Early life
Christopher "Doogie" Dorsey was a normal kid growing up in the 13th Ward of New Orleans which is Uptown. In elementary school, young Dorsey rapped as a hobby. When Dorsey was 12, his father was murdered in a robbery, and young Dorsey drifted into street life. Dorsey began selling marijuana, cocaine, and eventually heroin — to which he later became addicted.
This time, local independent rap label Cash Money Records was looking for new talent, and Dorsey was recommended to the label by his barber, who also happened to cut the hair of the Cash Money CEO brothers Brian "Baby" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. After an impromptu audition, Dorsey was signed to the budding label. His first effort was True Story, album as a part of The B.G.'z, group whom he formed with another preteen rapper, Baby D (who will later become Lil Wayne). Originally his moniker was "Doogie" or "Gangsta D", but since "True Story" was considered his solo CD, pseudonym B.G. stuck to him.
Music career
The second youngest artist signed to Cash Money Records, Dorsey, given the stage name "B.G." ("Baby Gangsta"), released his debut LP, True Story, in 1992 at the young age of 12. (Lil Wayne signed at 11) As the only Cash Money artist to survive several roster purges, B.G. was instrumental in helping carry Cash Money to regional fame. Multi-millionaire label head Brian Williams, who also became an artist for the label under the name "Baby", allowed B.G. to catapult to success.
His 1996 release Chopper City is considered a southern classic and sold 147,000 copies independently. He was only 15 years old when he recorded the album. The next year, he released the albums It's All on U, Vol. 1 and It's All on U, Vol. 2 when Cash Money signed a $30 million deal with Universal in 1997, B.G. went to work on his seminal Chopper City in the Ghetto LP. The album spawned the massive hit "Bling Bling", which, along with Juvenile's "Back That Azz Up", made Cash Money a nation wide success. "Bling Bling" also became a popular hip-hop slang term for any sort of expensive jewelry, automobiles, or other forms of opulence, which were featured heavily in Cash Money videos and on Cash Money album covers, as well as in B.G.'s life. He began wearing multiple Rolex watches and large necklaces while flashing his solid gold teeth in celebration of his success and extreme wealth.
B.G. remained with Cash Money for the rest of the 1990s, and was a member of the Hot Boys with Juvenile, Lil' Wayne, and Turk. He left the label in early 2001 after disputes with Brian "Baby" Williams over personal issues (B.G. recently claimed that Williams used his heroin addiction to control him and cheat him out of royalties, for which he is now suing), and later signed an independent deal for his Chopper City Records label with Koch Records. In 2001, he attended a drug treatment program in Minnesota for his heroin addiction. In 2003, the Hot Boys came off a 4-year hiatus and released Let 'Em Burn. Later in 2003, B.G. left Cash Money again, this time on bad terms with his boss Baby and longtime friend Lil' Wayne. He went on to release his first offering on the Koch label entitled Living Legend, which was sold as a 2-disc set. In 2004, he released Life After Cash Money. In 2005, he released The Heart of Tha Streetz Vol. 1. He also helped record "Y'all Heard of Me" with C-Murder.
B.G. currently lives in Detroit, Michigan, running his Chopper City Records label as the C.E.O. He's a veteran in the hip-hop industry at only the age of 25 and he says he's not going to stop rapping anytime soon. He recently released his latest LP, The Heart Of Tha Streetz, Vol. 2, and his new single "Move Around" featuring Mannie Fresh. It marks the first time B.G. has worked with Mannie Fresh since they were labelmates at Cash Money Records years ago, and may well mean a boost to B.G.'s career commercially.
B.G. is one of four superstar members who left Cash Money after 2003 along with Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, and Turk. Although they have all gone their separate ways, all four remain good friends and still keep in touch. There are rumors of a Hot Boyz reunion in the future, minus Lil' Wayne and Baby. Juveniles top song, "Whats happenin'" has a Mannie Fresh remix which includes Juvenile, B.G., and Mannie. This may be the closest to a "Hot Boys" reunion.
B.G. has recently inked a deal with Atlantic Records and T.I. has been appointed executive producer of B.G.'s new album which is scheduled for a fall release. After spending time there on and off, B.G. permanently relocated to Detroit in 2005 as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
In 2006, Trina release a mixtape diss in which she humiliated B.G. along with Gillie da Kid and southern rapping rival Khia. The mixtape was recorded in response to a statement made by B.G. where he claimed Trina had a sexual relationship with both Baby and Lil' Wayne, whom are both rappers. Trina is currently involved with Lil' Wayne. Trina referred to B.G. as a "Cash Money reject" and a "street n*g*a beefin' with a chick." B.G. responded (along with VL Mike) with a mixtape track "Just A Warning 'Till My Album Drop" (set to the beat of DJ Drama's "Cannon Remix", which Lil' Wayne collaborated on.)
Hard Times
B.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I done done it all from jackin' and slangin' nigga trust that
Stealin' cars snortin' dope gettin' bust at
Never goin' ta school all kinda bull-shit
They callin' my moma in I got her lookin' unfit
But look it ain't Cint fault I turned out this way
Its my fault she told me right from wrong everyday
Mark Nell L.T. and me made niggas lay on they face
We was about that gunplay and on the grind
We was on a paper chase we wanted ta shine
Gotta get it how you live where the fuck I'm from
Gotta keep it on the real where the fuck I'm from
Growin' up in the streets best believe its dangerous
They lock us up but the jail ain't changin' us
You'll make it how i live if you don't mind dyin'
Growin' up in my shoes best believe was hard times nigga
(Chorus) 2x
Hard times got a nigga in all black
I'm goin' jack for that silver pack where its at
Hard times got the B.G. drove nigga
Hard times got me duckin' them white folks nigga
Its a hard time comin' up where I'm from like a twister spinnin'
Don't get caught in it
Its drastic drama its everyday life whoa
Jackin' is a way of livin 'if you ain't on the right road
I move fast my people say I need ta slow down
Close ya nose or ya gonna go down
I'm beefin' with different sets I'm duckin' them white folks
Playin' my hoes close
They tied up like a rope
I'm slangin' tryin' ta make a million and chill
Buy a ten story buildin' and a football field
Diamonds round my neck and wrist plenty golds in my grill
Niggas gone get holes in they head if they don't keep it real
My mama cryin' 'cause she think I'ma get my head bust
But I tell her growin' up with no daddy is rough
Welfare ain't enough
And I want to shine
So I'm goin get mine nigga and get out these hard times whoa
(Chorus) 2x
Me and my niggas buyin' cars don't give a fuck what its costin'
Neighborhood superstar Hot Boy$ bout flossin'
Crossin any of us get that put in a coffin
You don't hear we loss a shoot-out very often
We ballin'
Shot callin'
Walkin' to the top
And when we get there believe we closin' shop
I'm lettin' my law down makin' Gs nigga
I done been through them hard times I'm makin' chesse nigga
Me and Fresh can hook up and make a hit with ease nigga
Fade me the B.G. pretty please nigga
I'm a six figure
Money go-getter
Drivin' expedition
Bet a bitch quick and put another hoe in her position
Riches is what I'm chasin' everyday nigga
Killin' bustas bringin that bitch in my way nigga
Tryin' ta shine Ca$h Money on the grind nigga
Stackin' gingles 'cause we done been through hard times nigga peep me
(Chorus) - repeat to end
In B.G.'s song Hard Times, the rapper delves into his turbulent past where he had to engage in illegal activities to survive in the "hood." B.G. talks about the violence, drugs, and crime that were rampant and how he and his crew were on the grind trying to make a living. He reminisces about his father's death as the turning point in his life and how his momma tried to steer him in the right direction. Yet, B.G. succumbs to the tough choices and opts to live by jackin' and slangin', which puts him on the wrong side of the law. He talks about beefing with other crews, dodging the law, and how his life decisions affect his family, particularly his mother. The chorus reiterates the struggles of living in poverty and the lengths people go to get what they want.
Line by Line Meaning
Who put this shit together
Who is responsible for the situation we are in?
I done done it all from jackin' and slangin' nigga trust that
I have engaged in theft and drug dealing, believe me when I say that.
Stealin' cars snortin' dope gettin' bust at
I have stolen cars, used drugs, and been caught for my actions.
Never goin' ta school all kinda bull-shit
I have avoided going to school and been involved in all sorts of negative activities.
They callin' my moma in I got her lookin' unfit
The authorities have involved my mother, making her look like a bad parent.
But look it ain't Cint fault I turned out this way
It's not my mother's fault that I ended up like this.
Its my fault she told me right from wrong everyday
It's my responsibility because my mother taught me the difference between right and wrong every day.
When my daddy got killed I think that's when I went a stray
I think I went down the wrong path when my father was killed.
Mark Nell L.T. and me made niggas lay on they face
My associates and I have used weapons to force people to lay down on their faces.
We was about that gunplay and on the grind
We were focused on using guns and making money through illegal means.
We was on a paper chase we wanted ta shine
We were trying to accumulate as much money as possible and show off our wealth.
Gotta get it how you live where the fuck I'm from
In my neighborhood, you have to do whatever it takes to survive.
Gotta keep it on the real where the fuck I'm from
In my neighborhood, honesty is essential.
Growin' up in the streets best believe its dangerous
Living in the streets can be extremely dangerous.
They lock us up but the jail ain't changin' us
Being locked up in jail doesn't change our behavior or outlook on life.
You'll make it how i live if you don't mind dyin'
If you don't care about the consequences, you can live like I do.
Hard times got a nigga in all black
Difficult times have led me to dress in all black.
I'm goin' jack for that silver pack where its at
I will steal a pack of silver from wherever it's located.
Hard times got the B.G. drove nigga
Difficult times have caused me to feel stressed out.
Hard times got me duckin' them white folks nigga
Difficult times have resulted in my need to avoid the authorities.
Its a hard time comin' up where I'm from like a twister spinnin'
Growing up where I'm from is tumultuous and chaotic like a spinning twister.
Don't get caught in it
Do not get caught up in the chaos of my neighborhood.
Its drastic drama its everyday life whoa
The drama and hardship of my neighborhood is an everyday occurrence.
Jackin' is a way of livin 'if you ain't on the right road
Stealing is a way of life if you don't have any other options.
I move fast my people say I need ta slow down
I operate quickly, but my friends advise me to slow down.
Close ya nose or ya gonna go down
Shut your nose or you will be caught by the authorities.
I'm beefin' with different sets I'm duckin' them white folks
I am in conflict with various groups, and I am trying to avoid the authorities.
Playin' my hoes close
I am keeping a watchful eye on my women to ensure their loyalty.
They tied up like a rope
My women are being restricted, and they are not allowed to leave me.
I'm slangin' tryin' ta make a million and chill
I am selling drugs to try to accumulate a million dollars and relax.
Buy a ten story buildin' and a football field
I plan to purchase a ten-story building and a football field.
Diamonds round my neck and wrist plenty golds in my grill
I wear diamonds around my neck and on my wrist, and I have many gold teeth.
Niggas gone get holes in they head if they don't keep it real
People who are not honest with me are likely to be harmed.
My mama cryin' 'cause she think I'ma get my head bust
My mother is crying because she thinks I will be harmed.
But I tell her growin' up with no daddy is rough
I reassure my mother that growing up without a father is tough.
Welfare ain't enough
Welfare support is insufficient.
And I want to shine
I want to showcase my wealth.
So I'm goin get mine nigga and get out these hard times whoa
Therefore, I am working hard to make money and escape the hardship of my neighborhood.
Me and my niggas buyin' cars don't give a fuck what its costin'
My friends and I are buying cars, regardless of how expensive they are.
Neighborhood superstar Hot Boy$ bout flossin'
We are local celebrities known for showing off our wealth.
Crossin any of us get that put in a coffin
Anyone who opposes us will be killed.
We ballin'
We are wealthy and successful.
Shot callin'
We are in charge and making decisions.
Walkin' to the top
We are on our way to the top of society.
And when we get there believe we closin' shop
When we are successful, we will shut down our illegal activities.
I'm lettin' my law down makin' Gs nigga
I am breaking the law to make money.
I done been through them hard times I'm makin' chesse nigga
I have experienced difficult times, but now I am making a lot of money.
Me and Fresh can hook up and make a hit with ease nigga
My friend Fresh and I can easily create a successful song.
Fade me the B.G. pretty please nigga
Please give me the attention I deserve, B.G.
I'm a six figure
I am wealthy and making at least six figures in income.
Money go-getter
I am highly motivated to make money.
Drivin' expedition
I am driving an expensive SUV.
Bet a bitch quick and put another hoe in her position
I am quick to replace women in my life with others who are willing to accept my lifestyle.
Riches is what I'm chasin' everyday nigga
I am chasing wealth every day.
Killin' bustas bringin that bitch in my way nigga
I am aggressively eliminating anyone who gets in my way or opposes me.
Tryin' ta shine Ca$h Money on the grind nigga
I am working hard to showcase the success of Cash Money Records.
Stackin' gingles 'cause we done been through hard times nigga peep me
I am saving money because I have been through difficult times, and people should take notice of my success.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: BYRON O. THOMAS, CHRISTOPHER DORSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind