G Rap began working with DJ Polo in 1986, releasing several underground hit singles including "It's a Demo"/"I'm Fly." Two other singles, "Streets of New York" and "Road to the Riches," received heavy rotation on Yo! MTV Raps and cemented his reputation as one of New York's top lyrical auteurs. His talent for telling a compelling, hard-luck story in a single song was considered second to only that of Rakim. While G Rap grew in popularity, he never crossed over like Biz Markie or Big Daddy Kane, both also members of the Juice Crew.
G Rap began a solo career in the mid-1990s, released 4,5,6. This and subsequent LPs saw little attention from critics or consumers, and G Rap began collaborating with others. Signing to Rawkus Records, G Rap launched a comeback with 2002's The Giancana Story. "Giancana" also is said by Kool G Rap to be the "G" in his name in the song "Drama". The album was well-received without commercial success.
In 2008 he released Half a Klip on Chinga Chang Records, featuring production from DJ Premier and Marley Marl, among others. His 2011 album Riches, Royalty, Respect showcased his true to form style and lyricism.
It's a Shame
Kool G Rap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
wearin Pele jackets
Fast loot tactics, I'm well up in the millionaire bracket
The boss of all bosses, I own racehorses and a fortress
corridors with olympic torches and Mona Lisa portraits
Ja'causezis and saunas and eatin steak at Benny Harner's
Bentley's limousine the front yard stream is full of pirahnas
I'm set, a private jet, I drink a lot of Beck's
Deliver a crown at the world units with silver china
Sippin on finer wine-r you see more shines than diamond miners
The Highness, kingpin of heroin
I'm thorough when I have to bring the terror in
Handle business in each and every borough in
town or city, I'm rollin like Frank Nitty, I'm rich and pretty
Back up kiddies, I got crimies that's grimy and gritty
A nigga that's spunky and likes to keep his pockets chunky
Makin most of my money, from all the dopefiends and junkies
I learned from the best the ones that's livin
and the ones that's put to rest
So I bless my chest with a vest and pack a Smith-N-Wes
And then I'm off to get the snaps, not the scraps
The game is be a real mack, the name is Kool G Rap
Now it's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar
Living in this game, sometimes it makes you wanna holler
It's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar
Living in this game, sometimes it makes you wanna holler
I got a fly hoe up under the wing, a swinger that does her thing
And if you step inside my ring,
she'll bang it out and make your brains hang
She sits at resteraunt tables with mink foxes and sables
Drinkin Cherenade brand label she'll rock a sucker's cradle
And yeah, honey is more bounce to the ounce
She walks around with lucci in large amounts
Millions inside Swiss bank accounts
Her name is Tammy, got a beach house in Miami
Rides around with a small jammy in her silk and satin panties
A down hoe, a Foxy Brown hoe, standin her ground hoe
And if you clown yo she'll turn into a bust a round hoe
Fly as a Heaven's Angel got sapphires in her bangles
Diamond earrings hangin dingle gettin money from all angles
She's pretty under the New York city bright lights
and real light, way after midnight, I hit it cause the slit's tight
Wake up early and make my rounds, break up break down
Packin a silver four pound, some clowns be trying to get down
Light up a smoke and grab a stack of C-notes
Them slick stick up kids don't get no free dough bro
cause I ain't tryin to be broke
I goes all out for G Rap and this honey nothin funny
It's a damn shame, what I gotta do to get the money
Now it's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar
Living in this game, sometimes it makes me wanna holler
It's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar
Living in this game, sometimes it makes me wanna holler
No it ain't no sleeping over (8X, then fade)
The lyrics of Kool G Rap's "It's A Shame" talk about the realities of life in the rap industry. He describes his lavish lifestyle, owning racehorses, a fortress, and even eating steak at Benny Harner's. G Rap claims to be rich, owning multiple properties, and making money from cocaine. He references Tammy, a woman who accompanies him and is also making money through what is implied to be sex work. G Rap speaks about his constant need to remain alert and vigilant in a world where stick-up kids may try to steal from him. Ultimately, he asserts that his decision to stay involved in this dangerous game is because he needs to make money.
The lyrics of the song echo the sentiment of a popular Marvin Gaye song, "Inner City Blues," which speaks of the struggles of Black America. G Rap uses his lyrics to describe the daily struggles of life for young black men and women, which are accentuated when they get involved in the rap industry. G Rap is frank about the dangers, stating that he sleeps with a gun and worries that someone will try to steal from him. Despite the danger, he cannot leave the game because he needs to provide for himself and his loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
And once again it's big G, runnin the number rackets wearing Pele jackets
Kool G Rap is back and running a gambling operation while flaunting his style.
Fast loot tactics, I'm well up in the millionaire bracket
He's made a lot of money quickly and is now a millionaire.
