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
On Them Thangs
Mack 10 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's my Afrikan express I don't leave home without it
Summertime just ain't known for the weather
It's hot cause niggas bring out shit they put together
13 to 14 7's can't miss
But on some shit you got to let 15-8's twist
Chevy trucks and 'em
El Caminos anybody want Danas i got them for eight ??????
Gold or all chrome it's on
You out to get 'em cause the tires come with 'em
but they ain't for busters only hogs roll D's
So keep yo' stocks on if you can't fade these
Thousand in my pocket, yayo I rock it
Keep my lond clean so the car hops can jock it hit the switch up and down
Make the bumper drag the ground on the 'Shaw
Every Sunday night just to clown on them thangs
Get the hammer
Be sure that yo strap ain't a jammer and as long
As ain't nuthin' wrong then beat I'm on
As I watch for the lick i got the switch to make me hit
Front back side to side and three wheel shit
Won't hesitate to let loose niggas broke the gang truce
But I still roll my deuce that hang like a noose
It don't stop for Mack, it's the same ol' same ol'
Danas gold as I lay low, twisting like a tornado
in that surplus gear like the G of the year
Fuck the hour, it's all about the money and the power
Ain't about set trippin' no bloodin' no crippin'
Just dippin' hittin' switches knockin' hood rat bitches
As I'm rollin' out of control and smoking humps
Crank up the bumptie bumps 4 gates and square
Dumps so I bang it, make the 20's slide when I swang it
Lick it once lick it twice as nice
when I hang it on them thangs
D's I'm on 'em
Killas they want 'em
On them thangs...
Old Chevy's to Cadillacs on twisters and Doves
Everybody got a plaque given pub to they car club
Mafia for life individuals and Damus Ride
Majestics and them niggas from the southside
New school to old school get they ride on
Bendin' corners caravaning like 50 strong
In a Rag Top that and a hard top this
Bustin ho's cause you can't miss if you let 'em twist
So get you a set of them what we call Dana's
And see for yo'self all the bitches they brang us
cut the wheel right to left and make the ass end slide
Now all the riders ride and skate from side to side
On them thangs
In the song "On Them Thangs", Mack 10 raps about cruising and showing off his custom car on the streets. He mentions that he always carries his gun, which he calls his "Afrikan express", for protection. The summer season is also referenced, as it is the time when people bring out their custom cars to show off. Mack 10 mentions various car models and types of rims, including Dana rims, which he claims to have for sale. He also talks about hitting switches and doing hydraulic moves in his car, which attracts attention from car enthusiasts and women.
The lyrics of the song primarily revolve around the car culture in California and the West Coast, particularly in the 1990s when the song was released. The popularity of lowriders and custom cars during this time was evident through the numerous car clubs and cruises that took place. The gang culture and gun violence also prevalent in the area is also referenced in the first verse, highlighting the importance of carrying a gun for protection in the streets.
Overall, "On Them Thangs" is a celebration of the aesthetic and culture surrounding custom cars and cruising, as well as an assertion of personal safety in a turbulent environment.
Line by Line Meaning
When in the streets I keep my heat on my seat, no doubt about it
I always carry a gun when I'm out in the streets, without any hesitation.
It's my Afrikan express I don't leave home without it
My gun is so important to me, it's like an essential accessory that I never forget.
Summertime just ain't known for the weather
During summer, people tend to bring out their cars and showcase them.
It's hot cause niggas bring out shit they put together
The heat during summer is due to people showing off their self-made cars.
13 to 14 7's can't miss
Cars with 13 to 14 wheels always stand out.
But on some shit you got to let 15-8's twist
Sometimes, you have to let cars with 15-8 wheels show off their moves.
Chevy trucks and 'em
Chevy trucks and other similar vehicles.
El Caminos anybody want Danas i got them for eight ??????
I have Dana rims available for eight hundred dollars.
All day long
The availability of Dana rims is not a problem at any time of the day.
Gold or all chrome it's on
The rims are available in gold and chrome colors.
You out to get 'em cause the tires come with 'em
The rims come with tires, so it's a good deal.
but they ain't for busters only hogs roll D's
These rims aren't for anyone, only those serious with riding cars.
So keep yo' stocks on if you can't fade these
If you can't afford the Dana rims, stick with your regular ones.
Thousand in my pocket, yayo I rock it
I carry a lot of cash with me and I'm not afraid to spend it.
Keep my lond clean so the car hops can jock it hit the switch up and down
I keep my car clean and polished, so people can admire it when I show off its hydraulics.
Make the bumper drag the ground on the 'Shaw
I like to show off my car's hydraulics, dragging its bumper on the road in certain areas.
Every Sunday night just to clown on them thangs
I show off my car every Sunday night, just for fun.
Get the hammer
I pick up my gun.
Be sure that yo strap ain't a jammer and as long
Make sure your gun is working correctly and loaded.
As ain't nuthin' wrong then beat I'm on
Once the gun is loaded and ready, I'm good to go.
As I watch for the lick i got the switch to make me hit
I'm cautious and on alert, ready to use my gun if threatened or attacked.
Front back side to side and three wheel shit
My car's hydraulics can move it in various directions: front, back, sides, and on three wheels.
Won't hesitate to let loose niggas broke the gang truce
I'm not afraid to use my gun if someone breaks the agreement among gangs.
But I still roll my deuce that hang like a noose
Despite the possible dangers, I still ride my car with hydraulics that hang low.
It don't stop for Mack, it's the same ol' same ol'
Dangerous situations arise frequently, but for me it's just business as usual.
Danas gold as I lay low, twisting like a tornado
The Dana rims shine beautifully as I ride through the streets, twisting and turning like a tornado.
in that surplus gear like the G of the year
I dress in surplus military clothing, looking like the coolest gangster of the year.
Fuck the hour, it's all about the money and the power
I don't care about time, it's all about being rich and powerful.
Ain't about set trippin' no bloodin' no crippin'
Gangs don't matter, I don't have allegiance to any of them.
Just dippin' hittin' switches knockin' hood rat bitches
I'm just riding and showing off my car's hydraulics, attracting women.
As I'm rollin' out of control and smoking humps
I ride recklessly, not caring about the consequences, and smoking weed.
Crank up the bumptie bumps 4 gates and square
I turn up the music with heavy bass and ride down the street with four cars on each side.
Dumps so I bang it, make the 20's slide when I swang it
I use my car's hydraulics to make the 20-inch rims slide as I turn tightly.
Lick it once lick it twice as nice
I like to ride around in my car, enjoying the moment.
when I hang it on them thangs
When I ride and show off my car, it's clearly on display for everyone to see.
D's I'm on 'em
I have Dana rims installed on my car.
Killas they want 'em
Gang members who are willing to kill for these rims want them badly.
On them thangs...
The Dana rims look and perform best when shown off on a ride.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEDRICK D'MON ROLISON, MYCHAL-KAE SIMMONS, RICK JAMES, VICTOR TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Street GospeL
video takes me back home when the sun shined a lil different
Gerald Willis
Right
STOMPER
The 90s the sun did hit dufferent
Joshua Mendoza
Yea dat it shined brighter
Anthony Salas
@Stewbob112 rt1+++Ada AAQ AQA!,a is!!!aa!!! 11++-zzzz-zzz-zzzz
casemods
Global warming
Master Jedi
Hip Hop showed respect to the Elder Generation and used their samples.
casemods
@atomicdawg100 what do you think this is? Lol no respect to Rick James beat
atomicdawg100
Retro Collected
Thx bro ill check those out, cheers!
atomicdawg100
Retro Collected
Nah man its all good, depends on time and place rather than soely only upon who, real recognize real though.. everyones got good and bad points