Beanie Sigel's name derives from the street in Philadelphia where he was raised, "Sigel Street," and "Beans" is what people used to call him as a child. Beanie also founded the group and label State Property as well as the clothing company.
Sigel's debut LP, The Truth, was released February 28, 2000 on Roc-A-Fella Records. The album received a gold plaque for hits like "The Truth" and "Remember The Days" featuring Eve. His second album The Reason was released in mid-2001. The Reason was lighter material compared to his debut album and introduced the world to his own rap group State Property. Beanie Sigel helped launch the careers of fellow Philly rappers Freeway, Peedi Crakk and the Young Gunz.
Around 2001, Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss of the Ruff Ryders were involved in a beef that stemmed from Jada claiming rappers from Beans' home city of Philly were simply signed because they were a hot fashion among major labels, which to some extent was true at the time. Sigel took offense to this, and they sent several tracks back and forth. Eventually Styles P. (D-Block} and Jay-Z got involved, and Beans even called out DMX, who never responded.
The beef went on even after Russell Simmons, owner at the time of Def Jam (the label which Roc-A-Fella was under and Ruff Ryders was affiliated with through DMX) made the two declare a brief truce and Jay-Z apologized to Jadakiss and bowed out. Disses finally stopped flying after Sigel released a scathing diss track over Jada's "Put Ya Hands Up" beat, recalling when the LOX wore shiny suits in a Bad Boy video, among other things.
Sigel also was involved in directing his first movie State Property, the popular direct-to-video film produced by Roc-A-Films. The State Property clothing line was also created by Sigel.
The third album The B. Coming was released on March 28, 2005 under Dame Dash Music Group and features production from The Neptunes, Just Blaze, and Bink!, among others, with guest appearances by State Property, Redman, Snoop Dogg and usual suspects Cam'ron and Jay-Z. The album was recorded in the weeks between his sentencing and imprisonment and was released after he was locked up; he was released a few months ago.
While he was in jail, it is said none of the State Property members except for Oschino Vazquez came to visit him. He told Dame to pass the word on that State Property was no longer in effect, until after he was released. When the split between Roc-A-Fella owners occured, Dame made it clear that Beanie's intentions were to move State Property to his new Dame Dash Music Group.
However, all members except for, again, Oschino, chose to go with Jay-Z. When questioned, they claimed they were signed by Jay and never needed State Property or Beanie Sigel to make them popular. When he was released from jail, Beans had a few choice words for his friends, claiming "I still love them like brothers...I just don't know if we can make music again."
It was thought that Beans had chosen to sign with Dame; however, this is unclear, as he was present at Jay-Z's I Declare War concert in 2005, and has said he now has his own State Property Records under Jay-Z's Def Jam.
In September, 2005, a jury acquitted him of charges that he nearly shot to death a man on a crowded city street two years ago. In August, Sigel left federal prison after serving nearly a year on a federal weapons charge that stemmed from a 2002 traffic stop in Philadelphia.
Sigel also has fallen behind in child-support payments. He was briefly jailed in November until he paid $27,000 in child support and $2,000 in fines, but seems to be paying off his debts.
With the case behind him, Sigel now plans to "make music, make movies and work on his clothing line," said his attorney, Fortunato N. Perri Jr. The case was the last in a series of criminal charges against Sigel, who has a long arrest record dating back to his days growing up in South Philadelphia.
On Tuesday, January 10, 2006, Sigel was convicted of assault for a fight in 2003. He agreed with the prosecutor's version of events, and was convicted of misdemeanor simple assault. He was immediately sentenced to two years probation plus $180 in court costs.
The charges stem from an argument between Sigel and a man who said the rapper punched him in both eyes, breaking his left eye socket, during a January 2003 argument outside a Chinese restaurant.
Beanie Sigel is the co-creator of "The Playpen", a new animated series with writer/producers, Brian Ash and Myles Reiff. The show follows the misadventures of a group of hard-headed tykes in a maximum security daycare center called, The State Nursery.
'Bout That
Beanie Sigel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna know how, just let me know
I got them diamonds on my neck, I'm so icey
I think they like Sig', in them white tees
Them SB jeans, sneaks is me
Dark green with the camouflage print
On that new V-Twizzy, grown man with no fence
Roughly the cost about three bricks off
Cooked up then bagged in trays, have a nice day
I'm in my bag and I'm havin' it my way
Sick of the floss, sick of cars, you niggaz car-sick
Sick of seein' Sig' in them large whips
No plates and offended, temp plates in the window
If you could see the garage I back in there
Niggaz grind all summer then be crack in the winter
I'm never cracked, one number I'm back in, yeah
It's always Mac, nigga the top spender
Just check your boy out in all his splendor
How I grind in the winter, cop up in the spring
Wait for the summer to show off my new things
And in the fall, I do just that, I fall back
And listen to the rumors on how I'm all that
You see this shit? Boy, I copped all that
Yes, I can cover the bet as you should
However do you want it just drop it's all good
Money, cars, cash, clothes
Beans says if you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
Money, cars, cash, clothes
Baby girl, if you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
I show you how to do this, dude
I done turned more blocks into Rubik's Cube
You boy, let off shots from that newest tool
Then I skate on cops in that newest cruise
I'm rich boy, ah, look at here
Blow up icey and rich but your jewels ain't lookin' clear
I show you lil' dudes how to cook a square
And how to grind it to the limit when you push it, yeah
You don't want it with Sig', I pull your card out
You ain't got no bitches now bring them broads out
We can go chip for chip, I pull some large out
Or go whip for whip, I bring them cars out
Bring the Benz out, bring the Aston-Mart' out
Porsche Box' or the drop top Ferrar' out
Bring the old school six-fours out, coops to the four doors out
Cool and Dre, bring the chorus out
Money, cars, cash, clothes
Beans says if you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
Money, cars, cash, clothes
Baby girl, if you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
However do you want it, bitch, I ain't stutter
You fuckin' with that dude
Man, I lay 'em gutted that nigga 'dere pop
And I done lost more work in a pot than y'all ever copped
Right cat, wrong litter box and I don't window shop
And I don't lease, I just pick and cop
I got the title to the shit I got
You need that work, I'm on the boat by the river dock
I put you niggaz in a triple threat soon as I hit The Roc
Niggaz claim they ballin' but can't hit the shot
Yeah, I'm flagrant, this ain't your game kid
Stay in your lane or get your shit blocked, how you want it?
Money, cars, cash, clothes
Beans says if you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
Money, cars, cash, clothes
Baby girl, if you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
If you bout that shit then let me know
However do you, however do you
Gangsters, pop that shit and let me know
In the song "Bout That," Beanie Sigel talks about his lavish lifestyle and his prowess as a gangster. In the chorus, he asks if you're "bout that" life and the money, cars, cash, and clothes that come with it. He talks about his luxurious possessions, like diamonds around his neck, SB jeans, and camouflage-printed sneakers. He mentions the cost of his newest V-Twizzy and his endless garage full of expensive cars. He also claims that he's never cracked, one number, he's always back in- meaning he's always persevering and coming out on top, no matter what challenges arise. He ends the song by asking fellow gangsters to pop that shit and let him know if they're really "bout that."
One interesting fact about the song is that it features the production of Cool and Dre, two popular hip hop producers who have worked with artists like Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross. Another fun fact is that the music video for the song features Beanie Sigel, Jay-Z, and Memphis Bleek cruising around in lavish cars and living the high life. Additionally, the song was included on Beanie Sigel's album "The B. Coming," which was released in 2005 and peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 chart.
Another interesting fact is that "Bout That" was initially released on a Jay-Z mixtape in 2004 before being officially released on the "The B. Coming" album. The song received critical acclaim and helped establish Beanie Sigel as a respected rapper in the hip hop community. It also features a sample of "What's Your Name" by the R&B group DeBarge.
The chords for the song are not readily available, as it features largely electronic beats and sounds. Instead, the song relies on Sigel's expertly crafted and carefully rhymed lyrics to create a cohesive and catchy track.
Line by Line Meaning
How does it feel bein' next to you
Beanie is asking how it feels to be in the presence of another person.
I got them diamonds on my neck, I'm so icey
Beanie is describing how he is wearing diamonds and is flashy.
Fake Willies wanna know what's the damage I spent
Beanie is saying people who don't have money are curious about how much he spends.
I'm in my bag and I'm havin' it my way
Beanie is saying he's in control and doing things his way.
If you could see the garage I back in there
Beanie is suggesting that if someone could see his garage, they would be impressed.
Niggaz grind all summer then be crack in the winter
Beanie is saying people work hard in the summer but end up broke in the winter.
I'm rich boy, ah, look at here
Beanie is saying that he is wealthy.
You don't want it with Sig', I pull your card out
Beanie is saying that people shouldn't mess with him or he will expose them.
However do you want it, bitch, I ain't stutter
Beanie is asking how someone wants it and is confident in his abilities.
And I done lost more work in a pot than y'all ever copped
Beanie is saying he's lost more drugs than others have ever sold.
Niggaz claim they ballin' but can't hit the shot
Beanie is saying that people claim they're successful but can't back it up.
Gangsters, pop that shit and let me know
Beanie is challenging gangsters to prove themselves and show off their wealth.
Contributed by Kaelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
D
on special delivery (nas & d-block diss)
State prop!! Heavy hitta suckaaaaa