His first tracks were produced by The Unknown DJ who also produced Ice T's earliest gangsta rap tracks. He has collaborated with artists such as Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Rappin' 4-Tay, B-Legit, Ice-T, and Masta Ace. He also worked with other producers such as DJ Pooh, Marley Marl, Ant Banks, E-Swift of Tha Alkaholiks and Madlib.
Although he helped launch the career of Tha Alkaholiks, who became popular in their own right, Tee's own career didn't fare quite so well. His highest charting album, Tha Triflin' Album, peaked at #95 on the Billboard 200 while his other albums scraped the bottom of the chart.
Dr. Dre tried to help revitalize Tee's career by signing him to Aftermath Records. He appeared on Dre's albums, Dr. Dre Presents...The Aftermath and 2001, and recorded his own album. But Tee was eventually dropped from the label. Nevertheless, the album he recorded for Aftermath, Thy Kingdom Come was released in 2002 on a German independent label. It featured guest appearances by Dre, Ice T, Too $hort, MC Ren, DJ Quik, Kool G Rap, Shaquille O'neal, Kid Frost, El DeBarge, and others.
Those that have followed gangster rap since its roots will credit King Tee with being one of the leading founders helping gangster rap build credibility and eventually helping to open doors for some of today's biggest names in hip-hop. He is also cited as being one of the biggest inspirations for popular East Coast rapper The Notorious B.I.G., whose early style bore a striking resemblance to that of King T.
Act A Fool
King Tee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm goin' out, been hangin' round the house all day
So I take me a shower, dress like a big daddy
Stop at the Arco, put some gas in my Caddy
Armor on my wheels, shine up my Daytons
Check my 12-gauge, I see jackers just waitin'
Got in my car, rolled up the tinted glass
Looked for my zapp tape to pop in my dash
Found my old fired tape of the song "knee deep"
So I popped it in, then I pumped it up
Love hearin' funk, because disco sucks
Body got chills when the basses started poundin'
I took off because I'm goin' to town, and
Won't be back 'til mornin', don't have to go to school
(Better get ready) I'm finna act a fool
Now I'm on the move, got a grand in my pocket
Reached for my phone, plugged it in the socket
Heard the dial tone, so I dialed up Aladdin
He answered the phone and said "what's up?" I said "what's happenin'?"
He said, "where you been? I been tryin' to get in touch
The party's in Watts," I said, "I don't give a fuck"
"If you want to go, just wear neutral colors
If anybody asks you, just tell 'em you're my brother"
Stopped at the store to buy me a Cisco
A 40 ounce and some crackers by Nabisco
A pack of Dentyne and I pulled out a 10
And said, "fuck it, Supersacco and gin
I'm finna act a fool"
Now I'm drivin' down Compton on my way to get Aladdin
Feelin' like a pimp 'til my tape started draggin'
It's a old tape anyway, it ain't no thing
Pulled it out and slapped in dana dane
Got to Aladdin's house and I honked my horn
He said, "when we comin' back?" I said, "6 in tha morn'"
So he got in the car, lookin half-dead
So I gave him my Cisco and took the 40 to the head
Now I'm feelin' tipsy, and I'm headed for Watts
But wait, what do I see sittin' at the bus stop?
Sexy Susanna, had a butt that kills
Pretty long hair, but they say it's not real
Aladdin yelled "these fake or real?" she threw a rock in my glass
So I got out my car and drop-kicked her ass
I checked out my window, everything was cool
She was lucky I was nice and I didn't act a fool
We finally arrived at the party, drunk as a jerk
Got out my car, pressed the kit so the alarm, would chirp
After that we made our way, I tried not to fall
Couldn't walk a straight line if they let me crawl
Got to the door, and what spots my eye?
My homeboy Mr. Prince, and he's smokin' some Thai
So I stumbled his way and said, "hey, pass the jay"
I took a hit then I reached for my mouth spray
This girl asked me to dance, but I told the hoe no
'Cause she was on my tip 'cause of my big gold rope
But it seems she got offended, that's splendid
Before she starts somethin', I just slap her and end it
'Cause I feel like a gangster, and I just don't care
About a girl with fake drag, fake eyes, fake hair
Fake clothes, fake nails and all that fake jewelery
All she want to do is tell her friends that she screwed me
I get nutty, act a fool when I want to
Run up when I'm drunk and I just might pump you
Take your car, your wife, keep talkin', your life
Beat you down and have you smokin' the pipe
(You know why?) 'Cause I'm cool
(Well, kill me! Shoot me, muthafucka!)
(I gotcha)
(Oh Goddamn)
The lyrics to King Tee's song Act A Fool depict a Friday night in Los Angeles where the singer, dressed in flashy clothes, sets out to indulge in a night of fun and revelry. The song contains several depictions of the singer's activities on this night including stopping at a gas station to fill up his Caddy, checking his 12-gauge for security purposes, and locating an old mixtape to play in his car. As the night wears on, he hollers at friends, purchases alcohol and snacks, and picks up a hitchhiker named Aladdin. When they arrive at a party in Watts, the singer flirts with a woman, turns down her advances, and hits her after she becomes aggressive. The song is notable for its smooth, funky beat and catchy chorus that encourages listeners to "act a fool" and let loose.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Friday night on the streets of L.A.
It's late on a Friday night and I'm in Los Angeles.
I'm goin' out, been hangin' round the house all day
I'm going out for the night after having a lazy day at home.
So I take me a shower, dress like a big daddy
I take a shower and wear flashy clothes to look good for the night.
Stop at the Arco, put some gas in my Caddy
I stop at the Arco gas station to fill up my Cadillac.
Armor on my wheels, shine up my Daytons
I put protectors on my wheels and polish them to keep them shiny.
Check my 12-gauge, I see jackers just waitin'
I check my gun because I see potential robbers around.
Got in my car, rolled up the tinted glass
I get in my car and roll up the tinted windows for privacy and safety.
Looked for my zapp tape to pop in my dash
I look for my Zapp tape to play in my car.
Can't find it, forget it, went under my seat
I can't find my Zapp tape and forget about it, then find it under my seat.
Found my old fired tape of the song 'knee deep'
I find an old Funkadelic tape with the song 'Knee Deep' on it.
So I popped it in, then I pumped it up
I play the tape and turn up the volume.
Love hearin' funk, because disco sucks
I prefer listening to funk music instead of disco.
Body got chills when the basses started poundin'
I feel excited when the basses start playing and my body feels chills.
I took off because I'm goin' to town, and
I start driving because I'm heading to town.
Won't be back 'til mornin', don't have to go to school
I won't return until the morning, so I have no school to worry about.
(Better get ready) I'm finna act a fool
I'm getting ready to have a wild and crazy night.
Now I'm on the move, got a grand in my pocket
I have a thousand dollars in my pocket and I'm on my way.
Reached for my phone, plugged it in the socket
I plug my phone into the socket to charge it.
Heard the dial tone, so I dialed up Aladdin
I hear a dial tone and call Aladdin.
He answered the phone and said 'what's up?' I said 'what's happenin'?'
Aladdin answers the phone and I greet him, asking what's going on.
He said, 'where you been? I been tryin' to get in touch
Aladdin asks me where I have been because he's been trying to reach me.
The party's in Watts,' I said, 'I don't give a fuck'
Aladdin tells me where the party is, and I tell him that I don't care.
'If you want to go, just wear neutral colors
Aladdin advises me to wear neutral colors if I decide to go to the party.
If anybody asks you, just tell 'em you're my brother'
Aladdin tells me to say that I'm his brother if someone asks me at the party.
Stopped at the store to buy me a Cisco
I stop at a store to buy a Cisco, a type of alcoholic beverage.
A 40 ounce and some crackers by Nabisco
I buy a 40-ounce bottle of alcohol and some Nabisco crackers.
A pack of Dentyne and I pulled out a 10
I also buy some Dentyne gum and take out a ten-dollar bill.
And said, 'fuck it, Supersacco and gin
I decide to buy Supersacco and gin with my ten-dollar bill.
I'm finna act a fool'
I'm getting ready to have a wild and crazy night.
Now I'm drivin' down Compton on my way to get Aladdin
I drive down Compton to pick up Aladdin.
Feelin' like a pimp 'til my tape started draggin'
Feeling cool and confident until my tape got stuck.
It's an old tape anyway, it ain't no thing
I don't mind that it's an old tape since it's not a big deal.
Pulled it out and slapped in dana dane
I take out the old tape and replace it with a Dana Dane tape.
Got to Aladdin's house and I honked my horn
I arrive at Aladdin's house and honk my horn to let him know I'm there.
He said, 'when we comin' back?' I said, '6 in tha morn''
Aladdin asks when we're coming back, and I tell him it will be at 6 in the morning.
So he got in the car, lookin' half-dead
Aladdin gets in the car and appears tired.
So I gave him my Cisco and took the 40 to the head
I give Aladdin my Cisco alcohol and drink the 40-ounce bottle myself.
Now I'm feelin' tipsy, and I'm headed for Watts
I'm feeling buzzed and driving toward Watts for the party.
But wait, what do I see sittin' at the bus stop?
As I drive by, I see someone sitting at the bus stop.
Sexy Susanna, had a butt that kills
I see a woman named Sexy Susanna who has an attractive body.
Pretty long hair, but they say it's not real
Susanna has long hair, but people say it's not really hers.
Aladdin yelled 'these fake or real?' she threw a rock in my glass'
Aladdin asks Susanna if her body parts are fake or real, and she throws a rock at my car window.
So I got out my car and drop-kicked her ass
I get out of my car and fight Susanna by drop-kicking her.
I checked out my window, everything was cool
After the fight, I check the window and everything looks fine.
She was lucky I was nice and I didn't act a fool
I don't act more wildly than I already have and maintain my composure.
We finally arrived at the party, drunk as a jerk
Aladdin and I get to the party drunk and acting silly.
Got out my car, pressed the kit so the alarm would chirp
I lock the car and set the alarm so that it makes a noise.
After that we made our way, I tried not to fall
We start walking but I'm trying not to lose my balance.
Couldn't walk a straight line if they let me crawl
I'm so drunk that I can't even walk in a straight line.
Got to the door, and what spots my eye?
We reach the party door and something catches my attention.
My homeboy Mr. Prince, and he's smokin' some Thai
I see my friend Mr. Prince and he's smoking Thai marijuana.
So I stumbled his way and said, 'hey, pass the jay
I walk toward him and ask him to pass the joint.
This girl asked me to dance, but I told the hoe no
A girl asks me to dance, but I refuse.
'Cause she was on my tip 'cause of my big gold rope
I know she's only interested in me because of my expensive gold necklace.
But it seems she got offended, that's splendid
She gets upset when I reject her, but I don't care.
Before she starts somethin', I just slap her and end it
I hit her to defend myself and prevent her from causing trouble.
'Cause I feel like a gangster, and I just don't care
I act tough and don't care about the consequences.
About a girl with fake drag, fake eyes, fake hair
I don't want to associate with a girl with cosmetic enhancements.
Fake clothes, fake nails and all that fake jewelery
I don't like people who wear fake clothes, jewelry, or nails.
All she want to do is tell her friends that she screwed me
I know the girl only wants to brag to her friends that she had sex with me.
I get nutty, act a fool when I want to
I become crazy and out of control when I feel like it.
Run up when I'm drunk and I just might pump you
If someone annoys me or crosses the line, I might become aggressive and attack them.
Take your car, your wife, keep talkin', your life
I don't care about other people's possessions or lives, and will take them if I want to.
Beat you down and have you smokin' the pipe
I will physically assault you and make you smoke drugs.
('You know why?) 'Cause I'm cool'
I think my behavior is cool even if it's violent and dangerous.
('Well, kill me! Shoot me, muthafucka!')
Someone says they would rather die than deal with me and my behavior.
('I gotcha')
I respond by saying that I have power over them.
('Oh Goddamn')
Someone exclaims that I am causing chaos and trouble.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK S JORDAN, ROGER MCBRIDE P, D.J. POOH, KING TEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tharan Manning
This is what I call classic real rap.good old school rap.they dont make rap like this anymore.
Sally Lauper
No, they don't.
MDBD
When rap was rap.
Cathy Hagen
It just doesn't get any better than this.
E Huck
Every Friday night after work we use to put this on ,on the way to the liquor store...then we act the fool
InitiativeMark
I probably have never heard this before. This is fire.
rreyes322
Listen to Bass by king Tee also
Donnie Streaty I.P. Rap Artist
Pure DOPENESS 👑💯💯
Ed Wimpee
Still banging in 2021..🔥🔥
Way2heady
The NY influence was undeniable….
He put the Cali twist on it The beginning of West up💯💎