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.
Can You Shout
Mac Dre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you shout?, Let me hear you scream
We some fiends, for demon sticky green
Can you shout?, Let me hear you scream
We some fiends, for demon stick green
We don't like broke bitches, We don't like brown weed
We don't like no snitches, make the police on high speeds
We don't like no snitches, make the police on high speeds
Policeman got me on the run (policeman got me on the run)
Knowin' damn well that I'm not the one (knowing damn well I ain't the one)
Errywhere I go I gotta take my gun (errywhere I go I gotta take my gun)
Errybody know that I'm they doe when I just tryin' to have some fun, Can you dig it?
[Chorus]
Put the guns in the trunk, come and listen to some slump
You never know cuddie, you might bump
A silver dolla, tryin to holla
Put'ya in a Benz, get'cha out that Impala
Pop a colla, Nah that's old
Dust yourself off, like bases been stole
I so cold, I'm so cool
Call me Morris Dre the Cutthoat fool
We don't like broke bitches, We don't like brown weed
We don't like no snitches, make the police on high speeds
We don't like broke bitches, We don't like brown weed
We don't like no snitches, make the police on high speeds
Policeman got me on the run (policeman got me on the run)
Knowin' damn well that I'm not the one (knowing damn well I ain't the one)
Errywhere I go I gotta take my gun (errywhere I go I gotta take my gun)
Errybody know that I'm they doe when I just tryin' to have some fun
Can you dig it?
The lyrics of "Can You Shout?" by Mac Dre are a representation of the rapper's perspective on life and the things that he values. The opening lines of the chorus, "Can you shout?, Let me hear you scream, We some fiends, for demon sticky green" suggest that the song will emphasize smoking weed, which is also evident in the second part of the chorus. However, the song is more than just about weed smoking, it discusses how Mac Dre perceives life and some of his beliefs. He emphasizes his dislike for 'broke bitches,' which may be a reflection of his desire for people around him, especially women, to have their own money and not be dependent on anyone else. The reference to brown weed represents his preference for high-quality weed, as he refers to it as demon sticky green.
Additionally, the reference to 'snitches' shows his strong belief in loyalty and distrust for those who turn against their own. The lines "Policeman got me on the run (policeman got me on the run) Knowin' damn well that I'm not the one (knowing damn well I ain't the one)" suggest that Mac Dre believes that he is falsely accused of something and is on the run from the law. However, despite his circumstances, he still tries to have fun, as shown in the lines "Errybody know that I'm their doe when I'm just tryin' to have some fun, Can you dig it?"
Overall, "Can You Shout?" is a song about staying true to oneself, fighting against adversity, and enjoying life to the fullest. Mac Dre's strong personality, as well as his beliefs, are reflected in the lyrics of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you shout?, Let me hear you scream
Can you show enthusiasm by shouting? I want to hear you express your excitement
We some fiends, for demon sticky green
We are addicted to high-quality marijuana
We don't like broke bitches, We don't like brown weed
We don't appreciate poor quality or inferior substances, whether people or drugs
We don't like no snitches, make the police on high speeds
We don't tolerate those who betray us and work with law enforcement to our detriment
Policeman got me on the run (policeman got me on the run)
Law enforcement is currently pursuing me and I am in a state of running from them
Knowin' damn well that I'm not the one (knowing damn well I ain't the one)
Despite being aware of my innocence, they still target me unfairly
Errywhere I go I gotta take my gun (errywhere I go I gotta take my gun)
I feel the need to carry a firearm with me at all times, for protection against potential danger
Errybody know that I'm they doe when I just tryin' to have some fun
People constantly rely on me for financial support, even when I am simply trying to enjoy myself
Put the guns in the trunk, come and listen to some slump
Stow away our firearms and come listen to some music with me
You never know cuddie, you might bump
You never know, friend, you could meet someone interesting or hear a great song
A silver dolla, tryin to holla
I am trying to get someone's attention or make a connection, possibly with a monetary incentive
Put'ya in a Benz, get'cha out that Impala
I aim to improve your transportation by upgrading your car to a Benz from your previous Impala
Pop a colla, Nah that's old
Popping one's collar is outdated and no longer fashionable
Dust yourself off, like bases been stole
Don't let setbacks get you down, get back up as if you were playing a game of baseball
I so cold, I'm so cool
I am both cold-hearted and effortlessly cool
Call me Morris Dre the Cutthoat fool
My nickname is Morris Dre, and I am known for being ruthless and dangerous
Contributed by London V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.