M.O.P., short for Mash-Out Posse, is an American hip hop group from Brookly… Read Full Bio ↴M.O.P., short for Mash-Out Posse, is an American hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York. Comprised of rappers Lil' Fame aka Fizzy Womack and Billy Danze, the group is best known for frenetic singles such as 2000's Ante Up (Robbin Hoodz Theory).

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.

That Time
M.O.P. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(P-P-P-LO, time to bring the bass back)
Oh-whoa-whoa-whoa
Ayy, yeah, ayy

I looked up and it's about that time
It's about that time
I looked up and it's about that time
It's about that time, yeah, yeah, yeah

Ready, set, go
Had to let 'em know that I'm saying whoa
I looked up and it's about that time
It's about that time, it's about that time

Ayy, I'm on east Oakland time
Either eat or get fed to the lions
Came from the bottom wit the grind
Real town biz, I'm a problem in my prime
I go stupid, that Bentley my new scrape thang
Check in the telly, give 'em the fake name
Where I'm from, if you gotta they try to take thangs
I was shrinking the circle before cake came
Uh, now I make it do a backflip
Try to play me, probably end up with a fat lip
Uh, and you know I gotta stack chips
So you know what time it is if I tap wrist

I looked up and it's about that time
It's about that time
I looked up and it's about that time
It's about that time, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ready, set, go
Had to let 'em know that I'm saying whoa (hey)
I looked up and it's about that time (haha)
It's about that time, it's about that time (ooh, Gerry)

Yeah
P-LO pass the beat to me
I'm built different most of y'all can't compete with me
And Marshawn Lynch knows the beast in me
'Cause I was raised on Too $hort and Keak da Sneak
This ain't game time it's Dame time
Mamba mentality, I got the same mind
Put the work in every night, it take time
Heard you fallin' off, been listening to the grapevine
It's 'bout time you give it up, you need to switch it up
I play 'til I hold the trophy, lift it up
Your game plan is fallin' apart, go pick it up
Try to keep up, but your legs ain't quick enough
Can't tell me nothin', when I know I'm right
We active in the Bay, come get on my hype
And I'm a loud menace, I handle town business
It's 'bout that time, now I'm counting down minutes

I looked up and it's about that time (you know)
It's about that time (yee)
I looked up and it's about that time (haha, ayy)
It's about that time, yeah, yeah, yeah (hee)
Ready, set, go
Had to let 'em know that I'm saying whoa
I looked up and it's about that time (whoa, whoa)
It's about that time, it's about that time (yeah)

Keep my head up stack my bread up and never let up
I'm whippin', my palms itchin'
I'm in the kitchen cookin' heat up
Don't get beat up, you hear the beat though
I eat up, I'm gotta re-up, I'm goin' keto
How you from the Ridge but you solid on the north side
Dizzy doin' donuts wit my dogs gettin' dumb high
RIP Oracle, I was sittin' courtside
Boy, this ain't a game, I don't play, this ain't Fortnite
More checks, more numbers, lookin' like statistics
This the type of life me and my brothers been envisioning
Talk slick diggy boss shit the bars blistering
Call it quits, never nonsense, you gotta deal with it, huh
By a landslide how I'm winnin' it
From the mud got it wit my blood, I know you witnessed it
White Dave thumpin' in the trunk, I know you feelin it
Lookin up, rising above, nobody real as this

I looked up and it's about that time
It's about that time
I looked up and it's about that time
It's about that time, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ready, set, go
Had to let 'em know that I'm saying whoa

I looked up and it's about that time
It's about that time, it's about that time

Overall Meaning

The song "That Time" by M.O.P. is a tribute to their roots in East Oakland and the mentality it instilled in them. "I'm on East Oakland time, either eat or get fed to the lions" speaks about the survival of the fittest mentality they acquired living in their hometown. The song talks about the struggle and hard work that it takes to make it in the music industry and how they are always on their grind trying to succeed. The chorus repeats the phrase "I looked up and it's about that time" emphasizing how it is time for them to make their mark in the industry and achieve their dreams.

The second verse talks about the rapper's dedication to his craft and how he has the mindset of a champion, inspired by basketball player Damian Lillard's nickname "Dame Time" and the late Kobe Bryant's "Mamba Mentality." The bridge features Oakland-based rapper White Dave, who pays homage to the city and his background. The song ends with a final chorus, emphasizing the idea that it is about time they made it big in the industry.

Overall, "That Time" is a powerful anthem about perseverance, dedication, and being true to one's roots.

Line by Line Meaning

I looked up and it's about that time
Realizing that now is the time to take action and make moves.

Ready, set, go / Had to let 'em know that I'm saying whoa
Getting ready to take action and let everyone know that they are coming with full force.

I'm on east Oakland time / Either eat or get fed to the lions
Living in a place where you have to fight for survival and success is crucial.

Real town biz, I'm a problem in my prime
Committed to achieving success, and won't let anything stand in the way.

Where I'm from, if you gotta they try to take thangs
Coming from a place where people will try to take advantage of others, especially if they have something they want.

Uh, now I make it do a backflip / Try to play me, probably end up with a fat lip / Uh, and you know I gotta stack chips / So you know what time it is if I tap wrist
Confident in their abilities to succeed, and willing to defend themselves and their success.

'Cause I was raised on Too $hort and Keak da Sneak / This ain't game time it's Dame time
Growing up on music that inspires them to work hard and put in the effort to succeed.

Put the work in every night, it take time / Heard you fallin' off, been listening to the grapevine / It's 'bout time you give it up, you need to switch it up
Recognizing the importance of hard work and staying focused in order to succeed, while also knowing when it's time to make changes and adapt.

I'm whippin', my palms itchin' / I'm in the kitchen cookin' heat up
Taking control and working hard to achieve success, even if it means sacrificing comfort and ease.

More checks, more numbers, lookin' like statistics / This the type of life me and my brothers been envisioning
Achieving success and financial stability is a priority, and living the life they have always dreamed of.

Lookin up, rising above, nobody real as this
Maintaining a positive outlook and striving to achieve greater success and rise above any obstacles.

Lyrics © MUSIC MANAGEMENT, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Damian Lillard, Gerald Earl Gillum, Harry Palmer, James Moore, Jonathan H. Smith, Lawrence Smith, Noah Coogler, Robert Arthur Ford, Russell W. Simmons, Todd Anthony Shaw

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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