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.
Uno
Madlib Lyrics
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Shit been watered down, the rap game they need us
Real niggas to intervene, they interject
Got a bitch naked, got some neck in the Vette and I'm finna jet
Finna get fucked up in this bitch that's on fiend
Popping yoppers, fuck the coppers, sell narcotics, nigga, we bring that on in
Bitch, I'm a problem, got your columns full of losses, no wins
Gary gangsta, fuck with Chicago niggas out that Low End
Nigga hitting licks where we reside for and special fire the mouse
Stuff the mattress full of merch, .40 calibers in the couch
Guess I'm on the high seat, rob me, you won't make it out
I could make her sharpen my attitude, might just make her pout
Find me charming 'til she really found out what I was about
My recreation, occupation, invading a nigga house
Smoking and riding, I ain't hiding, I'm driving, I highly doubt
And I don't believe these rap niggas
You can front for your fans, but I know it's an act, nigga
Judge a man by his character and not by his wealth
A real G, I never kissed niggas or shot myself
Gangsta Gibbs
I'm number one, number one with a bullet
Bring your guns, fifty shots when I pull it
Make 'em run, make you motherfuckers bleed
Only fuck with real G's, public enemies
I'm number one, number one with a bullet
Bring your guns, fifty shots when I pull it
Make 'em run, make you motherfuckers bleed
Only fuck with real G's, public enemies
Probably be murdered for some shit that I said
I'd be a legend out this motherfucker breathing or dead
But y'all don't hear me, these uppity bitches they all fear me
Fuck a diamond on your finger, I guess it's the dog in me
Ain't no hog in me, I'm swine-free, suckers the Iron Sheik
Nine G's for the nine piece, how you define me?
A student of the thug nigga, drug dealer college
Majored in robbing and graduated with honors
Seeing plenty dudes in Dolce Gabbana's and marijuana fog
Niggas trying to vulture the culture, motherfuck all of y'all
Dickblowers, rapper reality shows, y'all just attention whores
Don't give a fuck if I set a record or win awards
I'm just blessed to be out here living life
Giving these niggas hell, so records with everything I write
Shit got me wishing DMX had never hit the pipe
Pun ain't never died and Big L was still here to bless the mic
I'm number one, number one with a bullet
Bring your guns, fifty shots when I pull it
Make 'em run, make you motherfuckers bleed
Only fuck with real G's, public enemies
I'm number one, number one with a bullet
Bring your guns, fifty shots when I pull it
Make 'em run, make you motherfuckers bleed
Only fuck with real G's, public enemies
The lyrics to Madlib's song UNO are expressive of a gangster who is proud of his thug life, celebrating his domination and power over others through his music. He is not one to believe in the hype of rappers and is not afraid to speak his mind, regardless of the consequences. He expresses his contempt towards the current state of the rap game, believing that the music industry is in dire need of real people like him that are not afraid to intervene, interject, and stand up for what is right.
He sings about his reckless ways of selling drugs, popping yoppers, and messing with the cops. He is a problem for his opposition, having caused them numerous losses with no wins. He pays tribute to his friend Mikey and talks about his own fearless attitude, even if it means robbing someone's house. He enjoys his life, smokes and drives without a care in the world, and doesn't believe in fake rap stars. He judges people by their character and not by their wealth, which is why he is a true gangsta through and through.
The chorus is a proclamation of his greatness and how he is number one with a bullet, meaning he can take down anyone who dares to cross him. He invites others to bring their guns because he is not afraid to pull fifty shots and make them bleed. He only associates with real Gs, making public enemies out of those who are not true to his game.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck niggas, spark the weed up
Let's light up and ignore the haters
Shit been watered down, the rap game they need us
The rap industry needs our realness
Real niggas to intervene, they interject
Real ones need to step in and make a change
Got a bitch naked, got some neck in the Vette and I'm finna jet
I just had some fun and now I'm leaving
Finna get fucked up in this bitch that's on fiend
I'm about to party with this girl who's into drugs
Popping yoppers, fuck the coppers, sell narcotics, nigga, we bring that on in
We're selling drugs and don't care about the cops
Bitch, I'm a problem, got your columns full of losses, no wins
I'm a troublemaker who's causing you to lose
Gary gangsta, fuck with Chicago niggas out that Low End
I'm a gangster from Gary and I mess with Chicago gangsters
Much love to my nigga Mikey, Threw muscles off in they mouth
Shoutout to my friend Mikey for talking his way out of trouble
Nigga hitting licks where we reside for and special fire the mouse
We're stealing from people in our area and setting traps for intruders
Stuff the mattress full of merch, .40 calibers in the couch
We're hiding our stolen goods and weapons in unexpected places
Guess I'm on the high seat, rob me, you won't make it out
I'm a target but whoever tries to rob me won't make it out alive
I could make her sharpen my attitude, might just make her pout
I can influence a woman's behavior and make her upset
Find me charming 'til she really found out what I was about
Women like me until they realize I'm not good for them
My recreation, occupation, invading a nigga house
Breaking into homes is how I spend my free time and make a living
Smoking and riding, I ain't hiding, I'm driving, I highly doubt
I'm smoking and driving without fear of getting caught
And I don't believe these rap niggas
I don't trust other rappers
You can front for your fans, but I know it's an act, nigga
You may pretend for your fans, but I can see through it
Judge a man by his character and not by his wealth
A person's personality is more important than their money
A real G, I never kissed niggas or shot myself
As a true gangster, I never show affection to other men or harm myself
I'm number one, number one with a bullet
I'm the best and unstoppable
Bring your guns, fifty shots when I pull it
Prepare for a major attack when I pull out my gun
Make 'em run, make you motherfuckers bleed
I'll make them flee and inflict pain
Only fuck with real G's, public enemies
I only associate with true gangsters and we are enemies of society
Probably be murdered for some shit that I said
I might get killed because of my lyrics
I'd be a legend out this motherfucker breathing or dead
I could become famous whether alive or dead
But y'all don't hear me, these uppity bitches they all fear me
You don't listen to me and these high-class women are scared of me
Fuck a diamond on your finger, I guess it's the dog in me
I don't care about material things, I'm just a wild person
Ain't no hog in me, I'm swine-free, suckers the Iron Sheik
I'm no ordinary hog, I'm unique like the Iron Sheik
Nine G's for the nine piece, how you define me?
I'm worth nine grand for selling drugs, is that how you see me?
A student of the thug nigga, drug dealer college
I learned about crime and drugs through life experiences
Majored in robbing and graduated with honors
I'm really good at stealing from people
Seeing plenty dudes in Dolce Gabbana's and marijuana fog
I've seen many guys high on marijuana and wearing designer clothes
Niggas trying to vulture the culture, motherfuck all of y'all
People are trying to exploit hip hop culture, I hate all of them
Dickblowers, rapper reality shows, y'all just attention whores
I hate people who kiss up to celebrities and reality shows are just for attention seekers
Don't give a fuck if I set a record or win awards
I don't care about breaking records or winning awards
I'm just blessed to be out here living life
I'm grateful for being alive and able to do what I do
Giving these niggas hell, so records with everything I write
I'm making music that's fiery and truthful
Shit got me wishing DMX had never hit the pipe
I wish DMX didn't have a drug problem
Pun ain't never died and Big L was still here to bless the mic
I wish Punisher and Big L were still alive to make music
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fredrick Tipton, Otis Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind