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.
Stress Ya'll
M.O.P. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First Family!
[Chorus: M.O.P.]
Don't let these motherfuckers stress y'all
M.O.P. to the death y'all, the good Lord have blessed y'all
So these niggaz can't touch y'all
[Verse One: Billy Danze]
Good evening, you contaminated semen
I'm here for a different reason (continue breathin)
I notice you been schemin, on the First Family
(Family) Disbelieving we're
(forever rockin) yeah (forever hip-hopping and popping)
Yes yes y'all!
I'm not a rapper, I never made a rap song
You motherfuckers got it all wrong!
I'm a man standin behind a cannon, plannin to pop ya
We got on yo' click like I'm with Trenchcoat Mafia
I'm not afraid of you bitches, I raise hell
And get respect when niggaz, struggle for riches
As the wind blow, through my window, real slow at night
It shakes me in fright, it's well after twelve
But I still see a bright light (take 'em back to crime time)
Oh you, motherfuckin right, cousin
I see them fake thugs, givin up fake dap and fake hugs
We appreciate the fake love
Keep in mind I'm determined to shine like my son
Industry enemy number one, yes yes y'all!
[Chorus x2]
[Verse Two: Lil' Fame]
I'm bout to start this bitch from Ground Zero (oh!)
When I start cussin and bustin, niggaz call pound zero
I'm not just a rap AR-tist
I'm also a gat pack artist (oh!) gat clap artist (oh!)
And a condor, killer, set trap artist (oh!)
Send forty-pound slugs through your back artist
(Now that's an artist!) I leave 'em left out
With his flesh out, layin stretched out, sketched out
(No doubt!) I still do the same thing
Streey life is still a Fame game
What you thought the game changed?
I hang out and break day until the street lights go off
Or the heat pipe go off (BOOM!)
It's what we pack on the Hilltop, (true!)
What's the sound when the steel pop? (BOOM!)
Bitch! I will dismiss you
You got issues, deal witcho issues
I look 'em dead in the face, pop one in 'em
And knock the venom out a motherfuckin snake
I'm a thoroughfy his death y'all, and creep back through
And if he's stretched I'm like yes yes y'all
[Chorus x2]
The song "Stress Ya'll" by M.O.P. is a hip-hop anthem that empowers listeners to disregard the stresses caused by their enemies. The chorus urges people to not let these enemies get them down and reminds them that the Good Lord has blessed them. The verses by Billy Danze and Lil' Fame underscore this point by portraying vivid scenes of violence and hardship that they and their First Family have encountered, emphasizing their resilience and determination to shine.
In the first verse, Billy Danze announces himself as someone who stands behind a cannon, not a rapper who makes rap songs. He claims that his enemies have been scheming against the First Family, but he's not afraid of them and will raise hell to gain respect. When the wind blows through his window at night, he sees a bright light and recognizes that he's determined to become an industry enemy number one. Lil' Fame takes the stage in the second verse and boasts about his prowess as a "gat pack artist" who sends 40-pound slugs through his enemies' backs. He asserts that street life is still a Fame game and that he won't change just because people want him to. He threatens to knock the venom out of a motherfucking snake and dismisses those who are trying to mess with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't let these motherfuckers stress y'all
Don't allow these people to cause stress in your life
M.O.P. to the death y'all, the good Lord have blessed y'all
The group M.O.P. is dedicated to its fans and the blessings of the good Lord have been bestowed upon them
So these niggaz can't touch y'all
These individuals won't be able to harm you if you remain strong
FIRING SQUAD! Yes yes y'all
The group M.O.P. is a force to be reckoned with and will not tolerate any disrespect
Good evening, you contaminated semen
Greetings to you, who are full of filth and deceit
I'm here for a different reason (continue breathin)
My presence is for another purpose, so you can continue to live and breathe
I notice you been schemin, on the First Family
I am aware of your plots against the group M.O.P.
(Family) Disbelieving we're (forever rockin) yeah (forever hip-hopping and popping)
People tend to doubt the group's longevity in the music industry, but they will always continue to make great music and perform
I'm not a rapper, I never made a rap song
I am not just a simple rapper who creates songs with nothing meaningful to say
You motherfuckers got it all wrong!
You are mistaken about who I am and what I stand for!
I'm a man standin behind a cannon, plannin to pop ya
I am a man, with a gun in my hand, planning to eliminate my enemies
We got on yo' click like I'm with Trenchcoat Mafia
Our group is attacking your clique in a ruthless manner, much like the Trenchcoat Mafia did during the Columbine shooting
I'm not afraid of you bitches, I raise hell
I am not scared of anyone and I will cause chaos if necessary
And get respect when niggaz, struggle for riches
I am admired by those who go through difficult times to acquire wealth
As the wind blow, through my window, real slow at night
At night, I can hear the wind blowing softly through my window
It shakes me in fright, it's well after twelve
I become afraid as the night progresses, and it is late at night
But I still see a bright light (take 'em back to crime time)
Despite my fear, I can still see a light shining in the darkness, reminding me of the times when crime was prevalent
Oh you, motherfuckin right, cousin
Yes, indeed! I am absolutely correct, my friend!
I see them fake thugs, givin up fake dap and fake hugs
I have noticed that some individuals pretend to be tough, but their greetings are insincere
We appreciate the fake love
While we understand that the love we receive may be fake, we still appreciate the sentiment
Keep in mind I'm determined to shine like my son
I am committed to success, much like my son who will one day shine brightly
Industry enemy number one, yes yes y'all!
I am the enemy of the industry, but I am still a force to be reckoned with
I'm bout to start this bitch from Ground Zero (oh!)
I am starting this fight from scratch with nothing to lose
When I start cussin and bustin, niggaz call pound zero
Others know to call for emergency services when I start to use foul language and begin firing my weapon
I'm not just a rap AR-tist
I am more than a simple rapper, I am an artist in every sense of the word
I'm also a gat pack artist (oh!) gat clap artist (oh!)
I am skilled in firearms and will use them to defend myself and my group
And a condor, killer, set trap artist (oh!)
I am also able to trap and eliminate targets with great precision and skill
Send forty-pound slugs through your back artist
I have the ability to shoot large calibre bullets into your back, causing severe damage
(Now that's an artist!) I leave 'em left out
This is what makes me an artist, I can injure my enemies in such a severe way that they are left bereft and helpless
With his flesh out, layin stretched out, sketched out
The enemy will be left writhing on the ground with their flesh exposed, like a sketch (outline) of a person
(No doubt!) I still do the same thing
Without a doubt, I will continue to do the same thing - cause chaos and destruction
Streey life is still a Fame game
The street life is what makes me well-known, it is my game and I play it well
What you thought the game changed?
Just because time has passed, doesn't mean the game has changed - it's still as dangerous as ever!
I hang out and break day until the street lights go off
I spend my time outside, not going home until the street lights turn off, indicating that it is very late at night
Or the heat pipe go off (BOOM!)
Another indicator that it is late is when the heat pipes burst (boom!)
It's what we pack on the Hilltop, (true!)
On the hilltop, we carry weapons to protect ourselves
What's the sound when the steel pop? (BOOM!)
The sound of a gunshot (steel pop) can be deafening
Bitch! I will dismiss you
I will rid myself of you, you insignificant person!
You got issues, deal witcho issues
You have problems that you need to resolve yourself, I have no interest in helping you!
I look 'em dead in the face, pop one in 'em
I will confront you directly and shoot you without hesitation
And knock the venom out a motherfuckin snake
I will eliminate the source of toxicity and danger, like I would a venomous snake
I'm a thoroughfy his death y'all, and creep back through
I will ensure that my enemy is completely defeated and then sneak away unnoticed
And if he's stretched I'm like yes yes y'all
If he lies prostrate (or deceased), I will feel victorious and shout yes, yes!
Contributed by Joseph V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.