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.
Same Hood
Mac Dre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y'all niggaz wanna stop me but they can't
And ya might tyr and pop me but you ain't
You too scared, y'all ain't prepared
The kid got enough heat to build a fan base in Baghdad
I'm turfmatic, you don't wanna start no static
Have ya sayin hail mary's like that ass was catholic
Ya head on straight don't make me unmask it
And until that day caome that I'll get, put in a casket
I'ma saty spittin rhymes, til I get rich
That's on Brookly, hear my words and hear 'em well
I got the envelope sealed noe, you got mail
Ain't no tellin what I'm finna do
I'm unpredictable
I just might flip
Cock aim and let it spit
Or I might get ripped and split your brain
Just label me a hard head, who ain't gon change
[Hook - 2x]
It ain't fun out here, you gotta keep a gun out here
Cause niggaz don't make it to see twenty-one out here
It's rough out here, you'll get snuffed out here
Trunked, stuffed and even handcuffed out her
[Mac Dre]
Who me? nah potna, your barkin up the wrong tree
I'm cutthoat, keep thump thang on me
I aim good, I throw these thangs good
And me and that nigga Vital, we from the same hood
The Country Club, where niggaz love to nub
Push Scrape thing with whistle and dubs and grub
It's so rough, so tough out here baby
We got that puff and that fluff stuff out here baby
Come out here baby, come visit the Bay
Like them boys in LA nigga we don't play
With the atmosphere is different nigga have to keep it pimpin
Nigga you ain't got no bitches, you ain't gettin your trippin
I'm yokin and dippin, totin my equipment
Gone off a fifth, floatin and I'm trippin
Me and Vital, nigga we finna put a hit out
Yet the game is rough boy we tryin to get out
The lyrics in Mac Dre's song Same Hood, featuring fellow rapper Vital, delve into the harsh realities of life in the streets of their shared hometown, The Country Club in Vallejo, California. Vital spits rhymes about the constant danger of violence, the need to carry a gun, and the unpredictability of his actions. He emphasizes the fact that this is not a game, it is a matter of survival. He also speaks to his confidence in himself and not fearing anyone who tries to stop him in achieving his goals and becoming successful.
Mac Dre's verse is more laid back but carries the same tone. He talks about his ability to handle himself in dangerous situations and his loyalty to his hood and his people. He emphasizes that the way of life in The Country Club is rough and tough, but he reminds listeners that they also have a good time with partying and getting high. Mac Dre also acknowledges that he and Vital are trying to make it big and leave the streets behind them, but recognizes the difficulty in doing so. Overall, the song paints a picture of the harsh reality of life in the hood and the constant struggle to survive and succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
Y'all niggaz wanna stop me but they can't
The haters attempt to stop my success, but they never succeed.
And ya might tyr and pop me but you ain't
They may try to shoot me, but they don't have the courage.
You too scared, y'all ain't prepared
The haters are too frightened to confront me because they are not ready.
The kid got enough heat to build a fan base in Baghdad
My power and talent can attract a following even in dangerous places.
I'm turfmatic, you don't wanna start no static
I belong to the streets, and you don't want to cause any trouble.
Have ya sayin hail mary's like that ass was catholic
My actions will make you afraid and start to pray like a Catholic in church.
Ya head on straight don't make me unmask it
Don't try to test me, or I'll reveal the truth about you.
Or I'll be forced to and disappear like magic
If I have to reveal the truth, you'll vanish like magic.
And until that day caome that I'll get, put in a casket
Even if they kill me, my music and legacy will live on.
I'ma saty spittin rhymes, til I get rich
I will keep rapping until I get wealthy.
That's on Brookly, hear my words and hear 'em well
I'm serious, and you should pay attention to what I'm saying.
I got the envelope sealed noe, you got mail
I have something important to tell you in this message.
Ain't no tellin what I'm finna do
You never know what I might do.
I'm unpredictable
I can't be anticipated or controlled.
I just might flip
I might lose my cool or go crazy.
Cock aim and let it spit
I can shoot and kill if I need to.
Or I might get ripped and split your brain
I could physically hurt you and cause severe damage.
Just label me a hard head, who ain't gon change
I am a stubborn person who doesn't change.
It ain't fun out here, you gotta keep a gun out here
Life in the streets is dangerous, and you need to protect yourself.
Cause niggaz don't make it to see twenty-one out here
Many people die young and don't live past age 21.
It's rough out here, you'll get snuffed out here
The environment is violent, and you could easily get killed.
Trunked, stuffed and even handcuffed out her
You could end up dead or arrested.
Who me? nah potna, your barkin up the wrong tree
You are accusing the wrong person.
I'm cutthoat, keep thump thang on me
I am fearless and always carry a weapon.
I aim good, I throw these thangs good
I have great aim when shooting or throwing objects.
And me and that nigga Vital, we from the same hood
Vital and I are from the same neighborhood and share a bond.
The Country Club, where niggaz love to nub
The Country Club is a place where people hang out and have a good time.
Push Scrape thing with whistle and dubs and grub
We ride around in fancy cars with loud music and enjoy good food.
It's so rough, so tough out here baby
Living in the city is hard and dangerous, baby.
We got that puff and that fluff stuff out here baby
We have access to drugs like marijuana and cocaine.
Come out here baby, come visit the Bay
You should come to visit the Bay Area.
Like them boys in LA nigga we don't play
We don't mess around like they do in LA.
With the atmosphere is different nigga have to keep it pimpin
The vibe is unique, and you need to keep it cool.
Nigga you ain't got no bitches, you ain't gettin your trippin
If you don't have girls, you are not living life to the fullest.
I'm yokin and dippin, totin my equipment
I am driving around and carrying my equipment.
Gone off a fifth, floatin and I'm trippin
I am drunk and high and feeling good.
Me and Vital, nigga we finna put a hit out
Vital and I are planning to release new and exciting things.
Yet the game is rough boy we tryin to get out
The rap industry is challenging, but we want to succeed.
Contributed by Logan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.