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
Tight To Def
Mack 10 Lyrics
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Get money
T-Boz, Mack 10
Millennium Bonnie & Clyde
We hoo bangin' and hoo ridin'
What?
I was raised in the hood so what the heck
Catch me in the club parlayin'
Taking flicks with about hundred different 'certs
Up in my mix
I never knew nothin' but the hustle
I was able to deal
What they call the root of evil
Got me living on the hills
Still rollin' chrome boy, it's on boy
You can take the boy out the hood
But not the hood out the homeboy
[T-Boz]
When I walked into the place
Everybody could read my face
I am the illest bitch inside
Swing low, now let me ride
Playa, playa did I mention please
Have you sick down to your knees
Think you're good enought to tap, please
Now sing the hook ladies, hey
1 - [T-Boz]
Rollin' through the hood and it feels alright
Picking any fella that I want tonight
And if I feel like it, I just might
Cause I know, I know I'm tight, to def
Repeat 1
[T-Boz]
I step to the flyest guy
Look him dead ass in his eye
Check myself cause I know I'm fly
No need to ask me why
If you pull out I just might
Don't front or believe the hype
I come real, ain't the average type
Dut-dut-duta-dut, duta-dut
Repeat 1 (2x)
[Mack 10]
You haters is trife
You wish you had my life
Living in a three point somethin' with an R&B wife
I take care of my crew
Just ask my boo
Cause if I buy me some ice
Then I lace her too
My peak position on the charts is always one
And I never leave the house without packing a gun
Remember me back in my youth
But in case you missed it
Don't mess around and get done
Gettin' this rap stuff twisted
Mack got NBA figures like I'm hoopin'
You can catch me rag 'rari scoopin'
Or either Bentley Coupin'
You need to check your girl partna
She just blew me a kiss
Look at her jockin' the ice around my neck and my wrist
Her friend came up to me and said
I didn't want to stare but it's like a hood rat dream
To get to braid your hair
I said keep it real shorty it just ain't the brains alone
It's that whole thug mentality that turns you on
Now ain't it?
Repeat 1 (2x)
[Mack 10](T-Boz)
Hustle right to there ain't nothing left
And keep it tight to def
Hustle right to there ain't nothing left
And keep it tight to def
(Huh? Talk about it be about it)
Hustle right to there ain't nothing left
And keep it tight to def
(You know what they say, steady long, steady wrong)
Hustle right to there ain't nothing left
And keep it tight to def
Repeat 1 till end
The song "Tight To Def" is a collaboration between rapper Mack 10 and T-Boz, known for being a member of the R&B group TLC. The song has a catchy chorus and upbeat tempo. The lyrics describe the artists' success in the music industry, exuding confidence and pride in their abilities. Mack 10 talks about his rise to fame and fortune, living in the hills and cruising in expensive cars. T-Boz, on the other hand, boasts about being an "ill bitch" and having the power to attract any man she wants. The duo emphasizes the importance of hard work and the need to keep hustling in order to maintain their success.
The chorus repeats throughout the song, which emphasizes the artists' commitment to their careers and their belief in their ability to achieve greatness. The recurring phrase "tight to def" is a slang term that means being very good at something or being on top of one's game. Both Mack 10 and T-Boz exemplify this idea, as they continue to make waves in the music industry.
Overall, "Tight To Def" is a confident and energetic song that celebrates the artists' success and their unwavering commitment to their craft. It speaks to the idea that hard work and determination can lead to success in any field.
Line by Line Meaning
Get money
Make money
T-Boz, Mack 10
Collaborative artists
Millennium Bonnie & Clyde
Hip-hop duo
We hoo bangin' and hoo ridin'
Gang signs and cruising
I was raised in the hood so what the heck
I was brought up in the ghetto without a choice
So I represent the Wood and get respect
I represent my hometown (Inglewood, CA) and get recognized
Catch me in the club parlayin'
You can find me at the club hanging out
Taking flicks with about hundred different 'certs
Taking pictures with at least a hundred different women
Up in my mix
Part of my game
I never knew nothin' but the hustle
My life revolves around hustling to make money
I was able to deal
I know how to get by in life
What they call the root of evil
Money is often seen as the cause of problems
Got me living on the hills
Achieving financial success has led to a high living standard
Still rollin' chrome boy, it's on boy
I still drive a flashy car and am still hustling
You can take the boy out the hood
Leaving the neighborhood doesn't change who I am
But not the hood out the homeboy
The influence of the ghetto will always be a part of me
When I walked into the place
Upon entering the venue
Everybody could read my face
My expression conveyed my confidence and status
I am the illest bitch inside
I am the most dominant woman in the room
Swing low, now let me ride
I'm ready for some action
Playa, playa did I mention please
I'm addressing the men in the room
Have you sick down to your knees
I have the ability to control you sexually
Think you're good enought to tap, please
I challenge you to try to have sex with me
Rollin' through the hood and it feels alright
Driving through the ghetto brings a good feeling
Picking any fella that I want tonight
I get to choose who I want to spend the night with
And if I feel like it, I just might
I might take someone up on their offer
Cause I know, I know I'm tight, to def
I'm confident about my abilities and what I bring
I step to the flyest guy
I approach the most attractive man
Look him dead ass in his eye
I make eye contact with him
Check myself cause I know I'm fly
I acknowledge my own attractiveness
No need to ask me why
I don't need to explain my own confidence
If you pull out I just might
If you show interest, I might reciprocate
Don't front or believe the hype
Be genuine and don't get caught up in rumors
I come real, ain't the average type
I'm authentic and unique
Rollin' through the hood and it feels alright
Driving through the ghetto brings a good feeling
Picking any fella that I want tonight
I get to choose who I want to spend the night with
And if I feel like it, I just might
I might take someone up on their offer
Cause I know, I know I'm tight, to def
I'm confident about my abilities and what I bring
You haters is trife
You negative people are worthless
You wish you had my life
You're envious of my success
Living in a three point somethin' with an R&B wife
I'm living in luxury with my R&B singer wife
I take care of my crew
I provide for my friends
Just ask my boo
Ask my girlfriend
Cause if I buy me some ice
If I purchase jewelry
Then I lace her too
I'll buy her jewelry too
My peak position on the charts is always one
My music tops the charts
And I never leave the house without packing a gun
I always carry a gun for protection
Remember me back in my youth
Think back to my early days
But in case you missed it
In case you don't know my past
Don't mess around and get done
Don't start something you can't finish
Getting' this rap stuff twisted
Incorrectly understanding the rap music genre
Mack got NBA figures like I'm hoopin'
I have a lot of money like a professional basketball player
You can catch me rag 'rari scoopin'
You can see me driving my Ferrari
Or either Bentley Coupin'
Or driving my Bentley
You need to check your girl partna
You need to keep an eye on your girlfriend
She just blew me a kiss
She gave me a flirtatious gesture
Look at her jockin' the ice around my neck and my wrist
She is admiring my jewelry
Her friend came up to me and said
One of her friends approached me
I didn't want to stare but it's like a hood rat dream
I don't want to sound rude, but it seems like a poor girl's fantasy
To get to braid your hair
To have a close relationship with me
I said keep it real shorty it just ain't the brains alone
I replied that it's not just about looks, but also personality
It's that whole thug mentality that turns you on
It's my tough attitude that attracts you
Hustle right to there ain't nothing left
Keep hustling until there's no more left
And keep it tight to def
And keep your game strong
You know what they say, steady long, steady wrong
Being consistent doesn't necessarily mean being right
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER TROUTMAN, DINO HAWKINS, DEDRICK ROLISON, ERIC VIDAL, NICK VIDAL, TIONNE WATKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind