"GOODIE MOb", as it's written on their album covers, means the "GOOD DIE Mostly Over bullshit". Cee-Lo notes in a song off the Soul Food album that, "[If] you take out one 'O' it stands for 'GOD Is Every Man Of blackness.' "
Its members were all born in Atlanta, and the group is based there with the rest of the Dungeon Family, a collective which includes OutKast, Witch Doctor and P.A. (Parental Advisory). Goodie was first heard reciting haunting politically charged poetry on several songs from OutKast's first album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. His reputation as a poet, thinker and social commentator is legendary in the southern hip-hop community.
Cee-Lo was the most visible member of the group prior to his departure in 2000 due in part to his distinct voice, while Big Gipp has made several rounds on other Dungeon Family members' albums, and T-Mo and Khujo form a duo within the group called The Lumberjacks.
Discography
Soul Food (1995)
Goodie Mob's debut was the Gold-certified album Soul Food in (1995). Produced by Organized Noize and critically acclaimed, the album went gold. It was on this album that the phrase Dirty South was actually coined, with a song of that same title. This album touched on many social and political issues such as racism, discrimination, geo-politics, and gentrification. Although the album dealt with such heavy issues, some songs still carried a lighter tone, such as "Soul Food," in which the crew expressed their love for home cooked meals. Along with Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, this album put Atlanta's rap scene on the map.
Still Standing (1998)
The Mob's sophomore release was Still Standing in 1998, on which they continued their tendency towards social commentary, and Cee-Lo's penchant for singing began to show through more. The album was also produced by Organize Noize, except for contributions by DJ Muggs (which would lead to Goodie Mob's contribution on Soul Assassins I) and Mr. DJ. During this period the group made a cameo appearance in the film Mystery Men, with Cee-Lo crediting himself by his birth name, Thomas Callaway (though he refers to himself as "Carlito Green" in the liner notes). Still Standing was the group's second gold-selling effort. On the front and back covers, the letter "O" in "Mob" contained a chilling silhouette of a hanged man in the center.
World Party (1999)
Feeling pressure from the increasing popularity and sales of their fellow Dungeon Family group OutKast, Goodie Mob decided to sign with Arista Records for their third album. The record veered away from their gritty style that permeated their successful previous releases, instead incorporating lighter beats and party related subject matter, which many fans perceived as selling out in an attempt for mainstream popularity. The social tone which had pervaded their earlier releases was absent; one track on the album, "All A's," was criticized for reportedly containing homophobic lyrics. During production, unhappy with the project's direction, Cee-Lo abruptly left to pursue a solo career. Arista dropped the group following poor sales of the album.
One Monkey Don't Stop No Show (2004)
The fourth album from Goodie, not featuring Cee-Lo, was something of a return to their earlier style, though fans were unhappy with the lack of Cee-Lo's presence. Many thought the "monkey" referenced in the title and shown on the cover was a reference to their prodigal groupmate, though the group claims it actually represents the music industry. Released the following year, Cee-Lo's second solo album Cee-Lo Green... is the Soul Machine featured a song called "When We Were Friends," which many also took for a diss to his former group.
Livin' Life As Lumberjacks (2005)
One Monkey's poor reception led Big Gipp to briefly leave the group as well, and T-Mo and Khujo released an album under the name The Lumberjacks called Livin' Life As Lumberjacks. The album continued the trend of somewhat lessened social commentary, getting into the crunk style that by then had pervaded Atlanta's music scene. Though Cee-Lo was still absent, Big Gipp appeared twice on the album to form the trio once again on the tracks Superfriends and 24/7/365.
Possible Reunion
It has been reported that all four Goodie Mob members are back on good terms and have reentered the studio to release a brand new album. Cee-Lo and Big Gipp have both referenced this in multiple interviews. No release date has been set, nor any details concerning the possible album released.
The four members recently appeared on stage together on October 1, 2006 following a Gnarls Barkley show, stating that they were back together or at least on good terms. No details were given concerning a possible reunion album at the time.
Funeral
Goodie Mob Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta nigga name all lit up
This ain't the first time this name all lit up
Man y'all niggaz realize man been in this motherfuckin box man, goddamn
Saight my nigga, saight
Go on and rest, for corn and bread
Ahh yeah baby yeah
King Bee!
King Bee!
Awright my nigga (we ain't gonna forget you my nigga)
Fuck it man, Gipp he got cellular of Ron's
Ahh man, jus', youknowhatI'msayin?
Ain't no tellin man, knowhatI'msayin when I'm gonna be off in
that motherfucker dirty, knowhatI'msayin? I don't how they knew
YaknowhatI'msayin, I don't know what they gon say when I'm gon hog
KnowhatI'msayin? I can feel that shit dirty
The lyrics to Goodie Mob's song "Funeral" depict the reality of life in the streets, the fear of death, and the acceptance of the inevitable. The first verse starts with the rapper stating that he cannot continue with what he was doing because he is reminded that someone with his name was killed. He then goes on to say that this isn't the first time he has heard of someone with his name being killed, which implies that he is accustomed to seeing his peers die.
The song continues with the other rappers paying their respects and bidding farewell to their deceased friend. They acknowledge that he was a king amongst them, and like any king, he deserves to rest in peace. However, they also express their fear of death and the possibility of being the next to enter "that motherfucker dirty" (the coffin). The group gives a shoutout to their fallen friend and acknowledges that they will never forget him.
Overall, Goodie Mob's "Funeral" is a poignant depiction of the harsh realities of life in the streets, the fear of death, and the importance of paying respect to those that have lost their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Naaah I can't do this shit y'all my stuff home
I can't continue rapping about this topic since it hits too close to home.
Gotta nigga name all lit up
The spotlight is on someone close to them who has recently passed away.
This ain't the first time this name all lit up
This isn't the first time they've experienced the loss of someone close to them.
Man y'all niggaz realize man been in this motherfuckin box man, goddamn
They realize that their friend is now in a coffin and it's a difficult realization to accept.
Saight my nigga, saight
They bid farewell to their friend and acknowledge their passing.
Go on and rest, for corn and bread
They wish their friend peace as they pass on, using the traditional Southern phrase 'for corn and bread' which refers to the basic necessities of life.
Ahh yeah baby yeah
They express their grief and pain over their friend's passing.
King Bee!
They address their friend by his nickname, paying respect to his memory.
Awright my nigga (we ain't gonna forget you my nigga)
They promise to never forget their friend and his impact on their lives.
Fuck it man, Gipp he got cellular of Ron's
They switch the topic to something more positive, referencing a shared friend who has a phone that belonged to another friend who passed away.
Ahh man, jus', youknowhatI'msayin?
They express confusion and disbelief over their friend's passing.
Ain't no tellin man, knowhatI'msayin when I'm gonna be off in that motherfucker dirty, knowhatI'msayin?
They reflect on their own mortality and acknowledge that death can come unexpectedly.
I don't how they knew YaknowhatI'msayin, I don't know what they gon say when I'm gon hog
They wonder how others will react when they eventually pass away.
KnowhatI'msayin? I can feel that shit dirty
They acknowledge that the thought of dying is unsettling and it feels like an unpleasant experience.
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.