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 City Blues
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 City Blues" by 8Ball & MJG is a tribute to their hometown and the music that influenced their lives, particularly the blues and the rich R&B tradition of Memphis, Tennessee. The lyrics speak of the struggles and challenges of growing up in the streets of Memphis, where earning a living and staying safe can be a constant struggle. The song celebrates the music that provided solace and inspiration to the people of Memphis, including the local soul and blues legends such as B.B. King and Isaac Hayes. The song makes reference to the tradition of pimping, which is also associated with the city and the music scene.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "Memphis city blues," which refers to the feeling of melancholy and longing that is often associated with the blues. The lyrics describe how the music has touched every aspect of the artists' lives, from their earliest memories of playing in the streets to their later experiences touring and recording. They describe their determination to succeed and to be recognized for their own unique contributions to the Memphis sound.
Overall, the song is a testament to the power of music to inspire and uplift those who struggle and face adversity. It is a celebration of the rich musical tradition of Memphis and the people who have contributed to it over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Said I got the blues
Expressing the feeling of deep sadness or depression
Memphis city blues
Refers to the feeling of sadness that originates from the city of Memphis
Yeah, light up the green, watch me light up the room
Smoking marijuana and becoming energized and dominant in the environment
Watch me light up the mic, fat boy, be the truth
Successfully influencing the crowd through the power of one's raps, despite being overweight
Nigga live and learn, learn the streets or get burned
Advising to learn the ways of the streets to avoid getting robbed or harmed
Niggas take what you earn, they be slick as a perm
People will use trickery to take what you have earned
Man I try to be slicker, try to be cunning and quicker
Attempting to become more clever and faster to avoid being robbed
Try to be more than just another broke ass nigga
Striving to not remain poor and insignificant in life
In this game of life, lose your life in the game
Referring to life as a game in which one can potentially lose their life
Take a life full of pain, make you remember my name
Promising to become famous despite the struggles of one's life
From the home of the blues, thought I paid my dues
Referring to Memphis as the birthplace of blues music, and the singer believing they have worked hard enough to become successful
It's hard to fill my shoes, imitators abuse
Claiming that it is difficult for others to replicate their success and that many people have tried and failed
I just love the music, like my heart and my brain
Expressing the strong affection for music that becomes deeply ingrained in one's body and mind
Couldn't live without it, that's impossible man
Declaring that music is a fundamental part of their life and they cannot imagine life without it
I'm unstoppable man, from the bottom I came
Asserting an unwavering determination to succeed despite a difficult upbringing or background
Niggas scratching for bread, stumbled up on the fame
Referring to the difficult financial circumstances of many people, but some still manage to become successful
Humble niggas with game, shut yo' mouth up and listen
Describing individuals who have talent and skill but remain humble, advising others to pay attention to their work
Recognize, it's a blessing, thankful just to be living
Expressing gratitude for life, recognizing it as a gift
From the home of the blues, thought I paid my dues
Referring to Memphis as the birthplace of blues music, and the singer believing they have worked hard enough to become successful
It's hard to fill my shoes, imitators abuse
Claiming that it is difficult for others to replicate their success and that many people have tried and failed
Had the Memphis City Jones running through my bones
Feeling the deep-rooted influence of Memphis and its music in one's life
Way, way back with A+ beepers and gray phones
Referring to personal electronic devices present in the past
Even further back when I was just playing around the yard
Recalling childhood memories of playing at home
Riding bikes and shit, falling and getting my legs scarred
Describing the playful and risky experiences of growing up
In the music city, Memphis Tenn, they turned me into this
Crediting Memphis as the source of their musical talent and success
My dad and a couple of my friends, they played instruments
Revealing the musical influence from family and friends since childhood
And when we used to roll to school at 16
Recalling memories of attending school at a young age
We bumped shit like Bobby Womack and Al Green
Listening to classic soul music while traveling to school
Hell, I knew most of the old school shit from front to end
Being highly knowledgeable of classic soul and R&B music
I come from a city where R&B run deep
Describing Memphis as a city where R&B is highly influential
And the blues was the music that paved the whole street
Recognizing blues music as the foundation of Memphis's music culture
It was only natural that we would take the torch and run wit it
Continuing and building upon the musical legacy of Memphis
Be serious, but still have a little fun wit it
Taking music seriously but also finding enjoyment in the process
MJG, from a town that runs real deep
Referring to oneself, as an artist from Memphis, recognizing the depth of the city's musical influence
Ask B.B. King and Isaac Hayes on Bill Street
Referencing the legendary musicians B.B. King and Isaac Hayes, both from Memphis, and Bill Street, a famous street in Memphis
Commodores, O Jays, Frankie Beverly and Maze
Listing notable soul and R&B groups during the artist's upbringing
Windows rolled down, no AC cause the gas low
Traveling with car windows open due to a low amount of gas and lack of air conditioning
Bread at a minimum, but still we found a place to go
Struggling financially, but still being able to enjoy life by finding places to go
North to the South at my nigga house, chiefing out
Traveling to a friend's house to relax and smoke marijuana
Skipping school, learning what the Memphis City Blues 'bout
Skipping school to experience and appreciate the music culture of Memphis
Me and G and a whole bunch of others
Referring to oneself and associates during a specific time in life
Had a rocky road to travel just to make the world love us
Experiencing adversity on the path to becoming famous and respected
We got big ass, cash, and titties
Describing some of the excesses and vices present in Memphis
Big pimping working and hurt, the pockets of big tippers
Describing the lucrative but dangerous activities of pimping and the wealth generated in that industry
Side dippers and big jails to hide niggas
Describing the corruption and criminal activities present in Memphis, including hiding people in jail to protect them
But we stayed out, hard times, we prayed bout 'em
Managing to avoid the negative and dangerous elements of Memphis despite financial hardship
Nigga step up talking that shit and I laid out 'em
Confronting and overcoming those who speak negatively of the singer or their work
MJG rappin' the Memphis Tennie, you and I could feel it
Rapping about Memphis, and expressing the power of their music to connect with listeners emotionally
Pass me some of the henny
Requesting to drink Hennessy, a type of alcohol
Contributed by Penelope N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.