Adams released two albums under the stage name Dre Dog: The New Jim Jones in 1993 and I Hate You With a Passion in 1995. I Hate You With a Passion peaked at #79 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #3 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. In 1998, Adams changed his then current stage name to Andre Nickatina, and released the albums Cocaine Raps and Raven in My Eyes, which were released independently under Dogday Records. Unlike his albums released under the name Dre Dog, Cocaine Raps had deeper production values. Raven in My Eyes was noted for emphasizing "sequencers and keyboards that buzz and whine" over live instrumentation, as reviewed by Todd S. Inoue of the news magazine Metroactive. That year, he founded his own record label, Fillmoe Coleman. Nickatina explained in an interview with Strivin magazine that his name change was "for the better" and that he raps because he feels that he is talented enough to do so but not for the sake of popularity.
Soon afterwards, his following three albums, Tears of a Clown (1999), Daiquiri Factory: Cocaine Raps, Vol. 2 and These R the Tales (both 2000) made him more well-known in the West Coast underground rap scene. Mosi Reeves of the San Francisco Bay Guardian noted Nickatina's popularity at a CD release party for another underground Bay Area rapper, Smoov-E; Reeves called Nickatina "a quick-witted rapper who spits as hard as Kurupt does". A combo CD/movie project, Conversation with a Devil, followed in 2003. Charlie Amter, a music critic for SF Weekly, regarded the film as a knockoff of the classic gangster movie Scarface. Nate Denver for the SF Bay Guardian praised the album, though. Another album, The Gift followed in 2005, when the newspaper SF Weekly named Nickatina the "Best Local Hip Hop Legend" of that year. In 2008, he released A Tale of Two Andres with Mac Dre. Although they released only two songs together, they were close friends and the album was a tribute to his memory.
Dice of Life
Andre Nickatina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe that's why I do it so odd
Walk around just like I was god
Kick it so live, when I'm with the gods
Freeway strikin', and weed we lightin
And If I die, remember the titan
With 22's, 25's, Chocolate 9's and 45's
Let em rip, all through the sky
When you see me, it's no surprise
Tap your brain, and blow your mind
Bettin on Lakers, and takers and fakers, and makers
And mami we do it for paper
You come with the vapors or capers
Or caper and vapors
Its cool, someone I'll call later
Chorus:
Me and my homies, love the bottle
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So on them days you feelin' real bad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
Garlic tipped, and they love to hollow
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So before you go to gettin' mad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
She like the Nikes, I like the 'didas
She like the Reeboks, and I like the Filas
She like the winners, and I like the cheaters
She like the lion, I like the hyenas
Spit some game, then hook up with Shaq
On the PlayStation, I'm known to brag
Hook up with pimps that love the cash
Man you should see how we giggle and laugh
With of hearts of ice, the house is cold
Its like Slick Rick, without the gold
This right here is the life we chose
No excuses just go for gold
There's no producing, this perfect pose
Hit the street in the freshest clothes
Rip the stage, and bless the shows
Spit the flows, and hit the do'
Chorus #2:
Most of my homies, love the bottle
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So on them days you feelin' real bad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
Garlic dipped, and they love to hollow
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So before you go to gettin' mad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
Don't tell me twice, I'm out the door
Talk is not what I came here for
Into the night, like the star by the moon
The engine will rev, and the bass will go boom
Just like the pirate that sailed the seas
13 thieves I do believe
Yes of course they run with me
Flash our rings, on that there freak
Hot to handle, and hard to get
Easy to rip, and hard to fix
So rap your presence, I'll spit the gift
Man you my homie, we'll split the spliff
Ride like a maniac
All in the Cadillac
Tiga, whateva
I'm draped in leather
With angel wings, that rip the wind
And a safety grin of a p-210
Chorus #3:
'cause all my homies love the bottle
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So before you go to gettin' mad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
Guns they lust, and they love to hollow
So before you go to gettin' mad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
...Like Tyson loves Cus
[Talking]
This life of ours, this is a wonderful life
If you can get through life and get away with it, hey that's great
But it's very, unpredictable
There are so many ways you can screw it up
In "Dice of Life," Andre Nickatina raps about his lifestyle with his friends, who enjoy partying and indulging in substances like weed and alcohol. The opening lines suggest that despite the challenges that come with living a life in the public eye, he does it differently from others. He describes himself as walking around like he's a god, and he's confident in his abilities. The lyric "remember the titan" is a reference to a movie about a high school football team where a coach is well-respected and influential, similar to how Andre Nickatina feels in his social circles. The song also celebrates carefree living with a focus on pleasure-seeking, as seen in lines like "Betting on Lakers, and takers and fakers, and makers. And mami we do it for paper."
