Dillinger, like many of his peers, signed record deals with Death Row after being introduced to Dr. Dre by Warren G just as Dre began recording his seminal 1992 album, The Chronic. Dillinger contributed to The Chronic as well as his cousin Snoop Doggy Dogg's multi-platinum Doggystyle , Tupac Shakur's All Eyez on Me and the majority of the label's multi-platinum releases.
He released his first album Dogg Food with Kurupt as Tha Dogg Pound which went multi-platinum continuing Death Row's force as the most successful hiphop label. After Dr. Dre left the label, Daz became Death Row's main producer and was largely involved in Snoop's sophomore album Tha Doggfather and various compilations and soundtracks. After the death of Tupac Shakur, the departures of Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Nate Dogg and the imprisonment of label CEO Suge Knight, Daz was the only major artist left on Death Row and mainly responsible for the work done in the label. In 1998 he released his solo-offering Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back for the first time using the more commercial-friendly artist name Daz Dillinger and even though the album reached gold status it was considered to be a commercial failure for the still high standards established by Death Row's previous releases.
Around 2000 Daz left the crumbling Death Row records and started his own imprint DPG Recordz. He released his second solo-album 2000's R.A.W. independently. Although the album didn't reach the success of his Death Row releases the album gained cult status in the underground West Coast rap scene. After that, Daz has kept on his business as CEO of his record label and has released several EP's and LP's with his name.
In 2002 Daz and his long time friend Kurupt parted ways because the latter rejoined Death Row and Daz's "arch-enemy" Suge Knight. Since that Daz and Kurupt have each released several dis records aimed at each other.
On April 13, 2005, Daz reunited with Kurupt through the peace meeting labelled "Protect the West", in which several other West Coast rap icons united to put aside their differences in hope of succeeding together.
Daz released an album on Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label titled 'So So Gangsta ' which's was released September 12, 2006
My Mama Said...
Daz Dillinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My mama tell me all the time I'm a be something
I'm still a nigga till I die, What with heat bustin
They'll never take me alive
I'm a survivor makin'something from nothing
My mama told me I'm a be something (And I believe her)
My mama told me I'm a be something
They'll never take me alive
I'm a survivor makin'nothing from something
My mama told me I'm a be something (And I believe her)
[Verse 1]
A fist a wall tell my knuckles bleeding
Back over beefs, I'm screaming DOGG POUND GANGSTA
I'm fucked up from all the shit I'm drinking
Why I'm so deep, I remember I was a sack of semen
Know I'm 31, living the life that most niggas be dreamin
A nigga gotta hustle, stuck on what I believe in
Never take a punch and think that we even
Cuz the type of shit I'm on, it's some get back
Cuz I won't get it,
Long as I'm breathin I'll think that's a good enough reason
I asks my mom all the time why god made it so hard?
For a nigga to make a living from breaking a law
I can't wait for six months without takin my job,
Back on my rear, they pull me over and now they take my car
(Mama Said that I'd be something) And I believe her
When my album hit the streets I'm strapped with four heaters
And I clutch peers, my heaters don't move for nothin
I'm tuckin, I'm clutchin, I'm bustin niggas who know me
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
I'm a survivor, I'm like the Eskimo in the North Pole
My blood line can adapt to the cold
You can lock me, the jail closed
I close my eyes and visualize in my mind and think I was home
I've been preached to all my life, I can think on my own
Cuz my mind's deep into their minds, so leave it alone
I'm entrapted with slurs and dread lines, runnin deep through my soul
Who knows? sometimes I made peace with my foes
I've been so deep into thought, that I bleed from my nose
I walk the streets with the heat, blastin pebbles and stones
I shed a bloody tear, for my thugs on top and bottom tier
In the streets motherfucker who should I fear?