The boss of all bosses, I own racehorses and a fortress corridors with olympic torches and Mona Lisa portraits
He's extremely wealthy and powerful and owns expensive possessions and art.
Ja'causezis and saunas and eatin steak at Benny Harner's Bentley's limousine the front yard stream is full of pirahnas
He has luxury cars, exotic pets, and frequents expensive high-end establishments.
I'm set, a private jet, I drink a lot of Beck's Get a lot of sess condo and duplex, diamond infested Rolex
He lives a lavish life with private jets, expensive alcohol, real estate, and luxury watches.
Deliver a crown at the world units with silver china Sippin on finer wine-r you see more shines than diamond miners
He's surrounded by expensive material things like fine china and drinks but also has connections in the illegal diamond trade.
The Highness, kingpin of heroin I'm thorough when I have to bring the terror in Handle business in each and every borough in town or city, I'm rollin like Frank Nitty, I'm rich and pretty
He's high up in the heroin trade and he's ruthless in his business dealings. He's successful in all areas and compares himself to notorious mobster Frank Nitty.
Back up kiddies, I got crimies that's grimy and gritty A nigga that's spunky and likes to keep his pockets chunky Makin most of my money, from all the dopefiends and junkies
He's dangerous and has questionable associates but he likes making money, especially from drugs.
I learned from the best the ones that's livin and the ones that's put to rest So I bless my chest with a vest and pack a Smith-N-Wes And then I'm off to get the snaps, not the scraps The game is be a real mack, the name is Kool G Rap
He's learned from the best in the illegal world, both from those who are alive and dead. He's armed and dangerous and goes after the big score, not small earnings. His game is to be a true player and he hypes himself up.
Now it's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar Living in this game, sometimes it makes you wanna holler
Kool G Rap expresses how sad it is to do illegal things just to make a living, which can be frustrating.
I got a fly hoe up under the wing, a swinger that does her thing And if you step inside my ring, she'll bang it out and make your brains hang
He's with a woman who's sexually adventurous and willing to fight for him.
She sits at resteraunt tables with mink foxes and sables Drinkin Cherenade brand label she'll rock a sucker's cradle
She's used to luxury, wears expensive fur, drinks high-end alcohol and knows how to manipulate a man.
And yeah, honey is more bounce to the ounce She walks around with lucci in large amounts Millions inside Swiss bank accounts
She has a lot of money in her possession and is always carrying a lot of cash.
Her name is Tammy, got a beach house in Miami Rides around with a small jammy in her silk and satin panties
Her name is Tammy, she has a house on the beach in Miami and carries a gun in her underwear.
A down hoe, a Foxy Brown hoe, standin her ground hoe And if you clown yo she'll turn into a bust a round hoe
She's not afraid to stand up for herself and can turn violent if provoked.
Fly as a Heaven's Angel got sapphires in her bangles Diamond earrings hangin dingle gettin money from all angles
She's stunningly beautiful with expensive jewelry and has money coming in from various sources.
She's pretty under the New York city bright lights and real light, way after midnight, I hit it cause the slit's tight
She looks good even late at night and he's attracted to her sexually.
Wake up early and make my rounds, break up break down Packin a silver four pound, some clowns be trying to get down
He starts his day early and goes from place to place. He carries a gun because some people try to rob him.
Light up a smoke and grab a stack of C-notes Them slick stick up kids don't get no free dough bro cause I ain't tryin to be broke
He smokes and carries a lot of money. He's not going to give away free money because he doesn't want to be broke.
I goes all out for G Rap and this honey nothin funny It's a damn shame, what I gotta do to get the money
He's willing to do whatever it takes to make money, and laments that it's a sad reality.
Now it's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar Living in this game, sometimes it makes me wanna holler
He repeats his frustration with having to do questionable things to survive.
It's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar Living in this game, sometimes it makes you wanna holler
He reinforces the idea that living a life of crime is a sad necessity.
No it ain't no sleeping over (8X, then fade)
The phrase is repeated several times, suggesting that life in the criminal world is harsh and there's no resting on one's laurels.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NavYT82
His flow is untouchable!
@jasonito23
Production is horrid though. His flow is 8,000 times better than the beat.
@MDAM12716
@Black Lit. Black Hist. This beat slaps bro, to each his own though.
@Hombre_Astuto
On God
@eugeniorodriguez4445
The only one can compare to his flow was big pun
@godpositive7809
@Eugenio Rodriguez...How???? When Pun was birth from Kool G Rap!!! Actual Fact!!!
@dtrain2829
This dude has one of the sickest flow and skills. Not many can stand next to him.
@dn30001
Facts....He spawned Nas and Big Pun
@brianjohnson1867
I loved the fact that as hard a G. Rap was, he took time to write verses of reflection and regrets. He didn't make all of his gangster material free from real life issues.
@brianjohnson1867
He's in prison? I had no idea