MJG, half of the pioneering Southern rap duo 8Ball & MJG, rarely branched o… Read Full Bio ↴MJG, half of the pioneering Southern rap duo 8Ball & MJG, rarely branched out for solo albums (e.g., No More Glory, 1997), yet his work with 8Ball proved influential, earning him a reputation as a living legend. Born Marlon Jermaine Goodwin, MJG grew up in the Orange Mound area of Memphis, TN, where he met 8Ball at Ridgeway Junior High School in 1984.

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.

Daylight
MJG Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, uhh, uhh, uhh, yeah
Space age forever, know what I'm sayin'?
Space age forever, space age, baby, yeah
Uhh, yeah, yeah

The name of the game is get no sleep
Mash on, niggas, and always roll deep
Non stop hustle means all profits double

Young nigga tryin' to see rocks like Barney Rubble

Vampire, circulate when the moon rise
Do dirt when most people got closed eyes
Rollin', livin' off garbage and scraps
Niggas wouldn't even fuck with me if I had rap

Thinkin' 'bout that man, that's just another trap
Another nigga dead from another nigga's strap
Space aging every thought and everything I write
Livin' for today, a nigga might die tonight

Just because a nigga think I'm a celebrity
They want to rob and jack and try to bury me
Forced entry embedded in my memory
Fightin' sleep like Freddie Kruger tryin' to get me

In the midst, I wanna see it, not hear about it
If a nigga wanna see it, gotta be about it
Can't do without it, sayin', till my life end
Every night, they like, "Catch me up again"

You say, like daylight, it's gonna catch me up again
(Gonna catch me up, gonna catch me up again)
Some people like gettin' up when I'm just gettin' in
(It's gonna catch me up, gonna catch me up again)

I look up, I can't see the forest full of trees
Destined to make it through, regardless of the seas
Of evil that been planted, sproutin' concrete walls
So everybody has stained deals
After all, you playin wrong

Now you havin' to climb so you can make it
Got the whole roll block, and too thick for you to break it
Don't fake it, you know it's kinda hard to try to shake it
The camel's tellin' you to come on, you had to cake it

Mr. Mistake It, Mr. Do Nothing, uncle, give me something
You mouth tellin' me, love, but I ain't feelin' none, stealin' some
Same positions I've been facin' for years
Now I'm about to put some steak in this meal, inflatin' my bills

Excusin' you hoes who want fame
Using you hoes for one thang
Fuck how you changed, bitch
It's funny why you stayed around
And patience how you laid me down
Now you expectin' the crown

I'm full time, respectin' the game
Checkin' out the girls in change
A turd in the hand is far worse than a turd in commode
Let that shit float on, 'cause that shit get old

It seems that daylight is gonna catch me up again
(Gonna catch me, gonna catch me up again)
Some people like gettin' up when I'm just gettin' in
(It's gonna catch me up, gonna catch me up again)
Well, well

Yeah man, I don't know what the fuck wrong with niggas though
Marshmallow ass niggas, man, comin' around here, man
Tryin' to fuck with these, motherfucker
Hard time, home grown ass niggas like Eightball and MJG man
Niggas got like fucked up, man, know what I'm talkin' about, man?

Niggas comin' around here, man
Niggas don't know we came out hard in '93
But we was pimpin' before that
You know what I'm talkin' about, nigga?

We had shit goin on, man, nigga, we were doin' that shit
Coast to coast, state to state, nigga pimpin'
Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, nigga
Now we New York, L.A., yeah, nigga

Know what I'm talkin' about, nigga?
I'm talkin' about Orange Mound, nigga
I was born and raised in that motherfucker, nigga
I spent 21 years of my life in that motherfucker, nigga
East coast of Memphis, Tennessee, nigga
You don't know what I'm talkin' about?

Right there nigga, all my motherfucking life, nigga
Space age means this shit will last to an infinite motherfucking time, nigga
This is not ever gonna stop, nigga
Do you hear what I'm tryin' to say to you motherfuckers?

Space age means this shit is gonna last an infinite amount of time
You can never stop this pimpin', what's going on down here
Suave House, Houston, Texas
Yeah, I'm tryin' to tell you motherfuckers

We're connected all over the motherfuckin' map, nigga
We're connected with the Louisiana boys, nigga
We're connected with the Mississippi boys, nigga
We're connected with them Nashville boys, nigga

We're connected with the motherfuckin' New York boys, nigga
We're connected with the motherfuckin' PA boys, nigga
We're connected with the motherfuckin' Oakland boys nigga
We're connected with the motherfuckin' Philly hoe boys, nigga

We're connected with the motherfuckin' Chicago boys, nigga
We're connected with the motherfuckin' Georgia boys, nigga
We're connected with the motherfuckin' Louisville boys, nigga
We're connected with the motherfuckin' Cleveland boys, nigga

We connected all the way around this motherfucker, nigga
With them Kansas City boys, nigga

I'm tryin' to tell you boys, nigga
Don't step to this pimpin', nigga

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of MJG's song Daylight describe a hustler lifestyle in which the singer is always on the move, seeking profit and avoiding danger. He reflects on the risks and stresses of his life, including the constant threat of violence and the need to stay awake and alert at all times. He believes that his celebrity status makes him a target, and he worries about his safety. However, he also takes pride in his resilience and his ability to survive in a difficult world. The chorus of the song reflects his belief that, like daylight, his circumstances will catch up with him eventually, but he remains determined to keep going no matter what.

The lyrics of the song are notable for their vivid imagery and explicit language, conveying a sense of danger and urgency. MJG's use of metaphor and allusion adds depth to the lyrics, making them open to interpretation. Some listeners might see the song as a commentary on the struggles of African-American men in urban environments, while others might see it as a celebration of a hard-edged hip-hop attitude.

Line by Line Meaning

The name of the game is get no sleep
The goal is to work tirelessly and not rest

Mash on, niggas, and always roll deep
Stick together and have a strong, united presence

Non stop hustle means all profits double
Constantly working leads to increased profits

Young nigga tryin' to see rocks like Barney Rubble
Aspiring to have a flashy lifestyle with expensive jewelry

Vampire, circulate when the moon rise
Engage in criminal activities during nighttime when others are unaware

Do dirt when most people got closed eyes
Commit illegal actions when others are not paying attention

Rollin', livin' off garbage and scraps
Surviving by making do with very little

Niggas wouldn't even fuck with me if I had rap
Others wouldn't associate with me if I wasn't successful in music

Thinkin' 'bout that man, that's just another trap
Being preoccupied with insignificant matters is a waste of time

Another nigga dead from another nigga's strap
One person's violent actions lead to the death of another

Space aging every thought and everything I write
Approaching life with a futuristic mindset in my music and thoughts

Livin' for today, a nigga might die tonight
Living in the present moment because life is unpredictable

Just because a nigga think I'm a celebrity
Being perceived as famous, others want to take advantage or harm me

They want to rob and jack and try to bury me
Others desire to steal from me and harm me

Forced entry embedded in my memory
Being constantly on guard and remembering the trauma of being violated

Fightin' sleep like Freddie Kruger tryin' to get me
Struggling to stay awake due to the fear of nightmares or danger

In the midst, I wanna see it, not hear about it
I want to witness things firsthand rather than hearing about them from others

If a nigga wanna see it, gotta be about it
To truly understand something, you have to actively participate in it

Can't do without it, sayin', till my life end
I can't live without this lifestyle until the day I die

Every night, they like, 'Catch me up again'
Every night, others are trying to keep up with me and my actions

You say, like daylight, it's gonna catch me up again
Similar to daylight, the consequences of my actions will catch up to me

Some people like gettin' up when I'm just gettin' in
While I'm just starting my day, others are already ending theirs

I look up, I can't see the forest full of trees
Unable to see the bigger picture and understand the situation fully

Destined to make it through, regardless of the seas
Bound to succeed despite the challenges that come my way

Of evil that been planted, sproutin' concrete walls
The negative influences surrounding me are solidifying and becoming barriers

So everybody has stained deals
Everyone is involved in corrupt and shady dealings

After all, you playin wrong
Ultimately, you are making the wrong choices

Now you havin' to climb so you can make it
Now you have to work harder to achieve success

Got the whole roll block, and too thick for you to break it
Having a strong support system that is impenetrable

Don't fake it, you know it's kinda hard to try to shake it
Authenticity is difficult to fake or get rid of

The camel's tellin' you to come on, you had to cake it
Feeling a sense of urgency to seize opportunities and secure wealth

Mr. Mistake It, Mr. Do Nothing, uncle, give me something
Being surrounded by individuals who make poor decisions and lack ambition

You mouth tellin' me, love, but I ain't feelin' none, stealin' some
Being lied to and manipulated despite being told otherwise

Same positions I've been facin' for years
Stuck in the same circumstances and facing the same challenges for a long time

Now I'm about to put some steak in this meal, inflatin' my bills
Finally achieving success and increasing my expenses

Excusin' you hoes who want fame
Making excuses for and dismissing individuals who desire fame

Using you hoes for one thang
Taking advantage of individuals for personal gain

Fuck how you changed, bitch
Disregarding and not caring about the changes someone has undergone

It's funny why you stayed around
Surprised by the fact that someone has stuck by my side despite everything

And patience how you laid me down
Displaying patience and resilience in supporting me

Now you expectin' the crown
Now you believe you deserve recognition and power

I'm full time, respectin' the game
Fully committed and showing admiration for the hustling lifestyle