My heart is beatin, I'm breathin, dealin, with viscous heathen
Im off the leash, and the pizza nigga stop me from eatin
Lessons are being learned, I'm wide awake, I feel like I'm dreamin
Chapow motherfucker! I think we even
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
Keep my head above the water, let me talk to my lawyer
Facing cases of perpetration with a white mask on my face like Jason
Patiently waitin for this women and this women said there's no where to turn
So I smoke and I drink gin
For the judge that sentence me, nigga fuck you
Your the reason why my niggas turn to thugs too
Your the reason why my race in jail, with nothin to run to
Your the reason why we payin' our guns too
Ugh, increase the smoke, and pull the liquor,
All the earth visualize what it's worth
I walk the streets fly cousin, ridin' to die cousin
My nine will determine if I die, run and die, gunnin
Never seen death cousin? Your fuckin niggas bluffin
I park around with a nine shell in my stomach
Always do to die, be something, you know I keep bustin
with D-A-Z motherfucker
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Daz Dillinger's song, My Mama Said..., are about his determination to succeed despite the difficulties he faces as an African American from a tough neighborhood. The chorus repeats his mother's words of encouragement, which he believes with all his heart. The song is a tribute to his strength and resilience as he navigates through life, facing challenges like violence, alcoholism, and poverty. Dillinger's determination to succeed is what carries him through the tough times, and he believes that he is destined for greatness even though he is still sometimes seen as a "nigga" by others.
The first verse talks about the difficulties faced by someone like Dillinger, who comes from a rough background. He often resorts to violence to solve problems and has been arrested several times. Despite this, he remains determined to succeed and make a name for himself. The second verse highlights the fact that Dillinger is a survivor and that he has learned to adapt to the harsh realities of life. He acknowledges the deep-seated racism that pervades society and understands the role it has played in his life as a person of color. In the third verse, Dillinger talks about his struggles with the law and his frustration with a justice system that he feels is rigged against him.
Line by Line Meaning
My mama tell me all the time I'm a be something
My mother instilled in me the belief that I am destined for greatness
I'm still a nigga till I die, What with heat bustin
Despite any accomplishments I may attain, I will always face discrimination and violence due to my race
They'll never take me alive
I will fight until my last breath and never allow myself to be taken as a prisoner
I'm a survivor makin'something from nothing
Despite facing difficult circumstances and starting with nothing, I persevered and achieved success through hard work and determination
My mama told me I'm a be something (And I believe her)
My mother's words of encouragement guide and motivate me to succeed
A fist a wall tell my knuckles bleeding
I channel my frustration and anger through physical violence and aggression
Back over beefs, I'm screaming DOGG POUND GANGSTA
I am fiercely loyal to my gang and will defend it at all costs
I'm fucked up from all the shit I'm drinking
I turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for the stress and trauma in my life
Why I'm so deep, I remember I was a sack of semen
I am reflective and introspective, recognizing that my past has shaped who I am today
Know I'm 31, living the life that most niggas be dreamin
Despite my struggles, I am grateful for the life I have created for myself
A nigga gotta hustle, stuck on what I believe in
I rely on my determination and work ethic to achieve my goals
Never take a punch and think that we even
I will always seek revenge and never forget a wrongdoing
Cuz the type of shit I'm on, it's some get back
My actions and behavior are motivated by a desire for revenge and retaliation
Cuz I won't get it,
I will stop at nothing to get my revenge, even if it is not justified
Long as I'm breathin I'll think that's a good enough reason
I value my own existence and believe that as long as I am alive, I have a purpose
I asks my mom all the time why god made it so hard?
I struggle to understand why life is so difficult and unfair
For a nigga to make a living from breaking a law
I acknowledge the challenges and limited opportunities faced by those who resort to criminal activity for a source of income
I can't wait for six months without takin my job,
I am forced to rely on illegal means of income due to a lack of legitimate job opportunities
Back on my rear, they pull me over and now they take my car
Even when I try to improve my circumstances, the system and authority figures work against me
And I believe her
Despite the challenges and setbacks I face, my mother's belief in me remains a source of inspiration
When my album hit the streets I'm strapped with four heaters
I am prepared to defend myself at all times and carry weapons with me
And I clutch peers, my heaters don't move for nothin
I hold onto my weapons tightly and will not back down from confrontation
I'm tuckin, I'm clutchin, I'm bustin niggas who know me
I am willing to use violence against those who have wronged me, even if we have a personal history
I'm a survivor, I'm like the Eskimo in the North Pole
I am resilient and adaptable, able to withstand harsh and extreme conditions
My blood line can adapt to the cold
My family and ancestry have prepared me to overcome adversity
You can lock me, the jail closed
Even if I am physically confined, I will maintain my inner strength and resilience
I close my eyes and visualize in my mind and think I was home
I use my imagination as a coping mechanism and a way to envision a better future
I've been preached to all my life, I can think on my own
Despite the influences and expectations of others, I maintain my independence and critical thinking skills
Cuz my mind's deep into their minds, so leave it alone
I am aware of the motivations and thought processes of others and use this knowledge to my advantage
I'm entrapted with slurs and dread lines, runnin deep through my soul
The hateful and discriminatory language directed towards me has deeply impacted my sense of self and identity
Who knows? sometimes I made peace with my foes
I am capable of forgiveness and reconciliation, even with those who have wronged me
I've been so deep into thought, that I bleed from my nose
My deep introspection and intense emotions can physically manifest in a nosebleed
I walk the streets with the heat, blastin pebbles and stones
I am constantly on guard and prepared to defend myself, even from small and insignificant threats
I shed a bloody tear, for my thugs on top and bottom tier
I feel deep sadness and empathy for those who struggle and suffer alongside me
In the streets motherfucker who should I fear?
Despite the dangers and threats around me, I remain fearless and unyielding
My heart is beatin, I'm breathin, dealin, with viscous heathen
I am constantly faced with dangerous and cruel individuals, but I remain resilient and continue to persevere
Im off the leash, and the pizza nigga stop me from eatin
I am free and independent, but external forces sometimes hinder my progress and success
Lessons are being learned, I'm wide awake, I feel like I'm dreamin
I am constantly learning from my experiences and am always growing and evolving
Chapow motherfucker! I think we even
In moments of triumph and victory, I revel in my success and prove my resilience and strength
Keep my head above the water, let me talk to my lawyer
I face legal troubles and rely on legal representation to defend myself
Facing cases of perpetration with a white mask on my face like Jason
I am accused of crimes and have to hide my identity like the horror movie villain Jason Voorhees
Patiently waitin for this women and this women said there's no where to turn
I am waiting for a woman to provide help or direction, but she is unable to do so
So I smoke and I drink gin
I turn to vices like smoking and drinking as a way to cope with my struggles
For the judge that sentence me, nigga fuck you
I am angry and resentful towards the authority figures who have contributed to my difficulties
Your the reason why my niggas turn to thugs too
The systemic injustices and oppression faced by myself and my community have driven some to criminal activity
Your the reason why we payin' our guns too
The need for self-protection and the absence of protection from law enforcement has forced us to arm ourselves
Ugh, increase the smoke, and pull the liquor,
I continue to rely on drugs and alcohol to cope with my struggles
All the earth visualize what it's worth
I contemplate the value and purpose of life, and the struggles and suffering we experience
I walk the streets fly cousin, ridin' to die cousin
I am confident and fearless, living my life to the fullest despite the risks involved
My nine will determine if I die, run and die, gunnin
My weapons and willingness to use them will determine whether I live or die
Never seen death cousin? Your fuckin niggas bluffin
I am experienced and unafraid of death, and those who claim to be unafraid are lying
I park around with a nine shell in my stomach
I am always armed and ready to defend myself, even if it means sacrificing my own safety
Always do to die, be something, you know I keep bustin
I am driven to succeed and will stop at nothing to achieve my goals, even if it means resorting to violence
with D-A-Z motherfucker
I assert my identity and pride in my work and reputation as a rapper
Contributed by Mia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.