Problem Child
Jadakiss & Styles P Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why can't you be man enough (aha ha ha)
To tell me where your coming from (oh oh)
(yea where you at nigga?)
(load up nigga)
(who aha ha ha)
Yo, can't really figure this clown out
And I could let an LA gun hit 'em
But Grape Street already told me you pay 'em to run wit' 'em (?)
I could let a New York knife poke 'em
With 1 of my throw aliways but I don't wanna see no cops smoke 'em
Uh somebody tell Pa we ridin' (we ridin')
And get read to auction of the car he die in (Ebay)
Whenever we bump heads, since you like havin' people witchu
Getchu a hospital with bunk beds (ha ha ha)
Without Dr.Dre you would just make slow jams
Come up outta that witness protection program ?
Hov don't really respect you, get in ya place
If Big was alive he'da probably spit in ya face
Nas been doin' just fine without you (esco)
And pac probably woulda made an album about you (yea)
So I guess that just leaves me here to get rid of you
And Rakim an 'em they don't even consider you (uh uh)
Em know you ain't got nothin' for jada (nothin')
And I know he appreciates all the money you made 'em
It's two thousand and 5 nobody fights fair (uh uh)
I just know an instrumentals ya worse nightmare
But you tough and you bad too bad you mad (yea)
Probably been in ya own hood more than you have (ok)
Yea you sold more records than me
But in the streets you gon' always be second to me
We was damn near feelin' you (uh huh)
Even though ya careers is based on somebody damn near killin' you
Shit you be doin' ain't even considered rappin' to us (nah)
This is probably the best thing to happen to us
The best wanksta, internet gangsta, magazine mobster
Shit on ya whole roster (uh)
Get ready to say hail mary's and our fathers
Get out ya black suits and hard bottoms
Haha and don't worry I got 'em
He ain't a problem child just a child with a problem (D-Block ahaha)
(aha ha)
Why can't you be man enough (we love it nigga)
To tell me where your coming from (lets go)
(0-5)(SP)
D-Block don't think it nigga (D-Block)
Take a piss in ya formula 50, drink it nigga
Get shot out the reeboks nigga
Got shot and ain't shoot nothin' back, yous a biatch nigga (yous a bitch)
If I woulda got shot on grandmas stoop
I'd woulda aired somebody grandma duke, right? (ha)
In the streets they say "50 who shot ya?"
Named 3 niggas soon as he came out the doctor (you told 'em)(come on)
And you far from a gangsta nigga
You was talkin' bout yaself when you made wanksta nigga (haha)
Listen, why work out cock guns on the D-V-D (why)
Run around with cops from homicide and T-N-T? (cops)
Nigga you can suck my dick
Come around without cops shits on you gon' get touched quick (you get touched)
'cause I was at the vibe when it jumped off, put 50 grand up
You pussy you ain't even lift a hand up (you didn't do shit)
Ya man stabbed somethin', police grabbed somethin'
But besides that I ain't see nobody man up?
Shit what the plot is about? (what?)
'cause you know that you don't need a dentist to get shot in the mouth (uh uh)
And the hood hate ya shit but you hot in the south
It's the crackas that buy the album what's the plottin' about? (whats it about)
Many men make a wish but we ain't many men (uh uh)
So you gon' get death when we let them semis spit (what?)
[Chorus]
Why can't you be man enough
To tell me where your coming from
To tell me where your coming from
The lyrics to Jadakiss & Styles P's "Problem Child" are a scathing attack on 50 Cent, who at the time was one of the biggest names in hip hop. The song begins with questioning 50 Cent's authenticity and trying to figure out where he is from, before going on to accuse him of paying Grape Street gang members to protect him. The lyrics then suggest that Jadakiss and Styles P are more powerful and respected in the industry than 50 Cent, with references to Jay-Z, Biggie, Nas, and Tupac. The chorus highlights the song's main message, which is a challenge to 50 Cent to be honest and transparent about his true identity and intentions.
One of the most interesting aspects of this song is the context in which it was released. 50 Cent and Jadakiss had been beefing for several years, with insults and diss tracks being traded back and forth. This song was seen as a significant moment in the feud, as it represented an escalation in the intensity and personal nature of the attacks. Another interesting fact is that both Jadakiss and Styles P were members of the rap group The Lox, who had previously been signed to Bad Boy Records but were now signed to the more underground label Ruff Ryders. The song's lyrics are a reflection of this shift in the group's career trajectory, as they position themselves as being more authentic and true to the streets than 50 Cent's more commercial and mainstream sound.
Another noteworthy feature of this song is the heavy use of references to hip hop legends and icons. This is seen in the references to Jay-Z, Biggie, Nas, and Tupac, but also in the sampling of Rakim's "Mahogany" and the use of lines from Kool G Rap's "Streets of New York". This demonstrates Jadakiss and Styles P's understanding and appreciation of hip hop history and their desire to position themselves as part of that legacy. Additionally, the music video for the song features footage of 50 Cent performing with G-Unit, further emphasizing the antagonistic nature of the feud.
In terms of chords, "Problem Child" is based around a simple, looping synth riff that provides a propulsive backdrop for the lyrics. The song has a fairly minimalist sound, with sparse percussion and few other musical elements. This allows the lyrics to be front and center, and emphasizes the directness and intensity of the message being conveyed. Overall, "Problem Child" is a powerful example of diss track culture in hip hop, and a testament to Jadakiss and Styles P's skill as MCs and lyricists.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, can't really figure this clown out
I can't seem to understand or comprehend this person
Where is he from Jamaica, Queens, Cali or down south? (where you from?)
I am unsure about the person's origin or location
And I could let an LA gun hit 'em
I have the option of using a gun from Los Angeles on this person
But Grape Street already told me you pay 'em to run wit' 'em (?)
I am aware that Grape Street gang is paid to be with this person
I could let a New York knife poke 'em
I have the option of using a New York knife on this person
With 1 of my throw aliways but I don't wanna see no cops smoke 'em
I could use a weapon but I don't want any police involvement
Uh somebody tell Pa we ridin' (we ridin')
Let's inform Pa that we are coming for this person
And get read to auction of the car he die in (Ebay)
We will sell the car he dies in on eBay
Whenever we bump heads, since you like havin' people witchu
Since you enjoy having people around you, whenever we are in conflict
Getchu a hospital with bunk beds (ha ha ha)
You will need a hospital with bunk beds due to the number of people who will be joining you
Without Dr.Dre you would just make slow jams
You wouldn't be as successful without Dr. Dre's contributions
Come up outta that witness protection program ?
I suspect that you may be in a witness protection program
Hov don't really respect you, get in ya place
Jay-Z doesn't have respect for you, know your position around him
If Big was alive he'da probably spit in ya face
The late Notorious B.I.G would disrespect you if he were alive today
Nas been doin' just fine without you (esco)
Nas is successful without you, a reference to his nickname - Esco
And pac probably woulda made an album about you (yea)
2Pac would have used you as a subject matter in his music
So I guess that just leaves me here to get rid of you
I am left to deal with you myself
And Rakim an 'em they don't even consider you (uh uh)
Rakim and his group don't even acknowledge you
Em know you ain't got nothin' for jada (nothin')
Eminem knows that you are not a challenge to Jadakiss
It's two thousand and 5 nobody fights fair (uh uh)
Fights don't happen fairly in 2005
I just know an instrumentals ya worse nightmare
An instrumental beat is your worst nightmare
But you tough and you bad too bad you mad (yea)
You pretend to be tough but you are just angry
Probably been in ya own hood more than you have (ok)
You are not familiar with your own neighborhood as much as you pretend to be
Yea you sold more records than me
You may have sold more records than me but that doesn't intimidate me
But in the streets you gon' always be second to me
I will always be better than you on the streets
We was damn near feelin' you (uh huh)
We almost liked you but not anymore
Even though ya careers is based on somebody damn near killin' you
Your success is due to someone trying to kill you in the past
Shit you be doin' ain't even considered rappin' to us (nah)
What you do is not considered real rap to us
This is probably the best thing to happen to us
Your existence is the best thing that happened to us because we get to expose you
The best wanksta, internet gangsta, magazine mobster
You are the best fake gangster, keyboard warrior, and phony criminal in magazines
Shit on ya whole roster (uh)
We are better than all the people you have on your team
Get ready to say hail mary's and our fathers
Prepare yourself for death
Get out ya black suits and hard bottoms
Get ready for a funeral
He ain't a problem child just a child with a problem (D-Block ahaha)
You are not a problematic child, rather a child with a problem, a mockery of D-Block
D-Block don't think it nigga (D-Block)
D-Block does not agree with you
Take a piss in ya formula 50, drink it nigga
You should pee in your Formula 50 energy drink and consume it
Got shot and ain't shoot nothin' back, yous a biatch nigga (yous a bitch)
You got shot but didn't retaliate, you are weak
If I woulda got shot on grandmas stoop
If I was shot on my grandmother's porch
I'd woulda aired somebody grandma duke, right? (ha)
I would have retaliated with all means possible
In the streets they say '50 who shot ya?'
In the streets, they wonder who shot you
Named 3 niggas soon as he came out the doctor (you told 'em)(come on)
The moment he was out of surgery, you told them who shot you
And you far from a gangsta nigga
You are not a real gangster
You was talkin' bout yaself when you made wanksta nigga (haha)
You were referring to yourself in the song Wanksta, phony gangster (haha)
Listen, why work out cock guns on the D-V-D (why)
Why train with guns on a DVD?
Run around with cops from homicide and T-N-T? (cops)
Why hang out with police from homicide and a TV network?
Nigga you can suck my dick
I don't respect you at all
Come around without cops shits on you gon' get touched quick (you get touched)
If you come alone, you will face the consequences
'cause I was at the vibe when it jumped off, put 50 grand up
I was present when the event happened, and I am willing to bet $50,000
You pussy you ain't even lift a hand up (you didn't do shit)
You didn't even attempt to fight
Ya man stabbed somethin', police grabbed somethin'
Your associate stabbed someone, and the police interfere
But besides that I ain't see nobody man up?
Nobody was brave enough to act as a man in that situation
Shit what the plot is about? (what?)
What is your game plan?
'cause you know that you don't need a dentist to get shot in the mouth (uh uh)
You know that you can get shot in the mouth without needing dental work
And the hood hate ya shit but you hot in the south
People in the neighborhood don't like you, but you have fans in the southern US
It's the crackas that buy the album what's the plottin' about? (whats it about)
White people are the ones buying your album, what's the plan?
Many men make a wish but we ain't many men (uh uh)
A reference to 50 Cent's song - Many Men (Wish Death), but not many men can handle the pressure
So you gon' get death when we let them semis spit (what?)
When we pull our guns on you, you'll face the consequences
[Chorus]
Repeats the chorus - Why can't you be man enough to tell us where you are from?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PHILIP JAMES BAILEY, KAREEM BROWN, BRENCE SKINNER, CHARLES STEPNEY, MAURICE WHITE, VERDINE WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
youngfly87
A timeless diss track. Still goes hard in 2021
Simon Jon Watson
And 22
Nasa Space
Somebody tell these rappers nowadays that this is what a real diss track sound like.
Blazi
Ig u never heard any new diss tracks
Out Mud Management LLC
💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥
Andre C. Hatchett
You can’t rap
Yin Liu
Lol. When rappers were men.
Caren Look
Back after the murder scene on the verzuz in 2021. I Agree with this message.
Chillarn Bajskorv
50 cent got so much fans and still The LOX straight murdered him in every song, I love it. Some people just follow the movement, and some recognize the real.
Blazi
@Sihle Tenjwa man shut yo ass up 💀 the LOX are leagues above 50