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
Foe Life
Mack 10 Lyrics
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Ice Cube you know you rule hip-hop and
Mack 10 you know you rule hip-hop and
Wait a minute, that ain't how the West Coast rock, nigga
Damn (yeah)
Fo' life
West Side
Mack 10
Nutty as they come, leave 'em face down (uh)
And numb from the waist down
It's a Sunday, a gun day, rollin' down a one way
In my 'Lac, front and back over train tracks
On yak and herb, nigga swerve
It gets on my nerves
Banked my Danas on the curb
In the gutta lane, I'm butta man
Foot to the floor, what you want from the sto'? (Sto')
I'm broke as a mothafucka, nigga, buy my single
Comin' from Ingle' (Foe Life) is my jingle
Seen yo' bitch at the sto' coulda took her
But niggas start to handcuff they hoes like T.J. Hooker
Fool, I'm a vet you can bet (what?)
That I can dance underwater and not get wet (yeah)
It's the nappy headed nigga that can kill and rap (yeah, yeah)
Everybody run when I bust a cap (what?)
Puttin' Inglewood up on the map (that's right)
Look at what I do when I pulls my strap (boom)
Bust two rounds and niggas about to clown
Bitch, hit the silent alarm, it's goin' down
Fo' life, fo' life
Mack 10 bailin' through the hood with stripes
Fo' life, fo' life
Mack 10 bailin' through the hood with stripes (uh)
Khaki suit ski mask is my attire (what else?)
With my luck, cut my Chucks on the barbed wire
Fool, where you keep the rims and tires? (Fool)
'Fore yo' life expires, I'm as nutty as Michael Myers
Didn't think about the Rottweiler
A lot of stiches in the ass, blood in the Impala (oh, shit)
Sittin' in the county with a gold record
Ice Cube send me pictures of bitches naked (yeah)
Caught with a contraband in my hand
Mack 10 take the stand
"Your Honor I'm a changed man"
So please let me go so I can flow
Got a show had to ask the P.O., "Can I go?" (What?)
And if she say no I'ma have to say, "Bitch, get out the car slow
And leave your fuckin' dough"
'Cause a nigga gotta eat, fuck the world (fuck 'em)
Let the bullets hurl and feed my baby girl
Fo' life, fo' life
Mack 10 bailin' through the hood with stripes
Fo' life, fo' life
Mack 10 bailin' through the hood with stripes (yeah)
Call 911, there's a son of a bitch on the roof
Yarned up in his birthday suit
(Mack 10 to the rescue)
My momma wanna know why I do what I do (why?)
'Cause I'm superman, super bad, super mad, superfly (uh, uh, uh, uh)
Fool, you can die
There's gonna be a lot of cars with they lights on
And I'm at home sewing stripes on (that's right)
'Cause I'm a General and you's a stowaway (yeah, yeah)
About to buck you down with this throw away
With no serial numbers it's the summer
Where niggas die it's hotter than July
You better stay low 'fore you get a halo (and)
Plus wings and a gown when I come around (nigga)
So take ten paces
And try to guess the color of my shoelaces
Fo' life, fo' life
Mack 10 bailin' through the hood with stripes
Fo' life, fo' life
Mack 10 bailin' through the hood with stripes (yeah, yeah, huh)
Fo' life, fo' life
Mack 10 bailin' through the hood with stripes (shit, yeah)
Fo' life, fo' life
Mack 10 bailin' through the hood with stripes (that's right)
Yeah
The lyrics to Mack 10's song Foe Life describe the lifestyle and mentality of a gangsta rap artist from Inglewood, a city in South Los Angeles county. The lyrics also contain references to violence, drugs, and the importance of respect within the gang culture. The first verse describes the rapper's reckless behavior, and his ability to dance underwater without getting wet is a metaphor for his total control over his actions. He also boasts about putting Inglewood on the map and his willingness to use violence to defend his territory. In the second verse, Mack 10 talks about his time in county jail and his criminal activities, including carrying a throwaway gun with no serial numbers.
The chorus, "fo' life, West Side," is a repeated reference to the gang culture and the rapper's loyalty to his gang and the West Side of Los Angeles. Overall, the song represents the hardcore and aggressive style of gangsta rap that emerged in the 1990s from the West Coast.
Line by Line Meaning
Mack 10 you know you rule hip-hop and
Acknowledging that Mack 10 is one of the top hip-hop artists.
Ice Cube you know you rule hip-hop and
Acknowledging that Ice Cube is one of the top hip-hop artists.
Mack 10 you know you rule hip-hop and
Repeating that Mack 10 is one of the top hip-hop artists.
Wait a minute, that ain't how the West Coast rock, nigga
Disagreeing with the way the West Coast hip-hop scene is being represented.
Damn (yeah)
Expressing frustration or emotion towards the situation.
Fo' life
Representing and acknowledging the West Side lifestyle.
West Side
Indicating the location and community that is being represented.
Mack 10
Identifying the artist of the lyrics.
Nutty as they come, leave 'em face down (uh)
Describing oneself as unpredictable and violent towards others.
And numb from the waist down
Imagery of the artist's ability to hurt others severely.
It's a Sunday, a gun day, rollin' down a one way
Narrating the singer's violent and dangerous actions on any day of the week.
In my 'Lac, front and back over train tracks
Describing the artist's car and the rough neighborhood terrain surrounding him.
On yak and herb, nigga swerve
Mentioning the singer's drug use and influence on driving recklessly.
It gets on my nerves
Expressing slight annoyance towards something.
Banked my Danas on the curb
Placing the singer's valuable items in a safe place before performing dangerous actions.
In the gutta lane, I'm butta man
Describing the artist's intimate knowledge of the rough neighborhood and his ability to handle it.
Foot to the floor, what you want from the sto'? (Sto')
Asking if anyone wants him to purchase something for them from the nearby store.
I'm broke as a mothafucka, nigga, buy my single
Promoting his music and asking listeners to support him financially.
Comin' from Ingle' (Foe Life) is my jingle
Advertising his hometown and lifestyle through his music.
Seen yo' bitch at the sto' coulda took her
Hinting at the artist's ability to cheat or steal another's partner.
But niggas start to handcuff they hoes like T.J. Hooker
Observing that other men become overly protective of their partners.
Fool, I'm a vet you can bet (what?)
Asserting his status and experience in the hip-hop community.
That I can dance underwater and not get wet (yeah)
Using figurative language to claim his impossible level of skill and avoiding danger.
It's the nappy headed nigga that can kill and rap (yeah, yeah)
Describing himself and his abilities to murder and produce music.
Everybody run when I bust a cap (what?)
Warning others of his dangerous behavior and tendency to use guns.
Puttin' Inglewood up on the map (that's right)
Proudly representing and bringing attention to his hometown.
Look at what I do when I pulls my strap (boom)
Showing off his skills and power in firing a gun.
Bust two rounds and niggas about to clown
Warning of others' initial humorous reactions after shooting the gun.
Bitch, hit the silent alarm, it's goin' down
Telling a woman to warn the authorities of their dangerous actions.
Khaki suit ski mask is my attire (what else?)
Describing the singer's outfit that is worn for his illegal activities.
With my luck, cut my Chucks on the barbed wire
Mentioning the singer's past experiences and his survival skills under difficult circumstances.
Fool, where you keep the rims and tires? (Fool)
Demanding where valuable car parts are being kept for possible thievery.
'Fore yo' life expires, I'm as nutty as Michael Myers
Promising that the artist is extremely dangerous and violent.
Didn't think about the Rottweiler
Mistakenly not taking precautions about a dangerous animal in the area.
A lot of stiches in the ass, blood in the Impala (oh, shit)
Mentioning a past experience where the singer was injured and involved in illegal activities.
Sittin' in the county with a gold record
Recalling a time where the artist was incarcerated despite achieving a high level of success in music.
Ice Cube send me pictures of bitches naked (yeah)
Boasting about the singer's connection to a famous and respected artist and their exchange of explicit content.
Caught with a contraband in my hand
Admitting to holding illegal substances or items.
Mack 10 take the stand
Taking responsibility for one's illegal actions and facing the consequences.
"Your Honor I'm a changed man"
Pleading for leniency from the judge by claiming personal transformation.
So please let me go so I can flow
Asking to be released from custody to continue making music.
Got a show had to ask the P.O., "Can I go?" (What?)
Asking for permission from one's probation officer to attend a performance.
And if she say no I'ma have to say, "Bitch, get out the car slow
Asserting one's rebellion and possible violence if the answer is negative.
And leave your fuckin' dough"
Demanding monetary compensation for being denied an opportunity.
'Cause a nigga gotta eat, fuck the world (fuck 'em)
Expressing frustration towards societal norms and asserting one's right to survival by any means necessary.
Let the bullets hurl and feed my baby girl
Justifying the use of weapons and illegal activities to provide for one's family.
Call 911, there's a son of a bitch on the roof
Describing a possible dangerous situation that requires police intervention.
Yarned up in his birthday suit
Describing a man who has taken off his clothes, which can be seen as a sign of mental illness or intent to harm.
(Mack 10 to the rescue)
Asserting oneself as a heroic figure who can help others in dangerous situations.
My momma wanna know why I do what I do (why?)
Recalling a conversation with one's mother about the singer's life choices and actions.
'Cause I'm superman, super bad, super mad, superfly (uh, uh, uh, uh)
Boasting about one's exceptional qualities and abilities.
Fool, you can die
Threatening others with deadly force if crossed.
There's gonna be a lot of cars with they lights on
Implying that there will be many police vehicles responding to reports of dangerous activity.
And I'm at home sewing stripes on (that's right)
Revealing the singer's ability to blend in and avoid suspicion despite their illegal activities.
'Cause I'm a General and you's a stowaway (yeah, yeah)
Asserting one's leadership and superior status over others who are not considered valuable or helpful.
About to buck you down with this throw away
Threatening others with a firearm that can be easily discarded.
With no serial numbers it's the summer
Describing the specific time period where the artist's use of an unmarked gun is considered effective.
Where niggas die it's hotter than July
Connecting the intense heat and violence in one's community.
You better stay low 'fore you get a halo (and)
Warning others to avoid violence and danger before too late.
Plus wings and a gown when I come around (nigga)
Mentioning the possible negative outcomes and consequences of crossing the artist.
So take ten paces
Advising again to avoid confrontation and to prevent violence.
And try to guess the color of my shoelaces
Indicating that the consequences of confronting the singer will result in a violent outcome.
Fo' life, fo' life
Repeating the phrase that represents and acknowledges the West Side lifestyle.
Mack 10 bailin' through the hood with stripes
Describing the artist's movements throughout the dangerous neighborhood with weapons and illegal items.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: O'shea Jackson, Dedrick Rolison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind