Born in Bay Shore, New York, and raised between St. Albans, New York and Hollis, New York in the borough of Queens. The only child of Ondrea (née Griffith) and James Smith, Jr. Smith is of both African American and Native American descent. He spent his youth singing in the church choir, participating in the Boy Scouts and delivering newspapers.
Def Jam released his first record, the 12" single "I Need a Beat" in 1983. The single sold over 100,000 copies. The success of "I Need a Beat" helped lead to a distribution deal with Def Jam and Columbia Records in 1985. Soon after, he dropped out of Andrew Jackson High School to record his debut album.
He is known for romantic ballads such as I Need Love and Hey Lover as well as pioneering hip-hop such as I Can't Live Without My Radio, I'm Bad, The Boomin' System, Mama Said Knock You Out, and 4, 3, 2, 1. L has also appeared in several films. LL Cool J is one of a few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than two decades. He has released 12 albums and a greatest hits compilation so far, with his next album, Exit 13, set to be released in September, 2008. The album will be the last for LL's record deal with Def Jam Recordings, a deal which has lasted for over twenty two years, making it the longest single hip hop deal to date. He now resides in Manhasset, NY with his wife and four children.
I Shot Ya
LL Cool J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm splittin' brothers open like a doctor
Ya fell asleep, the vampire teeth got'cha
I drop ya down in boilin' acid
Ya melt like plastic, elastic, is drastic
Violations, room vibrations, son
Cock the hammer let the uncle give 'em one
Done take a flick of a wicked lunatic
What you don't want to, I thought that you was bawlin'
Now watch 'cause I cock ya love, ya girlies fallin'
Uh, what's my function? Lyrical injection
Blazin' niggas, hittin' 'em raw with no protection
I take advantage
Ya fear me, I'm doin' damage
Ya hear me
The whole scenario is dreary
Mc's is gettin' wet up in the game
I meet you up in Memphis, just call my name
I shot ya!
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to hit, give me a hour (uh)
Plus a pen and a pad (uh, check it, check it, check it!)
I shot ya!
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to hit, give me a hour (uh)
Plus a pen and a pad (uh, check it, check it, check it!)
I shot ya!
I got ya strap to the stagin'
Trapped in a cagin, toe kissin' a cajun
Ya mob's locked down underneath the surface
Ya gettin' nervous for talkin' shit with no purpose
Laced up, mind charmer, mad drama
What goes around comes around, not around farmers
Silence, sh, very deadly
Come and battle, let me add you to my medley
Possessin' power, takin' everything I can grasp
Go get it now, why you always dwellin' on the past?
Baby boys reminiscin' old school shit
Young fools get dicked, LL rules the shit
With a platinum fist, the relentless abyss
I take you to a land where piranhas like to kiss
Massacre, muah, blowin' up the tour bus passengers
Chuckin' the color outta cartoon character
Ya get serious
Real niggas recognize what my theory is
I shot ya!
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to hit, give me a hour (uh)
Plus a pen and a pad (uh, check it, check it, check it!)
I shot ya!
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to hit, give me a hour (uh)
Plus a pen and a pad (uh, check it, check it, check it!)
I shot ya!
Uh-uh-uh-oh, lookin' kinda leery
Ya clique thought I fell off, they didn't want to hear me
Oh really, now tell me how long have you been whinin'
Sixteen years, twenty million albums, yeah you're climbin'
I love your joint 'rock the bells', it was mad hot
Ya record 'bout the radio was blowin' up my spot
My girl was on your chip when you flipped 'I need love'
Your backseat count set was mad butter, son
I loved your boomin' system it was wicked as could be
You bad, now I'm writin' on your pink cookies
And you had me screamin' 'mama said knock ya out'
Ya jinglin', baby, no doubt
Uh, talk to me (what, what, uh, uh) become a zombie, walk to me
Ain't a MC alive who fought with me
Y'nah mean? Man, rock it
Easy does it
I gotta pluck it like buzzards
I shot ya!
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to hit, give me a hour (uh)
Plus a pen and a pad (uh, check it, check it, check it!)
I shot ya!
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to hit, give me a hour (uh)
Plus a pen and a pad (uh, check it, check it, check it!)
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to (uh)
Ya want to hit, give me a hour (uh)
Plus a pen and a pad (uh, check it, check it, check it!)
I shot ya!
The lyrics of LL Cool J's song "I Shot Ya" are about violence, power, and dominance over other rappers. LL Cool J brags about his ability to inflict harm and threatens his rivals with violence. He compares himself to a doctor, splitting his enemies open with vampire teeth, melting them in boiling acid, and putting hits on their groups. The song also has a sexual angle, as he boasts about having his rivals' wives turning tricks. The lyrics are aggressive and explicit, with LL Cool J using profanity and violent imagery to assert his dominance over his rivals.
The lyrics also highlight the competitive nature of the rap game, with LL Cool J calling out other rappers by name and challenging them to come battle him. He portrays himself as the king of the genre, with platinum record sales and a long career of hits under his belt. He dismisses his rivals as whiners who don't have what it takes to compete with him.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Shot Ya" are a reflection of the macho posturing and bravado that was prevalent in the rap world at the time. It's a song about power, aggression, and dominance, with LL Cool J asserting his place at the top of the heap.
Line by Line Meaning
I shot ya!
I have shot you!
I'm splittin' brothers open like a doctor
I am causing harm and injuring others just like a doctor cuts his patients.
Ya fell asleep, the vampire teeth got'cha
You are not aware of your surroundings and I have taken advantage of your vulnerability just like a vampire preys on sleeping victims with their teeth.
I drop ya down in boilin' acid
I have put you into a dangerous situation that is similar to being dropped into boiling acid.
Ya melt like plastic, elastic, is drastic
You are suffering and struggling just like plastic and elastic would when exposed to extreme heat, and it is not a good situation.
Violations, room vibrations, son
I am causing disruptions and shockwaves through the room with my actions and behavior.
Cock the hammer let the uncle give 'em one
I am preparing my weapon to give someone a warning shot.
Done take a flick of a wicked lunatic
I am taking a picture of myself acting like a crazy person.
Puttin' hits on your clique, got'cha wife in turnin' tricks
I am targeting your group and have succeeded in manipulating your wife to do things that she wouldn't normally do.
What you don't want to, I thought that you was bawlin'
You are not acting as tough as you let on.
Now watch 'cause I cock ya love, ya girlies fallin'
I am succeeding in making your lovers and female associates like me more than they like you.
Uh, what's my function? Lyrical injection
I am here to deliver powerful lyrics that will leave a lasting impression on my audience.
Blazin' niggas, hittin' 'em raw with no protection
I am assaulting and attacking others without protection or mercy.
I take advantage
I am exploiting the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of those around me.
Ya fear me, I'm doin' damage
I am causing fear and harm to those who are in my way.
Ya hear me
Are you listening and understanding the impact of my words and actions?
The whole scenario is dreary
The situation is bleak and depressing.
Mc's is gettin' wet up in the game
Other rappers are feeling the pressure and are failing in the industry.
I meet you up in Memphis, just call my name
I am willing to confront anyone and meet them anywhere if they dare to challenge me.
I got ya strap to the stagin'
I am keeping you under control and hostage.
Trapped in a cagin, toe kissin' a cajun
You are stuck and helpless like an animal in a cage and are suffering deeply.
Laced up, mind charmer, mad drama
I am well-prepared and ready to control the minds of others with my words and actions despite the chaos around me.
What goes around comes around, not around farmers
The consequences of your actions will catch up with you eventually; you can't escape them just like farmers can't escape their environment.
Silence, sh, very deadly
Quietness can be more powerful and dangerous than loudness.
Come and battle, let me add you to my medley
Challenge me if you dare and you will be just another adversary that I will defeat.
Possessin' power, takin' everything I can grasp
I am harnessing my strength and am taking whatever I can control in my grasp.
Go get it now, why you always dwellin' on the past?
We should focus on the present and future instead of dwelling on past mistakes or triumphs.
Baby boys reminiscin' old school shit
Some people are too caught up in their nostalgia for the past instead of focusing on the present and future endeavors.
Young fools get dicked, LL rules the shit
I am superior to the young and inexperienced because I am the best at what I do.
With a platinum fist, the relentless abyss
My iron grip on the industry is unbreakable and unforgiving.
I take you to a land where piranhas like to kiss
I am taking you to a dangerous and unforgiving place that is full of predators who will take advantage of you at every turn.
Massacre, muah, blowin' up the tour bus passengers
I am causing chaos and harm to others, just like a massacre, and I have no remorse for my actions.
Chuckin' the color outta cartoon character
I am destroying your reputation and image, just like how you strip color out of a cartoon character when it fades over time.
Ya get serious
You should take my threats and warnings seriously.
Real niggas recognize what my theory is
Genuine people can see and understand the truth of what I am saying and doing.
Lookin' kinda leery
You are appearing suspicious and uncertain.
Ya clique thought I fell off, they didn't want to hear me
Your group believed that I was no longer successful and did not want to pay attention to me anymore.
Oh really, now tell me how long have you been whinin'
You are only just now starting to complain, even though you have been losing for a long time.
Sixteen years, twenty million albums, yeah you're climbin'
I have been successful and productive for a long time and my progress is still going strong.
I love your joint 'rock the bells', it was mad hot
I appreciate your work and enjoyed one of your notable successes.
Ya record 'bout the radio was blowin' up my spot
Your work is causing me to lose attention and exposure in the industry.
My girl was on your chip when you flipped 'I need love'
My girlfriend likes your work and was impressed by a particular song of yours.
Your backseat count set was mad butter, son
Your sexual skills and prowess were impressive and notable to others.
I loved your boomin' system it was wicked as could be
I appreciated the power and impressiveness of your sound system.
You bad, now I'm writin' on your pink cookies
You are talented and impressive, but I am going to surpass your accomplishments.
And you had me screamin' 'mama said knock ya out'
Your work was so powerful and impressive that it excited and influenced me.
Ya jinglin', baby, no doubt
You are wealthy and financially well-off, there is no question about that.
Talk to me (what, what, uh, uh) become a zombie, walk to me
Communicate with me and be open to my influence and direction, become a follower and wielder of my power.
Ain't a MC alive who fought with me
No other rapper can compete with me and win.
Y'nah mean? Man, rock it
Do you understand what I'm saying? Do it, go for it.
Easy does it
Take it slow and be careful with your actions.
I gotta pluck it like buzzards
I need to take control of my environment and seize my opportunities like a buzzard seizing its prey.
Lyrics © JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jean Olivier, James Smith, James Brown, Lynn Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aaqilayoungblood3000
Foxy was rapping on they level with straight bars. She will forever be one of the hardest female MCs
@williamhill2230
I found out recently that nas wrote her verse on this song, tho.
@mariwanthesmoke333
@@williamhill2230where you hear that? being fr i wanna know! the story i know is that Foxy wrote and spat the verse when LL wasn’t there and when he heard it on the track he chose to keep it, he actually thought Foxy was a guy at first😭😭😭
@MaddoxGrey98
@@mariwanthesmoke333EXACTLY! He thought she was a male rapper from NY named Shyheim!
@mariwanthesmoke333
@@MaddoxGrey98 man i knew i wasn’t trippin, just hatin😭
@limonesycafe8898
@@williamhill2230 Really because someone that was there says the opposite. https://youtube.com/shorts/5Py5HsdBt_o?si=hrCy9SakVRM8wf1M
@Twizzledoc187
No stupid face tattoos, no skinny jeans, no corny autotune, no crazy special effects or money shown being thrown around…..THIS is the hip hop sound that I prefer to jam!
@clpclp5744
Well guess what my friend..as time passes music evolves and changes..as much as I love 90s hip hop I’m not gonna shit on the new hip hop either..it’s not gonna be the 90s forever and honestly it was alotta trash shit out back then to..it’s not exclusive to this era
@Twizzledoc187
@@clpclp5744 it may not be the 1990’s again but the trash music in the 1990’s era was sporadic. Todays it’s dominating the industry. The GOOD music in today’s era is sporadic.
@clpclp5744
@@Twizzledoc187 I can agree with you on that