Throughout their whole career M.O.P. deliver the most hard, vicious and violent music hip hop could ever offer. They struck out in 1994. with To The Death, a dark, slow and raging LP that was fully produced by DR Period and featured one of the biggest hardcore rap anthems of the nineties, How About Some Hardcore, that's put by any hardcore rap fan in the same category with Onyx's Slam, Jeru The Damaja's Come Clean and Wu-Tang Clan's Shame On A Nigga.
In 1996 MOP released their second effort, the totally-sophomore-slump-free Firing Squad. Despite totally changing their production sources (the album was mostly produced by Gang Starr's DJ Premier and Fizzy Womack himself), M.O.P. continued torturing fans' ears with extremely hard, rhinocerously slow beats and ecstatic, rampant delivery. Subject matter is either battling with heavy use of criminal associations or serious talk about life in the ghetto.
Two years later M.O.P. hit the fans with a starter - an EP called Handle Ur Bizness and later that year released First Family 4 Life, working on the same formula as ever, again with heavy percentage of DJ Preemo's production, more gems produced by group member Lil Fame and proving that M.O.P.'s trademark is not only the hardest hardcore you can get but also consistency.
Most of M.O.P.'s work was considered underground until 2000, when they released Warriorz, their best work yet. Mainstream got the first hint with "Ante Up", a track produced by DR Period for first time in 6 years. But with self-produced Cold As Ice, a track that featured a rock-song sample (Cold As Ice by Foreigner), M.O.P. achieved major mainstream success, though the song's lyrics were explicit and raging as usual (the radio version edits out much lyrical content to comply with FCC regulations).
In a strange turn, M.O.P. featured on the title track of sugary-sweet boy band LFO's 2001 album Life is Good. Aside from the lack of profanity, M.O.P.'s short verse was rapped in their trademark loud, intense style. It is unclear how this unusual team-up was organized, but it is unlikely that this brief guest spot led to much crossover fan appeal for either group.
"Ante Up" was later remixed with added verse by Flipmodian Busta Rhymes and Terror Squad queen Remy Ma, and was released on the greatest hits record 10 Yearz And Gunnin'. Believe it or not, it is the last hip hop record from M.O.P. In the beginning of the century they switched labels from Loud to Roc-A-Fella in order to have more income and more creative control, but the long-awaited release is still on the shelves. M.O.P. also made a rock-rap album titled simply Mash Out Posse, but it received bad reviews from rap fans who wanted M.O.P. to just rap.
In June 2005, M.O.P. officially announced their signing with 50 Cent's G-Unit, at the same time as Queens rap duo Mobb Deep.
Background Niggaz
M.O.P. Lyrics
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Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Leave them slumped back, feel 'em, young cats peel 'em
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
It's them Background Niggaz, back down niggas
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Leave them slumped back, feel 'em, young cats peel 'em
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Live from the underworld
It's Fizzy Womack ten bitch
And I ain't yappin', I'm clappin'
Your ain't a murderer, start walkin' 'fore I blast
'cause your breath smell like shit, from talkin' our ya ass
Hold that, it's the invisible Brownsvillain
(Down)
That stand up on fertile ground
(Make 'em leave)
I try ta, I got 'em
(When I spit, best believe)
I shot 'em, make 'em shit rock bottom
You started some shit, see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya
Now you sellin' up shit, creaks floatin' in diarrhea
Home skillet, you way outta my past
It's 7:25 and I'm 5 minutes from wiggin' out on ya ass
7:30 in the face, crazy ass nigga
Fuck money, I want your life and you gon' pay me fast nigga
Watch the guns cock, pop, Brooklyn style
Bucka, bu-bucka, bucka
(Bucka, bu-bucka, bucka)
It's them Background Niggaz, back down niggas
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Leave them slumped back, feel 'em, young cats peel 'em
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
It's them Background Niggaz, back down niggas
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Leave them slumped back, feel 'em, young cats peel 'em
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Say it, say it again nigga
(Brownsville, Brownsville)
To the motherfuckin' end nigga
I'm a street roller, heat holder
Complete soldier, repeat soldier
William will hop out of a stolen ova and slump ya ass over
I'm a little bit bolder, a little bit colder
Got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder
I will rip through you cobra, quiet as kept
You motherfuckers better watch ya step
(Debt)
It's danger when fuckin' wit' a nickel-plated soldier
Creep up behind you and bang
(Bang, bang ya)
I leave your inner body outta place
Have you right in front of the tunnel wit' holes in your face
You niggas want war, keep it like that
We will make it uglier then sin when my empire strikes back
It's them Background Niggaz, back down niggas
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Leave them slumped back, feel 'em, young cats peel 'em
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
It's them Background Niggaz, back down niggas
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Leave them slumped back, feel 'em, young cats peel 'em
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
I never been afraid to ride
I ain't afraid to live, so you know I ain't afraid to die
Put five in ya face, you dog give ya rest of this
I'mma make his ass rest in piss
(Blackout)
Catch him in a dark alley and hit ass wit' the grand finale
(Blackout)
Two more times
(Blackout, blackout)
I told you about fuckin' wit' mine, game over
Flatline, tell ya niggas it's gat time, don't ever try to come at mine
You never know what scheme I'm on
Until the beam come on, you know what team I'm on
From the homicidal side of town
Now, get my niggas round up, will tear the ground up
(Clack, clack)
Pounds up, ya know the drill
You motherfuckers better respect the 'Ville
(Kill, kill)
It's them Background Niggaz, back down niggas
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Leave them slumped back, feel 'em, young cats peel 'em
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
It's them Background Niggaz, back down niggas
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
Leave them slumped back, feel 'em, young cats peel 'em
Murda-ma-murda nigga
(Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
"Background Niggaz" is a song by American hip-hop group M.O.P from their 1998 album "First Family 4 Life." The song features aggressive lyrics and a hard-hitting beat that perfectly encapsulates the group's Brownsville roots. The song begins with the repeated phrase "It's them background n***as, back down, n***as," before delving into the very graphic depiction of street violence that is a trademark of M.O.P's music. The lyrics are delivered with an intensity that is typical of the group's style, with "Murda-ma-murda n***a" repeated several times throughout the song as a nod to their penchant for hardcore lyrics. The song is a testament to the group's brash and unapologetic style and their willingness to confront the harsh realities of life in the ghetto.
The chorus of the song takes center stage, with the group repeatedly chanting "Murda-ma-murda n***a," emphasizing their aggressive image. The verses are equally as intense, with vivid descriptions of drive-by shootings, gang warfare, and other forms of urban violence. The group's raw and unfiltered lyrics paint a brutal picture of life in Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood, one of the toughest and most dangerous areas of New York City. The song is a testament to the resilience and toughness of the people who grow up in such challenging environments, and the group's uncompromising style reflects that attitude.
Line by Line Meaning
It's them Background Niggaz, back down niggas
Referring to themselves as the 'Background Niggaz', M.O.P. warns other rappers to step back or face their wrath
Murda-ma-murda nigga (Kill 'em, nigga, kill 'em)
The group urges each other to kill their enemies mercilessly
Leave them slumped back, feel 'em, young cats peel 'em
The group boasts about leaving their enemies dead and encourages the younger generation to do the same
Live from the underworld
They consider their craft to be from the grim and dangerous underworld
It's Fizzy Womack ten bitch
The rapper is introducing himself by his nickname
And I ain't yappin', I'm clappin'
He is serious about his violent intentions and isn't just talking about it
Your ain't a murderer, start walkin' 'fore I blast
He is challenging his enemies and threatening to kill them if they don't back off
'cause your breath smell like shit, from talkin' our ya ass
He insults his enemies and calls them out for talking nonsense
Hold that, it's the invisible Brownsvillain
He refers to himself as the 'invisible Brownsvillain', an unseen but deadly figure from Brownsville
(Down)
He emphasizes his power and dominance over his enemies
That stand up on fertile ground
He is confident of his territorial power in Brownsville and the strength of his roots
(Make 'em leave)
He urges his enemies to leave Brownsville for their own safety
I try ta, I got 'em
He boasts about successfully getting his enemies
(When I spit, best believe)
He is warning his enemies that he always follows through with his threats
I shot 'em, make 'em shit rock bottom
He claims to have shot and killed his enemies, leaving them at rock bottom
You started some shit, see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya
He is saying that his enemies brought it upon themselves and they only have themselves to blame
Now you sellin' up shit, creaks floatin' in diarrhea
He is insulting his enemies' ability to sell drugs, and indicating that they are sick and diseased
Home skillet, you way outta my past
He dismisses his enemies as a distant memory
It's 7:25 and I'm 5 minutes from wiggin' out on ya ass
He is threatening his enemies, saying that he is ready to kill them in just five minutes
7:30 in the face, crazy ass nigga
He will kill his enemies at exactly 7:30, and describes himself as 'crazy'
Fuck money, I want your life and you gon' pay me fast nigga
He values human life more than money, and will make his enemies pay with their lives
Watch the guns cock, pop, Brooklyn style
He describes the violence in Brooklyn and how it differs from other places
Bucka, bu-bucka, bucka (Bucka, bu-bucka, bucka)
The sounds of gunshots are imitated
Say it, say it again nigga (Brownsville, Brownsville)
He repeatedly reminds his enemies that they are in Brownsville and that he is in control
To the motherfuckin' end nigga
He asserts his dominance and claims Brownsville as his own until the very end
I'm a street roller, heat holder
He is known for his street smarts, and is always armed with a weapon
Complete soldier, repeat soldier
He describes himself as a complete and dedicated soldier who can do the same thing over and over again, without emotion
William will hop out of a stolen ova and slump ya ass over
He refers to himself in third person, and threatens to steal a car and kill his enemies
I'm a little bit bolder, a little bit colder
He is becoming more daring and more ruthless in his approach to violence
Got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder
He is angry and defensive, and is ready to fight
I will rip through you cobra, quiet as kept
He will destroy his enemies silently, without them knowing
You motherfuckers better watch ya step (Debt)
He is warning his enemies to be careful, or they will be in debt to him
It's danger when fuckin' wit' a nickel-plated soldier
He is dangerous and well-armed, and shouldn't be messed with
Creep up behind you and bang (Bang, bang ya)
He is describing an assassination and the sound of gunshots
I leave your inner body outta place
He promises to kill his enemies and leave their body in a disfigured state
Have you right in front of the tunnel wit' holes in your face
He will kill his enemies and leave their dead body in a public place
You niggas want war, keep it like that
He doesn't back down from a fight, and encourages his enemies to keep it that way
We will make it uglier then sin when my empire strikes back
He will make sure his revenge is brutal and gruesome when he retaliates
I never been afraid to ride
He is brave and fearless, and isn't afraid of anything
I ain't afraid to live, so you know I ain't afraid to die
He values his life, but is willing to risk it to fight for what he believes in
Put five in ya face, you dog give ya rest of this
He will shoot his enemies five times in the face, killing them instantly
I'mma make his ass rest in piss (Blackout)
He will kill his enemies and they'll be lying in their own urine
Catch him in a dark alley and hit ass wit' the grand finale
He will ambush his enemies in a dark alley and kill them with his final and most brutal attack
Two more times (Blackout, blackout)
He and his group will finish off their enemies two more times, ensuring they are dead
I told you about fuckin' wit' mine, game over
He has warned his enemies before and now it is too late for them, they will die
Flatline, tell ya niggas it's gat time, don't ever try to come at mine
He will kill his enemies and warns their associates not to seek revenge
You never know what scheme I'm on
He is unpredictable and his enemies never know what he is going to do next
Until the beam come on, you know what team I'm on
He is referring to his weapon and how it will reveal his allegiance
From the homicidal side of town
He is from a dangerous and murderous side of town
Now, get my niggas round up, will tear the ground up
He is calling his crew to gather and cause destruction
(Clack, clack)
The sound of guns being loaded is imitated
Pounds up, ya know the drill
They are ready for a violent confrontation and are well-prepared
You motherfuckers better respect the 'Ville (Kill, kill)
He demands respect for Brownsville and will kill anyone who opposes it
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group
Written by: DARRYL PITTMAN, ERIC MURRY, JAMAL GRINNAGE, D PITTMAN, ERIC MURRAY, JAMAL GERARD GRINNAGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind