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”).
Swangin' And Bangin'
E.S.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So we want you to just, turn your burns up
'Cause we gon show the whole world
How we do it down South, fool
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do, what I gotta do
1995, so fools give it to me
And this is for them buster type G's, who want to do me
I never had no love, for them crooked 5-0's
Chrome mirror 84's bro, and some low pro bowl
Tight ride bubble head lights, sheisty G's pause
Damn there go the laws, got me stuffing my yay up under my drawas
Trying to jack this G, cause I'm caught up in my click
I ain't with it, they throwing me down cause I didn't pay my tickets
But um you fools you know, I got my hand on my glock
And my left is on my steering wheel, so watch someone get dropped
Four deep up in that Lac yeah, coming down tight
Swigity swangin' bigity bangin', like I'm turning left I'm bigity bustin' a right
And now you know in and out, out and in I dip
Damn them G's in the South, are a trip
And my homies steady mobbing, our game is for real
With that fifth wheel grill, mo-mo wood grain steering wheel
Working it with that fo' and go ahead, with that three way
Candy painted be so wet, leaving drips up on that freeway
Baby give it to me, cause you know I won't quit
And I'll be mobbing with my playas, extra gat on my hip
And to the fools down South, keep slanging them thangs
It's '95 yeah fool, we comes again yep to swang and bang
And now you know, what my real G's do
Sip syrup swang and bang, jam nothing but that screw fool
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do-gotta do, what I gotta do
We come to swang and bang
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do-gotta do, what I gotta do
We come to swang and bang
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do-gotta do, what I gotta do
We come to swang and bang
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do-gotta do, what I gotta do
We come to swang and bang
So freaks back the hell up, cause tricks you ain't holding
You wasn't even down with my G's, wasn't rolling
And now that our pockets got thicker, this gal I had to hit her
Sorry playa hater, he shouldn't of been in love with her
'Cause a trick is a trick, and a trick ain't it
And if you keep slipping, she gon hit you for a quick lick
Dummies stop roaching, trying to keep her up
'Cause while you out there capping, she be blowing my beeper up
Now she's saying that she love you, you think that gal for real
All the time, that freak be phonier than a four dolla bill
And just to show my G's, that I ain't too fake
I think that last night fried out, jamming my Screw tape
It's the E just jumping up, in and out and with my crew
And after I put my mack down pass it around, so what you want to do
Undercover fools, they giving up that thang
Hotel 6-6 hit trick, you want to swang and bang
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do-gotta do, what I gotta do
We come to swang and bang
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do-gotta do, what I gotta do
We come to swang and bang
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do-gotta do, what I gotta do
We come to swang and bang
Gotta do, what I gotta do
Gotta do-gotta do, what I gotta do
We come to swang and bang
And all my boys in Houston Texas
(Swangin' and bangin')
And what about, down in Dallas
(Swangin' and bangin')
I can't forget, San Anton'
(Swangin' and bangin')
Yeah, we got it going on
(Swangin' and bangin')
And all the playas in Atlanta
(Swangin' and bangin')
My young fools, from Louisiana
(Swangin' and bangin')
Them G's, way up in Memphis
(Swangin' and bangin')
I can't forget about Chi
(Swangin' and bangin')
And all my boys, in Detroit
(Swangin' and bangin')
And what about, that Cleveland
(Swangin' and bangin')
And all the playas in New Jersey
(Swangin' and bangin')
And can't forget, Killa Cali
(Swangin' and bangin')
And all the fools, in Seattle
(Swangin' and bangin')
Yeah, what about Denver
(Swangin' and bangin')
I can't forget, St. Louis
(Swangin' and bangin')
Way down in Miami
(Swangin' and bangin')
Ha-ha, fool
The lyrics in E.S.G.'s song Swangin' and Bangin' are mainly about living life as a gangster in the South during 1995, and how people in certain cities, like Houston, Dallas, San Anton, Atlanta, Louisiana, Memphis, Chi, Detroit, Cleveland, New Jersey, Killa Cali, Seattle, St. Louis and Miami, enjoy swangin' and bangin' in their unique way. The concept of swangin' and bangin' is not easily definable, but it's a combination of driving in a car that is 'swangin' while listening to screwed and chopped music, as well as living the gangster lifestyle and getting respect from others in the community. The song portrays a carefree, rebellious and hard-hitting lifestyle that glorifies a specific genre of hip hop and the scene that surrounds it.
The lyrics also convey a sense of defiance towards the police (referred to as crooked 5-0's) and the legal system, as well as an admiration for luxury cars and flashy possessions. The song also discusses the relationship between men and women, and how some men choose to steer clear of "tricks" who are just after money or are playing games with their emotions. At the same time, the song promotes a sense of camaraderie and loyalty among gang members and friends, as they bond over their shared experiences and live according to their own rules.
Overall, E.S.G's Swangin' and Bangin' is a song that celebrates the street culture of the South during the 90s, and the lyrics are a reflection of the tough, unforgiving, and thrilling lifestyle of the people involved in the hip-hop and gangster scenes during that era.
Line by Line Meaning
Aww yeah, it's 1995
It's the year 1995, and we're going to show the world how we do things in the South.
So we want you to just, turn your burns up
Turn up your speakers so you can hear our music loud and clear.
'Cause we gon show the whole world
We want to demonstrate to everyone how we live in the South.
How we do it down South, fool
We want to show you what life is like here in the Southern United States.
Gotta do, what I gotta do
I have to do what I have to do to survive.
1995, so fools give it to me
It's 1995, so let's party like it's 1995!
And this is for them buster type G's, who want to do me
This song is for all those fake gangsters who want to challenge me.
I never had no love, for them crooked 5-0's
I never had any love for the police officers who act corruptly and abuse their power.
Chrome mirror 84's bro, and some low pro bowl
I have a car with chrome finishes and a low center of gravity.
Tight ride bubble head lights, sheisty G's pause
My car has tight suspension and unique headlights, and I'm wary of sneaky gangsters.
Damn there go the laws, got me stuffing my yay up under my drawas
The police are nearby, so I'm hiding my drugs in my underwear.
Trying to jack this G, cause I'm caught up in my click
A gangster is trying to rob me because I'm part of a group with a reputation for criminal behavior.
I ain't with it, they throwing me down cause I didn't pay my tickets
I don't understand why the police are harassing me just because I didn't pay a fine.
But um you fools you know, I got my hand on my glock
Even though I'm being threatened, I'm ready to use my gun to defend myself.
And my left is on my steering wheel, so watch someone get dropped
I'm driving with one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on my gun, ready to shoot someone if necessary.
Four deep up in that Lac yeah, coming down tight
I'm driving a Cadillac with three other gangsters, and we're cruising in style.
Swigity swangin' bigity bangin', like I'm turning left I'm bigity bustin' a right
I'm driving my car in a zigzag pattern, swerving left then quickly turning right and continuing to drive.
And now you know in and out, out and in I dip
I'm driving my car in and out of traffic, swerving to avoid other drivers.
Damn them G's in the South, are a trip
The gangsters in the South are unique and unpredictable.
And my homies steady mobbing, our game is for real
My friends and I are always on the move, and our criminal activities are serious business.
With that fifth wheel grill, mo-mo wood grain steering wheel
My car has a special grill and steering wheel that make it look and feel different from other cars.
Working it with that fo' and go ahead, with that three way
I'm driving my car fast and recklessly, swerving around other vehicles.
Candy painted be so wet, leaving drips up on that freeway
My car is painted with a candy-colored paint that shines in the sun, leaving a trail of water droplets behind me as I drive on the freeway.
Baby give it to me, cause you know I won't quit
I want you to love me and keep giving me what I want, because I won't give up on you.
And I'll be mobbing with my playas, extra gat on my hip
I'll be hanging out with my gangster friends, carrying an extra gun on my hip just in case.
And to the fools down South, keep slanging them thangs
I want the other gangsters in the South to keep selling drugs and committing crimes so we can continue to make money.
