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.
lavish habits
Mac Dre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got the motherfuckin′ instigator in here with Mac Dre
I'll go beast, on the track with Nick Peace
What you thought, nigga? This that other
The other, other
Niggas don′t rap over that other
Yadidamean?
In these streets you live one day at a time
Got myself and Uzi and my brother a nine
In these streets you watch your back, I'll watch I
Old school like Rowdy Roddy, or La Di Da Di
Only play for Cali teams like Vlade
Quick to turn out the motherfuckin' party
Beam me up, Scotty, ′fore I murk somebody
I know ca-razy, don′t know karate
Square nigga get smacked with the 12-gauge shotty
Black John Gotti, I do it mobby
Beat niggas for a hobby like The Beast Mugabi
About 9-1-1, my niggas, it's urgency
Somebody getting sent to emergency
I′m in a burgundy Monarch from Mercury
I got new whips but I guess it's the turf in me
You never heard of me? Nigga, wake up
I′m the really real, them niggas is cake up
Do it thuggish ruggish, all the time
Keep myself an Uzi and my brother a nine
Got myself an Uzi and my brother a nine
In these streets you live one day at a time
(One day, one day)
Got myself an Uzi and my brother a nine
In these streets you watch your back, I'll watch I
(Watch out, nigga, watch yours)
You watch your back, and I′ll watch I
It's me against the wall like Biggie, Ready To Die
My Uzi weigh a ton, I still pack a gun
I'm still an outlaw living life on the run
My life is no fun, I take it one day at a time
(Bought myself an Uzi and my brother a nine)
So I could enjoy the sunshine when I′m pushing my whip
Top down on the strip with 50 in my clip (Yeah)
Just in case emergency and niggas wanna trip
Runnin′ off at the lip, you niggas'll get hit
I leave you lit like a Bic for talkin′ shit, have you hit
Cats don't know what you dealing with, my niggas are sick
And when we ride through, we walk the walk with no talk
Beanie and boost the troops outlined in yellow chalk
Think I′m playing? Ask the dead man was I playing
When I bust two shots through his dome and left him laying
On the ground
Got myself an Uzi and my brother a nine
In these streets you live one day at a time
(One day, one day)
Got myself an Uzi and my brother a nine
In these streets you watch your back, I'll watch I
Got myself an Uzi and my brother a nine
In these streets you live one day at a time
Got myself an Uzi and my brother a nine
In these streets you watch your back, I′ll watch I
In "Lavish Habits," Mac Dre presents a vivid picture of his life on the streets of California, where violence and danger are always present. The song emphasizes the importance of being prepared for any situation and watching out for oneself and one's family. Mac Dre describes carrying an Uzi and a nine-millimeter handgun with his brother for protection. He also boasts about his street credibility, likening himself to Black John Gotti and beating up people for fun like The Beast Mugabi.
The lyrics are filled with references to California street culture, including name-checks of former NBA player Vlade Divac and wrestlers Rowdy Roddy Piper and Slick Rick. Mac Dre also references the 911 emergency number, highlighting the urgency of the situation he and his crew face every day. He raps about cruising around in his Monarch car but also acknowledges that he can't let his guard down, as danger could be lurking around every corner.
Overall, "Lavish Habits" portrays a world of danger and violence, where survival depends on being prepared and having the right mindset. The song offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of life on the streets and the importance of staying vigilant and ready for anything.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright, yes sir, ya mean?
Introducing the collaboration between Mac Dre and the instigator Nick Peace.
I'll go beast, on the track with Nick Peace
Mac Dre is about to go hard on this song, showing off his skills with Nick Peace's track.
What you thought, nigga? This that other
This song is unique, different from the usual rap songs people are used to.
Niggas don′t rap over that other
Other rappers cannot imitate the style of this song.
Got myself an Uzi and my brother a nine
I own a Uzi and my brother has a nine-millimeter gun.
In these streets you live one day at a time
Living in the streets is unpredictable and dangerous, so one has to be cautious.
Old school like Rowdy Roddy, or La Di Da Di
Mac Dre is old school like the wrestlers Rowdy Roddy and the rapper Slick Rick who made the song 'La Di Da Di.'
Only play for Cali teams like Vlade
I only support California sports teams like the NBA's Sacramento Kings and their player Vlade Divac.
Quick to turn out the motherfuckin' party
I can shut down a party quickly if I have to.
Beam me up, Scotty, ′fore I murk somebody
I need to leave this place now before I hurt someone.
About 9-1-1, my niggas, it's urgency
If there's an emergency, my crew and I need to call 911 immediately.
I′m in a burgundy Monarch from Mercury
I am riding in a vintage car, a burgundy Mercury Monarch.
You never heard of me? Nigga, wake up
If you don't know who Mac Dre is, then you are not aware of what is going on in the rap scene.
Do it thuggish ruggish, all the time
I always do things in a hardcore thug style.
You watch your back, and I′ll watch I
We both need to watch our own backs and not rely on others.
My Uzi weigh a ton, I still pack a gun
My Uzi gun is heavy, but I still carry around another gun just in case.
I'm still an outlaw living life on the run
I am still a criminal who is constantly on the move, avoiding the law.
My life is no fun, I take it one day at a time
My life is full of danger, and I must take things one day at a time.
So I could enjoy the sunshine when I′m pushing my whip
I bought my guns to protect myself so that I can enjoy cruising in my car.
Just in case emergency and niggas wanna trip
I have my guns ready in case of an emergency or if someone wants to start a fight.
Runnin′ off at the lip, you niggas'll get hit
If you talk too much, I will shoot you.
I leave you lit like a Bic for talkin′ shit, have you hit
If you talk trash, I will light you up like a lighter and shoot you.
Cats don't know what you dealing with, my niggas are sick
People don't understand how dangerous my crew can be.
And when we ride through, we walk the walk with no talk
When we show up, we don't say much, we just take action.
Think I′m playing? Ask the dead man was I playing
If you think I'm not serious, ask the person I just killed.
On the ground
The person I just killed is now lying dead on the ground.
Contributed by Caden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.