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).
Life
DJ Clue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Professional
Part Two
Coming real soon!
New shit! Crime life!
Memph Bleek!
Cease!
Ja!
(Memphis Bleek)
Nigga, picture me hot, then picture me not
In this spot with this glock and these rocks to cops
I know every basehead from here to the wasteland
With keys, and connects me and Cease ???
Sell water from the cookpot, ain't that raw?
My razors? 20 dollars, here's a case of four
You supply that, shit I put a hole where your mind at
Push your hairline back, fucking with this sly cat
You know exactly what I'm talking about (Clue!)
You know the game and this life, what this thug about
One of the last real niggas trying to get in the game
But the verse on the first on the strip getting paid
You feel me? Niggas spending ??? for the jewelry
Then run around frontin like they money is filthy
I'm in the game to clean minds, fuck you want?
I had coke for too long, I supply that boat
[Chorus] (Ja Rule)
This life we gon' live it up
When the dough gets tough we gon' get it up
Anybody hate on us, we hit 'em up
Baby we can't be touched, niggas give it up (Repeat x2)
Crime life!
(Lil' Cease)
Yo, yo!
When it's on it's on, writing's on the floor
Guts in his bed, the blood's on us all
Before he hit the floor, Bleek hit him some more
I've been in the spot, pop the buscuit, the coke out the drawer
Here niggas grimy, we take ends out your pockets
I want the kid's pictures and the cars and the wallets
He wants them big things like them ?Tits? and ?Dolly Partons?
Got mad bodies, ?Roy is hotter than Cochran?
Besides niggas albums, a lot about dropping
Fuck break dancing, our guns do the popping
We don't stop, we drop, shut it down
Rock the undergrounds, cock then gun 'em down
Now, you want war? Fuck guns, bring grenades
Fuck all you sons that's dockin that shade
Niggas be fronting, acting like they in Hollyhood
I catch a nigga slipping I'm popping two in his hood
[Chorus] (Ja Rule)
This life we gon' live it up
When the dough gets tough we gon' get it up
Anybody hate on us, we hit 'em up
Baby we can't be touched, niggas give it up (Repeat x2)
Crime life!
(Ja Rule)
Ja's in, robbing the game, paws up niggas
Time's up niggas, line up niggas
For the K-I, double L, E-are, Murdera
Shit's on y'all in every way shape and form
I'm a diamond baller, I bear arms
When the god ??? ??? ???
The game is me, cause the game I eat breathe sleep
Wake up, conceal the heat and throw a blade in my cheek
Hit the streets, ?hands in the mind?, toes hands and the nine
The see-through niggas get flipped like mini-pies, ??? she lies Niggas stepped on, by the way and still getting slept on
What you think? You _Murdering, Inc._? Who put you in pink? Perform many bumps at the brink, you fucking with some hot spitters
Bear with us or bear witness, live to die, it's on nigga!
[Chorus] (Ja Rule)
This life we gon' live it up
When the dough gets tough we gon' get it up
Anybody hate on us, we hit 'em up
Baby we can't be touched, niggas give it up (Repeat x2)
Crime life!
(DJ Clue)
Fresh out!
Crazy ???!
Shawn Taylor!
Hot 97!
Damion Young!
Big shout out to fresh Jordan!
Ellie!
MTV!
Irv Gotti!
Murda, Inc!
My nigga Ja!
DJ Clue!
Desert Storm!
The Hard Knock Life!
Backstage y'all!
The song "Life" by DJ Clue featuring Memphis Bleek, Lil' Cease, and Ja Rule is a gritty rap track that describes the life of criminals and drug dealers in urban America. The lyrics are filled with references to violence, drugs, and street culture. The song starts with DJ Clue introducing the artists and announcing his upcoming album, "The Professional Part Two". Memphis Bleek's verse talks about his involvement in the drug trade, how he has connections all over the city, and how he's not afraid to use his gun. Lil' Cease's verse talks about his gangster lifestyle, how he robs people for their money, and how he doesn't hesitate to kill his enemies. Ja Rule's verse is about his criminal activities, how he's a diamond baller, and how he's unstoppable.
