When It's On
8Ball & MJG feat. P. Diddy Lyrics

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[Verse 1: MJG]
I'm just a drop top flippin', flippin'
Fifth of Yacht sippin', sippin'
Dope crack that's going in the strip clubs tippin'
MJG ah, P.I.M.P. ah

Fuck a blind date, oh no, I got to see her
The new millennium poet

Forever show it, can't blow it
If you reap it, you sow it

I, pay my, dues
And it's the rules that I play by
Carry the team like I'm A.I
I used to cook rocks, and hit the block

And gun in the bushes, and money in my sock
Shit, I had hoes way before I was nationally famous
I was in the hood strapped up good
Watchin' my anus

I'm a target splitter
The world strongest man hardest hitter
Even though you hate
I still elevate regardless nigga

Step to us boy, look what you done started
And we don't even care that your arsenal be the largest

[Hook: 8 Ball & MJG, P. Diddy]
When it's on, it's on, it's on, it's on
When it's on, you better get your shit and be gone
When it's on, it's on, it's on, it's on
When it's on, you better get your shit and be gone

When it's on, it's on, it's on, it's on
When it's on, you better get your shit and be gone
When it's on, it's on, it's on, it's on
When it's on, you better get your shit and be gone

[Verse 2: 8 Ball]
Look, you niggaz play too much mayne
You need to pump yo' brakes
Keep a heater nigga need for them restless snakes
Right in my face caught a case tryin' to defend my space

Dodging snitches police niggaz jumping state to state
What kind of nigga run his mouth and snitch out everybody?
The kind of nigga that's gone end up being a dead body
Yo' wife and children gone be searching for their dear ol' daddy

They found his headless body tied up in a dark alley
It's cold like ice and snow on a nigga soul
For bricks or snow, niggaz will fuck you like a dirty hoe
Kick yo' door and put and your babies on the floor

See you in public fuck who with you let the thang go
A nigga tell you don't let business turn personal
Fuck what they say cause for gram a nigga hurtin' you
Niggaz out here hurtin' fool

Nothing is for free mayne
Fuckin' with the game
That's how that shit be mayne

[Hook]

[Verse 3: 8 Ball]
I was torn this bitch came from the streets I was born
Pussy like a little kitty back yellow as corn
I don't go around poppin' shit wit' niggaz who talkin'
Them niggaz ain't talkin' no more

Closed coffin
Not often do you see a nigga loyal as I
Like that boy from Best Eye nigga ready to die
For my bread and them niggaz that considered me family
Hold it down mayne I got you til we up there wit' granny

[Verse 4: MJG]
'Cause as soon as I start writing
I start going through physical
Deeper into my spiritual
I'm so fuckin' lyrical

MJG the realest the truth the definition
Just call me the competition
I'm still stomping and pimpin'
I'm still working with Diddy, still fuck wit the hood

I got the key to the city, the streets is all good
My leather is all wood, my gun is still secluded
I'm still hoping and praying to God I don't use it

[Hook until fade]

[P. Diddy talking]

Overall Meaning

The track “When It’s On” by 8Ball & MJG featuring P. Diddy is an impactful and engaging rap song that dissects the life and societal issues that many young people face growing up in America, particularly in the inner cities. The song's first verse by MJG describes his own journey from cooking rocks to hitting the block while keeping his eyes open for his safety. His experiences have made him a stronger person, and he remains proud of his roots, continuing to stand strong against the obstacles he faces. 8Ball’s verse follows with a message to those who talk too much, warning them to stay in their lane and avoid getting into trouble.

Throughout the song, there is a recurring call to action: when it’s on, it’s on, and you better get your stuff and be gone. The chorus serves as a warning to everyone that there are dangers on the streets, and everyone should tread with caution. The song's lyrics are composed of words that every black person can relate to, like ‘dope,’ ‘crack,’ and ‘strip clubs,’ among others. These words have a symbolic meaning and a deeper understanding that only people who have experienced the harsh realities of life can understand.

In conclusion, "When It's On" is an insightful and powerful song that perfectly encapsulates the harsh realities of the urban American experience. Through its lyrics, we can see how these two talented rappers address the challenges of life, while urging their listeners to be wary and cautious.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm just a drop top flippin', flippin'
I am driving around in a convertible car

Fifth of Yacht sippin', sippin'
Drinking a fifth of Yacht

Dope crack that's going in the strip clubs tippin'
Selling drugs to strippers

MJG ah, P.I.M.P. ah
I am a pimp, my name is MJG

Fuck a blind date, oh no, I got to see her
I don't want to meet a girl blindly, I want to see her first

The new millennium poet
I am a poet for the new millennium

Forever show it, can't blow it
I will always show my talent and won't waste it

If you reap it, you sow it
If you work hard, you will get what you deserve

I, pay my, dues
I have worked hard and earned my success

And it's the rules that I play by
I follow the rules to achieve my goals

Carry the team like I'm A.I
I lead the team like Allen Iverson

I used to cook rocks, and hit the block
I used to sell drugs on the street

And gun in the bushes, and money in my sock
I kept a gun hidden in the bushes and money in my sock

Shit, I had hoes way before I was nationally famous
I had women before I became famous

I was in the hood strapped up good
I was well-armed in the neighborhood

Watchin' my anus
I was being cautious about my safety

I'm a target splitter
I can hit my target accurately

The world strongest man hardest hitter
I am physically strong and can hit hard

Even though you hate
Even if you don't like me

I still elevate regardless nigga
I will still rise to the top no matter what others think

Step to us boy, look what you done started
Don't mess with us, see what trouble you caused

And we don't even care that your arsenal be the largest
We are not afraid of your weapons, even if they are many

Look, you niggaz play too much mayne
You guys joke around too much

You need to pump yo' brakes
You need to slow down and be more careful

Keep a heater nigga need for them restless snakes
Carry a gun for protection from dangerous people

Right in my face caught a case tryin' to defend my space
I got into trouble for trying to protect myself

Dodging snitches police niggaz jumping state to state
Avoiding informants and police that are searching for me

What kind of nigga run his mouth and snitch out everybody?
Who would speak out and betray others?

The kind of nigga that's gone end up being a dead body
That type of person will likely end up dead

Yo' wife and children gone be searching for their dear ol' daddy
His family will be looking for him after he dies

They found his headless body tied up in a dark alley
His dead body was found in a deserted place without his head

It's cold like ice and snow on a nigga soul
It's a difficult situation, it affects me deeply

For bricks or snow, niggaz will fuck you like a dirty hoe
People are willing to betray you over drugs or money

Kick yo' door and put and your babies on the floor
Breaking into your home and threatening your family

See you in public fuck who with you let the thang go
If I see you in public, I will attack you

A nigga tell you don't let business turn personal
Don't let business problems become personal problems

Fuck what they say cause for gram a nigga hurtin' you
I don't care what others say, if they hurt you, I'll fight back

Niggaz out here hurtin' fool
Some people are in pain and unhappy

Nothing is for free mayne
You can't get something for nothing

Fuckin' with the game
Getting involved in the criminal activity

That's how that shit be mayne
That's how things are in this world

I was torn this bitch came from the streets I was born
I had a difficult childhood in the streets

Pussy like a little kitty back yellow as corn
She has light yellow skin like corn

I don't go around poppin' shit wit' niggaz who talkin'
I don't provoke people who are talking behind my back

Them niggaz ain't talkin' no more
Those people aren't talking anymore

Closed coffin
The funeral coffin was closed

Not often do you see a nigga loyal as I
It's rare to find someone as loyal as me

Like that boy from Best Eye nigga ready to die
I'm like the person from Best Eye who is ready to die for his beliefs

For my bread and them niggaz that considered me family
I will protect my family and close friends no matter what

Hold it down mayne I got you til we up there wit' granny
I will support you until we die and meet with our grandmother in heaven

'Cause as soon as I start writing
As soon as I start writing a song

I start going through physical
I become more energized

Deeper into my spiritual
I become more connected with my inner self

I'm so fuckin' lyrical
I am very talented at writing lyrics

MJG the realest the truth the definition
I am real and speak the truth, my name is MJG

Just call me the competition
People see me as their competition

I'm still stomping and pimpin'
I am still working as a pimp

I'm still working with Diddy, still fuck wit the hood
I still collaborate with Diddy and the people in the neighborhood

I got the key to the city, the streets is all good
I have the power and respect in the city, everything is under control

My leather is all wood, my gun is still secluded
My car's interior is all wood, I keep my gun hidden

I'm still hoping and praying to God I don't use it
I hope I never have to use my gun

When it's on, it's on, it's on, it's on
When things get serious, they get really serious