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
Only In California
Mack 10 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Speak on it my nigga, speak on it (and my heat go)
[Chorus]
Only in California
Where niggas pull heat and run up on ya (get your grind on)
Only in California (California)
Where niggas pull heat and run up ya (run up on ya)
Ice Cube the motherfucking don
Snoop Doggy Dogg a.k.a. The Doggfather
Mack 10 alias the Chicken Hawk
Gangstas with rules
Cause you'se the niggas with no rules
Ain't got nothing to lose, we got everything to lose
Threw his ass in, he feel the fin of the barracuda
I negotiate Mack is the shooter
You the nigga on the journey strapped to this gurney
We break breads with accountants and attorneys
Currency never worry me (never)
Who's got the balls to murder me
Degree higher than a 33
Tell em what you drank (Hennessy)
Never tell em what you thinking
Never tell em where the body stinking
Fuck Lincoln, fuck Jackson, banking Franklin what you thanking
Hope your man come with the ransom
Let me see you dance on, no longer handsome
If you don't drop off than walk off, watch him, watch him
[Chorus]
[Snoop Doggy Dogg]
Them west coast niggas is real set trippas
Will get you for them zippers, on a quest for them chippas
Sliding while we riding, not even hitting switches
Hanging at the high school getting at them young bitches
I got the dove sacks, homies love that (who got the bud)
Where the bud at, hollering at my big homeboy who fresh out
Hanging at my grand mama house, homie burnt out
What you gonna do when you get out of jail (speak on it)
I'm gonna have some fun
What do you consider fun a ounce and about five hun
So I put him on a move that I know about
Hooked him with a home girl from the South (good looking out)
Money made, plug a player in the game
Especially when he represent the same thing I claim
Damn they don't make niggas like they used to
That's probably why I keep a tight grip on my deuce deuce (that's real)
Cause everybody wanna be a star
In the city of dope, a.k.a. caviar
[Chorus]
[Mack 10]
What have we a house full of cavi (no stress)
Well known riders from different sides of the West
Got the hi-zoes licking up so hard we sticking up niggas
Tired of the bullshit so we clicken up
Nigga please we ain't tripping off C's and B's
It's the West side Connect with the DPG's
For the cheese we jab with the gift of the gab
Always capping, Mack, Cube and Snoop rapping
Now how did that happen it's all good (fool)
So peep game If you could
Snoop be from Long Beach and I be from Inglewood
Now you despise cause it came to yo surprise
Two well known enemies now becoming allies
In Californ-I-A we parlay the G way
Some wear red and black and some sport blue and gray
So gangsta's don't dance we hang boogie and bang
So it's the Westside Connect with the Dogg Pound Gang
[Chorus]
[Ice Cube]
There we have it, Ice motherfucking Cube
The big fish, rolling with the atomic dog
Snoop Doggy Dogg, down with the ring leader
Mack motherfucking 10, coming back once again
Nigga we make and spend nigga
And my heat goes boom boom boom boom boom boom
The song "Only In California" is a collaborative effort of three West Coast rappers, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Mack 10. Released in 1996, the song talks about the culture and lifestyle of California, with the rappers boasting about their skills as gun-toting gangsters. In the opening lines of the track, Ice Cube can be heard saying, "speak on it my nigga, speak on it (and my heat go)," which means to express one's opinions boldly.
The song's chorus repeats the line "Only in California" throughout the track, highlighting the uniqueness of the lifestyle and experiences in California, according to the rappers. They also mention a sense of brotherhood among gangsters in California, who share common goals and ethics. They talk about how gangsters break bread with attorneys and accountants, emphasizing the importance of learning the ropes of the trade to succeed.
The lyrics speak about the struggles and hardships that gangsters face, with Mack 10 saying "tired of the bullshit, so we clicken up." It describes the challenges of everyday life for the rappers, which include sticking up n****s and watching their backs for potential threats.
Line by Line Meaning
Ice Cube the motherfucking don
Ice Cube is the leader, the top of the food chain
Snoop Doggy Dogg a.k.a. The Doggfather
Snoop Dogg is like a father to his crew
Mack 10 alias the Chicken Hawk
Mack 10 is known as the Chicken Hawk
Gangstas with rules
They are gangsters but they have their own set of rules
Cause you'se the niggas with no rules
The people they're referring to have no rules
Ain't got nothing to lose, we got everything to lose
The gangsters have everything to lose while the people they're referring to have nothing to lose
Threw his ass in, he feel the fin of the barracuda
Someone got in trouble and is now fish food
I negotiate Mack is the shooter
Mack 10 is the one who will do the shooting
You the nigga on the journey strapped to this gurney
The person being talked about is going on a journey strapped to a gurney
We break breads with accountants and attorneys
They network with professionals
Currency never worry me (never)
They are not worried about money
Who's got the balls to murder me
Whoever wants to harm them, do they have the courage?
Degree higher than a 33
Their philosophy or way of life is higher and more important than that of the Freemasons
Tell em what you drank (Hennessy)
They ask what they drank, which is Hennessy
Never tell em what you thinking
They shouldn't tell people what they're thinking
Never tell em where the body stinking
They should never reveal where or how they got rid of the body
Fuck Lincoln, fuck Jackson, banking Franklin what you thanking
They don't care about US Presidents except for Franklin because of the money
Hope your man come with the ransom
They hope the ransom is delivered
Let me see you dance on, no longer handsome
If someone doesn't deliver the ransom, there will be consequences
If you don't drop off than walk off, watch him, watch him
If someone doesn't drop off the ransom, they need to walk away and be watched
Them west coast niggas is real set trippas
West coast people are really into their sets
Will get you for them zippers, on a quest for them chippas
They will get you for your pants and money
Sliding while we riding, not even hitting switches
They're riding low but aren't even pressing buttons to lower the car more
Hanging at the high school getting at them young bitches
They hangout at high school to pick up girls
I got the dove sacks, homies love that (who got the bud)
He has the good weed and everyone is enjoying it
Where the bud at, hollering at my big homeboy who fresh out
Asking where the weed is and talking to a friend who just got out of jail
Hanging at my grand mama house, homie burnt out
They're hanging out at grandma's house and they're high
What you gonna do when you get out of jail (speak on it)
They're asking what someone will do once they're out of jail
I'm gonna have some fun
They will enjoy themselves once out of jail
What do you consider fun a ounce and about five hun
Their idea of fun is getting an ounce of weed and $500
So I put him on a move that I know about
They helped their friend out with a job they know about
Hooked him with a home girl from the South (good looking out)
They set him up with a girl from the South and helped him out
Money made, plug a player in the game
They made money and brought someone in the business
Especially when he represent the same thing I claim
They brought someone in with similar interests
Damn they don't make niggas like they used to
People aren't like they used to be
That's probably why I keep a tight grip on my deuce deuce (that's real)
That's why they keep their gun close to them
Cause everybody wanna be a star
Everyone wants to be famous
In the city of dope, a.k.a caviar
In California, the people are into drugs and luxurious items
What have we a house full of cavi (no stress)
They have a house full of luxurious items and aren't worried about anything
Well known riders from different sides of the West
Well-known people from different parts of the West
Got the hi-zoes licking up so hard we sticking up niggas
They have high people so addicted to drugs, they'll rob others for it
Tired of the bullshit so we clicken up
They're tired of nonsense so they're sticking together
Nigga please we ain't tripping off C's and B's
They don't care about crips and bloods
It's the West side Connect with the DPG's
They are connecting Westside people with the Dogg Pound Gang
For the cheese we jab with the gift of the gab
They talk their way through things to get money
Always capping, Mack, Cube, and Snoop rapping
They always talk about their success and themselves
Now how did that happen it's all good (fool)
They're surprised by their success and everything is fine
So peep game If you could
Pay attention if you can
Snoop be from Long Beach and I be from Inglewood
Snoop is from Long Beach and Mack 10 is from Inglewood
Now you despise cause it came to yo surprise
People are upset because they're surprised
Two well known enemies now becoming allies
Enemies are now working together
In Californ-I-A we parlay the G way
In California, they're living the gangster way
Some wear red and black and some sport blue and gray
Some gangs wear red and black, while others wear blue and gray
So gangsta's don't dance we hang boogie and bang
They don't dance, they just hang out and fight
There we have it, Ice motherfucking Cube
They introduce Ice Cube
The big fish, rolling with the atomic dog
Ice Cube is the big boss with the atomic dog, referring to Snoop Dogg
Mack motherfucking 10, coming back once again
Mack 10 is coming back again
Nigga we make and spend nigga
They make and spend money
And my heat goes boom boom boom boom boom boom
They have a gun and it's ready to go
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: O'SHEA JACKSON, ADAM KEEFE HOROVITZ, JOSEPH WARD SIMMONS, DARRYL MATTHEWS MCDANIELS, RICK RUBIN, PRIEST J. BROOKS, CALVIN CORDAZOR BROADUS, DEDRICK D'MON ROLISON, DELMAR DREW ARNAUD
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