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.
Thank God
Eightball & MJG Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comin hard for ya
We doin this right here man
Givin it back
Alotta thugs in the street,
Can't even do this right here man
But you know how we do
Hold it down, get it right, keep it tight
We thank God
[Eightball]
For my three sons, for my mom
For waking me up and breathing air into my lungs
For health and wealth and lots of love for myself
The chances in life to take the right steps
I done popped that thang, and I done been popped at
Stole, cheated, and lied
Survived when I could have died
Or somewhere locked up, my niggas locked up
That's why I pray to you, say what I say to you
Thank you for Swizz Beatz, to him you bring the heat
He brought the heat to us, we burn the streets up
Thank you for family and everyone that stuck with us
Gettin it crunk, and layin it down, and gettin to buck with us
Thank you for not lettin material things make me
Thank you for givin me the talent that my peoples see
Thank you for lettin my niggas live after gunplay
Thanks for forgiving me, cuz I don't do this every day
[Chorus]
[SB] I thank God!
[EB] For lettin me make it out the club
That night all that fightin and shootin jumped off
[SB] We thank God!
[EB] For lettin me make my money on the block
And get away when it get hot, uh
[SB] We thank God!
[EB] For them babies with them mommas who don't love 'em
And they have to grow up, fast
[SB] We thank God!
[EB] For everything, all them little things
For givin me my dreams, know what I mean?
[MJG]
I thank God for havin a mother and a father
To rely on for guidance when circumstances got harder
I'm a part of a whole race who thank God
For being able to be free and leave the plantation yard
And, I thank God for givin me the understandin to acknowledge him
Notice his footsteps and follow him
I'm walkin today, I'm talkin today
I'm feelin today, but on top of that I'm livin today
And, I thank God because he gave his only child
Would you give your only child? Think about that for awhile
And, I thank God for givin me my baby daughter
A roof over her head, and fresh clean drinkin water
And, I thank God for not being afraid to love
So all the love I give, I get back major love
And, I thank God for givin me all the blessings
To put a little piece of what we all think into this message
[Chorus w/ MJG instead of Eightball]
[MJG]
For all the times I thought I was in the worst situation
That I could be in
God helped me see in, them cloudy times
Them, "I wanna get rowdy" times
One of them, "They tried to bring the devil out of me" times
I thank God, for keepin my mind solid
And I respect my elders, if or if not they went to college
And, thank you Lord, for makin my bin and I swored
And I'm glad I don't feel like I have to kill to pay the bill
[Eightball]
I was blessed to be a story teller, CD seller
My niggas be them shady fellas, chasin yella
Greedy with they eyes beady, lives easy
Dispise those who rise easy, talkin freely
Thank you for them tricks who be, talkin down
Hatin me and think that I don't, get around
The rumors and the talkin all it do is bore me
Trick I done been through a true Holly-wood story
[Chorus w/ Eightball]
[Eightball talking]
Yea, Eightball, MJG
Swizz Beatz
Know wha'm sayin
Just wanna thank God
Simply, with the talents
That he blessed us with
Thank him, for the good things we celebrate
For the bad things that make us strong
Yeah
"Thank God" by Eightball and MJG featuring Swizz Beatz is a song that expresses gratitude for the blessings in the artists' lives. The first verse performed by Eightball expresses gratitude for his family, his health, and the chances he's had in life to make the right decisions. There's recognition of past mistakes including violence and criminal activity but thanks to God for survival and freedom. There's also an acknowledgment of the role of material possessions and the importance of gratitude for the authentic things in life that truly matter.
The second verse by MJG expresses gratitude for his parents, freedom, and his own ability to walk, talk, feel and live life. He draws attention to the story of Jesus Christ as a divine inspiration for self-reflection and the acknowledgement of a higher power. MJG also touches on the importance of love and giving respect to elders. The third verse performed by Eightball touches on his experience as a successful artist and his recognition of envy and jealousy from others. He's grateful for his talent and knowing what truly matters.
This song focuses on the positive aspects of life and the importance of gratitude for the things that matter. It reminds listeners that even amidst difficult times there's always something to be thankful for. Additionally, the song touches on themes of forgiveness, respect, and the importance of family and community.
Line by Line Meaning
For my three sons, for my mom
Grateful for the people that matter in my life
For waking me up and breathing air into my lungs
Appreciating the gift of life
For health and wealth and lots of love for myself
Acknowledging the blessings in life
The chances in life to take the right steps
Recognizing opportunities for growth and improvement
Stole, cheated, and lied
Admitting past mistakes and wrongdoings
Thank you for family and everyone that stuck with us
Grateful for the support of loved ones through hard times
Thank you for not lettin material things make me
Appreciating the importance of things that matter
Thanks for forgiving me, cuz I don't do this every day
Acknowledging personal flaws and accepting forgiveness
I thank God!
Expressing gratitude towards a higher power
For lettin me make it out the club
Grateful for avoiding danger or harm in a risky environment
For lettin me make my money on the block
Appreciating success in a challenging and dangerous place
For them babies with them mommas who don't love 'em
Recognizing the struggles of neglected or unloved children
For everything, all them little things
Grateful for the small things in life
For givin me my dreams, know what I mean?
Appreciating the fulfillment of personal aspirations
I thank God for havin a mother and a father
Grateful for the support and guidance of parental figures
To rely on for guidance when circumstances got harder
Acknowledging the help of parental figures during tough times
For being able to be free and leave the plantation yard
Expressing gratitude for historical progress and the end of slavery
And, I thank God for givin me the understandin to acknowledge him
Acknowledging personal faith and spiritual growth
Thank you Lord, for makin my bin and I swored
Grateful for success and progress in life
And I'm glad I don't feel like I have to kill to pay the bill
Rejecting violence and embracing alternative methods of success
Thank you for them tricks who be, talkin down
Grateful for negative experiences that motivate personal growth
Hatin me and think that I don't, get around
Acknowledging false assumptions and stereotypes
The rumors and the talkin all it do is bore me
Recognizing the need for personal confidence amid negativity
Simply, with the talents
That he blessed us with
Thank him, for the good things we celebrate
For the bad things that make us strong
Overall expression of gratitude towards a higher power for all experiences in life
Contributed by Cole M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.