Hôtel Costes is the name of Stéphane Pompougnac's compilations.

Pomp… Read Full Bio ↴Hôtel Costes is the name of Stéphane Pompougnac's compilations.

Pompougnac was born in Paris to a psychotherapist and a dental surgeon. He spent his early life in Bordeaux.

His first job was as a waiter at the courtyard café of Hôtel Costes in Paris' Les Halles district, but his DJ debut occurred when he was 18, at such Bordeaux discothèques as Ubu, The Colony, and The Dream.

After finishing his studies and national service, Pompougnac spent six months in London before returning to Paris in 1992. In Paris he mixed at such discothèques as Queen, Folies Pigalle, The Locomotive, Diable des Lombards, and Privilège. One year later, he became the resident DJ at Les Bains et Douche, where he met Claude Challe. Reportedly, in 1997 Albert de Paname introduced Pompougnac to Jean-Louis Costes, co-owner of Hôtel Costes, where Pompougnac had worked as a waiter some ten years prior. This time, Costes hired Pompougnac to be the hotel's resident DJ. In 1999, Pompougnac published his first studio mix, Costes: France et Choiseul.

Pompougnac's second studio mix, Costes: La Suite outsold his previous release. After the mix's third track, "Sympatique" by Pink Martini, was used for an auto advertisement in France, Costes: La Suite sold more than 100,000 copies. Although Pompougnac published first two albums in France via Barclay Universal, his mounting success led to a contract with MSI, who published his third studio mix, Etage 3 (October 2000). His first three mixes collectively sold nearly half a million copies.

Pompougnac has published more than 20 studio mixes, and also DJs for the fashion award show Les Venues de la Mode. He has also performed for fashion shows by Gucci and Yves Saint-Laurent.

Smooth
Hotel Costes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

A black man, that not too many understand
Pyt, playa young thug, you need some lovin tlc
I wanna get with you

It's Saturday, time to play
I gotta hit the street, I'm chillin out ok
I gotta hit the spot lookin fl
I wanna watch the O.G. thugs roll by

Find a little lovin, not too much
Just enough to wake them up
Who do I see, a fool that wanna get with me
Not in the mood, so I really dont wanna speak
A black man, that not too many understand
He has a plan, not to work for uncle sam
A hood fanatic, a hoodlum mack
In fact, the male version of a female mack
He has money and everthing that comes with it
Pyt, playa young thug
Just a tiny bit of what the ghettos made of
Gotta give love to the young thugs

Repeat 2X

Look here
Now tell me whos afraid of this young Thug
Look how we came up from the ghetto were we slung drugs
America eats it's babies, it's crazy
Will somebody save me from this sytematic slavery
Got me in cuffs, I'm gettin ruffed up daily
Send me to jail cause i rebel on what they tell me
My life's hell, got the law tryin to capture me
And then the courts and the whole force after me
I'm hittin fences, my defenses, it was senseless
Its like the whole was against us
Then they wonder why I'm cussin, bustin at the world
Dont trust em, me and my homies sayin fuck em
Rollin in my 6-0 Impala, all about makin dollars
Sometimes it make me wanna holla
But now its cool, and if im motivatin, baby make a move
Cause uh, thugs get lonley too
And all i heard em say was...

Repeat 2X

A straight up menace
And if he starts then he will finish to keep his image
And i can tell, bye the way he bail, he was payed well
Talkin dinner, movies and the motel
Sexual, flexible, he gets freaky undercovers, so he's good to go
I only know what i see in the hood is thugs
So you know i gotta give them love

Repeat 2X

He got money and everthing that comes with it, pyt
Just a little part of what the ghettos made of
Gotta give love to the young thugs

Repeat 3X

Overall Meaning

The song "Smooth" by Hotel Costes is a depiction of life in the streets and the struggle of young black men. The opening lines, "A black man, that not too many understand/ Pyt, playa young thug, you need some lovin tlc/ I wanna get with you," highlights the singer's desire to connect with a man who is misunderstood and judged by society. The singer then sets the scene of a Saturday night, when he hits the street looking fly, searching for some companionship, and sees some familiar faces in the form of OG thugs riding past.

The second verse illustrates the harsh reality of living in the ghetto, with lines such as "Got me in cuffs, I'm gettin ruffed up daily/ Send me to jail cause i rebel on what they tell me/ My life's hell, got the law tryin to capture me/ And then the courts and the whole force after me." The lyrics of this song speak to the struggles of young black men growing up in an environment that's not always supportive and oftentimes hostile. It also highlights the need for affection and the desire for love and companionship. Hotel Costes's "Smooth" is a powerful reflection on the life of young black men in the United States.

Line by Line Meaning

A black man, that not too many understand
Referring to a black man who doesn't fit the conventional mold and is often looked down upon by society.

Pyt, playa young thug, you need some lovin tlc
Addressing a young thug who appears to be in need of care and affection.

