Next to her recording career, Evans is widely known as the widow of New York rapper Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, whom she married in 1994 two months after meeting at a photoshoot. The turbulent marriage led to Evans' involvement in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud, dominating the rap scene at the time, and ended with Wallace's murder in a yet-unsolved drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in March 1997. A 1997 tribute single featuring Puff Daddy and 112, entitled "I'll Be Missing You," became Evans' biggest-selling hit to date and won her a Grammy Award in 1998.
After marrying Todd Russaw and having a third child, named Joshua, Evans released her long-awaited follow-up, Keep the Faith in 1998. Unlike the solemn approach to her first album, this album spoke of optimism, good times, and love. Among its biggest hits include the Chic-sampled track "Love Like This" (#7 US), the P. Diddy helmed "All Night Long" (#9 US), and Babyface lent her a number-one R&B hit song with "Never Gonna Let You Go". Outside of her own albums, Evans found another hit that year with Whitney Houston and Kelly Price on the song "Heartbreak Hotel".
Evans released her third album, 2001's Faithfully, which included the hit singles "You Gets No Love" (#8 R&B) and "I Love You" (#2 R&B). For the album's promotion, Evans went through a transformation in her physical appearance. Always a slightly full figured woman, Evans shed over fifty pounds and presented a sexier image that was present for the videos to "I Love You" and "Burnin' Up". Fatman Scoop also sampled her vocals on the song "Be Faithful" in 2003, which reached number one in the UK. Although the album wasn't as largely promoted as her first two, it was a moderate success. The album was certified platinum in January 2002, with over 1 million units sold.
Evans rebounded with a record that many of her fans have proclaimed as her strongest record to date, The First Lady (released on April 5, 2005) her Capitol record debut album. After finding success with her Twista collaboration, "Hope", Evans released her first song of new material in three years with "Again", a biographical account of her life struggles. Faith recorded "Say A Prayer" with gospel music star Donald Lawrence on his "I Speak Life" album in 2004. The First Lady came out commemorating her tenth anniversary in the industry and her first record on Capitol Records after leaving Bad Boy in 2003. With the help of "Again" reaching the top ten of Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, and appearances on David Letterman, BET, Later... with Jools Holland and MTV the album entered the Billboard 200 at number two with 160,000 copies sold in its first week, marking the largest first-week total of her career. The First Lady was RIAA certified Gold selling over 600,000 copies to date. The second single, "Mesmerized", saw Faith going with a 70's retro-funk soul vibe. The track failed to crack top fifty R&B despite numerous remixes; however a dance remix by the Freemasons went on to hit number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.
At the end of 2005, Evans released her fifth studio album, A Faithful Christmas, a Christmas collection of new material and covers of seasonal classics. She also made lots of appearances on holiday TV programming. In early 2006, Faith Evans' third single, "Tru Love" (produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox), gradually gained ground on urban/urban AC radio without any assistance from her label since they never promoted (sent to radio) or had a video for "Tru Love", becoming her twelfth solo R&B hit (Top 30). Also in 2005, Evans appeared along with Jessi Colter and Cece White as a feature vocalist on the Shooter Jennings song "Southern Comfort" from the album "Put the O Back in Country".
On October 5. 2010, Evans' sixth album, "Something About Faith." The album debuted at #4 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #15 on the Billboard 200 with sales of 23,586 copies in its first week. The albums' lead single "Already Gone" peaked at #22 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. The albums' second single and music video "Right Here" was released on February 14, 2011.
In 2012, Evans became a cast member of TV One reality show R&B Divas Atlanta alongside Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt and Monifah. Evans also co-executive produces the show.[25] The album R&B Divas Atlanta, led by Evans was released on October 2, 2012. Proceeds from the album will benefit the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative & Performing Arts in East Orange, New Jersey.