It's '95 yeah fool, we comes again yep to swang and bang
It's the year 1995, and we're going to continue to drive recklessly and commit crimes in the South.
And now you know, what my real G's do
This is how real gangsters in the South live their lives.
Sip syrup swang and bang, jam nothing but that screw fool
We drink cough syrup and drive recklessly while listening to Screw music.
Gotta do-gotta do, what I gotta do
I have no choice but to commit crimes to survive.
We come to swang and bang
We're here in the South to drive recklessly and commit crimes.
So freaks back the hell up, cause tricks you ain't holding
Women should stay away from us because we'll only use them for sex and money.
You wasn't even down with my G's, wasn't rolling
You weren't with us from the beginning, so you have no right to claim to be a part of our gang.
And now that our pockets got thicker, this gal I had to hit her
Now that we have more money, I had to have sex with this woman.
Sorry playa hater, he shouldn't of been in love with her
I'm sorry if you're upset that I slept with your girlfriend, but you shouldn't have fallen in love with her in the first place.
'Cause a trick is a trick, and a trick ain't it
A woman who only wants to have sex with us for money is not worth our time or attention.
And if you keep slipping, she gon hit you for a quick lick
If you're not careful, a woman will take advantage of you and steal your money.
Dummies stop roaching, trying to keep her up
Stop trying to hold on to a woman who is only interested in your money.
'Cause while you out there capping, she be blowing my beeper up
While you're out pretending to be a tough guy, she's trying to get in touch with me to have sex.
Now she's saying that she love you, you think that gal for real
Now that she has your money, she's trying to convince you that she loves you, but it's not true.
All the time, that freak be phonier than a four dolla bill
She's a fake, just like a counterfeit four-dollar bill.
And just to show my G's, that I ain't too fake
I want to prove to my gangster friends that I'm not a fake or a phony.
I think that last night fried out, jamming my Screw tape
I was listening to Screw music all night and now I'm tired.
It's the E just jumping up, in and out and with my crew
I'm hanging out and having fun with my gangster friends.
And after I put my mack down pass it around, so what you want to do
After I show off my coolness to my friends, what do you want to do?
Undercover fools, they giving up that thang
The police pretending to be regular people are trying to catch us selling drugs.
Hotel 6-6 hit trick, you want to swang and bang
Meet me at Hotel 66 if you want to do some drugs and commit crimes.
And all my boys in Houston Texas (Swangin' and bangin')
My gangster friends in Houston are also living the dangerous and risky lifestyle.
And what about, down in Dallas
What about the gangsters in Dallas? They're also part of this lifestyle.
I can't forget, San Anton'
I can't forget about the gangsters in San Antonio, they're also part of this lifestyle.
Yeah, we got it going on
We have a lot of great things happening in the South, despite the danger and risk.
And all the playas in Atlanta
The gangsters in Atlanta are also part of this lifestyle.
My young fools, from Louisiana
The younger, more inexperienced gangsters from Louisiana are also part of this lifestyle.
Them G's, way up in Memphis
The gangsters in Memhis are also part of this lifestyle.
I can't forget about Chi
I can't forget about the gangsters in Chicago, they're also part of this lifestyle.
And all my boys, in Detroit
The gangsters in Detroit are also part of this lifestyle.
And what about, that Cleveland
What about the gangsters in Cleveland? They're also part of this lifestyle.
And all the playas in New Jersey
The gangsters in New Jersey are also part of this lifestyle.
And can't forget, Killa Cali
I can't forget about the gangsters in California, they're also part of this lifestyle.
And all the fools, in Seattle
The gangsters in Seattle are also part of this lifestyle.
Yeah, what about Denver
What about the gangsters in Denver? They're also part of this lifestyle.
I can't forget, St. Louis
I can't forget about the gangsters in St. Louis, they're also part of this lifestyle.
Way down in Miami
Even the gangsters in Miami are part of this dangerous lifestyle.
Ha-ha, fool
I'm just joking around, don't take me too seriously.
Lyrics © WESLEY WESTON, MMC PUBLISHING
Written by: Cedric Dormaine Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind