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.
How Yo' Hood
Mac Dre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(VERSE 1: Mac Dre)
I grew up in the Bay Area, around a gang of robbin and shootin
Looked up to legends like Felix Mitchum, Huey P. Newton
And Todd Shaw a/k/a Too $hort
Blowin' big hashis with dank that'll make you choke
Young Mac Dre, causin major damage
Back in the days I tossed hoes in the back of my ham sandwich
Hound for potential prostitutes who need a pimp
But now I'm bendin corners, fresh out Taradas
Chokin on roper in the back of the Nada
Drinkin' that snake bite, Yukon jack
And boy, I ain't ride without my strap
Cause them cutthroat bandits will split yo wig
In the streets of Killafornia, ya dig?
It's goin' down, dog, I'm in your town, dog
Got to let your peeps know how I clown, dog
In the end get it, comin' with that blackhand sound
You thinkin' I can't clown? Let me put my mack hand down
[ Killa ] How yo hood look?
[ Dre ] It's full of gangsters, fool
How yo hood look?
[ Killa ] It's full of gangsters, son
You can catch me on the Eastside, doin' my thing
[ Killa ] Or you can me in New York, boy, it's all the same
(VERSE 2: Killa)
I'm from the Eastside, where the thugs, they shed blood for nothin'
After the club you get it in your mug if you frontin
We gangbang, it's just that our slang's a little different
Aim a little different, spit game a little different
Got in with the Mexicans, pricin them things a little different
Same kinda crooks, but we cook up bricks a little different
Them old school Chevrolets, our Six Range a little different
Y'all gats and guns the same, but we blow brains a little different
Them drive-by's, we walk-by's, some die a little different
Lie a little different, testify a little different
Y'all trees ain't got seeds, y'all beez a little different
The d's is different, my pee's a little different
Y'all sell bricks, we break it down, get cheese a little different
Y'all hate narcs, we hate cops, we eat a little different
Y'all got strips, we got spots, our blocks a little different
It get hot a little different, fools get knocked a little different
When the feds came, yo Dre, they took the whole block to prison
My man pops was snitchin, his face chopped in Clinton
If you got change and the gear hot, then switch spots, get missin'
Yo hood ain't no different, my hood ain't no different
(Dre)
In my neighborhood everybody thuggin'
Hoodrats steady gettin' dug in
Fools buggin, mean-muggin
Later on you seem 'em noggin
(Killa)
Dre, I play my hood all day
Seen a fool get killed in broad day
Thugs get money from the hallway
2 for 5, the tall way
(Dre)
Ghetto slang, ghetto game
We all just doin' that ghetto thang
Run around totin them metal thangs
Really, homeboy, it's all the same
(Killa)
Yo hood is like my hood, son
Anywhere you go thugs pullin guns
Gangbangers, ghetto birds
Yo hood is like my hood, ya heard?
(Dre)
Me and Killa finna leet you know
How to put a lick down and get some dough
>From yo hood to Mexico
'Cause it's all about that paper, though
(Killa)
Put me up with Vallejo hoe
That puff on hay, stay on the low
Dre got work, 800 to 0
Eastside thugs make money, you know?
(Dre)
I don't care where we at
Just as long as we keep smokin' fat
Get a fifth of Hen and hopin that
Everybody wanna stay chokin, black
(Killa)
I told you, Dre, our hood ain't changed
Thuggin' 'em well, slingin 'em things
Fools rock Rolies and diamond rings
Respect the game, our hood's the same
The song "How Yo' Hood" by Mac Dre is a classic track that speaks about the reality of growing up in the Bay Area. The song begins with the artist reminiscing about his childhood and the ideals he looked up to - legends like Felix Mitchum, Huey P. Newton, and Too $hort. The verses then describe how the artist has grown up and become a part of the street life, living through the struggles and hardships of the area. Mac Dre raps about living life on the edge, surrounded by gangs, guns, and drugs. He paints a vivid picture of the daily realities of life on the streets, where it's a constant battle to stay alive.
The second verse is more of a back-and-forth between Mac Dre and Killa, talking about the differences in their hoods. They speak about how they all have their own lifestyles and jargon that are unique to their area, but at the same time how they are all the same. It's also heavily implied that the two artists have connections to drug trafficking, as they mention "getting work" and breaking it down to sell.
Overall, the lyrics to "How Yo' Hood" are reflective of the tone and themes that Mac Dre's music was known for - grounded in gritty street life and focused on the hustle to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Rat-tat-tat
Sound effect of gunshots
I grew up in the Bay Area, around a gang of robbin and shootin
I was raised in a violent area in the San Francisco Bay, where there was a lot of stealing and shooting
Looked up to legends like Felix Mitchum, Huey P. Newton
I admired people like Felix Mitchum and Huey P. Newton, who were legendary figures in the African American community
And Todd Shaw a/k/a Too $hort
I also respected Todd Shaw, who was known as Too $hort
Blowin' big hashis with dank that'll make you choke
I smoked large amounts of high-quality marijuana that would make others cough
Young Mac Dre, causin major damage
As a young man, I caused a lot of trouble and destruction
Back in the days I tossed hoes in the back of my ham sandwich
I used to have sex with women in the back of my car
Grown, gone, on bomb seed that's hemp
Now that I'm an adult, I still smoke high-quality marijuana
Hound for potential prostitutes who need a pimp
I'm on the lookout for women who might be interested in becoming prostitutes for me
But now I'm bendin corners, fresh out Taradas
These days, I'm driving around my neighborhood in a stolen Toyota Corolla
Chokin on roper in the back of the Nada
I'm smoking marijuana in the back of my car
Drinkin' that snake bite, Yukon jack
I'm drinking Yukon Jack whiskey
And boy, I ain't ride without my strap
I always carry a gun with me when I go out
Cause them cutthroat bandits will split yo wig
I carry a gun because there are dangerous people in my neighborhood who would try to kill me
In the streets of Killafornia, ya dig?
Here in California, the streets are very dangerous, do you understand?
It's goin' down, dog, I'm in your town, dog
I'm visiting your neighborhood right now
Got to let your peeps know how I clown, dog
I want to show your friends what kind of person I am
In the end get it, comin' with that blackhand sound
Ultimately, I want to leave a strong impression on everyone here
You thinkin' I can't clown? Let me put my mack hand down
You doubt my ability to impress people? Let me show you what I can do
[ Killa ] How yo hood look?
Killa asks how your neighborhood looks
[ Dre ] It's full of gangsters, fool
I respond that there are many dangerous people in my neighborhood
How yo hood look?
Killa asks how his own neighborhood looks
It's full of gangsters, son
I respond that there are many dangerous people in Killa's neighborhood
You can catch me on the Eastside, doin' my thing
I tell Killa that he can find me in the eastern part of our city, doing what I do
[ Killa ] Or you can me in New York, boy, it's all the same
Killa says he could also be in New York, and things are similar there
I'm from the Eastside, where the thugs, they shed blood for nothin'
Killa says he's from the eastern part of our city, where violent criminals are common
After the club you get it in your mug if you frontin'
If you act tough in a club, you might get beaten up
We gangbang, it's just that our slang's a little different
We engage in gang violence, but we use some different words than other groups
Aim a little different, spit game a little different
Our approach to fighting and talking is unique to our gang
Got in with the Mexicans, pricin them things a little different
We have partnerships with Mexican gang members, and we price our drugs differently
Same kinda crooks, but we cook up bricks a little different
We are similar to other criminals, but we make drugs differently
Them old school Chevrolets, our Six Range a little different
We prefer older Chevrolet cars, but we customize them in a unique way
Y'all gats and guns the same, but we blow brains a little different
We have the same weapons as other gangs, but we shoot people differently
Them drive-by's, we walk-by's, some die a little different
Other gangs shoot from cars, but we prefer to approach on foot. The way people die is also different
Lie a little different, testify a little different
When we are under oath, we might not tell the truth in the same way as other people
Y'all trees ain't got seeds, y'all beez a little different
The marijuana you smoke is not as high quality as ours, and it also looks different
The d's is different, my pee's a little different
The detectives who investigate our crimes are different from other detectives. Our urine might also contain different drugs
Y'all sell bricks, we break it down, get cheese a little different
You sell entire blocks of drugs, while we prefer to break them down into smaller amounts and make more money
Y'all hate narcs, we hate cops, we eat a little different
You don't like undercover police officers, but we don't like any police officers. Our diets might also be different
Y'all got strips, we got spots, our blocks a little different
You have drug-selling areas on certain streets, but we have specific locations where we sell drugs
It get hot a little different, fools get knocked a little different
The heat (police activity) affects us differently, and people who make mistakes might have different consequences
When the feds came, yo Dre, they took the whole block to prison
When federal agents arrived, they arrested everyone on our block
My man pops was snitchin', his face chopped in Clinton
One of my associates was informing on our group, and he was beaten up in a prison called Clinton
If you got change and the gear hot, then switch spots, get missin'
If you have money and you are being targeted by the police, you should change your location and avoid scrutiny
Yo hood ain't no different, my hood ain't no different
Ultimately, all neighborhoods with gangs are similar in some ways
In my neighborhood everybody thuggin'
There are many violent criminals in my neighborhood
Hoodrats steady gettin' dug in
Women who are attracted to criminals are often taken advantage of
Fools buggin', mean-muggin'
People are acting aggressively and giving angry stares
Later on you seem 'em noggin'
These people will eventually suffer the consequences of their actions
Dre, I play my hood all day
Killa represents his neighborhood all the time
Seen a fool get killed in broad day
Killa witnessed someone being murdered in a public place
Thugs get money from the hallway
Criminals earn cash from selling drugs in apartment building hallways
2 for 5, the tall way
Killa is selling two drugs for five dollars, and he does it standing up
Ghetto slang, ghetto game
We have our own language and approach to criminal activity
We all just doin' that ghetto thang
We are all participating in criminal activities in our neighborhood
Run around totin' them metal thangs
We carry guns with us when we go outside
Really, homeboy, it's all the same
Ultimately, all gangs and neighborhoods with criminals are similar in some ways
Put me up with Vallejo hoe
Killa wants to spend time with a prostitute in a nearby city called Vallejo
That puff on hay, stay on the low
This woman smokes marijuana and doesn't want anyone to know
Dre got work, 800 to 0
I am selling drugs and have made a lot of profit
Eastside thugs make money, you know?
Criminals who live on the eastern side of the city are known for making a lot of money
I don't care where we at
It doesn't matter where we are
Just as long as we keep smokin' fat
As long as we are smoking high-quality marijuana, I'm happy
Get a fifth of Hen and hopin' that
I'm buying a bottle of Hennessy liquor, hoping for a good time
Everybody wanna stay chokin', black
Everyone wants to continue smoking marijuana with me
I told you, Dre, our hood ain't changed
Killa says that his neighborhood is just as violent as it used to be
Thuggin' 'em well, slingin' 'em things
Killa continues to participate in criminal activity and drug dealing
Fools rock Rolies and diamond rings
These criminals are becoming wealthy and buying expensive jewelry
Respect the game, our hood's the same
Everyone should respect the criminal activity and violence in our neighborhood, because it's just like any other gang's area
Contributed by Jayden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Savannah Mae
Why does Mac Drizzle go so hard? Every song of his is my favorite! Love you cudi R.I.P
Steven Cunningham
Ya dig?! ☹☹
Artwon Nowtra
Only people who live this can feel this.
Skryptto
Facts
Jacob Brock
This song is very underrated one of the best east west collars you will find right up there with method man an spice one’s collab
crushenme
When I was a kid, my older brother would play music in the morning, and this one is one of the songs. It's so nostalgic. haha
5iveStar Nugy
Haven't heard this shlap in like 10 years. Shout out to the old homie emack for putting me on ✔💯🔊
Maria Helguera
🎼REST IN PEACE TO ALL THE FALLEN TALENTS OF THE WORLD.🎼
Elijah Ramirez
"I don't care where we at as long as we keep smokin fat"
Mac Dre the real legend RIP we keeping it lit for you tho ☹🤟
Mike Mike
Killa really killed it tho. Only ever heard him on this 1 track.. wonder if he still doin his thing 🤔