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.
Pimps in the House
Eightball & MJG Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1 to the muthafuckin 2 to the muthafuckin 3
The sound of the boom is sweatin ya hard like a mystery
Could It be
The pimps could rule the nation in '93'
And MJG is gonna start a new race
Replace the weak tapes we got in the first place
And chase that live on cops quick, out the hood
And keep that bud goin on like the Flinstones
And shake them bones when you feel the ? comin on
See up in the ground, down a hit and lean back
Look at ya self and see what I'm sayin is real fat
Society lives off what the media tells us
And niggaz be joinin up wit the shit that they mail us
See pimpin ain't dead yet, see pimpin can pay the rent
And pimpin is demonstrated by those in the government
The money they send you ain't shit but nickels and dimes
And you been stuck in the ghetto since 1979
But it's time to switch it up, unhook it and fix it up
Change it and rearrange it, complete and pick it
It's a book with hard covers that's packed with ideas
We rule the future years
Erase the black fears
And change the system, step up and dismiss them
Tricks from the White House
Move in and they move out
Now I'm runnin thangs, my workers walk wit a limp
My whole staff is bitches and all the judges is pimps
If ya weak in the game, thangs are bound to show
'cause a pimp got a stroke, and a wimp can't flow
And I ain't no muthafuckin fall guy, but Imma try hard
To let you know this pimpin ain't gone never die
M.J.G pimp tight
Young black nigga, no wife
No children, just hoes
Supplying the muthafuckin nation wit a dose
Of what, has been injected and now it's on
The muthafuckin pimp is in the house
The lyrics to Eightball & MJG’s “Pimps in the House” open with a boastful declaration from MJG that his group, the pimps, could rule the nation in 1993. He expresses his desire to start a new race by replacing weak tapes and chasing the police out of the hood. He references society’s reliance on the media to tell them what to believe and how black people have been stuck in the ghetto since 1979. MJG wants to change the system and dismiss the tricks from the White House. He claims to be running things, with his workers walking with a limp and his entire staff made up of bitches. He concludes the song by stating that pimping will never die.
The song represents the themes of rebellion and pride, as MJG confidently exudes a desire to take control of society and assert his dominance. The lyrics criticize the media for perpetuating negative stereotypes of black people and suggest that they should not rely on what is “mailed” to them but rather think for themselves. MJG’s portrayal of himself as a powerful figure in the pimping world conveys the idea that one can succeed through perseverance and a refusal to be dominated by external forces. The song can be interpreted as a call to arms for those who feel left out of society to take charge of their own futures.
Line by Line Meaning
1 to the muthafuckin 2 to the muthafuckin 3
Starting counting, MJG is hyping up the audience for the rest of the song
The sound of the boom is sweatin ya hard like a mystery
The music is so loud and powerful that it's almost overwhelming
Could It be The pimps could rule the nation in '93'
MJG is suggesting that, in 1993, there is an opportunity for pimps to gain power and influence
And MJG is gonna start a new race
MJG wants to create a new movement or lifestyle that others can follow
Replace the weak tapes we got in the first place
MJG wants to replace outdated and inferior music with something new and better
And chase that live on cops quick, out the hood
MJG wants to get out of the ghetto and away from the police quickly
And beat that ass like a cop would real good
MJG wants to fight back against police brutality and fight for his rights
And keep that bud goin on like the Flinstones
MJG wants to keep smoking marijuana and enjoying life like the characters from The Flintstones cartoon
And shake them bones when you feel the ? comin on
MJG wants people to dance and enjoy themselves when they feel the music
See up in the ground, down a hit and lean back
MJG is talking about smoking marijuana and relaxing
Look at ya self and see what I'm sayin is real fat
MJG wants people to see that his message is important and powerful
Society lives off what the media tells us
MJG is criticizing how society relies on the media for information and entertainment
And niggaz be joinin up wit the shit that they mail us
MJG believes that people are too easily influenced and persuaded by what they see and hear in the media
See pimpin ain't dead yet, see pimpin can pay the rent
MJG is suggesting that being a pimp can be a viable way to make money
And pimpin is demonstrated by those in the government
MJG believes that some people in positions of power and influence are essentially pimps, controlling and manipulating others to their advantage
The money they send you ain't shit but nickels and dimes
MJG believes that the government provides very little financial assistance to those in need
And you been stuck in the ghetto since 1979
MJG is referencing the ongoing struggles of black Americans living in poverty
But it's time to switch it up, unhook it and fix it up
MJG believes that it's time to make a change and improve their situation
Change it and rearrange it, complete and pick it
MJG wants to completely transform their environment and make it better
It's a book with hard covers that's packed with ideas
MJG is referencing his song as a source of new ideas and perspectives
We rule the future years
MJG believes that their movement will shape the future
Erase the black fears
MJG wants to overcome the fears and obstacles that many black Americans face
And change the system, step up and dismiss them
MJG wants to challenge and overturn the oppressive system that keeps people in poverty
Tricks from the White House Move in and they move out
MJG sees politicians and lawmakers as corrupt and deceitful individuals who come and go as they please
Now I'm runnin thangs, my workers walk wit a limp
MJG is presenting himself as a successful pimp with a loyal group of employees
My whole staff is bitches and all the judges is pimps
MJG sees the justice system as being run by corrupt, immoral people
If ya weak in the game, thangs are bound to show
MJG believes that people who are not successful in life will inevitably be exposed as failures
'cause a pimp got a stroke, and a wimp can't flow
MJG wants to emphasize the importance of having power and control, as opposed to being weak and powerless
And I ain't no muthafuckin fall guy, but Imma try hard
MJG wants people to know that he is not going to be taken advantage of or fall down easily
To let you know this pimpin ain't gone never die
MJG wants to emphasize the enduring nature of the pimp lifestyle
M.J.G pimp tight
MJG is confident in his abilities as a pimp
Young black nigga, no wife
MJG is a young black man who is not married
No children, just hoes
MJG's focus is on his prostitutes and making money, rather than having a family
Supplying the muthafuckin nation wit a dose
MJG is referring to the pimp lifestyle as a type of medicine or drug for society
Of what, has been injected and now it's on
MJG is referencing the cultural influence of the pimp lifestyle on society
The muthafuckin pimp is in the house
MJG is declaring his dominance and success as a pimp
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network
Written by: M.J. GOODWIN, PREMRO SMITH, PREMRO VONZELLAIRE SMITH, M. GOODWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind