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.
I'm a Thug
Mac Dre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah yeah
This is a money-motivated song, man, right?
If you're allergic to paper
You might not fit in when niggaz gon' have do a caper, man
Yeah
We ain't allergic to paper, man
Yamean?
Yeah
We gon' try to motivate y'all to get your money
Cause we money-motivators
[Verse 1: Dubee]
The way I steer up out this here bitch, so detrimental how a
PS real click with that double r ( ? ) partner
530, I'm dirty, hate to say it
Represent turf tight and tight with major players
With mo' seasoning, suckers be sneakin in the circle
Urkle niggaz soakin every line, still ain't with the verbals
Get to hoppin hurdles like Jesse Owens in the fast
Return-type tactics so quick shakin that past
In they entourage bitches be hazy like the samurais
Get the mullah, stay savage and suave
Now is that savage? Well certainly
Still I keep it global
Multiple skyscraper paper, unknown total
Who we? Who that be? Dubee, ask your peoples
I leave Sasqwatch footprints and keep it off the heezo
Cizzo please, it ain't no need in hawkin
Ain't no please believe, I breathe ( ? ) back - yamean?
[Chorus]
The way I feel about loot
Ooh, it ain't no doubt about it
I'm a thug
[Verse 2: PSD]
Say how you do, sir?
Well, everything is everything, how 'bout you, brah?
Man, I'm tryin to get my paws on some loot, sir
If it ain't scratch it ain't shit, how 'bout you, sir?
Yeah that's the truth, brah
Say I'm a natural, call me 7-11
Playboy, it's factual, I stay high as the heaven
I'm like the castle
On the chess boards slide front to backwards
Up and down, side to side, boy, we at this
Me, Dre and Dubee savages in the masses
They call my type of people roguish-ass bastards
I pull a babe in and tell her flip the matress
And get the cash quick
Now player listen, this ain't no test of your broadcast system
Them niggaz PSD and them be comin with em
It ain't no puzzle how I feel about my scrillas
Gotta feed my chil'ens
[Chorus]
[Verse 3: Mac Dre]
At the building, chilling, living anxious
Waitin for this bitch to deliver some papers
The same routine every day
Get hit then I split the Chevrolet
The 4 15's shake the mirror
When the EB's quake couldn't sound no clearer
Feelin so cool in my old school
Ain't trippin off a bitch, I need some mo' loot
Oh, you ain't know you better check my file
I get stupid doo-doo dumb, don't sweat the style
Me and my niggaz represent the real
Don't think we kill? Bet a 100 dollar bill
I'ma leave a body, no leads or clues
Clepto committee, bitch, we some fools
Killas for the scrilla, sucker, can't you tell?
The real motherfuckers representin Vallejo
In the song "I'm a Thug" by Mac Dre, Dubee, and PSD, the lyrics center around the idea of being money-motivated. In the intro, the artists establish that those who are "allergic to paper" might not fit in with their way of life. The first verse by Dubee is filled with clever wordplay and metaphors, such as the reference to the double-r partner and the Sasqwatch footprints. He boasts about representing his turf and being tight with major players. PSD's verse continues with the money theme, talking about the importance of getting his hands on loot and calling himself a natural at it. He also mentions needing to feed his children. Mac Dre's verse concludes the song with more assertive lines about being a killer for the "scrilla".
Overall, "I'm a Thug" is a song that glorifies the pursuit of wealth and success through any means necessary. The artists are unapologetic about making money and even hint at criminal activity as a means of achieving their goals. The use of clever wordplay and metaphors adds to the lyrical appeal of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah yeah
The song is about making money as the main motive.
If you're allergic to paper
If you don't like making money, then you won't fit in when we commit crimes for money.
We ain't allergic to paper, man
We like making money, and we will try to motivate you to do so, too.
The way I steer up out this here bitch, so detrimental how a
I leave the scene of the crime in a way that is dangerous to others.
PS real click with that double r ( ? ) partner
My crew is from the 530 area code and has connections to powerful people.
530, I'm dirty, hate to say it
I'm from the 530 area code and have a criminal record.
Represent turf tight and tight with major players
I represent my neighborhood and am well-connected with important people.
With mo' seasoning, suckers be sneakin in the circle
People try to infiltrate our group, but we are too wise for them.
Urkle niggaz soakin every line, still ain't with the verbals
Some people try to copy our style, but they don't have the lyrical capability.
Get to hoppin hurdles like Jesse Owens in the fast
We overcome obstacles like Jesse Owens did in his races.
Return-type tactics so quick shakin that past
Our tactics are so effective that we leave our enemies in the past.
In they entourage bitches be hazy like the samurais
Women in other groups are confusing and unpredictable.
Get the mullah, stay savage and suave
We focus on making money and being cool while doing it.
Now is that savage? Well certainly
Yes, our behavior is savage in pursuit of money.
Still I keep it global
I have an international perspective when it comes to making money.
Multiple skyscraper paper, unknown total
I have a large amount of money, but I don't know the exact total.
Who we? Who that be? Dubee, ask your peoples
My name is Dubee, and ask around to find out who I am.
I leave Sasqwatch footprints and keep it off the heezo
I make a big impact and keep a low profile.
Say how you do, sir?
How are you?
Well, everything is everything, how 'bout you, brah?
I'm doing okay, and you?
Man, I'm tryin to get my paws on some loot, sir
I'm trying to make some money.
If it ain't scratch it ain't shit, how 'bout you, sir?
If it's not about money, it's not worth my time.
Yeah that's the truth, brah
I agree with you.
Say I'm a natural, call me 7-11
I'm always open for business like a 7-11 store.
Playboy, it's factual, I stay high as the heaven
I am always flying high and feeling good.
On the chess boards slide front to backwards
I move forward and backward unpredictably in life.
Up and down, side to side, boy, we at this
We are everywhere making money from every angle.
Me, Dre and Dubee savages in the masses
Myself, Dre, and Dubee are savage in our pursuit of money.
They call my type of people roguish-ass bastards
People view us as dishonest and unpredictable.
I pull a babe in and tell her flip the matress
I use women to make money by robbing them and selling their belongings.
And get the cash quick
I take the money and run.
Now player listen, this ain't no test of your broadcast system
This is real life, and you need to pay attention.
Them niggaz PSD and them be comin with em
PSD and his crew are involved in making money, too.
It ain't no puzzle how I feel about my scrillas
I love making money, and that's no secret.
Gotta feed my chil'ens
I have to make money to support my children.
At the building, chilling, living anxious
I'm waiting to commit a crime and make money.
Waitin for this bitch to deliver some papers
I'm waiting for someone to give me information about a potential robbery.
The same routine every day
I commit crimes and try to make money every day.
Get hit then I split the Chevrolet
I leave the scene of the crime quickly in a Chevy car.
The 4 15's shake the mirror
The car's audio system is so loud that the mirror shakes.
When the EB's quake couldn't sound no clearer
The bass in the music is so strong that it's impossible to miss.
Feelin so cool in my old school
I feel like a cool guy in my classic car.
Ain't trippin off a bitch, I need some mo' loot
I'm not worried about women, I'm focused on making more money.
Oh, you ain't know you better check my file
If you don't know me, you should do some research to find out about my criminal history.
I get stupid doo-doo dumb, don't sweat the style
I'm not worried about impressing others with my style or behavior.
Me and my niggaz represent the real
Myself and my crew represent the truth about the criminal lifestyle.
Don't think we kill? Bet a 100 dollar bill
If you doubt our killing ability, bet $100 and see what happens.
I'ma leave a body, no leads or clues
I will commit a crime and leave no evidence or witnesses behind.
Clepto committee, bitch, we some fools
We are a group of thieves and are foolish for pursuing a criminal lifestyle.
Killas for the scrilla, sucker, can't you tell?
We are willing to kill for money, and that's obvious.
The real motherfuckers representin Vallejo
We are the true representation of our city of Vallejo.
Contributed by Liam W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ps2ps3gamer
This song puts me ina good mood everytime 💯
Meriah Stemmerman
Love this beat and of course the lyrics :)
Forgive Me If I Don't Shake Hands
Still in heavy rotation in 2021! RIP Mac Dre
JDMacaB
This song is sick. How can anyone not like this tune?
Hollywoodsfinest
MAC DRE THE RAP LEGEND!! BEST RAPPER EVER!!!!
Ian Badllo
damn, mac dre was such a boss.
DaJuan Mickens
2021 and beyond, rip Mac Dre. Thanks for the sauce.
Daniel Leon
13 years the Mac doesant get enough props
Rob
July 26th 2021
still yelling THIZZ IN PEACE DRE AND MOB IN PEACE JACK
jarmarry scott
I have been looking for this specific song for so long i will stay astonished by youtube's acknowledgments but also be thankful to embrace it with bay love intent