Diggin' in the Crates Crew, also known as D.I.T.C., is a New York-based hip… Read Full Bio ↴Diggin' in the Crates Crew, also known as D.I.T.C., is a New York-based hip-hop collective, deriving its name from the art of seeking out records to sample for production founded in The Bronx, New York City in 1990 and as of 2011, a defunct group. With their dedication to hip-hop purity, members Showbiz & A.G. (Andre the Giant), Diamond D, Lord Finesse, Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild, and the late Big L have at least one classic album under their belts. Although they never reached the success of their multi-platinum peers, individually they became successful by maintaining their integrity and earning major respect within the rap community.

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

Shine My Way
D.I.T.C. Lyrics

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(I hope you don't mind
Right there for you)
I'll change my name
I'm in my brand new car
I don't know if we'll get that far
But if we do, I'll be right there
Right there for you
(Right there for you)

It's not you, it's always me
And that means nothing to me
It's not you, it's always me
And that means nothing to me
(One day)
I'll change my name
In my brand new car
I don't know if we'll get that far
But if we do, I hope you don't mind
Hope you don't mind
(Right there for you)
"It's not you, it's me"
That's the last thing a person like me
Would believe
(Yea, I don't believe
I don't believe)
(But I promise)
I'll change my name
Get a brand new car
One day we'll get that far
Yea, you and me, finally together

And I hope you won't mind
(I hope you don't mind)

Overall Meaning

The song "Shine My Way" by D.I.T.C. is a romantic tune that captures the vow of devotion and commitment that the singer makes to his lover. The chorus of the song states, "I'll change my name, I'm in my brand new car, I don't know if we'll get that far, but if we do, I'll be right there, right there for you." The singer is promising to make drastic changes in his life to be with his lover and is emphasizing his loyalty and dedication to their relationship.

The singer also acknowledges his own flaws and shortcomings in the relationship, stating "It's not you, it's always me, and that means nothing to me." Despite these shortcomings, the singer vows to continue to work on improving himself and making their relationship work.

Throughout the rest of the song, the singer continues to make promises of change and expresses his hope that they can overcome any obstacles to be together. The lyrics of the song are heartfelt and sincere, expressing a deep love and commitment to the relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

(I hope you don't mind Right there for you)
I hope you won't object if I'm always there to support you and be with you.

I'll change my name I'm in my brand new car I don't know if we'll get that far But if we do, I'll be right there Right there for you
I am moving on to a new chapter in my life, and I hope that I can share it with you. Even though I don't know where we'll end up, I'll be there with you every step of the way.

(Right there for you) It's not you, it's always me And that means nothing to me It's not you, it's always me And that means nothing to me
I know that I'm the one causing problems and holding us back, but acknowledging that fact doesn't make me feel any better or motivate me to change.

(One day) I'll change my name In my brand new car I don't know if we'll get that far But if we do, I hope you don't mind Hope you don't mind
Someday, I hope to make a fresh start and begin a new journey with you. Even though it's uncertain and things might not go as planned, I hope you won't object to being a part of that journey with me.

(Right there for you) "It's not you, it's me" That's the last thing a person like me Would believe (Yea, I don't believe I don't believe)
When I say that it's not your fault, but mine, it's hard for me to believe that because I don't want to admit my own faults and weaknesses.

(But I promise) I'll change my name Get a brand new car One day we'll get that far Yea, you and me, finally together And I hope you won't mind (I hope you don't mind)
Despite my past mistakes and shortcomings, I promise to make a new start with you and do better. We'll reach our goals and be together, and I hope you'll be willing to come along for the ride with me.

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Hans Houdini

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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