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
bow down
Mack 10 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't fuck with my stack the gage is racked
About to drop the bomb I am the motherfucking don
Big fish in a small pond
Now the feds want to throw the book at the crook
But I shook they worm and they hook
Guppies hold they breath they want to miss me
When I am tipsey
Its the unseen pulling strings wit my pinky ring
We got your woman so pucker up
Fo we fuck her up
Bow down before I make a phone call
Got 25 niggas running up on y'all
Fo the cheese we want them keys
Everybody freeze on ya knees butt naked please
Before any of you guppies get heart
Nigga rewind my part and (Bow Down)
I take ten steps and I draw
Now who's dissing the mad ass Inglewood
Addition
I bust like a pimple my mind is ill mental
The Westside connects with me and south central
And a drag from the zig zag can't fuck with the
Philly's
Holding down the wild west like a kid they
Call Billy
Once again it's Mack 10 the gold crown hold of
Strong as a Coca-Cola with a crome pistola
Now who want to fuss so I can buss when I cuss
My look bring you fear with gear deom the Surplus
Since a teen I chased the green the crack scene
King
Lolos Cornishes and Bagguetts on my pieces
So recognize these real G's take the cheese
The west side connection keep it rolling like gold
D's
Three Wheeling and Dealing is like the California
Style
But in the mean while in my town you got to
Bow
Bow Down when you come to my town
Bow down when we west-ward bound 'cause
We ain't no haters like you
Bow Down to some nigga's that's greater than
You
Well it's that chuck wearing still sporting a
Beanie the shadiest
Nigga in the click who want to see me as I slide
My locs on let
My khakis hang west side connect gang bing bing
Bang run away run
Away or get yo punk ass sprayed by this H double
O to D to the
S.T.A fuck hiding it I am gang related simple and
Plain which
Means I could give a fuck about you nigga's in
The rap game
Flashy nigga's get stuck up beat the fuck up when
You come around
Keep your chain tucked from this zero zero's
Affiliated fuck a
Studio lyricist I'm real with this talk the talk
Walk the walk
Dis me on wax and I am trying to saw your whole fucking
Head off
Nigga
I'm platinum bond so bitch shut up punk all yea
Could kiss my converse like sh'o 'nough
Bow Down when you come to my town
Bow down when we west-ward bound 'cause
We ain't no haters like you
Bow Down to some nigga's that's greater than
You
(Yea lemme tell you something)
(gangster's make the world go round)
(you ain't gotta clown)
(But if you living on the west side of yo town)
(Make them other fool's bow down)
The lyrics in Mack 10's song Bow Down exude a sense of dominance and power, as the rapper asserts his control over the West Coast rap scene. The song portrays Mack 10 as an untouchable figure, with lyrics like "the world is mine" and "big fish in a small pond." He warns others not to "fuck with [his] stack," as he wields his power through threats of violence and references to gang affiliation.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Bow Down," further emphasizing Mack 10's dominance and demanding respect from others. He boasts about having "25 niggas running up on y'all" and about his ability to make others "freeze on ya knees butt naked please." Overall, the song paints a picture of a rapper in control, unafraid to assert his power and demand reverence.
One interesting interpretation of the song is that it represents the West Coast's response to the East Coast's dominance in the rap scene during the 1990s. The West Coast felt ignored and disrespected by the East Coast's media-dominating rap scene and used songs like Bow Down to establish their own power and assert their presence.
Line by Line Meaning
The world is mine nigga get back
I am powerful and in control, so stay out of my way
Don't fuck with my stack the gage is racked
Don't mess with my money or you will face the consequences
About to drop the bomb I am the motherfucking don
I am about to make a big move that will solidify my power
Big fish in a small pond
I may not be the most powerful person in the world, but in my community, I am a force to be reckoned with
Now the feds want to throw the book at the crook
Law enforcement is after me and is trying to charge me with a crime
But I shook they worm and they hook
I evaded law enforcement and their tactics
Guppies hold they breath they want to miss me
My enemy's subordinates are waiting for my mistake
When I am tipsey
I may let my guard down when I am intoxicated
Running everything west of the Mississippi
I have control over everything in the west United States
Its the unseen pulling strings wit my pinky ring
I am powerful behind the scenes and control things subtly
We got your woman so pucker up
We have kidnapped or taken control of your significant other, so you should prepare yourself for our demands
Fo we fuck her up
If you don't comply with our demands, we will harm your significant other
Bow down before I make a phone call
Respect my power or face the consequences
Got 25 niggas running up on y'all
I have a gang ready to attack you if you cross me
Fo the cheese we want them keys
We want money, specifically in exchange for access to something valuable we are after
Everybody freeze on ya knees butt naked please
I have control over your life and actions, so you must follow my orders or be punished
Before any of you guppies get heart
Don't try to challenge my power or you will regret it
Nigga rewind my part and (Bow Down)
Replay what I have said and understand my power
I take ten steps and I draw
I am quick to resort to violence and always prepared to defend myself
Now who's dissing the mad ass Inglewood
Who is trying to challenge my power in Inglewood?
Addition
An additional thought, as if speaking off the cuff
I bust like a pimple my mind is ill mental
I am impulsive and have violent tendencies because of my mental state
The Westside connects with me and south central
I have ties and control over the Westside and South Central LA
And a drag from the zig zag can't fuck with the Philly's
Even the highest quality marijuana cannot compare to the level of power and influence I hold
Holding down the wild west like a kid they Call Billy
I am keeping a tight grip on the wild west, akin to a child handling a toy
Once again it's Mack 10 the gold crown hold of
I am announcing my name and position of power
Strong as a Coca-Cola with a crome pistola
I am powerful and influential like a Coca-Cola and carry a gun to solidify my strength and control
Now who want to fuss so I can buss when I cuss
Who is looking to challenge my power so I can respond with violence?
My look bring you fear with gear deom the Surplus
My appearance and attire cause fear because they suggest my power and affiliation with the military
Since a teen I chased the green the crack scene
From a young age, I have been pursuing money and involved in the drug trade
King
I am the ruler over this area
Lolos Cornishes and Bagguetts on my pieces
I have expensive jewelry, displaying my wealth and power
So recognize these real G's take the cheese
Acknowledge the true gangsters and be willing to pay for their loyalty
The west side connection keep it rolling like gold D's
The gangs on the west side are a powerful, profitable connection that will continue to prosper and stay in control
Three Wheeling and Dealing is like the California Style
The way business is conducted is unique to California and involves both deal-making and crime
But in the mean while in my town you got to Bow
Until things change, you must show subservience to my power
Bow Down when you come to my town
Show respect and submission when in my area
Bow down when we west-ward bound 'cause We ain't no haters like you
When traveling west, show respect because we don't act like petty haters
Well it's that chuck wearing still sporting a Beanie the shadiest
I am still dressing in my casual and stereotypical gangster attire, signaling my intent and power
Nigga in the click who want to see me as I slide My locs on let My khakis hang west side connect gang bing bing Bang run away run Away or get yo punk ass sprayed by this H double O to D to the S.T.A
I am representing the west side gang and preparing to use violence against anyone who opposes me
Fuck hiding it I am gang related simple and Plain which Means I could give a fuck about you nigga's in The rap game
I am not trying to hide my affiliation with the gang and prioritize my power over my music career
Flashy nigga's get stuck up beat the fuck up when You come around
If you flaunt your success around me, you will be robbed and beaten without mercy
Keep your chain tucked from this zero zero's Affiliated fuck a Studio lyricist I'm real with this talk the talk Walk the walk
Hide your valuables from me, as I am part of the gang and not interested in a music career like studio rappers
Dis me on wax and I am trying to saw your whole fucking Head off Nigga
If you attempt to disparage or attack me in music, I will retaliate with violence
I'm platinum bond so bitch shut up punk all yea Could kiss my converse like sh'o 'nough
I have achieved significant success and proved my worth, so don't try to bring me down
Yea lemme tell you something
An introduction to a new topic in the song
gangster's make the world go round
Gangsters have a significant presence and influence on society
you ain't gotta clown
Don't try to be something you're not
But if you living on the west side of yo town
If you're living on the west side, you must follow the rules of the local gang
Make them other fool's bow down
Show respect and submission to the gang's power
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEPHEN ANDERSON, WILLIAM N CALHOUN, O'SHEA N JACKSON, DEDRICK D'MON N ROLISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind