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
From tha Streetz
Mack 10 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, this one goin out to everybody in every ghetto
Turn it up and just so we accusin make sure it bumpin
This is for the straight thugged-out, the low ride pro`s
Triple O.G.`s with the hot six fo`s
Go fast ballers, bangin six gears
Three time felons with the tattooed tears
Distributin so up they project a neighborhood
Whether it`s Peruvian or Ghetto D
Won`t you bust down a kid and sell a ounce for me
I`m from the ghetto so the hoodrats gettin propers
Real criminals, robbers and the pit bulls squabblers
Puttin down thousands till there ain`t nothin left
cause real street riders, let em roll to the death
I like fly shit so I scramble for the pay
Rather hustle homeboy, then gangbang anyday
Was down with the truce in nine-deuce though I looted
It`s the Y2K and i`m still khacki-suited, what you thought?
[Chorus: Mack 10]
From the streets, from the streets, from the streets
Tell em where I`m from!
From the streets
I represent where I`m from and I`m nutty as they come
[Mack 10]
I`m like them Hot Boys, got Cash Money and hot toys
Plus them automatic things to make the pop noise
for haters that resent me, they jealous evidently
cause I flow through the city in a drop top Bentley
But hustlas like me, just stay to the grind
Pay you no mind and keep the safety off my nine
I ain`t worried about you busters, we ain`t scared to kill
I was beastin before rap, I`m a street nia for real
So check my resume and tell me what it say
I`m the same Mack from the block known for pushing yay
I claim the turf and bang the hood from a b.g.
Now I`m eight figures up, and when you see me it`s TV
Mack ain`t getting caught up in charged with murder one
When you got loose you don`t do it, you simply get it done
Now who want to test and try push around Mack
Get this rap shit twisted and get your dome pushed back, huh??
[Chorus 2X]
[Mack 10]
Back to them O.G. gangsta for life critic piss
See I`m insane bangin Inglewood city kids
If rap fail today I`m back to cuttin chunks
Pushin work through the hood from down South to the Bronx
Nan they trip if they want to and get cheap thrills
Only MC with skills but not an MC with kills
And when the four kick I smash the letter pay the note
Everybody say hoe if ya love mack one-oh
Killas on my payroll`s a chain of command
but my neighbors don`t know; think I`m a family man, ha
I know sometime they wonder when the six four draggin
Hair braided, tatted up and I wear my pants saggin
Every room in my house stay flooded with heat
Livin in the hills but I still got tied to the street
Ain`t shit about me change worldwide, I`m respected
I`m Hoo-Bangin now but i`m still well connected, you know??
[Chorus 2X]
[vocoder outro]
From the streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiieeeeeeeiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooo
From the streets..
The lyrics to Mack 10's song, From tha Streetz, are a tribute to the rapper's roots and those who come from similar backgrounds. The track begins with a call to those in the ghetto and is an ode to "straight thugged-out" individuals, "Triple O.G.`s with the hot six fo's" and "three-time felons with the tattooed tears." Mack 10 praises those who cook up quality drugs and distribute them within the neighborhoods, generating revenue that helps out those who are struggling. The lyrics also reference the purity of various drugs, such as Peruvian and Ghetto D.
Mack 10 clearly takes pride in where he's from and represents his hometown to the fullest. He compares himself to the Hot Boys and Cash Money, revealing that he has elegantly-cautious cars and is always ready for any challenge that comes his way. He is proud of his tough image, and whether he succeeds or fails as a rapper, he knows he'll always have a place in the streets. Mack 10 closes the track by stating his continued respect for the culture and people he grew up with, and that he continues to be well-connected despite living in the hills.
Overall, the lyrics to From tha Streetz glorify the sometimes gritty street life and those who inhabit it. Mack 10 takes pride in representing where he's from and appreciates the individuals who are part of this world.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, this one goin out to everybody in every ghetto
Mack 10 is dedicating this song to all those who live in the ghetto
Turn it up and just so we accusin make sure it bumpin
He wants the listeners to turn up the volume of this song and enjoy it to the fullest
This is for the straight thugged-out, the low ride pro`s
The song is meant for those who live the gangster lifestyle and love to ride lowriders
Triple O.G.`s with the hot six fo`s
This line refers to the experienced and skilled gangsters who ride around in hot six-fours (a type of car)
Go fast ballers, bangin six gears
The fast-living ballers who drive around in cars with six gears and love to party hard
Three time felons with the tattooed tears
The line is referring to those who have been in prison multiple times and have tattooed tears as a symbol of their past pain and suffering
For all the homies out there that cook it up good
This line is in reference to people who cook up drugs and sell them
Distributin so up they project a neighborhood
The line is saying that drug dealers are so good at distributing drugs that they can influence the whole neighborhood
Whether it`s Peruvian or Ghetto D
This line refers to two different types of drugs - Peruvian cocaine and Ghetto D (a type of crack cocaine)
Won`t you bust down a kid and sell a ounce for me
The line is asking the listeners to sell a small amount of drugs for Mack 10
I`m from the ghetto so the hoodrats gettin propers
Being from the ghetto, he acknowledges the hoodrats (young females living in the ghetto) and gives them their props
Real criminals, robbers and the pit bulls squabblers
This line is referring to true criminals, robbers, and pit bull owners who are always ready to fight
Puttin down thousands till there ain`t nothin left
This line is in reference to how drug dealers can make a lot of money
cause real street riders, let em roll to the death
True gangsters are always ready to ride and fight till the end
I like fly shit so I scramble for the pay
Mack 10 likes materialism and will do whatever it takes to get rich
Rather hustle homeboy, then gangbang anyday
Mack 10 prefers to hustle and make money rather than indulge in gangbanging
Was down with the truce in nine-deuce though I looted
Mack 10 was once involved in a gang truce in 1992, despite being a looter
It`s the Y2K and i`m still khacki-suited, what you thought?
Mack 10 is still sporting khaki suits, which are a popular gangster fashion choice
From the streets, from the streets, from the streets
The chorus emphasizes the fact that Mack 10 is from the streets
Tell em where I`m from!
He wants the world to know where he comes from and what he represents
I represent where I`m from and I`m nutty as they come
Mack 10 represents his roots and is as crazy and wild as they come
I`m like them Hot Boys, got Cash Money and hot toys
This line is in reference to the Hot Boys, a popular gangster rap group. Mack 10 has the same wealth and possessions as them
Plus them automatic things to make the pop noise
He has automatic weapons that make loud popping sounds
for haters that resent me, they jealous evidently
Mack 10 believes his haters are simply jealous of his success
cause I flow through the city in a drop top Bentley
He drives around the city in a sleek convertible Bentley
But hustlas like me, just stay to the grind
He is a true hustler and will always stay focused on the grind
Pay you no mind and keep the safety off my nine
He doesn't pay attention to his detractors and keeps his firearm ready
I ain`t worried about you busters, we ain`t scared to kill
He's not afraid of his enemies and is willing to kill to protect himself
I was beastin before rap, I`m a street nia for real
Mack 10 was a gangster before becoming a rapper and is a true street hustler
I know sometime they wonder when the six four draggin
People may wonder why he drives his souped-up six-four car so low to the ground
Hair braided, tatted up and I wear my pants saggin
He has braided hair, tattoos, and sags his pants - all popular gangster fashion choices
Every room in my house stay flooded with heat
He keeps guns and weapons in every room in his house
Livin in the hills but I still got tied to the street
Despite being wealthy and living in the hills, Mack 10 still has ties to the streets
Ain`t shit about me change worldwide, I`m respected
He hasn't changed even after gaining worldwide recognition as a rapper, and is still respected on the streets
I`m Hoo-Bangin now but i`m still well connected, you know??
Even though he's now part of the rap group Hoo-Bangin, he's still well-connected in the gangster world
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DEDRICK D'MON ROLISON, JALIL HUTCHINS, JOHN B FLETCHER, LAWRENCE SMITH, TREYVON T GREEN, WILLIAM DREW CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BEATS BY DEV C
Mack 1-0 was dope back in the days.. Westside Connection could have made a bigger imprint in the rap game if they stayed together. WC goes hard too. .One of the best groups to ever do it.. Every member was on the same level.
robert tange
12 year old kid speaking up . BOW DOWN kid
Trent Yates
Mack is dope till this day
Rick Harding
Thing is Ice Cube and Mack 10 low key beefing
Kev Electric Highway
The feeling you get when you realize this track is 20 years old...
rattlehead54321
Whole lot more real than today's rappers
Mary Taylor
Love this song
Youssouf Mahamat
THIS IS THE REAL HIP HIP RAP SONG REPRESENT MACK 10 FOR ALL WORLD 4 EVER LEGEND
John JWC
when i was a hustler as a teen this was one of our main anthems :p those were the days. FROM THE STREETS FROM THE STREETS
daniel shor
MASTERPIECE MUSIC ITEM