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.)
Problems
B.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm coming
I'm coming out
I'm coming
Now, who's hot, who not?
Tell me who rock, who sell out in the stores?
You tell me who flopped, who copped the blue drop?
Who's mostly Dolce down to the tube sock?
The same old pimp, Ma$e
You know ain't nothin' change but my limp
Can't stop 'til I see my name on a blimp
Guarantee a million sales, call it love or luck
You don't believe in Harlem World, nigga, double up
We don't play around, it's a bet, lay it down
Niggas didn't know me '91, bet they know me now
I'm the young Harlem nigga with the Goldie sound
Can't no Ph.D. niggas hold me down
Cudda schooled me to the game, now I know my duty
Stay humble, stay low, blow like Hootie
True pimp niggas spend no dough on the booty
And then you yell, "There go Mase", there go your cutie
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across (yeah, yeah, a-ha)
The more problems we see
I'm the D to the A to the D-D-Y
Know you'd rather see me die than to see me fly
I call all the shots
Rip all the spots, rock all the rocks, cop all the drops
I know you thinkin' now, "When all the ballin' stops?"
Nigga never home, gotta call me on the yacht
10 years from now we'll still be on top
Yo, I thought I told you that we won't stop
Now what you gon' do with a crew that got money much longer than yours
And a team much stronger than yours?
Violate me, this'll be your day, we don't play
Mess around, be D.O.A. be on your way
'Cause it ain't enough time here
Ain't enough lime here for you to shine here
Deal with many women but treat dimes fair
And I'm bigger than the city lights down in Times Square
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across (uh)
The more problems we see (uh)
B-I-G P-O-P-P-A
No info for the DEA
Federal agents mad 'cause I'm flagrant
Tap my cell and the phone in the basement
My team supreme, stay clean
Triple beam lyrical dream, I be that
Cat you see at all events bent
Gats in holsters, girls on shoulders
Playboy, I told ya, mere mics to me
Bruise too much, I lose too much
Step on stage, the girls boo too much
I guess it's 'cause you run with lame dudes too much
Me lose my touch? Never that
If I did, ain't no problem to get the gat
Where the true players at? Throw your Rollies in the sky
Wave 'em side to side and keep your hands high
While I give your girl the eye, player, please
Lyrically, niggas see B.I.G be flossin'
Jig on the cover of Fortune, 5-double-O
Here's my phone number, your man ain't got to know
I got the dough, got the flow down pizat
Platinum plus like thizat
Dangerous on trizacks leave your ass flizat
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
What's going on? (Oh, what's going on?)
Somebody tell me (what's going on?)
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
The lyrics to B.I.G.'s "Problems" are a reflection of the rapper's rise to fame and the challenges that come with it. He begins by questioning who is considered hot or not in the music industry, calling out those who have sold out or flopped. He boasts about his own success and his ability to call the shots, but acknowledges that with more money comes more problems. B.I.G. also touches on the jealousy and scrutiny that comes with fame, asserting that he will always come out on top.
Throughout the song, he uses clever wordplay and metaphors to convey his message, such as "Can't stop till I see my name on a blimp / Guarantee a million sales, call it level up". He also references other rappers, such as Mase and Puff Daddy, and addresses the DEA tapping his phone due to his controversial lyrics.
Overall, "Problems" showcases B.I.G.'s confidence and talent as a rapper, as well as his awareness of both the benefits and drawbacks of fame.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, who's hot, who not?
Who's popular and successful, and who's not?
Tell me who rock, who sell out in the stores?
Who dominates the music industry and who compromises their artistic integrity to make money?
You tell me who flopped, who copped the blue drop?
Who failed to succeed and who bought the expensive blue car?
Whose jewels got rocks?
Who has the most impressive jewelry?
Who's mostly Dolce down to the tube sock?
Who wears designer clothes from head to toe?
The same old pimp, Mase
Nothing has changed about Mase's style.
You know ain't nothing change but my limp
Only my walk has changed, everything else is the same.
Can't stop till I see my name on a blimp
I won't stop until I become even more famous.
Guarantee a million sales, call it level up
I'm confident that I will sell a million records, and I consider it a significant achievement.
You don't believe in Harlem World, nigga, double up
If you doubt my hometown of Harlem, I'll prove you wrong and make even more money.
We don't play around, it's a bet, lay it down
We're serious about making money, and we're willing to gamble to make it happen.
Niggas didn't know me '91, bet they know me now
People didn't know me back in 1991, but they definitely know me now.
I'm the young Harlem nigga with the Goldie sound
I'm a talented rapper from Harlem with a unique style.
Can't no Ph.D. niggas hold me down
No highly educated person can control or limit my success.
Cudda schooled me to the game, now I know my duty
Cudda taught me how to succeed in the music industry, and now I know what I need to do to maintain my success.
Stay humble, stay low, blow like Hootie
I need to remain humble and grounded despite my success and continue to make hits like Hootie and the Blowfish.
True pimp niggas spend no dough on the booty
Real players don't waste money on women.
And then you yell, "there go Mase!" there go your cutie
If you see me, then you see your girl because she's into me.
I don't know what they want from me
I don't know what people expect from me.
It's like the more money we come across
As we make more money,
The more problems we see
We encounter more issues and challenges.
I'm the D to the A to the D-D-Y
I'm the Daddy, spelling it out (D-A-D-D-Y).
Know you'd rather see me die than to see me fly
Some people would prefer to see me fail than to succeed.
I call all the shots
I'm in control of my career and my life.
Rip all the spots, rock all the rocks, cop all the drops
I take all the best opportunities, wear the best jewelry, and own the best cars.
I know you thinking now when all the balling stops
You're wondering what will happen to me when I stop making money and living extravagantly.
Nigga never home, gotta call me on the yacht
I'm never at home because I'm always traveling or living on my yacht.
10 years from now we'll still be on top
I'll still be one of the most successful and influential rappers in 10 years.
Yo, I thought I told you that we won't stop
I've already made it clear that my team and I won't stop being successful.
Now what you gon' do with a crew that got money much longer than yours,
What can you do when you're competing against a team with more money than you?
And a team much stronger than yours?
And a team with more talented and influential people?
Violate me, this'll be your day, we don't play
If you cross me or my team, we'll deal with you severely.
Mess around, be D.O.A. be on your way
If you mess with me or my crew, you'll be dead on arrival and need to leave immediately.
'Cause it ain't enough time here
There isn't enough time in life to waste on things that don't matter.
Ain't enough lime here for you to shine here
There isn't enough room for both of us to be successful, so you should give up now.
Deal with many women but treat dimes fair
I have relationships with many women but always treat them well.
And I'm bigger than the city lights down in Times Square
I'm more significant and influential than the bright lights of Times Square in New York City.
B-I-G P-O-P-P-A, no info for the DEA
I'm Notorious B.I.G., and I won't give any information to the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Federal agents mad 'cause I'm flagrant
Government officials are angry that I'm brazen and unapologetic about my lifestyle and business dealings.
Tap my cell and the phone in the basement
The government is tapping my phone lines to try to gather evidence against me.
My team supreme, stay clean
My crew is the best and always stays out of trouble.
Triple beam lyrical dream, I be that
I'm a masterful rapper and songwriter who creates vivid and powerful lyrics.
Cat you see at all events bent
You'll always see me at any significant occasion, and I'll probably be drunk or high.
Gats in holsters, girls on shoulders
My crew always has guns ready, and we have women on our shoulders.
Playboy, I told ya, mere mics to me
Women love me, and rapping is easy for me.
Bruise too much, I lose too much
If I get into too many fights, I'll become less successful and influential.
Step on stage, the girls boo too much
Sometimes, women hate on me when I perform.
I guess it's 'cause you run with lame dudes too much
My association with some less talented people might be hurting my image and reputation.
Me lose my touch? Never that!
I'll never lose my talent or ability to make great music.
If I did, ain't no problem to get the gat
Even if I were to lose my talent, I can always use guns to get ahead.
Where the true players at? Throw your Rollies in the sky
Where are the real successful people? Raise your Rolex watches up to show it.
Wave 'em side to side and keep your hands high
Wave your watches back and forth, and keep your hands up to show your superiority.
While I give your girl the eye, player please
I'm checking out your girl, and you should stop trying to be like me.
Lyrically, niggas see B.I.G be flossing
People recognize my talent for rapping and my ability to brag about my success.
Jig on the cover of Fortune, 5 double O
I'm on the cover of Fortune magazine, and my net worth is more than $500 million.
Here's my phone number, your man ain't got to know
I'll give you my phone number so we can hook up, and your man won't find out.
I got the dough, got the flow down pizat
I have a lot of money, and I'm confident in my ability to rap.
Platinum plus like thizat
I sell a lot of records and have achieved great success.
Dangerous on trizacks leave your ass flizat
I'm a dangerous rapper, and I'll leave you in a bad situation.
What's goin' on? What's goin' on? (Somebody tell me) What's goin' on?
What's happening in the world that's causing so much drama and problems?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Wallace, Sean Combs, Mason Betha, Bernard Edwards, Steve Jordan, J Phillips, Nile Gregory Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind