Ice-T started in 1982 out with other West Coast rap pioneers such as Kid Frost, DJ Flash, and The Egyptian Lover with Electro recordings. Later on, he changed his style and was the first West Coast rapper to be accepted by the East Coast. 6 'n The Mornin is sometimes seen as the track that triggered the whole gangster rap movement. It was produced by The Unknown DJ, who produced electro funk tracks before and went on to produce Compton's Most Wanted. The song was inspired by Schoolly D's "P.S.K. What Does It Mean?" and became itself the inspiration for Eazy-E and N.W.A's Boyz-N-The-Hood. Ice-T went on to work with Afrika Islam, the man behind the beats on 1987's Rhyme Pays, 1988's Power and 1989's The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say.
He also is a star in Law in Order: Special Victims Unit.
In 1992 he created the crossover band Body Count with 4 other black musicians.
I'm Your Pusher/Pusherman
Ice-T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No problem, the record's revolvin'
Evil's the mixer, I'm the rap trickster
Paparazzi on the bum rush for pictures
Ice, coolin', yo colder than ever
Punk executioner, E pull the lever
Rotate the wax, then cut and axe the tracks
Push up the levels 'til the red lights max
To the rap criminals, we're on the rise up
We're sellin' dope 'til we're succeeded
Dope beats and lyrics, no beepers needed
For this drug deal, I'm the big wheel
The dope I'm sellin', you don't smoke, you feel
Out on the dance floor, on my world tour
I'm sellin' dope in each and every record store
I'm the king pin when the wax spins
Crack or smack will take you to a sure end
You don't need it, just throw that stuff away
You wanna get high? Let the record play
I know you're lovin' this drugs as it's comin' out your speaker
Bass through the bottoms, highs through the tweeters
But this base you don't need a pipe
Just a tempo to keep you hype
Groovin' like I see you doin'
Some stupid crack would just ruin
Your natural high, why? That ain't fly
And anyone who says it is, lies
Move like I knew you would, like I knew could
And if you ain't cracked out, then I know you should
Be able to give me a clap, to match exact with the track
And since I know that you ain't, I expect that
Oh now this jam is lit, it's like the ultimate
People high off dope but still physically fit
I'll make a million bucks, pack my dough in trucks
From sellin' dope beats, dope rhymes, dope cuts
I'll be the biggest dope dealer in history
Because all the fly will be high off that Ice-T
I'll bring it to boil, Evil E rock it up
You want in? I don't think you got enough
Last suckers crossed, Syndicate shot'em up
Cops found'em in the lake bottom up
I don't play when it comes to my dope
I check my lyrics close, like with a microscope
I don't clean'em up with no Ivory soap
I leave'em hard and pure, hope that you can cope
'Cause you might O.D. if you overdrive
This record, tape or CD, because the sound I've
Created on this wax is like a chemical
And the knowledge I give, makes me invincible
The cops don't know what to do because my dope breaks through
No matter what they do, my stuff gets to you
Kickin' on the Boulevard, my tempo's hyped and hard
I don't ask, the ICE just bogards
Sire Records puts me out, with Warner Bros. clout
My dope hits the streets with no doubt
Evil E adds the cut then removes it
IZ checks for purity, then approves it
And then you get it, try it and like it
And if it ain't potent, we remix it and spike it
To bring you the pure dope, not a noose in a rope
Because if you're doin' crack, you're on death row
You're just a toy punk, to mess with that junk
You want some real dope come look in my trunk
The dope I'm sellin' is life, 100% legit
So get real fool and try some real hit
Ice-T's "I'm Your Pusher" is a rap song that delves into the world of drug dealing through the lens of a fictitious character: Ice. The song begins with Ice-T pumping up the volume and warning the listener to wise up to the rap criminals who are on the rise. He declares that they are selling dope until they have succeeded and that their beats and lyrics are all the hook they need. He emphasizes that the dope he is selling is the biggest deal in history and that he will be the biggest dope dealer because everyone is high off that Ice-T.
Ice-T goes on to describe how his dope is so strong that, unlike other drugs, it doesn't require any paraphernalia to be consumed. He urges people to throw away their stuff and get high off the beat instead. He emphasizes the importance of not ruining their natural high with crack and that anyone who says it's okay to do so is lying. The song continues with Ice referring to himself as the big wheel of the drug deal and how he checks his lyrics with a microscope to ensure their purity.
"I'm Your Pusher" highlights the ruthless nature of the drug trade, the power dynamics within it, and the impact that it can have on people's lives. Ice-T depicts himself as a savvy businessman who is both knowledgeable and invincible. While the song can be interpreted as glorifying drug use and glamorizing the lifestyle of a drug dealer, it can also be seen as a cautionary tale about the consequences of getting involved with drugs.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, it's time for me to pump the volume
I'm about to turn up the music and get the party started.
No problem, the record's revolvin'
The music is playing without any issues.
Evil's the mixer, I'm the rap trickster
The music producer is adding in the beats, while I am the rapper adding in the lyrics to make a hit song.
Paparazzi on the bum rush for pictures
The photographers are rushing to take pictures of me because of my fame and success.
Ice, coolin', yo colder than ever
I'm feeling cool and confident.
Punk executioner, E pull the lever
I am punishing the weak with my music, and my producer is controlling the sound levels.
Rotate the wax, then cut and axe the tracks
I'm spinning vinyl records and mixing tracks to create a unique song.
Push up the levels 'til the red lights max
I'm increasing the volume and intensity of the music until it's at its highest level.
Don't try to size up, you better wise up
Don't underestimate me and my music, you better respect it and listen closely.
To the rap criminals, we're on the rise up
My music crew and I are becoming more popular and successful in the world of hip-hop.
We're sellin' dope 'til we're succeeded
We are selling our music until we become successful and wealthy.
Dope beats and lyrics, no beepers needed
Our music is addictive and amazing, no need for anything else to enjoy it.
For this drug deal, I'm the big wheel
I'm the one in charge and responsible for making sure our music is successful.
The dope I'm sellin', you don't smoke, you feel
My music is so powerful, you can feel the effects of it without actually needing to smoke a drug.
Out on the dance floor, on my world tour
I'm performing all around the world and getting people dancing to my music.
I'm sellin' dope in each and every record store
My music is so popular and successful, it's being sold in every record store.
I'm the king pin when the wax spins
I'm the leader and most successful in the world of hip-hop music.
Crack or smack will take you to a sure end
Drugs like crack or heroin will lead to your certain death.
You don't need it, just throw that stuff away
You don't need drugs, just listen to my music instead.
You wanna get high? Let the record play
My music is so powerful and addictive, it can give you the same high as drugs.
I know you're lovin' this drugs as it's comin' out your speaker
You are enjoying my music so much that you feel like you're on drugs.
Bass through the bottoms, highs through the tweeters
The music is playing through the bass speakers and high-pitched tweeters to create a full sound.
But this base you don't need a pipe
You don't need drugs to enjoy the music's bass.
Just a tempo to keep you hype
All you need is the music's tempo to keep you excited and dancing.
Groovin' like I see you doin'
I see you nodding your head and dancing to my music.
Some stupid crack would just ruin
Using drugs like crack would ruin your experience of enjoying the music.
Your natural high, why? That ain't fly
Enjoying the music without drugs is a better and more natural high.
And anyone who says it is, lies
People who argue that drugs make music better are lying to themselves and others.
Move like I knew you would, like I knew could
You are dancing to the music just like I expected you to.
And if you ain't cracked out, then I know you should
If you're not on drugs, then you should enjoy the music even more.
Be able to give me a clap, to match exact with the track
You should be clapping along with the beat of the music.
And since I know that you ain't, I expect that
Since I know you're not on drugs, I expect you to be enjoying the music without any issues.
Oh now this jam is lit, it's like the ultimate
The music is amazing right now, like the best ever.
People high off dope but still physically fit
People are enjoying the music without drugs, but still having a great time dancing to it.
I'll make a million bucks, pack my dough in trucks
I will become very wealthy and successful from creating and selling my music.
From sellin' dope beats, dope rhymes, dope cuts
I will become successful from creating and selling amazing music beats, lyrics, and mixes.
I'll be the biggest dope dealer in history
I will become the most successful and well-known music artist in history.
