E.S.G., or Cedric Hill as he was born, is a rapper from Houston, Texas (although he was born in Louisiana and moved to Houston later in life) who played a key role in the development of Houston’s ‘Chopped And Screwed’ sound alongside DJ Screw in the mid to late ’90s, beginning with his debut LP “Oceans Of Funk” in 1994. The more popular songs from this album were repackaged with new songs and released as a faux-sophomore effort by Perrion Entertainment in 1995, as the landmark “Sailin’ Da South”. This album contained several radio-friendly, summery tracks, none moreso than Swangin’ & Bangin’, which was also re-worked (or “screwed”) by close friend DJ Screw. Both the original track and its slowed down alter-ego cemented Hill’s place as a mainstay in the burgeoning Houston rap scene and also the wider southern rap movement.
E.S.G. spent several years in jail following an incident in which his partner was shot dead in a home invasion. E.S.G. returned fire and killed the intruder (“Nigga broke in my crib, shot my partner in the head, so I grab my chopper left a bitch nigga dead”). He was subsequently charged with first degree murder and was incarcerated before beating the charge. “Sailin’ Da South” was released and gained him notoriety while he was on lock.
He was then released and increased his workrate, releasing Return Of The Living Dead shortly after in 1998. He is an original member of Screwed Up Click, the group formed by the late DJ Screw.
E.S.G. is known for having ongoing beef with other Houston rappers, namely Slim Thug, whom Hill claims cut him out of a potential deal, and also Lil’ Flip, for reasons less publicly documented (“Had Flip under my wing, Slim Thug too, and both them niggaz switch like some homosexuals do”).
E.S.G. is married and has a son and a daughter. His father died from complications related to Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome / Human Immunodeficiency Virus during E’s childhood in Bogalusa, Louisiana (“Then my daddy died, he had full blown AIDS, he was tootin’ up, then that nigga started shootin’ up”). This left E with his uncle as his primary male role model during his youth (“Uncle started recruitin’ us, he was hustlin’ crack, it’s safe to say I was born in the trap”).
In the early ’90s, he moved from Bogalusa to nearby Lafayette, Louisiana, while attending USL (University of Southern Louisiana), before again moving to Houston, Texas, where he made his name as a rapper (“Sold my first thirty Gs, game’s gettin’ deeper, moved to H-Town ‘cause the bricks were cheaper”).
Down Here
E.S.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And tell these niggas man, that why'all invented
That motherfucking for, every motherfucking body
And they mama, trying to bust man
(Ha-ha, really though) you know I'm saying man
Niggas out here man, steal why'all shit on chrome
Ass want to be E.S.G., kinky ass niggas man
Bring they hat to they motherfucking ass man
[Chorus: x2]
(Down here) ha we like to roll on dubs
(Down here) we keep a chicken head up in the club
(Down here) my thugs they get nothing but love
(Down here) we off the chain like you thought we was
I'm from the city of sippers, wood grain wheel grippers
Kilo shippers, candy coat car flippers
We ride 4's and vogues, with a mouth full of golds
Country niggas and hoes, down here is how we roll
When something's tight it's thoed, when we shine we hold
You got cash cars and clothes, you balling out of control
Switching lanes on swinging thangs, that's called swang and bang
The club packed from front to back, that club off the chain
You got candy rims and beat, then you got you a slab
You cooking chickens in the kitchen, boy you off in the lab
Boys that hustle they grind, and if your diamonds shine you blind
You making money looking good, then you showing your behind
You blow endo that's do-do, screwed up means slow mo
You ride big body Benz, you riding big body fo' do'
Fa sho though you know, how that Texas talk
I'm trying to stack my green, I mean fill up my vault
[Chorus: x2]
Down here playboy, the gumbo's hot and spicy
Twinkies twist and crawfish, my wrist all icy
Better watch your wifey, down here we off the hook
You was smart that, better back-back take a look
I'm from the city where crooks, wear Cardiers and Rolleys
In Texas we partnas, in Louisiana they whodies
But it's the same thing, on this side of the Mississippi
Two hundred dollas a bottle, ain't talking bout Crissy
Talking bout codeine, baby fill up my cup
2002 Escalade, Billy grill on my truck
Now hold up man, top down in the Bentley
With a bad chick, in my tape Monica Lewinsky
Made a mill independent, can't touch me kids
Split your wig then hire Cochran, like Puffy did
(fiesta) fiesta, like my name R. Kelly
I'm the boss see the cross, hanging off of our bellys
[Chorus: x2]
I can tell that you boys, got the wrong idea
We some slab riding gangstas, get a car every year
(Down here) we like to ball, play above the rim
E.S.G., the young Don and a thug named Slim
(down here) we tolerate no type of disrespect
Have a bitch acting bad, on that do' and that X
(Down here) we push 26 sitting low to the flo'
And double deuces on a truck, when I crawl by slow
(This year) I'm gonna switch it to the platinum frame
Do shows with plenty hoes, that be screaming my name
(Down here) it ain't no telling when you talking bout us
Got rocks in both ears, 'cause that shit is a must
(Down here) we break hearts and leave punks for dead
We don't claim the blue or red, 'cause our city is FED
(Down here) I'm better known as Lil' Keke the Don
Getting rich and going hard, to get it all for my son
[Chorus: x2]
In this song, E.S.G. is proclaiming the cultural dominance of Texas and Louisiana, especially in terms of their music and lifestyle. He takes pride in the customs and slang of his region, such as "sipping" (drinking lean), riding in a "slab" (a custom car/truck), and "swangin' and bangin'" (making turns while blasting music). He presents this lifestyle as an unapologetic celebration of excess, with valuable material possessions and a disregard for authority or conventional morality. E.S.G. also uses the song as an opportunity to criticize those who try to steal the culture of Texas and Louisiana without giving credit or respect to the original creators. He warns that such "kinky ass niggas" will be punished by those who truly represent their region, and reminds listeners that this style is "how we do it down here."
Line by Line Meaning
I want why'all to bust some shit man
I want you guys to show off and let everyone know who the innovators are.
And tell these niggas man, that why'all invented
Tell those copycats that you guys originated that shit.
That motherfucking for, every motherfucking body
That thing is for everyone and their mama.
ASS want to be E.S.G., kinky ass niggas man
Those wannabes aspire to be E.S.G., but they have their kinks.
Let these hoes know how we do it down here
Educate these women on how things are done in this place.
(Down here) ha we like to roll on dubs
We enjoy driving around on 20 inch wheels or bigger down here.
(Down here) we keep a chicken head up in the club
We always have our beautiful women accompany us at the club.
(Down here) my thugs they get nothing but love
Our community gives unconditional love to our bad boys.
(Down here) we off the chain like you thought we was
We are as crazy and as wild as you had imagined.
I'm from the city of sippers, wood grain wheel grippers
I come from the place where people like to sip their drinks and hold onto their wooden steering wheels.
Kilo shippers, candy coat car flippers
We ship cocaine and convertibles with coated candy paint.
We ride 4's and vogues, with a mouth full of golds
We cruise on 24 inch rims and whitewall tires, while sporting gold teeth.
Country niggas and hoes, down here is how we roll
Folks from rural areas and their ladies know how to have a good time down here.
When something's tight it's thoed, when we shine we hold
When something is excellent, we call it thoed, and when we're successful, we're proud.
You got cash cars and clothes, you balling out of control
You own expensive cars and clothes, and you're living like a king.
Switching lanes on swinging thangs, that's called swang and bang
We swerve our cars on the streets and bounce to music, which is called swang and bang.
The club packed from front to back, that club off the chain
The club is jam-packed with people from the front to the back, and it's wild.
You got candy rims and beat, then you got you a slab
If you have rims coated in candy paint and a thumping sound system, you have a slab.
You cooking chickens in the kitchen, boy you off in the lab
If you're cooking chicken by a combination of various seasonings, you're doing it like a scientist in a laboratory.
Boys that hustle they grind, and if your diamonds shine you blind
Those who work hard for their living are impressive, and if they wear shiny diamonds, it can be blinding.
You making money looking good, then you showing your behind
If you're earning money and looking good doing it, you're bound to attract some unneeded attention.
You blow endo that's do-do, screwed up means slow mo
You smoke high-quality marijuana, which makes you sluggish or slow.
You ride big body Benz, you riding big body fo' do'
You're driving a large Mercedes or a four-door sedan.
Fa sho though you know, how that Texas talk
For sure, you know how we speak in the state of Texas.
I'm trying to stack my green, I mean fill up my vault
I'm trying to make lots of money, and I want nothing but financial security.
Down here playboy, the gumbo's hot and spicy
My guy, the gumbo is really hot and spicy down here.
Twinkies twist and crawfish, my wrist all icy
We have fancy Twinkies and crawfish, and my wrist is adorned with ice.
Better watch your wifey, down here we off the hook
You better keep an eye on your lady, cause things can get crazy down here.
You was smart that, better back-back take a look
You had the right idea of keeping your distance and observing.
I'm from the city where crooks, wear Cardiers and Rolleys
I come from a place where even criminals wear prestigious watches.
In Texas we partnas, in Louisiana they whodies
We call each other partners in Texas, and in Louisiana, they say homies.
But it's the same thing, on this side of the Mississippi
Though they may have different terminology, people on both sides of the Mississippi can act the same way.
Two hundred dollas a bottle, ain't talking bout Crissy
We spend $200 on a bottle, and it's not Cristal champagne.
Talking bout codeine, baby fill up my cup
We're referring to the narcotic codeine, and we want more of it in our drink.
2002 Escalade, Billy grill on my truck
I own a 2002 Escalade, and I have a custom grille on my truck.
Now hold up man, top down in the Bentley
Wait a minute, I'm driving with the top down in my Bentley.
With a bad chick, in my tape Monica Lewinsky
I'm with a hot girl, listening to my mixtape that's titled Monica Lewinsky.
Made a mill independent, can't touch me kids
I made a million dollars without anyone's help, and now I can't be stopped.
Split your wig then hire Cochran, like Puffy did
If you mess with me, I'll hurt you, then hire a famous lawyer like Puff Daddy did.
(fiesta) fiesta, like my name R. Kelly
It's a celebration, like what R. Kelly would say in his song titled Fiesta.
I'm the boss see the cross, hanging off of our bellys
I am the leader here, and you can tell by the religious cross hanging from my belly.
I can tell that you boys, got the wrong idea
I can see that you guys are mistaken or misguided.
We some slab riding gangstas, get a car every year
We are a group of gangsters who ride in our big, flashy cars, and get a new one every year.
(down here) we like to ball, play above the rim
Over here, we love to play and dominate in sports, especially basketball.
E.S.G., the young Don and a thug named Slim
I, E.S.G., am a young leader, and I work with a tough guy named Slim.
(down here) we tolerate no type of disrespect
We have zero tolerance for any type of disrespect or bad behavior.
Have a bitch acting bad, on that do' and that X
If a woman is causing trouble, it could be due to alcohol or drugs.
(down here) we push 26 sitting low to the flo'
We drive our cars with 26-inch rims, and we like to have them sit low on the ground.
And double deuces on a truck, when I crawl by slow
Also, our trucks have 22-inch rims, and we like to drive them slowly in a swaggering motion.
(This year) I'm gonna switch it to the platinum frame
This year, I'm planning on buying a car with a platinum colored frame.
Do shows with plenty hoes, that be screaming my name
I perform at concerts with tons of women who become ecstatic after hearing my name.
(down here) it ain't no telling when you talking bout us
If you're talking about us down here, you never know what might happen.
Got rocks in both ears, 'cause that shit is a must
I have earrings in both of my ears, because it's a necessity and looks fresh.
(down here) we break hearts and leave punks for dead
We could easily break someone's heart or destroy someone who's weaker than us.
We don't claim the blue or red, 'cause our city is FED
We don't associate ourselves with any gang colors because our city has a Federal Bureau of Investigation office.
(down here) I'm better known as Lil' Keke the Don
They call me Lil' Keke the Don down here, and I'm respected.
Getting rich and going hard, to get it all for my son
I'm working hard and making a lot of money to provide for my child.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MALCOLM ROY TREECE, MARTIN RICHARD GILKS, MILES STEPHEN HUNT, ROBERT JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind