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.
We Started This
Eightball & MJG Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We started the shit, and we gon' finish the shit!
MJG:
Riding down the strip on a trip in my 'Ham sammich
Started this shit and I'm gon' finish yes I am dammit
We gonna slam it down like to hit it, here its shitted
How deep? shit the devil stay right down the street
and why you mad? the rebels tied a brother by his feet
for what, for what I don't know they tied him to a pickup truck
then posted up and down like they didn't really give a fuck
I get rid of bigots with bad racial equalities
bust back at KKK's who try to follow me
these hollowties saving my ass in crucial situations
any other tactics I need, I use imagination
I'm ten steps ahead of your ass type of nigga
shit that I already know you try to figure
give up, put your ship up, don't try to sail
don't you see we got this shit built up, can't pry a nail
in my foundation my sound making too many bump all out the trunk
get crunk and blow blunts and buck jump
ain't no luck chump we come intentional with this dope shit
using a pen or a pencil back when I wrote this
space age, feel it perculatin' but all this hurt and hatin'
still keep on bringing people back to old situations
I change the stations but they playing the same list
we started the shit and we gon' finish the shit
Chorus (4x)
Eightball:
Mental battlescars polluting my cranium
watered down fake niggas I'm draining 'em and training 'em
Claiming them Suave House niggas to the dirt bitch
cross the family and you gon' find yourself gettin hurt, bitch
peices all in a nigga mind it ain't reality
fuck reconciliation, niggas don't want no unity
born dyin every minute death is closer to me
its like I'm in a movie, except I'm feeling everything
pain when another motherfucker try to touch me
anger when a petty player faker try to fuck me
8-be -A-double L, fat M-A-see
nice with a mic and I don't think you want to fuck with me
love head doctors and I don't mean a psyciatrist
bitches with that lip grip tighter than a gorilla fist
pimp shit, when is everybody gonna learn
Pimps and gangstas make the universe turn
poverty with the right amount of hustle turns to riches
but wrong situations turn hard niggas to bitches
I was born in the war zone fought for everything I got
learned about my hustle, nigga worked and made the shit hot
hoes started jockin niggas, boppin like they bitches too
other niggas mad cause they only sold a tape or two
fuck what you heard nigga fuck who you be
suave got the hookup cause suave got the cheese nigga
Chorus (8x)
The song "We Started This" by Eightball & MJG is a powerful statement that reflects their strong personality and their determination to succeed. The chorus "We started the shit, and we gon' finish the shit!" sets the tone for the entire song. The first verse is delivered by MJG, where he raps about his hometown Memphis, and how they will not back down from any challenges. Even though Memphis is known for its ugly past, MJG is not afraid to stand up to racism and bigotry. He says he's always ten steps ahead of anyone who tries to bring him down and that his imagination is his most powerful weapon. He also speaks of his foundation, his sound, and how it's unmovable and solid. He mentions how their music is being played everywhere, and they are going to finish what they started.
The second verse, delivered by Eightball, is all about his personal struggles and how he overcame them. He mentions mental battlescars that he has been dealing with, and how he's slowly getting rid of them. He stresses on loyalty towards his group Suave House, and how anyone who crosses them will face the consequences. He emphasizes that he was born in a war zone and had to fight for everything he has achieved. He is proud of his accomplishments and is confident that he can take on anything that comes his way. The message of this song is clear: Eightball & MJG are not backing down, and they're here to stay.
Line by Line Meaning
We started the shit, and we gon' finish the shit!
We were the ones who began this movement, and we will see it through to the end.
Riding down the strip on a trip in my 'Ham sammich
I am driving down the road in my car.
Started this shit and I'm gon' finish yes I am dammit
I am the one who began this movement, and I am determined to see it through.
We gonna slam it down like to hit it, here its shitted
We are going to take this to the next level and succeed.
Here its time for them niggas in Memphis, Tenn to get deep within it
It is now time for everyone in Memphis to become fully immersed in this movement.
How deep? shit the devil stay right down the street
There are many challenges we face, such as the presence of evil in our community.
and why you mad? the rebels tied a brother by his feet
There is much hostility and violence in our community, such as the lynching of innocent people.
for what, for what I don't know they tied him to a pickup truck
It is often difficult to understand the motives behind these horrific acts of violence and hatred.
then posted up and down like they didn't really give a fuck
The perpetrators of these atrocities often revel in the pain and suffering they cause.
