The LOX gained national exposure in 1997 with their powerful multi-platinum tribute to the Notorious BIG, "We'll Always love Big Poppa". The song which celebrated the life of the slain superstar, captured Biggie's essence and thrust the LOX into the media spotlight as a group to watch out for. The trio later appeared on a multitude of hits, including Puffy's Benjamins, which the LOX wrote, Mase's 24 Hours to Live, and Mariah Carey's Honey. The group's debut album Money Power & Respect went platinum and helped establish the LOX as an important voice in Hip-Hop music.
While lauded for the commercial success of their first album, Jadakiss, Sheek and Styles were not satisfied with the project's outcome. On underground mix tapes, the LOX had developed a reputation for spitting legendary freestyles of sex, murder and mayhem However, singles from MP&R like "If You Think I'm Jiggie", didn't fully utilize the group's talents. The Lox were not the pretty boys who were being shown in the videos, they were street soldiers who preferred rhyming about real life on the block, instead of fantasy worlds of Bentley Coupes and Grammy awards. As their new album suggest, the Lox are the streets, and having joined the Ruff Ryders' lethal squadron, they finally have the chance to just be themselves.
So who are the Real LOX? The Real Lox are authentic ghetto story-tellers, whose rhymes are derived from the pain, anger, lust and love which exist in the hearts of men. The Real LOX are the embodiment of Hip-Hop's origin as the voice of a disparate people. Their current singles Wild Out and Fuck you are certified street anthems and the impending release of their sophomore album has the hip-hop world holding their collective breathe in anticipation.
Swizz Beats has saved some of his best production for the LOX's sophomore project. The producer who blazed tracks for platinum artists DMX, Jay-Z and EVE blesses the LOX with cuts like Y'all fucked Up Now, and IF U Know, which features Drag-On and Eve, that pack pure street drama. The LOX devour his frenetic beats and spit complex rhymes over his moving rhythms creating an energy which is unmatched in any genre of music today. Styles, Jadakiss, and Sheek also flex their muscles as solo performers on the album as well, proving that they are more than just a talented group, but they also possess superior skills as individual performers. Producers Premiere, Timbaland and P. Killer also contribute cuts to We Are the Streets adding their own unique flavors to the diverse mix.
We are the Streets stands to be one of the most important albums of the millenium because it was born out of a movement. A call was put out to the streets, to help give the LOX back their voice and save Hip-Hop from its downward spiral of self indulgence. The streets responded ferociously and the LOX are finally free. This album is a testament to the power of the Hip-Hop fans who supported the group through their difficult times. They are the reason that the Real LOX have returned. Music will never be the same.
Blood Pressure
Lox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Styles
Blood pressure
Y'all just bear wit' me
Yo, last time I'm a tell these n****s, man
Can't f*** around, man
Jada, man
Whoever
Wha!
Yo, yo, yo...
[Jadakiss]
Who really da best rapper since B.I.G. ain't here?
Y'all know da answer to dat when Kiss ain't here
When you see me, don't ask me nothin' about us
And don't definitely ask me nothin' about...
F*** it
You owe me one, I owe you two
I woulda smacked you wit' da burner
But I know you'd sue, and I ain't talkin' to him
I'm talkin' to you
Matter of fact, I'm talkin' to y'all
Life is like walkin' a yard
N****'ll stab you wit' a fork in da heart
And The Source got muthaf***as thinkin' they hot
Like my dope
Got fiends thinkin' they shot
When you thinkin' of da best, n****
Think of The Lox
I'll cut ya f***in' hand off if ya pinky ring's hot
Then come through ya block in a sticky green drop
Hop out
Let off fifty-three shots
Wouldn't care if I hit fifty-three cops
Giuliani might as well be merkin' n****s
'Cause the time that he givin' out is hurtin' n****s
And all these record labels jerkin' n****s
And you never was a thug
You's a workin' n****
And you heard that s*** right there?
I started that
Don't make me put somethin' up in ya Starter hat
No matter who you are, or where you from
Screw all of dat
I'm not tryin' to hear dat, son
[Chorus x 2]
Now, who da f*** y'all want? (Jadakiss!)
And who da f*** y'all need? (Jadakiss!)
And who da f*** gon' bleed?
All y'all hataz 'cause none of y'all n****s (Can't f*** wit' Jada!)
[Jadakiss]
Don't you be dat clown n**** in da back of da whip
That's gon' get the second half of da clip
And all I'm sayin': it'll be da other n**** in the front of the da whip
Runnin' his lip, wit' a gun on his hip
Feel me, dog?
Everybody walk da walk till they run into Kiss
Then they get stabbed, or hung, or stung wit' da fifth
How you think ya man hard when son on my dick?
'Cause I can get his a**, body, plus front him a brick
Got a chick named Super-head
She give super head
Just moved in the buildin', even gave the super head
I cop big guns that spit super lead
So, play Superman, end up super dead
Call me Kiss, or da kid from The Lox
That'll twist ya moms out and do a bid wit' ya pops
We was in jail
You probably won't get no mail
And if you pumped on my block, you won't get no sales
When ya CEO know you can't f*** wit' I
I make a million by June
I'm sayin' f*** July
And I beg you to try me while I'm holdin' da Tommy
I'm a have ya body all over da lobby
I already helped y'all
I'm about to melt y'all
Tell the truth, dog
I ain't never felt y'all
This album - we gon' bubble like Seltzer
If it ain't Double R, who da hell else is hard?
[Chorus]
The Lox's "Blood Pressure" is a rap song that delves into street life and the inherent dangers of the culture. In the opening lines, the singer acknowledges that he is carrying something weighty that is affecting him. The song then continues with Jadakiss asking the audience who is the best rapper since B.I.G is gone. He doesn't provide the answer, leaving the audience to ponder it themselves. Next, Jadakiss talks about The Source, various record labels and individuals that falsely stand in the culture, symbolizing the corruption in the industry. Jadakiss encourages his listeners never to conform to these illusions, no matter who they are or where they come from.
The chorus of the song is an appeal to those who hate him, asking them who they want, who they need, and who they think will bleed. In this segment, Jadakiss is assured of his position as a prominent figure in the game. He indicates that anyone messing with him will probably end up hurt or dead, and he's okay with that. As he concludes his verses, he boasts about making a million before June and threatens anyone who dares to try him while he's holding his tommy.
Line by Line Meaning
The headphones is on fire dis time around
The music I'm about to drop is going to be explosive and impactful.
Styles
Referring to Styles P, a member of The Lox.
Blood pressure
Referring to the intense and high energy of the song.
Y'all just bear wit' me
Listen and stay patient, as I deliver my message.
Yo, last time I'm a tell these n****s, man
I've said it before, but I'll say it again to these individuals.
Can't f*** around, man
Don't mess with me or underestimate me.
Jada, man
Referring to Jadakiss, another member of The Lox.
Whoever
Referring to anyone who wants to challenge or doubt me.
Old n****, new n****
Whether you're an established or upcoming rapper.
Wha!
Exclaiming with enthusiasm and intensity.
Yo, yo, yo...
Reiterating the serious tone and emphasizing the upcoming message.
[Jadakiss]
Indicating that the following lines are spoken by Jadakiss.
Who really da best rapper since B.I.G. ain't here?
Posing the question of who has truly taken the mantle as the best rapper since The Notorious B.I.G. passed away.
Y'all know da answer to dat when Kiss ain't here
It's evident that I, Jadakiss, am the answer to that question when I'm not around.
When you see me, don't ask me nothin' about us
When you encounter me, don't inquire about our group.
And don't definitely ask me nothin' about...
And most certainly, don't ask me anything about...
F*** it
Expressing frustration or disregarding any consequences.
You owe me one, I owe you two
If you've done me a favor, I owe you double in return.
I woulda smacked you wit' da burner
I would have physically assaulted you with a gun.
But I know you'd sue, and I ain't talkin' to him
However, I'm not addressing a specific person who would likely take legal action.
I'm talkin' to you
I'm speaking directly to you, the listener.
Matter of fact, I'm talkin' to y'all
In fact, I'm addressing all of you.
Life is like walkin' a yard
Life is comparable to walking in a prison yard.
N****'ll stab you wit' a fork in da heart
Someone will metaphorically betray you while you're vulnerable.
And The Source got muthaf***as thinkin' they hot
The Source magazine has influenced individuals to falsely believe they are talented or successful.
Like my dope
Similar to the effect of my drugs.
Got fiends thinkin' they shot
Drug addicts believe they are achieving a high similar to drugs.
When you thinkin' of da best, n****
When you consider who the best rapper is,
Think of The Lox
Think of The Lox, as we are at the top.
I'll cut ya f***in' hand off if ya pinky ring's hot
I would harm you severely if your jewelry indicates wealth or success.
Then come through ya block in a sticky green drop
I'll drive through your neighborhood in a flashy, green convertible car.
Hop out
I'll quickly exit the vehicle.
Let off fifty-three shots
I will fire multiple rounds, possibly exaggerating the number.
Wouldn't care if I hit fifty-three cops
I wouldn't have any concern even if law enforcement officers were injured.
Giuliani might as well be merkin' n****s
Former Mayor Giuliani is ruthlessly attacking individuals.
'Cause the time that he givin' out is hurtin' n****s
The prison sentences issued by Giuliani are severely impacting and punishing individuals.
And all these record labels jerkin' n****s
Record labels are taking advantage of and mistreating artists.
And you never was a thug
You have never been truly tough or involved in criminal activities.
You's a workin' n****
You are simply a hardworking individual.
And you heard that s*** right there?
Did you listen carefully to that statement?
I started that
I initiated or popularized that trend or behavior.
Don't make me put somethin' up in ya Starter hat
Don't force me to harm or threaten you, even physically.
No matter who you are, or where you from
Regardless of your identity or background,
Screw all of dat
Disregard all of that information or context.
I'm not tryin' to hear dat, son
I'm not interested in entertaining or considering that, my friend.
[Chorus x 2]
Indicating the beginning of the chorus.
Now, who da f*** y'all want? (Jadakiss!)
Who do you all desire or prefer?
And who da f*** y'all need? (Jadakiss!)
Who is it that you all truly require or depend on?
And who da f*** gon' bleed?
And who is it that will suffer or face the consequences?
All y'all hataz 'cause none of y'all n****s (Can't f*** wit' Jada!)
All of you haters are unable to compete or challenge Jadakiss.
[Jadakiss]
Signaling Jadakiss's continuation of the lyrics.
Don't you be dat clown n**** in da back of da whip
Don't be the foolish person in the rear seat of the car.
That's gon' get the second half of da clip
That will receive the remaining bullets from the gun.
And all I'm sayin': it'll be da other n**** in the front of the da whip
I'm implying that it will be the person in the front seat who will be harmed.
Runnin' his lip, wit' a gun on his hip
Talking excessively while carrying a firearm.
Feel me, dog?
Do you understand my perspective, my friend?
Everybody walk da walk till they run into Kiss
Everyone acts tough until they encounter Jadakiss.
Then they get stabbed, or hung, or stung wit' da fifth
Then they will be violently attacked or shot with a gun.
How you think ya man hard when son on my dick?
How can you believe your friend is tough when he seeks my approval or attention?
'Cause I can get his a**, body, plus front him a brick
I have the power to harm him physically and also provide him with illegal drugs.
Got a chick named Super-head
I have a woman known for her oral sex skills.
She give super head
She performs exceptional oral sex.
Just moved in the buildin', even gave the super head
She recently relocated to my neighborhood and already engaged in sexual activities.
I cop big guns that spit super lead
I purchase large firearms that shoot high-caliber bullets.
So, play Superman, end up super dead
If you attempt to act invincible or superior, you will meet your demise.
Call me Kiss, or da kid from The Lox
You can refer to me as Kiss or the young member of The Lox.
That'll twist ya moms out and do a bid wit' ya pops
I have the capability to manipulate your mother and even serve time in prison alongside your father.
We was in jail
Referring to a past experience of incarceration.
You probably won't get no mail
Implying that someone won't receive any letters while in jail.
And if you pumped on my block, you won't get no sales
If you try to sell drugs in my neighborhood, you won't make any profits.
When ya CEO know you can't f*** wit' I
When your boss or company executive understands that you are no match for me.
I make a million by June
I am capable of earning one million dollars before June.
I'm sayin' f*** July
Expressing a disregard or lack of interest in the month of July.
And I beg you to try me while I'm holdin' da Tommy
I challenge and dare you to test me while I'm carrying a firearm.
I'm a have ya body all over da lobby
I will cause your lifeless body to be scattered throughout the building's lobby.
I already helped y'all
I have already assisted and supported all of you.
I'm about to melt y'all
I'm going to defeat or overpower all of you.
Tell the truth, dog
Be honest, my friend.
I ain't never felt y'all
I have never been impressed or moved by any of you.
This album - we gon' bubble like Seltzer
This album will experience significant success and generate excitement.
If it ain't Double R, who da hell else is hard?
If it's not the Double R record label, then who else is truly tough or skilled?
[Chorus]
Indicating the start of the chorus for the final time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DARRIN DEAN, KASSEEM DEAN, JASON PHILLIPS, JASON T PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind