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.
Thank God
8Ball & MJG Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comin hard for ya
We doin this right here man
Givin it back
Alotta thugs in the street,
Can't even do this right here man
But you know how we do
Hold it down, get it right, keep it tight
We thank God
[Eightball]
For my three sons, for my mom
For waking me up and breathing air into my lungs
For health and wealth and lots of love for myself
The chances in life to take the right steps
I done popped that thang, and I done been popped at
Stole, cheated, and lied
Survived when I could have died
Or somewhere locked up, my niggas locked up
That's why I pray to you, say what I say to you
Thank you for Swizz Beatz, to him you bring the heat
He brought the heat to us, we burn the streets up
Thank you for family and everyone that stuck with us
Gettin it crunk, and layin it down, and gettin to buck with us
Thank you for not lettin material things make me
Thank you for givin me the talent that my peoples see
Thank you for lettin my niggas live after gunplay
Thanks for forgiving me, cuz I don't do this every day
[Chorus]
[SB] I thank God!
[EB] For lettin me make it out the club
That night all that fightin and shootin jumped off
[SB] We thank God!
[EB] For lettin me make my money on the block
And get away when it get hot, uh
[SB] We thank God!
[EB] For them babies with them mommas who don't love 'em
And they have to grow up, fast
[SB] We thank God!
[EB] For everything, all them little things
For givin me my dreams, know what I mean?
[MJG]
I thank God for havin a mother and a father
To rely on for guidance when circumstances got harder
I'm a part of a whole race who thank God
For being able to be free and leave the plantation yard
And, I thank God for givin me the understandin to acknowledge him
Notice his footsteps and follow him
I'm walkin today, I'm talkin today
I'm feelin today, but on top of that I'm livin today
And, I thank God because he gave his only child
Would you give your only child? Think about that for awhile
And, I thank God for givin me my baby daughter
A roof over her head, and fresh clean drinkin water
And, I thank God for not being afraid to love
So all the love I give, I get back major love
And, I thank God for givin me all the blessings
To put a little piece of what we all think into this message
[Chorus w/ MJG instead of Eightball]
[MJG]
For all the times I thought I was in the worst situation
That I could be in
God helped me see in, them cloudy times
Them, "I wanna get rowdy" times
One of them, "They tried to bring the devil out of me" times
I thank God, for keepin my mind solid
And I respect my elders, if or if not they went to college
And, thank you Lord, for makin my bin and I swored
And I'm glad I don't feel like I have to kill to pay the bill
[Eightball]
I was blessed to be a story teller, CD seller
My niggas be them shady fellas, chasin yella
Greedy with they eyes beady, lives easy
Dispise those who rise easy, talkin freely
Thank you for them tricks who be, talkin down
Hatin me and think that I don't, get around
The rumors and the talkin all it do is bore me
Trick I done been through a true Holly-wood story
[Chorus w/ Eightball]
[Eightball talking]
Yea, Eightball, MJG
Swizz Beatz
Know wha'm sayin
Just wanna thank God
Simply, with the talents
That he blessed us with
Thank him, for the good things we celebrate
For the bad things that make us strong
Yeah
The song "Thank God" by 8Ball and MJG featuring Swizz Beatz is a heartwarming tribute to the things in life that are truly important. The song acknowledges that life has not always been easy, but despite everything, they are grateful for what they have. It expresses gratitude for family, friends, and for being able to live another day. The song speaks to the idea that everything happens for a reason, and that we should be appreciative of both the good and bad things in life, as they all contribute to shaping who we are. The chorus is a constant reminder that, in everything we do, we should take time to give thanks to God.
The song is also a reflection of the artists' values and beliefs. They share their appreciation for their mothers and fathers, recognizing the guidance and support they have provided. The lyrics reflect their faith and their desire to walk in the right path, acknowledging that their achievements are a result of the blessings they received from God. The song is a celebration of life, the struggles, and the blessings- a reminder to appreciate what we have and to give thanks for every little thing.
Line by Line Meaning
For my three sons, for my mom
I am grateful for the precious gifts of love and family.
For waking me up and breathing air into my lungs
I am grateful for the gift of life and my physical health.
For health and wealth and lots of love for myself
I am grateful for the blessings of prosperity and self-love.
The chances in life to take the right steps
I am grateful for the opportunities and choices in my life, allowing me to take the right path.
I done popped that thang, and I done been popped at
I have confronted violence and danger in my life.
Stole, cheated, and lied
I have made mistakes in my past.
Survived when I could have died
I am fortunate to be alive despite the risks I have faced.
Or somewhere locked up, my niggas locked up
I am grateful to be free and not incarcerated.
That's why I pray to you, say what I say to you
I express my gratitude through prayer.
