They first appeared on the rap scene with their 1993 album Comin' Out Hard. The album was successful commercially as well as critically and established the group as a prominent act in the then emerging Southern Rap scene. Their subsequent albums in the 1990s including 1994's On the Outside Looking In, and 1995's On Top of the World cemented their status as some of the South's best rappers. On Top of the World was particularly succeessful, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 200 and being certified Gold. After those albums both 8Ball & MJG released solo albums, first MJG's No More Glory in 1997 and then 8Ball's Lost in 1998. They reunited in 1999 to release their fourth album as a group, titled In Our Lifetime, Vol. 1
For their later releases they signed with Bad Boy Records. Their first album for Bad Boy Records, Living Legends, was certified Gold by the RIAA. Their second album on Bad Boy Records was titled Ridin High and was released in March 2007.
Commercially one of the high points of 8Ball & MJG's career was their being featured on Three 6 Mafia's hit song "Stay Fly" in 2005. That song peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is the biggest hit of Three 6 Mafia's career and the biggest hit for 8Ball & MJG. The song was a collaboration between two of the most successful rap groups from the state of Tennessee, where Three 6 Mafia also hail from.
Today 8Ball and MJG also head their own record labels. 8Ball heads 8 Ways Entertainment (distributed by Koch Entertainment), while MJG heads MJG Muzik. On their label are the young, up and coming Memphis duo, Da Volunteers, who are widely known throughout the Southern United States for their 2006 single, "What's Yo Favorite Color?", which glorifies their neighborhood of Orange Mound.
In September 2007, 8Ball and MJG signed deals in Sacramento, CA with Real Talk Entertainment 8Ball released a group album with E.D.I of the Outlawz entitled Doin' It Big on April 1, 2008 and MJG released a solo album entitled Pimp Tight on April 29, 2008.
In June 2008 the group announced that they have officially signed onto T.I.'s record label Grand Hustle.
Memphis
8Ball & MJG Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said I got the blues
Memphis city blues
Yeah, light up the green, watch me light up the room
Watch me light up the mic, fat boy, be the truth
Nigga live and learn, learn the streets or get burned
Niggas take what you earn, they be slick as a perm
Try to be more than just another broke ass nigga
In this game of life, lose your life in the game
Take a life full of pain, make you remember my name
From the home of the blues, thought I paid my dues
It's hard to fill my shoes, imitators abuse
I just love the music, like my heart and my brain
Couldn't live without it, that's impossible man
I'm unstoppable man, from the bottom I came
Niggas scratching for bread, stumbled up on the fame
Humble niggas with game, shut yo' mouth up and listen
Recognize, it's a blessing, thankful just to be living
I got the Memphis City Blues
Ooo, I could feel it now
The neighborhood pimps introduced us to pimping
And everybody we know used to play in them streets
Oh man, oh man, oh man
I got the Memphis City Blues
Ooo, I could feel it now
The neighborhood pimps introduced us to pimping
(This is how they put it down)
Everybody we know used to play in them streets
(We know)
Oh man, oh man, oh man
I had the Memphis City Jones running through my bones
Way, way back with A+ beepers and gray phones
Even further back when I was just playing around the yard
Riding bikes and shit, falling and getting my legs scarred
In the music city, Memphis Tenn, they turned me into this
My dad and a couple of my friends, they played instruments
And when we used to roll to school at 16
We bumped shit like Bobby Womack and Al Green
Hell, I knew most of the old school shit from front to end
I would start to memorize, four fives at age 10
I come from a city where R&B run deep
And the blues was the music that paved the whole street
It was only natural that we would take the torch and run wit it
Be serious, but still have a little fun wit it
MJG, from a town that runs real deep
Ask B.B. King and Isaac Hayes on Bill Street
I got the Memphis City Blues
Ooo, I could feel it now
The neighborhood pimps introduced us to pimping
And everybody we know used to play in them streets
Oh man, oh man, oh man
I got the Memphis City Blues
Ooo, I could feel it now
The neighborhood pimps introduced us to pimping
(This is how they put it down)
