Born Dedrick D'Mon Rolison in 1971, Mack 10 perpetually represented Inglewood, California throughout his career, the Los Angeles neighborhood he called home. His professional rap career began in 1995 when he signed with Priority, the premier label for West Coast rap at the time, and released his self-titled album. The West Coast gangsta movement was peaking around this time, and Mack 10 capitalized on the trend with "Foe Life," a song he wrote with Ice Cube, one of the West Coast's reigning talents. The partnership struck gold, and the song became a coastal anthem, opening the door for a successive single, "On Them Thangs." Mack 10 then partnered with Ice Cube again a year later to form the West Coast supergroup Westside Connection along with another Los Angeles rapper, WC. The three had united for a standout song on Mack 10's debut album, "Westside Slaughterhouse," and hoped to reprise their camaraderie for the Westside Connection album. They certainly did so, recording the boastful lead single "Bow Down," which taunted the East Coast, along with several other songs discussing the East-West tension that dominated rap at the time.
Mack 10 followed the number two-charting Westside Connection album with his second album, Based on a True Story, and its lead single, "Backyard Boogie," in 1997. The album became his most successful, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard album chart, and confirmed his quick ascendance to fame. Moreover, the album is generally considered to be Mack 10's career highlight: it features a modest number of guests (Snoop Dogg, E-40, Ice Cube), top-notch G-funk-era producers (Ant Banks, Soopafly), and little of the filler that would begin to populate his successive releases. Mack 10 returned a year later with another Top 20 album, Recipe, which is notable for its abundance of guests. In fact, only one song featured Mack 10 alone; every other song featured at least one guest, if not more; everyone from Master P and Mystikal to Jermaine Dupri and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Following the extravagencies of Recipe in 1997, Mack 10's career began to slowly spiral downward, much like the West Coast gangsta rap scene he rode to fame. His only release in 1998 was Hoo Bangin': Mix Tape, more of a showcase for the many up-and-coming rappers on his Hoo Bangin' label than for himself, and listeners weren't very interested. When Mack 10 finally did return with another full-length of his own, The Paper Route, in 2000, three years after Recipe, listeners similarly weren't very interested.
The relative disappointment of The Paper Route brought Mack 10's souring relationship with Priority Records to an end, and along came Cash Money Records, who happily signed the rapper to a contract. The partnership seemed somewhat unlikely. Cash Money was a leading Dirty South label with a small roster of in-house rappers such as Juvenile and Lil Wayne; however, the label was looking to expand its roster as well as its reach, and Mack 10 offered it a great opportunity to unite the West Coast and Dirty South. The resulting album, Bang or Ball (2001), neither topped the charts nor garnered substantial attention despite boasting "Hate in Yo Eyes," a Dr. Dre production that interpolated the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive." The album nonetheless signaled a new direction for Mack 10, who sounded surprisingly comfortable working with one of the Dirty South's premier producers, Manny Fresh. Less than a year later in summer 2002 came Mack 10 Presents da Hood, a Hoo Bangin' release prominently featuring numerous up-and-coming West Coast rappers: K-Mac, Deviossi, Skoop, Cousteau, and Techniec. More importantly, though, the album featured "L.A. for Ya," an anthemic song that was customized for the West Coast's leading radio stations as well as for Lakers and Clippers home games. The customized versions worked, and the song garnered quite a bit of airplay on the West Coast, making it one of Mack 10's biggest hits in years. Ghetto, Gutter and Gangster appeared in 2003 followed by Hustla's Handbook two years later
Clack Clack
Mack 10 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggaz just love the cash
Shake down niggaz say yea
1-9 niggaz love the cash
H-A-R-D-R-O-C-K yo BK no, oh, oh, oh
[Bridge]
You ain't gotta love what I do, like what I do
I don't like nothin' about you, frontin' about you
We gon' get money without you
[Verse 1]
When shake down come through, who you gon' run to?
Have my money or we gon hunt you
Clak clak show you what the gun do
My murder game like a Roy Jones one, two
Now when the funds due who still gonna front you
Son dude you might get slumped on a humble
Might get a stealth torpedo to make you tumble
Cause hazard to ya hustle
Knew it wasn't hard to touch you
Especially when the bark, bark got a muzzle
And make the sound muffled
Chah - Chah {*silencer*} Brook-lyn muscle
Is I, always prepared for scuffles
You see I must do what I must do
Niggaz screamin' fuck me, well nigga fuck you!
[Chorus]
May I, keep a little something for the G's
And, make a few ends while I breeze through
The late night shift on some late night shit
On the gangstas roam
May I, keep a little something for the G's
And, make a few ends while I breeze through
The late night shift on some late night shit
While ya momma ain't home
[Verse 2]
My mercedes sittin on AMG's
Squeeze three 80's 'til they empty
Seen lately it's a style to hate me
But even when inside I'm cool like a A/C
The nickel back sole in the park they paid me
The PJ's get shot up they blame me
Ya bitch wanna real nigga, she gon' page me
I'm the voice of Brooklyn, nigga you crazy
Questions need to be answered
Sexy rap niggaz needing a dancer, I'm cancer
Kill you in a matter of days
You's a durag nigga that I battled ya ways
It's inclusive, or shake a slug off, I'm elusive
Got new guns can't wait to use it
Although, I step all slow
Get respect also, hold Tech's I'm all-pro
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
[Verse 3]
Now we official, I'll address my issues
Either comply or I twist you, simple
Hardrock, been livin' on Hard Knock
Hate a bitch nigga that car hop, no
The dashboard in my BM, kinda confusing
Head game on my BM, cause confusion
I pump rock myself, like the infusion
Shake down got pink but not an illusion
[Chorus]
Mack 10's song Clack Clack is a solo rap in which Mack 10 flaunts his wealth and power. The song opens with Mack 10 stating that some people just love cash and that he is one of those people. He then introduces his posse by mentioning BK, standing for Brooklyn, and H-A-R-D-R-O-C-K, presumably a reference to his crew's hard street reputation. The bridge mentions that people may not like him, but they will respect him for what he does.
In the first verse of the song, Mack 10 makes it clear that when his "shake down" crew comes through, people better have his money or face serious consequences. He then talks about his murder game, describing it as quick and efficient, like a one-two punch from Roy Jones Jr. When the funds due, nobody can front him because they might end up getting hurt. The chorus talks about making quick money while cruising the streets at night, and the second verse is about Mack 10's material possessions, like his car and his woman. He also mentions his reputation as the voice of Brooklyn, and how he will quickly eliminate anyone who crosses him. The final verse addresses his critics and mentions that he will handle them but only after offering them the chance to comply with his wishes.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggaz just love the cash
Many people are driven by the desire for money.
Shake down niggaz say yea
Those involved in coercive tactics to get money are enthusiastic about their approach.
1-9 niggaz love the cash
A gang associated with the number 19 is also motivated by money.
H-A-R-D-R-O-C-K yo BK no, oh, oh, oh
A reference to a place, possibly Brooklyn, where tough individuals reside.
You ain't gotta love what I do, like what I do
Others do not have to appreciate or enjoy Mack 10's actions or choices.
But you gon' respect what I do
Everyone should acknowledge and give credit for Mack 10's hard work and efforts.
I don't like nothin' about you, frontin' about you
Mack 10 has a negative opinion of someone who is pretending or lying.
We gon' get money without you
Mack 10's crew is confident in their ability to make a profit without the person in question.
When shake down come through, who you gon' run to?
If Mack 10's group arrives, who will his opposition rely upon?
Have my money or we gon hunt you
Those who owe Mack 10's group will be pursued until they pay back their debt.
Clak clak show you what the gun do
The sound of gunfire serves as a warning to those who cross Mack 10's group.
My murder game like a Roy Jones one, two
Mack 10's group is skilled at taking down opponents, comparable to professional boxer Roy Jones Jr.
Now when the funds due who still gonna front you
When payment is required, who will still pretend to not have the money?
Son dude you might get slumped on a humble
Someone might end up seriously injured despite appearing meek.
Might get a stealth torpedo to make you tumble
You might not even see the attack coming until it's too late.
Cause hazard to ya hustle
Mack 10's group poses a risk to someone's business.
Knew it wasn't hard to touch you
Mack 10's crew was confident that they could catch up to their target.
Especially when the bark, bark got a muzzle
Their guns make less noise due to silencers.
Chah - Chah {*silencer*} Brook-lyn muscle
Again, the use of a silencer, with Brooklyn referenced as a place of physical strength.
Is I, always prepared for scuffles
Mack 10 is ready for fights at any time.
You see I must do what I must do
There are certain actions that Mack 10 feels he must take.
Niggaz screamin' fuck me, well nigga fuck you!
Those who oppose Mack 10 should expect an equally hostile response.
May I, keep a little something for the G's
Mack 10 is asking to keep some money for himself and his crew.
And, make a few ends while I breeze through
They hope to make money quickly and easily.
The late night shift on some late night shit
They operate at night, participating in criminal activity.
On the gangstas roam
This activity takes place where other criminals are active.
My mercedes sittin on AMG's
Mack 10 drives a luxury car from the AMG line.
Squeeze three 80's 'til they empty
Mack 10 fires three handguns until they run out of bullets.
Seen lately it's a style to hate me
There has been a recent trend of disliking Mack 10.
But even when inside I'm cool like a A/C
Despite what others may think, Mack 10 remains confident and composed internally.
The nickel back sole in the park they paid me
Mack 10 earned money for his participation in a sporting event.
The PJ's get shot up they blame me
When Mack 10's outfit causes destruction, they are often blamed for it.
Ya bitch wanna real nigga, she gon' page me
Women who want a genuine partner will contact Mack 10.
I'm the voice of Brooklyn, nigga you crazy
Mack 10 sees himself as a representative of Brooklyn's interests and culture.
Questions need to be answered
There are important topics and issues that require clarification.
Sexy rap niggaz needing a dancer, I'm cancer
Mack 10 feels that rappers who focus only on sexual appeal are problematic and harmful to the music industry.
Kill you in a matter of days
Mack 10 can end someone's life quickly and easily.
You's a durag nigga that I battled ya ways
Mack 10 has previously had a conflict with someone who wears a durag.
It's inclusive, or shake a slug off, I'm elusive
If included, Mack 10 will be hard to shake and avoid.
Got new guns can't wait to use it
Mack 10 is excited about recent weapon purchases.
Although, I step all slow
Mack 10 remains calm and methodical in his movements.
Get respect also, hold Tech's I'm all-pro
Others respect Mack 10 and his expertise with firearms.
Now we official, I'll address my issues
Mack 10 is in a position of power and speaks up on important matters.
Either comply or I twist you, simple
Those who do not follow Mack 10's orders will suffer the consequences.
Hardrock, been livin' on Hard Knock
Tough, strong-willed individuals have lived hard lives full of struggles.
Hate a bitch nigga that car hop, no
Mack 10 dislikes men who rely on women for rides in their cars.
The dashboard in my BM, kinda confusing
Mack 10's car has a complicated dashboard that others may struggle to understand.
Head game on my BM, cause confusion
Mack 10 has made his style of driving unpredictable and difficult to anticipate.
I pump rock myself, like the infusion
Mack 10 is directly involved in the drug trade, managing his own distribution methods.
Shake down got pink but not an illusion
Mack 10's group owns the color pink but in a real, tangible way.
Contributed by Aria G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.