Childhood
Born in the South Bronx of Puerto Rican descent during the early years of hip-hop, Christopher Rios grew up enjoying basketball, boxing, and other sports. He met his wife Liza in the eighth grade. At the age of five, he broke his leg in a Manhattan municipal park, resulting in a lawsuit against the City of New York, later settled out of court. He received a lot of money in compensation. By all accounts from Pun's family, his early years were very difficult, including witnessing his mother's drug abuse, his father leaving the family, and a stepfather who was very hard on Pun. According to his grandmother, Pun would become angry and self-destructive, punching holes in the walls of his family's apartment and eating the chunks of drywall rocks . At the age of 17, Rios dropped out of Stevenson High School and for some time was homeless, staying in abandoned buildings or at friends' homes.
Career
Sometime during the '80s, he formed the Full a Clips Crew with Triple Seis, Prospect and Cuban Link who was at the time named "Lyrical Assassin". At this point Big Pun was operating under the alias Big Moon Dawg. Rios met fellow Puerto Rican and Bronx rapper Fat Joe in 1995 and made his commercial debut on Joe's second album, Jealous One's Envy, in addition to appearing on a b-side to Joe's "Envy" single, "Fire Water."
Later, "I'm Not a Player" (featuring an O'Jays sample) was supported by a significant advertising campaign and became an underground hit. The song's remix, "Still Not a Player" (featuring Joe), became Big Pun's first major mainstream hit. His full-length debut Capital Punishment followed in 1998, and was the first album by a solo Latino rapper to go platinum, peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200. Capital Punishment was also nominated for a Grammy, but lost out on the award to Jay-Z's Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life. He became a member of The Terror Squad, a New York-based group of rappers founded by Fat Joe, with most of the roster supplied by the now-defunct Full a Clips Crew.
Death
Despite his athletic adolescence, Big Pun struggled with his weight for most of his life; his weight fluctuated in the early 90's between obese and morbidly obese. In the last years of his life he fluctuated between 450 and 697 pounds. Big Pun enrolled in a weight-loss program in North Carolina, in which he lost 100 pounds, but he eventually quit the program before completing it, returning to New York and gaining back the weight he had lost. On February 7, 2000, Big Pun suffered a fatal heart attack and respiratory failure in a hotel, Crowne Plaza, in White Plains, NY.
Posthumous works
His second album, Yeeeah Baby, completed before his death, was issued as scheduled in April 2000. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard charts and earned gold record status within three months of its release. It eventually went platinum. A second posthumous album, Endangered Species, was released in April of 2001. Endangered Species collected some of Pun's "greatest hits," previously unreleased material, numerous guest appearances, and remixed "greatest verses." As with his other albums, it also peaked in the top ten of the Billboard 200, reaching #7, but didn't sell as much as the previous Pun albums had.
In recent times, Big Punisher was featured with Fat Joe on "Duets: The Final Chapter," an album of tracks featuring the Notorious B.I.G, also deceased. The track "Get Your Grind On" begins with a Big Pun radio interview in which he said he would perform a duet with Biggie at the gates of heaven. Punisher was also featured on a track from the revived Terror Squad's second album, True Story, on the track "Bring 'Em Back" with Big L.
Sony Records has been considering releasing a second posthumous album featuring unreleased material, but the project is being delayed by Sony. Liza Rios also held an auction in 2005 for her deceased husband's Terror Squad medallion, citing financial difficulties in the wake of Pun's death, and again claiming to have not received any royalty checks for Pun's posthumous album sales (save for a small check from the sales of Endangered Species).
Lyrical ability and technique
Big Pun rapped at high speeds. He used huge multies and internal rhyme schemes. He showcased his punchline capabilities on 'Dream Shatterer', multies and flow in 'Twinz', 'You ain't a Killer' and 'Boomerang'. He was influenced heavily by Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane. He also showcased superior topic versatility ranging from street life to sex/relationships and politics to social injustice.
Laughing at You
Big Pun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you see me now
You remember me the guy from the back of the class
That used to where the glasses the one you
Used to laugh at look at me now brother do you like fruit
Well I'm chewin' your girls nipples
How do you like them apples asshole
I'm laughing at you
I'm laughing at you now you told me I was ugly
I was scared to crack a smile
Ha ha ha ha ha
I'm laughing at you now
Ha ha ha ha ha
I'm laughing at you
Six hundred Benz twenty inch rims
House on the hill hittin' mad skin
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
It was all a scheme I used to load the teck with the magazine
So I was mean but I still had a scheme
17 years young everything seemed fun
Still considered a veteran 'cause I feared none
Pun's from the street where there ain't no rules
But carried heat 'cause he ain't no fool
Ain't no wrong for dollars in negative digits
So debted followers and got rid of the quitters
That never forget us 'cause we've been down since the
Genesis two hundred horse power to four hundred Pegasus
The messages don't sleep till its over
Next thing you know shorty seven feet
Tippin' over I'm still in the water drownin'
Knights and murder till the immortal terror squad
Threw me a life preserver now I'm ice forever
Stomach bustin' out the white carrera
Life is better now niggas wanna rhyme together
Ay que sera! what can I do but take you to strive
Ay que hago! I hope the streets don't take me alive
You wasted your life and refused the struggle while
I aim for the sky pay dues and bubbles I win!
[Chorus]
Now its not funny 'cause I'm hot and got a pot of money
Alot of hunnies around (Don't stop do the brown for me)
My every wish is her command call her bitch she understands
I reminisce how she used to dis me and my man
Check part of the plan she told my son I wasn't the man
I ain't gonna to stop till I got a heart in my hand
I can silence the lamb but couldn't silence her cause
She was as wild as a man with a bottle of liquor
I'm not going to hit her I'm gonna debt her tonight
Double platinum now shes one in the tribe well in the ride now
Well in a fly gettin' high now no more whiteout send the Cubans
To provide now it's my world I demand my respect
Give me your girl or get slapped in your neck
Ain't nothin' change I'm still humble and modest
And I'm always proud to admit I came straight from the projects
Hardy har har har
Don't you forget about me now
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't you forget about me now
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Don't you forget about me now
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't you forget about me now
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Don't you forget about me now
I said don't don't don't don't
[Chorus]
The lyrics to the song "Laughing At You" by Big Pun provide an insight into the rapper's journey from being the guy at the back of the class, that people used to laugh at, to becoming a successful musician. The opening lines of the song take a jab at the people who used to ridicule him for being a nerd by saying "look at me now, brother, do you like fruit? Well, I'm chewing your girl's nipples. How do you like them apples, asshole?". This line serves as a testament to Pun's success and his ability to turn the tables on his critics. The chorus of the song conveys the message that Pun is now the one laughing at his haters for not believing in his abilities.
The second verse of the song delves into the struggles that Pun had to face to achieve success. He talks about how he used to carry a loaded gun with him at all times, just because he didn't trust the people around him. The verse also talks about how Pun's financial situation was dire and how he had to get rid of people who weren't pulling their weight. The song's outro repeats the chorus a few more times, with Pun reminding everyone not to forget about him.
Overall, "Laughing At You" is a song about the struggles that come with trying to make it in the music industry. It's an uplifting song that encourages people to pursue their dreams and not let anyone discourage them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ha ha ha
Laughing at and mocking the person being addressed
Do you see me now
Asks if the person being addressed can see the success and power of Big Pun now
You remember me the guy from the back of the class
Brings up how the person being addressed used to see him at the back of the class
That used to where the glasses the one you Used to laugh at
Recalls how the person being addressed used to laugh at Big Pun for wearing glasses
look at me now brother do you like fruit
Asks if the person being addressed likes his success now
Well I'm chewin' your girls nipples
Boasts about how he is having sexual relations with the partner of the person being addressed
How do you like them apples asshole
Asks how the person being addressed feels about the situation now that he is the one being made fun of
I'm laughing at you
Continues to mock and laugh at the person being addressed
Now you told me I was ugly
Recalls how the person being addressed used to call him ugly
I was scared to crack a smile
Explains that he used to be self-conscious and did not want to smile
Six hundred Benz twenty inch rims
Boasts about his luxurious car with 20 inch rims
House on the hill hittin' mad skin
Boasts about his lavish lifestyle and the abundance of sexual partners he has
It was all a scheme I used to load the teck with the magazine
Reveals that his success was achieved through a nefarious scheme and various illegal activities
So I was mean but I still had a scheme
Acknowledges that he acted in a harmful and aggressive manner, but ultimately had a strategy to achieve his desired success
17 years young everything seemed fun
Recalls that he was young and having fun when he first began his pursuit of success
Still considered a veteran 'cause I feared none
Despite his youth, he was considered experienced and respected because he had no fear
Pun's from the street where there ain't no rules
Describes his origins in a violent and lawless street environment
But carried heat 'cause he ain't no fool
Explains that he carried weapons for protection and was not foolish enough to leave himself vulnerable
Ain't no wrong for dollars in negative digits
Explains that when it comes to money, there is no right or wrong, and he was willing to go into debt to achieve his goals
So debted followers and got rid of the quitters
Describes how he went into debt to achieve his goals and left behind anyone who was not willing to keep up
That never forget us 'cause we've been down since the Genesis
People who stuck with him from the beginning will always remember him
Two hundred horse power to four hundred Pegasus
Describes how he went from a basic car to a powerful and luxurious one
The messages don't sleep till its over
The work does not stop until the goals are achieved
Next thing you know shorty seven feet Tippin' over
An unexpected event caused a big disturbance
I'm still in the water drownin'
Despite his success, he still faces struggles and challenges
Knights and murder till the immortal terror squad
Describes his experiences in his gang and how there was no escape
Threw me a life preserver now I'm ice forever
Despite his past, he was given a chance to turn his life around and now has a lasting legacy
Stomach bustin' out the white carrera
Describes his luxurious lifestyle, including owning a Porsche Carrera
Life is better now niggas wanna rhyme together
Since he achieved his success, people have suddenly become interested in being associated with him
Ay que sera! what can I do but take you to strive
Expresses his attitude of accepting and persisting through the struggles of life
Ay que hago! I hope the streets don't take me alive
Acknowledges the danger of his previous lifestyle and hopes that it will not lead to his death
You wasted your life and refused the struggle while
Mockingly suggests that the person being addressed missed out on their chance to succeed
I aim for the sky pay dues and bubbles I win!
Expresses that he set his sights high, worked hard, and achieved his goals
Now its not funny 'cause I'm hot and got a pot of money
Reverses the situation, pointing out how he is successful now and the person being addressed is not
Alot of hunnies around (Don't stop do the brown for me)
Boasts once again about the abundance of sexual partners he has
My every wish is her command call her bitch she understands
Describes the complete control he has over his partners
I reminisce how she used to dis me and my man
Recalls how one of his partners used to disrespect him and his friend
Check part of the plan she told my son I wasn't the man
Explains how one of his partners betrayed him by turning his own son against him
I ain't gonna to stop till I got a heart in my hand
Expresses his desire to gain complete control over everything, even other people's emotions
I can silence the lamb but couldn't silence her cause
Despite his attempts to control everything, he was unable to control this one specific partner
She was as wild as a man with a bottle of liquor
Describes the extreme behavior of this partner
I'm not going to hit her I'm gonna debt her tonight
Expresses his intention to hurt this partner financially
Double platinum now shes one in the tribe well in the ride now
Describes how this partner is now living a lavish lifestyle with him because of his success
Well in a fly gettin' high now no more whiteout send the Cubans
Describes the lavish and drug-fueled lifestyle he and his partner are now living
To provide now it's my world I demand my respect
Claims that he now owns the world and deserves respect for his success
Give me your girl or get slapped in your neck
Boasts about his power and control over other people's partners
Ain't nothin' change I'm still humble and modest
Claims that despite his success, he has remained humble and modest
And I'm always proud to admit I came straight from the projects
Acknowledges and takes pride in his humble origins and upbringing
Don't you forget about me now
Reiterates that the person being addressed should not forget about him now that he is successful
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER RIOS, GARY SCOTT, KEITH FORSEY, STEVE W. SCHIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cholinia
Ha ha ha
Do you see me now
You remember me the guy from the back of the class
That used to where the glasses the one you
Used to laugh at look at me now brother do you like fruit
Well I'm chewin' your girls nipples
How do you like them apples asshole
I'm laughing at you
I'm laughing at you now you told me I was ugly
I was scared to crack a smile
Ha ha ha ha ha
I'm laughing at you now
Ha ha ha ha ha
I'm laughing at you
Six hundred Benz twenty inch rims
House on the hill hittin' mad skin
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
It was all a scheme I used to load the teck with the magazine
So I was mean but I still had a scheme
17 years young everything seemed fun
Still considered a veteran 'cause I feared none
Pun's from the street where there ain't no rules
But carried heat 'cause he ain't no fool
Ain't no wrong for dollars in negative digits
So debted followers and got rid of the quitters
That never forget us 'cause we've been down since the
Genesis two hundred horse power to four hundred Pegasus
The messages don't sleep till its over
Next thing you know shorty seven feet
Tippin' over I'm still in the water drownin'
Knights and murder till the immortal terror squad
Threw me a life preserver now I'm ice forever
Stomach bustin' out the white carrera
Life is better now niggas wanna rhyme together
Ay que sera! what can I do but take you to strive
Ay que hago! I hope the streets don't take me alive
You wasted your life and refused the struggle while
I aim for the sky pay dues and bubbles I win!
I'm laughing at you
I'm laughing at you now you told me I was ugly
I was scared to crack a smile
Ha ha ha ha ha
I'm laughing at you now
Ha ha ha ha ha
I'm laughing at you
Now its not funny 'cause I'm hot and got a pot of money
Alot of hunnies around (Don't stop do the brown for me)
My every wish is her command call her bitch she understands
I reminisce how she used to dis me and my man
Check part of the plan she told my son I wasn't the man
I ain't gonna to stop till I got a heart in my hand
I can silence the lamb but couldn't silence her cause
She was as wild as a man with a bottle of liquor
I'm not going to hit her I'm gonna debt her tonight
Double platinum now shes one in the tribe well in the ride now
Well in a fly gettin' high now no more whiteout send the Cubans
To provide now it's my world I demand my respect
Give me your girl or get slapped in your neck
Ain't nothin' change I'm still humble and modest
And I'm always proud to admit I came straight from the projects
Hardy har har har
Don't you forget about me now
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't you forget about me now
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Don't you forget about me now
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't you forget about me now
Don't
Don't
Don't
Don't nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
Don't you forget about me now
I said don't don't don't don't
I'm laughing at you
I'm laughing at you now you told me I was ugly
I was scared to crack a smile
Ha ha ha ha ha
I'm laughing at you now
Ha ha ha ha ha
I'm laughing at you
Melanie Guzman
My sister missy loved when this song would play, she would make me sing it. I lost my sister last year, this song hits me differently now, can't help but cry for both my sister and for Big Pun.
Joshua Michael
Shitz deep fr fr we all the thread to the same cloth. Hope to you 3 in Heaven.
Qu Hectic 221st
🙏🏾
Coca Kaze
🕉️🕉️🛐
Till I Take ova
Stay up sry to hear that
Blasphemous Yc
Sorry for your loss.
Don Negron
Every time I achieve a goal, I play this song and sing the chorus LOUD hahahahahahahahahaha
GQ Suárez
🤣🤣
Thiccbutterballs
Hope you still are and accomplishing your goals in 2022
B Sánchez
As you fucking should bro