Madlib was born in Oxnard, California to musician parents Otis Jackson, Sr. and Dora Sinesca Jackson. He sampled his first song at 11 years old, sourced from his father's collection. His younger brother is the producer and rapper Michael "Oh No" Jackson. His uncle is the jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. He was raised in Oxnard, where he began his music career.
During an interview on Chrome Children, Madlib stated that his most significant musical influences include Miles Davis, Sun Ra, and David Axelrod. Some of his hip-hop influences are Large Professor, Marley Marl, Paul C, DJ Pooh, and Dr. Dre.
Harold's
Madlib Lyrics
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Pocket full of stones, smoking on the strong
Freddy kane, freddy corleone
Marshalltown niggas had a nigga running home
I call collect get me a 38, now bitch is on
9 millimeter, baretta to 40 cal
By 23 fresh up out the box, bitch I hold it down
I hit the stroll with a chili bowl and a crooked smile
Skinny nigga
Six wing mild sauce
With all the fries you can give me
I tear them bitches off
Ski mask on yo baby daddy?
Well that's that nigga loss
Pointin' my trey five seven, I got my point across
A skinny nigga
Six wing mild sauce
With all the fries you can give me
I tear them bitches off
This burning hole in my pocket
Got me out here 50 soft
Two-twenty-three on my enemy
I tear them bitches off
A skinny nigga
Six wing mild sauce
With all the fries you can give me
I tear them bitches off
A plate of chicken with the bread stuck to the bottom
Fuck my enemies what you looking for bitch I got 'em
Bitch, bitch I got 'em
Bitch, bitch I got 'em
Fuck my enemies what you looking for bitch I got 'em
Bitch, bitch I got 'em
Bitch, bitch I got 'em
Fuck my enemies what you looking for bitch I got 'em
Kfc, harolds, sharks and popeyes
Adidas suit with a plate of chicken, got mob ties
A fresh delt', weed crumbs on my plush seats
I got my license now I'm backseat fucking every week
A thick bitch live in miller, go to work
3:30 school was out then I was fresh under her skirt
Them project niggas hit that bitch, that pussy went berserk
Don't hit without that trojan, fuck around you might get burnt
She was raised in the church, turnt out in the ghetto
Lock it, pussy pop it, I swear this bitch deserve a medal
Seen school girls turn into strippers in stilletos
Pimpin' 'til I die, if you wanna stop then get ya shovel bitch
Extra sauce with the bread stuck to the bottom
Freddie forgiato, all my bitches spoiled rotten
Cop that llama, got the hollows poppin' out the barrel
Got a stain for them hubbas meet me at the harolds, bitch
A skinny nigga
Six wing mild sauce
With all the fries you can give me
I tear them bitches off
A plate of chicken
With the bread stuck to the bottom
But fuck my enemies what you looking for bitch I got 'em
Bitch, bitch I got 'em
Bitch, bitch I got 'em
Fuck my enemies what you looking for bitch I got 'em
Bitch, bitch I got 'em
Bitch, bitch I got 'em
Fuck my enemies what you looking for bitch I got 'em
The lyrics to Madlib's song "Harold's" evoke a sense of nostalgia for the past and the streets of Chicago, where Harold's Chicken Shack is a beloved spot for locals. The first line "I keep a chip off in my cell phone" suggests the singer has an older model phone and reminisces about a bygone era. The next few lines refer to a pocket full of stones, which may allude to drug dealing or carrying around loose change, followed by references to infamous characters from iconic mafia films, Freddy Kane and Freddy Corleone. The mention of Marshalltown niggas had a nigga running home suggests a fear of violence in the neighborhood. The lyrics then switch to the singer's collection of weapons, including a 38, 9 millimeter, and a 40 cal. He is proud of his gun, fresh out of the box, and holds it down fiercely. The second part of the song goes into detail on the singer's love of Harold's Chicken Shack and his ability to put away massive amounts of wings and fries. He succeeds in tearing them off and rapping about this ritual in a celebratory manner. The reference to KFC and Popeyes also suggests a love of fast food and a specific fondness for the chicken places of his youth. The lyrics then switch once again to suggest street violence and sex with multiple partners. The final lines refer once again to Harold's and the singer's ability to obtain whatever he needs to protect himself and continue to eat his beloved fast food.
