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.
What's Really Up
Cappadonna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm telling you right now Staten Island man
Don't front on me, Yo
I grew up in Staten Island where the doors be locked
Crack dealers be at the building, the floors be hot
Yo Dreds be in the spot selling bags of meth
On a good day, you might see my homeboy Chef
Little kids still running round, way after the dark
At the PF-57 near Policeman Park
In the back they found a new born stuffed in a bag
In the hood brothers die young it makes me sad
Ayo, I dropped out of school a high school Dad
Streets be eating up my brain like weed and hash
Taking trips up town hopping out of the cabs
Ridden calves from the Africans, crashing 'em up
Putting dime into dollar bills smashing 'em up
Instead of passing our grade, we's passing the Dutch
Getting shipped away daily in them slavery trucks
[Chorus]
Ayo what's really up, ayo what's really up
Ayo what's really up, ayo what's really up
In the hood it's only tough love and real tough thugs
Ayo I was the type of dude that didn't stay in the house
I was the type to while out and bring a tree in the house
And Momma Love used to tell me not to be like that
But I'll be gone for a week like I'll be right back
Staten Island, Yo, we can't stop the hustle
Ayo these thugs used to work for this kid named Muscle
Watch out for ply yeah, 'cause that kid might bust you
Even though we hang tight yo we really don't trust you
Got brothers that'll shake your hand and then they'll cut you
But if your blood like me then the litter can't touch you
And it's the hood that got the world going insane
Even the suburbs, they know about the crack cocaine
It's the hood that drove brothers like Shorty insane
Ayo what's really up, brother can't even maintain
[Chorus]
In the song "What's Really Up?" by Cappadonna, he describes the realities of growing up in Staten Island. He talks about the dangerous environment he grew up in, where crack dealers were constantly present and the streets were always hot. He references his friend Joelle, who has turned rat and is now scared for his life. The song is a reflection of the harsh realities that many people face in the inner city.
Cappadonna emphasizes the fact that the streets can eat you up and make you lose sight of your goals. He mentions dropping out of high school and getting caught up in drugs and crime. He also touches on the subject of violence and the fact that people will shake your hand and then cut you if they feel betrayed. In the chorus, he asks the question "what's really up?" implying that there must be a better way of life than the one he grew up in.
Overall, "What's Really Up?" is a powerful commentary on the struggles of inner-city life. Cappadonna's lyrics are honest and raw, reflecting his own experiences growing up in Staten Island.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, Boss rap stupid
I'm a skilled rapper and my lyrics will be stupidly good.
I'm telling you right now Staten Island man
I'm identifying myself as a fellow resident of Staten Island.
Don't front on me, Yo
Don't act fake or try to disrespect me.
I grew up in Staten Island where the doors be locked
I was raised in a neighborhood where people lock their doors for safety.
Crack dealers be at the building, the floors be hot
Drug dealers are always present in our buildings, causing problems and attracting attention from law enforcement.
Yo Dreds be in the spot selling bags of meth
There are people with dreadlocks selling drugs in our community.
On a good day, you might see my homeboy Chef
Occasionally, I might run into my friend Chef in the neighborhood.
Joelle, he turned rat now he's scared to death
One of our acquaintances named Joelle snitched on someone and is now living in fear.
Little kids still running round, way after the dark
Children are still outside playing even after nightfall.
At the PF-57 near Policeman Park
There is a place called PF-57 near a park with police presence.
In the back they found a new born stuffed in a bag
An infant was discovered discarded in a bag in the area.
In the hood brothers die young it makes me sad
Young men are dying prematurely in our neighborhood and it upsets me.
Ayo, I dropped out of school a high school Dad
I became a father in high school and ended up dropping out of school.
Streets be eating up my brain like weed and hash
Living in the streets and engaging in urban life is affecting my mental state like drugs.
Taking trips up town hopping out of the cabs
I frequently take trips to other parts of the city and get out of taxis when I reach my destination.
Ridden calves from the Africans, crashing 'em up
I ride bicycles obtained from African street vendors and sometimes end up damaging them.
Putting dime into dollar bills smashing 'em up
I fold and flatten money and sometimes damage it in the process.
Instead of passing our grade, we's passing the Dutch
Instead of studying and passing classes, we spend our time smoking marijuana.
Getting shipped away daily in them slavery trucks
People are being transported away daily in trucks as if they are slaves.
Ayo what's really up, ayo what's really up
What's really going on in our community?
In the hood it's only tough love and real tough thugs
Our neighborhood only knows tough love and people who are truly tough and dangerous.
Ayo I was the type of dude that didn't stay in the house
I was the kind of person who didn't like staying indoors.
I was the type to while out and bring a tree in the house
I used to bring in trees (plants/marijuana) and spend time relaxing at home.
And Momma Love used to tell me not to be like that
My mother used to advise me not to behave in that way.
But I'll be gone for a week like I'll be right back
I would often leave home for extended periods of time, but would always return.
Staten Island, Yo, we can't stop the hustle
In Staten Island, it's necessary to keep hustling and working hard in order to survive.
Ayo these thugs used to work for this kid named Muscle
These criminals used to work for a kingpin named Muscle.
Watch out for ply yeah, 'cause that kid might bust you
Be cautious of Ply because he could potentially harm you.
Even though we hang tight yo we really don't trust you
Even though we might appear friendly and loyal, we still have trust issues with others.
Got brothers that'll shake your hand and then they'll cut you
There are people who might seem friendly and then turn around and harm you.
But if your blood like me then the litter can't touch you
If you are related to me, then no one can harm you without facing the consequences.
And it's the hood that got the world going insane
Our neighborhood is part of the reason why the world is in a state of chaos.
Even the suburbs, they know about the crack cocaine
Even people in the suburbs are aware of the presence of crack cocaine in urban communities.
It's the hood that drove brothers like Shorty insane
Living in the hood has driven people like Shorty to become mentally unwell.
Ayo what's really up, brother can't even maintain
What's really going on, cause it's becoming difficult to manage or keep up.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RIOTSOUND
This is insane - Cap is the most underrated
D W
RIOTSOUND mannn!
Gordon Boyle
Says who??
Chris Estes
Another hot track by cappadonna
Gordon Boyle
Ffs pure cappa