Bad Azz was born Jamarr Antonio Stamps, on 27th November 1975 in Hawaiian Gardens, a Long Beach commune, California. Bad Azz grew up with his mother and stepfather, later moving to Long Beach where he attended Woodrow Wilson high school, before he was kicked out due to behavioral problems. After being booted from Wilson High School, Bad Azz began selling drugs on the streets as a way of making money. He describes his experience as a drug dealer, not out of necessity but out of want: "...I didn't have to, to be honest, even when I lived with my stepfather, he had a little job, he kept a little rice in the cupboard, but that wasn't enough for me at the time you know, I had to have me a burger with some cheese on it."
It was around this time that Bad Azz met rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg at Long Beach's V.I.P. Record Store. This meeting gave Bad Azz a new found respect for the rap game and more importantly a view at a new possible career for himself. He then began freestyling on the eastside of Long Beach and performing at various house parties. This move earnt him a place on Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle record label, a sub-label of the Death Row recording company. This is the time in his career when Bad Azz briefly joined the L.B.C. Crew.
The relationship with Doggystyle Records quickly fell apart though, and Bad Azz found himself without a label, doing guest appearances on various projects to keep busy. This included an guest appearance on a track called "Krazy", from the now classic "The Don Killuminati 7 Day Theory" album by Tupac Shakur (Tupac used the alias of Makaveli at the time of the albums release). The multiple platinum album was the last that Tupac fully completed before he was shot dead in 1996.
With the help of such strong guest appearances Bad Azz eventually landed a deal from Priority Records at the age of 23, with the view of releasing a solo album. But before he could fully concentrate on his debut album, Bad Azz filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Tupac Amaru Shakur's estate and various record labels and publishing companies involved regarding the aforementioned "Krazy" track.
Bad Azz filed a lawsuit against Tupac's estate, Deathrow Records, Interscope Records, Joshua's Dream, Interscope Pearl Music, Suge Publishing, and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of implied contract, misappropriation of voice, accounting, and declaratory relief. In the US District Court of California on Friday, August 20, Bad Azz said that the parties mentioned failed to pay royalties or properly credit him for featuring on, and co-writing, "Krazy."
The suit reads, in part, "As [Bad Azz] and Tupac were co-writers of the song, Tupac and Afeni [2Pac's mother and estate administrator], owed [BadAzz] fiduciary duties of loyalty, trust, and confidence which required Tupac and Afeni to act in the best interests of [Bad Azz] and not to use their fiduciary position for their own benefit or to the detriment of [Bad Azz]. Tupac and Afeni breached their fiduciary duties by 1) not accounting to and paying [Bad Azz] his share of revenue generated by the song; and 2) failing to take steps to assure [Bad Azz] received appropriate label credit as asongwriter."
On September 29, 1998 Bad Azz switched his focus on the future, and released his debut solo album "Word on Tha Street" on Priority Records. The album features appearances from westcoast artists such as Snoop Dogg, Kurupt (of Tha Dogg Pound), Tha Outlawz, and Lady Of Rage.
Bad Azz followed up his debut album nearly three years later as he released "Personal Business" on July 17, 2001. Again the album had an impressive roster of guest appearances, mainly westcoast based artists, including; Ice Cube, Daz Dillnger and Kurupt, Goldie Loc, Snoop Dogg, and Busta Rhymes. Despite the guests the album again failed to place Bad Azz firmly on the Hip Hop map, or the charts, and as a result Priority Records lost patience with him.
Although not worldly renowned like some of his Dogg Pound counterparts, Bad Azz remains a popular MC in his native Los Angeles and is often heard on the radio stations KPWR and KKBT and he released a further two albums in 2003 in the shape of "Money Run" and "Executive Decision" respectiveley.
