1992 to 1996
Black Moon was the first to record, debuting in 1992 with their underground hit single "Who Got Da Props?". Their debut album Enta Da Stage followed in late 1993, featuring production from DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz, and featured appearances from Mobb Deep's Havoc, Smif-N-Wessun and Duck Down Records Co-head Dru-Ha. Smif-N-Wess' dropped their debut single "Bucktown" in 1994, followed by their full-length debut Dah Shinin' in early 1995. The album was produced by Beatminerz members DJ Evil Dee, Mr. Walt, Baby Paul and Rich Blak. The album featured appearances from the entire Boot Camp Clik. Later in 1995, Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. teamed up to form The Fab 5, and released their debut single "Blah b/w Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka". "Leflah" was included on Heltah Skeltah's 1996 debut Nocturnal. The album featured a more expanded list of producers, including Brand Nubian's Lord Jamar, Tha Alkaholiks E-Swift, Shaleek, Shawn J. Period, as well as Boot Camp members such as DJ Evil Dee, Mr. Walt, Baby Paul, Buckshot, and Supreme. The album also featured debut appearances from Representativz and Illa Noyz. O.G.C. followed up later in 1996 with their debut Da Storm. Production was handled by Baby Paul, Shaleek, Mr. Walt, Supreme, DJ Evil Dee, DJ Ogee, Buckshot, Lord Jamar, E-Swift and Madlib. Guest appearances came from Brand Nubian's Sadat X, Representativz, M.S., Sean Black, and Rock of Heltah Skeltah. Furthermore, in 1996 Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun and others began collaborating on numerous songs with 2Pac. These were to be used on an upcomming compilation entitled "One Nation." Though various bootleg tracks surfaced, the album was never released in its entirety.
These four albums are now hailed by many as 1990s Hip-Hop classics.
1997 to 1999
In 1997, the whole Camp came together for their first group album For the People. They abandoned their Beatminerz production crew and left behind their signature, grimy, sample-heavy basement sound, instead choosing to rap over beats with live instrumentation. The album received lukewarm reviews and mediocre sales. Their work over the next two years was met with declining sales and interest. Smif-N-Wessun [Now the Cocoa Brovaz due to a lawsuit with Smith & Wesson firearms] were the first to return, with 1998's The Rude Awakening, which, compared to the other albums soon to come, did pretty well critically and commercially. Heltah Skeltah met some harsh reviews for their 1998 second album Magnum Force, accused of abandoning their grimy street work for a more commercial sound. Despite a hit single, "I Ain't Havin' That", they weren't producing the sales they hoped for, and soon split up. Black Moon returned, after a lengthy legal battle over their name, in early 1999 with War Zone. The album did pretty well critically, but couldn't match the sales of their debut. O.G.C.'s 1999 second album The M-Pire Shrikez Back almost completely missed the radar commercially, but received mostly good reviews. 1999 also saw the debut album from Boot Camp affiliates Representativz, with "Angels of Death", and a Duck Down Records compilation Duck Down Presents: The Album.
2000 to present
The Camp was largely missing from the Hip-Hop scene between 2000 and 2001, besides a Boot Camp Greatest Hits compilation titled Basic Training: Boot Camp Clik's Greatest Hits in 2000. The Camp (minus Heltah Skeltah's Rock) returned with another group album in 2002, titled The Chosen Few, their first on an independent label. Sales were pretty strong for an independent album, reaching around 60,000. The album received a 4 1/2 star rating from All Music, as well as other strong reviews from Hip Hop magazines. In early 2003, Duck Down Records released a compilation album entitled Collect Dis Edition, featuring a number of singles released during their MIA period. Black Moon returned in 2003 with Total Eclipse. The album was very well received, and featured the underground anthem "Stay Real". In 2005, Duck Down released their "Triple Threat" campaign, featuring the solo debut from Sean Price, Monkey Barz, a collaboration between Buckshot and Little Brother's 9th Wonder, Chemistry, and a new album from Smif-N-Wessun, Tek N Steele: Reloaded. In early 2006, Duck Down released a DVD titled Video Surveillance, featuring over thirty of the Camp's music videos. In July 2006, the Camp released their third group album, entitled The Last Stand, featuring the return of Heltah Skeltah. The first track and music video released from the project was "Trading Places", which was also featured as the B-Side to the first official single "Yeah". On January 30, 2007, Sean Price will release his second solo album, titled Jesus Price Supastar.