In the chorus, Andre Nickatina compares his love of alcohol to the boxer Mike Tyson's love for his trainer Cus D'amato. He advises listeners to think about the best sexual experience they've had before getting angry, implying that sexual pleasure and gratification can help soothe feelings of anger.
At the core of "Dice of Life," Andre Nickatina describes a life of excess and indulgence while living every day to the fullest. The message presents the idea that living in the moment and indulging in pleasure is a way of life versus an occasional pursuit. Overall, the song's lyrics depict a lifestyle of being comfortable with who you are and enjoying the company of others who share similar values.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah it's a picture; yeah it's a job
Maybe that's why I do it so odd
Walk around just like I was god
Feeling confident and powerful
Kick it so live, when I'm with the gods
Having fun and enjoying life to the fullest
Freeway strikin', and weed we lightin'
Driving fast and smoking marijuana
And If I die, remember the titan
Leave a legacy and be remembered forever
With 22's, 25's, Chocolate 9's and 45's
Referring to different types of guns
Let em rip, all through the sky
Shooting guns for fun
This for the ones that hate that I'm high
Addressing people who disapprove of drug use
When you see me, it's no surprise
Being open about a drug lifestyle
Tap your brain, and blow your mind
Being provocative and thought-provoking
Betting on Lakers, and takers and fakers, and makers
Referring to gambling on sports and people
And mami we do it for paper
Engaging in these activities for money
You come with the vapors or capers
Someone who is up to no good or causing trouble
Its cool, someone I'll call later
Accepting someone's words but not committing to anything
Me and my homies, love the bottle
Drinking alcohol with friends
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
Liking something or someone a lot
So on them days you feelin' real bad
Cheering yourself up during tough times
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
Recalling a positive sexual experience
Garlic tipped, and they love to hollow
Referring to women who perform oral sex
She like the Nikes, I like the 'didas
Having different preferences and tastes than a significant other
She like the Reeboks, and I like the Filas
Having different preferences and tastes than a significant other
This right here is the life we chose
Accepting responsibility for our choices, good or bad
No excuses just go for gold
Taking risks and aiming for success
There's no producing, this perfect pose
Being real and authentic, not putting on a fake persona
Most of my homies, love the bottle
Drinking alcohol with friends
So before you go to gettin' mad
Before getting upset or angry
Guns they lust, and they love to hollow
Referring to people who are obsessed with guns and violence
Don't tell me twice, I'm out the door
Being assertive and decisive
Talk is not what I came here for
Acting on what you want, not just talking about it
Into the night, like the star by the moon
Moving on and going forward
The engine will rev, and the bass will go boom
Referring to music and driving
Just like the pirate that sailed the seas
Referring to being adventurous and daring
Yes of course they run with me
Being surrounded by like-minded individuals
Hot to handle, and hard to get
Describing someone who is attractive but difficult to pursue
Easy to rip, and hard to fix
Describing someone who is easy to take advantage of but difficult to fix a relationship with
Ride like a maniac
Driving recklessly and dangerously
All in the Cadillac
Riding in style
I'm draped in leather
Wearing expensive clothing
With angel wings, that rip the wind
Feeling powerful and unstoppable
And a safety grin of a p-210
Having confidence in oneself
This life of ours, this is a wonderful life
Life is full of rewards and opportunities if you live it to the fullest
If you can get through life and get away with it, hey that's great
Accepting the consequences of one's actions, good or bad
But it's very unpredictable
Life is full of surprises and uncertainties
