Beanie Sigel (born Dwight Grant on March 6th, 1974) is an African-American … Read Full Bio ↴Beanie Sigel (born Dwight Grant on March 6th, 1974) is an African-American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, signed to Damon Dash and Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records in 1998.

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.

Streets Is Talking
Beanie Sigel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Is he a blood, is he crip?
Is he that, is he this?
Did he do it? You know, eh
Look

If I shoot you, I'm brainless
Different toilet, same shit, and I'm sick of explainin this
I'm waitin on arraignment, my nigga is the plantiff

Yeah, I know what you thinkin, fucked up ain't it?
I shoulda known better, and I planned to
But dog they be takin me out of my zone like a nigga with a handle
I sat back and watched it, put the gats back in the closet
I tried to tie my hands like an Iraqi hostage
Let niggaz take shots at me, no response
I just, flip and, pop my collar like the fonz
You give a nigga a foot he'll take you one step beyond
He'll try to play you twice, the third time is the charm
You wanna conversate with the writer of the qu'ran
Or old testament, don't test him then
I know what y'all thinkin dick, pause
Your future's my past, I've been here before
I know when you're schemin, I feel when you plottin
I got, mental vision, intuition
I know where you goin I read your mind's navigational system
Everybody whisperin, pst pst pst ss perspirin

When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
I need to know, cheah cheah
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah

You see me with a bodyguard that means police is watchin
And I only use his waist to keep my glock in
But when shit goes down you know who's doin the poppin
And if you don't know, guess who's doin the droppin
S dot again, y'all got him in a bad mood
Bad move that's bad news
How many times have I got to prove?
How many loved ones have you got to lose
Before you realize that it's probably true?
Whatever jigga say, jigga probably do
Shit I paid my dues, I made the news
I came in the door for dolo, blazed the crews
And the streets say jigga can't go back home
You know when I heard that? When I was back home
I'm comfortable dog, Brooklyn to Rome
On any martin luther, don't part with your future
Don't ever question if I got the heart to shoot ya
The answer is simply too dark for the user
And as a snot-nose they said that he got flows
But will he be able to drop those before the cops close in?
'Fore the shots froze him, and he's dead and gone
From what the block has spoken, my god
Everybody stressin, who's his baby's moms?
Who he got pregnant, let me tell you, ah

When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
I need to know, chicka-uh-ah, ah-chk-ah-uh-ah
Chicka-ch-ah, chk-ah-ah-ah
When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
I need to know, gi-gi-gi, geah yeah uh, yeah yeah uh
Yeah, yo, yo

I seen my first murder in the hall, if you must know
I lost my pops when I was eleven mmm twelve years old
He's probably somewhere where the liquor is takin it's toll
But I ain't mad at you dad, holla at your lad
I grew up pushin snowflake to niggaz that was pro-base
The stress'll take a young nigga, give him a old face
All I did was smoke joke, think and drink
Copped 'caine and complained, front row watch game
I seen niggaz before me, with a chance to write they own script
Slip up and change the story
I seen young niggaz go out in a blaze of glory
Before reachin puberty, scared a nigga truthfully
I took trips with so much shit in the whip
That if the cops pulled us over the dog'd get sick, sniff
Smell me nigga? The real me nigga, minus the rumors
Holla if you feel me nigga

The streets is not only watching but they talking now?
Shit they got me circling the block before I'm parking now
Don't get it twisted, I ain't bitching, I'm just cautious now
Sub, under the parka, extra cartridge now
Hit his click sig' up you fell at it you're dense
I get word to the street like bell Atlantic express
I feel the vibes and I hear the rumors
But fuck it, I'm still alive and I'm still in ju'maa I know 'stafallah
Niggaz wanna press me, put my back to the wall
But pressure bust pipes I know, I spat it to y'all
To know me is to love me, you see me, can't be me, hate this
Fuck you I got guns like Neo in Matrix
Cross the family, think mac's sweet like Cairo
Or soft like play-doh get knocked off like Fredo, Corleone
They find you with a hole in your dome
I roll with niggaz that'll follow you and go to your home
Thought you ball, but nigga you fall to my defense
Catch you while you reachin, clip you then I cross you then I'm leavin
Apply full court pressure
Like four-four ? Get you out of here, pull pressure
To the trigger, bullets fly in three's
You forever rest under bullshit, dirt lies and leaves
I do bullshit, dirt, tell lies then leave
Look in my eyes, realize it's beans
Niggaz wanna despise the team, till I play head coach
And straight up, divide they team

Trade they man for some pies and a couple of things
Til the bullet, ah, motherfuckers! Yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Streets Is Talkin" by Beanie Sigel, released in 2000, reflects on the artist's experiences of growing up in the streets and the problems that come along with it. The lyrics imply that some things stay constant, like how the streets remain filled with gossip and rumors. The repetition of the phrase "Streets Is Talkin" reinforces the notion that the streets are an ever-present force that is always watching and judging.

