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.
Jungle
Andre Nickatina And Equipto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man you didn't know that
Three AM, man, we bumping Bobby Womack
My homie keep all his bullets hollow
That's why I smell like Salvatori Faragomo with the diamond sparrow
A rap cat with the BOSS apparel
I put my rhymes on your block then I run it just like little Darrell
Money and dope, man, don't come for free
I turn around like a tornado
Rock it like a baby cradle
Call me Doctor J if you a baller and it's getting fatal
I make MC's do angel dust
Take 'em to the Bay Bridge, make 'em strip, tell 'em jump
I don't know why I get high
I'm so in love with money I keep spending 'til it runs dry
Hot like a kettle, when the pedal hits the metal
Pinocchio you know son is Jepetio, hello
Deep fried just like Friday fish
A lot a hot sauce, now we got it popping in this bitch
Yeah, in anything I do I put my everything
Always feeling deep inside just like Mary J.
Ha, I'm never panicing, I'm bored stiff as a mannequin
Grew up fast just like Anakin
Baby its gullible, its Alice in Wonderland
All the excuses in the world I can't understand
Cause I'm a man of these times, the man to get high
Blow big, but my gross is family time
Ain't no way to intervene in my industry
Moving quicker then a centipede on enemies
One of a kind, once in a lifetime rhymes is written
It goes on, as long as time commences
[Chorus]
Shit, it's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from going under
When they hit me with the thunder and lightning
Its trifling, enlightening, and frightening
Some might think that it's even exciting
I'm like a Harley Davidson motorcycle, born to ride
With the force that the courts call the last Jedi
I'm like a veteran, off Excedrin's
Cause I be getting headaches from these Letterman's
I asked this little freak about my rap style
She said, "It's so damn dope they might take you to trial."
I hit the weed like I'm kamikaze next to the cosmos
Chopping up shit, yeah, with Quipto and Vago
Raps like a Tommy gun, watch how the body run
Raps from the Tommy gun will make anybody run
I'm bout to go in like a movie, but no stunt double so parachute me
But somehow I feel I survived on a fluky
I have to hit the scene, livin' out my dreams
Then I said I was sorry to DJ's and MC's
Complete to everyone who kept their ear to the street
Then my homie came through with the Al Capone Suite
Got twice as deep, don't forget, you know how low they get
Intimidating so I pose a threat
Coming like a slider, right by ya
Known to drop a rhyme in on time, and prescribing accurate alignment
The center of attention, we'll bend a agenda
To enter this rap game the number one contender
The outta sight, and dope lyrical white, and watchin' tricks fightin'
Hyping up the crowd late night, and watching Tennessee Titans
Everybody just loving because we like and
I strike in first class light fast, just like lightning
I force my rhymes in your veins like hot shot of heroin
You'll got cold turkey trying to work me
It's like a pad lock, when you in the headlock
Six in the morning and you didn't here the Feds knock
[Chorus]
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from going under
When they hit me with the thunder and lightning
Its trifling, enlightening, and frightening
Some might think that it's even exciting
I'm consistent, adding all statistics
Why don't we cover the spread like the bitch never existed
Phonographic rotate the plastic spinning
Living like I'm knowing it's gonna be a drastic ending
Playing classics, meditating these tactics to overcome
The show is done, anticipating to roll a blunt
Baby, getting anxious, hitting and I can't miss the focal point
When locals say, "He ain't shit."
Man it's Equipto, put it all down for my homies
And rolling my weed right next to the police
Nothing but love for all my homeboys hustling drugs
Up in your program fucking it up
I'm in the fast lane, the cash lane, some think it's a bad thing
Hitting 'em off with the see & H pure cane
I get stuck in your membrane
I'm like a pimp at a party when you say look at them rings
I use a Motorola, the mood is baking soda
Whether it's in Denver, man, Houston, man, or North Dakota
With no apology, tech-tech-tech technology
Some brother disin' me, or even thinkin' he
I got the soul and the spirit of the wrath of Kahn
Kick back and write just like the holy Koran
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from going under
When they hit me with the thunder and lightning
Its trifling, enlightening, and frightening
Some might think that it's even exciting
In the song "Jungle" by Andre Nickatina and Equipto, the lyrics describe the tough and challenging life of being a rap artist. The figurative language used in the lyrics such as "It's like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep from going under" compare the rap industry to a jungle, a difficult and dangerous place to navigate. The song also references drug use, money, and competition among other rappers. The lyrics portray a sense of toughness and resilience as the artists persevere through the hardships of the music industry.