I get rid of bigots with bad racial equalities
I fight against those who hold racist beliefs and promote inequality.
bust back at KKK's who try to follow me
I stand up against hate groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, who try to intimidate and harm me.
I'm ten steps ahead of your ass type of nigga
I am always thinking ahead and planning my next move.
shit that I already know you try to figure
I am fully aware of the strategies and tactics that others may use against me.
give up, put your ship up, don't try to sail
I advise others to quit while they are ahead and not try to challenge me.
don't you see we got this shit built up, can't pry a nail
Our success and influence is firmly established and cannot be easily undone.
in my foundation my sound making too many bump all out the trunk
My music is so good that people cannot help but dance and enjoy it.
get crunk and blow blunts and buck jump
People get excited and energetic while listening to my music, often smoking and dancing along.
ain't no luck chump we come intentional with this dope shit
Our success is not a matter of luck, but rather a result of our hard work and talent.
using a pen or a pencil back when I wrote this
I have been writing and creating music for a long time.
space age, feel it perculatin' but all this hurt and hatin'
I am constantly striving to create new and innovative music, despite the pain and negativity in our world.
still keep on bringing people back to old situations
Despite our best efforts to move forward, we are often still confronted with the same problems from the past.
I change the stations but they playing the same list
I try to find new and different music, but the radio stations keep playing the same old songs.
Mental battlescars polluting my cranium
I am plagued with mental scars and trauma.
watered down fake niggas I'm draining 'em and training 'em
I am getting rid of people who are not authentic and teaching them how to be real.
Claiming them Suave House niggas to the dirt bitch
I am loyal to my label and will defend it even if it means getting my hands dirty.
cross the family and you gon' find yourself gettin hurt, bitch
If you betray our family or label, you will face severe consequences and harm.
peices all in a nigga mind it ain't reality
My thoughts are often fragmented and disconnected from reality.
fuck reconciliation, niggas don't want no unity
I do not believe in simply making peace, as people are not interested in coming together and working towards common goals.
born dyin every minute death is closer to me
We are all slowly dying and moving closer to death with each passing moment.
its like I'm in a movie, except I'm feeling everything
My life often feels like a movie, with intense emotions and experiences.
pain when another motherfucker try to touch me
I feel immense pain and anger when someone tries to harm or interfere with me.
anger when a petty player faker try to fuck me
I am filled with rage when someone who is not genuine tries to take advantage of me.
8-be-A-double L, fat M-A-see
These are my initials and nickname.
nice with a mic and I don't think you want to fuck with me
I am skilled with a microphone and do not advise anyone to challenge me.
love head doctors and I don't mean a psyciatrist
I enjoy receiving oral sex from women and not from medical professionals.
bitches with that lip grip tighter than a gorilla fist
Some women are skilled at giving oral sex, with a strong grip similar to that of a gorilla's hand.
pimp shit, when is everybody gonna learn
Pimping is a lucrative business, and I wonder why more people do not get involved.
Pimps and gangstas make the universe turn
The world is largely influenced by those involved in pimping and gang activity.
poverty with the right amount of hustle turns to riches
With the right amount of hard work and ingenuity, poverty can be turned into wealth.
but wrong situations turn hard niggas to bitches
Difficult circumstances can cause even the toughest people to break and become weak.
I was born in the war zone fought for everything I got
I grew up in a difficult environment and had to work hard for everything I have achieved.
learned about my hustle, nigga worked and made the shit hot
I figured out how to make money and became successful through hard work and dedication.
hoes started jockin niggas, boppin like they bitches too
Women began to show interest in me and my music, but some of them acted in a disrespectful or unprofessional manner.
other niggas mad cause they only sold a tape or two
Other people are jealous of my success and upset that they have not achieved the same level of recognition.
fuck what you heard nigga fuck who you be
I do not care about rumors or gossip about myself or others.
suave got the hookup cause suave got the cheese nigga
Our label has connections and resources that allow us to be successful.
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: M.J. GOODWIN, PREMRO SMITH, T. JONES, Composer/Author Unknown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind