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.
Trying To Get At You
8Ball & MJG Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
smash with my niggas, you know how we do
flippin through the hood, that's when I bumped into you
at the car-wash jumpin out your e-class
petite frame with your little round fat ass
10 1/2 for your eyes and your pretty toes
I wanna know you but I heard you got a nigga though
my windows are tinted so he won't know that you in it
we can cruise the city and get the car, we's in it
drink a hen open up and let your boy squeeze in it
a G for real I never played those games
wanna get in your brain, put some ice in your chain
you can stay with your manne, act a fool and complain
come and get with your boy we just hang and bang
that's the business but you don't want a niggaa like me
you want a weak ass nigga just pretendin to be
[Chorus]:
I wish I would've said somethin
That would've made you stopped walkin
How can I let you know, girl
I'm trying to get at you, baby
and instead of trying to step on you
I let another nigga up on you
How can I let you know, girl
I'm trying to get at you, baby
MJG:
Baby you need a hard leg, a straight niggah with no suga
one that won't play no games and give it to you
in the buck, doggy style, the whole mile
mix it up, with the new and the old style
ain't you tired of your man hangin up at your job
followin you round, talkin bout you breakin his heart
you too pretty, to have a nigga prettier than you
you need a cut-throat niggah, baby tell you the truth
I'm MJG and I ain't tryin to stay in your face
or croud your space or try to get a key to your place
I got my own spot shit but we gon hit the hotel-e
I can't take you to my spot until I know that you ready
see I ain't the one to fall in love just in a week
take out all my money then go invest in a freak
I see something I like baby can I just get a number
don't worry bout the stress and the pressure he got you under
[Chorus]:
...
8Ball:
Look, if your boy calls tell him that you're rollin with your girls
tell him y'all shoppin you gon meet him at the grill
really I'ma have you somewhere diggin in your ribs
pullin off the rubber and shootin it on your lips
dream about the day when I can hold your hips
wanna spoil you and tell niggas you my bitch
see you got a nigga I don't wanna see y'all split
the real nigga in me make a nigga do that shit
MJG:
You're listenin to your friends again, oh no
why you wanna take advice from them, they solo
I'm the one that put the spark in your life, all night
and all day, so motherfuck what they all say
tell em MJ said it and MJ done it
shot straight into your life like Haley's comet
eliminated them other cats who wanna run it
keep the bullshit we're takin you away from it
The song 'Trying to Get at You' by 8Ball & MJG tells the story of two men who are trying to get with the same woman. They both attempt to woo the woman with their words, as they each feel that they are better suited for her than the other. The lyrics are full of vivid descriptions, with 8Ball painting a picture of himself and the woman driving around town in his car, getting to know one another. MJG comes in with his own approach, promising to give the woman what she really needs, and suggesting that she should not listen to the opinions of her friends. Ultimately, both rappers are trying to convince the woman that they are the right man for her, and they are struggling to find the right words to do so.
The lyrics of 'Trying to Get at You' illustrate how men can often feel possessive or competitive about women, particularly when they perceive themselves to be more desirable than their potential rivals. The rappers' boasts about their own qualities and the shortcomings of the other man highlight this dynamic, and the lyrics capture the complexity of romantic attraction and the tangled emotions it can create.
Line by Line Meaning
smash with my niggas, you know how we do
I hang out with my friends often and you should already know that.
flippin through the hood, that's when I bumped into you
I saw you while driving through the neighborhood.
at the car-wash jumpin out your e-class
You were getting out of your car at the car wash.
petite frame with your little round fat ass
You have a small figure with a shapely butt.
10 1/2 for your eyes and your pretty toes
Your eyes and toes are both attractive.
I wanna know you but I heard you got a nigga though
I'm interested in you, but I've heard that you're already in a relationship.
anyway I'ma spit it like I know that you with it
I'm going to pursue you even if you have a partner.
my windows are tinted so he won't know that you in it
I have dark windows in my car so that your partner won't see you inside it.
we can cruise the city and get the car, we's in it
We can drive around together and enjoy the city while in my car.
drink a hen open up and let your boy squeeze in it
We can drink and you can let me sit close to you.
a G for real I never played those games
I'm a genuine person, and I don't play games with people's feelings.
wanna get in your brain, put some ice in your chain
I want to get to know you better and also provide you with expensive gifts.
you can stay with your manne, act a fool and complain
You can stay with your partner and complain about it to me.
come and get with your boy we just hang and bang
Come and hang out with me and we can enjoy each other's company.
that's the business but you don't want a niggaa like me
I know I might not be the type of person you want to be with.
you want a weak ass nigga just pretendin to be
You might prefer someone who is pretending to be weak instead of someone genuine like me.
I wish I would've said somethin
I regret not speaking to you earlier.
That would've made you stopped walkin
I wish I had said something that would have made you stop and talk to me.
How can I let you know, girl
I want to communicate my interest to you.
I'm trying to get at you, baby
I want to pursue a romantic relationship with you.
and instead of trying to step on you
I don't want to hurt or disrespect you.
I let another nigga up on you
I don't want to compete with another man for your affections.
Baby you need a hard leg, a straight niggah with no suga
You need a strong, honest man in your life.
one that won't play no games and give it to you
Someone who is direct and genuine with their feelings.
in the buck, doggy style, the whole mile
I want to have sex with you in various positions.
mix it up, with the new and the old style
We can experiment and try new things in the bedroom.
ain't you tired of your man hangin up at your job
Aren't you tired of your current partner bothering you at work?
followin you round, talkin bout you breakin his heart
Your current partner is following you around and accusing you of hurting his feelings.
you too pretty, to have a nigga prettier than you
You are too attractive to be dating someone who is more feminine than you.
you need a cut-throat niggah, baby tell you the truth
You need an honest and tough man to be with.
I'm MJG and I ain't tryin to stay in your face
My name is MJG and I don't want to be all over you.
or croud your space or try to get a key to your place
I don't want to invade your privacy or take control of your life.
I got my own spot shit but we gon hit the hotel-e
I have my own place, but we can go to a hotel together.
I can't take you to my spot until I know that you ready
I won't take you to my own place until I know you better.
see I ain't the one to fall in love just in a week
I'm not the type of person to fall in love quickly.
take out all my money then go invest in a freak
I don't want to spend money on someone who is only interested in sex.
I see something I like baby can I just get a number
If I find you attractive, can I have your phone number?
don't worry bout the stress and the pressure he got you under
Don't worry about the stress and pressure you might feel from your current relationship.
tell him that you're rollin with your girls
Tell your partner that you are going out with your female friends.
tell him y'all shoppin you gon meet him at the grill
Tell him that you are shopping and will meet him later at the grill.
really I'ma have you somewhere diggin in your ribs
I want you to feel really good in my company.
pullin off the rubber and shootin it on your lips
I want to have sex with you without using protection and ejaculate on your lips.
dream about the day when I can hold your hips
I have fantasized about holding your hips while being intimate.
wanna spoil you and tell niggas you my bitch
I want to shower you with gifts and let other men know that you are my partner.
see you got a nigga I don't wanna see y'all split
I don't want to interfere with your current relationship or cause a breakup.
the real nigga in me make a nigga do that shit
The genuine and authentic part of me is making me want to pursue you.
You're listenin to your friends again, oh no
You are taking advice from friends who may not have your best interests in mind.
why you wanna take advice from them, they solo
Your friends might not be in a happy relationship themselves.
I'm the one that put the spark in your life, all night
I was the one who made you feel excited and alive.
and all day, so motherfuck what they all say
Don't listen to what your friends say, because I'm the one you really want.
tell em MJ said it and MJ done it
Let your friends know that I am confident in my ability to make you happy.
shot straight into your life like Haley's comet
I suddenly entered your life like a shooting star.
eliminated them other cats who wanna run it
I got rid of all the other men who were interested in you.
keep the bullshit we're takin you away from it
We can escape from all the negativity and enjoy each other's company.
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.