Together with production partner DJ Paul, Juicy J played an important role in the South's rise to prominence within the once East and West Coast dominated rap industry. Behind the duo's leadership, Three 6 Mafia rose from an underground phenomenon in Memphis to a nationally recognized rap empire, spinning off numerous solo albums for the collective's many members in the mid- to late '90s. Like his production partner, Juicy J specialized in dark, eerie tracks driven by bass-heavy beats and haunting sounds. He also raps as a member of Three 6 Mafia. Moreover, Three 6 Mafia ventured into filmmaking with Choices: The Movie and Choices II: The Set-Up, a straight-to-video film starring most of the Three 6 Mafia's collective, Hypnotize Minds. Juicy J (born Jordan Houston) and DJ Paul (Paul Beauregard) first came together at the dawn of the '90s, when they worked as DJs in the Memphis area. The two soon began producing their own tracks and invited numerous Memphis rappers to rap over the beats. They released the resulting tracks locally as Three 6 Mafia; years later these recordings would resurface as re-releases. In 1995, the loose collective Three 6 Mafia began to form and self-released its debut album, Mystic Stylez. The album became an underground success, and Three 6 Mafia, in turn, signed a distribution deal with Relativity for its Hypnotized Minds imprint. Throughout the late '90s, DJ Paul and Juicy J produced numerous albums a year for Hypnotized Minds and capitalized on the lucrative distribution deal. By the end of the decade, the two producers were at the helm of an empire, having extended their brand to alarming lengths, culminating with their commercial breakthrough album, When the Smoke Clears (2000), which debuted at number six on Billboard's album chart.
Ghost Dope
Juicy J Lyrics
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Ghost dope, ghost dope, them Feds coming cut-throat
Ghost dope, ghost dope, them Feds coming cut-throat
You didn't catch me with no blow and I don't own no
Triple beams
And how you gonna charge me for some dope that I ain't
Touched or that I ain't seen
I knew a thug that had a plug straight outta South
Memphis
But he a drug habit, he couldn't stop sniffin'.
I had my goons meet him, ready to buy about 20 bricks
Bring the summer time, ooh I'm 'bout to make a lick
Just like always man we had to check the dope
And he said, "It's all good, man you know we folks."
One of my goons called: "J man this nigga trippin'
I see about 50 pillows but the other 5 missing,
And this nigga nose draining like a waterfall,
I'm 'bout to get what I can get and make his heart
Pause."
Just before I can get this nigga to calm down,
I hear a "Freeze!" and some shootin' in the background.
[Chorus] (Repeat 2x):
Ghost dope, ghost dope, them Feds coming cut-throat
Ghost dope, ghost dope, them Feds coming cut-throat
You didn't catch me with no blow and I don't own no
Triple beams
And how you gonna charge me for some dope that I ain't
Touched or that I ain't seen
Verse 2 (Juicy J):
This shit was on the news, the Feds busted all my goons
The nigga with the plug habit workin' with them fools
Packin' all my shit I heard some knocks at my front
Door
"Come out with your hands up", so now I'm on the floor
It's about to go down they kicked the doors down
Guns at my head, U.S. Marshals all around
Tearin' up my place, nothing never was found
It's in the shotgun house, somewhere in Orange Mound
Interrogation they kept asking me my tele-code
If I don't tell 'em nothin' I'll get life with no
Parole
But I don't snitch, hope you niggaz know the business
The wire taps is what they got but no witness.
[Chorus] (Repeat 2x):
Ghost dope, ghost dope, them Feds coming cut-throat
Ghost dope, ghost dope, them Feds coming cut-throat
You didn't catch me with no blow and I don't own no
Triple beams
And how you gonna charge me for some dope that I ain't
Touched or that I ain't seen
The lyrics to Juicy J's song "Ghost Dope" describe a drug bust and the singer's efforts to avoid being charged with drug possession. The chorus repeats, "Ghost dope, ghost dope, them Feds coming cut-throat," referring to the authorities' aggressive tactics in trying to catch those involved in the drug trade. The singer claims that he was not caught with any drugs or triple beams, and he questions how the authorities can charge him for something he hasn't touched or seen. In verse one, the singer details a drug deal gone wrong, with one of his associates getting caught mid-transaction. In verse two, the singer himself is caught and interrogated by the authorities, who threaten him with life in prison if he doesn't cooperate.
The lyrics of "Ghost Dope" reveal the dangers and complexities of the drug trade. The singer is aware of the risks involved but continues to participate in illegal activities in order to make money. However, he also shows loyalty to his associates and refuses to snitch on them, even if it means facing severe consequences. The repetition of the chorus underscores the urgency and high stakes of the situation, with the authorities willing to use any means necessary to catch those involved in the drug trade.
Line by Line Meaning
Ghost dope, ghost dope, them Feds coming cut-throat
Referring to drugs that are not physically present but still illegal, and the danger of law enforcement coming after Juicy J and his associates.
You didn't catch me with no blow and I don't own no Triple beams
Asserting innocence and lack of involvement in drug trafficking or any related equipment.
I knew a thug that had a plug straight outta South Memphis
Juicy J is describing his acquaintance with a drug supplier from a neighborhood in Memphis.
But he a drug habit, he couldn't stop sniffin'
The supplier was addicted to drugs and couldn't control his habit.
I had my goons meet him, ready to buy about 20 bricks
Juicy J sent his associates to purchase a large amount of drugs from the supplier.
Just like always man we had to check the dope
Before buying the drugs, his associates inspected and verified the quality of the product.
And he said, 'It's all good, man you know we folks.'
The supplier reassured Juicy J's associates that the drugs were of high quality and that they had a mutual connection.
One of my goons called: 'J man this nigga trippin'
One of the associates calls out to Juicy J, sensing that something is not right with the supplier.
I see about 50 pillows but the other 5 missing
The quantity of the drugs seems off, indicating that the supplier may have stolen some of the product.
And this nigga nose draining like a waterfall
The supplier is clearly experiencing the side effects of his drug use, further suggesting that he may not be reliable.
I'm 'bout to get what I can get and make his heart Pause.'
The associates plan to steal what drugs they can and potentially harm the supplier.
Just before I can get this nigga to calm down,
Juicy J was trying to prevent his associates from taking violent action against the supplier but was too late.
I hear a 'Freeze!' and some shootin' in the background.
Law enforcement officers have arrived, resulting in gunfire and chaos.
This shit was on the news, the Feds busted all my goons
After the incident, Juicy J and his associates are arrested by the federal government and charged with drug trafficking.
The nigga with the plug habit workin' with them fools
The supplier was working with law enforcement as an informant or accomplice.
Interrogation they kept asking me my tele-code
Juicy J is being questioned by law enforcement about his association with others who were involved in the illegal drug trade.
If I don't tell 'em nothin' I'll get life with no Parole
The stakes are high for Juicy J, and he faces a lengthy prison sentence if he doesn't cooperate with law enforcement.
But I don't snitch, hope you niggaz know the business
Despite the pressure, Juicy J refuses to become an informant and instead remains loyal to his associates and his code of conduct.
The wire taps is what they got but no witness.
Law enforcement has obtained recordings of conversations related to the drug trade but have not been able to secure testimony from an eyewitness.
Contributed by Ryan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.