The T.R.I.B.E. (Too Rough International Boo-Yaa Empire) originally consisted of six Samoan American brothers from Los Angeles, California, including Paul "Ganxsta Ridd" Devoux, Ted "Godfather" Devoux, Danny "O.M.B." Devoux, Roscoe "Murder One" Devoux, David "E.K.A." Devoux, or Kobra, and Donald "Don L" Devoux. A seventh brother, Vincent "Gawtti" Devoux, would join later on.
One of the unique aspects of the group that sets them apart from most West Coast acts and hip hop groups is that the brothers can all play musical instruments, making them an interesting live act. They often insist on playing their own instruments on their albums as well as on stage. Introduced to music via the Baptist church, Gawtti, the youngest, explained, " Our father was a minister of a church and we had to learn instruments to play at his services. We’d go in the morning and set up the instruments and play a lot of funk before folk came in."
Despite their religious background, the brothers fell into the local west coast gang lifestyle. They became members of the Samoan Mob Piru Bloods, and eventually all of the brothers had at some point served prison time on drug and/or weapons charges. It was the death of their younger brother, Robert ‘Youngman’ Devoux, in a 1987 shooting that became the turning point in their lives. The brothers quit the gang-banging lifestyle cold turkey. Godfather explained, "The gangsta way of life came at a high price. At the time me and family was at war with different enemies and he got caught up in the cross fire……y’know, you gotta understand, you grow up in life with your brothers, and even though you’re in a war zone you don’t think about losing someone, and when it happens to you, you can do two things: you can get madder or you gotta run with it.” This changed all the brothers lives, Gawtti explained "It made us choose whether we wanted to go war or to music. We chose the music because that’s what he would have wanted."
Bang on
Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
niggaz want to fuck with me , that´s why I got to bang on you
haterz want to fuck with the G´z , that´s why we gots to bang on you
niggaz want to fuck with me , that´s why I got to bang on you
haterz want to fuck with the G´z , that´s why we gots to bang on you
[ Ganxsta Ridd ]
I say fuck them all when I bang them on some , from Inglewood to my city of Carson
chicken hawker shit talken dogg barker , ghost the scene the snatch of the night watcher
the cock it down blood walker collar blocker , never through it up I through down with the wreath rock
soo woo set ride on the left put my flag on my shoulder , so it lays on my chest
the dime piece put the I in finess but you can bless that chrome while I bless my fit
it´s on tell these 5th niggaz it´s on p-funk , I funk or no funk at all
Ganxsta Ridd Mack tension with the flamedarin , Piru 3 street y´all ain´t ready for this
[ Chorus ]
[ Mack 10 ]
uh huh , eyes forward , huh , look
y´all don´t understand I bang on hoe niggaz , slang blowin´ in a drive jack foe moe figgaz
walk in the party moe flamed then a arsen , 'cause the QSI caught a link with the Carson
i´m gangsta , you ain´t tried it don´t knock it , sag when I feel flag in my right pocket
the westin G´z it ain´t a new style , and the Boo Yaa moe samoans then a luau
I fucks with 'em 'cause we from the same side , and who ever got hit with the cake flame died
always been a rida , always stood up , Damu niggaz and bitches throw yo hood up ( soo woo )
get it how you live if you tamper with the sack , I go to war over crack like Bush in Iraq ( ha ha )
it´s Mack 10 nigga hoo bangin affiliate , stay gangsta all the time and fuck who ain´t feelin it
[ Chorus ]
[ Ganxsta Ridd ]
I stay flamed up ritual keep the dickies original , author of the smash through a gang funeral
with the Gawtti belt buckled the west chuckle , my bloody knuckles can´t stop my hustle
they puzzle how the hen get guzzled , they tumble tryin´ to fade through the muscle
they in trouble when the mind go humble , the debree from the rubble got the whole ben doubled
where they at they go gangsta shit , where you from here we go gangsta hit
the rap rolla scrap brawler burgandy maroon , never visualize unless it go boom
Gawtti get deflan boss of all time , always outnumber but never outdone
niggaz don´t want to march unless we a million , let me p-funk it westside and make don
the West , the West Boo Yaa
the West , the West , the West be Boo Yaa
the Westin´ G´z and the Boo Yaa
the Westin´ G´z it ain´t a new style , Boo Boo Yaa
[ Chorus ]
Boo Boo Boo Boo G´z , Boo Boo Boo Boo G´z
Boo Boo G , G´z , Boo Boo Boo Yaa
G´z , G´z , G , G´z
Boo Boo Boo Yaa , Boo G , Boo G , Boo G , G , G , G , Boo Boo Yaa
[ Chorus x 3 ]
The lyrics of Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E.'s song, Bang On, is a hard-hitting representation of the life of gangsta rap artists. The song begins with the chorus that emphasizes the need to retaliate against those who threaten their peace, whether it be haters or niggaz who want to mess with them. Ganxsta Ridd's first verse talks of how he drops everything to bang some sense into those who disrespect him. He mentions different locations from Inglewood to Carson, where the need to be bangin' more often is crucial. He also uses popular gangsta words like "chicken hawker, dogg barker" and "blood walker." He proudly shows his pride and affiliation with his gang, which is visible by the flag on his shoulder. He also mentions his impressive dime piece, which he blesses while he blesses his fit. The second verse by Mack 10 talks of how he is a true gangsta by using slang and walking into parties with his flamed-up attire. He also mentions how he will go to war over crack like Bush in Iraq. He talks about his affiliation with Boo Yaa and how they are from the same side. He ends with an affirmation of his gangsta status by saying he will always stay gangsta and disregard those who don't feel it. The last verse by Ganxsta Ridd talks of his incredible talent at fighting at gang funerals while wearing his original Dickies. He mentions how his bloody knuckles can't stop his hustle and that he is always outnumbered but never outdone. He also talks of being the deflan boss of all time and how they are always ready to p-funk it Westside and make over a million dreams.
