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).
Thugs R Us
DJ Clue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A game but it's not
Niggas kept frontin', Brown got popped
Word on life, word on my click
All a niggas really got in his life
Is his word and his dick
And I stay true to them
Like both of them laws
Not ridin' them dogs
Niggas hate me cause broke and can't floss
Yo I cop coke
Cook it up - y'all buy it cooked already
Like a '98 six wild like a Chevy
Yo I floss now
Look how much my jewels cost now
I'm realizin' that you me so I hate y'all too
So both sides is hate so it's mutual
Beautiful, my guns make it shoot-able
Shoot at you send staff to clap you
Yo my name's Nore but only fam calls me Papi
That nigga's homo like the
Cat who killed Versace
Homo thug, yo I shoulda known sooner
My clique stay in jail like Robert Downey Jr
Like Outlaw in the beacon, I'm nigga-Rican
Most y'all niggas think y'all live
While y'all weaklings
I'm from Iraq, play the cut smoke mad trees
Mind my own business
Concentrate on my cheese
Yo the door lock, four knocks and one symbol
I'm like '98 Live, y'all like Double Dribble
Aye yo, thugged out, no rules
I'm playin' the game every man for hisself
Just recievin' the pain
It's like Utah, 21, no out, just go hard
Rest in piece I gotta say to Yammy and Todd
It's like niggas never learn, money to burn
Yo I'm leavin' like me and Nat' shit
(I'm leavin') let me say this
I used to rock to G-U-E with the SS
Now I'm in the '98 black GS
Golden with kid in my shit
On some full grit's headlights
Shit shine from Def Jam to Crown Heights
Now my clique keep guns, time to fight
Open the flip on the Startac
And check the message
Copped ten Sprint phones and caught a deal
What, one and the same
Like Thugged Out and Ill Will
It's all real, still from Iraq
In DJ Clue's song "Thugs R Us," the lyrics convey a sense of street mentality and the harsh realities of the rapper's life. The opening lines suggest that some people view the street life as a game, but the rapper emphasizes that it is far from it. He mentions how one of his crew members, Brown, was killed, highlighting the serious consequences that come with living in this environment.
The lyrics touch upon the importance of loyalty, as the rapper claims that his word and his sexuality are the only things a person truly has in life. He stays true to his crew, contrasting himself with those who talk a big game but don't back it up. The rapper acknowledges that people hate him because he is successful and can afford to flaunt his wealth, while they cannot.
The lyrics also mention the rapper's name, Nore, and how close friends call him Papi. He takes a dig at someone who he considers to be a "homo thug," possibly referring to their lack of authenticity or credibility. The rapper represents his crew as constantly in trouble with the law, comparing them to Robert Downey Jr., who experienced numerous legal troubles.
Overall, the lyrics depict a gritty street life where survival is a struggle, loyalty is paramount, and violence is an ever-present threat.
Line by Line Meaning
Them niggas really think that it's
A game but it's not
Those individuals truly believe that what they are involved in is nothing but a mere game, but in actuality, it is far from it.
Niggas kept frontin', Brown got popped
Their false pretenses and deception continued, leading to a violent encounter resulting in someone named Brown losing their life.
Word on life, word on my click
I swear upon my own existence and the loyalty of my group.
All a niggas really got in his life
Is his word and his dick
A man's true possessions in this world are solely his integrity and his sexual organ.
And I stay true to them
Like both of them laws
I remain loyal and steadfast to these principles just like one adheres to the rules and regulations of the law.
Niggas talk shit my click's
Not ridin' them dogs
When individuals speak disrespectfully, my group does not support or associate with them.
Niggas hate me cause broke and can't floss
Other individuals hold animosity towards me due to their own financial struggles preventing them from flaunting their wealth.
Yo I cop coke
Cook it up - y'all buy it cooked already
I acquire cocaine, then proceed to process it, whereas you all purchase it already processed.
Like a '98 six wild like a Chevy
Similar to a powerful and unrestrained 1998 Chevrolet vehicle, I am bold and undeterred in my actions.
Yo I floss now
Look how much my jewels cost now
I now proudly display my extravagant jewelry, highlighting the exorbitant amount of money they are worth.
I'm realizin' that you me so I hate y'all too
I have come to the realization that you all are reflections of myself, and thus, I harbor equal resentment towards you.
So both sides is hate so it's mutual
Since both parties involved possess feelings of animosity, the hate becomes mutual and reciprocal.
Beautiful, my guns make it shoot-able
Remarkably efficient, my firearms ensure that any target I aim at becomes highly susceptible to being shot.
Shoot at you send staff to clap you
If bullets are fired in your direction, it will result in members of my crew taking action to eliminate you.
Yo my name's Nore but only fam calls me Papi
My given name is Nore, but only those closest to me, my family, address me as Papi.
That nigga's homo like the
Cat who killed Versace
That individual is not only homosexual, but also dangerous and responsible for the murder of Versace, drawing a parallel to the infamous incident.
Homo thug, yo I shoulda known sooner
A person who portrays themselves as a tough or violent individual, despite their actual sexual orientation, and I should have been aware of this earlier.
My clique stay in jail like Robert Downey Jr
The members of my group frequently find themselves incarcerated, similar to the actor Robert Downey Jr.'s past experiences with imprisonment.
Like Outlaw in the beacon, I'm nigga-Rican
Just like Outlaw, a prominent figure in the community, I proudly embrace my mixed heritage of being both African-American and Puerto Rican.
Most y'all niggas think y'all live
While y'all weaklings
The majority of individuals believe they are truly alive and thriving, but in reality, they are nothing more than feeble and inferior beings.
I'm from Iraq, play the cut smoke mad trees
Originating from a dangerous and secretive environment, I prefer to keep a low profile and indulge in consuming copious amounts of marijuana.
Mind my own business
Concentrate on my cheese
I focus solely on my personal affairs and direct all my attention towards accumulating wealth.
Yo the door lock, four knocks and one symbol
As a precautionary measure, the door is secured, and any visitors must perform four knocks and a specific signal to gain entry.
I'm like '98 Live, y'all like Double Dribble
I possess an impressive and dynamic presence, resembling the exhilaration of the '98 Live video game, while others pale in comparison, akin to the simplicity of Double Dribble.
Aye yo, thugged out, no rules
Listen up, we are fiercely immersed in a lifestyle devoid of constraints or regulations.
I'm playin' the game every man for himself
I participate in this ruthless game of life, where everyone must fend for their own interests without assistance from others.
Just recievin' the pain
I am simply enduring the hardships and suffering that life presents to me.
It's like Utah, 21, no out, just go hard
The situation is comparable to a basketball game in Utah, where No. 21 has no chance of success and must give maximum effort in order to persevere.
Rest in piece I gotta say to Yammy and Todd
I offer my sincere condolences and pay respect to the departed souls of Yammy and Todd.
It's like niggas never learn, money to burn
It appears that individuals never acquire knowledge or wisdom, instead frivolously wasting their abundant wealth.
Yo I'm leavin' like me and Nat' shit
I am departing from this situation, similar to my former collaborator Nat, leaving behind any involvement or association.
(I'm leavin') let me say this
(I am leaving) Allow me to express this viewpoint.
I used to rock to G-U-E with the SS
In the past, I actively supported and endorsed the G-U-E movement along with the SS group.
Now I'm in the '98 black GS
As of now, I have upgraded my vehicle to a black 1998 GS model.
Golden with kid in my shit
My appearance and possessions exude a prestigious and opulent aura.
On some full grit's headlights
Shit shine from Def Jam to Crown Heights
Similar to high-beam headlights, my presence and success radiate brilliantly from Def Jam records to the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Now my clique keep guns, time to fight
Currently, my group possesses firearms, indicating our readiness and willingness to engage in physical confrontations.
Open the flip on the Startac
And check the message
I activate the flip function of my Startac cellphone and proceed to retrieve and read the received message.
Copped ten Sprint phones and caught a deal
I acquired ten Sprint cellular devices and secured a favorable agreement or bargain in the process.
What, one and the same
Like Thugged Out and Ill Will
In reality, these two entities, Thugged Out and Ill Will, are identical or closely associated with each other.
It's all real, still from Iraq
This entire situation remains genuine and authentic, continuing to originate from the dangerous environment of Iraq.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chriscadence
been trying to find this song for almost 20 years! Thank You!
@718Mixtapes
no problem...classic!
@AAde-or3qz
Same here! I still get goosebumps listening to this
@boridebrooklyn8300
Me too !!!!!!!!!
@boridebrooklyn8300
@Raymand Doks word son !!!
@demondturner2010
Facts💯
@guymitchell8056
This song is so hard.. Nore was on fire in 98
@boridebrooklyn8300
He carried hip hop on his back that year !!!
@NevaSellmySoul
@Bori de Brooklyn DMX did bruh
@NeoNitty
They all carried it..all of them. That’s how big the void was, losing Pac n Big. But our 98 hitters held it down for the city.