Line by Line Meaning
I keep a chip off in my cell phone
I always have a spare SIM card for my phone.
Pocket full of stones, smoking on the strong
I have a lot of drugs (stones) in my pocket and I'm smoking potent marijuana.
Freddy kane, freddy corleone
I'm referencing characters from The Godfather and Scarface movies.
Marshalltown niggas had a nigga running home
I had to flee from rival gang members in Marshalltown.
I call collect get me a 38, now bitch is on
I use a payphone to order a .38 special gun, which puts me in a better position.
9 millimeter, baretta to 40 cal
I have a 9mm and a .40 caliber Beretta handgun.
By 23 fresh up out the box, bitch I hold it down
I have a lot of new and impressive possessions at age 23.
I hit the stroll with a chili bowl and a crooked smile
I walk around confidently with a bowl of chili and a smug grin.
Fast forward ten years came back with roley's with golden crowns
Ten years later, I return with Rolex watches adorned with gold crowns.
Skinny nigga
I'm a thin man.
Six wing mild sauce
I order six wings with mildly spicy sauce.
With all the fries you can give me
I want as many fries as possible.
I tear them bitches off
I eat the wings and fries vigorously.
Ski mask on yo baby daddy? Well that's that nigga loss
If someone else decides to wear a ski mask, that's their mistake.
Pointin' my trey five seven, I got my point across
I communicate effectively by pointing my .357 Magnum gun.
This burning hole in my pocket, got me out here 50 soft
I have a hole in my pocket and not enough money (50 is slang for $50).
Two-twenty-three on my enemy, I tear them bitches off
I use a .223 caliber gun to defeat my enemies.
A plate of chicken with the bread stuck to the bottom
I have some greasy chicken with bread crumbs stuck to it.
Fuck my enemies what you looking for bitch I got 'em
I don't care what my enemies are up to because I'm in control.
Kfc, harolds, sharks and popeyes
I'm listing my favorite fast food fried chicken establishments.
Adidas suit with a plate of chicken, got mob ties
I'm wearing an Adidas tracksuit and eating chicken while also having connections to organized crime.
A fresh delt', weed crumbs on my plush seats
I have a new Delta 88 car with weed crumbs on the luxurious seats.
I got my license now I'm backseat fucking every week
Now that I have my driver's license, I can have sex in the backseat of a car more often.
A thick bitch live in miller, go to work
I have a curvy girlfriend who lives in the Miller neighborhood and has a job.
3:30 school was out then I was fresh under her skirt
I had sex with my girlfriend shortly after school ended.
Them project niggas hit that bitch, that pussy went berserk
My girlfriend was sexually assaulted by people in the projects and she was deeply affected by it.
Don't hit without that trojan, fuck around you might get burnt
Use a condom during sex or you might get an STD.
She was raised in the church, turnt out in the ghetto
My girlfriend had a religious upbringing but was corrupted by living in the ghetto.
Lock it, pussy pop it, I swear this bitch deserve a medal
My girlfriend is skilled in bed and deserves praise for it.
Seen school girls turn into strippers in stilletos
I've seen young women go from being students to becoming strippers wearing high heels.
Pimpin' 'til I die, if you wanna stop then get ya shovel bitch
I'll always be a pimp and if you want to fight me, be prepared to bury me.
Extra sauce with the bread stuck to the bottom
I want more sauce with my chicken even though it'll leave more crumbs stuck to the bread.
Freddie forgiato, all my bitches spoiled rotten
I have a fancy car with expensive rims and all of my girlfriends are pampered.
Cop that llama, got the hollows poppin' out the barrel
I obtained a handgun and made sure it was loaded with hollow-point bullets for maximum damage.
Got a stain for them hubbas meet me at the harolds, bitch
I have a grudge against some people and am inviting them to meet me at Harold's Chicken Shack to settle it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alexander M. Goose, Henry Olivarez, Otis Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind