Their first album, Breaking Atoms, featured conscious MC tracks such as "Looking at the Front Door", "A Friendly Game of Baseball" and "Watch Roger Do His Thing". The album also has the first on-record appearance of Nas on "Live at the Barbeque", which also featured Joe Fatal and Akinyele. The group broke up before their second album, tentatively entitled The Science, could be released. However, Sir Scratch and K-Cut released a second album under the Main Source name, entitled Fuck What You Think, with new recruit Mikey D on vocals. However, the album was shelved due to inner conflicts between the record label and group management.
Large Professor has gone on to be an instrumental producer for hip-hop stars such as Eric B. & Rakim, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Nas, and Diamond D. He has released a Solo LP entitled First Class, and his shelved The LP has been widely bootlegged.
Down Low
Main Source Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm back to rap on wax so guess who's back
The chart hitter, not a quitter or a bullshitter
These cats know I'm the best one out the litter
Yeah, they talk, but they be talking diarrhea
Cause none of em got the capability to be a-
Nother Mikey D cause I ain't having it, kid
You can do what I do, yo how the fuck you biddin?
I'm too much, whenever the microphone is in my clutch
I get props, I get stopped by the cops
That's how it is hops, when my tape's in a box
I've been through crews like a ho
And took em out, I always let niggas know
I keep the soul cause I'm a lyrical pro
I play it mellow, word em up, I'm on the down low
Know what I'm saying, shit is real, G, I'm on the down low
Gotta represent in '94, I'm on the down low
K-Cut and Sir Scratch, LTD, shit, we on the down low
Coming up with motherfucking platinum shit
You know what I'm saying?
You know with Mikey D's freestyles is rougher than a rapper with practice
I'm fantastic, true meaning of what bad is
15 years on the scene, could never fall back
A small pack, you're fucking right, I think I'm all that
You know a nigga with a doubt?
You can bring him to my session and watch me take him out
He'll RIP when I rip him and I stick him
In a bodybag then I'm gonna zip him
I'll throw him in the ocean, and watch him sink
Cause he shouldn't waste ink on them rhymes wasting time
Cause them rhymes stink
Mikey D's reanimated and these other rappers hate it
I got skills, they can't fade it
I keep the soul cause I'm a lyrical pro
I play it mellow, word, I'm on the down low
Twin Towers in the house, on the down low
Word up, Shaqueen in the motherfucker, she on the down low
Different Shades of Black in the motherfucking house, on the down low
Word up, everybody out here is on the down low
Know what I'm saying, my man Monte, laurington nigga, he's on the down
low
MC Lotto, Bomb Squad, all the motherfuckers I know, they on the down low
Rick motherfucking see-O, Red, Mark Miller, they on the down low
Boom bashing in '94, know what I'm saying
Everybody in this motherfucker's on the down low
We on the down low
Sir Scratch, he's on the down low
K-Cut, on the down low
LT is on the down low
In the lyrics to Main Source's "Down Low," Mikey D boasts about his skills as a rapper and his longevity in the industry. He claims to be the best out of all the other rappers out there, and challenges anyone who doubts him to come to his session and watch him take them out. He also talks about how he's been through wars and come out untouched, and how he's gone through crews like a ho and taken them out. Despite all of this, Mikey D keeps it cool and plays it mellow on the down low, suggesting that he doesn't need to brag or boast to prove his worth.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of being on the down low, which can have multiple meanings. It could refer to keeping things low-key or not drawing attention to oneself, or it could refer to keeping secrets or being involved in something that is not meant to be public. The fact that Mikey D is talking about his skills and his status as a chart-hitting rapper suggests that he might be using "down low" in the former sense, but the repetition of the phrase throughout the song leaves room for interpretation.
Overall, "Down Low" showcases Mikey D's skill as a rapper and his confidence in his abilities, while also exploring the idea of keeping things on the down low. It's a classic early '90s hip-hop track that speaks to the era's obsession with talent, competition, and bravado.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I pump it up and I don't quit for jack
I confidently raise the energy and keep it going non-stop
I'm back to rap on wax so guess who's back
I have returned to make music on vinyl records and let everyone know it
The chart hitter, not a quitter or a bullshitter
I am a successful artist who never gives up and does not lie or deceive
These cats know I'm the best one out the litter
Everyone knows I am the most talented and skilled out of all the other rappers
Yeah, they talk, but they be talking diarrhea
People gossip and spread nonsense without having any real knowledge or understanding
Cause none of em got the capability to be a-
None of them have the ability to be like me or rival my talent
Nother Mikey D cause I ain't having it, kid
There is no other artist like me because I won't allow it
You can do what I do, yo how the fuck you biddin?
You may try to copy me but you won't succeed, so what are you trying to prove?
I've been through wars and I came out untouched
I have been through many struggles and hardships but emerged unscathed
I'm too much, whenever the microphone is in my clutch
I am too skilled and talented when I hold the microphone
I get props, I get stopped by the cops
I receive recognition and respect, but I also get harassed by law enforcement
That's how it is hops, when my tape's in a box
This is how it goes down when my album is in stores and selling well
I've been through crews like a ho
I have gone through many groups of people and collaborators like a promiscuous person
And took em out, I always let niggas know
I always emerge as the superior one and make it clear to everyone
I keep the soul cause I'm a lyrical pro
I maintain the essence and authenticity of hip-hop because I am a skilled rapper
I play it mellow, word em up, I'm on the down low
I maintain a calm demeanor and secretly continue to make great music
You know what I'm saying, shit is real, G, I'm on the down low
You understand what I'm saying, life is tough, and I'm keeping a low profile
Gotta represent in '94, I'm on the down low
I have to continue to make great music this year while maintaining a low profile
Twin Towers in the house, on the down low
My fellow artists Twin Towers are present and keeping it low key
Word up, Shaqueen in the motherfucker, she on the down low
Shaqueen is here and also keeping it low key
Different Shades of Black in the motherfucking house, on the down low
Different Shades of Black is also here and also keeping it low key
Word up, everybody out here is on the down low
Everyone here is keeping it low profile
Know what I'm saying, my man Monte, laurington nigga, he's on the down low
My friend Monte from Laurington is also keeping it low profile
MC Lotto, Bomb Squad, all the motherfuckers I know, they on the down low
All my acquaintances, including MC Lotto and Bomb Squad, are also keeping it low key
Rick motherfucking see-O, Red, Mark Miller, they on the down low
Other fellow artists such as Rick, Red, and Mark are also keeping it low key
Boom bashing in '94, know what I'm saying
We're blowing up this year, if you know what I mean
Everybody in this motherfucker's on the down low
Every single person here is keeping their profile low
Sir Scratch, he's on the down low
Even Sir Scratch is keeping it low profile
K-Cut, on the down low
K-Cut is also keeping it low profile
LT is on the down low
LT is also keeping it low profile
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEVIN HAROLD MC KENZIE, MICHAEL DEERING, SHAWN MC KENZIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind