heating up the streets of Southern California with his "Hood Affiliated Mix Tape Vol. 1," the Los Angeles rapper (government name: Charles Tony Williamson) brings us Guerilla City, one of the most talked-about debut albums to surface in the hip-hop universe.
Producers on Guerilla City include such street music luminaries as Jazze Pha (Big Tymers, Nappy Roots, T.I.), Carlos Broady (The Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim, Nas), Red Spyda (50 Cent & G-Unit), Fred Wreck (Dr. Dre, Snoop, Westside Connection) and Mario Winans (R. Kelly, P. Diddy, 3LW). Among the guest appearances on the album are King of the Dancehall Beenie Man (on the blazin' hot street anthem "Compton"), Nate Dogg ("What We Gonna Do"), Jazze Pha ("Girlfriend") and Mario Winans ("You're The One").
One track that had already garnered G. Black plenty of attention is "Guerilla Nasty" (featuring rising ingénue Brooke Valentine), a driving Jazze Pha-produced cut that showcases his verbal gymnastics. The street creeper "Hearts of Fire" (produced by Broady) was already getting attention at the mixtape level. Now that the sizzling "Compton," has surfaced, G. Black is poised to explode. The cut, a head-nodding ode to the streets where he grew up, features Beenie Man, and has put the artist on the map. [The Gil Green-directed video takes the whole experience one step further.] The success of these tracks have set the stage for Guerilla City – landing in record stores September 28 – which arrives as the L.A.-based artist (who was discovered by original gangsta Ice-T) continues to solidify a strong base in the underground mix tape world.
The fact that the artist has spent quality time in several markets – Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, Miami & Atlanta among them – on his grind, meeting deejays, clubgoers and consumers, speaks to his passion for getting his message out there. The press has come to the table early to explore the story of Guerilla Black. Early features on this exciting new artist include The Source, XXL and Smooth. On the television side, he has appeared on Playboy TV, and MTV showed early interest with a 'You Hear It First' profile.
"The industry just isn't the same," 27-year-old G. Black explains. "A lot of cats, they'll throw an album out there... My thing is to give people 50 mix tape joints so that when I do come with my album the fans will feel me on a much bigger level. It'll be like I've done one album, but I've got three albums worth of material out there."
Fortunately for G. Black and his fans, he has a wealth of material to draw from. Born in the Chicago area (Jolliet, IL), his family moved to Mississippi before he hit puberty. After one of his uncles boasted of the economic promise waiting in the West, G. Black's mother moved the family out to California. That move ended up being a bit premature, and the family was homeless for a spell. They bounced between shelters in Long Beach for a minute before finally making a home in Compton, when G. Black was about eight years old.
At age 11 or 12, G. Black was clearly influenced by the rampant gang activity in his Compton neighborhood. By that time, he was already hustling, "stealing cars and things of that nature," he says. He never forgot about living in homeless shelters, however, often falling asleep listening to NWA, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Rakim and the like. "Even though I was young, when NWA came out, they made me feel like that ultimate nigga. I was also feelin' Fat Joe, Kool G Rap, and my old school R&B joints."
His younger brother, Hot, who had already been writing rhymes, urged his older sibling to do the same. It lit a creative spark. "I just started rhyming here and there, kickin' a bar here, two bars there," G. Black says. "Before I knew it, I had raps and just kept rhymin.' I just started logging them in my brain on a daily basis."
To this day, G. Black never writes down his rhymes, preferring to keep them in his head. "Back in the day when me and my girl would argue, she used to throw away some of my notepads that had my rhymes in them," he explains. "I learned to keep it all up top, that way no one could ever take them away from me."
G. Black got a record deal early on, but ended up being so distraught with the way the industry drama unfolded that he temporarily gave up his hip-hop dreams. "It was a hard thing for me to do, turn my back on something that I really, really love," he says. "I love rap. I love to hear someone spit verses, especially when they got skills and can spit fire."
G. Black returned to the daily activities of the streets (both legal and otherwise) and lost his young bride – who was all of 21 when she died of meningitis – all in the same stretch. Despite these devastating events, G. Black's brother was again about to change his life. His brother had kept rhyming and encouraged him to do the same, urging him to return to a creative outlet. On his birthday, Hot invited G. Black to the studio. The results were surprising. "They pulled up a track and I ran through it," the artist says. "There was only three of us in there, but the other guy must have run out and told everybody what I was doing. Then, it seemed like there was 30 cats up in the spot by the time I hit the second song."
Word quickly spread to L.A.-based A&R executive Pete 'Volcano' Farmer, who signed G. Black to Virgin Records. But rather than just rhyme about trendy topics, G. Black chose to explore the range of his life experiences. This forced him to really examine his very being – revisiting both the most fulfilling and the most heartbreaking parts of his life in his rhymes – particularly after watching his wife die in UCLA's Harbor Hospital.
