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.
Cannons
Mac Dre Lyrics
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So the rain can't get inside of it
I have more dreams than you have posters of your favorite teams
You′ll never talk me out of this
It takes more than I got to hold my tongue
You shot me with a wooden gun
And though the shot won't kill me it still bruises skin
Get your cannons ready, light the wick
It will take more than an argument to change my mind
So why keep trying?
Keep trying, and you will never talk me out of it
In the song "Cannons" by Mac Dre, he is talking about his determination and how he is not easily swayed by others. He starts the song by describing his car, a '96 Buick, and how he rolls up the windows to shield himself from the rain, symbolizing how he is shielding himself from the negativity of others. Mac Dre then goes on to say that he has more dreams than others have posters of their favorite teams, which shows how he is confident in his goals and aspirations, and nobody can deter him from going after them.
He then talks about how it takes more than someone else's words to hold his tongue and that their negative talk may bruise his skin, but he won't let it kill him. He talks about getting his cannons ready, which means that he is prepared to defend himself and his dreams against anybody trying to bring him down. The whole song is a testament to his steadfastness, and he warns others that no amount of arguing will change his mind. The song's message is one of resilience and determination, and it empowers the listeners to stand firm in their beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Rolling up the windows of my ′96 Buick
Closing the car windows to keep the rain from getting inside.
So the rain can't get inside of it
To protect the car's interior from any water damage.
I have more dreams than you have posters of your favorite teams
Having numerous aspirations in life compared to an average fan's memorabilia in support of their team(s).
You′ll never talk me out of this
Being firm in one's beliefs and opinions, despite any attempts to convince otherwise.
It takes more than I got to hold my tongue
Keeping quiet requires great effort, especially in situations that challenge one's beliefs.
You shot me with a wooden gun
Someone may have tried to harm or criticize him, but he is not affected since the gun is not real.
And though the shot won't kill me it still bruises skin
Words can still leave an impact, causing emotional pain of some sort.
That you don't believe in what your mouth runs
Someone's words cannot be taken seriously if their actions do not align with them.
Get your cannons ready, light the wick
Being prepared to defend oneself when challenged or attacked.
It will take more than an argument to change my mind
One cannot be swayed easily, requiring a more powerful reason or experience to change their beliefs.
So why keep trying?
Questioning the purpose of attempting to persuade or dissuade someone from their beliefs.
Keep trying, and you will never talk me out of it
Continuing to try will be futile and will not change his/her beliefs or opinions.
Contributed by Mateo D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.