Everybody we know used to play in them streets
(We know)
Oh man, oh man, oh man
Yeah, on that pimping man, me and G was born and raised
Commodores, O Jays, Frankie Beverly and Maze
Windows rolled down, no AC cause the gas low
Bread at a minimum, but still we found a place to go
North to the South at my nigga house, chiefing out
Skipping school, learning what the Memphis City Blues 'bout
Me and G and a whole bunch of others
Had a rocky road to travel just to make the world love us
'Cause it's the Memphis City, really to call it itty bitty
Would be an understatement
We got big ass, cash, and titties
Big pimping working and hurt, the pockets of big tippers
Side dippers and big jails to hide niggas
But we stayed out, hard times, we prayed bout 'em
Nigga step up talking that shit and I laid out 'em
MJG rappin' the Memphis Tennie, you and I could feel it
Pass me some of the henny
I got the Memphis City Blues
Ooo, I could feel it now
The neighborhood pimps introduced us to pimping
And everybody we know used to play in them streets
Oh man, oh man, oh man
I got the Memphis City Blues
Ooo, I could feel it now
The neighborhood pimps introduced us to pimping
(This is how they put it down)
And everybody we know used to play in them streets
(We know)
Oh man, oh man, oh man
Said I got the blues
Said I got the blues
Said I got the blues
Gotta Jones in my bones
And it won't leave me alone
I got the blues
The song "Memphis" by 8Ball & MJG feat. Al Kapone is a tribute to their hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, and the blues and other music styles that originated there. The lyrics express the struggles of growing up in a rough neighborhood and trying to succeed in the music industry while staying true to their roots. The repeated refrain of "I got the blues" conveys a sense of melancholy and nostalgia for the place and people who have shaped their lives.
The first verse talks about the challenges of navigating the streets and avoiding danger while pursuing their dreams. They acknowledge the temptations of easy money and the risks of getting caught up in violence. However, they strive to be more than just "broke ass nigga[s]" and make their mark in "this game of life" through their music.
The second verse reflects on the rich musical heritage of Memphis, from the blues to R&B, and how it influenced their own development as artists. They pay homage to the legends who paved the way for them, like Bobby Womack and Al Green, while also recognizing the hard work and dedication required to make it in the industry. Ultimately, the song expresses a deep sense of pride and love for their hometown and its contributions to American music.
Line by Line Meaning
Said I got the blues
Feeling down and out
Memphis city blues
Feeling down and out specifically from living in Memphis
Yeah, light up the green, watch me light up the room
Smoking weed and feeling good, bringing energy to the room
Watch me light up the mic, fat boy, be the truth
Showing off skills as a rapper, confident in one's ability
Nigga live and learn, learn the streets or get burned
The streets are dangerous and require a certain level of knowledge to survive
Niggas take what you earn, they be slick as a perm
People will steal from you and cheat you out of what you deserve
Man I try to be slicker, try to be cunning and quicker
Trying to be smarter and more strategic to avoid being taken advantage of
Try to be more than just another broke ass nigga
Striving to improve one's financial situation and status
In this game of life, lose your life in the game
Living is a struggle and not everyone will make it through
Take a life full of pain, make you remember my name
Enduring hardships and overcoming obstacles will make one more memorable
From the home of the blues, thought I paid my dues
Coming from Memphis where the blues originates and feeling like one has worked hard enough to deserve recognition
It's hard to fill my shoes, imitators abuse
Being a successful artist is difficult and many people try to copy or exploit one's style
I just love the music, like my heart and my brain
Music is an integral part of one's life and identity
Couldn't live without it, that's impossible man
Music is essential and cannot be separated from one's being
I'm unstoppable man, from the bottom I came
Feeling like one has overcome struggles and risen to success
Niggas scratching for bread, stumbled up on the fame
Working hard and struggling to achieve fame and success
Humble niggas with game, shut yo' mouth up and listen
Being modest and knowledgeable, listening before speaking
Recognize, it's a blessing, thankful just to be living
Being grateful for life and success
I had the Memphis City Jones running through my bones
Having a strong connection and identity with Memphis
Way, way back with A+ beepers and gray phones
Referencing a time in the past when pagers and flip phones were popular
Even further back when I was just playing around the yard
Recalling childhood memories
Riding bikes and shit, falling and getting my legs scarred
Being active and adventurous as a child
And when we used to roll to school at 16, we bumped shit like Bobby Womack and Al Green
Listening to classic R&B while driving to school
I come from a city where R&B run deep
Being influenced by the rich history of R&B in Memphis
And the blues was the music that paved the whole street
Acknowledging the impact of blues music and Memphis on the music industry
It was only natural that we would take the torch and run wit it
Continuing the legacy of blues and R&B in Memphis
MJG, from a town that runs real deep
Identifying as part of the rich musical history of Memphis
Ask B.B. King and Isaac Hayes on Bill Street
Referencing famous musicians associated with Memphis
Yeah, on that pimping man, me and G was born and raised
Growing up around the culture of hustling and pimping
Commodores, O Jays, Frankie Beverly and Maze
Influenced by classic R&B artists
Windows rolled down, no AC cause the gas low
Traveling in a car with no air conditioning due to financial struggles
Bread at a minimum, but still we found a place to go
Despite financial struggles, having a place to go and make music
Had a rocky road to travel just to make the world love us
Facing difficulties in gaining recognition and success as artists
'Cause it's the Memphis City, really to call it itty bitty
Referencing the smaller size of Memphis as a city
Would be an understatement
It is more significant and meaningful than its size may suggest
We got big ass, cash, and titties
Referencing the stereotypes and culture associated with Memphis
Big pimping working and hurt, the pockets of big tippers
Describing the economic forces and dynamics of the city
Side dippers and big jails to hide niggas
Referencing the criminal justice system in Memphis and its impact on the community
But we stayed out, hard times, we prayed bout 'em
Striving to avoid negative influences and situations
Nigga step up talking that shit and I laid out 'em
Defending oneself against those who talk negatively or disrespectfully
MJG rappin' the Memphis Tennie, you and I could feel it
Proudly representing Memphis through one's music
Pass me some of the henny
Asking for Hennessy, a type of alcohol
Gotta Jones in my bones
Feeling a strong connection or identity with Memphis
And it won't leave me alone
Feeling like the connection with Memphis is always present
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARLON J. GOODWIN, PREMRO VONZELLAIRE SMITH, ANDY THELUSMA, Marlon Goodwin, Premo Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@postmastersgt1670
"MEMPHIS" Hip Hop matchups
(Who wins)
8Ball/MJG vs Three 6 Mafia
Playa Fly vs Don Trip
Project Pat vs Criminal Mane
Young Dolph vs Yo Gotti
Moneybagg Yo vs Duke Deuce
JayFizzle vs Big30
Big Moochie Grape vs Big Scarr
Pooh Sheisty vs Key Glock
Big Homiee G vs Finesse2tymes
Glorilla vs Gangsta Boo
Kenny Muney vs Big Boogie
Black Youngsta vs NLE Choppa
Lil Migo vs Kevo Muney
Sett vs Blockboy JB
Dee Mula vs Snupe Bandz
Lil Double O vs PaperRoute Woo
OG Boo Dirty vs Snootie Wild
@shawnrobinson225
Salute to Memphis from Crawfordsville, Indiana
@pathorne2
Wow you can't help but feel the poetic pain and struggle. Long live eightball and mjg. real mc's making real music
@YZFMX256
Bumped this shit when i was in Memphis last January for a car show, locals loved seeing a young white boy from Ohio bumpin this shit. Respect to Memphis
@neanam
White boy from Louisiana bumping this song right now as I am writing this
@pathorne1
REAL LIFE LYRICS AS ALWAYS THESE DUDES ARE 2 OF THE REALEST OF ALL TIME!
@memism7844
My dad made me come here. Always played old style of hip hop and rap when I was a kid . I love it
@mexicanpride199256
whoever dislike this must not know the great city of Memphis! North North baby!!!!
@pablopessoa5080
Julio Soldado . i don" t know the city of Memphis even
butt i like this song
lirics and beats
@MrAlekzinho
8ball and MJG.... they go far beyond the limit of their city.. so much talent
@neanam
North Memphis 👍🏿
South Memphis 🤙🏿