The line "My homie keep all his bullets hollow" may refer to the use of hollow point bullets in firearms, often used for self-defense as they create a larger wound cavity. The mention of Salvatore Ferragamo and diamond sparrows in the same line may suggest that the rapper is wearing expensive clothing and jewelry. The line "Call me Doctor J if you're a baller and it's getting fatal" may be a reference to Julius Erving, a former NBA player known for his acrobatic and high-flying dunks.
Interestingly, the song samples the song "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, which also portrays life in the inner city. The song was released in 2002 as part of the album "Tears of a Clown." The song has been popular in the underground hip-hop scene, and the artists have since collaborated on multiple tracks.
Overall, "Jungle" is a hard-hitting and gritty song that gives insight into the struggles of being a rapper in a challenging industry. The use of figurative language and references to popular culture make the song an interesting and engaging listen.
Chords: Unfortunately, the chords for this song are not available as it is a hip-hop song that primarily uses electronic beats and does not feature any traditional instruments.
Line by Line Meaning
Pain from a rap cat
I experience emotional pain caused by a fellow rapper
Man you didn't know that
You were unaware of this fact
Three AM, man, we bumping Bobby Womack
In the early hours of the morning, we listen to Bobby Womack's music
My homie keep all his bullets hollow
My friend uses hollow-point bullets
That's why I smell like Salvatori Faragomo with the diamond sparrow
The fragrance I emit is similar to that of Salvatori Faragomo, a designer known for his stylish aesthetic
A rap cat with the BOSS apparel
I am a rapper who dresses in high-end, fashionable clothing
I put my rhymes on your block then I run it just like little Darrell
I unleash my rhymes in your neighborhood and take control, much like little Darrell taking charge
Money and dope, man, don't come for free
Earning money and obtaining drugs requires effort and is not easily obtained
Man, I don't have no competition, ho, all I got is enemies
I don't perceive other rappers as competition, but rather as enemies
I turn around like a tornado
I make sudden, sweeping changes in my life
Rock it like a baby cradle
I handle the situation with care and ease
Call me Doctor J if you a baller and it's getting fatal
If you are a skilled basketball player facing a difficult situation, refer to me as Doctor J for guidance
I make MC's do angel dust
I influence other rappers to experiment with the drug angel dust
Take 'em to the Bay Bridge, make 'em strip, tell 'em jump
I bring other rappers to the Bay Bridge, where I make them strip and then demand that they jump off
I don't know why I get high
I am unsure why I choose to consume drugs
I'm so in love with money I keep spending 'til it runs dry
I have an infatuation with money that leads me to spend it all until I have none left
Hot like a kettle, when the pedal hits the metal
I am fiery and intense, like a kettle boiling, when I accelerate or take action
Pinocchio you know son is Jepetio, hello
I compare myself to Pinocchio's friend, Jepetio, to greet or acknowledge you
Deep fried just like Friday fish
I am cooked or prepared thoroughly, similar to how fish is deep-fried on Fridays
A lot a hot sauce, now we got it popping in this bitch
We have added excitement and energy, similar to how hot sauce enhances flavor, to this place
Yeah, in anything I do I put my everything
I give my all and commit fully to everything I engage in
Always feeling deep inside just like Mary J.
I consistently experience strong emotions similar to how Mary J. Blige expresses them in her music
Ha, I'm never panicing, I'm bored stiff as a mannequin
I never panic, even in challenging situations, because I am as uninterested and unmoving as a mannequin
Grew up fast just like Anakin
I matured quickly, similar to the fictional character Anakin Skywalker
Baby its gullible, its Alice in Wonderland
People easily believe falsehoods, much like the character Alice in Wonderland
All the excuses in the world I can't understand
I am unable to comprehend or accept any excuses
Cause I'm a man of these times, the man to get high
I am a product of the present era and someone who regularly consumes drugs
Blow big, but my gross is family time
My financial income is significant, but I prioritize spending time with my family
Ain't no way to intervene in my industry
There is no means to interfere or disrupt my position in the music industry
Moving quicker then a centipede on enemies
I act swiftly and outmaneuver my adversaries, similar to a centipede's agility
One of a kind, once in a lifetime rhymes is written
My rhymes are unique and extraordinary, written only once in a lifetime
It goes on, as long as time commences
My music continues to resonate and endure for as long as time exists
Shit, it's like a jungle sometimes
Life can be chaotic and unpredictable, similar to a jungle
It makes me wonder how I keep from going under
The challenges I face make me contemplate how I avoid succumbing to them
When they hit me with the thunder and lightning
When faced with intense criticism or adversity
Its trifling, enlightening, and frightening
The situation is petty, yet also brings enlightenment and instills fear
Some might think that it's even exciting
Certain individuals perceive it as thrilling or exhilarating
I'm like a Harley Davidson motorcycle, born to ride
I resonate with the spirit of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, meant to be ridden
With the force that the courts call the last Jedi
I possess a powerful presence and influence, referred to as the last Jedi by the authorities
I'm like a veteran, off Excedrin's
I resemble a seasoned veteran who regularly consumes Excedrin medication
Cause I be getting headaches from these Letterman's
I experience frustration or annoyance due to interactions with late-night talk show hosts like David Letterman
I asked this little freak about my rap style
I inquired with a promiscuous person about their opinion on my rap style
She said, 'It's so damn dope they might take you to trial.'