Ghetto
Bad Azz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
livin' they life as a ghetto star, you know (worldwide)
[Verse 1:]
You know those days when you hear the lord calling you
But you don't respond 'cuz you ballin' and your all in two
Your ghetto star lifestyles, big houses and cars
A nigga don't make five bucks to spend before he come up
Sippin' out this half a pint bout to light up this blunt
Just reminicin' bout past years, deaths and tears
So many fallin' peers I'd never though I'd see these years
Swallowin' my tank of beer hope the rain hide the tears
Pray to God I aint scared, if they bust , hide and hit
And if they come fightin' shit I won't believe it cuz I'm low
I'm a child of God and keep mashin' for whats good to me
You should recognize game when it's all in your face
Would you choose to lie and die mamed so you fall on your face
But I refuse to lose so I ball in my space
[Hook:]
Live my life straight ballin'
I hear the penitentary callin'
Live my life straight ballin'
I hear lord Jesus callin'
Ghetto Star, Ghetto Star
[Verse 2:]
I invented my own lifestyle from crumbs and dope
Fuck shattered dreams there's fatter things that come from hope
You heard 'em holla "keep ya head up"
I ask God to help us out
The world's caught a plague and everybody's weapons out
Shoot first, and never get to the ask questions part
When we blast testin' marks you aint fit to live a day here
Best to keep your heat and hold your post you wanna stay here
It sure aint worth askin' why I stay so high
You don't irritate my mind
And I aint got time if it aint about a dime
The fat pace, crack chase, played out with ces
It's gettin' rich with Low Lifes ands it's put on my chest
And fuck a high speed chase, gettin' laced with slugs
And stuck steppin' off a plane duct taped with drugs
I'm tryin to live my life to the fullest extent
You crossed my clique noe you know what them bullets just meant
We keep it hittin' hard bangin' corners bouncin' up the boulevard
Smokin' somethin', niggas dumpin' hollerin' bout "life is hard"
Just cuz we ride to live, mean somethin' gotta give
I don't care who you are, live like a ghetto star
Life is only one time, that's why we hate one-time
Tryin' to live my life, my life under the sunshine
That's why I live, when they get deep I hold my breath
And here's my only reply when he asks me 'bout death
I said, "I never could picture me dead,
could only see my life is lavish and obviously
I can get it so I gotta have it"
And you can live your life forever scarred
But I'ma ball 'till I'm gone livin' life as a ghetto star
Bently coups, mini mansions like Snoop
And watch full of rocks, million dollar speed baots, yaughts
All the time I got. is spent on some hood shit
Pray when I see the break of day on some good shit
Hit the liquor store to get some blunts for the dope
Man if I aint hight, can't cope
God help us
You hope to hear us holler his name
He know we stuck in all this sea and chasin dollars and fame
When will it end
The pain and the pressures of life come at once
And the only remedy is some drinks mixed with blunts
The lord knows what goes on behind closed doors
And it's twntey five to life with those ho's with gold ?bows?
Catch you at your momma's hose slippin'
Gang bangers from the game we ride when it's time for dippin'
Kill the cops, fuck they law, they aint arresting me
Life is jail without bars and ghetto star is my destiny
[Hook: x2]
The lyrics of the song "Ghetto Star" by Bad Azz speak about the struggles of living in the ghetto and the choices that one makes to survive. In the first verse, Bad Azz talks about the temptations of living the "ghetto star lifestyle" and how it can be hard to resist the luxurious things that come with it. Despite the risks, he chooses to strive for a better life and not give in to the violence and negativity that surrounds him. The chorus emphasizes this message of living life to the fullest and trying to avoid the negative consequences of one's actions.
In the second verse, Bad Azz speaks about the harsh realities of the drug trade and violence that comes with living in the ghetto. He talks about being forced to protect oneself with a gun and the importance of being aware of one's surroundings at all times. He also touches on themes of hope and striving for a better life, despite the odds stacked against him. Overall, the lyrics of "Ghetto Star" are about making choices and taking responsibility for one's actions, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
You know those days when you hear the lord calling you
The feeling of religious conflict when you prioritize material possessions over spirituality
But you don't respond 'cuz you ballin' and your all in two
Choosing to ignore the voice of spirituality because you are enjoying your wealthy and extravagant lifestyle
Your ghetto star lifestyles, big houses and cars
Living like a celebrity in a low-income neighborhood with lavish possessions
Million dollar phone calls to bad bitches and all
Making expensive phone calls to women who are attracted to money and power
A nigga don't make five bucks to spend before he come up
Struggling financially and not having enough money to meet your basic needs or desires
Sippin' out this half a pint bout to light up this blunt
Drinking and smoking marijuana, attempting to cope with the stresses of life
Just reminicin' bout past years, deaths and tears
Reflecting on past memories of hardships and losses
So many fallin' peers I'd never though I'd see these years