"After that, everything I started writing and rhyming was about my life," he remembers. "I had watched all these people die since I had gotten to Cali and you can love all those cats in the streets, but it's nothing like your wife or someone you cherish and who loves you unconditionally. When I lost her, that messed me up for real." The album track "My First, My Last & My Only" is dedicated to her.
After this tragedy, G. Black channeled all of his energy into his lyrics, which are among the sharpest, most thought-provoking rap music has ever experienced. That journey has come full circle on Guerilla City. Through listening to the album, you begin to understand the man that is Guerilla Black.
Say What
Guerilla Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is dedicated to my nigga Easy-E
Compton (Compton)
Rest in peace my nigga (rest in peace my nigga)
(Hook 1)
Say what?
I'ma hustler
Hit the block real hard, and I'ma sew it up
Police push up cause they notice us
(Hook 2: Guerilla Black)
L.A. - what's the business?
Vegas- what's the business?
D.C. - what's the business?
Chi-town- what's the business?
[Verse 1: Guerilla Black]
I'm from a place called Compton, California
Most of my dogs smoke marijuana
Most on the run from them folks
Whenever they come
They throw that dope
Some swallow it and put in they butt
Not me I stash mine up in the tuck
Mom say son don't be no fool
I'm trying to buy a Bentley, a house on the pool
I just want a piece of the American dream
But Uncle Sam he don't want to share wit me
So when they called up my amigos
He told me bring'em a 10 and kilo
(Hook 1)
(Hook 2: Guerilla Black)
Atl- what's the business?
Miami- what's the business?
Dallas- what's the business?
Houston- what's the business?
[Verse 2: Guerilla Black]
Lord knows it's so damn hard in da struggle
Everybody got either a job or a husel
Bush got everybody going to war
I'm trying to put some 15's up in my car
This is for my baby momma's on food stamps
Girl don't be mad if you lost ya man
It's another dude that'll take his place
Love you're bullet wound and the scar on ya face
And I'ma keep it real
That's the way that is iz
As long as I'm around
I don't play that shit
This is for all my dogs on my block
Hustling from 5 around the clock
(Hook 1)
(Hook 2: Guerilla Black)
Jack town - what's the business?
New York - what's the business?
New Orleans - what's the business?
Detroit - what's the business?
[Verse 3: Guerilla Black]
It's 2004, I got the 64
On some 24's wit da stop and go's
I got a pinky ring
Wit da prince's cuts
Most of dez cats
They mindless mutts
I got some Air Force 1's, wit my kaki's on
Wit da fresh throwback and my glasses on
I love the bubbly
I'm not you're man or hubby
I'm handsome no not ugly
It's the flow spit tin, go getting, high class to chicken
By pass those pigeons hell
Shake; shake when I got the pop in wader
Turn a double up to a brand new quarter
(Hook 1)
(Hook 2: Guerilla Black)
Memphis- what's the business?
Cleveland- what's the business?
St. Louis- what's the business?
Philly- what's the business?
V.A. - what's the business?
Carolinas- what's the business?
New Jersey- what's the business?
Phoenix- what's the business?
Mobile- what's the business?
Hartford- what's the business?
Little Rock- what's the business?
Cashville- what's the business?
(Hook 1)
The song begins with a dedication to Easy-E, a rapper from Compton, California who died from AIDS in 1995. The first verse describes what it's like living in Compton, where many people are smoking marijuana and running from the police. The singer of the song is a hustler who's trying to make money to buy a Bentley and a house with a pool. He wants a piece of the American dream, but Uncle Sam doesn't want to share it. He talks about his amigos getting called up and asking him to bring a 10 and a kilo, which implies he's involved in the drug trade. The second verse talks about life in the struggle, where people are either working a job or hustling. The singer wants to put 15s in his car but is struggling to do so. He also acknowledges the struggles of single mothers on food stamps and promises to keep it real. The final verse talks about the singer's material possessions, including his car, jewelry, and fresh clothes. He's confident in his ability to make money and turn a double up into a brand new quarter.
Line by Line Meaning
Say what?
What did you say? Can you repeat it?
I'ma hustler
I am a hardworking individual who is dedicated to achieving success.
I'ma coma say workin on my doublea
I am constantly striving to improve and reach my goals, even when faced with obstacles.
Hit the block real hard, and I'ma sew it up
I work tirelessly in my community to provide for myself and others, and will not stop until my goals are met.
Police push up cause they notice us
Law enforcement targets and harasses me and others in my community because we are seen as threats due to our race and social status.
L.A. - what's the business?
What's going on in Los Angeles? How are the people doing there?
Vegas- what's the business?
What's happening in Las Vegas? How are things going there?
D.C. - what's the business?
What's the current situation in Washington D.C.? How are things progressing there?
Chi-town- what's the business?
What's happening in Chicago? How are things going in the city?
I'm from a place called Compton, California
I come from a small city in Southern California called Compton.
Most of my dogs smoke marijuana
Many of my friends and associates consume cannabis regularly.
Most on the run from them folks
A lot of people I know are fleeing from law enforcement because they are targeted and harassed unfairly.
Whenever they come
When the police come around or there is a threat of getting caught.
They throw that dope
They dispose of any drugs they may be carrying to avoid getting caught.
Some swallow it and put in they butt
Some people will ingest or conceal drugs in order to evade law enforcement.
Not me I stash mine up in the tuck
I prefer to hide my drugs or money in a secure location rather than on my person.
Mom say son don't be no fool
My mother advises me to use caution and not engage in risky behavior.
I'm trying to buy a Bentley, a house on the pool
I am working towards achieving financial stability and luxury, such as owning a luxury car and a home with a pool.
I just want a piece of the American dream
I aspire to achieve the same level of success and financial security that is often referred to as the American dream.
But Uncle Sam he don't want to share wit me
The government and society at large often discriminates against individuals like me and makes it difficult to achieve success.
So when they called up my amigos
When law enforcement contacts my friends or associates.
He told me bring'em a 10 and kilo
My friend instructed me to bring him a large amount of drugs when the police contacted him.
Lord knows it's so damn hard in da struggle
It is incredibly difficult and challenging to succeed when coming from a disadvantaged background like mine.
Everybody got either a job or a husel
People in my community are either working a job or hustling in order to make ends meet and provide for their families.
Bush got everybody going to war
The government, under the leadership of President George W. Bush, has sent troops to fight in wars overseas, affecting many individuals and communities in America.
I'm trying to put some 15's up in my car
I am working towards customizing and upgrading my vehicle's sound system with a new set of 15 inch subwoofers.
This is for my baby momma's on food stamps
I am acknowledging and showing support for the mothers of my children who are struggling and rely on government assistance to provide for their families.
Girl don't be mad if you lost ya man
Do not become angry or resentful if your partner leaves you or is not loyal to you.
It's another dude that'll take his place
There are other men who are willing and able to take the place of a partner who has left or been unfaithful.
Love you're bullet wound and the scar on ya face
I accept and appreciate all of your physical and emotional scars and experiences, including the pain and trauma of being shot.
And I'ma keep it real
I will always be honest and true to myself and others.
That's the way that is iz
That is the reality of the situation and cannot be changed.
As long as I'm around
I will continue to work towards my goals and achieve success.
I don't play that shit
I do not tolerate or engage in any nonsense, drama or negativity.
This is for all my dogs on my block
I am showing appreciation and respect for my friends and associates who live on my street or in my neighborhood.
Hustling from 5 around the clock
Working hard and non-stop from early morning until late at night in order to achieve success and provide for oneself and others.
Atl- what's the business?
What is the current situation in Atlanta? How are things going there?
Miami- what's the business?
What's happening in Miami? How are things progressing there?
Dallas- what's the business?
What's the current state of affairs in Dallas? How are people in the city doing?
Houston- what's the business?
What's happening in Houston? What are the current issues and events in the city?
Jack town - what's the business?
What is the current situation in Jackson, Mississippi? How are things going there?
New York - what's the business?
What's happening in New York City? How are things progressing in the Big Apple?
New Orleans - what's the business?
What's the current situation in New Orleans? How is the city recovering after Hurricane Katrina?
Detroit - what's the business?
What is happening in Detroit? How is the economy and social landscape of the city?
Memphis- what's the business?
What is happening in Memphis? What are the current events and issues in the city?
Cleveland- what's the business?
What's happening in Cleveland? How are people doing in the city?
St. Louis- what's the business?
What's the current situation in St. Louis? What are the issues and events that are taking place in the city?
Philly- what's the business?
What's happening in Philadelphia? What are the current events and issues in the city?
V.A. - what's the business?
What's the current situation in Virginia? How are people doing in the state?
Carolinas- what's the business?
What's happening in North and South Carolina? How are people doing in the region?
New Jersey- what's the business?
What is the current situation in New Jersey? What are the issues and events taking place in the state?
Phoenix- what's the business?
What's happening in Phoenix? What's the current state of affairs in the city?
Mobile- what's the business?
What is happening in Mobile, Alabama? What are the current events and issues taking place in the city?
Hartford- what's the business?
What's happening in Hartford? What are the current issues and events taking place in the city?
Little Rock- what's the business?
What's the current situation in Little Rock, Arkansas? What are the issues and events taking place in the city?
Cashville- what's the business?
What's happening in Nashville, Tennessee? What are the current events and issues taking place in the city?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leon Gray, Charles N Williamson, Carlos Broady
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind