Heltah Skeltah first appeared on Smif-N-Wessun's album Dah Shinin' in 1995, appearing on the tracks "Wontime (LP Version)", "Cession at da Doghillee (LP Version)" and "Let's Git It On". Later in 1995, they grouped up with fellow Boot Camp members O.G.C. to form The Fab 5 (another nod to The Beatles), and released a surprise hit single, "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka". Out of The Fab 5 members, Rock and Ruck received the most amount of attention, due to their notable charisma and chemistry. The duo released their anticipated debut Nocturnal in June 1996, which included "Leflah", as well as the singles "Operation Lock Down" and "Therapy". The album sold over 250,000 copies in the United States, and has become a classic in the underground hip hop scene because of its grimy, basement sound and strong lyrics.
The duo released a group album with the Boot Camp Clik in 1997, then followed in 1998 with their second effort Magnum Force. The album's lead single, "I Ain't Havin' That" (sampled from the A Tribe Called Quest track "Hot Sex"), became a Hot 100 hit. Despite the single's success, most critics slammed the album due to its lighter content. Ruck and Rock seemed disillusioned with their lack of sales, and split in 2000. Rock began having problems with Duck Down Records, and split with the label, signing to DJ Lethal's Lethal Records. He planned to release an album titled Planet Rock, but the label folded and the album disappeared. Sean Price stuck with the Boot Camp for their second group effort The Chosen Few in 2002.
Heltah Skeltah reunited in 2005, making appearances on Sean Price's solo album Monkey Barz and Smif-N-Wessun's Reloaded album. The duo continued work with the Boot Camp for their third group effort The Last Stand, released in July 2006. According to both members, they are also currently working on another Heltah Skeltah album, tentatively titled D.I.R.T., an acronym for Da Incredible Rap Team. Rock is also planning to release his solo debut, tentatively titled Monstah Music, sometime in 2007. In 2007, Heltah Skeltah will appear on Chinga Chang Records March 5th Release The "Official Joints" compilation, a collection of previously unreleased songs by NYC rappers.
Place to Be
Heltah Skeltah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Ruck] Get your shit over here man
[Rock] No, yo stand over here, stand over here
[Ruck] Get the fuck over here man
[Rock] Place to be, nah duke, come over here this where it's at duke
Chorus:
Cause you don't want to be the target when I fly the coupe
[Rock] Nah! Place to be is on my side duke
Cause you don't want to be the target when I fly the coupe
[Ruck]
Buenos Dias
You know me as
Ruck-L Numero uno
Popey chuno stickin dick to yo chick coolo
Hard to kill like the white boy had to snatch a MC off the rap back
For the simple fact he's wack so what's the deal?
I feel you can't step to Sean
Wiggin out on bitch ass nigga's since Decepticons (Transform!)
The plan's on but I wish Mary J. Blidge remind me
Take my hoodie off nigga I can't see behind me
Why these guys chose to defy laws
Of the most high most guys get they shit wrapped in gauze
Place to be is on my side
Motherfuck ya pride, lay undercover from big Ruck
If ya monkey ass want to survive
[Rock]
Yo and if you think that's hectic it gets worse when Rock's up in it
So somebody tell the fat lady she's up in five minutes
Shit is almost finished right after I take care of witnesses
Roamin the primises not mindin they businesses
And bitches up in yo melon tellin you to jet
You know if you stay
I might give you some chest pains like cigarretes
Bet ya bottom dollar don't move or swaller
You not promised tomorrow but I promise you I'll make ya holler
Pop you coller
Bone stone's the way that I stalk in my zone
You can roam just don't get caught
Place to be is on my side duke
Cause you don't want to be the target when I fly the coupe
Nigga
Chorus 1.5X
[Ruck] Yo bitch yo son that nigga jetted son
(Both laughing)
[Both] He a bitch nigga
[Rock] Bitch ass nigga man ooohh shit dude got mad sugar in his tank
Pussy
[Ruck] This is for all y'all people, all y'all people
that still got the little kid in 'em you know
[Rock] put a ad in the motherfuckin paper we need
some true warriors in here
(Chorus fades out)
The lyrics to Heltah Skeltah's "Place to Be" revolve around the idea of claiming a particular place as one's own, where one feels safe and in control. The two rappers, Rock and Ruck, take turns spitting verses that talk about their dominance and superiority in the rap game, and how they are always in control of their surroundings. The chorus emphasizes the importance of staying on their side, as being on the wrong side can lead to being the target of their aggression.
Ruck starts off by introducing himself as the number one rapper and a ladies' man. He talks about how he has taken down other rappers who were not up to the mark and how he can't stand people who defy laws. He also mentions his paranoia and how he has to keep looking behind his back because he can't trust anyone. His verse ends with the warning to lay low if you want to survive.
Rock's verse is more aggressive and graphic. He talks about taking care of witnesses and roaming around premises. He boasts about his stalking prowess and how he can make people holler with pleasure or pain. The chorus is repeated twice, emphasizing the importance of sticking with them to avoid being targeted.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, yo come here man, come over here duke
Come here and stand near me.
Get your shit over here man
Bring your belongings here.
No, yo stand over here, stand over here
Stand close to me.
Get the fuck over here man
Come here with urgency.
Place to be, nah duke, come over here this where it's at duke
The ideal place is next to me, come stand here.
Place to be is on my side duke
Cause you don't want to be the target when I fly the coupe
The best place to be is next to me, as I am dangerous.
Nah! Place to be is on my side duke
Cause you don't want to be the target when I fly the coupe
I repeat, you want to be next to me, as I am a threat.
Buenos dias
You know me as
Ruck-L Numero uno
Popey chuno stickin dick to yo chick coolo
Good morning. I'm Ruck-L, the number one rapper, who has sex with your girlfriend.
Hard to kill like the white boy had to snatch a MC off the rap back
For the simple fact he's wack so what's the deal?
I am unbreakable, like the white boy who had to physically remove a bad rapper from the stage.
I feel you can't step to Sean
Wiggin out on bitch ass nigga's since Decepticons (Transform!)
No one can compete with me. I've been disrespecting weak rappers since Decepticons.
The plan's on but I wish Mary J. Blidge remind me
Take my hoodie off nigga I can't see behind me
I am planning something, but I need a reminder from Mary J. Blidge. I can't see behind me with my hood on.
Why these guys chose to defy laws
Of the most high most guys get they shit wrapped in gauze
I don't understand why some rappers disrespect the divine. They will get hurt.
Motherfuck ya pride, lay undercover from big Ruck
If ya monkey ass want to survive
You need to get rid of your pride and avoid me if you want to live.
Yo and if you think that's hectic it gets worse when Rock's up in it
So somebody tell the fat lady she's up in five minutes
If you think Ruck is bad, just wait until I start. Someone should warn the fat lady that she is about to sing.
Shit is almost finished right after I take care of witnesses
Roamin the primises not mindin they businesses
I'm almost done here, I just need to deal with witnesses. I'm walking around without caring about anyone's business.
And bitches up in yo melon tellin you to jet
You know if you stay
I might give you some chest pains like cigarretes
Voices in your head might tell you to leave, but if you stay, I might give you a heart attack like cigarettes.
Bet ya bottom dollar don't move or swaller
You not promised tomorrow but I promise you I'll make ya holler
Pop you coller
Bone stone's the way that I stalk in my zone
You can roam just don't get caught
I bet that you won't move or try to escape. Your life is not guaranteed, but I guarantee that I will harm you. Your neck will pop when I attack. I hunt with precision, but you can move around as long as you don't get caught.
Yo bitch yo son that nigga jetted son
(Both laughing)
He a bitch nigga
Bitch ass nigga man ooohh shit dude got mad sugar in his tank
Pussy
Your friend and his son ran away. We laugh at them and call them weak. One of them might be homosexual or cowardly.
This is for all y'all people, all y'all people
that still got the little kid in 'em you know
put a ad in the motherfuckin paper we need
some true warriors in here
This message is for anyone with a childlike wonder. We need help from real warriors.
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAHMAL BUSH, SEAN PRICE, SHAWN JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mono dimensional Being
BEAUTIFUL SONG!!!
C3MI
Yo, when you can play just the instrumental or just the vocals and it's fire either way you know you're listening to some mid-90's rap. They don't make 'em like they used to...
Shukky
"Bet your bottom dollar, don’t move or swallow
You’re not promised tomorrow, but I promise you I’ll make you holler"
mcmeans36
"still got the little kid n em...sugar side o ur shedded wheat biscuit" makes me laugh every fuckin time..!
Heady47Shift
Sean P is beast
Elio Rodríguez
spectacular !
Heady47Shift
Rip Sean p ..... Long live Sean p
Stylezzz101
place 2 be is on my side !!!
DaOldSchoolRapLova96
i bet man i swear shits going to be reckless soon haha im put some subs in my shit. shits going to be bassy af
Chri$to
RIP ~ Sean P