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.
On the Front line
M.O.P. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sssssss..
[Billy Danze]
Yo, I was raised where, cats blaze automatic weapons
and half-steppers don`t half-step, without protection
The rules of the game is, spit first
until you see his wig burst, before he flame his
Duke a soldier gon` aim his, and try to kill yo` ass
Niggaz see Burke on the conduit
in the left lane doin his thang, whippin a Buick
Fizz Won (Whattup boy? I`m ridin shotgun)
There`ll never be a boo that understand what we got son
We`ve been down a long time
I`m beginnin to think I got traces of Womack in my bloodline
BOM-BURST two times on top of the line
You plexiglas niggaz ain`t fuckin with mine (HELL NAH!)
We keep it so real, without bein signed to a deal
you could still shop for the `Ville
{*various samples scratched*}
[Lil` Fame]
Straight from the hilll-top, where steeeel, pop
and the, coast ain`t clear it`s reeeal, hot
Keep the heat real close cause it`s, dangerous
and the, game don`t change Fame bang with this
It`s the legendary, cap peelers we the illest
of the realest blood-spillers, we guerillas (NIGGA FEEL US)
All day, right back at you live
from William Berkowitz (SLASH) Fizzy Womack Avenue
I send ghouls after you, trappin you blastin
WHO fuckin with the rapper dude?
Don`t even GOOO THERE
I`m from the `Ville Brooklyn Military (OHHH YEAHH)
N.E.W. Y.O.R.K.
We`ll ratch yo` ass like floors that`s parquet
Glorious, come stomp on tour with us
(M.O.P.!) We, +Warriorz+
{*various samples scratched*}
[Billy Danze]
Hey yo the game don`t change only the players
I`d like to welcome you young bucks, to these homicide layers
We lead (COWARDS TO GUNFIGHTS) right (FROM TALKIN NONSENSE)
Sayin my family is unable to drop bomb hits
Napalm shit, move in a hail of fire
Bill, sire, trailed by an empire (FIYAH!)
Can`t nobody change my two step
I`m ready to rip for respect, Fizzy talk to `em
[Lil` Fame]
What`s the lesson you learn when the Smith and Wessun was burned
Slugs flyin you realizin that it`s your turn
Didn`t them niggaz warn ya BAM (BUKA BUKA) BAM
(BUKA BUKA BUKA BUKA) Get the fuck up off the corner!
Them goons was hot on ya!
Chasin you down, cockin pistol poppin and they wasn`t stoppin
til they finished lacin you down, peep the steez nigga
Snakes don`t belong `round here, nigga breeze!
{*various samples scratched*}
The lyrics to M.O.P.'s "On the Front Line" are a gritty portrayal of life in Brooklyn, where gun violence is a part of daily life. The song is a reflection of the harsh reality of the streets, with Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, the two members of M.O.P. trading bars about their experiences growing up in a tough neighborhood. The chorus, which samples Martha and the Vandellas' "Nowhere to Run," adds to the overall feeling of desperation and chaos that the song embodies.
Billy Danze starts off the song with his verse, talking about the rules of the game and how you need to be ready to shoot first in order to survive. He also mentions seeing Burke, who was likely a gangster or drug dealer, doing his thing in his Buick. Lil' Fame raps about the dangers of living in Brooklyn, where steel pops and the coast is never clear. He also throws in a reference to William Berkowitz, who was a notorious serial killer in the 1970s.
The song ends with Billy Danze talking about how the game doesn't change, only the players do. He welcomes "young bucks" to the "homicide layers" and talks about how his family is able to drop "bomb hits." Lil' Fame adds a final warning about snakes not belonging around them and tells anyone who doesn't like it to "breeze." Overall, "On the Front Line" is a no-holds-barred look at the dangers of living in Brooklyn and the harsh reality of street life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I was raised where, cats blaze automatic weapons
I come from a place where guns are very common.
and half-steppers don`t half-step, without protection
People in my neighborhood don't mess around and always protect themselves.
The rules of the game is, spit first
In our world, you have to be the first to act or you will lose.
until you see his wig burst, before he flame his
Shoot first, before the other person shoots.
You see a man gon` claim his
Men always protect their reputation and will kill to do so.
Duke a soldier gon` aim his, and try to kill yo` ass
Soldiers will aim their guns at you and try to kill you.
Niggaz see Burke on the conduit
People see Burke on the street.
in the left lane doin his thang, whippin a Buick
Burke is driving a car in the left lane of the road doing his own thing.
Fizz Won (Whattup boy? I`m ridin shotgun)
Fizz Won is riding shotgun in the car with Burke.
There`ll never be a boo that understand what we got son
No one will understand what we have accomplished.
We`ve been down a long time
We have been through a lot.
I`m beginnin to think I got traces of Womack in my bloodline
I think I inherited some traits from my relative Womack.
BOM-BURST two times on top of the line
Shoot twice to guarantee a hit.
You plexiglas niggaz ain`t fuckin with mine (HELL NAH!)
You can't mess with me.
We keep it so real, without bein signed to a deal
We are true to ourselves and don't need a record deal to prove it.
Straight from the hilll-top, where steeeel, pop
We come from a place where guns are common.
and the, coast ain`t clear it`s reeeal, hot
Things are dangerous here, and we must be careful.
Keep the heat real close cause it`s, dangerous
Always keep a gun nearby in case of danger.
and the, game don`t change Fame bang with this
The rules of the game don't change, and I will fight to win.
It`s the legendary, cap peelers we the illest
We are known for being the best and most violent.
of the realest blood-spillers, we guerillas (NIGGA FEEL US)
We are the most violent and ruthless ones, and you can feel our presence.
Hey yo the game don`t change only the players
The rules of the game remain the same, only the people playing it change.
I`d like to welcome you young bucks, to these homicide layers
I want to welcome younger people to this world of violence.
We lead (COWARDS TO GUNFIGHTS) right (FROM TALKIN NONSENSE)
We always have the advantage because we don't talk nonsense and we don't hesitate to fight.
Don`t even GOOO THERE
Don't even try to start a fight with me.
Snakes don`t belong `round here, nigga breeze!
People who can't be trusted shouldn't come around here.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind