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.
Iz Real
Mac Dre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Believe all what you see, and 50% of these tapes
cuz half these rap niggas is fake
cousin we bang hard even behind bars
with c.o's and guards, my niggas run the yard
they knocking' Messy Marv, cuz the dope so clean
415, B.G.F, crips, and 14
im a top hat rap cat you niggas locals
im big shit and operation by a coastle
and the mob woke up when we suppose to
keep a bitch broke, keep a keep a bitch broke
keep a bitch broke, keep a keep a bitch broke
aint no jobs niggas so we forced to sale dope
and roll with all gold and chrome on one spoke
I hit yo house party jeweled and bandana
im from the Cartel the real Tony's Montana's
we put drums and bananas on iz real
hood nut niggas spencing on e pills
i could see the niggas head bitch had him
so i let the 50 cal get with him
I keep it real I don't rap about fake shit
its California man we draw down and take shit
I don't rap about fake shit this California man we draw down and take shit
[Mac Dre]
Hop out the cougnut, change over to the range rover
mouth full of diamonds spitting like a flame thrower
I aint sober im ripped tilted
had a half of remi but nigga i killed it
damn near spilt it on my encye clothes
its the cutthoat committiee punk we play hoes
20 inch dubs, wood grain, leather, strapped riding
with an eagle in the desert
its the Mac almighty, Andre Hicks
and aint a punk rock bitch that i cant get
and nigga I cant trip off nathan but my scrill
and that iz real , like a thiz pill
and i will kill, put one in ya liver
im a pimp nigga taking every penny you give her
flossing while you suckas is starving
eating crabs and crustaceans
with my nigga Messy Marv and them
In "Iz Real," Messy Marv and Mac Dre are asserting that not all rappers are real and that they are the exception. They suggest that half of what people hear in rap music is lies because many artists are not who they claim to be. Messy Marv and Mac Dre, on the other hand, insist that their lifestyle is authentic, and they belong to the Cartel and Cutthroat Committee. They come from neighborhoods that are plagued with drugs, violence, poverty, and gangs. Despite this, they continue to thrive, and Mac Dre boasts about his wealth, which he acquires by being a pimp and taking every penny he can get from his "bitches."
The lyrics also reflect the culture of violence that surrounds rap music, as Messy Marv describes running the yard in prison with his gang members. He mentions the gang affiliations of 415, BGF, and the crips, and the violent gunplay that often accompanies this lifestyle. Unlike other rappers who lie about their criminal activity, Messy Marv and Mac Dre maintain that they genuinely engage in illegal activities. They rap about drugs, guns, and gang activity, all of which highlight the realities of life in urban America.
Overall, "Iz Real" is a song that explores the themes of authenticity, gang culture, and violence that are prevalent in rap music. It speaks to the experiences of young people growing up in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and highlights the struggles they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Believe all what you see, and 50% of these tapes
Don't trust everything you see or hear because most of these rappers are fake.
cuz half these rap niggas is fake
Many rappers lie and pretend to be something they're not.
with c.o's and guards, my niggas run the yard
Even in jail, my crew is in charge and runs things.
they knocking' Messy Marv, cuz the dope so clean
They criticize and hate on me because my drugs are of high quality.
im a top hat rap cat you niggas locals
I'm a big-time rapper and you guys are small-time locals who can't keep up.
and couldn't recognize the game with bi-locals
You guys have no idea how the rap game works.
im big shit and operation by a coastle
I'm a big deal and have connections from coast to coast.
keep a bitch broke, keep a keep a bitch broke
Don't let women get too close because they'll only bring trouble and drama.
aint no jobs niggas so we forced to sale dope
We have no other options but to sell drugs to make money.
and roll with all gold and chrome on one spoke
We ride in flashy cars with shiny rims.
im from the Cartel the real Tony's Montana's
I come from a powerful drug organization like Tony Montana in Scarface.
hood nut niggas spencing on e pills
Young and reckless guys in the hood spend money on ecstasy pills.
so i let the 50 cal get with him
I shot him with a .50 caliber gun.
its California man we draw down and take shit
In California, we have a culture of aggressive behavior and taking what we want.
mouth full of diamonds spitting like a flame thrower
I have a lot of expensive jewelry and rap with fiery passion.
I aint sober im ripped tilted
I'm not sober, I'm high and drunk.
had a half of remi but nigga i killed it
I drank a lot of Rémy Martin and enjoyed it.
im a pimp nigga taking every penny you give her
I'm a pimp who exploits women for money.
flossing while you suckas is starving
I'm showing off my wealth while you guys are struggling to make ends meet.
Contributed by Lucas L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.