Because all the fly will be high off that Ice-T
People will be enjoying my music so much they will feel like they are on drugs - all because of me and my talent.
I'll bring it to boil, Evil E rock it up
I will make the music even better and more intense, while my producer creates amazing beats.
You want in? I don't think you got enough
If you want to be a part of my music, you better be talented and good enough.
Last suckers crossed, Syndicate shot'em up
People who messed with my music crew in the past were punished and eliminated from the group.
Cops found'em in the lake bottom up
The police discovered their dead bodies dumped in the lake.
I don't play when it comes to my dope
I'm very serious and protective about my music and its success.
I check my lyrics close, like with a microscope
I make sure my lyrics are perfect and well-crafted, paying close attention to detail.
I don't clean'em up with no Ivory soap
I don't censor my lyrics to make them more commercial or friendly to a wider audience.
I leave'em hard and pure, hope that you can cope
I leave my lyrics raw and honest, hoping listeners can handle and appreciate their intensity.
'Cause you might O.D. if you overdrive
You might overdose on the music if you listen to it too much or without breaks.
This record, tape or CD, because the sound I've
Whether you're listening to my music on vinyl, cassette tape, or CD, the sound quality is always amazing.
Created on this wax is like a chemical
The music I make is like a powerful and addictive drug.
And the knowledge I give, makes me invincible
My wisdom and insight make me unstoppable and superior in the world of hip-hop music.
The cops don't know what to do because my dope breaks through
The police don't know how to stop the spread of my music because it's so popular and successful.
No matter what they do, my stuff gets to you
The music I create will always find a way to reach my audience, no matter what obstacles or challenges arise.
Kickin' on the Boulevard, my tempo's hyped and hard
I'm making music and performing on the street with energy and passion.
I don't ask, the ICE just bogards
I don't ask for permission, I just take control and make things happen.
Sire Records puts me out, with Warner Bros. clout
My music and albums are released through Sire Records with the power and influence of Warner Bros. behind me.
My dope hits the streets with no doubt
Everyone knows and loves my music all around the world.
Evil E adds the cut then removes it
My producer adds in extra beats and sounds, before taking them away to create a unique and intriguing sound.
IZ checks for purity, then approves it
Another member of my crew checks the music's sound quality and approves it.
And then you get it, try it and like it
You listen to my music, try it out, and become a fan.
And if it ain't potent, we remix it and spike it
If the music needs a boost, we mix it again and add something extra to make it better.
To bring you the pure dope, not a noose in a rope
We bring you the highest quality music, not something dangerous or deadly like drugs.
Because if you're doin' crack, you're on death row
If you're using drugs like crack, you're risking your life and might end up dead.
You're just a toy punk, to mess with that junk
If you're using drugs, you're just a weak and vulnerable person who is easily swayed to make bad decisions.
You want some real dope come look in my trunk
If you want something powerful and high-quality, just listen to my music instead of using drugs.
The dope I'm sellin' is life, 100% legit
The music I create and sell is amazing and powerful, without any negative side effects.
So get real fool and try some real hit
Stop living in a fantasy and try listening to my amazing music instead of using drugs.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRACY LAUREN MARROW, AFRIKA ISLAM, CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CPZBLH
It's amazing how Ice-T made an entire "gangsta rap" career off of telling people the DOWNSIDE of the lifestyle and why you should NOT be a "gangsta". Salute to the legend!!
@jaxon7628
Including Pac, but he didn’t want to listen. You can always tell the real from the fake ones. Real wanna leave the life behind them, fake wanna overload it till the end.
@CPZBLH
@Jaxon7 Facts
@Shiftly
Lol
@chaddeez8446
Most smart rappers do just that instead of glorifying the lifestyle.
@arthura.4682
and yet he was blamed by politicians for promoting violence. they never even heard his music.
@mayssm
Old rap: Fresh beats, tells a story, actually rhymes, good message, awesome flow, and pure class and style.
@erikhelm9672
and different styles with every single artist...so sad that those days are gone
@marsisthenewmoon
JID is like that too isn't he?
@user-zs2np3tj4x
@Erik Helm quit crying nigga