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
Should I Stay Or Should I Go
Mack 10 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shit, don't speak too soon
I got to know, baby
I got to know, baby
Girl, do you still wanna be a ho? (Huh?)
I got to know, baby, should I stay or should I go? (What?)
I got to know, should I stay or should I go?
Fuck this condo and with John Doe
You a bomb ho, black enchicando
You must think I'm soprano, you better trun the channel
I wanna grab you like a handle
You ill scream "Book him Dano!", here come the crack commando
wit his guns and his ammo
Tryin to blow out my candle
I'ma stop fuckin wit you for your cousin in Orlando (fo' sho', fo' sho')
I got to know, baby, should I stay or should I go?
Will I end up with strike number four?
I got to know, should I stay or should I go?
Should I stay or should I go take a hit or say "no"? (No)
Shoot the jumpshot, run the rock or sell blow?
Get a whole gallon of loot, do a show
Keep the square bitch or should I bust me a ho?
You got the green light, break grass so I can write
We gonna stock all big heads, I recite hella types (right)
Always mashin like pedals, packin fully heavy metals
To the new school leader with the big rebels
See the shinin sea, Westside is the thang (westsiiiide!)
We're down to Hoo Bang with the ghetto slang
Heads boppin and frownin like it's nasty
The class crackin, hard rockin like the cavi, ask me
I never lie, I keep it to the real
Rollin like a big wheel ever since I had a deal
Mack move the crowd like an automatic Uza (BRRRRW!)
That three time loser's wreckin lotta polluters
Nigga what? (Nigga what?)
Should I stay or should I go?
Do you wanna see Mack 1-0?
I got to know, should I stay or should I go? (Bitch what?)
You a tease (fuck a tease)
You a tease (fuck a tease)
You a tease (fuck a tease)
You a tease (fuck a tease)
You a tease (fuck a tease)
You a tease (fuck a tease)
You a tease (fuck a tease)
Bitch please (catch these)
Bitch please (catch these)
You wanna leave, girl, no way
My forte is to flip it like O.J.
You gots ta obey O'Shea
Like your ass was an ol fade and nothin but a trophy
Give my nigga Mack a 40, maintain orders
Strandin orders, walkin target, stalkin chargers
Walk the hardest, you should move the force
Cos I'ma fight, it's love, I'm right behind ya
Over-protective, you shouldnt've gave it to me (never)
Said it was mine and handed a baby to me
Now I'm on it, like I own it
I better go, ho, before I end up on death row
Mack 10 be the G with the color bandana
I fiend for the mic with a jonez like Indiana
Never fuck a broad white as Vanna, I like em tanner
Always lookin for pussy, detect a freak like a scanner
I say "Beeyatch! My name is Mack 1-0
and you the baddest ho at the show in the front row
You give head? If so, I wanna blow
Meet me at the Nico in room 3-0-4"
I heard a knock (what?), there's somebody at the do'
Baby came in, sucked me down like a pro
"What else ya wanna do?" I replied "I don't know"
She said "Mack 1-0, well should I stay or should I go?" Yo
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO, YO?
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO, YO?
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO, YO?
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO, YO?
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO, YO?
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO, YO?
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO, YO?
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO, YO?
I'MA GO, YO! I'MA GO, YO!
I got to know, baby
I got to know, baby
Handle me this chick, get the fuck outta here
Huh, real quick, real quick
Bitch, you crazy, you crazy
I'm gone, I'm gone
A yeah yeah
The lyrics of Mack 10's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" present a dilemma faced in a romantic relationship. Mack 10 questions his partner's intentions regarding their future together. The rapper wonders if his partner still wants to engage in a promiscuous lifestyle or if she is ready to be in a committed relationship. The line "Girl, do you still wanna be a ho?" shows how Mack 10's partner's desire to engage in sexual activities with different partners might affect their relationship. Mack 10 also questions if his partner's behavior will cause him to get into trouble with the law. The lyrics further portray the rapper's use of force and intimidation to control his partner. Finally, the song ends with Mack 10 opting to leave his partner to avoid getting into serious trouble.
The lyrics of "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" were released under Mack 10's sixth studio album, Bang or Ball, in 2001. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number 5 on the US Billboard 200 and being certified gold by the RIAA. The song did not receive as much commercial success as some of the other tracks on the album. However, it still garnered a considerable amount of airplay in the United States.
Mack 10 is often regarded as one of the pioneers of the West Coast hip-hop scene, along with rappers such as Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. The rapper's often aggressive and violent lyrics helped shape gangsta rap, a sub-genre in hip-hop music that glorified gang violence and criminal activities. Gangsta rap was often criticized for promoting negative stereotypes and glorifying violence, but it also provided a platform for marginalized communities to voice their opinions and experiences.
The line "Mack 10 be the G with the color bandana" refers to the rapper's signature fashion accessory, the red bandana. The red bandana is often associated with the Bloods street gang, with whom Mack 10 is famously associated. The line is a nod to the rapper's gang affiliation.
The line "I'ma stop fuckin wit you for your cousin in Orlando (fo' sho', fo' sho')" is a reference to another of Mack 10's songs, "Connected For Life," released in 2002 as part of the album Da Hood. The song features fellow West Coast rapper Ice Cube, and both rappers refer to their gang ties and how they are connected to other gang members in different cities.
Another recurring theme in "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" is Mack 10's love for money and material possessions. The rapper talks about "selling blow" and making "a whole gallon of loot," a reference to drug dealing and the profits that come with it. The lyrics also mention "runnin' the rock," which could be a reference to playing basketball, but also suggests the lucrative business of drug trafficking.
In terms of music influences, "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" borrows its title from the song of the same name by The Clash. The Clash were a British punk rock band that gained popularity in the late '70s and early '80s. The song is often associated with the punk rock movement and is recognized as one of the band's most iconic songs.
Chords: Unfortunately, the chords to "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" are not available as it is a sample-based song. The track heavily samples The Clashes famous song of the same name.
Line by Line Meaning
Mack, you got everything on here except some damn rock'n'roll
You seem to have every other type of music here except rock'n'roll
Shit, don't speak too soon
Hold on a minute before jumping to conclusions
I got to know, baby
I need to find out something, my dear
Girl, do you still wanna be a ho? (Huh?)
Is it still your intention to be promiscuous?
I got to know, baby, should I stay or should I go? (What?)
I need to make a decision whether to remain or leave
Do you want this nigga in a 6-double O?
Do you desire me in a 600 car?
I got to know, should I stay or should I go?
I need to decide if I should leave or stay
Fuck this condo and with John Doe
Screw this condominium and John Doe as well
You a bomb ho, black enchicando
You are an attractive woman with African American ancestry
You must think I'm soprano, you better turn the channel
You seem to think I'm involved in illegal activities, you should leave me
I wanna grab you like a handle
I want to hold you firmly
You ill scream "Book him Dano!", here come the crack commando wit his guns and his ammo
If I do something wrong, you'll call the authorities and the Special Forces will come with their weapons and ammunition
Tryin to blow out my candle
You are trying to ruin me
I'ma stop fuckin wit you for your cousin in Orlando (fo' sho', fo' sho')
I will stop interacting with you because of your cousin's presence in Orlando
Will I end up with strike number four?
Am I going to get my fourth felony charge?
Should I stay or should I go take a hit or say "no"? (No)
Should I stay or should I abstain from using drugs?
Shoot the jumpshot, run the rock or sell blow?
Should I play basketball, run track, or sell drugs?
Get a whole gallon of loot, do a show
Acquire plenty of wealth by performing
Keep the square bitch or should I bust me a ho?
Should I stick with the good girl or pursue a promiscuous one?
You got the green light, break grass so I can write
You have my approval, clear the area so I can create
We gonna stock all big heads, I recite hella types (right)
We're going to store a lot of weapons and ammunition, and I will rap many different types of music
Always mashin like pedals, packin fully heavy metals
I'm always moving like a bicycle's pedals, carrying a lot of weapons
To the new school leader with the big rebels
I am the leader of the new school with the most rebellious people
See the shinin sea, Westside is the thang (westsiiiide!)
