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 He told Dame to pass the word on that State Property was no longer in effect, until after he was released.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.
Die )
Beanie Sigel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas in the struggle all out ta get paid
Doin' what we gotta do to avoid the raid
Before you get caged, but you can't avoid the grave
We chapters of the same book, just a different page
Niggas in the struggle all out ta get paid
Doin' what we gotta do to avoid the raid
Before you get caged, but you can't avoid the grave
When you live by the sword, you die by the sword
I'll probablly die in the vocal booth spittin' out raw
Die on stage, rippin' down tours
Die from aids, trickin' out-a-town whores
Die cause I didn't have one in the pipe
Might go out like Raymond, went out on his bike
And die on a death mission, two tec's spittin'
No vest section from my chest missin'
Die cause the jewels in my necklace glisten
In a V twizzy in a wreckless collision
Or die in the streets over somethin' petty
Cause a broke ass nigga tryed ta say I assed bet 'em
Die from a shot from a cig war glock
>From a kid on the block while sittin' in the drop
Or die cause I was on, ain't see 'em comin'
Too late, eight shots got my body nummin'
Die for fuckin' his bitch in his bed
Die cause a nigga thought I snitched ta the feds
Die wit a knife six inches in my head
I could die on death row, sentenced to the chair
Or die cause a nigga pulled his Rosco out quicker
I was high off vodka, hydro, and malt liquor
Die cause I knew I shoulda laid that man
Die cause the cops tricked me ta say that man
Die cause I hesitated ta spray that man
Die cause I hesitated ta pay that man
Die cause my man passed me a empty tool
Die cause I panicked, I couldn't keep my cool
Die cause I mixed all them pills wit Hennessy
Or die cause them niggas in jail, envied me
Die tryin' ta steal the fate of my enemy
I could go out from a case of mistaken identity
Or die cause the door wasn't open, it was locked
Die cause the 4 was broken, it wouldn't cock
Die cause a nigga wasn't focused on the block
Die cause them niggas thought tha coke was in the spot
Die cause another nigga said I said somethin'
Die cause that newsy bitch said I did somethin'
Die cause a nigga was tryin' ta get a name
Or die cause it was just my time ta feel the flame
Might get sparked, might not feel no pain
Or Might go out like dark-skinned Jermaine
Take a couple shots ta the heart, or ta the brain
Got all the dough, don't know the cost of the game
Young buck didn't wanna come off the chain
Couldn't handle the rock, got horsed in the game
I could catch a bad break like Big or Pac
I'd rather go out in the masjid makin' salat
We chapters of the same book, just a different page
Niggas of the struggle all out ta get paid
Doin' what we gotta do to avoid the raid
Avoid the cage, but you can't avoid the grave
We chapters of the same book, just a different page
Niggas of the struggle all out ta get paid
Doin' what we gotta do to avoid the raid
Avoid the cage, but you can't avoid the grave
In "Die," Beanie Sigel ruminates on the various ways he could meet his demise. He acknowledges that he and other individuals in his community are all struggling to earn a living and avoid getting caught by law enforcement. However, despite their efforts, Sigel admits that death is a possibility they cannot escape. Throughout the various scenarios he paints, Sigel implies that his fate is not solely in his hands, but rather determined by a mixture of circumstance, fate, and other individuals' actions. Ultimately, he concludes that death is inevitable and that choosing to die while practicing his faith may be preferable.
The song's introspective lyrics tackle themes of mortality that are often overlooked in mainstream hip-hop music. By contemplating potential ways he could die, Sigel is drawing attention to the violence that is prevalent in his community and the dangers that come with trying to survive in a world where opportunities are limited. Sigel's use of vivid imagery makes the listener confront the reality of what it means to live in a society heavily impacted by poverty, systemic racism, and violence.
Line by Line Meaning
We chapters of the same book, just a different page
We are all connected and share the same struggle, just facing it in different ways.
Niggas in the struggle all out ta get paid
We are all trying to make ends meet and succeed in a difficult environment.
Doin' what we gotta do to avoid the raid
We have to be careful and avoid getting caught by the authorities while trying to survive.
Before you get caged, but you can't avoid the grave
While we try to avoid getting imprisoned, death is inevitable and can happen at any time.
When you live by the sword, you die by the sword
If you engage in violence, it's likely that violence will be your downfall.
I'll probablly die in the vocal booth spittin' out raw
I'm putting my all into my music and it's possible that's where I'll pass away.
Die on stage, rippin' down tours
I may end up dying while performing on tour, putting on a great show.
Die from aids, trickin' out-a-town whores
Risking my health for pleasure could result in my death from a sexually transmitted disease.
Die cause I didn't have one in the pipe
Not being prepared for danger could lead to my death.
Might go out like Raymond, went out on his bike
Like someone I knew who passed away suddenly, I may face a similar fate.
And die on a death mission, two tec's spittin'
If I take on a risky task, it may cost me my life.
No vest section from my chest missin'
If I'm not protected, I may get hit and die from a bullet to the chest.
Die cause the jewels in my necklace glisten
Being flashy with my jewelry may attract dangerous attention and lead to my death.
In a V twizzy in a wreckless collision
Driving recklessly could lead to a fatal crash.
Or die in the streets over somethin' petty
Even small conflicts could escalate and lead to my death.
Cause a broke ass nigga tryed ta say I assed bet 'em
An argument over a small amount of money or pride could result in violence and my death.
Die from a shot from a cig war glock
Being in the wrong place at the wrong time and getting caught in gunfire could lead to my death.
From a kid on the block while sittin' in the drop
Someone younger and less experienced may try to take me out to prove themselves.
Or die cause I was on, ain't see 'em comin'
Being caught off guard can lead to my death.
Too late, eight shots got my body nummin'
Being hit multiple times by gunfire can quickly end my life.
Die for fuckin' his bitch in his bed
Jealousy and personal issues could lead to my death.
Die cause a nigga thought I snitched ta the feds
Being falsely accused of snitching could lead to my death by someone seeking revenge.
Die wit a knife six inches in my head
A physical altercation could lead to me being stabbed and killed.
I could die on death row, sentenced to the chair
If I'm caught and convicted for a serious crime, I may end up facing the death penalty.
Or die cause a nigga pulled his Rosco out quicker
Being outmatched and outgunned could lead to my death in a violent situation.
I was high off vodka, hydro, and malt liquor
Being under the influence of substances could lead to poor decision making and put me in a dangerous situation.
Die cause I knew I shoulda laid that man
Choosing not to engage in violence could result in my death at the hands of someone else.
Cause the cops tricked me ta say that man
Being coerced by authorities could lead to me being falsely accused and killed.
Die cause I hesitated ta spray that man
Hesitating and not acting quickly enough could lead to my death.
Die cause I hesitated ta pay that man
Holding back money owed to someone could lead to violence and my death.
Die cause my man passed me a empty tool
Being unprepared and not having the right equipment could lead to my death in a dangerous situation.
Die cause I panicked, I couldn't keep my cool
Losing control in a dangerous situation could quickly lead to my death.
Die cause I mixed all them pills wit Hennessy
Using substances in excess and without caution could lead to health issues and my death.
Or die cause them niggas in jail, envied me
Being targeted by jealous inmates could lead to my death in prison.
Die tryin' ta steal the fate of my enemy
Focusing too much on revenge could lead to my own demise.
I could go out from a case of mistaken identity
Being confused for someone else and targeted could lead to my death.
Or die cause the door wasn't open, it was locked
A small oversight like a locked door could lead to my death in a dangerous situation.
Die cause the 4 was broken, it wouldn't cock
Malfunctioning equipment could lead to my death in a violent encounter.
Die cause a nigga wasn't focused on the block
Being distracted and not vigilant in a dangerous environment could lead to my death.
Die cause them niggas thought tha coke was in the spot
Being targeted because of suspicions of illegal activity could lead to my death.
Die cause another nigga said I said somethin'
Being falsely accused of talking behind someone's back could lead to violence and my death.
Die cause that newsy bitch said I did somethin'
Being targeted and falsely accused by the media could lead to my death.
Die cause a nigga was tryin' ta get a name
Being targeted by someone trying to make a name for themselves could lead to my death.
Or die cause it was just my time ta feel the flame
Ultimately, fate and timing can lead to anyone's death.
Might get sparked, might not feel no pain
Death can be sudden and unexpected or slow and painful.
Or Might go out like dark-skinned Jermaine
Referencing someone who passed away suddenly, death can come in unexpected ways.
Take a couple shots ta the heart, or ta the brain
Being hit in vital organs and areas can lead to quick death.
Got all the dough, don't know the cost of the game
Having wealth and success doesn't equate to safety or protection from danger.
Young buck didn't wanna come off the chain
Being stubborn and unwilling to give up something could result in violence and my death.
Couldn't handle the rock, got horsed in the game
Not being prepared or skilled in a given situation could lead to failure and potential danger.
I could catch a bad break like Big or Pac
Referencing two legendary rappers who passed away, anyone can fall victim to a bad situation.
I'd rather go out in the masjid makin' salat
As a Muslim, I would prefer to pass away while praying in the mosque.
We chapters of the same book, just a different page
Despite our differences, we all ultimately face the same fate of death.
Niggas of the struggle all out ta get paid
In a difficult environment, everyone is striving to succeed and make a living.
Doin' what we gotta do to avoid the raid
To avoid getting caught and imprisoned, we have to take measures to avoid law enforcement.
Avoid the cage, but you can't avoid the grave
While we may try to avoid incarceration, everyone will eventually face death.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVIN VANDERPOOL, DAVIN PAUL VANDERPOOL, DWIGHT GRANT, EDDIE SCORESAZY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D
on special delivery (nas & d-block diss)
State prop!! Heavy hitta suckaaaaa