The Queens native built his reputation with street-level mixtapes and quickly became one of the city's leading DJs, graced with the latest tracks by the biggest names. Popular New York hip-hop station Hot 97 brought him aboard for a while in the late '90s alongside fellow DJ heavyweight Funkmaster Flex. The air time furthered his reputation, and Jay-Z in turn invited him to join forces with Roc-a-Fella, which released Clue?'s major-label debut, The Professional (1997). The album featured primarily exclusive tracks, each boasting one of New York's top rappers, everyone from Nas and Mobb Deep to DMX and Ja Rule.
A second volume followed in 2000, and in the meantime Clue? toured with Roc-a-Fella in support of Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life album as documented on Backstage (2000). He then parted ways with Roc-a-Fella and embarked on his own path, establishing Desert Storm Records and debuting Fabolous in 2001. Years later, once Jay-Z ascended to the position of president of Def Jam, Clue? recorded The Professional, Pt. 3 (2006).
It's My Thang
DJ Clue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, what up, yo it's Mr. Keith Murray
The Lyrical Lexicon, the matador metaphor (NEW SHIT)
Wit my niggas Redman and the EPMD, the Squadron (It's My Thing '99)
Nawsayin? One time for DJ Clue, check it out (STUPID)
Aiyyo, we got these hoes spread out like mustard
The Squad go to war like General Custard
And havin bad dreams of spooky voices and graveyards
[Erick Sermon]
First of all, I'm the E of EPMD
Rockin the Player Way like Eightball & MJG
Squadron, my click be fully armed
I got dough, my account be fat and formed
[Redman]
Drinkin a Beck's, all day I think about sex
Got the gaze to knock the "A" off your 'Virex
Who am I? D-O, my M-O is fuck P-O
Luv ta Fuck Ya, fuck ya, fuck ya, fuck ya
[PMD]
Aiyyo I detonate on impact
So niggaz better get back
The playahaters stay off the dick, P ain't wit that
The blunt, I split that, bust a four wit the kick back
No need to stress that chickenhead nigga, already hit that
[Keith Murray]
I put the pow in the wow like gun to the powder
Give the hardcore niggaz something they could be proud of
I get out of hand like I lost my arm
Decipher the head of see-cipher like Voltron
[Erick Sermon]
Who got wins? those that be hard pretend
You got skills? come here, let me tap that chin
Bing, my style ropa-dope around the ring
I'm well promoted, and don't even know Don King
[Redman]
Call me the Sam Cassel, shots two minute on the clock
Cops know the SL hand do well
Can tell by the nails you frail
We can battle till your girl big ass feet out them Channels
[PMD]
Aiyyo my brain attack this hip hop shit aggressively
My recipe, mixed wit stress and niggaz testin me
Consecutively, five golds so technically
You niggaz got a long way to go to catch the PMD
[Keith Murray]
Aiyyo we put you to the test, put it through your chest
Make a mothafucker catch a cardiac arrest
Live out the Fresh Fest, one of the best
I asked my nigga Red Alert, he said "YEESSSSS"
[Erick Sermon]
I intimidate MC's from the throwing of my vocal tone
It don't work, I show em the chrome and flash the greens
Coincide wit the red beam, and hear about it all day on Street Scene
[Redman]
I Welcome niggaz like Kotter to the night marauder
Pull out my gat, you'll be like "AAAGH!!" like Godfather
I hang small, but when I'm hard I'm gigantic
In fact, my big-ass dick sunk the Titanic
[PMD]
An MC massacre, got a click and crew ready to blast at ya
(Why these niggaz mad, P?) 'cause we the masters (CLUE!!)
We catch you niggaz wit glass, and who you gon askin
Like you gaspin, backin up while P's blastin
[Keith Murray]
I'll be like "ROOF!!" Get At Me Dog like DMX
Keith Murray pack a black tech
And I don't give a fuck, I can't be touched
Females jump in my flow like double-dutch
[Erick Sermon]
My technique, knock niggaz off they feet (why)
I'm Ultimate, like the fuckin break beat
It's My Thing, back wit the sequel
Hold my Squad down wit the chrome desert eagle
[Redman]
Yo, I go back like straps, puttin Lee patch where your knee at
Puff wit mi-das, and no Civics wit the ski racks
Shut niggaz down that be tryin to win
I'll be like " Wha What What!" like I'm from CNN
[PMD]
So peep the Thriller of Manilla, wreck shit like Godzilla
Drink Old English, can not stand Miller
MC's cold rockin till the party's through
Then they tap me on the shoulder and say "This Bud's for you"
[DJ Clue] *echoing*
DJ Clue, The Professional, uh-huh
In DJ Clue?'s It's My Thang '99, Keith Murray, Redman, Erick Sermon, and PMD rap while giving props to DJ Clue. The song has a catchy hook, a heavy and hypnotic beat, and impressive rhyming schemes. Murray sets the tone with his lyrical prowess, boasting about his metaphors, while Redman adds a raunchy but playful verse, and Erick Sermon makes references to his group, EPMD. PMD rounds out the song with impressive flow, making use of metaphors and wordplay to handle the mic.
The song is a sequel to a track from EPMD's initial album "Strictly Business." With "It's My Thang," the group established the importance of flavor and personality in hip-hop. The song follows the path of EPMD's original by emphasizing the importance of rhyming, wordplay, and style in hip-hop. The song also serves to laud and commend DJ Clue, whose significant contributions to the mixtape and DJ scene helped to create some of the 1990s' most iconic hip-hop moments, including the emergence of Fabolous and Jay-Z.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, what up, yo it's Mr. Keith Murray
Keith Murray is introducing himself to the audience.
The Lyrical Lexicon, the matador metaphor (NEW SHIT)
Keith is proud of his lyrical skills and introduces his new music.
Wit my niggas Redman and the EPMD, the Squadron (It's My Thing '99)
Keith is collaborating with Redman and the EPMD.
Nawsayin? One time for DJ Clue, check it out (STUPID)
Keith is acknowledging DJ Clue and asking the audience to pay attention.
Aiyyo, we got these hoes spread out like mustard
Keith and his friends have a lot of options when it comes to women.
The Squad go to war like General Custard
Keith's crew is strong and ready to fight anyone who challenges them.
I just lost my a-alike, and I'm takin it hard
Keith recently lost someone close to him and is struggling to cope.
And havin bad dreams of spooky voices and graveyards
Keith is experiencing nightmares related to his loss.
First of all, I'm the E of EPMD
Erick Sermon is introducing himself and his involvement with EPMD.
Rockin the Player Way like Eightball & MJG
Erick is known for his cool and confident style, similar to Eightball & MJG.
Squadron, my click be fully armed
Erick's crew is always ready for any situation.
I got dough, my account be fat and formed
Erick is financially successful.
Drinkin a Beck's, all day I think about sex
Redman enjoys beer and has a lot of sexual thoughts.
Got the gaze to knock the "A" off your 'Virex
Redman has a sharp and intimidating look.
Who am I? D-O, my M-O is fuck P-O
Redman is introducing himself and using wordplay to say he doesn't care about the police.
Luv ta Fuck Ya, fuck ya, fuck ya, fuck ya
Redman is into having sex a lot and doesn't mind being explicit about it.
Aiyyo I detonate on impact
PMD is explosive and powerful.
So niggaz better get back
PMD's enemies should be afraid of him.
The playahaters stay off the dick, P ain't wit that
PMD doesn't appreciate negative people in his life.
The blunt, I split that, bust a four wit the kick back
PMD enjoys smoking weed and shooting guns.
No need to stress that chickenhead nigga, already hit that
PMD isn't worried about someone he already had sex with.
I put the pow in the wow like gun to the powder
Keith creates excitement and amazement with his music.
Give the hardcore niggaz something they could be proud of
Keith is creating music that appeals to people who like hardcore rap.
I get out of hand like I lost my arm
Keith becomes wild and uncontrollable when he gets too excited.
Decipher the head of see-cipher like Voltron
Keith is skilled at understanding and interpreting complex ideas in his music.
Who got wins? those that be hard pretend
Erick is suggesting that some people pretend to be tough when they really aren't.
You got skills? come here, let me tap that chin
Erick is challenging someone to prove their skills to him.
Bing, my style ropa-dope around the ring
Erick's style is like a boxing technique called the rope-a-dope.
I'm well promoted, and don't even know Don King
Erick is successful without needing help from famous promoters like Don King.
Call me the Sam Cassel, shots two minute on the clock
Redman is comparing himself to a skilled basketball player known for making clutch shots under pressure.
Cops know the SL hand do well
Redman is saying that the police are aware of his illegal activities.
Can tell by the nails you frail
Redman can tell if someone is weak or not by looking at their nails.
We can battle till your girl big ass feet out them Channels
Redman is confident in his rapping abilities and is willing to battle anyone, even if it means embarrassing them in front of their significant other.
An MC massacre, got a click and crew ready to blast at ya
PMD and his crew are ready to attack any other rappers who try to challenge them.
(Why these niggaz mad, P?) 'cause we the masters (CLUE!!)
PMD's enemies are upset because he and his crew are very skilled at rapping.
We catch you niggaz wit glass, and who you gon askin
PMD and his crew will catch people drinking and then put them in their place.
Like you gaspin, backin up while P's blastin
PMD's enemies will be frightened and backing up when he starts shooting.
I'll be like "ROOF!!" Get At Me Dog like DMX
Keith is imitating the sound of a barking dog and referencing DMX's popular song to show how intimidating he is.
Keith Murray pack a black tech
Keith carries a black gun.
And I don't give a fuck, I can't be touched
Keith is not afraid of anyone and believes he is invincible.
Females jump in my flow like double-dutch
Women are attracted to Keith's music and personality.
My technique, knock niggaz off they feet (why)
Erick's rapping style is so good it can knock people over.
I'm Ultimate, like the fuckin break beat
Erick considers himself the best, like a classic break beat in hip-hop.
It's My Thing, back wit the sequel
Erick is continuing to produce great music and is proud of his work.
Hold my Squad down wit the chrome desert eagle
Erick protects his crew with a powerful gun.
Yo, I go back like straps, puttin Lee patch where your knee at
Redman is saying he's been around for a long time and knows how to use violence effectively.
Puff wit mi-das, and no Civics wit the ski racks
Redman smokes weed and drives expensive cars.
Shut niggaz down that be tryin to win
Redman defeats other rappers who try to compete with him.
I'll be like "Wha What What!" like I'm from CNN
Redman makes noise and is attention-grabbing, much like a news anchor.
So peep the Thriller of Manilla, wreck shit like Godzilla
PMD compares himself to two powerhouses known for their destruction.
Drink Old English, can not stand Miller
PMD prefers Old English beer over Miller.
MC's cold rockin till the party's through
PMD and his crew will continue to perform even after the party is over.
Then they tap me on the shoulder and say "This Bud's for you"
People recognize PMD's skill and want to offer him a beer as a sign of respect.
DJ Clue, The Professional, uh-huh
DJ Clue is the professional and highly skilled, as the name suggests.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERICK S SERMON, ERNESTO SHAW, KEITH OMAR MURRAY, KEN IFFILL, KEN IFILL, PARRISH JOSEFF SMITH, REGGIE NOBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind