Hieroglyphics, also known as The Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, are an Ameri… Read Full Bio ↴Hieroglyphics, also known as The Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, are an American underground hip hop collective based in Oakland, California. The collective was founded in the early-1990s by rapper Del tha Funkee Homosapien.

The group consists of rappers from the hip-hop group Souls of Mischief including A-Plus, Tajai, Opio, and Phesto Dee as well as rappers such as Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Casual, and Pep Love. Domino is their in-house producer with A-Plus performing production duties from time to time. As a group Hieroglyphics has released three albums, 3rd Eye Vision (1998), Full Circle (2003) and The Kitchen (2013). They have also been featured on numerous compilation albums and have collaborated with the likes of Planet Asia and 9th Wonder.

In 1996, Del was ready to release his Future Development album. However, just before its release, Del was released from his recording contract with Elektra Records. Around this same time, Souls of Mischief, Extra Prolific and Casual were all released from their recording contracts with Jive Records. Frustrated, Del and the rest of Hieroglyphics decided to start their own record label, called Hieroglyphics Imperium. The group has a spiritual down to earth mindset and smooth jazzy beats. They often rhyme about the third eye which is featured on their logo. For those who know and understand what the third eye is about will understand the underlying messages better than those who do not.

The mistreatment of Del & Hieroglyphics by their record labels became infamous in hip-hop circles, as a perfect example of "industry rule #4080" (record companies are shady). After Hieroglyphics' successful reemergence with their own independent label, Del & Hieroglyphics became an inspiration for some rap artists to start their own labels while keeping the lion's share of the money for themselves. Arguably the efforts of Del & Hieroglyphics paved the way for other famous independent rap labels known today, such as Roc-a-Fella Records or Rawkus Records.

Through their own independent label's (Hieroglyphics Imperium) website, http://www.hieroglyphics.com, the group releases singles, albums, and EPs from the group as well as its members and other artists who are signed to the label.

Don't Hate The Player
Hieroglyphics Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't hate the player, hate the game
Don't hate the player, hate the game

On the sticks I been doin' this since '86
With that one big red button joy stick, I'm sick
You can never touch me couzzie
Can't bum rush me, bust or crush me

Break ya knees, pump fake ya fee
My crossover's thicka than the Black Eyed Peas
Yet sweet like candied yams
It's reported and recorded on the handy cams
It be like jammy jams

And he's no Grammy Fan
Came in a limo and leave in a ambulance
Burn like hot embers and
My cock's so big I need Hammer pants

Ouch, like fuck yo couch
Be eatin' croutons all on ya futon
Rules on point watch how it sounds now
I'm 3 from downtown on ya brown 'round
It's casual boy, I'm town bound
You hyphy like me, well calm down

Don't hate the player, hate the game
Don't hate the player, hate the game
Don't hate the player, hate the game

Livin' this flow, gettin' in close
Pivot and post getting Benjamin overdose
Nah, no ya don't
My goal is grope and hold ya throat

Yeah, I need more than Jenson
Servin' like Benson, it's in the bag
Sir Diesel, instantly had
Twistin' these leads 'til ya kissin' feet

My systems neat, refined, sleek mind
Deep kind of p game
Each frame of action captured
Close captioned, stacked

To my black friends we ask ya
(Lie)
In ya grill, you passionate thrill seeker
Still beneath the reefer
(Yeah)

I'll impeach ya leader
And squeeze the last drop of funk
So everybody here cop 'em some
Now you want you some
You gonna get it anyway

Don't hate the player, hate the game
Don't hate the player, hate the game
Don't hate the player, hate the game

Really ain't nobody foolin' with plea
A Hiero sign in ya face while ya shootin' the three
Everybody came ta see me, yeah, they rootin' for me
You can't believe true can beat me and my crew in this piece

Some of the fans up in the stands is cheerleaders
Tryin' to sneak a peak or a glance at cheerleaders
At playoff time I'ma prove that we're leaders
Hard fouls in the paint, I don't even care either

If the ref eject me, the league suspend me
I'ma be on some jet skis in Tahiti with Leslie
If I miss a shot that's when the media stress me
Say I'm only lucky when I'm beating the best team

To the upmost I'm workin' my style
You but though, you get a up close and personal foul
If you end up gettin' hurt that's when they call in the traina
(It's all in the game brah)
It's all in the game, brah

Don't hate the player, hate the game

Don't hate the player, hate the game
Don't hate the player, hate the game

Overall Meaning

The song "Don't Hate The Player" by Hieroglyphics is a rap that portrays the arrogance and confident attitude of the lead rapper. The title serves as an indication that the game is to blame, not the player, implying that it is not his fault he is better than his opponents. The opening bars firmly establish his dominance, describing how his level of skill and experience in gaming stretches back to the mid-1980s. By utilizing phrases such as "bust or crush me" and "crossover's thicker than the Black Eyed Peas," the rapper shows his confidence in his gaming skills and ability to avoid any threat from his opponents.

The song then transitions to a boastful approach towards his skills with women. He casually references sexual conquests and brags about how his ego is too big to "need Hammer pants," implying that his male genitalia is so significant that it requires loose-fitting pants. The brusque attitude continues as the rapper implicitly threatens his opponents in the game, saying he might "burn like hot embers" and that his opponents should "watch how it sounds now." The rapper's point of view is that he doesn't want to be compared to the other players in the game; he is merely competition for himself.

In conclusion, "Don't Hate The Player" is a strong representation of the confidence that Hieroglyphics conveys. From his expertise on the video games to his abilities with women, the rapper is certain of his abilities and quickly dismisses any potential threat to his ego.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't hate the player, hate the game
Stop focusing on the person who is succeeding and instead focus on the unfairness of the system.

On the sticks I been doin' this since '86
I have been playing video games since 1986.

With that one big red button joy stick, I'm sick
I am very skilled at playing video games with a classic joystick controller.

You can never touch me couzzie
You can never beat me, my friend.

Can't bum rush me, bust or crush me
You cannot overpower or defeat me.

Break ya knees, pump fake ya fee
I can trick you with a feint move and make it difficult for you to defend against me.

My crossover's thicka than the Black Eyed Peas
My basketball move is more complex and effective than the Black Eyed Peas.

Yet sweet like candied yams
My move is both impressive and enjoyable to watch or experience.

It's reported and recorded on the handy cams
People have filmed and shared videos of me performing this move.

It be like jammy jams
It is as fun and entertaining as a child's pajama party.

And he's no Grammy Fan
I do not care about receiving a Grammy award.

Came in a limo and leave in a ambulance
I arrived in style and will leave with a great victory, even if I have to leave on a stretcher.

Burn like hot embers and
I am fiercely competitive.

My cock's so big I need Hammer pants
I am confident and have a big ego.

Ouch, like fuck yo couch
My trash talk can be insulting or hurtful.

Be eatin' croutons all on ya futon
I will make myself at home at your place and not care about making a mess.

Rules on point watch how it sounds now
My rules or strategy are well thought out and effective.

I'm 3 from downtown on ya brown 'round
I am very far from the basketball hoop and yet I can still make a shot.

It's casual boy, I'm town bound
I am relaxed and confident in my hometown.

You hyphy like me, well calm down
If you are as excited or wild as me, you should take a breath and relax.

Livin' this flow, gettin' in close
I am in a state of flow or peak performance and getting very close to victory.

Pivot and post getting Benjamin overdose
I am using a basketball move that is difficult to defend against and will score a lot of points, like $100 bills are excessive.

Nah, no ya don't
You cannot stop me.

My goal is grope and hold ya throat
My ultimate goal is to defeat you completely and figuratively choke you.

Yeah, I need more than Jenson
I require more skill or challenge than Jenson Button, a Formula One driver.

Servin' like Benson, it's in the bag
I am serving up a victory like Benson, a character from TV show Soap, serves up a joke.

Sir Diesel, instantly had
I am confident and quickly achieve success.

Twistin' these leads 'til ya kissin' feet
I am manipulating the situation or game until you submit or concede.

My systems neat, refined, sleek mind
I have a clean, efficient, and effective strategy.

Deep kind of p game
I excel in a complex and challenging game or competition.

Each frame of action captured
Every move or action is recorded and can be evaluated or judged.

Close captioned, stacked
Every detail or aspect has been documented and organized.

To my black friends we ask ya
To my fellow African American players, I ask you:

(Lie)
I am implying that the following statement is not true or honest.

In ya grill, you passionate thrill seeker
I am taunting you for being aggressive or seeking excitement.

Still beneath the reefer
Despite being under the influence of marijuana, I am still a formidable opponent.

(Yeah)
I agree with or support the previous statement.

I'll impeach ya leader
I will defeat your leader or best player.

And squeeze the last drop of funk
I will take every available opportunity or advantage.

So everybody here cop 'em some
Everyone should emulate or learn from my success.

Now you want you some
Now you want to be like me or achieve my level of success.

Really ain't nobody foolin' with plea
No one can defeat me or pull one over on me.

A Hiero sign in ya face while ya shootin' the three
While you attempt to score with a three-point shot, I am reminding you of my team, Hieroglyphics.

Everybody came ta see me, yeah, they rootin' for me
I am the star of the show and everyone wants me to win.

You can't believe true can beat me and my crew in this piece
You do not think that you or your team can defeat me and my team in this competition.

Some of the fans up in the stands is cheerleaders
Some of the spectators are not just fans, but biased cheerleaders.

Tryin' to sneak a peak or a glance at cheerleaders
They are also trying to catch a glimpse of the attractive cheerleaders on the sidelines.

At playoff time I'ma prove that we're leaders
During the playoffs, I will show that my team is the best and are true leaders of the competition.

Hard fouls in the paint, I don't even care either
I am willing to take and dish out tough hits or fouls in the restricted area close to the basket.

If the ref eject me, the league suspend me
If I receive a penalty that involves being kicked out of the game, the league may also suspend me.

I'ma be on some jet skis in Tahiti with Leslie
If I cannot play due to suspension, I will enjoy my time off by going on vacation with my significant other, Leslie.

If I miss a shot that's when the media stress me
The media will criticize or scrutinize me if I make a mistake.

Say I'm only lucky when I'm beating the best team
They will say that I am only winning because I have an advantage or am facing weaker opponents.

To the upmost I'm workin' my style
I am working very hard to play in my own unique and effective way.

You but though, you get a up close and personal foul
If you come at me too strong, I will retaliate with a personal foul.

If you end up gettin' hurt that's when they call in the traina
If my rough play results in you getting hurt, they will call in the team trainer to help you.

(It's all in the game brah)
This is just part of the game and should be expected.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DAN NAKAMURA, JONATHAN OWENS, TEREN JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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