The group itself originally consisted of two MCs, Ives and Kemo, and O.G. Style as the DJ. Thus the group was often called "Los Tres Delinquentes" (In English: "The Three Delinquents"). In 1996, the group garnered international success with their first single "Tres Delinquentes" selling over one million copies. The success of the song pushed the group's self-titled album to nearly the same figure. Kemo soon left after the completion of their album Freedom Band to pursue a solo career with some substantial success. He was replaced by female vocalist Michelle, who had been previously featured in their songs
Rapper Ives makes one thing clear right from the start: "Delinquent Habits is no Old-School-Band, we are fresh and constantly looking for something new." On their new album "The Common Man" (09.10.2009) Delinquent Habits appear fresh for the first time in ages. The vibrant beats, the hot groove and the catchy lyrics make it clear: Someone knows how to rock the stage.
In the latter half of the 90's, Delinquent Habits along with Cypress Hill made it to the very top of Latin-Hip Hop. Rapper Ives and Kemo as well as DJ O.G Style combined Hip Hop beats with Funk and Miriachi trumpets and rapped in a mixture of Spanish and English called "Spanglish".
In 1996 they achieved a world-wide hit with "Tres Delinquentes". Their debut "Delinquent Habits" sold over 1 million copies and has achieved "hip hop classic" status the success of which is noticeable until this day. Sold-out tours in Europe and in the USA and four album releases, amongst these on their own label "Station 13, are testament to this impressive feat. Delinquent Habits live the crossover and show no reservation. The Matiachi-Rappers shared stages with different acts such as Beck, Korn and The Fugees. Their songs were used in various soundtracks, as well as computer games, not to mention sportswear giant Nike added the DelHab-Song "Return Of The Tres" to its TV advert which was broadcast world-wide.
After Kemo und O.G. Style pulled out, Ives is the last remaining member of the original band and now head and songwriter of Delinquent Habits. But this is no reason for Ives to mope: "Now I am able to have an input in all aspects of our music, beginning with the lyrics to the beats to the point of who I want to work with. This way "The Common Man" emerged, in collaboration with different producers such as Sick Jacken (Psycho Realm), Andre Horstmann (Pet Shop Boys, All Saints) or the Superstar DJs, which injected new life and ideas into the typical Delinquent Habits sound.
Ives finds his inspiration for his lyrics on the streets of his barrio and so on his new album "The Common Man", there is no mistaking - more critical and harsh tones next to the typical party tunes. This is reflected perfectly in the debut track, in which Ives denounces in a wonderful play on words society’s increasing egotism and the thieving mentality of the big bosses: "They livin high on the hog but they really just all swine''.
Nevertheless Delinquent Habits still know that there is also room for the light-hearted side to life, which is best celebrated with hot parties. Affiliated with phat vibes and hot rhythms like on "I Like It", girls dancing on the tables with free flowing tequila: Delinquent Habits are in the house!
I Like It
Delinquent Habits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This be for the hard-core O.G. real funk fans
The ones that pumpin' up the party
Jump and shake your hands
And let your joint blaze smoke up and get a little higher
If the cherry goes out then relight the fire
Pump it up and do this swing for mine baby
Ives in the party ya'll time to get crazy
No takin' or the fakin' cause we givin' what you want ha
Pure bread born and raised the underground system
My recipes so ill you'll think I'm crazy if I list em
So I choose to freak it from the dawn till the light
To let you listen' hard to what it be like
[Chorus 2X]
What it be like tell me what it be like
What it really be like what it be like
What it be like tell me what it be like
Do you know what it be like cause I know what it be like
[Verse 2]
I'm steppin' up back up straight up so delinquente
You won't be saying shit after I sock you in the frente
So what's it gonna be sucka what it be like?
As I descend from the trend every muthafuckin' night
And so I gotta keep the rhymes kinda funky you know
I'm still rollin' in the jacked up Chevy '64
You need to ease back sucka you need to pipe down
Delinquent type of hound is what you're gettin' from the realm
When I'm steppin' through the fog my dogs are kinda fatal
I'll swat you like a fly that's on my kitchen table
If another day ends still a new dawn breaks
And once again I'm droppin' shit upon this 2 inch tape
[Chorus 2X]
[Verse 3]
See this be like discussion of the facts
Over hip-hop chords
The Lower EastSide allow me kick the funk no fraud
See it's the third time for the Ives my news flash
No matter what I'm still gonna be the poor white trash
Diggin up and out the ghetto
Hard raised and rockin'
From backspinnin' from freakin' the beat and pop-lockin'
From early days I'm steppin' to battle like a vulture
It's all just a part of the hip-hop culture
[Chorus 2X]
The song “What It Be Like” by Delinquent Habits is an ode to the underground hip-hop culture that the band comes from. The lyrics speak about the hardcore O.G. real funk fans who know how to get the party started by jumping, shaking their hands and letting the joint blaze. The band makes a reference to relighting the fire in case the cherry goes out, implying the need to keep the party going with no breaks. The lyrics are geared at getting people to swing from left to right, back and forth and front to back without any hesitation. The band exclaims their desire to give the audience what they want, with pure bred born and raised in the underground system thus assuring their audience that they know the ins and outs of the culture. The lyrics talk about giving their all and being crazy with the music, and choosing to freak it from dawn till light to give their audience an experience that they won't forget.
In the second verse, the band takes a more aggressive stance, with the lyrics talking about socking anyone who dare come up against them. The band boasts that they are still rolling in a jacked up Chevy ’64 and they need to ease back when they step up to them. They drop rhymes that are funky, while still keeping it real with their audience. The lyrics talk about their dogs being kind of fatal, meaning their rhymes are deadly and impactful. The band makes reference to dropping new beats every new dawn, meaning they are consistent and steadfast in their music and message.
Overall, the song is a celebration of hip-hop culture and the band’s dedication to keeping it real with their audience. The band is proud of their roots and the life experiences that have influenced their music.
Line by Line Meaning
This be for the hard-core O.G. real funk fans
This song is dedicated to the true fans of old school funk music
The ones that pumpin' up the party
Those who are actively participating and contributing to the party's energy
Jump and shake your hands
Move and groove to the beat with enthusiasm
And let your joint blaze smoke up and get a little higher
Smoke your drug of choice and let the good times roll
If the cherry goes out then relight the fire
If the cigarette goes out, light it up again to keep the good vibes going
no takin' or the fakin' cause we givin' what you want ha
We are not holding back or pretending, we are giving you what you asked for
So I choose to freak it from the dawn till the light
I choose to live my life (and make music) to the fullest, from dawn till dawn
To let you listen' hard to what it be like
To give you a glimpse of what the true gritty, underground lifestyle is like
I'm steppin' up back up straight up so delinquente
I'm standing up tall and strong, with pride in my 'delinquent' roots
So what's it gonna be sucka what it be like?
What attitude are you going to bring? Can you handle the true hip-hop culture?
If another day ends still a new dawn breaks
Even if the day ends badly, there is a new opportunity to make things better in the morning
And once again I'm droppin' shit upon this 2 inch tape
I'm making music and expressing my true self through my art, even if it's not considered mainstream
See it's the third time for the Ives my news flash
I'm here to deliver some news to you for the third time, so pay attention
From backspinnin' from freakin' the beat and pop-lockin'
My dancing style is a mix of backspins and pop-locking, in sync with the beat
It's all just a part of the hip-hop culture
This lifestyle, these experiences, and this music all contribute to the rich tapestry of hip-hop culture
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: ALEJANDRO MARTINEZ, DAVID LEWIS KEIMONTI THOMAS, IVAN SCOTT MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind