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.
Survival Test
Madlib Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's too real
How y'all feel out there? Let me know if it's real out there
Cuz it is out here; it's a game of survival
Niggas is trying to live out here
Round here, I watch cats hit the floor and they [?man tryna kill?] out here
But it's too many powers around
My real niggas getting killed out here
[?] tell you what it is out here: a whole lot of pimps, some live bitches out here
They liable to set you up, man, everybody thugging out here
Narcos even drug dealing out here
Can't club, [? slugs peeling out there?]
You out here, mob with us
Get dollars is what we about here
Gotta handle your biz out there, it's too real out here
Yeah
Real it's just that for real
It's a hustler's test
Really though
This is dedicated to all the fake suckas at home
watching the videos then going outside and
trying to portray stuff, you know what I'm saying?
Some wannabes out here, but they outta there
Time for Dilla and Madlib out here
There's a whole lotta filth out there
Y'all can't be for real out there
Fake gangstas better chill out there
Y'all know the deal out here
It's real out here, meals out there
Niggas got bills out here
Everybody tryna live out here
Everybdoy hustling out here
And you don't want your biz out there; hoes be on some bullshit out here
You don't wanna be without here
Niggas ain't giving a fuck, they will pull it out here
A bitch nigga won't kill shit, but a dumb nigga will out here
How a lotta blood get spilled out here
It's fucked up but it's real out here
Is that how it is out there? Shit don't make sense out here
Yeah
Real it's just that for real
It's a hustler's test
Really though
This is dedicated to all the fake suckas at home
watching the videos then going outside and
trying to portray stuff, you know what I'm saying?
Going out to my [?]
Better watch your back cuz it's real out here
When you cake and it bring the hate you better bring the thing and
It's real out here
Detroit niggas getting real out here
LA niggas getting real out here
Worldwide let's get live at the same time and survive because it's real out here
(Nigga, you know the streets is watching yo big money nigga
Yo, niggas don't play, holla! Yo, you better get your
shine on nigga before its over, yo, we here now nigga, yo)
The lyrics to Madlib's song "Survival Test" speak about the harsh realities of life in certain communities. The rapper describes the environment as a game of survival, where people are trying to live while facing dangerous situations on a daily basis. He observes that many people are dying from violence, and that there are too many powers around. The song also references drug dealing, and warns about the danger of being set up by other people. The lyrics suggest that people need to be careful and handle their business to survive in such an environment. The song has an overall message that life can be tough, and people need to be resilient to make it through.
One interesting fact about "Survival Test" is that it was produced by Madlib, who is known for his innovative and experimental approach to hip hop music. Madlib has been credited with helping to bring jazz and other musical genres into hip hop, and his production style is often praised for its creativity and originality. Another interesting fact is that "Survival Test" features lyrics from Dilla, who was a close collaborator of Madlib's until his untimely death in 2006. Dilla was known for his unique voice and songwriting ability, and he is still influencing other artists today.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Acknowledgement of the intensity of the situation
It's too real
The situation is harsh and intense
How y'all feel out there? Let me know if it's real out there
Asking for confirmation of the intensity of the situation
Cuz it is out here; it's a game of survival
Acknowledging that the situation is a matter of survival
Niggas is trying to live out here
The struggle is for survival
Round here, I watch cats hit the floor and they [?man tryna kill?] out here
The situation is violent and deadly
But it's too many powers around
There are many forces at play in the struggle for survival
My real niggas getting killed out here
Those who are true to themselves and their comrades are losing their lives
It's ill out here
The situation is chaotic and dangerous
[?] tell you what it is out here: a whole lot of pimps, some live bitches out here
Prostitution and exploitation are prevalent
They liable to set you up, man, everybody thugging out here
Betrayal is common and everyone is struggling
Narcos even drug dealing out here
Even those outside the struggle are involved in it
Can't club, [? slugs peeling out there?]
It's not safe to go out and party
You out here, mob with us
If you're here, join us in the struggle
Get dollars is what we about here
The ultimate goal is financial gain, necessary for survival
Gotta handle your biz out there, it's too real out here
You need to take care of your business to survive
Real it's just that for real
The situation is genuine and serious
It's a hustler's test
The struggle is a test of one's abilities and resourcefulness
This is dedicated to all the fake suckas at home
Those who aren't involved in the struggle or pretend to be
watching the videos then going outside and trying to portray stuff, you know what I'm saying?
Those who pretend to be involved in the struggle after watching media
Some wannabes out here, but they outta there
Those who pretend to be involved can't last in the struggle
Time for Dilla and Madlib out here
The current situation requires the skills of these artists
There's a whole lotta filth out there
There are many negative elements in the struggle for survival
Y'all can't be for real out there
Those who aren't involved can't understand the intensity of the situation
Fake gangstas better chill out there
Those who pretend to be involved should back down
Y'all know the deal out here
Those involved understand what's necessary to survive
It's real out here, meals out there
The struggle is genuine and necessary for survival
Niggas got bills out here
Financial gain is necessary to pay for basic needs
Everybody tryna live out here
Everyone is struggling for survival
Everybdoy hustling out here
Those involved are working hard to survive
And you don't want your biz out there; hoes be on some bullshit out here
It's dangerous to be distracted or vulnerable in the struggle
You don't wanna be without here
It's essential to be involved in the struggle for survival
Niggas ain't giving a fuck, they will pull it out here
Those involved in the struggle are willing to be violent and dangerous
A bitch nigga won't kill shit, but a dumb nigga will out here
Those who are cowardly won't survive, but those who are reckless and foolish may also not survive
How a lotta blood get spilled out here
The struggle is violent and deadly
It's fucked up but it's real out here
The situation is bad, but it's genuine
Is that how it is out there? Shit don't make sense out here
The situation is difficult to comprehend
Going out to my [?]
Dedication to those involved in the struggle
Better watch your back cuz it's real out here
Be cautious because the situation is dangerous
When you cake and it bring the hate you better bring the thing and
Financial success may lead to danger and requires self-defense
Detroit niggas getting real out here
Those in Detroit are facing the same difficult situation
LA niggas getting real out here
Those in LA are facing the same difficult situation
Worldwide let's get live at the same time and survive because it's real out here
Solidarity is necessary to survive the worldwide struggle
(Nigga, you know the streets is watching yo big money nigga
The situation of danger is always present
Yo, niggas don't play, holla! Yo, you better get your shine on nigga before its over, yo, we here now nigga, yo)
Warning to be cautious and succeed quickly before it's too late
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OTIS LEE JR. JACKSON, JAMES DEWITT YANCEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind