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 Livin'
Mac Dre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(California)
I got my homeboy Coolie in the place
(California)
Kick back, let us tell you about....
This California lifestyle that I live,
---------------------------------------
Strike it through the neighborhood jammin',
Where you could drop the top, or blow the brains,
Hit in the intersection and do some things,
Passin' up folks with a gang of yolks,
Smooth, thick legs, no pantyhose,
Silky perms and dookie braids,
Brothers with curls, some with bangs,
Have parties rock, way past three,
Players straight sip on Hennessey
High street chasers, Chevy racers,
Having sex in the strangest places,
Nike shoes, Levi's jeans,
Triple gold Daytons and ------------,
Some on vocals, some on leads,
Brothers like me rap to the beat,
Dual exhaust, candy paint,
Fat bank and gang a dank,
Never on time, always late,
On the Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate,
If you wanna live on the best coast,
You better try to move to the west coast,
Well, life is too short and the game is thick,
Home of the Mac, and group of your chicks,
Where brothers stay on the savage grind,
Kids with the freak when they find the time,
The C-A-L-I-F-O-R ... N-I-A rap superstar,
Dose for dose, I love to spit,
And for the dank, I love to hit it,
Hold me in, so it can choke me,
When I get dank, it will provoke me,
Just bust a rhyme, do the mike,
A west coast rap, the kind you like,
From V-A-double L-E-J-O,
Well, makin' dope raps is all I know,
Wake up in the morning, eat some grits,
Hit the studio, make some hits,
Now that you've been told about,
What you rap fans get sold about,
One million copies, or even more,
I'm pumpin' dope rhymes to the record store,
Yeah fool, you hear me spittin',
Tellin' you about that California livin',
(California livin')
(California livin')
Mac Dre: oh yeah, I got my friend Coolie in the house...
He's gonna bust one.
Coolie: yeah, what time they allow C-double O-L on this microphone? goes like this...
Kickin' it up everyday, tryin' to make it through,
Stackin' a bank, pullin' women and I'll take two,
You wanna be down with this California lifestyle,
Proof is with the child, now livin' wild,
In the streets of California you better be packin',
Now watch your back, into the back is jackin',
The wind breeze, blowin' through the trees,
And I'm still gettin' attacked at a hundred degrees,
Sings so hard on the avenue,
From L.A. to the Bay, brothers stay comin' through,
And Benzes, Porsches, Fives, and things,
Dropped cool -------, whipped up things,
Gold chains and bowls, candy paint and the kitty,
-------, talk about lips,
Some of the best females ever seen,
Straight California skanks, out for your dreams,
In the gold state, livin' way too real, fool,
And if you soft, you best be cool,
To the double R, all my time is gettin',
Coolie on Mac Dre, California livin',
(California livin')
(California livin')
(California livin')
(California livin')
Coolie: ah yeah, Mac Dre, we're smokin' california livin' on 'em,
(California livin')
What's up my rap gangs?
(California livin')
Ah yeah, that's dope,
Check it out, let's put a little somethin' like this...
Somethin' like this, check it out...
1-2-3-(3) California livin' it up,
Girls be givin' it up,
Kickin' back on the track,
With a some Hen. in your cup,
It's a twelve month party,
So when you see me on stage with Lat and Marty,
Get out your seat and feel the beat,
Peel the freak and don't stop 'til seas kills the feet,
On the California coast we pop the most,
And dose for dose let's spit the dough,
On the w-e-s-t c-o-a-s-t,
It's young Mac Dre from the c-r-e-s-t,
Down and dirty, doin' things,
Only players can do,
Straight California livin' is what I'm sayin' to you,
Ridin', sidin', whipin', dippin',
24/7 the brotha ain't trippin',
Mac Dre, the one you like to listen to,
Nationwide and now I'm offensive, too,
Put a little swing in the rap game,
And come up strong for the Mac man,
(Mac Dre boy)
(for the Mac man)
(Mac - Mac)
(for the Mac man)
(Mac Dre boy
The song "California Livin'" by Mac Dre is an ode to the lifestyle and culture of California. Throughout the lyrics, Mac Dre describes various aspects of California living, including cruising in cars with booming sound systems, attending parties with Hennessy flowing, and meeting women with smooth legs and bewitching perms. He also portrays the darker side of California living, including the need to protect oneself due to crime and violence in the streets.
The song features a heavy bassline and an upbeat tempo, emphasizing the party atmosphere that Mac Dre is describing. He also highlights his own ability to rap and create music, asserting himself as a "rap superstar" from California. Coolie, another rapper featured on the track, adds to the overall celebratory tone of the song by echoing the many pleasures of California living.
Overall, "California Livin'" serves as a love letter to the diverse and vibrant culture of California, while also recognizing the challenges and dangers that can come with living there.
Line by Line Meaning
This California lifestyle that I live
I want to tell you about the way I live in California
Woofers in the truck straight slammin'
The bass speakers in my car are thumping loudly
Strike it through the neighborhood jammin'
Driving around the neighborhood with the music blasting
Where you could drop the top, or blow the brains
Either lower the convertible top or impress others with my car's power
Hit in the intersection and do some things
Performing stunts and maneuvers at intersections
Passin' up folks with a gang of yolks
Driving quickly past others with a lot of power
Smooth, thick legs, no pantyhose
I prefer women with attractive and curvy legs
Silky perms and dookie braids
Different hairstyles, some with curls and others with braids
Brothers with curls, some with bangs
Men with curly hair or fringe hairstyles
Have parties rock, way past three
Throwing parties that go on late into the night
Players straight sip on Hennessey
Cool people casually drink Hennessey cognac
High street chasers, Chevy racers
People who chase excitement and drive Chevrolet cars fast
Having sex in the strangest places
Engaging in intimate activities in unconventional locations
Nike shoes, Levi's jeans
Wearing popular brands like Nike and Levi's
Triple gold Daytons and ----
Having expensive and flashy gold rims on the car
Some on vocals, some on leads
Some people sing while others take the lead in different areas
Brothers like me rap to the beat
People like me rap and keep the rhythm going
Dual exhaust, candy paint
Cars with two exhaust pipes and vibrant, eye-catching paint
Fat bank and gang a dank
Having a lot of money and plenty of marijuana
Never on time, always late
Being chronically tardy and never punctual
On the Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate
Driving on iconic bridges in the San Francisco Bay Area
If you wanna live on the best coast
If you want to experience the best lifestyle
You better try to move to the west coast
You should consider relocating to the west coast
Well, life is too short and the game is thick
Life is brief, and the competition is fierce
Home of the Mac, and group of your chicks
Mac Dre signifies the Bay Area, and he attracts a crowd of women
Where brothers stay on the savage grind
Men work hard and hustle relentlessly
Kids with the freak when they find the time
People party and engage in pleasurable activities when they have the chance
The C-A-L-I-F-O-R ... N-I-A rap superstar
Mac Dre is a rap superstar from California
Dose for dose, I love to spit
In terms of rapping, I love to deliver amazing performances
And for the dank, I love to hit it
I enjoy smoking marijuana and getting high
Hold me in, so it can choke me
Inhaling marijuana smoke deeply to get a strong effect
When I get dank, it will provoke me
When I'm high, it may stimulate me creatively
Just bust a rhyme, do the mike
Rapping and performing on the microphone
A west coast rap, the kind you like
Delivering a style of rap music that West Coast fans enjoy
From V-A-double L-E-J-O
Representing Vallejo, a city in California
Well, makin' dope raps is all I know
Creating excellent rap songs is my expertise
Wake up in the morning, eat some grits
Starting the day with a hearty breakfast
Hit the studio, make some hits
Go to the recording studio and produce successful songs
Now that you've been told about
Now that I have informed you
What you rap fans get sold about
What rap fans are often misled or deceived about
One million copies, or even more
Selling a substantial number of album copies
I'm pumpin' dope rhymes to the record store
I'm delivering excellent music to the record stores
Yeah fool, you hear me spittin'
Listen up, I'm rapping
Tellin' you about that California livin'
Explaining what it's like to live in California
Kickin' it up everyday, tryin' to make it through
Working hard every day and striving to overcome challenges
Stackin' a bank, pullin' women and I'll take two
Accumulating wealth and attracting women
You wanna be down with this California lifestyle
You want to be a part of this unique way of living in California
Proof is with the child, now livin' wild
The evidence of the lifestyle being appealing is shown in how young people embrace it
In the streets of California you better be packin'
Carry a weapon for protection in the dangerous neighborhoods of California
Now watch your back, into the back is jackin'
Be cautious and beware of thefts and robberies
The wind breeze, blowin' through the trees
Feeling the cool wind blowing among the trees
And I'm still gettin' attacked at a hundred degrees
Facing challenges and adversity even in extreme heat
Sings so hard on the avenue
Struggling and exerting great effort on the streets
From L.A. to the Bay, brothers stay comin' through
People from Los Angeles to the Bay Area always show support
And Benzes, Porsches, Fives, and things
Driving luxurious cars like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and BMW
Dropped cool -------, whipped up things
Showing off impressive and customized vehicles
Gold chains and bowls, candy paint and the kitty
Wearing expensive gold jewelry and having cars with fancy paint jobs
-------, talk about lips
Discussing intimate experiences and encounters
Some of the best females ever seen
Encountering exceptionally attractive women
Straight California skanks, out for your dreams
Women in California who may have ulterior motives and pursuit of material desires
In the gold state, livin' way too real, fool
Living in California, where reality is intense and often harsh
And if you soft, you best be cool
If you're weak or easily intimidated, you should be cautious
To the double R, all my time is gettin'
Referring to their neighborhood or a particular area where they often spend time
Coolie on Mac Dre, California livin'
Coolie and Mac Dre represent the California lifestyle they both experience
What's up my rap gangs?
Addressing the rap community and fellow artists
Ah yeah, that's dope
Expressing excitement and approval
Check it out, let's put a little somethin' like this...
Listen up, I want to deliver a memorable performance
1-2-3-(3) California livin' it up
Embracing the fun and excitement of living in California
Girls be givin' it up
Women being receptive and eager to engage in intimate activities
Kickin' back on the track
Relaxing and enjoying the music
With a some Hen. in your cup
Having a drink of Hennessy cognac in your hand
It's a twelve month party
The party and celebration never end throughout the entire year
So when you see me on stage with Lat and Marty
When you witness my performance with my fellow artists, Lat and Marty
Get out your seat and feel the beat
Stand up and immerse yourself in the rhythm of the music
Peel the freak and don't stop 'til seas kills the feet
Dance wildly and freely until you're exhausted
On the California coast we pop the most
In California, we have the liveliest and most exciting parties
And dose for dose let's spit the dough
We will rap and deliver fantastic performances in return for a good payment
On the w-e-s-t c-o-a-s-t
Representing and celebrating the West Coast
It's young Mac Dre from the c-r-e-s-t
Mac Dre is a proud representative of his neighborhood, the Crest
Down and dirty, doin' things
Engaging in illicit or underground activities
Only players can do
These activities are reserved for confident and skilled individuals
Straight California livin' is what I'm sayin' to you
I want to emphasize and express the unique lifestyle of California
Ridin', sidin', whipin', dippin'
Driving around, swerving, and cruising in style
24/7 the brotha ain't trippin'
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I'm not bothered or worried
Mac Dre, the one you like to listen to
I am the rapper you enjoy listening to
Nationwide and now I'm offensive, too
My popularity extends nationwide, and I'm even controversial
Put a little swing in the rap game
I add a unique and captivating style to the rap industry
And come up strong for the Mac man
Support and show appreciation for Mac Dre
(Mac Dre boy)
A shout-out to Mac Dre and his presence in the song
(for the Mac man)
Acknowledging Mac Dre's significance and importance
(Mac - Mac)
Repeating and emphasizing the name Mac
(for the Mac man)
Oh yeah, you know this is for Mac Dre
Contributed by Ian D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jacks got packs
I’m glad I’m still listening the max in 2022 I’ll never let his music die
Real Reviews
I wish I had a chance to be an adult in Mac dre prime😭❤️ when I’m sad I listen to him and instantly feel better💯
Antonio Gambardella
The Real Hip-hop 100 % 🔥💣👊🎙🎤🎼
djpoppy1
In spring of 1991 I bought his Young Black Brotha album at Tower Records in Campbell CA. I didn’t know who he was at the time, but it just looked good from the album cover. I wasn’t disappointed.
Dun Can
How the f is that possible when it was released in 1993?
djpoppy1
@Dun Can I bought the first version that came out in 1991. It was an EP on vinyl. Only six songs on it. The 1993 version had all the songs from the original EP version, plus more added on.
Dun Can
@djpoppy1 Discogs misguided me then. But this videoclip is 1993, just to be clear?
djpoppy1
@Dun Can yeah California Livin wasn’t on the ‘91 EP. The EP had “young black brotha”, “Mac Dre’s the name”, “too hard for the fuckin radio”, and two or three other songs that I can’t remember off the top of my head.
Dun Can
@djpoppy1 Ok, so that one relieved me just like Estranged from Guns N' Roses.
T. F.
Still giggin to this in 2021! TIP Furly🙏🙏🙏💯