The chorus is sung by Ja Rule, and it repeats the phrase "This life we gon' live it up" several times. The song ends with DJ Clue shouting out various artists and thanking his fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Nigga, picture me hot, then picture me not
Imagine me as a successful wealthy man, then imagine me without these assets, in a shitty position.
In this spot with this glock and these rocks to cops
Here, holding this gun and drugs which, in case if cops spot me, could cause me in trouble.
I know every basehead from here to the wasteland
I am familiar with every single drug addict within this area around me.
With keys, and connects me and Cease ???
With having multiple keys and connections, Cease and I have excellent sales potentials/leads in our business.
Sell water from the cookpot, ain't that raw?
I'm selling boiled cocaine mixing with water. What could be purer?
My razors? 20 dollars, here's a case of four
I am selling the razors for $20, and if you buy one box that contains four, that'll cost you $80.
You supply that, shit I put a hole where your mind at
You provide me with the drugs I sell, and, if needed, I can hurt you very badly.
Push your hairline back, fucking with this sly cat
If you mess with me, I can hurt you/bump you; avoid me if you know what's good for you.
You know exactly what I'm talking about (Clue!)
You understand everything I am saying here, right? Yes, DJ Clue?
You know the game and this life, what this thug about
You are familiar with this life and its principles, including strict codes of conduct, right?
One of the last real niggas trying to get in the game
One of few original gangsters in this game fighting to earn a reputation.
But the verse on the first on the strip getting paid
I am at the top of my game, the first in line, making a lot of money.
You feel me? Niggas spending ??? for the jewelry
You understand my feelings? These people are spending an incredible amount of money on things they don't require/don't bring joy.
Then run around frontin like they money is filthy
Despite the extravagance, they pretend like their money is worthless, or they're short of cash like a beggar.
I'm in the game to clean minds, fuck you want?
I'm in this business to make solo records and promote my own ideas. What are you trying to say?
I had coke for too long, I supply that boat
I have been in this business for a long time, always having cocaine at hand. I'm now making more money and bringing it in larger quantities.
When the dough gets tough we gon' get it up
If the cash flow or money becomes a problem, we will work harder to fill the gap.
Anybody hate on us, we hit 'em up
If anyone opposes us or becomes a problem, we will retaliate aggressively.
Baby we can't be touched, niggas give it up
Nobody can harm us or our reputation. People better back off.
Before he hit the floor, Bleek hit him some more
Before we finished him off, Memphis going to give him some more beatdown.
I've been in the spot, pop the buscuit, the coke out the drawer
I have been stealing drugs from a safer, well-hidden spot where no one can see or notice it, and I keep a gun just in case.
Here niggas grimy, we take ends out your pockets
There are dangerous people in our area, and they rob people for their money
He wants them big things like them ?Tits? and ?Dolly Partons?
This person wants significant revenue and a luxurious lifestyle like popular celebrities with magnificent body parts.
Got mad bodies, ?Roy is hotter than Cochran?
I've got a considerable number of dead bodies (i.e. murdered people). Roy, someone who I know who is in my line of business, is more eminent and acclaimed than Cochran (a famous lawyer).
Besides niggas albums, a lot about dropping
Apart from singing, a lot of people are involved and better at dropping drugs on the streets.
Fuck break dancing, our guns do the popping
We are not interested in dancing, only interested in our guns shooting and killing people.
Now, you want war? Fuck guns, bring grenades
Are you willing to wage war on us? Well, you can bring your guns. But we'll get more vicious and use grenades.
I catch a nigga slipping I'm popping two in his hood
If I see someone in a vulnerable state, I will shoot them two times in their head.
Irv Gotti!
A shout-out to Irv Gotti, CEO of Murder, Inc., a record label which also operates in the field of hip-hop music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MALIK COX, JAMES LLOYD, JEFFREY ATKINS, IRVING LORENZO, LARRY OGLETREE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind