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
For The Money
Mack 10 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ladies and gentlemen flight 1 0 from LAX is now arriving into
JFK International.
[ODB talking]
What? What? (...?...) about that money nigga.
How many hey yo how many niggas is really making money now
now what I'm saying?
This 98 I'ma tell y'all cats somethin.
This is the year of do it or don't.
If you gon do it you better roll on with this crew cat
juggyyyyy!!!!
[Mack 10] (ODB)
People call me crazy, but that's alright with me (It's alright!)
They ask me why I'm hustlin, (We hustlin!) I say for the money (Yeah!)
I duck down with Buckshot, Hoo Bang with Wu-Tang (Oooooo!)
Won't hesiate to slang, so money ain't a thang (Ahhhhh!)
Called Buck and Dirty, asked em what they need
They said send me two thangs and some LA weed
So my belief is fuck the beef, all money the same
And when I get to New York, I'ma show you the whoop game
I make a bitch stay down, 'cause I'm that type of guy
Put the work on the Greyhound and fly to the NY
Hit the east coast with a pocket fulla cheddar
Tan khakis on with a thick red sweater (Oh yeah!)
They see me with some hoes, couldn't be better timing
'cause though a nigga g'd up, I got on big diamonds, so nigga what?
(Tell it to em cat!)
[Hook] [Mack 10] (ODB)
People call me crazy, but that's alright with me
They ask me why I'm hustlin, I say for the money
(Yo, I am comin over, to your spot tonight
I promise you my baby, that I'm gon do you right!)
[Buckshot] (ODB) {Mack 10}
Through the gusty wind, I roll with fifty men
Ready to get nifty and shifty and low
So what's the movements, yo? Let me know
'cause when I come for motherfuckers, I'm comin for throats
It was sad I bled, but the red in my eyes shed
Light on the dark, I led the blind in sight
Now I got all of them inside
It's the reason why I do this, and I night ride
(For the moneyyyyy!!!!!!)
If you and a nigga outside, say the word
And I'm a spruge with my flight team soarin like birds
Missed it on the Friday with my nigga Cube
But the bomb blew Saturday when Mack lit the fuse
Who other than Buckshot come pick up the pieces
And straighten niggas out like creases
{Speak on it} Yeah nigga
(It's for the moneyyyyyy!!!!!)
Buckshot, ODB, Mack 10, back at it again
[Hook]
[Ol' Dirty Bastard]
Hey yo, most of you know me, some of you don't
When it comes to challengin, none of you won't
Arrange this battle to improve your style
It's a brother with a totally different profile
Most of you play cold front in your face
Hesitatin on the rhymes, shoulda been Memorex
But, you forgot, you's an amateur
Mystery worshipper, yo I prefer
I mind you, tease you, who's the boss?
Sucka amneisa, memory loss, welllll
Hit this, just quiet as kept
Mmmmm see's on the charts from the start had slept
Leeeeet's take them, wake them
You should be woke
'cause you take MC'in for a practical joke, Hmmmmm
I present myself to be a similar nightmare of an Amazing Story
[Hook]
[ODB talking]
Yo, you ain't hearin nothing but a drop of the dime.
Know what I'm saying?
To all my dogs, I want to give a shout out.
You got my nigga, Mack 10.
You got my nigga, Buckshot shorty.
And you got the one, dirt dog.
Know what I'm saying?
And we gon do it like sweat hogs, my nigga.
This how we get down!
[Mack 10 talking]
People call me crazy, but that's alright with me
They ask me why I'm hustlin, I say for the money
Haha, Hoo Bangin records, pushin weight in 98.
Cookin nothing but the bomb.
You know what I'm sayin?
'cause we got the Recipe, fo sho!
The lyrics to Mack 10's song "For the Money" featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and Buckshot highlight the theme of hustling. Mack 10 talks about how people call him crazy for hustling but he does it for the money. He collaborates with Buckshot and Ol' Dirty Bastard to make it happen. They join forces to move product and make money. Buckshot describes how he is ready to strike when the opportunity presents itself. Ol' Dirty Bastard creates a unique sound by presenting himself as a nightmare and horror story. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and excitement about making money.
Additionally, the lyrics drop popular references about New York and LA, highlighting the different styles of hustling in both cities. Mack 10 talks about sending "two thangs" and some LA weed to Buckshot and Ol' Dirty Bastard, emphasizing the importance of having connections in the game. The hook of the song repeats the phrase "I say for the money", further emphasizing the theme of the song.
Overall, Mack 10's "For the Money" showcases how rappers used to brag about their hustling days and how they made money on the streets. The song has a catchy beat and interesting lyricism that resonated with fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen flight 1 0 from LAX is now arriving into JFK International.
Announcement that a flight is arriving at JFK International airport from LAX.
[ODB talking] What? What? (...?...) about that money nigga.
Ol' Dirty Bastard exclaims about making money.
How many hey yo how many niggas is really making money now now what I'm saying?
Ol' Dirty Bastard questions how many people are really making money.
This 98 I'ma tell y'all cats somethin.
Ol' Dirty Bastard announces something about 1998.
This is the year of do it or don't.
This is the year of taking action or not.
If you gon do it you better roll on with this crew cat juggyyyyy!!!!
If you are taking action, you better do it with this group.
[Mack 10] (ODB)
Mack 10 and Ol' Dirty Bastard are now speaking.
People call me crazy, but that's alright with me (It's alright!)
Mack 10 responds to people calling him crazy.
They ask me why I'm hustlin, (We hustlin!) I say for the money (Yeah!)
Mack 10 explains he is hustling for money.
I duck down with Buckshot, Hoo Bang with Wu-Tang (Oooooo!)
Mack 10 lists the groups he associates with.
Won't hesiate to slang, so money ain't a thang (Ahhhhh!)
Mack 10 isn't afraid to sell anything for money.
Called Buck and Dirty, asked em what they need
Mack 10 contacted Buckshot and Ol' Dirty Bastard to ask what they need.
They said send me two thangs and some LA weed
Buckshot and Ol' Dirty Bastard requested specific items.
So my belief is fuck the beef, all money the same
Mack 10 values money above everything else.
And when I get to New York, I'ma show you the whoop game
Mack 10 is going to show off his skills when he arrives in NY.
I make a bitch stay down, 'cause I'm that type of guy
Mack 10 forces a woman to stay submissive.
Put the work on the Greyhound and fly to the NY
Mack 10 travels to NY by bus or plane.
Hit the east coast with a pocket fulla cheddar
Mack 10 travels to the East Coast with a lot of money.
Tan khakis on with a thick red sweater (Oh yeah!)
Mack 10 describes his outfit.
They see me with some hoes, couldn't be better timing
Mack 10 is with women at the perfect time.
'cause though a nigga g'd up, I got on big diamonds, so nigga what? (Tell it to em cat!)
Mack 10 has expensive jewelry.
[Hook] [Mack 10] (ODB)
Back to the chorus, Mack 10 and Ol' Dirty Bastard are speaking.
People call me crazy, but that's alright with me
Same as the chorus before.
They ask me why I'm hustlin, I say for the money
Same as the chorus before.
(Yo, I am comin over, to your spot tonight I promise you my baby, that I'm gon do you right!)
Unknown speaker promises to come over and please someone.
[Buckshot] (ODB) {Mack 10}
Buckshot speaks, Ol' Dirty Bastard ad-libs, and Mack 10 is silent.
Through the gusty wind, I roll with fifty men
Buckshot travels with a large group.
Ready to get nifty and shifty and low
Buckshot is ready to act covertly.
So what's the movements, yo? Let me know
Buckshot asks what the plan is.
'cause when I come for motherfuckers, I'm comin for throats
Buckshot is aggressive when he attacks.
It was sad I bled, but the red in my eyes shed
Buckshot has shed tears before.
Light on the dark, I led the blind in sight
Buckshot helped others during difficult times.
Now I got all of them inside
Buckshot has control over others.
It's the reason why I do this, and I night ride (For the moneyyyyy!!!!!!)
Buckshot is motivated by money.
If you and a nigga outside, say the word
Buckshot is ready to attack if signaled.
And I'm a spruge with my flight team soarin like birds
Buckshot will attack with his group.
Missed it on the Friday with my nigga Cube
Buckshot missed something with his friend Ice Cube.
But the bomb blew Saturday when Mack lit the fuse
Mack 10 made something happen on Saturday.
Who other than Buckshot come pick up the pieces
Buckshot is needed to fix a situation.
And straighten niggas out like creases {Speak on it} Yeah nigga
Buckshot will fix the situation aggressively.
(It's for the moneyyyyyy!!!!!)
Back to discussing money again.
Buckshot, ODB, Mack 10, back at it again
The three of them are working together again.
[Hook]
Back to the chorus again.
[Ol' Dirty Bastard]
Ol' Dirty Bastard is now speaking.
Hey yo, most of you know me, some of you don't
Ol' Dirty Bastard introduces himself.
When it comes to challengin, none of you won't
He is a tough competitor.
Arrange this battle to improve your style
He wants to battle to improve his and others' style.
It's a brother with a totally different profile
He is different than most.
Most of you play cold front in your face
Others are insincere to his face.
Hesitatin on the rhymes, shoulda been Memorex
Others should have been more prepared.
But, you forgot, you's an amateur
Others are amateurs.
Mystery worshipper, yo I prefer
He likes mystery worshippers.
I mind you, tease you, who's the boss?
He is in control.
Sucka amneisa, memory loss, welllll
Others have forgotten or lost their minds.
Hit this, just quiet as kept
Unknown speaker offers something.
Mmmmm see's on the charts from the start had slept
Unknown speaker notices someone who had potential.
Leeeeet's take them, wake them
Unknown speaker wants to motivate them.
You should be woke 'cause you take MC'in for a practical joke, Hmmmmm
Unknown speaker criticizes others for not taking MCing seriously.
I present myself to be a similar nightmare of an Amazing Story
Unknown speaker presents himself as a difficult challenge.
Yo, you ain't hearin nothing but a drop of the dime.
Unknown speaker wants their opinion to be considered.
To all my dogs, I want to give a shout out. You got my nigga, Mack 10.
Ol' Dirty Bastard acknowledges his friend Mack 10.
You got my nigga, Buckshot shorty. And you got the one, dirt dog.
He also acknowledges Buckshot and himself.
And we gon do it like sweat hogs, my nigga. This how we get down!
They will work together like a team.
[Mack 10 talking] Haha, Hoo Bangin records, pushin weight in 98. Cookin nothing but the bomb. You know what I'm sayin? 'cause we got the Recipe, fo sho!
Mack 10 talks about his record label, Hoo Bangin records and their success in 1998.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TREYVON GREEN, ADRIAN BELEW, STEVEN STANLEY, TINA WEYMOUTH, KENYATTA BLAKE, CHRISTOPHER FRANTZ, RUSSELL JONES, DEDRIK ROLISON
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