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.

Why Wouldn't I
Beanie Sigel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Beanie Sigel]
Eh, Please believe it
Believe this shit
Mack Mittens in the spot
Eh, The crack rhyme king, you know
Why must I be like that
Why must I push the crack
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me

It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
(Nigga) The hustler in me
Verse 1
[Beanie Sigel]
Poison em' all (Fuck em')
I know that sounds like the words of a bastard
But Polly need crackers
And daddy's son need pampers
I gave ya'll The Truth and The Reason
I can't give you the answers (Nope)
I try to do the right thing
But I swear by god
I'm not Spike Lee, I skip my school days (Fuck it)
I ran with old heads (old heads)
In 89, who push 98's
Blue haze through deuce treys
Do what I been, I been through, through it again
I seen the streets tame boys, turn few to men
While you was in the house playing Nintendo (Nintendo)
On ya back pads on ya Dyno doing indo (indo)
Shit, I was in the house smoking indo (indo)
Serving smokers off the back ledge through the window (window)
How many, How many, smoke em' get skinny
Got em' short, got em' tall
Got plenty for all why'all now (c'mon)
Chorus
[Sparks and Beanie Sigel]
Why must I feel like that
Why must I push the crack
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
The hustler in me
Why must I feel like that
Why must I push the crack
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
The hustler in me
Verse 2
[Oschino]
Why must I push the crack
I was forced into it
I was going through it pushin' that Buick
It wasn't all good a week ago (eh ah)
Shit been bad for a while
I was forced to put that crack in the vile (You know it)
Pockets was low, mind wasn't right
So I had to play the corner with the nine every night
So I crushed competition
Killed the drama
Sold goods like Excedrin
Syrup like Aunt Jemima
Money was coming, niggas was hatin'
Send bullets through they fame till they Harlem shakin'
Treated crack like rap
And I move them units
And the way I tuck paper niggas thought I was Jewish
Had the fiends snortin' blow like the K-9 unit
And I finally got that paper to park that Buick
Got the aero dynamic Benz wagon
So carefully crafted
When I pulled on the block I just smashed it
Chorus
[Sparks and Beanie Sigel]
Why must I feel like that
Why must I push the crack
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
The hustler in me
Why must I feel like that
Why must I push the crack
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me (I'm a hustler Nigga!)
The hustler in me
Verse 3
[Sparks]
Omilio, Omilio wooo
I talk greazy to pricks like
One yourself scrapper
I'm king Willie, stay the fuck off my strip (eh huh)
Or have ya guys get hit
Clash the position, I'm stuck in the kitchen
Whippin' it, ghetto D to the oil
Got the dope fiends rushin'
Drawing attention, scarring the workers
Got em, Ready to quit the game
So I'm doing the game like
Keep your eyes open youngin'
And tell them fiends I said no short, no change
And I'm payin' em weekly
And I'm payin' silly
You pay em' Friday you won't see em' for the rest of the weekend
Watching the block
Cause some like to skim off the top
Mixing they little caps in with my rock
Ungrateful motherfuckers end up gettin' clap by the cops
Tryin' to slow up the money spot
(I'm a hustler baby, I'm a hustler baby)
And why must I, now why ask why
Chorus x2
[Sparks and Beanie Sigel]
Why must I feel like that
Why must I push the crack
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
The hustler in me
Why must I feel like that
Why must I push the crack
It ain't nothing but the hustler in me

It ain't nothing but the hustler in me (I'm a hustler Nigga!)
The hustler in me

Overall Meaning

In "Why Wouldn't I," Beanie Sigel and his fellow rappers explore the mindset and motivations of a hustler involved in the drug trade. The lyrics delve into the reasons why they feel compelled to push crack cocaine and the consequences they face as a result.

In the first verse, Beanie Sigel reflects on his experiences growing up in a rough environment. He acknowledges that although it may seem ruthless and immoral to push crack, he does it out of necessity. He references the struggles of poverty and the responsibilities he has to provide for his family, expressed through the lines "Polly need crackers, and daddy's son need pampers." Despite his desire to do what's right, circumstances and his own choices have led him down this path. He also compares his own experiences to those who had more privileged childhoods, noting the stark differences in their lifestyles.

Verse two introduces Oschino's perspective on the hustle. He explains that he was forced into the drug trade due to dire financial circumstances. He refers to a time when he was struggling and decided to sell crack cocaine to make ends meet. His actions were driven by desperation and survival instincts, as he describes the low point in his life when his pockets were empty and his mind was not in the right place. Oschino claims he had no alternative but to play the streets, using the drug trade to generate income. He illustrates his success with lines like "Treated crack like rap, and I move them units," showcasing how he excelled in this illegal business.

Sparks contributes to the song in verse three, sharing his own experiences as a hustler. He talks about his confrontational approach towards those who interfere with his business, emphasizing his power and dominance in his territory. Sparks sends a warning to those who might try to encroach on his operation, expressing a no-nonsense attitude to maintain control. He also touches on the difficulty of managing employees and keeping his product untainted. Sparks expresses frustration with the ungrateful behavior of some of his workers, mixing their inferior drugs with his high-quality product. He addresses the risks of the game and the constant threat of being caught by the police, perpetuating the cycle of violence and instability.