Seeing friends and acquaintances succumb to the dangers and struggles of living in a dangerous, low-income area
Swallowin' my tank of beer hope the rain hide the tears
Drinking alcohol and hoping that the rain will hide any tears or emotions from others
Pray to God I aint scared, if they bust , hide and hit
Praying to not feel fear during times of danger or violence
And if they come fightin' shit I won't believe it cuz I'm low
Being so caught up in a low-income, dangerous lifestyle that acts of violence or danger seem almost routine
I'm a child of God and keep mashin' for whats good to me
Believing in God but also pursuing wealth and success
Would you choose to lie and die mamed so you fall on your face
Questioning the choice to engage in a dangerous or criminal lifestyle that could lead to injury or death
But I refuse to lose so I ball in my space
Choosing to succeed and live extravagantly in the midst of difficult circumstances
Live my life straight ballin'
Living life in a wealthy and extravagant way
I hear the penitentary callin'
Feeling the pressure and danger of the criminal life, and possible jail time
I hear lord Jesus callin'
Feeling the conflict between the lure of wealth and the call of religion
Ghetto Star, Ghetto Star
Seeing oneself as a celebrity and thriving in a low-income neighborhood
I invented my own lifestyle from crumbs and dope
Creating a life of extravagance and success from very little
Fuck shattered dreams there's fatter things that come from hope
Disregarding dreams and instead pursuing wealth and success, with hope as the driving force
It sure aint worth askin' why I stay so high
Choosing to ignore questions about drug use because it is a coping mechanism
When we blast testin' marks you aint fit to live a day here
Engaging in violence and crime, with the potential for death or injury as a consequence
Best to keep your heat and hold your post you wanna stay here
Possessing a firearm and maintaining one's position in a low-income neighborhood
And I aint got time if it aint about a dime
Not wasting time on anything that won't lead to wealth or success
The fat pace, crack chase, played out with ces
Rejecting traditional methods of drug dealing for more innovative and successful techniques
It's gettin' rich with Low Lifes ands it's put on my chest
Gaining wealth and success through criminal activity and wearing it as a badge of honor
And fuck a high speed chase, gettin' laced with slugs
Expressing the desire to avoid dangerous situations or harm from violent encounters
And stuck steppin' off a plane duct taped with drugs
Reflecting on the dangers and risks of transporting illegal drugs
I'm tryin to live my life to the fullest extent
Striving to live life fully and without regret, enjoying extravagance and success
Just cuz we ride to live, mean somethin' gotta give
Engaging in criminal activity to maintain the wealthy, extravagant lifestyle in a dangerous neighborhood
I don't care who you are, live like a ghetto star
Encouraging others in similar circumstances to enjoy and flaunt wealth and success
Life is only one time, that's why we hate one-time
Believing that life is short and must be lived to the fullest, without fear or hesitation
Tryin' to live my life, my life under the sunshine
Enjoying life and success, despite difficult and dangerous circumstances
And here's my only reply when he asks me 'bout death
Refusing to dwell on thoughts of death or the afterlife, instead focusing on success and enjoyment in the present
And you can live your life forever scarred
Living with scars or injuries from a dangerous and criminal lifestyle
But I'ma ball 'till I'm gone livin' life as a ghetto star
Choosing to continue living extravagantly, even if it means risking danger or injury
Bently coups, mini mansions like Snoop
Flaunting possessions and living a lifestyle similar to a celebrity like Snoop Dogg
And watch full of rocks, million dollar speed baots, yaughts
Possessing jewelry and expensive boats as status symbols
All the time I got. is spent on some hood shit
Investing time and energy into living extravagantly in a low-income neighborhood
Pray when I see the break of day on some good shit
Hoping for a good outcome or good fortune in life
Hit the liquor store to get some blunts for the dope
Purchasing alcohol and marijuana as a way to cope with life's struggles
Man if I aint hight, can't cope
Believing that drugs and alcohol are necessary for coping with difficult circumstances
The world's caught a plague and everybody's weapons out
Reflecting on the dangerous and threatening nature of the world
Shoot first, and never get to the ask questions part
Engaging in violence or criminal activity without considering the consequences or asking questions
And it's twntey five to life with those ho's with gold ?bows?
Acknowledging the harsh penalties for criminal activity, especially if women are involved
Catch you at your momma's hose slippin'
Threatening violence or robbery against someone and their family
Gang bangers from the game we ride when it's time for dippin'
Being part of a gang and participating in violent or criminal activity when necessary
Kill the cops, fuck they law, they aint arresting me
Rejecting law enforcement and displaying a negative attitude toward the police
Life is jail without bars and ghetto star is my destiny
Believing that a life of criminal activity and excess is the only path to success, even if it means jail time
Contributed by Gavin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.