Overall, the song represents the gangsta life to the fullest, where the need to retaliate against those who threaten their peace is necessary. The song is filled with different phrases and words unique to the gangsta rap culture that may not be easily understood by outsiders.
Line by Line Meaning
niggaz want to fuck with me , that´s why I got to bang on you
I have to fight back against people who want to harm me.
haterz want to fuck with the G´z , that´s why we gots to bang on you
We need to defend ourselves against those who hate and threaten us.
I say fuck them all when I bang them on some , from Inglewood to my city of Carson
I don't care about anyone who opposes us, whether they're from Inglewood or Carson.
through every hood you should be bangin more often , is your life more then what it is costin
It's important to defend yourself and your community, even if it comes at a cost.
chicken hawker shit talken dogg barker , ghost the scene the snatch of the night watcher
I am vigilant against those who talk trash and try to cause trouble.
the cock it down blood walker collar blocker , never through it up I through down with the wreath rock
I am fearless and won't back down, but I don't need to show off my gang signs.
soo woo set ride on the left put my flag on my shoulder , so it lays on my chest
I proudly represent my gang and my home, wearing my flag on my chest.
the dime piece put the I in finess but you can bless that chrome while I bless my fit
I'm all about looking good and showing off my style, while also being armed and ready.
uh huh , eyes forward , huh , look
I am focused and alert, always watching for danger.
always been a rida , always stood up , Damu niggaz and bitches throw yo hood up ( soo woo )
I have always been a tough guy who stands up for myself and my community, and I'm proud to represent the Damu gang.
with the Gawtti belt buckled the west chuckle , my bloody knuckles can´t stop my hustle
I am always ready for a fight, and nothing can stop me from achieving my goals.
they puzzle how the hen get guzzled , they tumble tryin´ to fade through the muscle
People are confused about how I always come out on top, even when they try to fight me.
where they at they go gangsta shit , where you from here we go gangsta hit
People may talk a big game, but they can't back it up like we can.
the rap rolla scrap brawler burgandy maroon , never visualize unless it go boom
I am a fighter and a tough guy, and I don't waste time on anything that doesn't involve action.
always outnumber but never outdone
We may be outnumbered, but we always come out on top.
niggaz don´t want to march unless we a million , let me p-funk it westside and make don
We need to come together as a large group to make a real change, and I'm ready to lead the way.
Boo Boo Boo Boo G´z , Boo Boo Boo Boo G´z
We come from the gang Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. and we're tough as they come.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rockzilla-666-
I'm a 53 year old rocker and listen to rockmusic since the ags of 10. Boo yaa tribe is probaly the only rap group that i'm a fanboy of. See them two times live. First time was after the release of their first album. They came on stage and played with real instruments not only sampels and a dj. They performed their asses off on stage with a lot of cool dance moves and this big huge samoans had the best and smoothest backing vocals you can imagine. After their song another body murdered with faith no more they made a complet rap/rock album on their own. They came to germany to promot it and again they played it live on stage with real instruments. Man this was so heavy. I know that they are real gangsters somtines bodyguards but for me they are also real musicians. I like also the style of their outfits. Even today i blast their albums to my car speakers. Cheers, love and big respects from germany to the boo yaa tribe. You are awesome
@deeliciousgrapes
It's crazy because I never even heard of them until today. I ran across an interview with some dude that said he was their nephew and this song was playing. Now I've been listening to all of their music this morning
@TCGpulls
Haha me too. Lol
@SR18775
Me too
@jaozikao
Me too, dude talking about Eminem being protected by this dudes
@ferriscemila8912
Me too haha
@rhodjenjakedumpit6382
Same. Interview with their nephew mentioning Em hired them for security.
@kamakoa
RIP Uso s Yessah let's go Boo yaa tribe
@citypopFM
Boo-Yaa Tribe is as OG as it gets. No matter how outnumbered, you won't read one story of Samoans getting fucked with here in LA because they're tight-knit, riders, and not to be fucked with one bit. These dudes are the real deal.
@TheLandscapeTV
2024!! Cambodian 41 years old from France and still bangin Boo Ya Tribe! Much love to the Uso!