Checkin' out the girls in change
Observing and admiring women who are dealing with the same struggles

A turd in the hand is far worse than a turd in commode
Having a negative situation is worse when it's close and unavoidable

Let that shit float on, 'cause that shit get old
Letting go of negativity because it's tiresome and unproductive

It seems that daylight is gonna catch me up again
It appears that the consequences of my actions will catch up to me once more

Some people like gettin' up when I'm just gettin' in
While I'm just starting my day, others are already ending theirs

Yeah man, I don't know what the fuck wrong with niggas though
Expressing confusion and frustration about the behavior of others

Marshmallow ass niggas, man, comin' around here, man
Referring to weak individuals who lack toughness and resilience

Tryin' to fuck with these, motherfucker
Attempting to challenge or interfere with my success

Hard time, home grown ass niggas like Eightball and MJG man
Referencing the difficult experiences faced by artists like Eightball and MJG

Niggas got like fucked up, man, know what I'm talkin' about, man?
Others have faced adversity and experienced hardship

Niggas comin' around here, man
Individuals approaching with ill intentions

Niggas don't know we came out hard in '93
Others are unaware of our difficult journey and early success in 1993

But we was pimpin' before that
We were involved in the hustle and street life even prior to our music career

You know what I'm talkin' about, nigga?
Do you understand what I'm saying, my friend?

We had shit goin on, man, nigga, we were doin' that shit
We were involved in various illegal activities and hustling

Coast to coast, state to state, nigga pimpin'
Engaging in illegal activities and controlling and manipulating others across different locations

Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, nigga
Operating and influencing these states with our hustling lifestyle

Now we New York, L.A., yeah, nigga
Expanding our influence and presence to include New York and Los Angeles

Know what I'm talkin' about, nigga?
Do you understand what I'm saying, my friend?

I'm talkin' about Orange Mound, nigga
Referring to the neighborhood in Memphis where they grew up

I was born and raised in that motherfucker, nigga
Expressing pride in being raised in Orange Mound

I spent 21 years of my life in that motherfucker, nigga
Highlighting the significant amount of time spent living in Orange Mound

East coast of Memphis, Tennessee, nigga
Referring to their specific location within Memphis

You don't know what I'm talkin' about?
Do you not understand what I'm referring to?

Right there nigga, all my motherfucking life, nigga
Orange Mound has been a significant part of their entire lives

Space age means this shit will last to an infinite motherfucking time, nigga
Referring to their Space Age pimping lifestyle as something that will last forever

This is not ever gonna stop, nigga
The hustle and street life will continue indefinitely

Do you hear what I'm tryin' to say to you motherfuckers?
Do you understand the message I'm trying to convey to all of you?

Space age means this shit is gonna last an infinite amount of time
Emphasizing that their Space Age pimping lifestyle will endure forever

You can never stop this pimpin', what's going on down here
Their pimping lifestyle is unstoppable and will always exist

Suave House, Houston, Texas
Referring to their association with Suave House, a record label based in Houston, Texas

Yeah, I'm tryin' to tell you motherfuckers
They are attempting to convey an important message to the listeners

We're connected all over the motherfuckin' map, nigga
Having connections and influence across various locations

We're connected with the Louisiana boys, nigga
Establishing ties and relationships with individuals from Louisiana

We're connected with the Mississippi boys, nigga
Having connections and relationships with individuals from Mississippi

We're connected with them Nashville boys, nigga
Being associated with individuals from Nashville, Tennessee

We're connected with the motherfuckin' New York boys, nigga
Having connections and relationships with individuals from New York

We're connected with the motherfuckin' PA boys, nigga
Establishing ties and relationships with individuals from Pennsylvania

We're connected with the motherfuckin' Oakland boys nigga
Having connections and relationships with individuals from Oakland, California

We're connected with the motherfuckin' Philly hoe boys, nigga
Being associated with individuals from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We're connected with the motherfuckin' Chicago boys, nigga
Having connections and relationships with individuals from Chicago, Illinois

We're connected with the motherfuckin' Georgia boys, nigga
Establishing ties and relationships with individuals from Georgia

We're connected with the motherfuckin' Louisville boys, nigga
Having connections and relationships with individuals from Louisville, Kentucky

We're connected with the motherfuckin' Cleveland boys, nigga
Being associated with individuals from Cleveland, Ohio

We connected all the way around this motherfucker, nigga
Having a network and connections spanning across various locations

With them Kansas City boys, nigga
Establishing ties and relationships with individuals from Kansas City

I'm tryin' to tell you boys, nigga
They are attempting to convey an important message to the listeners

Don't step to this pimpin', nigga
Don't challenge or interfere with their lifestyle of hustling and control

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PREMRO SMITH, TRISTAN JONES, LEE DIXON, MARLON GOODWIN, JOHN T. SMITH, ELIJAH BAKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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