Overall, "Why Wouldn't I" paints a vivid picture of the struggles, choices, and mindset of individuals engaged in the drug trade. The song provides insight into the motivations behind their actions, acknowledging the complexities and consequences of their choices. It sheds light on the difficult circumstances they face and the hustler mentality that drives them to continue down this path, despite the risks involved.

Line by Line Meaning

Eh, Please believe it
Hey, you better believe it, this is the truth

Believe this shit
Trust me, this is real

Mack Mittens in the spot
Here comes Beanie Sigel, the king of rhymes

Eh, The crack rhyme king, you know
I am known as the best rapper when it comes to talking about crack

Why must I be like that
Why do I have the inclination to behave this way

Why must I push the crack
Why do I feel the need to sell crack cocaine

It ain't nothing but the hustler in me
My actions are solely driven by my hustler mentality

(Nigga) The hustler in me
My hustler identity is a core part of who I am

Poison em' all (Fuck em')
I don't care about the consequences of my actions, I'll poison everyone with my crack

I know that sounds like the words of a bastard
I understand that this may make me appear ruthless

But Polly need crackers
I need money for myself and my family

And daddy's son need pampers
I have responsibilities as a father and need to provide for my child

I gave ya'll The Truth and The Reason
I shared my experiences and knowledge with you through my music

I can't give you the answers (Nope)
I don't have all the solutions or answers to your problems

I try to do the right thing
I make an effort to act morally and ethically

But I swear by god
I promise sincerely

I'm not Spike Lee, I skip my school days (Fuck it)
I'm not a film director like Spike Lee, education wasn't my priority

I ran with old heads (old heads)
I spent time with older, experienced individuals

In 89, who push 98's
In 1989, I was with people pushing Oldsmobile 98 cars

Blue haze through deuce treys
We smoked high-quality marijuana in 32-ounce cups

Do what I been, I been through, through it again
I continue to face and overcome the same challenges over and over

I seen the streets tame boys, turn few to men
I witnessed the streets toughen up young boys, transforming them into grown men

While you was in the house playing Nintendo (Nintendo)
While you were at home playing video games

On ya back pads on ya Dyno doing indo (indo)
You were taking it easy, smoking marijuana

Shit, I was in the house smoking indo (indo)
As for me, I was also at home smoking marijuana

Serving smokers off the back ledge through the window (window)
I was selling drugs discreetly from a window ledge at the back of the house

How many, How many, smoke em' get skinny
Many people lose weight due to drug addiction

Got em' short, got em' tall
I have crack for people of all sizes

Got plenty for all why'all now (c'mon)
I have enough drugs for all of you

Omilio, Omilio wooo
This is Omilio, making his presence known

I talk greazy to pricks like
I speak aggressively to disrespectful individuals

One yourself scrapper
Get out of here, you weak person

I'm king Willie, stay the fuck off my strip (eh huh)
I am the boss of this area, stay away from my territory

Or have ya guys get hit
Otherwise, you and your crew will get attacked

Clash the position, I'm stuck in the kitchen
I'm caught up in the drug trade, cooking up crack

Whippin' it, ghetto D to the oil
Mixing the drugs in a process similar to cooking up drugs in a ghetto environment

Got the dope fiends rushin'
I have customers eagerly rushing to buy drugs

Drawing attention, scarring the workers
My actions attract unwanted attention and intimidate my employees

Treated crack like rap
I approached selling crack cocaine with the same dedication and strategy as being a rapper

And I move them units
I sell a large quantity of drugs

And the way I tuck paper niggas thought I was Jewish
I hide and secure my money so well that people think I am Jewish

Had the fiends snortin' blow like the K-9 unit
I had drug addicts consuming crack cocaine rapidly

And I finally got that paper to park that Buick
I accumulated enough money to buy a Buick car

Got the aero dynamic Benz wagon
I now have a sleek and fast Mercedes-Benz car

So carefully crafted
I took great care in choosing and customizing my car

When I pulled on the block I just smashed it
I made a grand entrance when I arrived on the street

Keep your eyes open youngin'
Stay vigilant and aware, young person

And tell them fiends I said no short, no change
Inform the drug addicts that I won't give them smaller quantities or accept any change

And I'm payin' em weekly
I distribute drugs to my customers on a weekly basis

And I'm payin' silly
I'm making a significant amount of money from my drug deals

You pay em' Friday you won't see em' for the rest of the weekend
If you give them drugs on Friday, they won't need anything else for the entire weekend

Watching the block
I am observing the neighborhood

Cause some like to skim off the top
Certain individuals try to take a portion of my profits

Mixing they little caps in with my rock
They mix their lower quality drugs with my high-quality crack

Ungrateful motherfuckers end up gettin' clap by the cops
Those unappreciative individuals eventually get arrested by the police

Tryin' to slow up the money spot
Their actions are attempting to disrupt my profitable drug operation

And why must I, now why ask why
And why do I have to ask myself why

Lyrics © Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DWIGHT GRANT, GARRY MARSHALL SHIDER, GEORGE S CLINTON, KENNETH JOHNSON, MICKEY DAVIS, QU'RAN GOODMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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