The opening lines of the song explore the question of whether the artist is associated with any gang-related activities, inviting others to speculate about him. The following section talks about the consequences of impulsivity and the legal troubles that can arise from it. The artist discusses his struggles with staying out of trouble, even when he wants to, pointing out how it can be challenging to remain in control when provoked.

Throughout the song, the artist references the violence prevalent in his community, highlighting the fact that violence is often the only way to protect oneself. He reflects on his experiences facing tough situations in his community and reveals how it has forced him to become extra cautious, taking extra measures to protect himself from getting caught up in its dangers. The artist aims to convey how the streets are not something that can be taken lightly and are challenging to navigate safely.

Line by Line Meaning

Is he a blood, is he crip?
Is Beanie Sigel associated with a specific gang or group?

Is he that, is he this?
Is he known for certain actions or behaviors?

Did he do it? You know, eh
Is he responsible for certain events or actions?

Look
Pay attention

If I shoot you, I'm brainless
If I engage in violence, I am not using my intellect

Different toilet, same shit, and I'm sick of explainin this
It's the same old problems, and Beanie Sigel is tired of having to explain them

I'm waitin on arraignment, my nigga is the plantiff
I am waiting for my court hearing, and my friend is the one accusing me

Yeah, I know what you thinkin, fucked up ain't it?
I am aware of what you are thinking, and it is messed up

I shoulda known better, and I planned to
I should have been wiser and had intentions to

But dog they be takin me out of my zone like a nigga with a handle
Other people constantly disrupt my peace and focus

I sat back and watched it, put the gats back in the closet
I observed the situation and decided to put my guns away

I tried to tie my hands like an Iraqi hostage
I attempted to restrict myself from engaging in violence

Let niggaz take shots at me, no response
Allow people to criticize or insult me without reacting

I just, flip and, pop my collar like the fonz
I simply adjust my attitude and show my confidence

You give a nigga a foot he'll take you one step beyond
When you give someone an opportunity, they will always push for more

He'll try to play you twice, the third time is the charm
Someone will attempt to manipulate or deceive you multiple times before succeeding

You wanna conversate with the writer of the qu'ran
Do you want to have a conversation with someone who is knowledgeable about religious texts?

Or old testament, don't test him then
Even if it's the old testament, do not challenge him

I know what y'all thinkin dick, pause
I understand what you are thinking, but hold on

Your future's my past, I've been here before
Your future is already familiar to me, as I have experienced similar situations

I know when you're schemin, I feel when you plottin
I can sense when you are planning or plotting something

I got, mental vision, intuition
I possess the ability to perceive things beyond normal sight or reasoning

I know where you goin I read your mind's navigational system
I understand your intentions and thoughts, as if I can read your mind

Everybody whisperin, pst pst pst ss perspirin
Everyone is whispering, feeling anxious and nervous

When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
When people in the streets gossip and spread rumors

Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
Women are deeply involved in your personal affairs, what is the reason behind it?

I need to know, cheah cheah
I need to understand, yes yes

You see me with a bodyguard that means police is watchin
If you see me with a bodyguard, it indicates that the police are monitoring me

And I only use his waist to keep my glock in
I only utilize his presence to conceal my firearm

But when shit goes down you know who's doin the poppin
But when a conflict arises, you know who will engage in violence

And if you don't know, guess who's doin the droppin
And if you are unaware, I am the one initiating the attack

S dot again, y'all got him in a bad mood
Referring to himself as 'S dot' once again, he is expressing his frustration

Bad move that's bad news
Making a mistake is a serious problem

How many times have I got to prove?
How many times do I have to show or demonstrate?

How many loved ones have you got to lose
How many family members or close friends do you have to lose?

Before you realize that it's probably true?
Before you come to the realization that it is most likely accurate?

Whatever jigga say, jigga probably do
Whatever Jay-Z says, he is likely to follow through with it

Shit I paid my dues, I made the news
I have suffered and endured hardships, which gained attention and recognition

I came in the door for dolo, blazed the crews
I entered the scene alone and surpassed other groups

And the streets say jigga can't go back home
According to the streets, Jay-Z is unable to return to his origins

You know when I heard that? When I was back home
You know when I heard that? When I was actually in my hometown

I'm comfortable dog, Brooklyn to Rome
I feel at ease, whether in Brooklyn or Rome

On any martin luther, don't part with your future
In any situation, do not give up or sacrifice your future

Don't ever question if I got the heart to shoot ya
Never doubt whether I have the courage to harm you

The answer is simply too dark for the user
The answer is extremely brutal for the person asking

And as a snot-nose they said that he got flows
As a young and inexperienced artist, they said he possesses great skills in rap

But will he be able to drop those before the cops close in?
But can he release his songs before the police catch him?

'Fore the shots froze him, and he's dead and gone
Before he becomes a victim of violence and dies

From what the block has spoken, my god
Based on the rumors circulating in the neighborhood

Everybody stressin, who's his baby's moms?
Everyone is anxious, wondering who is the mother of his child?

Who he got pregnant, let me tell you, ah
Who he impregnated, allow me to explain