She praised my rap style, stating that it is exceptional and might lead to legal trouble
I hit the weed like I'm kamikaze next to the cosmos
I consume marijuana with great intensity and recklessness, similar to a kamikaze pilot flying close to the cosmos
Chopping up shit, yeah, with Quipto and Vago
I engage in illicit activities with Quipto and Vago, possibly involving drugs
Raps like a Tommy gun, watch how the body run
My raps are rapid and intense, similar to the firing of a Tommy gun, causing listeners to react physically
Raps from the Tommy gun will make anybody run
The impact of my rapid-fire raps will make anyone instinctively flee
I'm bout to go in like a movie, but no stunt double so parachute me
I am about to give my all, like an actor performing without a stunt double, so support and protect me like a parachute
But somehow I feel I survived on a fluky
I believe that my survival and success has been due to fortunate circumstances
I have to hit the scene, livin' out my dreams
I must make a name for myself in the music industry and fulfill my aspirations
Then I said I was sorry to DJ's and MC's
I apologize to DJs and MCs for any offenses or controversies I may have caused
Complete to everyone who kept their ear to the street
I express my gratitude to those who remain connected and informed about the happenings in the community
Then my homie came through with the Al Capone Suite
My friend arrived in a luxurious and extravagant manner, reminiscent of Al Capone
Got twice as deep, don't forget, you know how low they get
The situation became more profound and profound, and it's important to remember how deceitful people can be
Intimidating so I pose a threat
I am intimidating and represent a potential danger to others
Coming like a slider, right by ya
I approach rapidly and surreptitiously, passing by without being noticed
Known to drop a rhyme in on time, and prescribing accurate alignment
I have a reputation for delivering rhymes at precise moments and offering guidance or alignment in a precise manner
The center of attention, we'll bend a agenda
I command the focus and are capable of manipulating or shaping a plan or course of action
To enter this rap game the number one contender
I am poised to enter the rap industry as the strongest competitor
The outta sight, and dope lyrical white, and watchin' tricks fightin'
I possess exceptional and extraordinary lyrical abilities while also witnessing confrontations or conflicts
Hyping up the crowd late night, and watching Tennessee Titans
I energize the audience during nighttime performances while also following the Tennessee Titans sports team
Everybody just loving because we like and
People show affection and support because they appreciate and enjoy our presence
I strike in first class light fast, just like lightning
I act swiftly and decisively, comparable to the speed and intensity of lightning
I force my rhymes in your veins like hot shot of heroin
I inject my rhymes forcefully and addictively into your consciousness, similar to the effects of a potent dose of heroin
You'll got cold turkey trying to work me
You will experience withdrawal or discomfort when attempting to detach from my influence
It's like a pad lock, when you in the headlock
Being trapped or restricted, similar to being in a headlock, is comparable to a padlock
Six in the morning and you didn't here the Feds knock
Even when it is early morning, you remain unaware of law enforcement's presence or attempts to apprehend you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL BABATUNDE ADEBIYI, CEDRIC JEAN BELISE, KHALID DEHBI, MEHDI FELICITE, SILVERE JOHNSON, FABIEN VINCENT PHILETAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ianwilson6108
One if my favorite songs ever
@eliatsaboukos9886
This is top ten best songs in the BAY
@707whiteboy1
absolutely it fucking is. Whoop Whoop Reppin that BAY AREA till i die
@codycolina9352
blazed wit equipto yesterday at red fox tavern shit was dope
@staywoke5477
Equipto kills it. Andre gets down too but damn Equipto sounds like he’s just speaking naturally, it’s pretty damn eloquent
@eazycheezin89
young equipto produced this song as well. one luv
@lauriejackson7579
Life is good if my day ends with this song lo get lo lo
@KatalistProductionsKozzySasha
We need another album with Equipto and Nickatina! Every time I hear this beat it makes me want to hop on the MPC and make some beats.
@MarcIsOldies12
Agree
@mrswishadank1625
Idk how equipto isn't more famous he's got fuckin rhymes for days