There are so many ways you can screw it up
Making mistakes is a part of life
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: ANDRE LAMOND ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elizondomountaindewherbert3250
Yeah it's a picture; yeah it's a job
Maybe that's why I do it so odd
Walk around just like I was god
Kick it so live, when I'm with the gods
Freeway strikin', weed we lightin'
If I die, remember the titan
22's, 25's, Chocolate 9's and 45's
Let em rip, all through the sky
This for the ones that hate that I'm high
When you see me, it's no surprise
Tap your brain, and blow your mind
Bettin on Lakers, and takers and fakers, and makers
And mami we do it for paper
You come with the vapors and capers for papers
Its cool, someone I'll call later
Chorus:
Me and my homies, love the bottle
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So on them days you feelin' real bad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
Garlic tipped, and they love to hollow
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So before you go to gettin' mad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
She like the Nikes, I like the 'didas
She like the Reeboks, and I like the Filas
She like the winners, and I like the cheaters
She like the lion, I like the hyenas
Spit some game, then hook up with Shaq
On the Playstation, I'm known to brag
Hook up with pimps that love the cash
Man you should see how we giggle and laugh
With of hearts of ice, the house is cold
Its like Slick Rick, without the gold
This right here is the life we chose
No excuses just go for gold
There's no producing, this perfect pose
Hit the street in the freshest clothes
Rip the stage, and bless the shows
Spit the flows, and hit the do'
Chorus #2:
Most of my homies, love the bottle
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So on them days you feelin' real bad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
Garlic tipped, and they love to hollow
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So before you go to gettin' mad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
Don't tell me twice, I'm out the door
Talk is not what I came here for
Into the night, like the star by the moon
The engine will rev, and the bass will go boom
Just like the pirate that sailed the seas
13 thieves I do believe
Yes of course they run with me
Flash our rings, or that there freak
Hot to handle, and hard to get
Easy to rip, and hard to fix
So rap your presence, I'll spit the gift
Man you my homie, we'll split the spliff
Ride like a maniac
All in the Cadillac
Tiga, whateva
I'm draped in leather
With angel wings, that rip the wind
And a safety grin of a p-210
Chorus #3:
Cuz all my homies love the bottle
Like Tyson loves Cus D'amato
So before you go to gettin' mad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
Guns they lust, and they love to hollow
So before you go to gettin' mad
Think of the best freak that you've ever had
...Like Tyson loves Cus
[Paul Castellano]
This life of ours, this is a wonderful life
If you can get through life like this and get away with it, hey that's great
But it's very, unpredictable
There are so many ways you can screw it up
@brinkbro12
Many a blunt has been smoked to this master piece.... thank you Dre for providing the soundtracks of my youth.
@bridgetferris6065
For real. Smoking atm
@mattrios784
Fuckin A man. Sophomore year of high school
@slnp
brinkbro12 realest shit💯
@samuelnakai1804
@@mattrios784 I see what you mean, but I can't get around the fact that you said Fucking a man.
@NK-vd6wv
Foreal
@docfinnmantynen6009
These old nickatina songs bring me back to easier times. Jus smoking drinking with friends. Some of these friends aren't even with us anymore. It makes me relive they're presence. Alameda California living, if ya know ya know.
@Spyes23
Man, this brings back memories... Every morning on our way to school, my friends and I would put Dre on, smoke some of that beautiful bay area weed and just chiiillll... Good times!
@JamesJohnson-im2gv
Bay Area weed is the best
@deborahdocrim1451
This song is the one that I started listening to when my son introduced me to you ... awesome