After becoming the first hardcore rap group to gain mainstream success, with Efil4zaggin reaching the number one spot on Billboard in 1991, financial conflict between Dr. Dre and Ruthless Records led to the group disbanding. Dr. Dre left to form Death Row Records. MC Ren released his debut EP with the help of Eazy-E in 1992, entitled Kizz My Black Azz. Surprisingly enough, with little commercial promotion, the album went gold. His next album, Life Sentence, was scrapped while converting to the Nation of Islam with guidance from his DJ, DJ Train. Shock of the Hour (1993) was put out the next year containing a few singles, none left any lasting impression.
MC Ren soon found hard times when DJ Train died in a house fire before the release of the ill-fated Villain in Black (1996). Before leaving Ruthless Records, Ren put out Ruthless For Life (1998) which proved a worthy comeback from his last album. He appeared on the posse cut "Some L.A. Niggaz" from Dre's 2001, but only spoke the intro, not rapping on the track. As of 2002, Ren was working on another album; his lyrical abilities have been displayed with many guest appearances with artists from Ice Cube, Kurupt, Snoop Dogg, Paris, Cypress Hill and many more.
I Don't Give A Damn
MC Ren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where that nigga Ren be at, makin' shit that's phat
'Cause in '95 I gotta hustle for yo ass
Droppin' shit like in the past
Rated double X, you in trouble when I hex
Niggaz that be actin' like hoes of the opposite sex
'Cause fool I'm a soldier with a regiment
10,000 niggaz marchin' to your residence
I never leave a clue with the shit that I do
Sport the black 80, creepin' with the flashlight
Comin' with this phat shit just last night
The mad scientist from the center of the Earth
Droppin' crazy shit whenever I drop a verse
Niggaz in a rage, want to see me in a cage
But um, I cocked the gauge when the ink hits the page
Fuck a grammy show and your mammy so now
What the fuck ya gonna do when I bust out the zoo
'Cause ya don't know really who you're fuckin' with
You're fuckin' with the nigga Ren with the phat shit
And I don't give a damn
(CHORUS)
Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, damn
And I don't give a damn
Three strikes for who? A nigga fallin' in the trap
What can I do to keep from fallin' off the map?
I ain't your everyday nigga just with a rhyme
I'll give ya that I don't give a fuck frame of mind
Make ya want to shoot the police in the back
I'm crazy like Hady, 'cause devils be shady
The great elephant nigga hangin' on box
A buffalo soldier without the dreadlocks
I don't give a damn, I created this shit
With the real niggaz way back in '87
Niggaz walkin' on my footprints in nine five
Fools hit 'em foul, can't hit a line drive
So get the hell away from my throne or a zone
My be -boy stance and shit is kinda full grown
Fuck the police 'cause I still feel the same
And fuck a lotta niggaz bein' whack at the game
I don't give a damn
(CHORUS)
Who be talkin' shit about the great elephant?
Ren be bustin' raps, niggaz bustin' caps
The bitch made nigga killa, that's who I be
When bitch made niggaz come and try
Be a politician kidnapp, who gives a fuck about 'em
Nigga never gave a fuck, I can live without 'em
Niggaz want to journey down the black brick road
They can see me changin' in an I don't give a fuck mode
Then I explode, better hide your neck
Ya new whack niggaz never get my respect
Then center of the Earth is where I dwell
Your shit never sell, I got 'cha trippin' in a livin' hell
So back the fuck out my way, that's what I'm sayin'
'Cause I'll be havin' hypocrite niggaz balls hangin'
And othe bitch niggaz, be go lickin' 'em
But Ren just keep on pickin' 'em and slam
'Cause I don't give a God damn
(CHORUS)
MC Ren's song "I Don't Give A Damn" starts with the lyric "Who want to step into the room?" which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The rapper then boasts about his skills as a lyricist and makes it clear that he does not care about anyone else's opinions. He references his past work and how it was rated double X, indicating that it was explicit and provocative. Ren then takes aim at those who act like the opposite sex and declares that he is a soldier with a regiment. He says he will come for those who try to mess with him with an army of 10,000 men.
Ren also takes shots at the president and his red, white, and blue, stating that he never leaves a clue with the things he does. He talks about creeping with a black 80 and coming up with "phat" rhymes just last night. He describes himself as a mad scientist from the center of the earth and says that niggas want to see him in a cage. Ren then talks about how he doesn't care about winning a Grammy or anyone else's opinion. He concludes by stating that he is the nigga with the "phat shit" and that he does not give a damn.
The chorus repeats the title of the song several times, emphasizing the idea that Ren does not care about anyone or anything. In the second verse, Ren talks about how he is not an everyday rapper and that he has a "don't give a fuck frame of mind." He also talks about how his rhymes make people want to shoot the police in the back and how he is crazy like Hady. Ren then references himself as the "great elephant nigga hanging on box" and a "buffalo soldier without the dreadlocks."
In the final verse, Ren talks about how people talk shit about him but he does not care. He declares himself as a "bitch made nigga killa" and tells those who kidnap politicians that he does not care about them. He talks about how he can live without those who never gave a fuck about him and that he dwells in the center of the earth. Ren concludes by saying that he will keep picking hypocrite and bitch niggas and slamming them because he does not give a damn.
Line by Line Meaning
Who want to step into the room?
Who's brave enough to challenge me in my domain?
Where that nigga Ren be at, makin' shit that's phat
I'm always creating great music that impresses.
'Cause in '95 I gotta hustle for yo ass
I'm working hard to produce great music for my audience.
Droppin' shit like in the past
I continue to produce great music like I always have.
Rated double X, you in trouble when I hex
I'm like a witch's curse; anyone who crosses me is in big trouble.
Niggaz that be actin' like hoes of the opposite sex
Any men who act weak like a woman are not worthy of my respect.
'Cause fool I'm a soldier with a regiment
I'm like a commander with an army at my back.
10,000 niggaz marchin' to your residence
I have many people who would follow and support me against anyone who tries to take me down.
Fuck the president and his red, white, and blue
I don't respect any government or authority.
I never leave a clue with the shit that I do
I'm very discreet about what I do.
Sport the black 80, creepin' with the flashlight
I'm always ready for anything and will come at you fast and hard.
Comin' with this phat shit just last night
I make great music always, even on short notice.
The mad scientist from the center of the Earth
I'm a genius at what I do.
Droppin' crazy shit whenever I drop a verse
My lyrics are always mind-blowing and make people think.
Niggaz in a rage, want to see me in a cage
Some people are angry at me and want to punish me.
But um, I cocked the gauge when the ink hits the page
I'm always ready to defend myself.
Fuck a grammy show and your mammy so now
I don't care about any awards or recognition.
What the fuck ya gonna do when I bust out the zoo
What are you going to do when I unleash my full talent?
'Cause ya don't know really who you're fuckin' with
You have no idea who you're messing with.
You're fuckin' with the nigga Ren with the phat shit
You're dealing with me, MC Ren, the creator of amazing music.
And I don't give a damn
I'm not bothered by any of this; I'm confident in myself and my abilities.
Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, damn
I truly don't care about anything.
Three strikes for who? A nigga fallin' in the trap
I don't understand why people keep getting into trouble.
What can I do to keep from falling off the map?
How can I and others stay successful and relevant in the music industry?
I ain't your everyday nigga just with a rhyme
I'm not like other people; I have a special talent for music.
I'll give ya that I don't give a fuck frame of mind
I don't care what people think.
Make ya want to shoot the police in the back
My music is so powerful it can make people want to rebel and fight against authority.
I'm crazy like Hady, 'cause devils be shady
My music is wild and powerful, and can bring down even the most manipulative people.
The great elephant nigga hangin' on box
I'm a powerful figure in the music industry, and people look up to me.
A buffalo soldier without the dreadlocks
I'm a strong, independent person who doesn't need anyone else's approval.
I don't give a damn, I created this shit
I don't care about other people's opinions; I created my own unique sound.
With the real niggaz way back in '87
I started my music career with other talented people in the 1980s.
Niggaz walkin' on my footprints in nine five
Many people have tried to copy my unique style.
Fools hit 'em foul, can't hit a line drive
People who try to copy me always fall short and don't measure up.
So get the hell away from my throne or a zone
Stay away from me if you don't want to be crushed by my talent.
My be-boy stance and shit is kinda full grown
My music and my style have developed into something really great.
Fuck the police 'cause I still feel the same
I still have a strong dislike for authority, including the police.
And fuck a lotta niggaz bein' whack at the game
I don't have any respect for people who don't measure up in the music industry.
Who be talkin' shit about the great elephant?
Who dares to talk bad about me, a powerful figure in the music industry?
Ren be bustin' raps, niggaz bustin' caps
I'm creating powerful music while others are committing acts of violence.
The bitch made nigga killa, that's who I be
I'm like an assassin for weak people, because I'm so strong.
When bitch made niggaz come and try
When weak people try to challenge me.
Be a politician kidnapp, who gives a fuck about 'em
I don't care about politicians or their problems.
Nigga never gave a fuck, I can live without 'em
I don't need anyone's approval or support.
Niggaz want to journey down the black brick road
People want to follow my lead and learn from me.
They can see me changin' in an I don't give a fuck mode
They see that I'm confident and don't care what others think.
Then I explode, better hide your neck
When I unleash my full potential, people need to watch out.
Ya new whack niggaz never get my respect
I don't have any respect for untalented or weak people.
Then center of the Earth is where I dwell
I'm so unique and powerful that my true home is in the center of the earth.
Your shit never sell, I got 'cha trippin' in a livin' hell
Your music isn't as good as mine, and that's driving you crazy.
So back the fuck out my way, that's what I'm sayin'
Stay away from me and my talent.
'Cause I'll be havin' hypocrite niggaz balls hangin'
I'll take down anyone who doesn't have the talent or the courage to challenge me.
And other bitch niggaz, be go lickin' 'em
Other people who aren't as talented as me will try to copy me and follow in my footsteps.
But Ren just keep on pickin' 'em and slam
I'm not afraid of my competition.
'Cause I don't give a God damn
Because I don't care about anything except my music and my talent.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HENRIK MILLING RASMUSSEN, JESPER DAHL, LASSE BAVNGAARD, LORENZO JERALD PATTERSON, NICHOLAS KVARAN, RASMUS BERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind