The two shared a passion for hip-hop, which hadn't yet made a strong impact in the South, and formed their own rap duo, 8Ball & MJG. They made their recording debut in 1991 with a three-track single, Listen to the Lyrics, released on cassette and 12" vinyl by On the Strength Records, an independent label. (These early recordings for On the Strength would later be reissued in 1997 as Lyrics of a Pimp and also in 2000 as Memphis Under World.) 8Ball & MJG subsequently signed a deal with Suave Records (aka Suave House), a Houston, TX-based label run by Tony Draper. 8Ball & MJG's debut full-length, Comin' Out Hard (1993), produced partly by MJG, was the inaugural release by Suave, which would grow to become one of the premier Southern rap labels of the decade. Now considered a milestone, Comin' Out Hard was among the first Southern rap albums to get widespread recognition, opening the door for other pioneers such as Three 6 Mafia, Master P, and Cash Money Records.
8Ball & MJG recorded a few additional albums for Tony Draper throughout the remainder of the decade -- On the Outside Looking In (1994), On Top of the World (1995), In Our Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1999) -- and did much to foster the growth of Suave, regularly being featured as guests on the label's other releases. Plus, 8Ball and MJG each branched out for solo projects, Lost (1998) and No More Glory (1997), respectively, both released by Suave. In 2000, 8Ball & MJG left Suave and switched to JCOR Entertainment, a short-lived rap label founded by Jay Faires, for the release of Space Age 4 Eva. The album, which notably featured production by Swizz Beatz and DJ Quik, was a departure for 8Ball & MJG, who heretofore had worked more or less exclusively with regional producers. The album spawned a pair of minor hits, "Pimp Hard" and "Buck Bounce," the duo's first to first to get national, opposed to regional, airplay. In 2001, JCOR released a pair of 8Ball albums -- The Slab, a various-artists compilation, and Almost Famous, a proper solo album -- but the label then ran into trouble and went out of business, leaving 8Ball & MJG without a recording contract.
After a couple years in limbo, Bad Boy Records, helmed by Diddy, picked up 8Ball & MJG and released Living Legends (2004), the duo's most star-studded album to date. "You Don't Want Drama," the lead single, became 8Ball & MJG's biggest hit ever, reaching number 30 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, while Living Legends itself likewise became the duo's best-selling, debuting at number three on the Top 200 album chart and topping 500,000 in sales. 8Ball & MJG's second Bad Boy album, Ridin High (2007), was less successful, though, despite debuting well at number eight and spawning a strong lead single, "Relax and Take Notes."
Ball & MJG are now signed to T.I.s Grand Hustle lable.
MJG has released 2 solo Albums in 2008 titled Pimp Tight & This Might Be The Day.
Can't U Tell
MJG Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Ain't it funny the things we do to get paid?
The shit we do to show niggas that we ain't afraid.
Yeah, I got my education on the streets,
Doin dirt left a nigga with some muddy feet.
Everyday life brings everyday drama,
Smokin weed only makes a nigga mind wander.
A lot of shit a nigga never should've went through.
Trustin another soul with my fate,
Showed me how easily love can turn to pure hate.
The road, I know, I came to a fork in it,
Good or bad, I'm a still be the nigga winnin, NOW
But tomorrow ain't guaranteed.
Maybe I can see the future through my young seeds.
Plant it, and hope the planet don't damage them.
It's a thin line, but I'ma get mine.
CHORUS:
Who can you trust? God only knows.
It's hard to say who you can call friend or foe.
Money, that's all a nigga will die for.
So much pain and everybody wants more.
(x2)
MJG:
So much pain, drownin my brain, I need a paper towel.
Wrap it 'round, soak up the strain, I feel safer now.
Lookin' down the road I've travelled-it's been a bumpy one.
The walls that I stood on was Humpty Dumpty ones.
I feel like one of them pieces up in a chess game,
On the line, defending yours from mine.
I'm makin moves, attached to strings you can't see.
If the move seems a little bit awkward, it ain't me.
Now fony people ride your nuts for dolla signs,
I bet you drop some cash on the ground, they'd holla "MINE!"
You far behind, man I'm way too ahead, I might be gone.
Think you had some killers ridin with you, you're home alone.
I'm in the zone, meaning space age pimpin, new millenium.
Holes down deep in the wall, I can't get into them.
I'm friend to them, real ass niggas and family members.
What you say, nigga I owe you something? I don't remember.
CHORUS x2
MJG:
(talking)
The root of all evil they say, but yet, there's so much evil in all our
roots. Born in a world of a nigga, some knowing, some not knowing. Even
so, we've accomplished so much but still we have so far to go. C'mon man,
we're born hustlers, and together we'll be greater later. Used to die for
freedom... respect... Now we're dying for dope, hoes, and paper...
Eightball:
I'm guilty of all that shit and more.
Questioning life, asking what am I here for?
To some, that might seem strange but you dig this,
Don't get your feelings hurt, personal and business.
Make 'em average to acheive pimp trick status.
Lame niggas with no nuts end up embarrassed.
Compromise and commercialize, in the eyes of your niggas,
selling out to get the prize.
At the same time, my baby cries,
I'm on a cell phone,
in another state doing sound checks.
Tryin to make my little niggas' lives a little better,
than a bulletproof sweater, nigga love hurts.
MJG:
I've been a vet-er-an, in this game,
I ain't trying to be better than,
only as equal, as the better man.
You can only imagine the ghetto,
if you ain't raised in it.
That's where I'm from,
childhood glory days in it.
I wade in it, what? The waters.
Take me on down the stream, I'm going farther.
It's still from coast to coast, shore to shore.
I stand accused of being a pimp, from root to floor.
Doin' work constantly, thinkin' bout your family.
As soon as you think it's time to chill,
God damn it be, time for another project, another dealine.
Man, we're at the end of this rhyme, and I done said mine.
CHORUS x2
music fades out with women singing...
My friend, we are one, so please hold on...
In the lyrics of MJG's song "Can't U Tell," Eightball reflects on the struggles and choices he has faced in his life. He delves into the complexities of survival in a world where one must often compromise their values in order to make a living. He acknowledges the pain and hardships he has endured, from his rough upbringing in the streets to the betrayals he has experienced from those he trusted. Despite the challenges, he remains resilient and determined to keep pushing forward, uncertain of what the future holds but hopeful that his actions will positively impact his legacy.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of trust and the relentless pursuit of money, which many individuals are willing to sacrifice their integrity for. MJG's verse delves deeper into the internal struggles and mental toll that come with navigating this lifestyle. He compares himself to a chess piece, manipulated by unseen forces, and highlights the prevalence of fake personas motivated by financial gain. MJG's introspective lyrics shed light on the harsh reality of facing deceit and manipulation in a world where materialistic desires often outweigh genuine human connections.
MJG's spoken word interlude serves as a poignant commentary on the pervasive influence of greed and materialism in society. He reflects on the dichotomy of human nature – capable of both great achievements and grave moral failings. Despite the hardships and challenges faced, MJG underscores the resilience and determination of individuals to strive for a better future, rooted in unity and collective empowerment. The ongoing struggle for freedom and respect has been overshadowed by a society driven by superficial desires for money, power, and fleeting pleasures.
In the final verse, Eightball continues to grapple with the complexities of his existence, feeling conflicted between personal fulfillment and the demands of his career. He acknowledges his past mistakes and questions the purpose of his actions, striving to reconcile his aspirations with the harsh realities of life. MJG closes the song with a powerful reflection on his journey as a veteran in the music industry, acknowledging the challenges of staying true to oneself while navigating a world rife with temptation and compromise. The song ends with a poignant reminder of unity and connection, urging listeners to hold on to each other in the face of adversity and uncertainty.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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