Lord Finesse (born Robert Hall) is a legendary MC-turned-producer who has produced tracks for Notorious B.I.G. (1997's Ready to Die) and Dr. Dre (1999's Chronic). As a young cocky MC, he would travel to any borough in New York to battle their best rapper and win. He shopped his demo to various record labels and eventually dropped the first of several records, his 1990 classic Funky Technician. The record had a few tracks produced by his good friend Diamond (formerly Diamond D), a former member of the rap group Ultimate Force. One of the oldest members in the D.I.T.C. crew, Diamond got his first whiff of hip-hop DJing for Jazzy Jay of the Zulu Nation in 1979. In the mid-'80s, he was turntable scratching at late-night park parties, often competing with area top DJs (Showbiz was once his nemesis.) In 1992, this DJ, then a producer, showcased New York City's underground talent and his rap skills on his classic debut Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop.
Bronx native Fat Joe became the first Latino rapper in New York to secure a solo deal with a major label with his 1993 debut Representin'. In 1998, his Don Cartagena release went gold (500,000 copies sold). Showbiz & A.G. were the first to adopt the do-it-yourself attitude by releasing their 1992 debut EP, Can I Get a Soul Clap, practically out of the trunk of their cars. Showbiz, a name he stolen from an old Richard Pryor record, pioneered taking an instrumental and looping voices over it. His partner A.G. was known as the Bronx's "punchline" rapper. Through the mid-'90s, he was a prolific producer, producing tracks for primarily underground rap acts. In 1999, A.G. restarted his rap career with his solo CD Dirty Version.
Meanwhile, another Bronx native named Buckwild, who once started out as Lord Finesse's apprentice in his production company, started producing tracks around 1994. He later delivered melodic beats for rap heavyweights like Fat Joe, Notorious B.I.G., Big L, Mic Geronimo, and Big Pun. But it was his first at-bat, producing tracks for O.C.'s Word Life in 1994, that established him as a vital producer in the underground rap scene. O.C., one of hip-hop's most energetic lyricists, was an up-and-coming MC before Word Life. After the album's release, he made numerous guest appearances on other D.I.T.C. members' records while maintaining a low profile.
The final member of D.I.T.C. was Big L, a lyrically ferocious MC with raps deadlier than a snakebite and mannerisms cooler than the uptown pimp he claimed to be on records. Calling himself the flamboyant (meaning "rich") MC, he dropped his classic 1994 record Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous on Columbia. He was gearing up for a comeback, with a second CD due for release on Rawkus, when he was slain on February 15, 1999. The crew came together later that year for a memorial concert at Trammps in New York (anthologized by a series of CD releases), and recorded a self-titled group record in 2000. In 2011 it was reported by Showbiz that the group will no longer release any new material due to musical differences
Enemy
D.I.T.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Iced down medallions cops think I'm selling rocks
Pulling me over too see if I'm drunk
but I'm soberm they wouldn't fuck with me if I drove a Nova
Listen Columbo you're mad because your money come slow
And what you make in a year I make in one show
Now you want to frisk me and search my ride
You're just mad 'cause I'm a young cat
Pockets dumb fat, talkin' bout where the gun at
I been there and done that
I'm through with that illegal life I'm stayin' legit
I love to see cars come cruisin' bye and playin' my shit
I walk around with six thou without the pistol
My whole click's wild I'm rich Pah
No more sticks I'm makin' hits now
I drink Cristal I'm through breaking laws
I don't sell coke anymore I do tours
So get that flashlight out of my face
To bring me down Jake do whatever it takes
Word up them federals got my phone and my house tapped
Praying that I fall for the mouse trap, I doubt that
[Chorus]
Why do I end up in so much shit
I don't came way too far to be calling it
Jake want to lock me up even though I'm legit
They can't stand to see a young brother pockets get thick
Hey yo enough is enough federals try to set me up
Put me in cuffs and crush what I lost into dust
Plus they want a nigga
But they know Big Joey Crack ain't never rat a cat that he know
I left the streets alone, and almost killed his mama
So I'm a keep doin' what I'm doin'
Pursuin' my dream til there enough cream to start my own union
And show these kids how legit it is
Shit is real I use a steel but now I own several businesses
So where is your witness that you claim to have sayin'
Extortin' New York and not payin' tax
I lean back playin' the role playin' too low
But it's the same ol Joe so don't get K.O.
Hey yo I'm gonna fry for what I never did
[Chorus: x2]
What would you do if the vicious enemy suddenly started comin
at you armed to the teeth and ready to kill you
In the song "Da Enemy" by D.I.T.C., the rapper talks about the struggles he faces as a successful musician from Harlem. He describes getting pulled over by police, who seem to assume that he's a drug dealer because of his flashy style. The rapper, however, is sober and compliant with the cops' demands, pointing out that they wouldn't harass him if he drove a less expensive car. He also notes that he earns more in one show than they would in a year, a fact that seems to aggravate the officers.
