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
Lights Out
Mack 10 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now that's cool
You know
I chill wit ch'all though a little bit
Fuck the music
I ain't give a fuck about that nigga
And he came hittin my weed
He came drinkin my Hen'
It's on
[Chorus: Knoc-Turn'al]
All lights are on
This is for the G in me, let's go (let's go)
Would ya party on with me? (get it crackin in this motherfucker)
Lights out
I'll give you everything you need, and more
[Verse 1: Ice Cube]
On the mic I been a deamon since seamen
How you screamin': Oh mama, here come that young O'Sama
With that Al-Quaida drama
Fuck no
It's the Dalai Lama, wit that West World Order
Now MC's Bow Down and treat me like Yoda
When they catch me in the corner after club
Like "nigga whuut", they t'ow up the dub
So you can tell Samuel L. I'ma keep ac'in
You can even tell that motherfucker Jassie Jackson
Pay your child suport, keep your payments up
Put a rubber on and don't fuck wit us
[Chorus: Knoc-Turn'al]
All lights are on
This is for the G in me, let's go
Would ya party all with me?
Lights out
I'll give you everything you need, and more
[Verse 2: Mack 10]
Mack pull up in the rag, Cevy laid the ass
And crumble green on a Zig-Zag and lacein' with hash
I keep a 9mm cocked and ready to blast
So when the phone jump off a nigga ready to smash
I drink my 'gnac out the bottle
I don't fuck wit a glass
And I ain't sip trippin dog, that's a thing of the past
And I stay in good shape so my stamina last
And put hands on a motherfucker bout my cash
I was a stick up kid, I snatch your chain and dash
And if the pawn shop wanted it I bound it fast
Or I'm creepin through your window breakin out your glass
Then I rob the whole party lookin through a ski-mask, c'mon
[Chorus: Knoc-Turn'al]
All lights are on
This is for the G in me, let's go
Would ya party all with me?
Lights out
I'll give you everything you need, and more
[Verse 3: W.C.]
From the land of the Lakers, bird brakers, Impala Peddles
While we chop dollars wit those in Supremo's
It's the check a hoe, when the cutlass checkin doe
So so ghetto Dub let's rep the boat
Ball griddy but a crew a hog's wit me
And V.I.P. yo from mad dog 20/20
Dub C. chunkin up at 23th
And better go still swiss hangin' like a testicle
Lick 1, 2 to the nose, my butt was swaz, huh
Take my picture, trick my foe's posein' like the heisman
I'm burnin' money, tryna slice some in you tummy (what)
Leave your panties gummy, have you walkin funny, trick
[Chorus: Knoc-Turn'al X2]
All lights are on
This is for the G in me, let's go
Would ya party all with me?
Lights out
I'll give you everything you need, and more
[Female Sings]
Ooooo...Lights Out
Ooooo...Lights Out
Ooooo...Lights Out
The song Lights Out, performed by Mack 10 and featuring Knoc-Turn'al and Ice Cube as well as W.C., is a gangsta rap track that conveys a message of aggression and dominance. Knoc-Turn'al starts the song by expressing his disregard for the other gangsta rappers he encounters, and even threatens them. Ice Cube follows with his razor-sharp rhymes, painting violent images of himself as a demon that commands respect from others. Mack 10 picks up the baton from there, detailing his criminal past and present, and warning people not to mess with him. Finally, W.C. offers his version of how life is lived through the lens of a West Coast LA gangsta, with all the style and bravado the image suggests.
Lights Out is a song that is rich with bravado, braggadocio, and machismo. It depicts a world where the people in power are those who are ruthless, cunning, and unapologetic. The lyrics reinforce the worst stereotypes of gangsta rap as a genre, with violent imagery and profanity that glorify the very behaviors that contribute to the problem of inner-city violence. The chorus, sung by Knoc-Turn'al, is catchy and anthemic, encouraging listeners to party and live life to the fullest, no matter the cost. Overall, the song is a quintessential example of gangsta rap, and a fitting tribute to the harsh realities of life in many urban areas.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that's cool
I'm not really interested in music, but I'll hang out with you guys anyways.
You know
I'm just trying to be friendly and casual here.
I chill wit ch'all though a little bit
I spend time with you guys, but not all that often.
Fuck the music
I don't care about music, I'm just here to hang out.
I ain't give a fuck about that nigga
That guy doesn't matter to me at all.
And he came hittin my weed
He smoked my weed without asking.
He came drinkin my Hen'
He drank my Hennessy without asking.
Matter fact if I see him in traffic, even know y'all fuck with him
If I see him on the street, even though you guys like him, I'm going to confront him.
It's on
I'm ready to fight him if I see him.
All lights are on
This is a moment of intensity and adrenaline.
This is for the G in me, let's go (let's go)
This is a moment where my inner gangster is taking over and I'm ready to go.
Would ya party on with me? (get it crackin in this motherfucker)
Let's have a good time and get this party started.
Lights out
This is a moment where aggression and violence are taking over.
I'll give you everything you need, and more
I'm willing to go all out and give my all in this moment.
On the mic I been a deamon since seamen
I've been a fierce and ruthless rapper since I started.
How you screamin': Oh mama, here come that young O'Sama
People are scared of me and compare me to Osama bin Laden.
With that Al-Quaida drama
I have a reputation for being violent and inciting controversy.
Fuck no
I'm not afraid of anything or anyone.
It's the Dalai Lama, wit that West World Order
I'm peaceful and spiritual, but still powerful and in charge.
Now MC's Bow Down and treat me like Yoda
Other rappers look up to me and respect me for my skills.
When they catch me in the corner after club
Other rappers try to approach me and talk to me after shows.
Like "nigga whuut", they t'ow up the dub
They try to act tough and throw up their gang signs to impress me.
So you can tell Samuel L. I'ma keep ac'in
I'm going to keep acting and rapping no matter what.
You can even tell that motherfucker Jassie Jackson
I don't care about the opinions of anyone, even famous civil rights activists like Jesse Jackson.
Pay your child suport, keep your payments up
You need to take care of your kids and make sure you're paying what you owe.
Put a rubber on and don't fuck wit us
Use a condom and don't mess with us.
Mack pull up in the rag, Cevy laid the ass
I arrived in a fancy, expensive car that turns heads.
And crumble green on a Zig-Zag and lacein' with hash
I'm smoking weed mixed with hash oil.
I keep a 9mm cocked and ready to blast
I have a loaded gun and I'm not afraid to use it.
So when the phone jump off a nigga ready to smash
If something goes down, I'm ready to fight and defend myself.
I drink my 'gnac out the bottle
I'm drinking cognac straight from the bottle.
I don't fuck wit a glass
I don't use a glass when I drink, I just drink straight from the bottle.
And I ain't sip trippin dog, that's a thing of the past
I used to drink and trip, but I don't do that anymore.
And I stay in good shape so my stamina last
I work out and take care of my body so I can keep going and not get tired.
And put hands on a motherfucker bout my cash
I'm willing to fight and get violent if someone tries to take my money.
I was a stick up kid, I snatch your chain and dash
I used to rob people and steal jewelry from them.
And if the pawn shop wanted it I bound it fast
I would sell the stolen jewelry to a pawn shop as quickly as possible.
Or I'm creepin through your window breakin out your glass
I'm not afraid to break into someone's house and steal from them.
Then I rob the whole party lookin through a ski-mask, c'mon
I'm not afraid to show up to a party wearing a ski mask and rob everyone there.
From the land of the Lakers, bird brakers, Impala Peddles
I come from a place where people love basketball and cars like Impalas.
While we chop dollars wit those in Supremo's
We make money and do business with other gangs or groups.
It's the check a hoe, when the cutlass checkin doe
We are searching and checking for prostitutes in a Cutlass (car).
So so ghetto Dub let's rep the boat
Let's represent our ghetto and our crew.
Ball griddy but a crew a hog's wit me
I might act flashy and rich, but I'm always with my friends/hog's.
And V.I.P. yo from mad dog 20/20
We get VIP treatment and drink Mad Dog 20/20 (cheap alcohol).
Dub C. chunkin up at 23th
I'm making the 'W' sign (representing West Coast) at 23rd street.
And better go still swiss hangin' like a testicle
I wear my watch higher up on my arm like a bracelet or accessory.
Lick 1, 2 to the nose, my butt was swaz, huh
I took a hit of cocaine, which made my nose numb, and it made me feel good.
Take my picture, trick my foe's posein' like the heisman
I'm posing for a picture, pretending to be tough like a Heisman trophy winner.
I'm burnin' money, tryna slice some in you tummy (what)
I'm spending money rapidly, trying to make you jealous or impress you.
Leave your panties gummy, have you walkin funny, trick
I'll have sex with you and make you sore from it afterwards.
Ooooo...Lights Out
This chorus represents the feeling of aggression and intensity that's been building up in the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MAC REBENNACK, MALCOLM J. REBENNACK, SETH DAVID, DAVID SETH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PsM
Mack 10s verse is fire!!!
Killed it
Dj walruss
Smooth pimped out style
JoJoWorld
@Dj walruss then i rob the whole party lookin through a ski mask cmon!
Lady Dahmer
KILLER SONG!! & Knockturn'Als hook is ABSOLUTE FIRE!!
A
2021 & it still slaps !
Lance Singleton
2022
Nick Stachowiak
Just checking.....yup, this entire album is still a banger.
JoJoWorld
it’s been on repeat lately💯
Arjay M
The good times man......Real music 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
BIG DADDY TRIPS 619
This album was dope