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
Dopeman
Mack 10 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you need, nigga?
Ah shit, one time
It was once said by a man who couldn't quit
Dope man please, can I have another hit?
The dope man said "Cluck, I don't give a shit
If your girl kneel down and sucks my dick"
But he didn't care, she ain't nothing but a smoker
That's the way it go, that's the name of the game
Young niggas gettin' over by slinging 'caine
Legs around my wrist and 18K heavy
Bitches clockin' on my dick 24/7
Plus I'm makin' money, keep the base heads waiting
Rollin' '64 with the all gold Daytons
Living Inglewood, California CA
This Uzi up your ass if I don't get paid
Niggas beggin' for a credit, I'm knocking out teeth
Clocking much dollars on the 1st and 15th
Big wad of money, nothing less than a twenty
Yo, you want a whole chicken? Mack 10's got plenty
To be a dope man, boy, you must qualify
Don't get high off your own supply
From a key to a G, it's all about money
10 piece for a 10, base pipe come free
If people out there are not hip to the fact
If you see somebody gettin' money for crack he's the
Dope man, dope man (Mac, spot me a sack!)
Dope man, dope man (I'll get you back)
Dope man, dope man (Tryna stack me a grip)
Dope man, dope man (Man, fuck that shit)
You need a nigga with money, so you get a dope man
Juice that fool for has much as you can
She like his car and he get wit her
Got a black eye 'cause the dope man hit her
Let that slide and you pay it no mind
Find that he's slapping you all the time
But that's OK 'cause he's so rich
And you ain't nothin' but the dope man's bitch
Do what he say and you keep your mouth shut
Talkin' that drag might get you fucked up
You sit and cry if the dope man strike you
He don't give a fuck, he got two just like you
There's a another girl in the dope man's life
Not quite a bitch but far from a wife
She call her strawberry and everybody know
Strawberry, Strawberry is the neighborhood hoe
Do anything for a hit or two
Give the bitch a rock, she fuck the whole damn crew
It might be your wife and it might make you sick
Come home and see her mouth on the dope man's dick
Strawberry, just look and you will see her
But don't fuck around, she'll give you gonorrhea
If people out there not hip to the fact
That Strawberry is a girl selling pussy for crack to the
Dope man, dope man (From a ounce to a key)
Dope man, dope man (Tryna get this cheese, man)
Dope man, dope man (Cluckers ridin' my dick)
Dope man, dope man (Man, fuck that shit)
If you smoke 'caine, you a stupid motherfucker
Known around the hood as the schoolyard clucker
Doing that crack with all the money you got
On your hands and knees, searchin' for a piece of rock
Fienin' for a hit and you're lookin for more
Done stole a Alpine out a wavy '64
Smokin' like a train and I wouldn't wanna be you
You done took from the homies, betta run when I see you
Ballin' everyday, doing more drug deals
Roll around town on the twenty inch wheels
And people out there not hip to the fact
If you see Mack 10, you can ask me for crack
I'm the
Dope man, dope man (Yeah, that's me)
Dope man, dope man (From a ounce to a key)
Dope man, dope man (Cook as much as I can)
Yo fuck that shit, who am I? (The dope man!)
Mack 10, nigga, you must be slick
Put Squeak on the team, now we stackin' chips
Good lookin' out for showin' love
Now I got bitches on my dick 'cause I'm flossin' dubs
The lyrics to Mack 10's song Dopeman tell the story of the drug trade and its effects on those involved in it. The song begins with the singer selling drugs and a customer asking for another hit. The singer shows no sympathy and even tells the customer that he doesn't care if his girlfriend performs sexual favors for him. The lyrics then shift to the singer bragging about his possessions, including money and a car. The song goes on to describe the women involved with the singer and their willingness to do anything for drugs, even trading sexual favors. The song ends with a warning to those who use drugs to stop before it's too late.
The song's lyrics highlight the negative consequences of drug use and how it can ruin lives. It explores themes of power, control, and temptation, and the reality of the drug trade. The song is an honest, gritty portrayal of a dark and often misunderstood world.
Line by Line Meaning
What's up, dog?
A casual greeting between associates.
What you need, nigga?
A question to determine what the other person is looking for.
Ah shit, one time
Oh no, the police are here.
It was once said by a man who couldn't quit
A quote used to introduce a story about addiction.
Dope man please, can I have another hit?
A plea to the drug dealer for another dose.
The dope man said "Cluck, I don't give a shit
The dealer's vulgar response to the request.
If your girl kneel down and sucks my dick"
A crude comment about sexual behavior.
Gave the nigga head and homie tried to choke her
A violent act against a woman.
But he didn't care, she ain't nothing but a smoker
An attitude of indifference towards the woman's well-being.
That's the way it go, that's the name of the game
An acceptance of the harsh reality of drug dealing.
Young niggas gettin' over by slinging 'caine
An observation that drug dealing is a way for young men to make money.
Legs around my wrist and 18K heavy
A boast about the dealer's wealth and sexual prowess.
Bitches clockin' on my dick 24/7
An assertion that women constantly desire the dealer.
Plus I'm makin' money, keep the base heads waiting
A focus on maximizing profits over customer satisfaction.
Rollin' '64 with the all gold Daytons
A description of the dealer's flashy car.
Living Inglewood, California CA
An assertion of the dealer's location.
This Uzi up your ass if I don't get paid
A threat of violence to ensure payment.
Niggas beggin' for a credit, I'm knocking out teeth
A violent response to customers who can't pay upfront.
Clocking much dollars on the 1st and 15th
An acknowledgement of the dealer's financial gains.
Big wad of money, nothing less than a twenty
A reference to the dealer's preferred method of payment.
Yo, you want a whole chicken? Mack 10's got plenty
An offer to sell a large quantity of drugs.
To be a dope man, boy, you must qualify
An assertion that drug dealing is a challenging profession.
Don't get high off your own supply
A warning not to use one's own drugs.
From a key to a G, it's all about money
The different quantities of drugs one can sell, and the drive to earn money.
10 piece for a 10, base pipe come free
A promotional deal for buying a small amount of drugs.
If people out there are not hip to the fact
An acknowledgement that not everyone understands drug culture.
If you see somebody gettin' money for crack he's the
Confirmation that the dealer is the one making a profit.
Dope man, dope man (Mac, spot me a sack!)
A request for a small quantity of drugs.
Dope man, dope man (I'll get you back)
A promise to repay the debt.
Dope man, dope man (Tryna stack me a grip)
An effort to accumulate more money.
Dope man, dope man (Man, fuck that shit)
A dismissal of any negative consequences of drug dealing.
You need a nigga with money, so you get a dope man
A commentary on how poverty drives women to seek out drug dealers.
Juice that fool for as much as you can
An encouragement to manipulate the dealer for personal gain.
She like his car and he get wit her
A simplistic explanation of how a relationship with a dealer begins.
Got a black eye 'cause the dope man hit her
An admission of domestic violence.
Let that slide and you pay it no mind
An attitude of ignoring major problems.
Find that he's slapping you all the time
An escalation of domestic violence.
But that's OK 'cause he's so rich
An excuse for the dealer's violent behavior.
And you ain't nothin' but the dope man's bitch
A degrading label for women who date drug dealers.
Do what he say and you keep your mouth shut
An expectation of obedience from women.
Talkin' that drag might get you fucked up
A threat against those who speak out against the dealer.
You sit and cry if the dope man strike you
An acknowledgement of the danger of being in an abusive relationship.
He don't give a fuck, he got two just like you
An acknowledgement that the dealer has multiple partners.
There's another girl in the dope man's life
An admission of infidelity on the dealer's part.
Not quite a bitch but far from a wife
A derogatory reference to the dealer's other partner.
She call her strawberry and everybody know
A derogatory nickname for the other woman.
Strawberry, Strawberry is the neighborhood hoe
An insult directed towards the other woman.
Do anything for a hit or two
A commentary on how addiction motivates behavior.
Give the bitch a rock, she fuck the whole damn crew
A commentary on the promiscuity associated with drug addiction.
It might be your wife and it might make you sick
An acknowledgement that one's partner may be unfaithful and cause emotional turmoil.
Come home and see her mouth on the dope man's dick
A representation of the ultimate betrayal in a relationship.
Strawberry, just look and you will see her
An implication that the other woman is easily accessible.
But don't fuck around, she'll give you gonorrhea
A warning about the danger of sleeping with the other woman.
If people out there not hip to the fact
An acknowledgement that outsiders may not understand drug culture.
That Strawberry is a girl selling pussy for crack to the
An explanation of the other woman's role in the drug trade.
Dope man, dope man (From a ounce to a key)
A reference to the different quantities of drugs available.
Dope man, dope man (Tryna get this cheese, man)
An acknowledgement that drug dealing is lucrative.
Dope man, dope man (Cluckers ridin' my dick)
An implication that customers are dependent and submissive to the dealer.
Dope man, dope man (Man, fuck that shit)
An attitude of apathy towards the negative consequences of drug dealing.
If you smoke 'caine, you a stupid motherfucker
An assertion that doing drugs is unwise.
Known around the hood as the schoolyard clucker
A label for those who display a lack of intelligence.
Doing that crack with all the money you got
An observation that addiction can deplete one's financial resources.
On your hands and knees, searchin' for a piece of rock
A description of the desperation associated with addiction.
Fienin' for a hit and you're lookin for more
A commentary on how addiction fuels a never-ending search for another dose.
Done stole a Alpine out a wavy '64
An admission of theft to fund addiction.
Smokin' like a train and I wouldn't wanna be you
A warning about the dangers of drug addiction.
You done took from the homies, betta run when I see you
A threat against those who steal from drug dealers.
Ballin' everyday, doing more drug deals
A description of the profitable nature of drug dealing.
Roll around town on the twenty inch wheels
A reference to the dealer's flashy car.
And people out there not hip to the fact
An acknowledgement that outsiders may not understand drug culture.
If you see Mack 10, you can ask me for crack
A statement of Mack 10's involvement in the drug trade.
I'm the
A reference to the artist's identity as the 'dope man.'
Dope man, dope man (Yeah, that's me)
A declaration of the singer's identity.
Dope man, dope man (From a ounce to a key)
A reference to the different quantities of drugs available.
Dope man, dope man (Cook as much as I can)
A description of the dealer's activity.
Yo fuck that shit, who am I? (The dope man!)
A reaffirmation of the artist's identity and disregard for consequences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Anthony Banks, O'shea Jackson, Dedrick D'mon Rolison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind