"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.
Thought Process
Goodie Mob Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the down underground are hangin' around the A-Town
Lookin' for a come up, workin' from 9 to 5
Just to get some change so T-Mo can stay alive
Not greedy or living' lavish yet but you can bet that when I do
Nobody from my crew will I forget
And if I start to get large and come up on some change
I won't change, everybody know they down
These laws got me ready to ball
Cause I fall a victim so I still be slanging them fat pillows
To make 'em meet, each and every day as I comb my city streets
Sometimes I wish I never had been apart of this mess
Cause the system got us fucked up
It put us to the test, women and men if you black you in
Food for the soul listen to what I tell you it don't matter
Young or old it's time we loc' up and do like we suppose
We killin' each other over this bullshit and some clothes
We're trapped off in this world and society with no place else to go
So how you feel?
Frustrated, irritated, sometimes I don't know myself I be too numb
To feel something sometimes so I dig deep, get in the Cherokee
Let my mind fly free into the wilderness so I can get this shit off my mind
That's why I be smokin' that dank sometimes, it keeps me from snappin'
Keeps me calm, keeps my mind open, keeps me fond of what I gots to do
Off in the studio to get my old burd back on her feet, and my little bro'
In Statesboro and my little 'cause Mark Twain, all my
Folks that hang with me when I was out in the trap or when I was goin'
Through one of our episodes, only god knows, what I go through so I get down
On my knees, sometimes I come home too high to pray, but I get on my bed
Lay on my back and meditate, anyway, in the ceilings, the four walls
It's like cell therapy I got nothing to do but write about my L-I-F-E, put it
Down on paper, so what you feel?
I live for today, motherfuck another hour, it might be sour
Never know my day, so I'm prayin' in the shower
Look up and thank the Lord for forgiveness, a witness to bad
I'm lookin' for good in the Southwest, God bless my neighborhood
It's people killin' in the street to eat
Surviving the day is the only goat that I set
Just to make it home, I'm not alone
Someone's out to get me when I haven't done shit wrong
My head felt swoll, mista couldn't see past my mouth
What route did you take man
Caught me by that loops of my pants
Got me on the curb lettin' tha traffic pass me by
No questions I said nothing
Lookin' for the mutant to be buckin'
The law naw, man Gipp show him my shit
Close my mouth then I dip
See to me G is a person who understand the plan
Can't make no moves when you in the hands of the man
They got some new suites down Peachtree
Left wing for the Feds, right wing for tha hardheads
Makin' more deals than Buddy Folks made with Hartsfield
Somebody don't want my face in the place, for 96 shit's slick
Got me clean, lookin' fresh, dogs be scratchin' at my chest
Under the order of who? Guess who ain't non-iller than miller
Want to 1, 2 your ass no more life what you gave was the past
'cause ain't no future want to millicamp your case
Disgrace your face, make it seem to be safe
But ain't no place to run
Sometimes I don't even know how I'm gon' eat
'Bout twenty dollars away from being on the street
Shit, you might see a nigga on tv
But hell it's almost like I'm rappin' for free
That little money be gone, got dammit, I'm grown
Gotta help keep the heat and lights on
It would be nice to have mo' but I kinda like being po'
At least I know what my friends here fo'
I want to lie to you sometimes, but I can't
I want to tell you that it's all good, but it ain't
It's nigga's hurtin' and uncertain 'bout if they gon' make it or not
That's why we got nigga's killing
Feelin like they coming up off a little dope they sold
You can get some gold but we won't make it as a whole
Cause without you there'd be no me
And without no unity there will never be any happiness
You could smoke a pound of sess and it still won't relieve yo' stress
God bless my, thought process
The thought process
Now as an Outkast I was born, wasn't warned of the harm
That would come to meet me like Met Life, but yet life
Done sent me through a lot of up's and down like it ain't nothing'
Like elevators but I ain't the one that's pushin' the buttons
I got off at the 13th floor, when they told me that it wasn't one
They said it skipped from 12 to 14
Still smoking, still drinking, no I'm sittin' on the Lincoln
4 A.M. thinkin' that in reality the world is like a ball full of playas
We trapped off in this maze with walls made of layers
And only prayers is the tightest game that you can have
The devil's takin' a swing that might explain the broken glass
But my crystal ball see the pistol fall to the wayside
Nobody would die in cops and robbers when we used to play right
Huh, the only thang we feared was Williams, Wayne
Never though about hittin' licks or slangin' caine
Didn't think I'd be the one to give in to abortion
Label me murder because my ass is scorchin'
Hot from the glock that sits under my seat
Yeah, it's real fucked up that my folks come to get me
And it's like dat, yeah, and it's like dem!
The song "Thought Process" by Goodie Mob speaks on the challenges faced by inner-city communities, stating that individuals must work hard to survive financially while also facing the harsh realities of crime and violence. The lyrics describe a person's daily hustle, with "slanging them fat pillows" allowing them to make ends meet.
The lyrics also discuss the importance of community and unity, with the artist stating that "without you there'd be no me, and without no unity there will never be any happiness." The lyrics discuss the ways in which societal structures, such as the legal system, create roadblocks for the black community.
The final verse addresses the cyclical nature of violence and crime and how individuals can get caught up in this reality. It discusses how children once played innocently but are now faced with the harsh reality of drugs and crime.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me get a chop at this lumber niggas
I want a chance to prove myself
From the down underground are hangin' around the A-Town
The people from the underground are present in the city
Lookin' for a come up, workin' from 9 to 5
Working to make a living
Just to get some change so T-Mo can stay alive
Working to survive
Not greedy or living' lavish yet but you can bet that when I do
Working towards a better future
Nobody from my crew will I forget
I'll remember my people even in success
And if I start to get large and come up on some change
I won't forget my roots even in wealth
I won't change, everybody know they down
I won't forget my community
It's not the same, everyday life can be different
Life is unpredictable
These laws got me ready to ball
Injustice motivates me
Cause I fall a victim so I still be slanging them fat pillows
Selling drugs to survive
To make 'em meet, each and every day as I comb my city streets
Selling drugs is my daily grind
Sometimes I wish I never had been apart of this mess
I regret being involved in drug dealing
Cause the system got us fucked up
The criminal justice system is flawed
It put us to the test, women and men if you black you in
Being black means facing systemic bias and discrimination
Food for the soul listen to what I tell you it don't matter
My message is important for everyone
Young or old it's time we loc' up and do like we suppose
We need to come together and take action
We killin' each other over this bullshit and some clothes
We fight over material possessions and trivial matters
We're trapped off in this world and society with no place else to go
We feel trapped and helpless
So how you feel?
How do you feel about it?
Frustrated, irritated, sometimes I don't know myself I be too numb
Sometimes I'm emotionally drained and don't know how to feel
To feel something sometimes so I dig deep, get in the Cherokee
I go for a drive to clear my head and feel something
Let my mind fly free into the wilderness so I can get this shit off my mind
I escape into nature to clear my thoughts
That's why I be smokin' that dank sometimes, it keeps me from snappin'
I smoke marijuana to manage my emotions
Keeps me calm, keeps my mind open, keeps me fond of what I gots to do
Marijuana helps me stay focused and calm
Off in the studio to get my old burd back on her feet, and my little bro'
I'm working hard in the studio to support my family
In Statesboro and my little 'cause Mark Twain, all my
I care about my family, including my cousin Mark Twain
Folks that hang with me when I was out in the trap or when I was goin'
I appreciate the people who were there for me when I was in tough situations
Through one of our episodes, only god knows, what I go through so I get down
I face difficult situations and rely on prayer
On my knees, sometimes I come home too high to pray, but I get on my bed
I pray, even when intoxicated
Lay on my back and meditate, anyway, in the ceilings, the four walls
I meditate to find peace in my surroundings
It's like cell therapy I got nothing to do but write about my L-I-F-E, put it
I find solace in writing about my life and experiences
Down on paper, so what you feel?
What do you think about it?
I live for today, motherfuck another hour, it might be sour
I live in the moment and don't worry about the future
Never know my day, so I'm prayin' in the shower
I pray for protection and guidance every day
Look up and thank the Lord for forgiveness, a witness to bad
I ask for forgiveness and look for the good in every situation
It's people killin' in the street to eat
People turn to violent crime out of desperation
Surviving the day is the only goat that I set
My goal is to survive each day
Just to make it home, I'm not alone
Making it home safely is my priority
Someone's out to get me when I haven't done shit wrong
I feel like I'm targeted regardless of my actions
My head felt swoll, mista couldn't see past my mouth
I was apprehended unfairly
What route did you take man
What caused you to treat me like this?
Caught me by that loops of my pants
I was physically restrained
Got me on the curb lettin' tha traffic pass me by
I was humiliated in a public space
No questions I said nothing
I was unable to defend myself
The law naw, man Gipp show him my shit
I showed my identification to prove my innocence
Close my mouth then I dip
I left without arguing
See to me G is a person who understand the plan
I appreciate people who understand my perspective
Can't make no moves when you in the hands of the man
I feel powerless when faced with oppressive authority
They got some new suites down Peachtree
There are new apartments to rent on Peachtree street
Left wing for the Feds, right wing for tha hardheads
There are different living options for different people
Makin' more deals than Buddy Folks made with Hartsfield
People are negotiating deals all the time
Somebody don't want my face in the place, for 96 shit's slick
Someone is trying to keep me out of certain places
Got me clean, lookin' fresh, dogs be scratchin' at my chest
I'm presenting myself well, but still feeling vulnerable
Under the order of who? Guess who ain't non-iller than miller
I question who is behind this and doubt their authority
Want to 1, 2 your ass no more life what you gave was the past
Someone wants to harm me but I won't let them ruin my future
'cause ain't no future want to millicamp your case
I don't want my situation to be my future
Disgrace your face, make it seem to be safe
I need to protect myself and be cautious
But ain't no place to run
There's nowhere to hide from injustice
Sometimes I don't even know how I'm gon' eat
I struggle to provide for myself
Bout twenty dollars away from being on the street
I'm only a small amount of money away from homelessness
Shit, you might see a nigga on tv
I may appear successful on TV
But hell it's almost like I'm rappin' for free
But really, I'm not making much money from my music
That little money be gone, got dammit, I'm grown
My money disappears quickly and I have responsibilities
Gotta help keep the heat and lights on
I have to prioritize paying my bills
It would be nice to have mo' but I kinda like being po'
More money would be nice, but I've learned to appreciate what I have
At least I know what my friends here fo'
I know who my true friends are
I want to lie to you sometimes, but I can't
I want to present a better image of myself, but I won't lie
I want to tell you that it's all good, but it ain't
I wish I could say things are going well for me, but they're not
It's nigga's hurtin' and uncertain 'bout if they gon' make it or not
People are struggling and unsure about their future
That's why we got nigga's killing
Violence is an unfortunate result of desperation
Feelin like they coming up off a little dope they sold
Drugs offer a sense of control and success in a difficult situation
You can get some gold but we won't make it as a whole
Individual success won't solve our collective problems
Cause without you there'd be no me
We're all interconnected and need each other to survive
And without no unity there will never be any happiness
We need to come together to find happiness and peace
You could smoke a pound of sess and it still won't relieve yo' stress
Drugs won't solve your problems in the long run
God bless my, thought process
I value my thoughts and reflection
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, MUSIC SERVICES, INC., OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: ANDRE BENJAMIN, CAMERON GIPP, PATRICK BROWN, RAYMON MURRAY, RICO WADE, ROBERT TERRANCE BARNETT, THOMAS DECARLO BURTON, WILLIE EDWARD KNIGHTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind