Players Ball
OutKast Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Scene was so thick low rides seventy seven Sevilles
El Dawgs nothin' but them 'llacs
All the players all the hustlers I'm talking about
Black man heaven yeah know what I'm saying? Peace

It's beginnin' to look a lot like what?
Follow my every step take notes
On how I creep I's bout ta go in deep
This is the way I creep my season
Here's my ghetto rep I kept to say
The least no no it can't cease so I
Begin to piece my two and two together
Gots no snowy weather have to
Find something to do better bet!
I said subtract so shut up that
Nonsense about some solid nine I got say
Crock if it ain't real it
Ain't right I'm like no matter what the season
Forever chill with spin I get my fin I chill with less
And got my reasons so tell me what did you expect?
You thought I'd break my neck to help y'all deck the halls oh
Now I got 'nother means of celebratin' I'm gettin' biz to that ho-jo I
Gots the hoochie waitin' I made it through
To another year can't ask fo' much mo it's Outkast
For the boots I thought you knew so now you know
Let's go

All the players came from far and wide
Wearing Afros and braids in every gangster ride
Now I'm here to tell yeah there's a better day
When the player ball is happenin' all day every day

Hallelujah hallelujah yeah know I do some things more different than I
Used ta cause I'm a player doing what the players do the package store is
Closed okay my deck is woofin' this is ridiculous I'm gettin' serious I'm
Gettin' curious cause the house is smelling sick of chitlins all this
Vicious I make no wishes cause the modern folk is in the back gettin' tipsy
Off the nog-en and I's in a hellova contact smoke they havin' a smoke out
In my back seat they passing herb reminding verses cause it's in the air I
Hit the parks hit the cuts I'm makin' switches clicking the switches side
Ta side lookin' for bitches watchin' for snitches I'm wide open on the
Freeway my pager broke my vibe cause a junkie is a junkie three sixty
Five it's just another day of work to me the spirit just ain't in me
Grab my pistol and my ounce see what they junkies got to give me cause
It's like that, yeah

Clever pimpin', never slipin, that's how it is (check it!)

All the players came from far and wide
Wearing Afros and braids in every gangster ride
Now I'm here to tell yeah there's a better day
When the player ball is happenin' all day every day

Ain't no chimminies in the ghetto so I won't be hangin' my socks on no
Tip how far does it tick fix me a drink I got the remedy so bring in
That ham (not!) don't need no ham don't play me like I'm smokin'
Rocks I got the money we gots the freaks in the dungeon just to let you
Know cause in ninety three that's how we comin' so hoe hoe hoes check my
King ass fro the gin and juice gots me tipsy so on
It goes hit me ten and I'll serve you then now we in the corner in my
Cadillac my heart does not go pitty pat for no rat I'm leaning back my
Elbows out the windows cold rhyming indo fills my body where's the party
We rode deep we dip to underground see's a lot of hoes around I split my
Game while waiting count down a five fo' a three two here comes the one a
Do yeah have me copy folks spark another one

All the players came from far and wide
Wearing Afros and braids in every gangster ride
Now I'm here to tell yeah there's a better day
When the player ball is happenin' all day every day

Here's a little something for all the players out there hustling, gettin'




Down for theirs, from east point, college park, decatur, devrai, you
Know world wide, down for theirs

Overall Meaning

The song "Players Ball" by OutKast is a celebration of the black experience. The first verse paints a picture of black men driving expensive cars, the "low rides seventy seven Sevilles" and "Cadillacs." These are the "players" and "hustlers" that are in "Black man heaven." The second verse, with its opening line of "It's beginnin' to look a lot like what?" reveals that the song takes place during the holiday season. However, the singer is not interested in traditional holiday festivities. He is more interested in "gettin' biz to that ho-jo" and "makin' switches." The final verse is a message to all the players "out there hustling, gettin' down for theirs," a call for unity among black people across the world.


The song is notable for being OutKast's debut single, released in 1993, and its success helped establish the duo as one of the most innovative and influential groups in hip hop. It was also the first hip hop song to feature a live band. The song samples the funk classic "Soulful Christmas" by James Brown, as well as "Let It Snow" by Boyz II Men. The opening line, "scene was so thick low rides seventy seven Sevilles," is often misheard as "the city was so thick" and has become a meme on social media. The song was featured in the film "Friday" and several TV shows, including "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Atlanta." The phrase "hallelujah, hallelujah" is a nod to the gospel roots of black music.


Interestingly, the song was originally intended to be a Christmas-themed song using the "Let It Snow" sample, but was later changed to be more general. The lyrics "Follow my every step take notes" are a reference to the group's intention to innovate and create a new sound in the hip hop scene. The line "Clever pimpin', never slipin'" is a nod to the classic Blaxploitation film "Superfly." The distorted vocal sample of "from east point, college park, decatur, devrai" was created using an effects processor called the "Talk Box," which was also used by artists like Peter Frampton and Roger Troutman.


Chords (unknown)


Line by Line Meaning

Scene was so thick low rides seventy seven Sevilles
The scene was filled with low-rider cars, specifically 1977 Cadillac Sevilles.


El Dawgs nothin' but them 'llacs
The players driving these cars are referred to as 'El Dawgs' and they exclusively drive Cadillac vehicles.


All the players all the hustlers I'm talking about
The lyrics are referencing the players and hustlers of the urban community.


Black man heaven yeah know what I'm saying? Peace
The scene being described is a type of heaven for black men, and the artist is sending positive vibes of peace.


It's beginnin' to look a lot like what?
The artist is questioning the current state of affairs in their environment.


Follow my every step take notes
The artist is instructing the listener to pay attention and keep up with their actions.


On how I creep I's bout ta go in deep
The artist is explaining how they move about discreetly, and they are about to delve deeper into their hustle.


This is the way I creep my season
The artist is describing their current way of operating in their personal season of hustling.


Here's my ghetto rep I kept to say
The artist is presenting their reputation, specifically within the urban community.


The least no no it can't cease so I
The artist acknowledges that their reputation cannot be ignored or halted.


Begin to piece my two and two together
The artist is coming to a realization after putting the pieces together.


Gots no snowy weather have to
The artist does not have any external factors affecting their hustle.


Find something to do better bet!
The artist is looking for a way to improve their current situation.


I said subtract so shut up that
The artist is dismissing any negativity and focusing on their hustle.


Nonsense about some solid nine I got say
The artist is rejecting any unnecessary distractions from their hustle.


Crock if it ain't real it
The artist believes that anything fake is not worthwhile.


Ain't right I'm like no matter what the season
The artist feels strongly that something being real is important no matter the circumstances.


Forever chill with spin I get my fin I chill with less
The artist is content with riding in their car and being with people who have less than they do.


And got my reasons so tell me what did you expect?
The artist has specific reasons for their actions and is questioning why anyone would expect something different from them.


You thought I'd break my neck to help y'all deck the halls oh
The artist is rejecting any idea that they would go out of their way to help others celebrate the holiday season.


Now I got 'nother means of celebratin' I'm gettin' biz to that ho-jo I
The artist has found another way to celebrate and is getting down to business at the Howard Johnson (ho-jo) hotel.


Gots the hoochie waitin' I made it through
The artist has a companion waiting for them and has successfully made it through the challenges of the hustle.


To another year can't ask fo' much mo it's Outkast
The artist is grateful for another year and is expressing their name as Outkast.


For the boots I thought you knew so now you know
The artist is clarifying their style and what they are known for, specifically their footwear.


All the players came from far and wide
The song is now introducing the players and their origins.


Wearing Afros and braids in every gangster ride
The players are described as having specific hairstyles and driving cars associated with gangsters.


Now I'm here to tell yeah there's a better day
The artist is hopeful that the future will bring better circumstances for the urban community.


When the player ball is happenin' all day every day
The artist is looking forward to a time when the players will be successful in their hustle and celebrations will happen all day, every day.


Hallelujah hallelujah yeah know I do some things more different than I
The artist acknowledges that they may do things differently than others, but still give thanks and praise in their own way.


Used ta cause I'm a player doing what the players do the package store is
The artist is living the lifestyle of a player and is frequenting a store to purchase their goods.


Closed okay my deck is woofin' this is ridiculous I'm gettin' serious I'm
The store is closed and the artist is frustrated by their deck (music), but is remaining serious about their hustle.


Gettin' curious cause the house is smelling sick of chitlins all this
The artist takes note of the smell of chitlins, a southern cuisine often associated with poverty, and becomes curious about what is happening in the house.


Vicious I make no wishes cause the modern folk is in the back gettin' tipsy
The artist recognizes the recklessness of others, but chooses to not get involved and instead finds it better to let modern people get drunk in the back of a car.


Off the nog-en and I's in a hellova contact smoke they havin' a smoke out
The artist is under the influence of an alcoholic eggnog drink and secondhand smoke while people have a smoking session.


In my back seat they passing herb reminding verses cause it's in the air I
People are passing around marijuana in the back seat of the artist's car while reciting lyrics and rhymes inspired by the environment.


Hit the parks hit the cuts I'm makin' switches clicking the switches side
The artist is driving around the city, switching cars and taking different routes, while riding with their companions.


Ta side lookin' for bitches watchin' for snitches I'm wide open on the
The artist is looking for potential companions while also being aware of their surroundings for potential threats.


Freeway my pager broke my vibe cause a junkie is a junkie three sixty
While driving on the freeway, the artist's pager malfunctions and they lose their good mood because of the realization that drug addiction is a constant issue in their environment.


Five it's just another day of work to me the spirit just ain't in me
The artist sees their work as just another day, without much excitement or spirit.


Grab my pistol and my ounce see what they junkies got to give me cause
The artist is arming themselves with a gun and marijuana to confront drug addicts and potentially get something in return.


It's like that, yeah
The artist concludes with an assertive tone, affirming that things are the way they are, with no further explanation needed.


Clever pimpin', never slipin, that's how it is (check it!)
The song ends with another affirmation of being a skilled hustler who never makes mistakes.


Ain't no chimminies in the ghetto so I won't be hangin' my socks on no
The artist notes the lack of chimneys in the urban community and thus will not be hanging stockings for Christmas.


Tip how far does it tick fix me a drink I got the remedy so bring in
The artist is looking for a solution to their current situation, and believes they can find it while drinking.


That ham (not!) don't need no ham don't play me like I'm smokin'
The artist rejects the idea of eating ham and also rejects the idea of being taken as a fool.


Rocks I got the money we gots the freaks in the dungeon just to let you
The artist is specifying that they do not do drugs and has sufficient funds, while also having a group of female companions ready to partake in their festivities.


Know cause in ninety three that's how we comin' so hoe hoe hoes check my
The artist is describing their current lifestyle and is telling others to take notice of their approach, employing a playful reference to Santa Claus with 'hoe hoe hoes'.


King ass fro the gin and juice gots me tipsy so on
The artist is enjoying their gin and juice and becoming drunk, while alluding to their hairstyle.


It goes hit me ten and I'll serve you then now we in the corner in my
The artist is willing to sell their product for $10, and then proceeds to be in a corner with their companions.


Cadillac my heart does not go pitty pat for no rat I'm leaning back my
The artist is in their Cadillac and will not show interest in anyone who is not up to their standards while leaning back in their seat.


Elbows out the windows cold rhyming indo fills my body where's the party
The artist has their elbows out the window and is rhyming while smoking marijuana, getting ready to ask about a party.


We rode deep we dip to underground see's a lot of hoes around I split my
The artist and their companions are a large group and visit an underground location, where they see many potential companions, with the artist choosing to talk to one.


Game while waiting count down a five fo' a three two here comes the one a
While waiting for their companion to be ready, the artist counts down from five to one.


Do yeah have me copy folks spark another one
The artist has their companion perform a specific action while mimicking their phrase, while also smoking another joint.


Here's a little something for all the players out there hustling, gettin'
The song concludes with a dedication to all the players and hustlers, giving them a little something for their efforts and achievements.


Down for theirs, from east point, college park, decatur, devrai, you
The dedication specifically mentions different communities from the Atlanta area and around the world.


Know world wide, down for theirs
The dedication extends to players and hustlers around the world, who are down for their own efforts and achievements.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andre Benjamin, Antwan Patton, Patrick Brown, Raymon Murray, Rico Wade

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@DrBeauHightower

Mandala effect on the beat???

@RAINB0WZ.

Es otra versión :)

@NoLMAOnade

they changed it 100% this is the original version but for a long time they were using a different beat for this video.

@NoLMAOnade

they were using the "Christmas Mix"

@carboodle610

I liked that one the most tbh@@NoLMAOnade

@thepromiseman7745

OutKast was the hardest group to ever come out the ATL

@dwaynejeffers1632

Wrong! The whole south

@futurehofer1564

Nah, from the whole Earth

@jazzhippie3878

Still izz

@phillyeaglesforlife5127

I mean you can't forget about Migos though, not saying they're better but they're up there, of course Outkast is more popular and iconic, but you can't go against what Migos has done

More Comments

More Versions