Thank you for Swizz Beatz, to him you bring the heat
I am thankful for the musical talents of Swizz Beatz.
He brought the heat to us, we burn the streets up
We are successful and popular musicians.
Thank you for family and everyone that stuck with us
I am grateful for my supportive loved ones.
Gettin it crunk, and layin it down, and gettin to buck with us
We have fun entertaining and performing for our fans.
Thank you for not lettin material things make me
I am thankful for having perspective beyond material possessions.
Thank you for givin me the talent that my peoples see
I am grateful for my musical talent and the recognition it has received.
Thank you for lettin my niggas live after gunplay
I am grateful for my safety and that of my friends despite past conflicts.
Thanks for forgiving me, cuz I don't do this every day
I am grateful for the gift of forgiveness and the chance to make positive changes.
I thank God!
Expressing gratitude to God.
For lettin me make it out the club
I am grateful for making it out of a dangerous situation at the club.
That night all that fightin and shootin jumped off
That event was particularly dangerous and I am thankful for making it out.
For lettin me make my money on the block
I am thankful for my financial success despite the danger of the streets.
And get away when it get hot, uh
I am thankful for my safety and the ability to avoid dangerous situations.
For them babies with them mommas who don't love 'em
I am grateful that I was not born into a difficult situation of neglect or abuse.
And they have to grow up, fast
I recognize the challenges that children in difficult situations face.
For everything, all them little things
I am thankful for the multitude of things in my life - big and small.
For givin me my dreams, know what I mean?
I am thankful for being able to pursue my dreams.
I thank God for havin a mother and a father
Expressing gratitude for having supportive parents.
To rely on for guidance when circumstances got harder
I am thankful for the guidance and support I received in tough times.
I'm a part of a whole race who thank God
I am thankful to be part of a broader community of believers.
For being able to be free and leave the plantation yard
I am grateful for the freedom from oppression and slavery.
And, I thank God for givin me the understandin to acknowledge him
Expressing gratitude for the ability to understand and recognize God's presence in life.
Notice his footsteps and follow him
I strive to follow God's path.
I'm walkin today, I'm talkin today
I am grateful for the ability to act and speak in the present.
I'm feelin today, but on top of that I'm livin today
I am thankful for being alive and experiencing life in the present moment.
And, I thank God because he gave his only child
Expressing gratitude for God's love and sacrifice.
Would you give your only child? Think about that for awhile
Reflecting on the magnitude of God's sacrifice.
And, I thank God for givin me my baby daughter
Expressing gratitude for the gift of his child.
A roof over her head, and fresh clean drinkin water
I am grateful for providing for his daughter's basic needs.
And, I thank God for not being afraid to love
Expressing gratitude for the ability to give and receive love.
So all the love I give, I get back major love
I am thankful for the love returned to me in abundance.
And, I thank God for givin me all the blessings
Expressing gratitude for the multitude of blessings in his life.
To put a little piece of what we all think into this message
I am grateful for the ability to share insight and perspectives through music.
For all the times I thought I was in the worst situation
I am grateful for the strength to endure difficult times.
That I could be in
Reflecting on the challenges faced.
God helped me see in, them cloudy times
Expressing gratitude for clarity and guidance during tough times.
Them, 'I wanna get rowdy' times
Reflecting on past moments of recklessness or impulsiveness.
One of them, 'They tried to bring the devil out of me' times
Reflecting on past temptations or influences that could lead to negative behavior or choices.
I thank God, for keepin my mind solid
Expressing gratitude for mental strength and stability.
And I respect my elders, if or if not they went to college
I am thankful for the guidance and wisdom of my elders, regardless of their education level.
And, thank you Lord, for makin my bin and I swored
I am grateful for financial success and stability.
And I'm glad I don't feel like I have to kill to pay the bill
I am thankful for the means to support myself without resorting to violence.
I was blessed to be a story teller, CD seller
Grateful for being able to make a living through music.
My niggas be them shady fellas, chasin yella
As a musician, he is surrounded by less-than-savory individuals, but still grateful for his career.
Greedy with they eyes beady, lives easy
Reflecting on those in his circle who may be motivated by greed.
Dispise those who rise easy, talkin freely
Expressing disdain for those who are successful without hard work or integrity.
Thank you for them tricks who be, talkin down
Grateful for those who criticize or underestimate him, as it fuels his determination.
Hatin me and think that I don't, get around
Grateful for the opportunities he gets despite people doubting him.
The rumors and the talkin all it do is bore me
Reflecting on how he chooses not to focus on negativity or gossip.
Trick I done been through a true Holly-wood story
Reflecting on his eventful and often tumultuous life.
Contributed by Cole M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.