1-2-3
Boot Camp Clik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ridin' down the A-V-E in the black A-M-G
With the Mac by my lap and they envy
The fact that they can't see me
Dippin' through the traffic, I'm relaxin', smokin' black with ease
Now my cell phone ringin', it's a breezy
Let me see, yep, it's this chick I just met and won't let me breathe
Fuck that, my mind on my movement
"Who this nigga next to me?"
Like you give checks to me, nigga, it's respect to me
Let them niggas step to me and I'll handle my biz first
Then call up my team and they'll handle they biz worse
This shirt that I wear on my back
Represent every vocalist you hear on these tracks
Nigga, and everywhere that I steer my gat
I steer my whips and you hear where we at, nigga
(Hook-Tek (Starang Wondah))
I said 1-2-3 (Uh-huh, uh-huh) Let me know if you're ready for me, lawd
(And nowadays everybody murder, bustin' they guns
The whole hood is corner boys, gettin' they ones)
I said 1-2-3 (Uh-huh, uh-huh) Let me know if you're ready for me, lawd
(And now everybody got a sixteen, a beat and 'dro
The whole hood is gangsta, pimpin' they ho's)
(Verse 2-Sean Price)
Listen, kick drum, snare and hi-hat
I pitch jums around here, pa, don't try that
Louis Satchmo, pull the tool, let the gat blow
Melon pop, taco meat, extra tobasco
Little Rascal, buck heat at Buckwheat
For talkin' dumb, but they all love it when Ruck speak
Fuck freaks for free, fuck freaks on E
Probably fuck freaks that you've seen on BET
Been there, done that, no rubber, got clap
So it hurt when I piss, this verse is the shit
Sean is a beast, you can hear me holler at the full moon
Columbine High, settin' fire to school rooms
No way, Jose Canseco
Pop popular guys at the pop of the bank-o
Sean Price, big knife, ready to shank those
Niggas at the dice game frontin' with bankrolls
(Hook-Tek (Starang Wondah))
I said 1-2-3 (Uh-huh, uh-huh) Let me know if you're ready for me, lawd
(And nowadays everybody murder, bustin' they guns
The whole hood is corner boys, gettin' they ones)
I said 1-2-3 (Uh-huh, uh-huh) Let me know if you're ready for me, lawd
(And now everybody got a sixteen, a beat and 'dro
The whole hood is gangsta, pimpin' they ho's)
(Verse 3-Tek)
Now everybody is a hustler, grind to get money
Remember these same people broke and bummy
Askin' me for ones, being real hyphy
You spendin' all the Grant's and givin' Jackson's to wifey
Now I got haters wantin' to ice me
I gotta be careful 'fore they secret indict me
And make me a Mountaineer like West VA boys
Can't do no crime since I tatted my face boy
I'll be dead in a lineup, givin' a time-up
Twenty five-to-life, where I sign up?
But I'm straight, my flight, they even need me
On the ground at nine, that's more time to grind
(Hook-Tek (Starang Wondah))
I said 1-2-3 (Uh-huh, uh-huh) Let me know if you're ready for me, lawd
(And nowadays everybody murder, bustin' they guns
The whole hood is corner boys, gettin' they ones)
I said 1-2-3 (Uh-huh, uh-huh) Let me know if you're ready for me, lawd
(And now everybody got a sixteen, a beat and 'dro
The whole hood is gangsta, pimpin' they ho's)
In Boot Camp Clik's song 1-2-3, the verses focus on the grit and struggle of life in the streets. Buckshot claims his respect due to his talent and hard work as a vocal artist, letting everyone know he's not to be underestimated. Riding through the town in his AMG, he is completely carefree, smoking weed and relaxing. However, he remains aware of his surroundings, ready to handle any situation that comes his way. Sean Price's verse is the most aggressive, with vivid images of violence and chaos. He brags of his experience and lack of fear, claiming he's ready to take on anyone who threatens him. Tek's verse touches on the theme of the hustle and grind to get ahead. He is aware of the fakeness of those who only care for themselves, throwing out money to those that they supposedly care for. Tek also mentions the fear of being caught by the law, but still continues to grind and achieve success.
Overall, the song speaks to the reality of life in the hood, detailing the struggles and strife that people go through living in a world of poverty and crime. The lyrics also speak to the message of being confident in oneself, knowing that with hard work and determination, one can rise above the circumstances that they were born into.
Line by Line Meaning
Ridin' down the A-V-E in the black A-M-G
With the Mac by my lap and they envy
The fact that they can't see me
Dippin' through the traffic, I'm relaxin', smokin' black with ease
Now my cell phone ringin', it's a breezy
Let me see, yep, it's this chick I just met and won't let me breathe
Fuck that, my mind on my movement
'Cause when your money stop, they get dumbfounded and do this
"Who this nigga next to me?"
Like you give checks to me, nigga, it's respect to me
Let them niggas step to me and I'll handle my biz first
Then call up my team and they'll handle they biz worse
This shirt that I wear on my back
Represent every vocalist you hear on these tracks
Nigga, and everywhere that I steer my gat
I steer my whips and you hear where we at, nigga
I'm cruising around in my fancy car with my weapon within reach and people are jealous because they can't see me clearly. I'm driving through traffic, puffing on my cigarette, when my phone rings, and it's the girl I just met, who won't stop calling me. But, I'm focused on my business and the moment my money stops, people start treating me differently. They wonder who I am and why I don't hand out checks to them. If anyone tries to mess with me, I'll handle them alone and reach out to my team for further assistance. This shirt that I'm wearing represents every singer whose vocals you hear on these tracks. Everywhere I go, I make sure I have my gun and my luxurious car.
I said 1-2-3 (Uh-huh, uh-huh) Let me know if you're ready for me, lawd
(And nowadays everybody murder, bustin' they guns
The whole hood is corner boys, gettin' they ones)
I said 1-2-3 (Uh-huh, uh-huh) Let me know if you're ready for me, lawd
(And now everybody got a sixteen, a beat and 'dro
The whole hood is gangsta, pimpin' they ho's)
This chorus refers to how everyone nowadays carries a weapon, and how the entire neighborhood is full of drug dealers who are trying to earn a living. The artists are asking if anyone is prepared to hear what they have to say. The second half talks about how everyone has a sixteen-bar verse, beats, and drugs, while the whole locality is filled with gangsters who exploit women.
Listen, kick drum, snare and hi-hat
I pitch jums around here, pa, don't try that
Louis Satchmo, pull the tool, let the gat blow
Melon pop, taco meat, extra tobasco
Little Rascal, buck heat at Buckwheat
For talkin' dumb, but they all love it when Ruck speak
Fuck freaks for free, fuck freaks on E
Probably fuck freaks that you've seen on BET
Been there, done that, no rubber, got clap
So it hurt when I piss, this verse is the shit
Sean is a beast, you can hear me holler at the full moon
Columbine High, settin' fire to school rooms
No way, Jose Canseco
Pop popular guys at the pop of the bank-o
Sean Price, big knife, ready to shank those
Niggas at the dice game frontin' with bankrolls
Sean Price, in this verse, speaks about how he is skilled in rapping and how he makes great beats with drums and hi-hats. He compares himself to Louis Armstrong, who is known for his brass instrumentals, but instead of playing, Priced pulls out his weapon and threatens people who try to outsmart him. He admits that he had unsafe sex and now suffers from a sexually transmitted disease, and he's not afraid to address these issues in his lyrics. He even talks about how he's going to attack people at the gambling tables by using his knife, which he is always carrying with him.
Now everybody is a hustler, grind to get money
Remember these same people broke and bummy
Askin' me for ones, being real hyphy
You spendin' all the Grant's and givin' Jackson's to wifey
Now I got haters wantin' to ice me
I gotta be careful 'fore they secret indict me
And make me a Mountaineer like West VA boys
Can't do no crime since I tatted my face boy
I'll be dead in a lineup, givin' a time-up
Twenty five-to-life, where I sign up?
But I'm straight, my flight, they even need me
On the ground at nine, that's more time to grind
Tek mentions how everyone in his neighborhood is hustling to earn money, but it wasn't always the case, as these people used to be broke and desperate for a few dollars. They would ask Tek for money, and he would give it to them without hesitation, but now, they envy him and want to hurt him. He recounts getting tattoos on his face, making it impossible to do something inappropriate. He also worries about getting caught by authorities and going to jail for a very long time. Despite these difficulties, he still manages to take flights to various cities where he can work harder and earn more money.
Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.