soda pop (pop pop pop)
Artists are getting paid to promote products like sneakers and soda
Pop goes the weasel as drawers drop (drop drop drop)
People are shocked and surprised by what's happening
Why not take your top ten pop hit
Why not take a popular pop song
Fix the music and make senseless rhymes fit
Improve the song and make the lyrics meaningful
I guess it's the fact that you can't be artistic
Artists are more concerned with making money than being creative
Intricate raps, becomin' so simplistic
Rap lyrics used to be complex but are now simplified
I gotta strong mind it doesn't have to be spoon-fed
I don't need the music industry to tell me what to like
And I can read what doesn't have to be read
I can see through the fake and insincere
So some stay illiterate and feeble, legally licked
Some people are uneducated and easily manipulated by the music industry
You go the ways of the weasel (the weasel)
You're acting like a backstabber or a rat
Pop pop goes the weasel, the weasel
Surprising things are happening
Pop goes the weasel, 'cause the weasel goes pop
Things are changing quickly and unexpectedly
Hip-hop, got turned into hit pop
Hip hop music has become overly commercialized
The second a record was number one on the pop charts
As soon as a hip hop song becomes popular, it becomes more mainstream and loses its authenticity
For those that get on heart that gotta in the ghetto
For those that come from the heart and the struggle
Let no one forget about the hard part
Don't forget about the struggle of growing up in the ghetto
Now in ninety-one we got a new brand, a new band
In 1991, new hip hop groups and styles are emerging
Lookin' like the same old Klan
Despite the new groups, hip hop still looks the same
Same old thieves that skeez so we gotta make sure
The music industry is still corrupt and we need to be careful
That real rap has got to endure
Authentic hip hop music needs to survive and continue
Why score all my points in one period
Why use all of your best ideas at once
Appearin' in complex structure like a pyramid
Appearing complex and layered like a pyramid
The paper for the media presence
The media is only interested in promoting artists that make them money
Ya learn lesson from the face of false legend
You can learn from the mistakes of past artists who have been fake and insincere
Stop vexin' on the skills, ya ain't originate
Stop being upset about other artist's lack of originality when you're not entirely original either
The thin ice you skate upon will break and set ya straight
If you continue to make bad choices, you'll get what's coming to you
Ate up on the plate, now who's diesel
You've had your fill of success, but what comes next?
Not the weasel, not the weasel, pop goes the weasel
I won't act like a weasel and go against what's right
Ya stole somebody's record then ya looped it, ya looped it
You stole a sample from someone else's song and used it in your own without giving credit
Ya boosted the record then ya looped it, ya looped it
You made the song more popular by repeating the sample
Aiyyo, I came from Cali, and they hooped it, they hooped it
I come from California where basketball is popular
But now you're getting sued kinda stupid
You're getting sued for not giving credit for the sample
Boosted tracks get slaps, ya got no haps
Songs that sample other music get attention but don't showcase any real talent
To reach all four corners of the map
To become popular all around the world
For kids in Kansas to those who speak Spanish
For people from all walks of life
Doin' crazy damage so the wack gets banished
Creating great music that makes lesser music irrelevant
Can't manage the truth until you buy a way
People only listen to what they're told and don't look for the truth on their own
Ya ain't quick so ya switch off the exit from my highway
You're not smart enough to understand my message
To rest but a crook, had to take a second look
You may seem innocent but you're actually guilty
Ever heard of a chef who can't cook?
How can you be a successful artist if you're not talented?
But the Minister Prime can lay laws
I can create great music that will stand the test of time
Hey yo, Pete Nice, rip the mic and go for yours
My friend Pete Nice is going to kill it on the mic
Goes for mine, I goes for mine
I'm focused on my own success
Find the Prime won't eat the green eggs and swine
I'm not interested in the fake and insincere
On line like the Serch, in the hoody with the woody
I'm onstage and performing with my hood up and my wood-shafted microphone
Get a disc or tape, at Sam Goody
You can buy our music at Sam Goody stores
Why'd ya run through the doors some left open?
Why are you taking shortcuts that others have already tried?
Ropin' off the scenes of the crime smokin'
I'm preventing others from stealing our ideas and profiting from them
I got pub and I'ma nut like a SCUD see
I'm getting a lot of attention and I'm excited about it
Blowin' up, like I'm throwin' up a beef patty
My success is evident and I'm getting bigger
Sell-outs run a bout like the measles
Fake artists will always exist, like a contagious disease
No cures, cause pop goes the weasels
There's no way to get rid of fake, insincere artists
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE BEAUCHAMPS, HARVEY FUQUA, PETER J. NASH, MICHAEL BERRIN, DAJANI JOHN, JOHN GAMBLE, DANTE ROSS, STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@castle4610
I was 20 and this was my shizz. Watching this brings me right back, man I wish I could go back sometimes. Forgotten fact- Henry Rollins played Vanilla Ice here
@war6431
Nothing out in the last 20-25 years even comes close to touching this ish!
@TrusnoTV
We are in the gym right nah talking about this shhh!💥You damn sure ain't lying! One of the members from de la soul passed away, & this brought back nostalgia!💯💯
@russellgrosser-7677
Love that Rollins' Vanilla Ice was wearing clown shoes towards the end of the video. Nice touch by the Base! 😝
@joseangelrivasjr.7710
I did security for Rollins while he visited troops in Iraq in 2004
@alfrednichols9286
These are my boyz'!! MC Serch with his Buddy Holly glasses, and Pete Nice chillin' with the cane and cigar!!
@Twizzledoc187
I had this tape cassette and played it over 10,000 times. Never got tired of this song
@TheMeanArena
After the 10,000 time did the tape sound like poooooop goooooeeeess the weasseeell, zip fort na zip zip?
@eazye9556
I'm from Germany 12 yrs old and i fucking Love Hip-Hop
@gamerguy9066
Disclaimer No weasles were "POPPED" in the making of this video!