The rapper then addresses his past involvement in illegal activity, saying that he's left that life behind to focus on his music career. He takes pride in seeing people enjoy his music as they cruise by in their cars. He dismisses any accusations that he's still breaking the law, saying that he's proud of his legitimate sources of income like tours and record sales. Nevertheless, he admits that he's still under constant watch by the authorities, who are convinced that he's involved in some kind of criminal activity.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the racial profiling and discrimination faced by young black men in America, particularly those who come from poor neighborhoods. The rapper demonstrates how his success in the music industry has not exempted him from the scrutiny and prejudice of law enforcement, which has caused him a great deal of frustration and anger.
Line by Line Meaning
I drive up and down Harlem blocks
I frequently travel around the Harlem area
Iced down medallions cops think I'm selling rocks
My jewelry looks expensive and attracts unwanted attention from the police who suspect me of illegal activity
Pulling me over too see if I'm drunk
Police stop me under false suspicion to find evidence of criminal behavior
but I'm sober, they wouldn't fuck with me if I drove a Nova
I am not committing any traffic violations and they wouldn't bother me if I drove a less flashy car
Listen Columbo you're mad because your money come slow
You are envious of my success and trying to bring me down because you are not making enough money
And what you make in a year I make in one show
I earn more money in a single performance than you do in an entire year of work
Now you want to frisk me and search my ride
You are using your position of power to harass me and search for anything incriminating
Call me all kinda names try to hurt my pride
You use derogatory language to make me feel inferior
You're just mad 'cause I'm a young cat
You are jealous because I am young and successful
Pockets dumb fat, talkin' bout where the gun at
I have a lot of money and you are trying to incriminate me by insinuating that I have a gun
I been there and done that
I have experienced the illegal lifestyle before
I'm through with that illegal life I'm stayin' legit
I have decided to turn my back on the illegal lifestyle and remain lawful
I love to see cars come cruisin' bye and playin' my shit
I enjoy seeing people enjoy my music while driving by
I walk around with six thou without the pistol
I carry a large amount of cash without the need for a weapon as I am no longer in danger
My whole click's wild I'm rich Pah
My friends are still involved in illegal activity but I am successful and wealthy
No more sticks I'm makin' hits now
I am focusing on creating music instead of committing crimes
I drink Cristal, I'm through breaking laws
I am living a luxurious lifestyle and no longer breaking the law
I don't sell coke anymore I do tours
I have stopped selling drugs and now earn a living through concerts
So get that flashlight out of my face
I demand that you stop harassing me with your flashlight
To bring me down Jake do whatever it takes
You will stop at nothing to bring me down
Word up them federals got my phone and my house tapped
The government is spying on me by intercepting my phone conversations and monitoring my home
Praying that I fall for the mouse trap, I doubt that
The government is attempting to set me up and lure me into illegal activity, but I do not believe they will succeed
Why do I end up in so much shit
Why am I constantly facing problems and obstacles?
I don't came way too far to be calling it
I have come too far to give up now
Jake want to lock me up even though I'm legit
The police want to arrest me even though I am now a legitimate and lawful person
They can't stand to see a young brother pockets get thick
They are envious of my wealth and success
Hey yo enough is enough federals try to set me up
I have had enough of the government's attempts to incriminate me
Put me in cuffs and crush what I lost into dust
The police will arrest me and confiscate my belongings
Plus they want a nigga
They want to see a black person fail
But they know Big Joey Crack ain't never rat a cat that he know
They are aware that I am a loyal person who will never betray someone close to me
I left the streets alone, and almost killed his mama
I have left my criminal past behind but almost caused someone's death
So I'm a keep doin' what I'm doin'
I will keep pursuing my goals and dreams
Pursuin' my dream til there enough cream to start my own union
I am working towards success and wealth to eventually establish my own organization
And show these kids how legit it is
I want to set an example for younger generations on the importance of honesty and hard work
Shit is real, I use a steel but now I own several businesses
I used to carry a gun for protection but now I am a successful entrepreneur
So where is your witness that you claim to have sayin'
You do not have any credible witnesses to support your accusations
Extortin' New York and not payin' tax
You are guilty of extortion and tax evasion
I lean back playin' the role playin' too low
I am trying to stay out of trouble and not draw attention to myself
But it's the same ol Joe so don't get K.O.
I am still the same person despite my success and wealth
Hey yo I'm gonna fry for what I never did
I will be punished for something I did not do
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER E MARTIN, JOSEPH ANTHONY CARTAGENA, LAMONT COLEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DJAlboogie55
It's a damn shame that we had to loose Big L so early in his career that MC can flow with the best of them!!! Rest In Peace.
@nicolekeelan1525
This is what I say too g
@gobshite
DITC were the ILLEST!
And Diamond D's new albums are dope
@JUNGLISTMANIFESTO
One of the last joints he recorded. This and the Shyhiem record. Just goes to show he was getting better and better. Best of all time.
@BabyCee713
Big L went god mode on this one!!!! π₯π₯π₯π₯
@lawze4409
BIG L Would of been a problem if he was still alive these rappers are lucky
@IIEthanGamingII
They have no idea bro...
@greylofollen4133
He would have been New York's greatest
@SouthernOregonOrgani
Itβs a shame this isnβt the vibe anymore. This is very late 90βs and no oneβs doing this kinda music anymore. Goth money records is the natural evolution of this kind of music, but it still has modern day influence
@dopeod1
21 YEARS AGO BIG L PASSED AWAY!! REST IN PEACE GOATπ₯