Since their inception, ESG has affected post-punk, no wave, dance-punk, hip… Read Full Bio ↴Since their inception, ESG has affected post-punk, no wave, dance-punk, hip-hop, and various styles of dance music such as house. They fell in with the late '70s and early '80s NYC no wave and post-punk scene, they had their music sampled countless times, and they became a playlist staple at '70s and early '80s dance clubs like the Paradise Garage and the Music Box.

ESG (Emerald, Sapphire and Gold) formed in 1978 in the South Bronx. The band originally consisted of the four Scroggins sisters -- Deborah (bass, vocals), Marie (congas, vocals), Renee (vocals, guitar), and Valerie (drums); although line-up changes have happened many times since their formation, including bandmembers who were neighbors, daughters of original members, and even male band members.

The Scroggins mother bought the band's instruments when they were still teenagers to keep them supposedly busy and away from trouble. They had to teach themselves their instruments, but it wasn't long before they started playing shows and clubs. Soon, Ed Bahlman, the owner of 99 Records (a record shop and a label that included Y Pants, Liquid Liquid, Bush Tetras, and Konk on its roster), was impressed enough to take them under his wing as a manager and producer. Consequentially, ESG and their music fell in with the no wave and post-punk scene of New York City thereafter, even though their music was neither abrasive in anyway or art conscious -- but the group's sparse, heavily rhythmic, and unpolished sound fit right into the New York scene in which Bahlman's label was a significant factor. Bahlman booked them successfully at punk clubs and they were a hit in the underground NYC scene.

After a few singles and EPs in the late '70s and early '80s the band hooked up with Factory Records producer Martin Hannett while he was in the area recording A Certain Ratio's first album, "To Each" in 1981. The 6 song ESG 12" EP on 99 Records from the same year features a particularly unique and widely sampled track, UFO, using Hannett's fondness for reverb, flangers and feedback to make a song that was so unusual it has been very widely sampled, along with other tracks from that record. That EP is a rarity on vinyl that is highly prized by DJs and copies typically sell on Ebay for about $50 with only a dozen or so copies surfacing there in recent years.

Their first full-length LP came with 1983's Come Away with ESG. Unfortunately, their record label had to soon close because of Bahlman's legal battle with Sugarhill over Grandmaster Flash's sampling of Liquid Liquid's "Optimo" caused him financial and mental stress, with Sugarhill's fall into receivership -- and inability to award 99 Records their due settlement -- acting as the final straw. With the closing of 99 Records, ESG disbanded shortly thereafter (1984), but re-formed in the early '90s, heralding their comeback with a self-titled 1991 compilation of previously released material.

In the years since their original formation, the group's work had become popular among hip-hop artists searching for samples, with such acts as TLC, Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Gang Starr, Tricky, Jay Dee (J-Dilla) on his Donuts album, and indie rockers like Unrest and Liars. The group addressed this issue on the 1992 12" EP Sample Credits Don't Pay Our Bills. The album, ESG Live!, was release in 1995 and featured both old and new material.

The band played what was to be their final show on Friday, September 21, 2007 at Chicago's Abbey Pub, during the Estrojam festival. But the band announced that they reformed in 2008 to play their first returning show at NYC's Santos House Party on September 13, 2008. They also claimed that both more shows and new music will emerge in the future.

The Beat
ESG Lyrics

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Going Bad

Meek Mill

Yeah
(Wheezy outta here)
G, G

Back home, smokin′ legal (Legal)
I got more slaps than The Beatles (Beatles)
Foreign shit runnin' on diesel, dawg
Playin′ with my name, that shit is lethal, dawg (Who you say you was?)
Don Corleone
Trust me, at the top it isn't lonely (Strapped)
Everybody actin' like they know me, dawg
Don′t just say you′re down, you gotta show me (What you gotta do?)
Bring the clip back empty (It's empty)
You asked to see the boss, so they sent me, dawg (Sent me, dawg)
I just broke her off with a 10-piece, dawg (10-piece, dawg)
That ain′t nothin', I′m just bein' friendly, dawg

It′s just a lil' 10-piece for her
Just to blow it in the mall, doesn't mean that we′re involved
I just what? I just uh, put a Richard on the card
I ain′t grow up playin' ball,
But I′ll show you how the fuck you gotta do it
If you really wanna ball 'til you fall
When your back against the wall
And a bunch of niggas need you to go away
Still goin′ bad on 'em anyway
Saw you last night, but did it broad day

Yeah, lot of Murakami in the hallway (What?)
Got a sticky and I keep it at my dawg′s place
Girl, I left your love at Magic, now it's all shade
Still goin' bad on you anyway

Woah, woah, ooh, woah
Woah, woah, ah

I could fit like 80 racks in my Amiris (80 racks)
Me and Drizzy back-to-back, it′s gettin′ scary (Back-to-back)
If you fuckin' with my odds,
It′s don't come near me (Get outta my way)
Put some bands all on your head like Jason Terry (Brrt, brrt, ooh)
Richard Mille cost a Lambo (That′s a Lambo)
Known to keep the baddest bitches on commando (Salute)
Every time I'm in my trap, I move like Rambo (Extended)
Ain′t a neighborhood in Philly that I can't go (That's a Fendi)
For real
She said, "Oh, you rich rich?" ("You rich rich")
Bitch, I graduated, call me "Big Fish" (Ballin′)
I got Lori Harvey on my wish list (That′s Lori)
That's the only thing I want for Christmas (True story, uh)
I′ve been had my way out here, yeah, know that's facts (Facts)
You ain′t livin' that shit you sell,
Yeah, we know that′s cap (That's cap)
You ain't got to ask me when you see me, know I′m strapped (Brrt)
DC, OVO, we back again, we goin′ plat' (Ooh, ooh)

It′s just a lil' 10-piece for her
Just to blow it in the mall, doesn′t mean that we're involved
I just what? I just uh, put a Richard on the card
I ain′t grow up playin' ball,
But I'll show you how the fuck you gotta do it
If you really wanna ball ′til you fall
When your back against the wall
And a bunch of niggas need you to go away
Still goin′ bad on 'em anyway
Saw you last night, but did it broad day

Wheezy outta here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Meek Mill's "Going Bad" boast of his success as a rapper, his extravagant lifestyle, and his ability to handle any situation. Meek starts by announcing that he is smoking legal and then compares his success to that of The Beatles, claiming he has more 'slaps' than they do. The rapper then talks about his wealth, driving foreign cars that run on diesel and how people who talk negatively about him are lethal. He asserts his presence in the rap game by claiming to be Don Corleone, the boss. Meek goes on to talk about his success with women and how he recently gave one of them a 10-piece (possibly a set of jewelry) because he wanted to be friendly.

Later on, Meek boasts about the expensive outfits he has and how easily he could fit $80,000 worth of money in his pants pocket. He also talks about his friendship with fellow rapper Drake, how they are always together, and how people need to move away if they are not happy with him. Meek then talks about his power and influence back home in Philly, his extravagant lifestyle, and his desire to own Lori Harvey. The song ends with the team-up of Meek and OVO, and Wheezy's declaration of leaving the song (and his mark) with the lyrics "Wheezy outta here."

Line by Line Meaning

Back home, smokin' legal (Legal)
I am smoking legal weed while back home.

I got more slaps than The Beatles (Beatles)
I have more hit songs than The Beatles.

Foreign shit runnin' on diesel, dawg
I have a foreign car running on diesel fuel.

Playin' with my name, that shit is lethal, dawg (Who you say you was?)
People who try to discredit me are putting themselves in danger.

Don Corleone
I am like Don Corleone from The Godfather.

Trust me, at the top it isn't lonely (Strapped)
Being on top of the game is not a lonely place, I am always prepared for any situation.

Everybody actin' like they know me, dawg
Everyone is pretending to know me to get famous.

Don't just say you're down, you gotta show me (What you gotta do?)
Don't just say you support me, you have to take action to prove it.

Bring the clip back empty (It's empty)
I am willing to use my gun and empty the clip if needed.

You asked to see the boss, so they sent me, dawg (Sent me, dawg)
You asked to speak to the boss, but I am the one in charge.

I just broke her off with a 10-piece, dawg (10-piece, dawg)
I just gave her a small amount of cash without much effort.

That ain't nothin', I'm just bein' friendly, dawg
That is not a big deal, I am just being kind to her.

It's just a lil' 10-piece for her Just to blow it in the mall, doesn't mean that we're involved
I gave her a small amount of cash just for fun and it doesn't mean we are in a relationship.

I just what? I just uh, put a Richard on the card
I just purchased an expensive Richard Mille watch using my credit card.

I ain't grow up playin' ball, But I'll show you how the fuck you gotta do it If you really wanna ball 'til you fall
I did not grow up playing sports, but I can show you how to succeed if you are willing to work hard.

When your back against the wall And a bunch of niggas need you to go away
When you are in a difficult situation and people want to bring you down.

Still goin' bad on 'em anyway
I am still succeeding despite the obstacles and hate.

Saw you last night, but did it broad day
I saw you last night during the day, meaning you were not supposed to be there.

Got a sticky and I keep it at my dawg's place
I have marijuana and I keep it at my friend's house.

Girl, I left your love at Magic, now it's all shade
I left your love at the Magic strip club and now we don't have a good relationship.

I could fit like 80 racks in my Amiris (80 racks)
I can fit $80,000 in my Amiri jeans.

Me and Drizzy back-to-back, it's gettin' scary (Back-to-back)
Me and Drake are working together and it's intimidating to others.

If you fuckin' with my odds, It's don't come near me (Get outta my way)
If you are trying to mess with my chances of success, stay away from me.

Put some bands all on your head like Jason Terry (Brrt, brrt, ooh)
I will put money on your head like a bounty, like Jason Terry.

Richard Mille cost a Lambo (That's a Lambo)
A Richard Mille watch costs the same amount as a Lamborghini car.

Known to keep the baddest bitches on commando (Salute)
I am known to attract the most beautiful women and they are willing to do anything for me.

Every time I'm in my trap, I move like Rambo (Extended)
Every time I am in my drug-selling location, I am very cautious and protective like Rambo.

Ain't a neighborhood in Philly that I can't go (That's a Fendi)
I am not afraid of any neighborhood in Philadelphia and I will go there wearing expensive designer clothes like Fendi.

She said, 'Oh, you rich rich?' ('You rich rich')
She asked if I am very wealthy.

Bitch, I graduated, call me 'Big Fish' (Ballin')
I graduated from the streets and now I am a big success story.

I got Lori Harvey on my wish list (That's Lori)
I am interested in dating Lori Harvey.

That's the only thing I want for Christmas (True story, uh)
Lori Harvey is the only thing I want for Christmas.

I've been had my way out here, yeah, know that's facts (Facts)
I have been successful in my endeavors and that is a fact.

You ain't livin' that shit you sell, Yeah, we know that's cap (That's cap)
You are not actually living the lifestyle you claim to have, and we all know it's a lie.

You ain't got to ask me when you see me, know I'm strapped (Brrt)
You don't need to ask if I have a gun on me when you see me, because I always do.

DC, OVO, we back again, we goin' plat' (Ooh, ooh)
The record labels DC and OVO are working together again and we will achieve platinum status once again.

Contributed by Matthew T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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