Look at the sparkling sea, the Westside is trending (Westside!)
We're down to Hoo Bang with the ghetto slang
We're good with the ghetto language of Hoo Bang
Heads boppin and frownin like it's nasty
People are nodding their heads and making disgusted faces
The class crackin, hard rockin like the cavi, ask me
The group is awesome, playing the music with energy, feel free to ask me
I never lie, I keep it to the real
I'm honest and always speak the truth
Rollin like a big wheel ever since I had a deal
I've been rolling in success ever since signing a record deal
Mack move the crowd like an automatic Uza (BRRRRW!)
I, Mack 10, excite the crowd like a rapid-fire submachine gun
That three time loser's wreckin lotta polluters
The person who has lost three times is ruining a lot of things
Nigga what? (Nigga what?)
What did you say?
Do you wanna see Mack 1-0?
Do you want to meet me, Mack 10?
You a tease (fuck a tease)
You are leading me on (I don't like that)
Bitch please (catch these)
Stop playing games (feel the consequences)
You wanna leave, girl, no way
You want to go away, but you're not allowed
My forte is to flip it like O.J.
My talent is to turn things around like O.J. Simpson did during his football career
You gots ta obey O'Shea
You need to obey me, O'Shea Jackson (my real name)
Like your ass was an ol fade and nothin but a trophy
Like your butt is an old fashioned haircut, nothing more than something desirable
Give my nigga Mack a 40, maintain orders
Give my friend Mack 10 a 40 ounce bottle of malt liquor and follow his instructions
Strandin orders, walkin target, stalkin chargers
Receive my orders, walk as a target, and stalk the Chargers (an NFL team)
Walk the hardest, you should move the force
Be tough, and you will lead the way for others
Cos I'ma fight, it's love, I'm right behind ya
Because I will fight, it's out of love, and I'll stand by you
Over-protective, you shouldnt've gave it to me (never)
I'm very protective, you shouldn't have entrusted it to me (never)
Said it was mine and handed a baby to me
You claimed the baby was mine and gave it to me
Now I'm on it, like I own it
Now I'm working hard on this as if it belongs to me
I better go, ho, before I end up on death row
I better leave, girl, or I'll end up in prison's death row
Mack 10 be the G with the color bandana
I, Mack 10, am a gangster with a colored bandana
I fiend for the mic with a jonez like Indiana
I have an intense undying desire for the microphone, like Indiana Jones hunting for treasure
Never fuck a broad white as Vanna, I like em tanner
I never have sex with a white woman as white as Vanna White, I prefer women with darker skin
Always lookin for pussy, detect a freak like a scanner
I'm always seeking out women for sex, like a scanner detects things
I say "Beeyatch! My name is Mack 1-0
I say "Fool! I am Mack 10!
and you the baddest ho at the show in the front row
and you are the most attractive and promiscuous woman at the concert in the front row
You give head? If so, I wanna blow
Do you perform oral sex? If so, I want to receive it
Meet me at the Nico in room 3-0-4"
Let's meet at the Nico Hotel in room 304
I heard a knock (what?), there's somebody at the do'
I heard a knocking sound (what's that?), someone's at the door
Baby came in, sucked me down like a pro
The woman came in and performed oral sex on me like a professional
"What else ya wanna do?" I replied "I don't know"
"What else do you want to do?" I answered, "I don't know"
She said "Mack 1-0, well should I stay or should I go?" Yo
She said, "Mack 10, should I leave or should I stay?"
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO, YO?
"Should I leave or should I stay, you know?"
I'MA GO, YO! I'MA GO, YO!
"I'm going to go, you know! I'm going to go, you know!"
Handle me this chick, get the fuck outta here
Give me this woman and leave immediately
Huh, real quick, real quick
Hurry up, hurry up
Bitch, you crazy, you crazy
You're crazy, you're crazy
I'm gone, I'm gone
I'm leaving, I'm leaving
A yeah yeah
Oh yes, oh yes
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind