With that album, he became an official member of the Wu-Tang Killa Beez, and from there on out, he frequently appeared on Wu records. In 1996, he played a large role on Ghostface Killah's Ironman.
During 1997, his Wu affiliation continued, as he rapped on the Clan's second album, Wu-Tang Forever.
Cappadonna's solo debut, The Pillage, finally appeared in March 1998. Like any Wu project, the record featured RZA as the executive producer and cameos from a number of other Wu members, including Method Man, U-God, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon. As the sixth Wu solo project, the album was an instant success upon its release, debuting at number three on the charts.
A sophomore effort, The Yin and the Yang, followed in early 2001. His third and latest album, The Struggle, was released on Code:Red in 2003.
The MC remained active in the following years releasing mix-CDs, doing tours and joining Ghostface Killah’s Theodore Unit. But his official comeback came at the end of 2007 on the Wu-Tang Clan’s fifth studio album 8 Diagrams. Cappa blessed the opening cut with an extraordinary verse and showed up on two other songs.
Cappadonna inked a deal with new indie label Chambermusik Records/Koch in 2008. Old and new fans have been asking for new Cappadonna ever since and on January 27, 2009, their wait will be over with the release of Slang Prostitution.
Big Business
Cappadonna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, this is based on a true story, from a Man that lost land
I'm goin' all out, I love trout
Black is what I be about
95-south all the way up, I tear mics up
Peep the conduct, wherever lightning struck
Tear the jail up, truck with the mind food
I'm crusin' with the angels
Goin' through Parkhill, let the Gods build and all of that
Graduation hats, bigger stacks
Ya'll hardly ever seen besides cream
I got the vaccine for ya'll uncle Tom rappers
I told y'll before to be easy, Devils attackin' is practice
Provocative songs, yeah It's Donna, don't even panic
Hold ya'll like the Atlantic
Pillage at your service
Clubs start to get nervous
Loose lips, it's like emptyin' clips
Packed with the info, join the revolution
Slang prostitution, even if you boostin'
Play it like you still chill, homicide hill from the other side
My Mother sighed, strugglin, poor and tired
A Baby that never cried, a family that never died
I see everything from the outside.
[Chorus]
O.T.F. and The Pillage, we all comin' through
Watch your back nigga, and your girl watch it too
'Cause we conduct big business, raw is how we give this
Live this, that's how we conduct big business
O.T.F. and The Pillage, hide your shine nigga
When we come through, might have to jump on you
'Cause we conduct big business, raw is how we live this
Give this, that's how we conduct big business.
I ride shotgun in Cappa's Black ML Four-Twenty
Benz Jeep with big boy heat, a Thirty-Thirty
Shotgun, pull it out and show you what a thug about
Ya'll niggas is pussy, that's why ya'll get atein' out
Niggas hate me now 'cause I be so jig my A.K.A. oughta be Shawn Carter
My heart bigger than my ego, eho
I put my heart on the line and hit both free throws
Yeah, build with a parole hole
Guzzle the old Gold with no bag, on the bliddock
Holdin' the gliddock, you can't fuck with this shit ock
Locks it down like JT from the mothafuckin' liddot
S is for my Sons, H I'm not havin' it 'cause I'm not the one
A is for the ammo that I keep for my gidd-uns
Be ??? is for the blood, bandanas, and the bidd-uns
See is for the crips, comrads, and the Kenyon
We a-alike, be -alike, so we see alike
I roll with niggas that stay in jail like Iron Mike
I get hype, and keep it gully, interrupt commercial shit.
[Chorus]
God, keep shinin' your light, I got a calling
Felt like the Angels were fallin'
But with this God given mic I restored the faith
My love for the prophets keeps me safe
See, I don't have to worry 'cause I know God is great
If it wasn't for the Father it wouldn't be a Bill Gates
No Bill Clinton, no United States
Peep it, explore my mind like a secret
If the music ain't good, ya'll won't leak it
So I give thanks and praise to the almighty
The spirit in the music hit ya'll lightly
Motown Hip-Hop, don't try to fight me
I call on the arch angel, cast out the hate
All-time Cappacino the great
A role model like Treach and Pepa
Double L, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett
The way I think it, my songs speak to you
You better stay focused and the beast won't eat you.
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Cappadonna's song "Big Business" are straightforward yet laden with messages regarding his experiences growing up and attaining success as an artist. The song opens with the line, "this is based on a true story, from a Man that lost land," suggesting that the emotion and intensity of the lyrics are linked to a real-life story. He expresses his passion for rap music by saying, "I'm goin' all out, I love trout, Black is what I be about." This phrase is significant as it portrays his love for music and his cultural identity as a black artist.
Furthermore, Cappadonna talks about tearing mics up and peeping the conduct wherever lightning struck. The line "tear the jail up, truck with the mind food" suggests that his music's role is to educate and enlighten people's minds, even those in jail. He disregards the rules set by Babylon, showing his opposition to the societal norms and conventions.
Cappadonna mentions graduation hats and bigger stacks, portraying that he has attained success in his rap career. He further talks about his ability to provide a vaccine for Uncle Tom rappers, meaning he has a remedy for rappers who sell out their culture for wealth. The chorus talks about how he and his crew, the O.T.F. and The Pillage, conduct big business, and the final verse is him calling on God to "cast out the hate," showing his religious beliefs are integral to his journey.
Line by Line Meaning
For real, for real
This is a true story from someone who lost land
I'm goin' all out, I love trout
I'm fully invested and dedicated to what I do, and I love to succeed
Black is what I be about
My identity is closely tied to my black culture and heritage
95-south all the way up, I tear mics up
I dominate and excel in my craft, going all the way from south to north
Peep the conduct, wherever lightning struck
Take notice of my behavior and actions, as they have been influenced by significant events in my life
Tear the jail up, truck with the mind food
I'm spreading knowledge and insight, even in the toughest of situations
Truck with jewels, forget Babylon rules
I value material possessions but also reject societal norms and expectations
I'm crusin' with the angels
I feel blessed and protected by spiritual forces
Goin' through Parkhill, let the Gods build and all of that
I'm going through a rough neighborhood and trusting in a higher power to guide me
Graduation hats, bigger stacks
I celebrate success and progress, achieving bigger and better things along the way
Ya'll hardly ever seen besides cream
Very few people have achieved the level of success that I have
I got the vaccine for ya'll uncle Tom rappers
I have the solution to the problems created by rappers who don't stay true to their roots
I told y'll before to be easy, Devils attackin' is practice
I've warned people before to stay safe, as there are always obstacles and challenges in life
Provocative songs, yeah It's Donna, don't even panic
My music is daring and bold, but my fans shouldn't be scared
Hold ya'll like the Atlantic
I'm supportive and strong, like the Atlantic Ocean
Pillage at your service
I'm here to shake things up and make a difference
Clubs start to get nervous
My work is starting to have an impact, and people are taking notice
Loose lips, it's like emptyin' clips
I speak with confidence and power, like the spray of bullets
Packed with the info, join the revolution
My words and message are full of knowledge and insight, and I want others to join me in making a change
Slang prostitution, even if you boostin'
I use slang and unconventional language to convey my message, even if you don't fully understand it
Play it like you still chill, homicide hill from the other side
Stay cool and unfazed, even in the face of danger or adversity
My Mother sighed, strugglin, poor and tired
My childhood was marked by struggle and hardship
A Baby that never cried, a family that never died
I was tough and resilient, and my family survived against the odds
I see everything from the outside.
I have a unique perspective on life and the world around me
[Chorus]
Refrain/repeating chorus of the song
I ride shotgun in Cappa's Black ML Four-Twenty
I'm a trusted partner and associate of Cappadonna, riding in his luxury car
Benz Jeep with big boy heat, a Thirty-Thirty
I have a powerful and dangerous weapon, ready to defend myself if necessary
Shotgun, pull it out and show you what a thug about
I'm not afraid to use my weapon and show my toughness
Ya'll niggas is pussy, that's why ya'll get atein' out
You're weak and vulnerable, that's why other people take advantage of you
Niggas hate me now 'cause I be so jig my A.K.A. oughta be Shawn Carter
People resent me because I'm successful and confident, similar to Jay-Z
My heart bigger than my ego, eho
I'm compassionate and caring, even though I have a strong sense of self
I put my heart on the line and hit both free throws
I take chances and put myself out there, but still manage to succeed
Yeah, build with a parole hole
I'm trying to improve myself and make progress, even with obstacles in my path
Guzzle the old Gold with no bag, on the bliddock
I drink cheap beer and am comfortable in rough neighborhoods
Holdin' the gliddock, you can't fuck with this shit ock
I'm holding my gun and ready to defend myself against anyone who tries to harm me
Locks it down like JT from the mothafuckin' liddot
I'm in control and have power and authority, similar to the rapper JT
S is for my Sons, H I'm not havin' it 'cause I'm not the one
I'm protective of my family and won't let anyone mess with them
A is for the ammo that I keep for my gidd-uns
I have a stash of weapons to protect my loved ones
Be ??? is for the blood, bandanas, and the bidd-uns
My identity is closely tied to my blood, my gang, and my community
See is for the crips, comrads, and the Kenyon
I feel a kinship and loyalty to other gangs and communities like mine
We a-alike, be -alike, so we see alike
We have many things in common and think similarly because of our shared experiences
I roll with niggas that stay in jail like Iron Mike
My associates and partners are tough and always ready to defend themselves, like the boxer Mike Tyson
I get hype, and keep it gully, interrupt commercial shit.
I get excited and energized, and stay true to my roots and identity, even in the face of mainstream commercialism
[Chorus]
Refrain/repeating chorus of the song
God, keep shinin' your light, I got a calling
I'm grateful for God's guidance and have a sense of purpose or mission
Felt like the Angels were fallin'
I went through a difficult, trying experience that tested my faith
But with this God given mic I restored the faith
Through my music and my talent, I was able to inspire and uplift others
My love for the prophets keeps me safe
I'm protected and secure because of my faith and belief in religious figures and teachings
See, I don't have to worry 'cause I know God is great
I'm not anxious or afraid, because I have faith in a higher power
If it wasn't for the Father it wouldn't be a Bill Gates
I'm acknowledging that my success and opportunities are thanks to a higher power
No Bill Clinton, no United States
I'm saying that the country's leaders don't determine my fate or success
Peep it, explore my mind like a secret
I'm complex and multifaceted, with many layers to my personality and identity
If the music ain't good, ya'll won't leak it
I'm confident that my music is of high quality and will be shared and appreciated by others
So I give thanks and praise to the almighty
I'm grateful and respectful to a higher power
The spirit in the music hit ya'll lightly
My music has an uplifting and positive effect on people
Motown Hip-Hop, don't try to fight me
My sound and style is influenced by Motown music, and I'm not afraid to defend it
I call on the arch angel, cast out the hate
I'm praying for divine intervention to rid the world of negativity and evil
All-time Cappacino the great
I'm acknowledging Cappadonna's greatness and influence in the music industry
A role model like Treach and Pepa
I see myself as a positive influence and example, like the rappers Treach and Pepa
Double L, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett
I admire and respect the famous couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
The way I think it, my songs speak to you
My music is a reflection of my thoughts and experiences, and has a message for my fans
You better stay focused and the beast won't eat you.
Stay alert and don't let negative influences or distractions take over your life
[Chorus]
Refrain/repeating chorus of the song
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE, JOHN CHERNOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
garry439ify
Cappadonna is pure hip-hop
A.K.A. The Rugged Manchild
Cappadonna is pure hip hop 2 da fullest!
Julius Oz'Iris
Pure Gem!🙏💯🔥🙌
shay myers
shyheim ate this 🔥🔥🔥
Teeza Beats
coldest verse !
A.K.A. The Rugged Manchild
Neonek cooked it Cappadonna served it Shyhiem ate it and Crunch Lo crunched on it while he ate it!
Anthony Mcmillan
This song is 🔥 to me💆! Shyheim and Crunch Lo is the reason I bought this album from Cappadonna! This album is now 20years old! Time still flies!!
Teeza Beats
This shit STILL slaps !!!
Banner World Ent.. Reggae & Dancehall To The World
Big Business... Way Up n Dope #WuTang!!!
Kai Ulbricht
Dope Album 🔥☯️🔥👐🏻🔥🐝💗🐝✌🏻👑