They first appeared on the rap scene with their 1993 album Comin’ Out Hard. The album was successful commercially as well as critically and established the group as a prominent act in the then emerging Southern Rap scene. Their subsequent albums in the 1990s including 1994’s On the Outside Looking In, and 1995’s On Top of the World cemented their status as some of the South’s best rappers. On Top of the World was particularly succeessful, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 200 and being certified Gold. After those albums both 8Ball & MJG released solo albums, first MJG’s No More Glory in 1997 and then 8Ball’s Lost in 1998. They reunited in 1999 to release their fourth album as a group, titled In Our Lifetime, Vol. 1
For their later releases they signed with Bad Boy Records. Their first album for Bad Boy Records, Living Legends, was certified Gold by the RIAA. Their second album on Bad Boy Records was titled Ridin High and was released in March 2007.
Commercially one of the high points of 8Ball & MJG’s career was their being featured on Three 6 Mafia’s hit song “Stay Fly” in 2005. That song peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is the biggest hit of Three 6 Mafia’s career and the biggest hit for 8Ball & MJG. The song was a collaboration between two of the most successful rap groups from the state of Tennessee, where Three 6 Mafia also hail from.
Today 8Ball and MJG also head their own record labels. 8Ball heads 8 Ways Entertainment (distributed by Koch Entertainment), while MJG heads MJG Muzik. On their label are the young, up and coming Memphis duo, Da Volunteers, who are widely known throughout the Southern United States for their 2006 single, “What’s Yo Favorite Color?”, which glorifies their neighborhood of Orange Mound.
In September 2007, 8Ball and MJG signed deals in Sacramento, CA with Real Talk Entertainment 8Ball released a group album with E.D.I of the Outlawz entitled Doin’ It Big on April 1, 2008 and MJG released a solo album entitled Pimp Tight on April 29, 2008.
In June 2008 the group announced that they have officially signed onto T.I.’s record label Grand Hustle.
Comin' Out Hard
Eightball & MJG Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eightball will come out hard with the gangsta lean
gold smile for the women that be jockin' the green
i'm a pimpster
not a trick on a stroll
ya gotta pimp that thang and keep a trick on hold
stay on top of the world, wit a gun in ya hand
take control of a woman and fear no man
if you got it and I don't I'll blast your ass, with the quickness
because a pimp don't play
I got to work on top of my game and think of ways to get payed
born in the Mound, down, deep in the south
with the brothers with the curls and gold teeth in they mouth
and the cheverolet impalas with the craters and vogues
fo'teef, with the yak, smokin' fat mac indo
fall up in the club with the pimps, the tone
gotta tuck in my pants, ya step to me and it's on
gotta family in Memphis, gotta gang in Texas
T-Money in the Jag and JB in the Lexus
cystiff, grip tight nine in the studio
or...
I'm comin' out hard
Chorus:
Hard out, Hard out,
Comin' out, Hard
Hard out, Hard out,
Hard,
Hard out, Hard out,
Comin' out, hard,
Hard out, Hard out
(MJG)
MJG description a brotha
and one who tends to always keep his business undercover
but still I wind up in the middle of a click
some I heard, he heard, she heard,
should I continue to listen to the rumors, the garbage
trick, I ain't for this, sucka let's start this ruffness
wait trick you missed, I hit darker, into the sleeper
now you feeling weaker
man don't slip when you think you got backup
looking for some help but ya boys just slacked up
punked out, backed out
way low headin' to the front do'
sneaking out real slow
how ya feel now?
what's wrong, what's the matter
mama never told you not to play with those rappers
MJG got loose in the 9 deuce
but for the 9 tre the pimps don't play way
I'ma stay true
some of ya'll gon' trey
some of ya'll imma lay
some of ya'll imma hate
but see I'm in it to win it
lining up for a party
just to consider it a job,for me to come out,damn,hard
Chorus
Hard out,Hard out,
Comin' out,Hard
Hard out,Hard out,
Hard,
Hard out,Hard out,
Comin' out,hard,
Hard out,Hard out
(Eightball)
I gotta come out hard as hell just like the life I lead
cool, feed on the next brotha's greed
J-Smooth cuttin' up,Lil' Hank gettin' buck
killers be shootin' up suckas with no gut
I'm scoping big bucks,looking for the payoff
living like a pimpster,checking everyday off
riding through the hood with my homies gettin' smoked out
fall up in the mall,let my hoe strol' loked out
cool,calm and collective,comin' out hard
MJG count it down
(MJG)
1, 2, 3 points I gotta get across
1,don't
2,make me
3,go off
suckas gettin' stuck up in they face
tryin' to amaze,somebody else,but they find that it
don't pay
i'm gonna keep,droppin' tracks,smokin fat-mack hay
in the ashtray,3 quarts,put away
gat on tha table cuz i'm able,imma keep it
right on the shelf,where i know that i can reach it
my mind is a weapon,cuz i'm smart from the start
MJG...
Pimps don't play from the 9 trey
Comin out hard
In "Comin' Out Hard," Eightball and MJG describe their lives as pimps in the south. They talk about the luxurious lifestyle, competition between pimps, and loyalty to friends. The first verse by Eightball highlights his experiences as a pimpster and how he always stays on top with his game. He mentions his hometown and gangsta culture, where the Impalas with vogues and curls with gold teeth are a common sight. He ends the verse by noting that he came into this world hard and that he is ready to blast anyone who comes in between him and his money.
Meanwhile, MJG's verse talks about his experiences as someone who likes to keep his business undercover but often finds himself in the middle of disputes. He notes the dangers of listening to rumors and garbage and that he is always ready to hit back when provoked.
The chorus repeats the phrase "hard out" to emphasize their tough lifestyle and their commitment to win at any cost. The song' s overall meaning suggests that these pimps are coming out hard and aren't going to let anyone stand in their way of making money.
Line by Line Meaning
Eightball will come out hard with the gangsta lean
Eightball will come out confident and strong with a gangster-style walk.
gold smile for the women that be jockin' the green
A flashy smile to attract women who are interested in money.
i'm a pimpster
Eightball considers himself a pimp.
not a trick on a stroll
He doesn't see himself as someone who's being taken advantage of by women.
ya gotta pimp that thang and keep a trick on hold
In order to be a successful pimp, you need to control your women and keep them in line.
stay on top of the world, wit a gun in ya hand
He feels in control of the world with a firearm in hand.
take control of a woman and fear no man
As long as he has control over women, he doesn't fear any man.
it be hard for me to see a day with out cash
He needs money and doesn't like to be without it.
if you got it and I don't I'll blast your ass, with the quickness
If someone has money and he doesn't, he'll resort to violence to take it from them.
because a pimp don't play
Pimps are serious and don't mess around.
I got to work on top of my game and think of ways to get payed
He's always strategizing to make money and stay ahead in his profession.
with the brothers with the curls and gold teeth in they mouth
Referring to other men with a similar fashion style.
fo'teef, with the yak, smokin' fat mac indo
Referring to smoking marijuana.
gotta tuck in my pants, ya step to me and it's on
He's always ready for a fight.
gotta family in Memphis, gotta gang in Texas
He has important connections and relationships in different areas.
cystiff, grip tight nine in the studio
Even in the studio, he's vigilant and prepared for danger with a firearm.
or... I'm comin' out hard
He's ready to come out strong and confident.
MJG description a brotha
MJG is describing himself as a brother.
and one who tends to always keep his business undercover
He keeps to himself and doesn't reveal much about his affairs.
but still I wind up in the middle of a click
Despite his attempts to stay out of trouble, he ends up in the midst of drama.
some I heard, he heard, she heard, should I continue to listen to the rumors, the garbage
He's tired of hearing hearsay and gossip, and wonders if he should keep listening to it.
trick, I ain't for this, sucka let's start this ruffness
He doesn't tolerate nonsense and is ready to fight.
wait trick you missed, I hit darker, into the sleeper
He gains the upper hand in a fight by delivering a serious blow.
now you feeling weaker, man don't slip when you think you got backup
After defeating an opponent, he warns them not to make the mistake of thinking they have backup to help them win.
looking for some help but ya boys just slacked up
When trying to find assistance, his friends have failed him.
punked out, backed out, way low headin' to the front do'
His opponents retreated in fear of him, ashamed of how they acted.
sneaking out real slow
Retreating in shame and embarrassment.
how ya feel now? what's wrong, what's the matter mama never told you not to play with those rappers
He taunts his defeated opponent and questions their upbringing and choices in life.
MJG got loose in the 9 deuce, but for the 9 tre the pimps don't play way
MJG was successful in the past, but times have changed and pimps now have different standards.
I'ma stay true, some of ya'll gon' trey, some of ya'll imma lay, some of ya'll imma hate
He will stay true to himself and his values, even if others disagree or dislike him for it.
but see I'm in it to win it, lining up for a party
He's in it to succeed and is always ready to take on a challenge.
just to consider it a job,for me to come out,damn,hard
He takes partying seriously and considers it to be part of his job as a successful rapper.
I gotta come out hard as hell just like the life I lead
He needs to maintain a strong and powerful image, just like his lifestyle demands.
cool, feed on the next brotha's greed
He can benefit from others' greed and use it to his advantage.
J-Smooth cuttin' up,Lil' Hank gettin' buck
Referring to fellow musicians and collaborators.
killers be shootin' up suckas with no gut
He has seen violence and crime firsthand and knows to stay away from those situations.
I'm scoping big bucks,looking for the payoff
He's always on the lookout for opportunities to make money and succeed.
riding through the hood with my homies gettin' smoked out
He's riding around with his friends and smoking marijuana.
fall up in the mall,let my hoe strol' loked out
He takes his women to the mall and allows them to display their wealth and attractiveness.
cool,calm and collective,comin' out hard
He remains composed and confident, coming out strong.
1,2,3 points I gotta get across
He has three important points to make.
1,don't 2,make me 3,go off
He doesn't want to lose his cool or get into a fight.
suckas gettin' stuck up in they face, tryin' to amaze, somebody else,but they find that it don't pay
Those who try to show off and impress others often find that it doesn't bring them any real benefits.
i'm gonna keep,droppin' tracks,smokin fat-mack hay
He will continue to create music and smoke marijuana.
in the ashtray,3 quarts,put away
Discarding empty bottles and putting them away.
gat on tha table cuz i'm able,imma keep it right on the shelf,where i know that i can reach it
He keeps his firearm accessible and ready to use.
my mind is a weapon,cuz i'm smart from the start
His intelligence is one of his greatest weapons.
MJG... Pimps don't play from the 9 trey
MJG is a pimp and pimps have certain standards and expectations.
Comin out hard
Both Eightball and MJG are ready to come out strong and confident.
Contributed by Layla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.