I wanna get with you
Expressing a desire to connect with the young thug.

It's Saturday, time to play
Acknowledging the weekend and the urge to relax and have fun.

I gotta hit the street, I'm chillin out ok
Planning to venture out and have a good time without any worries.

I gotta hit the spot lookin fl
Looking for a particular location or venue.

I wanna watch the O.G. thugs roll by
Curious to witness and observe older gangsters cruising in the streets.

Find a little lovin, not too much
Searching for some intimacy and affection, without expecting too much.

Just enough to wake them up
Looking for a passionate and stimulating experience.

Who do I see, a fool that wanna get with me
Encountering an individual who is interested in a romantic pursuit, but is perceived as foolish.

Not in the mood, so I really dont wanna speak
Lacking the motivation or desire to engage in conversation.

He has a plan, not to work for uncle sam
Referencing a black man who has plans to avoid working for the government or any authority figures.

A hood fanatic, a hoodlum mack
Identifying a person who is enthusiastic about and glorifies the street life and its criminal activities.

In fact, the male version of a female mack
Comparing the individual to a pimp who is skilled at seducing their romantic partners.

He has money and everthing that comes with it
Describing the individual's financial status and the luxuries that come with wealth.

Just a tiny bit of what the ghettos made of
Acknowledging that the wealth and status of this individual is not representative of the average person from the ghetto.

Gotta give love to the young thugs
Advocating for showing compassion and affection to young individuals involved in criminal activities.

Look here
Attention-grabbing statement, preceding a more profound evaluation of society.

Now tell me whos afraid of this young Thug
Questioning why so many people are intimidated or fearful of young men like the thug being addressed.

Look how we came up from the ghetto were we slung drugs
Reflecting on the journey that many young men like the thug have taken from selling drugs to where they are now.

America eats it's babies, it's crazy
Critiquing the United States for its treatment of its citizens and the detrimental effects it has on the younger generations.

Will somebody save me from this sytematic slavery
Expressing the feeling of being trapped and oppressed by the oppressive societal systems in place.

Got me in cuffs, I'm gettin ruffed up daily
Describing the experience of being constantly harassed and abused by law enforcement officials.

Send me to jail cause i rebel on what they tell me
Admitting to rebelling against societal norms and being punished by the legal system as a result.

My life's hell, got the law tryin to capture me
Acknowledging the hardships and difficulties faced by individuals who are constantly targeted by law enforcement agencies.

And then the courts and the whole force after me
Highlighting the extent to which the legal system targets marginalized individuals and makes it difficult for them to thrive.

I'm hittin fences, my defenses, it was senseless
Describing the feeling of being trapped and constantly having to protect oneself from attacks.

Its like the whole was against us
Feeling as though society is working against marginalized groups and making it even more difficult for them to succeed.

Then they wonder why I'm cussin, bustin at the world
Shedding light on the reasoning and justification behind the anger and aggression that stems from the inherent oppression faced by marginalized individuals.

Dont trust em, me and my homies sayin fuck em
Encouraging listeners to not trust authority and instead form bonds with one another in order to create a sense of solidarity.

Rollin in my 6-0 Impala, all about makin dollars
Describing a scene of success and enjoyment, riding in a luxury car and seeking to make money.

Sometimes it make me wanna holla
Expressing frustration and disappointment over the system that makes it difficult for marginalized individuals to succeed.

But now its cool, and if im motivatin, baby make a move
Acknowledging a period of peace and acceptance, while encouraging others to do what they need to do to get ahead.

Cause uh, thugs get lonley too
Expressing empathy for young individuals who are involved in criminal activities and may feel isolated or lonely.

A straight up menace
Identifying the young thug as someone who is capable of violence and criminal activity.

And if he starts then he will finish to keep his image
Describing the young thug's dedication to maintaining his reputation and not backing down from a challenge.

And i can tell, bye the way he bail, he was payed well
Noting the young thug's financial success and the fact that he is well-compensated for his actions.

Talkin dinner, movies and the motel
Describing the young thug's lifestyle of luxury and excessive spending.

Sexual, flexible, he gets freaky undercovers, so he's good to go
Describing the young thug's sexual activity and his willingness to engage in a variety of different sexual behaviors.

I only know what i see in the hood is thugs
Recognizing that the societal norms and systems in place have created a culture of criminality and violence.

So you know i gotta give them love
Reiterating the importance of showing compassion and empathy for marginalized individuals, regardless of their actions or behavior.

He got money and everthing that comes with it, pyt
Acknowledging the young thug's financial success and the luxuries that come with wealth.

Just a little part of what the ghettos made of
Acknowledging that the lifestyle and status of the young thug is not representative of the average person from the ghetto.

Gotta give love to the young thugs
Encouraging listeners to show compassion and empathy for young individuals involved in criminal activities, who may feel isolated and alone.

Writer(s): ROB THOMAS, ITAAL SHUR

Contributed by Carson F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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