Career
Mac Dre's music gained popularity in the early to mid 1990s throughout the Bay Area, eventually receiving national recognition through his independent record labels Romp and Thizz Entertainment. He released many hit singles, such as "Too Hard for the Radio", and most recently "Feelin' Myself". He was the creator of the "Thizzle Dance", a popular dance which holds no specific standard. Hardship and controversy were staples of Mac Dre's career. After recording his first three albums between 1989 and 1991, Mac was charged with conspiracy to commit bank robbery. His record label, Romp Productions, and his many references to "Romper Room" in his songs, coincided with a Vallejo robbery gang of the time calling themselves the "Romper Room Gang" and responsible for the robberies of many area banks and pizza parlours. Hicks was alleged to be a member of the gang. The rapper was sentenced to five years in prison in 1992.
In prison, Hicks gained some notoriety by recording the lyrics to songs directly over the Fresno County jail inmate telephone. His album, Young Black Brotha, was a result of such efforts, as well as guest appearances on fellow artists' songs, all while Hicks was still imprisoned. A later album, Back 'N Da Hood, was also made up of these prison-recorded songs.
After his release from prison in 1996, Mac Dre began releasing albums steadily, building pace in the early 21st century. Mac Dre's audience was growing, and mainstream hip-hop stations were beginning to give Hicks' music more airtime. Hicks relocated to Sacramento, California in 2001, where he began a label, Thizz Entertainment.
Death
On November 1, 2004, Mac Dre was shot to death while returning to his hotel after a performance in Kansas city. A car pulled up next to the white van carrying Dre along with other Thizz artists. Whether words where exchanged or not, the ordeal ended in the bloodshed of a bay area rap legend. The van swerved off the road and into a ravine where it ran into a tree. Word is that Dre was thrown from the van, but officials say they found him in the front seat, dead on arrival. Some believe that Mac Dre's killer was Kansas City rapper Anthony "Fat Tone" Watkins. In 2005 Watkins was murdered, allegedly by Bay Area rapper Mac Minister. In March 2006, Mac Minister was arrested by FBI officials.
California Bear
Mac Dre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drizzle, California Hot Boy makin' it sizzle
Yadadadada
I'm a roper smoker, love to yoke a, chevy when I'm ripter
Used to post up on the block with dope I got from Victor
I go nuts, do donuts when I'm full of that liquor
Get hoe bucks man so much I ran game and pimped her
Davins, and choppers there's no stoppin Mister
A California Bear, all up in your ear
While I'm playing with your hair, bitch I'm a player
It ain't fair, niggaz like me is rare
Hard to find, you might not find one like me anywhere
You can search tall trees, the bottom of the seas
Nigga please, they don't make them like these
Huh what you say, you gone do what?
I murder, get further, in my coughnut
Geeks I chew up, in the streets I grew up
I run with niggaz that'll peel a nigga for a few bucks
I'm sewing thangs up, got the game on lock
Give you an E for effort, but it ain't no knock
Man this thang don't stop, I'm all night like Denny's
I'm countin' thow-wows while you scrapin' for pennies
I'm tight like two hemmies, dope like two gremmies
Put a dub in the blunt cause I don't like them skinny
Mafia like Benny, I offer ya some remy
Playboy, from the bay boy
I sav lav, ya hear me?
In "California Bear," Mac Dre presents himself as a "California Bear," an indomitable and unique figure that can hardly be found anywhere else. He has a fierce personality that attracts women and earns him respect in the streets. He mentions his love for fast cars, particularly Chevys, and how he used to sell dope. He also boasts of his ability to make money by pimping women, and he is not afraid to intimidate those who oppose him.
The song is typical of the hyphy movement that Mac Dre helped popularize. The beats are sharp and lively, and the lyrics are packed with slang and references to Bay Area culture. The song is not only a tribute to California but also a warning to those who dare to challenge the state's unique and formidable culture.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a roper smoker, love to yoke a, chevy when I'm ripter
I enjoy smoking weed and driving around in my chevy when I'm intoxicated
Used to post up on the block with dope I got from Victor
I used to sell drugs on street corners with the product I received from Victor
I go nuts, do donuts when I'm full of that liquor
I become crazy and reckless when I drink too much alcohol
Get hoe bucks man so much I ran game and pimped her
I have so much money from prostitution that I was able to convince and control her
My thang thang got twisters, two sets like sisters
I have guns that have multiple barrels, similar to conjoined twin sisters
Davins, and choppers there's no stoppin Mister
I have expensive wheels and guns, which make me unstoppable
A California Bear, all up in your ear
I am a powerful and dominant figure, who will always be heard and remembered
While I'm playing with your hair, bitch I'm a player
I am a skillful and experienced seducer, who is able to manipulate women
It ain't fair, niggaz like me is rare
People like me are uncommon and special
Hard to find, you might not find one like me anywhere
You may have a hard time finding someone like me
You can search tall trees, the bottom of the seas
You can search everywhere, but you will not find anyone like me
Nigga please, they don't make them like these
Don't bother trying to find someone like me, because they do not exist
Huh what you say, you gone do what?
What did you say? What are you going to do?
I murder, get further, in my coughnut
I am very successful and ruthless in my criminal activities
Geeks I chew up, in the streets I grew up
I am able to intimidate and dominate nerdy and weak people, due to the hardships I faced growing up
I run with niggaz that'll peel a nigga for a few bucks
I associate with people who are willing to kill someone for a small amount of money
I'm sewing thangs up, got the game on lock
I am in control of the drug business and no one can compete with me
Give you an E for effort, but it ain't no knock
I appreciate your efforts, but it is not enough to compete with me
Man this thang don't stop, I'm all night like Denny's
I never stop working and I am always available
I'm countin' thow-wows while you scrapin' for pennies
I have a lot of money, while you struggle to make ends meet
I'm tight like two hemmies, dope like two gremmies
I am skilled and impressive, like two finely crafted clothing items, and my drugs are of high quality
Put a dub in the blunt cause I don't like them skinny
I add $20 worth of weed to my blunt because I do not like thin ones
Mafia like Benny, I offer ya some remy
I am similar to the Mafia boss Benny and I am offering you Remy Martin liquor
Playboy, from the bay boy
I am a charming and handsome man from the Bay Area
I sav lav, ya hear me?
I have a lot of money, do you understand?
Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
NebulousNova
This is easily a top 3 Mac Dre song for me. Nearly every line he says on here and the way he delivers them is so entertaining and memorable. Also, the beat is SUPER ahead of its time and hard-hitting (especially the sub bass) for having been made for the original version of this song in 2004. As for what I think about Husalah's part on the 2010 version (in this video), he does a good job matching Mac Dre's energy. 🐻
earl murphy
Mac Dre will remain one of the GOATs. I remember exactly where I was when I heard of his tragic death-rehab. I was 16. Mac Dre is one of my greatest inspirations for my own music-his style cannot be met. R.I.P. Mac Dre! -Niko "fuk12" Snow
Gerald Smith
this dude will be heard for DECADES!!!! ..MAC DRE IS THE NAME!!!!
QUEEN 👑
4ever
Dirt Dawg
2021 succa
-TheGrow420-
FURL!👊🏼🐻💨💯
Ethan Kantman
Forever 💯
Jans
Damn right 😤
Curtis Chase
Mac Dre you'll always be missed. Rap could really use your music now days. R.I.P. Big homie
Jon Doe
Vincent Williams he a fake