On August 6, 2013, Evans confirmed she had begun work on her 6th album, tentatively titled Incomparable. Evans also revealed guest appearances for the album are slated to include Missy Elliott, KeKe Wyatt, B.Slade and Karen Clark Sheard of The Clark Sisters. "I Deserve It", a record featuring recurring collaborator Missy Elliott and her protégée Sharaya J, was released via iTunes on August 25, 2014 as the album's lead single. Incomparable was released on November 24, 2014. On TMZ, Evans had announced that she is working on a posthumous Notorious B.I.G. album titled The King & I, which will feature duets with the two. She plans to release it sometime in 2015.
Party
Faith Evans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinking I'm gon stop, giving LA props
Ain't no party like a West Coast party
'Cause a West Coast party don't stop
When we party on the West Coast (on the West Coast)
Drinkin' and smokin' all night, all night long
We keep it funky on the West Coast
I got love for my people on the West Coast, yeah
When the la-la hits ya, lyrics just splits ya
Head so hard, that your hat can't fit you
Either I'm with ya or against ya
Format venture, back through that maze I sent ya
The maze is a daze, I blaze, I will amaze
Smokin' while you're loccin' with some California A's
Me and B.I.G., what it is, get it in
Sippin' gin with the Hen in the alleyway
Bangin' the Cali way
Talking to the rap inventor
Nigga with the game tight, fifth of that flame right
Spell my name right, B-I, double-G, I-E
Iced out, lights out, me and Cease-a-Leo
S-N-double O-P, big D-O
Old school nigga, '84 El Camino
LBC know, we love Biggie though
I.E.Y. in even Bernadino
When we party on the West Coast (on the West Coast)
Drinkin' and smokin' all night, all night long
We keep it funky on the West Coast
(They gon' keep it funky on the West Side)
I got love for my people on the West Coast, yeah
Going back to Cali, strictly for the weather
Women and the weed, sticky green
No seeds bitch please, Poppa ain't soft
Dead up in the hood, ain't no love lost
Y'all know I'm from the West, I'm the king to be exact
You better holla at me when you need that chronic sack
I got it all, one call, no stall, on the ball
Winter, spring, summer, fall
Listen to me, holla at ya dogg
Words of the clever, forever multiply
Birds of a feather, preparin' 'em to fly
Perfection, selection
This is a B.I.G. D.P.G.C. connection
I'mma spell my name one more time, check it
It's the, N-O, T-O, R-I, O
U-S, you just, lay down, slow
Sipping on booze in the House of Blues, what it do!
When we party on the West Coast (on the West Coast)
Drinkin' and smokin' all night, all night long
We keep it funky on the West Coast
(We gon' keep it funky on the West Side)
I got love for my people on the West Coast, yeah
Spend about a week, on Venice Beach
Y'all niggas is a mess
Thinking I'm gon stop, giving LA props
Ain't no party like a West Coast party
'Cause a West Coast party don't stop
When we party on the West Coast (on the West Coast)
Drinkin' and smokin' all night, all night long
We keep it funky on the West Coast
(We gon' keep it funky on the West Side)
I got love for my people on the West Coast, yeah
Ain't no party like a West Coast party
'Cause a West Coast party don't stop
Don't you wanna ride with me?
Don't you wanna ride ?
People come and ride with me
To the West Side
Party, on the West Coast
Know you wanna ride with me
Don't you wanna ride ?
People come and ride with me
To the West Side
Party, on the West Coast, yeah
The lyrics to Faith Evans's song Party talk about how life is like a party on the West Coast, and how nothing is quite like a West Coast party. The song is a celebration of the west coast lifestyle, where life is about partying, drinking, and smoking all night long. The lyrics are about the experience of having a good time with friends and enjoying life to the fullest. The party atmosphere is conveyed in the lyrics by using lively and upbeat words that evoke the feeling of being carefree and having fun.
The song also features lyrics about the rap scene on the West Coast, where artists like Snoop Dogg and Notorious B.I.G. were major players at the time. The song mentions these artists, and the lyrics loosely discuss their contribution to rap music. Faith Evans herself has roots in the West Coast music scene, having been married to the Notorious B.I.G.
Overall, Party is a fun and lively song that celebrates the West Coast lifestyle, music, and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Y'all niggas is a mess
You are all a disaster
Thinking I'm gon stop, giving LA props
Expecting me to stop acknowledging LA's greatness
Ain't no party like a West Coast party
There is no party better than one on the West Coast
'Cause a West Coast party don't stop
Because the party never ends on the West Coast
When we party on the West Coast (on the West Coast)
When we are at a party on the West Coast
Drinkin' and smokin' all night, all night long
Drinking and smoking for the entire night
We keep it funky on the West Coast
We keep the party exciting on the West Coast
(They gon' keep it funky on the West Side)
(They are going to keep the party exciting on the West Side)
I got love for my people on the West Coast, yeah
I have a deep affection for the people on the West Coast
When the la-la hits ya, lyrics just splits ya
When the music takes over, the lyrics will affect you
Head so hard, that your hat can't fit you
The music is so good it will blow your mind
Either I'm with ya or against ya
Either I am supporting or opposing you
Format venture, back through that maze I sent ya
Returning back to something I previously mentioned
The maze is a daze, I blaze, I will amaze
The confusion is overwhelming, but I will impress you
Smokin' while you're loccin' with some California A's
Smoking weed with California locals
Me and B.I.G., what it is, get it in
Me and B.I.G. are going to make it happen
Sippin' gin with the Hen in the alleyway
Drinking gin mixed with Hennessy in the alley
Bangin' the Cali way
Having a good time in the California manner
Talking to the rap inventor
Conversing with the creator of rap
Nigga with the game tight, fifth of that flame right
Someone who is skilled and drinks good alcohol
Spell my name right, B-I, double-G, I-E
You must spell my name correctly
Iced out, lights out, me and Cease-a-Leo
Wearing jewelry and partying with friends
S-N-double O-P, big D-O
Snoop Dogg and Doggy Dogg
Old school nigga, '84 El Camino
Old school man with an 1984 El Camino car
LBC know, we love Biggie though
Long Beach locals know we still love Biggie
I.E.Y. in even Bernadino
Inland Empire Youth in San Bernardino
Going back to Cali, strictly for the weather
Visiting California just for the climate
Women and the weed, sticky green
Women and marijuana, high quality weed
No seeds bitch please, Poppa ain't soft
No seeds in the weed, and I am not weak
Dead up in the hood, ain't no love lost
People are dying in the neighborhood, no love is lost
Y'all know I'm from the West, I'm the king to be exact
Everyone knows I am from the West, and I am the king
You better holla at me when you need that chronic sack
Contact me when you require high-grade marijuana
I got it all, one call, no stall, on the ball
I have everything you need, just ask with no delay
Winter, spring, summer, fall
At any time of the year
Listen to me, holla at ya dogg
Pay attention to me, contact me when you need me
Words of the clever, forever multiply
Wise words will continue to be passed on
Birds of a feather, preparin' 'em to fly
People with common interests coming together
Perfection, selection
The best of the best
This is a B.I.G. D.P.G.C. connection
This is a collaboration between B.I.G., D.P.G.C.
I'mma spell my name one more time, check it
I am going to spell my name again, pay attention
It's the, N-O, T-O, R-I, O
My name is Notorio
U-S, you just, lay down, slow
United States, you just need to slow down
Sipping on booze in the House of Blues, what it do!
Drinking liquor in the House of Blues, what's up!
Spend about a week, on Venice Beach
Spent a week on Venice Beach
Don't you wanna ride with me?
Do you want to join me?
Know you wanna ride with me
I know you want to join me
People come and ride with me
Everyone should join me
To the West Side Party, on the West Coast
To the party on the West Side, on the West Coast
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tom Lagergren, Calvin Broadus, Christopher Wallace, Faith Evans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind