MUDDY WATERS
M.O.P. Lyrics


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(gunshot) {.. Marxmen!}

(Intro)
Nigga we been here forever (First Family)
Let's go! Yeahhh, y'all know how the game go
Yeah, nigga we at it, we still at 'em nigga
(Put 'em up nigga) Firing Squad! YEAH!
Just make a note of it
One, one, we like it rockin nigga
(Put 'em up) Yeah, we still hip-hoppin nigga
(It's the way of the world) One on one, yeah
Fuckin with the murder staff now (TRUE TO LIFE!!!)

(Billy Danze)
Yo I was drivin an $80,000 car befo' I got with Dash
But I won't lie and say this ain't about the cash
Cognac, six-pack, and some dough in the stash
Sit back and watch my children play in the grass
And hopefully through this writin I'm enlightenin the hood
(Seems sorta sheisty) Yeah; but it ain't all good
Everyone that did me wrong, know this nigga strong
So hopefully for you that animosity is gone
(THROW IT UP!) For the homey Headquarters
And all the other brothers we lost in muddy waters (waters)
How do we go through life when our peeps don't support us
(You put up a good fight) Yeah but the streets still caught us
And the beef still brought us, in the middle of the street
Bodies riddled from bullets from our head to our feet
The game get deep, but y'all just see the surface
Y'all don't see no purpose, y'all just sleep
(HOW SHOULD A YOUNG G STAND?) Don't ask Danze
I don't fuck with them children I'm a grown-ass man
I live on the edge, I was raised where most niggaz pledge
To murder motherfuckers by the dozen

(Hook: unknown singer)
I'm drownin in the.. shallow waters
And I'm trying so hard, to reach the top
Something so unpure.. in the air to catch
I feel siiiin upon me

(Chorus: First Family)
You win some, you lose some
It's two roads to choose from, choose one - muddy waters
If your family chose, the road of the old code
You bound to lose one - these muddy waters
You win some, you lose some
It's two roads to choose from, choose one
Remember how you and the homey rode, make sure you travel
With the homey soul, when steppin through muddy waters

(Lil' Fame)
Yo, I'm in once, hustled in the rain, sleet, snow
(ON THE GRIND) Sheepskin, 40 belows
To feed his family, it was sweet tears and blood
That's what I call love, what do you call love?
Picture the same man losin his life for some lame bitch
He was out on the grind for, long story short
For Father's Day she'll place flowers on his grave
Then head upstate, to visit the nigga that murdered him the next day
(Look at that) My fundamentals come from the Hill
Travelled to it but left love in the 'Ville
Still hear the sound of my footsteps, steppin away
From my childhood toward the physique and the frame of a nigga
But mentally I'm stuck in the past
Askin myself why I was walkin so fast
Muh'fuckers think I'm ballin, I ain't ballin
I'm drinkin wit'cha'll tryin to get heart to face me stallin
It's like my moms is the angel in the sky
And I can see tears comin down the West Indian lady eyes
But, I apologize, and those I've hurt
With my bullshit, please believe I ain't mean it
(He ain't mean it) But I'm still a good man
As a kid I was given a fucked up hand, but I
Still march as I scream at the top of my lungs
M.O.P. TO THE DEATH, stompin through muddy waters

(Chorus)





(Hook)

Overall Meaning

The song Muddy Waters by M.O.P. is a reflective and introspective look at their lives and the struggles they've faced. The opening line of the song states "Nigga we been here forever" and is a testament to their longevity in the game. The group talks about how they've been through it all, the ups and downs of the industry and their personal lives, including losing friends and family to violence.


The verses by Billy Danze and Lil' Fame touch on their own personal experiences and struggles. Billy talks about the importance of financial security for his family and his desire to enlighten the hood through his writing, despite the "sheisty" nature of the industry. Lil' Fame delves deeper into his past, reflecting on the loss of loved ones and how it has affected him. He apologizes for any hurt he has caused and vows to continue to fight as a member of M.O.P.


The chorus and hook of the song touch on the idea of choice, particularly in the face of difficult situations. They mention "two roads to choose from," and the importance of sticking with those who have been there for you through thick and thin. The muddy waters symbolically represent the struggle and hardships they've faced in their lives and careers.


Line by Line Meaning

(gunshot) {.. Marxmen!}
Introduction to the song, with a gunshot as an attention-grabber and confirmation that it is a Marxmen track.


Nigga we been here forever (First Family)
Acknowledgement of the group's longevity and foundation among peers (First Family).


Let's go! Yeahhh, y'all know how the game go
An announcement and rallying cry for the crew to move forward, with a nod to the fact that they are well-versed in the rules of the game.


Yeah, nigga we at it, we still at 'em nigga
Asserting that the group is still going strong and actively making moves to further their success.


(Put 'em up nigga) Firing Squad! YEAH!
A call to action for the group to prepare for battle, with the backing of the Firing Squad.


Just make a note of it
A reminder to listeners to take note of the group's presence and relevance in the hip-hop sphere.


One, one, we like it rockin nigga
A confirmation that the group thrives on the energy and excitement of the crowd during live performances.


(Put 'em up) Yeah, we still hip-hoppin nigga
Declaring that despite the changing landscape of hip-hop, the group remains dedicated to the classic, timeless genre of hip-hop.


(It's the way of the world) One on one, yeah
Acknowledging the reality of the world and expressing that it's every person for themselves, hence their need for unity as a group to succeed.


Fuckin with the murder staff now (TRUE TO LIFE!!!)
Proudly announcing their affiliation with the Murder Staff, who are known to be authentic and true to their word in their musical endeavors.


Yo I was drivin an $80,000 car befo' I got with Dash
Sharing a glimpse of his material wealth before joining the group and emphasizing that his association with the group isn't entirely for monetary reasons.


But I won't lie and say this ain't about the cash
Being truthful and upfront about the fact that financial gain is also a motivator for making music.


Cognac, six-pack, and some dough in the stash
Describing a typical indulgence after a successful music venture.


Sit back and watch my children play in the grass
Enjoying the benefits of being able to provide for their family and having the freedom to enjoy simple pleasures such as watching their children play.


And hopefully through this writin I'm enlightenin the hood
Expressing a desire to be a positive influence to their community through their music and lyrics.


(Seems sorta sheisty) Yeah; but it ain't all good
Recognizing that their actions could be perceived as shady or dishonest, yet asserting that things aren't always as black and white as they seem.


Everyone that did me wrong, know this nigga strong
Being resilient in the face of adversity and letting those who wronged them know that they won't be easily broken.


So hopefully for you that animosity is gone
Expressing an openness to moving past any grudges or ill-will towards those who've wronged them.


(THROW IT UP!) For the homey Headquarters
Encouraging the crew to show support and unity for their friend Headquarters, who may be in a difficult situation.


And all the other brothers we lost in muddy waters (waters)
Paying tribute to fallen friends and colleagues who've succumbed to the struggles and difficulties of life (i.e. 'muddy waters').


How do we go through life when our peeps don't support us
Voicing a common concern of feeling unsupported by family or friends, and questioning how to navigate life's hardships without that support system.


(You put up a good fight) Yeah but the streets still caught us
Acknowledging that despite best efforts, they couldn't always avoid the realities and dangers of the streets surrounding them.


And the beef still brought us, in the middle of the street
Referring to conflicts that arise within their community and how it can create violent situations in public spaces.


Bodies riddled from bullets from our head to our feet
Painting a vivid, gruesome picture of the physical harm caused by gun violence and gang-related conflicts.


The game get deep, but y'all just see the surface
Expanding on the idea that the realities of their lives are complex and hard to understand, yet outsiders only see the shallow level of things.


Y'all don't see no purpose, y'all just sleep
Criticizing those who fail to look deeper into their struggles and hardships, instead opting to remain ignorant and oblivious to the issues at hand.


(HOW SHOULD A YOUNG G STAND?) Don't ask Danze
Being sarcastic in response to a commonly-asked question about how a young gangster should act or present themselves.


I don't fuck with them children I'm a grown-ass man
Asserting that they are adults who don't have time for childish behaviors or worries.


I live on the edge, I was raised where most niggaz pledge
Describing the difficulties and risks of the lifestyle they grew up in, where conforming to norms or structures was rare.


To murder motherfuckers by the dozen
Highlighting the brutal realities of their surroundings and the options available to them as young men- that of violence and aggression.


(Hook: unknown singer)
A chorus that describes the feeling of being overwhelmed by one's surroundings, a sense of struggle and confusion.


(Chorus: First Family)
A verse that emphasizes the idea of having to make difficult choices in life and showing the ramifications of not choosing wisely (i.e. 'muddy waters').


(Lil' Fame)
The next verse, which depicts a journey through difficult experiences in life but still maintaining a sense of honor and integrity.


Yo, I'm in once, hustled in the rain, sleet, snow
Describing the difficult and challenging conditions he persevered through to achieve success.


(ON THE GRIND) Sheepskin, 40 belows
Emphasizing the severity of the weather conditions and his unwavering dedication to his work and hustle.


To feed his family, it was sweet tears and blood
Expressing the sacrifices they had to make in order to provide for their loved ones, and the emotional toll it took on them.


That's what I call love, what do you call love?
Defining love as a willingness to suffer and sacrifice for one's family, and asking others what they consider love to be.


Picture the same man losin his life for some lame bitch
Highlighting the dangers and senselessness of sacrificing one's life for someone who doesn't have their best interests at heart.


He was out on the grind for, long story short
Explaining the backstory behind the aforementioned individual's sacrifice and highlighting the urgency and desperation that motivates many people to engage in dangerous behaviors.


For Father's Day she'll place flowers on his grave
Illustrating the heartbreaking aftermath of the loss of life due to senseless violence and the impact it has on surviving family members.


Then head upstate, to visit the nigga that murdered him the next day
Highlighting the painful irony of finding closure and solace by visiting the very person responsible for the loss of their loved one.


(Look at that) My fundamentals come from the Hill
Honoring their roots and upbringing in the notoriously challenging neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn (also known as 'the Hill').


Travelled to it but left love in the 'Ville
Despite moving away from their childhood neighborhood, they still hold affection and respect for those who contributed to their upbringing and values there.


Still hear the sound of my footsteps, steppin away
Reflecting on the past and the memories associated with their upbringing and how it continues to influence and guide them today.


From my childhood toward the physique and the frame of a nigga
Describing the physical changes and growth they experienced from childhood to adulthood, but still attributing much of their character and values to their upbringing and environment.


But mentally I'm stuck in the past
Acknowledging that despite physical changes, they still feel limited and defined by their childhood and the experiences that shaped them.


Askin myself why I was walkin so fast
Reflecting on the urgency and desperation that characterized their youth and the drive that led them to hustle and pursue their goals relentlessly.


Muh'fuckers think I'm ballin, I ain't ballin
Rejecting the idea that they've 'made it' or achieved financial success, despite outside perceptions.


I'm drinkin wit'cha'll tryin to get heart to face me stallin
Acknowledging his own struggles and shortcomings, and finding solace and support with others who may be in a similar position.


It's like my moms is the angel in the sky
Affirming the importance and guiding presence of their mother, who may have passed away and now serves as a symbol of hope and comfort.


And I can see tears comin down the West Indian lady eyes
Describing the lasting pain and sorrow felt by their mother or other loved ones and the empathy that they feel towards them.


But, I apologize, and those I've hurt
Expressing remorse and a desire to make amends with those they may have wronged.


With my bullshit, please believe I ain't mean it
Asking for forgiveness and expressing that any negative actions were not intentional or with malice.


(He ain't mean it) But I'm still a good man
Acknowledging the value of their character and morality, despite any past mistakes or misdeeds.


As a kid I was given a fucked up hand, but I
Describing the unfair and challenging circumstances they faced as children or young adults, yet refusing to let that define their future or potential.


Still march as I scream at the top of my lungs
Persevering and pushing forward despite odds, and doing so with passion and commitment.


M.O.P. TO THE DEATH, stompin through muddy waters
Ending the verse with a reaffirmation of loyalty to the crew and their ongoing struggles (i.e. 'muddy waters').


(Chorus)
Repeats the chorus previously stated, emphasizing the idea of making choices in life that can lead to either success or difficult circumstances.


(Hook)
Repeats the hook previously stated, highlighting the feeling of being overwhelmed by life's challenges and struggles.




Contributed by Hunter D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Justin Davis

First Family 4 Life they are one of the most underrated hip hop groups off all-time. Never changed their style for noone

Michael Nicholson

This is one of my favourite tracks of all time. Saw MOP in London. Just a fabulous group. Never tire of this tune ❤

Jeppe

Underrated Group !

Joekuh

sometimes I just need to listen to that GUTTA shit, and come straight to that M.O.P. !!!!!

Jondu Flee

Somebody please post this entire album I had it back in the day on cd🔥

jannytc

One of truest groups ever to bless a mic. Talk realness to me ... then post ya top 5 through that filter. Dare you to overlook MOP. Respect to these brothers from London. I bought ‘The Hill is real’ on wax in 92 (young guns go check it!) so it’s been nearly 30 years. These are those dudes

hugo goemans

RESPECT for this Beat

undefined

shit..that track will be always one of my favorite.

tajamal shah

classic!

ragu five

DIRT ON YA BOOTS U LIVING RIGHT... MAN UP.... SALUTE.....

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