Though they were together since high school, the Lootpack first made their presence known in 1994, when the group’s beat conductor, Madlib, produced "Mary Jane," a Tha Alkaholiks 12”. Later that year, Lootpack's lyrical skills were heard on the song "Turn The Party Out" on the Alkaholiks’ debut LP "21 And Over," and "WLIX" from the Liks’ second LP.
The positive feedback from these collaborations led to the Lootpack's own EP "Ill Psych Move" on Crate Digger’s Palace Records in 1996, a venture funded by Madlib’s father, soul-crooner Otis Jackson Sr.
It was through this poorly-distributed 12” that the group caught the attention of Stones Throw Records’ founder Peanut Butter Wolf, who heard the record on college radio and hunted the group down. The group eventually signed for Stones Throw, paving the way for the release of 1999’s "Soundpieces: Da Antidote" CD/LP.
Lootpack has not recorded a direct follow-up to "Soundpieces", but the three core members continue to work together as they spread their wings. Madlib has demonstrated his versatility as a producer and hip hop visionary, crafting concept-albums such as Quasimoto's "The Unseen", Yesterdays New Quintet's "Angles Without Edges", and Madvillain's "Madvillainy". DJ Romes released "Hamburger Hater Breaks" record with Stones Throw in 2001. Wildchild's own "Secondary Protocol" (2003) with all Lootpack members and extended family on board, is the closest thing to a second Lootpack album.
Wanna Test
Lootpack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gambino at the pavilion, frontin' like I got a million
While y'all niggas coming up to me, "Hey yo, can I get a beat for free?"
That's like the dopeman selling all his stash for no fee
Or a ho working on the ave. for no money
We keep it movin like poverty, my whole zone's on that Lost Art tranquility
Stashin' styles like the lottery the novelty of soul
I'll hit ya in the head, the slang buster
"Madlib the bad kid", I'm the one to hit ya with the total bliss
Whether extra crisp or mad dirty poppin' hiss
The shit sound better than yours cuz we got the force
While you're going off course, like you're giving up drawers
"The beat conductor", I simply grab the mic and bless
I wonder how many jealous suckers are gonna try and test, so yo
Why ya wanna test like you're keeping it real
While faking for the success and dollar bills
I'm gonna make the cash for the reason I still will
Keep it how I kept it no matter on how you feel
It's like
Why ya wanna test like you're keeping it real
While faking for the success and dollar bills
I'm gonna make the cash for the reason I still will
Keep it how I kept it no matter on how you feel
I'll take it back like Just Ice
And keep my flow on the basics so I'll hit precise
Kinda like we device on the 1200, DJ Romes give a slice
While ya rhymes sound like Fisher Price
Heist, I run a shiesty pon mice
When the design hit nice
I'll bet none of your lines can suffice
In my realm of darkness, use you as a sacrifice
The only thing that you can take from me is advice
Stepping over here to battle me, I'll strictly entice
Like my nigga bag the dice watching your crew splice
Why ya wanna test like you're keeping it real
While faking for the success and dollar bills
I'm gonna make the cash for the reason I still will
Keep it how I kept it no matter on how you feel
It's like
Why ya wanna test like you're keeping it real
While faking for the success and dollar bills
I'm gonna make the cash for the reason I still will
Keep it how I kept it no matter on how you feel
The first verse of Wanna Test by Lootpack talks about the struggles of being a successful artist in the music industry. The singer refers to himself as a Tascam villain, which may mean he is a producer or a rapper who uses a Tascam 4-track recorder. He emphasizes that he is not claiming to be of Sicilian descent because he wants to keep things real and not fake his identity. He accuses other rappers of frontin' like they have a million dollars and approaching him for a beat for free, which is like a drug dealer giving away his stash for nothing. He compares this to a sex worker working without pay, suggesting that people should not work for free. The singer keeps it moving like poverty and embraces the Lost Art tranquility. He stores his music styles like a lottery and soul, emphasizing the novelty of his approach.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of the song, which is about people who fake it for success and dollar bills. The singer stays true to his vision and keeps his music how he had it, despite how others feel about it.
The second verse of the song is about the singer's skills and ability to take it back to the basics with Just Ice, who was a pioneer in the early days of hip hop. He is confident in his flow and accuracy, comparing it to a device on a turntable. He accuses other rappers of sounding like Fisher Price toys and describes himself as running a shiesty (dishonest) operation on mice. He suggests that his lines are better than others' and that he will entice others to battle him.
Overall, Wanna Test by Lootpack is a song that speaks to the struggle of artists navigating the music industry while staying true to themselves. The singer values honesty and originality, rejecting the idea of faking it for success and money. The song criticizes those who approach independent artists for free work and compares them to drug dealers and sex workers. The chorus emphasizes the central message of the song, reminding us to stay true to ourselves and our art.
Line by Line Meaning
It be that Tascam villian, not claiming I'm a Sicilian
I'm not trying to act like something I'm not- just a guy with a Tascam who's not Italian
Gambino at the pavilion, frontin' like I got a million
I may act like a big shot 'Gambino', but I'm really not as rich as I seem
While y'all niggas coming up to me, "Hey yo, can I get a beat for free?"
People always ask me for free stuff, like beats, assuming I'm just giving them away
That's like the dopeman selling all his stash for no fee
Giving away my beats for free would be like a drug dealer giving away drugs for free- just not feasible
Or a ho working on the ave. for no money
Working for free is like being a prostitute and not being paid- not gonna happen
We keep it movin like poverty, my whole zone's on that Lost Art tranquility
We move around a lot, like people in poverty, but we hold onto a sense of peace and serenity in the 'Lost Art' zone
Stashin' styles like the lottery the novelty of soul
I keep my rhymes fresh and varied, almost like a lottery, but still with a focus on soul
I'll hit ya in the head, the slang buster
I'll hit you with clever wordplay and shut down your attempts at slang
Niggas wanna test, we shine like Almustafa
People might challenge us, but we'll still rise above them like the character Almustafa in 'The Prophet'
"Madlib the bad kid", I'm the one to hit ya with the total bliss
I'm known as the 'bad kid Madlib', but I can still bring complete joy and happiness through my music
Whether extra crisp or mad dirty poppin' hiss
My beats can be either very clean or purposely gritty, but they always evoke a reaction
The shit sound better than yours cuz we got the force
Our music just sounds better than yours because we have a certain power and skill
While you're going off course, like you're giving up drawers
Other artists might be losing their way and floundering, or giving up their creativity
"The beat conductor", I simply grab the mic and bless
I control the beat and just do my thing, which ends up being a blessing for listeners
I wonder how many jealous suckers are gonna try and test, so yo
I anticipate a lot of envy and competition, but I'm still ready to face it
I'll take it back like Just Ice
I'll go back to basics, like the rapper Just Ice used to do
And keep my flow on the basics so I'll hit precise
I stick to simple rhyming to make sure I'm hitting the right cadence and rhythm
Kinda like we device on the 1200, DJ Romes give a slice
Our turntable skills are on point, like when we use the Pioneer DJM-1200 mixer and get a perfect cut in the mix from DJ Romes
While ya rhymes sound like Fisher Price
In contrast, other rappers' rhymes might sound simplistic or child-like
Heist, I run a shiesty pon mice
I steal rhymes like it's a heist, and I'm not even doing it on a fair playing field
When the design hit nice
When everything comes together nicely in our music, it's like a beautifully designed object
I'll bet none of your lines can suffice
I'm so confident in my skills that I bet no one else can even come close to matching them
In my realm of darkness, use you as a sacrifice
I'm so locked into my music that others become just tokens or sacrifices in my realm of creativity
The only thing that you can take from me is advice
I have nothing to give up, but I can help others with advice or tips on music-making
Stepping over here to battle me, I'll strictly entice
If someone wants to challenge me in a rap battle, I'll rise to the occasion and entice them with my rhymes
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vincent Valentine
one of my favorite albums 👍😎
Joshua Garcia
That fucking O.C. sample flowed so beautifully
Sgt. Creasegrease
This fucking Al Green sampling, man. IDC, Eye for a Eye and Shootouts are both dope but this song takes the cake for best flip of that song. And Madlib used the SP1200 for it too. Doing chops on the sp1200 is extremely time consuming.
CropCircle Enthusiast
One of the best hip hop albums of the 90s and it transcended area codes, It could have been from london, nyc, LA or canada.
But nah it was west coast nigga
J. Baked
No dislikes. I like
Justin Plasse
Instrumental really seems like Nas - Shootouts at 0:45... love it 👊
Dos
Classic
Andy Oly
I loveeeeee
Xd9mm
the first 30 seconds tho...
Steezruf
paz