Otis Jackson Jr. (born October 24, 1973), known professionally as Madlib, i… Read Full Bio ↴Otis Jackson Jr. (born October 24, 1973), known professionally as Madlib, is an American DJ, music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper. One of the most prolific and critically acclaimed hip-hop producers of the 2000s, he is widely known for his collaborations with MF DOOM (as Madvillain), J Dilla (as Jaylib), and Freddie Gibbs (as MadGibbs). Madlib has described himself as a "DJ first, producer second, and MC last."

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.

Two for 2 -for Dilla
Madlib Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Woah, woah, remember

Us
(Ooh) let's
(Yeah) oh, woah, we
(Yeah) oh
(Yeah)
Live give let's hug

We got to get it together (now)
Before it's too late (what are we waiting for?)
(Yeah)
Oh-oh (yeah)
(Yeah)
Oh-oh
(Yeah) first
(Yeah) first
(Ooh)
We got to get it together (now)
Before it's too late (what are we waiting for?)
(Yeah)
Before it's

(Whoa, feel alright)
(I want to dance tonight)
(Tonight's the night to feel alright) goddamn it
I ran away, away (get ready)
Out of your arms
You never
I, hold me and hold me arms
Away, hold me
I ran a, hold me, away
Out of your arms
You never
I hold me (yeah)
And hold me, arms
Away, hold me
I ran a, hold me, away
Out of your arms
You never
I hold me
And hold me, arms
Away, hold me

I ran a, hold me, away
Out of your arms

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Madlib’s “Two for 2 – for Dilla” are open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is related to the themes of togetherness, action, and regret. The song begins with the repeated exclamation “woah, woah, remember us”, which could be either an appeal to the memory of a forgotten relationship or a call for unity among people. This is followed by the lines “Live give let’s hug / We got to get it together (now) / Before it’s too late”, which suggest the urgency of forming a connection with others before it’s too late. The repetition of “what are we waiting for?” emphasizes the need for action.

In the song’s chorus, the lyrics shift to a more personal tone. The lines “I ran away, away / Out of your arms / You never / I, hold me and hold me arms” could be interpreted as the regret of a person who has left a relationship and now wishes to be held again. The repetition of “hold me” emphasizes this desire, and the line “out of your arms / you never” suggests that the relationship ended badly. The repeated line “tonight’s the night to feel alright” could then be seen as an attempt to move on and find happiness.

Overall, “Two for 2 – for Dilla” seems to be a song about the importance of connections with others, both in terms of togetherness and regret for lost relationships. The urgency of the lyrics emphasizes the importance of taking action now, before it’s too late.

Line by Line Meaning

Woah, woah, remember
Let's take a moment to remember

Us
You and me

(Ooh) let's
Come on, let's

(Yeah) oh, woah, we
We can do this

(Yeah) oh
Yes, let's go

(Yeah)
Agreed

Live give let's hug
Let's live, let's give, and let's hug

We got to get it together (now)
We need to work together and fix this right now

Before it's too late (what are we waiting for?)
We need to act quickly before it's too late and ask ourselves what we are waiting for

(Yeah)
Agreed

Oh-oh (yeah)
Uh-oh, yes