There are at least two bands with this name:
(1) a U.S. Rapcrew
(2) a… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two bands with this name:
(1) a U.S. Rapcrew
(2) a Dutch Punkband

(1)
Katari Cox and Malcolm Greenidge grew up together in New York. They knew each other through Cox's mother and Greenidge's father who were close friends. They and their families later moved to New Jersey where they became friends with Yafeu Fula. Cox's cousin and Fula's Godbrother, Tupac Amaru Shakur, used to look out for them and when he became famous he moved them out of the ghetto and bought them homes in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1992, Cox, Greenridge and Fula formed a trio. Cox's alias was K-Dog, Greenridge's was Big Malcolm and Fula's was Young Hollywood. The trio went under several names including the Thoro Headz and the Young Thugs. Big Malcolm and K-Dog made their debut on "Flex" on Tupac's "Holler If Ya Hear Me" single which was released on February 4, 1993. In 1994, Young Hollywood's mother and Tupac's aunt, Yassmyn Fula, told Tupac about Mutah Wasin Shabazz Beale, a 16-year-old who witnessed his parents being murdered when he was three or four-years-old. The story made Tupac cry. He decided he wanted to met Beale. They met and soon Beale joined the group. He didn't go under an alias, just his first name, Mutah.

On November 30, Tupac was robbed and shot four times at Quad Recording Studios in New York. The next day he was arrested for sexual abuse. He was found guilty and on February 14, 1995, he was sent to prison to serve up to four and a half years. On April 5, his LP, Me Against The World, was released. The group now known as Dramacydal appeared on two songs, "Me Against The World" and "Outlaw." On June 27, Tupac's "So Many Tears" single was released. It featured "Hard To Imagine," a song by Big Malcolm, K-Dog and Mutah.

Dramacydal almost signed with Interscope Records, but on October 12, Death Row Records, Interscope Records and Time Warner paid a $1.4 million bail to have Tupac released. In return he had to sign a three album deal with Death Row Records. When he was released, he and Dramacydal flew to Death Row Records in Los Angeles, California and started working on his double LP, All Eyez On Me.

When Tupac was serving time he planned to form a new group. He asked Young Hollywood to start searching for members. Of course him, Big Malcolm, K-Dog and Mutah would be members of it, but more were needed. Young Hollywood told Tupac about his friend, Bruce Washington. He said that once when Big Malcolm and K-Dog visited him in Montclair, New Jersey they were robbed of their hats so he went to Washington and asked him to get their hats back. Washington confronted the thieves and they returned their hats. Young Hollywood asked if he could bring Washington with him, Tupac agreed.

Young Hollywood told Washington that he's helping Tupac to search for members for a group they were forming and asked him to be a part of it. Washington didn't believe him and it wasn't brought up again until Yaasmyn Fula mentioned it. At that point he realized that Young Hollywood had been serious. The next day, they visited Tupac. Before he had any chance to introduce himself Tupac asked Washington to drop a few verses. Soon he joined the group. Tupac's brother Mopreme Shakur and Tyruss "Big Syke" Himes of Thug Life joined the group as well.

Tupac gave each member of the group an alias taken from an enemy of America. Big Malcolm's alias was E.D.I. after Ugandian president Idi Amin, Big Syke's was Moozaliny after Italian president Benito Mussolini, K-Dog's was Kastro after Cuban president Fidel Castro, Mopreme's was Komani after Iranian Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini, Mutah's was Napoleon after French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, Washington's was Hussein Fatal which was later changed to Fatal Hussein after Iraq president Saddam Hussein and Young Hollywood's was Kadafi after Lybian colonel Muammar Al-Qadaafi. Tupac named himself Makaveli The Don after Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli.

Now all that was left was to come up with a name for the group. Tupac liked Lil' Homies, but Fatal who was almost as old as Tupac didn't want people to refer to him as a lil' homie, instead he suggested Outlaw Immortalz which Tupac agreed with.. On February 16, 1996, All Eyez On Me was released. The group guest appeared on "When We Ride" and they made solo guest appearances on "All About U," "Tradin' War Stories," "Thug Passion," "Picture Me Rollin'," "Check Out Time," "All Eyez On Me" and "Run Tha Streetz." After the release Komani and Moozaliny left the group for unknown reasons and female rapper Donna "Storm" Hunter joined the group who changed its name from the Outlaw Immortalz to the Outlawz. Outlawz stands for Operating Under Thug Laws As WarriorZ.

On June 14, Tupac's "How Do U Want It" single was released. It featured "Hit 'Em Up" featuring the Outlawz. It's the most notorious dis song in history. Bad Boy Entertainment, Chino XL, Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Mobb Deep is dissed on it. Tupac claimed he had sex with Bad Boy Entertainment recording artist The Notorious B.I.G.'s wife, Faith Evans. The video which was made for the song was the first Tupac video the Outlawz appeared in. Kadafi and Fatal had their friend, Rufus "Young Noble" Cooper, to join the Outlawz.

On September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot four times in a drive-by-shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was taken to University Medical Center where he died a week later. E.D.I. and Kadafi were in the car behind the one Tupac was riding in. E.D.I. said he couldn't identify the murderer, but Kadafi said he might be able to. The police lead was never followed and Kadafi moved with the rest of the Outlawz back to New Jersey before the police could question him. On November 5, Tupac's LP, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, was released. The Outlawz guest appeared on four songs, "Bomb First (My Second Reply)," "Hail Mary," "Life Of An Outlaw" and "Just Like Daddy." "Hail Mary" was the third single and video. Death Row Records didn't credit the Outlawz for being on it and they cut them out of the video.

On November 10, after visiting his girlfriend, Kadafi was shot and killed.. He was found by the police in a third floor hallway of an apartment building in Irvington, New Jersey. He was taken to University Hospital where he died on the afternoon. Who killed him remained unknown to the public until September, 2000, when Napoleon revealed in The Source that it was his cousin, Roddy, who killed him. Roddy claimed it was an accident, Napoleon believed him, but not everyone did; Fatal was one of them.

All of the Outlawz with the exception of Fatal moved back to Los Angeles, California. Although Tupac told them serveral times not to sign with Death Row, the Outlawz signed a contract with Death Row Records. Between 1997 and 1999, you didn't hear much from the Outlawz who were obviously wondering where to go from there. They appeared on other artists' albums, compilations and soundtracks. They guest appeared on "Still Ballin' (remix)," the first single and video of Yukmouth's double LP, Thugged Out: The Albulation. In late 1997, Fatal signed a solo contract with Relativity Records who released his debut single, "Everyday," on March 17, 1998 and his debut LP, In The Line Of Fire, on March 31. Former Kausion member Gonzoe joined the group, but left after three months due to beef with the rest of the members.

Death Row Records and Rap-A-Lot Records almost worked out a deal which would let the Outlawz sign with Rap-A-Lot. They even advertised their upcoming Rap-A-Lot album, Neva Surrenda, in The Source. But the Outlawz changed their minds at the last minute and never signed with Rap-A-Lot. Fatal however signed with them as a solo artist.

On December 21, 1999, their debut album, Still I Rise, was finally released. Tupac appeared on 14 out of 15 songs and Fatal was removed from the songs he originally was on due to beef with the rest of the group. The first single and video of the LP was "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)." The LP suffered sales because Death Row Records' CEO Marion "Suge" Knight ordered Interscope Records not to promote it because the Outlawz refused to sign with Suge Publishing. It still went double platinum.

On April 1, the Outlawz filed a $4.5 million lawsuit against Suge, Death Row Records, Interscope Records, Suge Knight Films and Suge Publishing claiming breach of contract, unfair business practices, intentional interference with prospective economic advantages, racketeering and others. They won the lawsuit. With Death Row Records behind them, they felt it was time for them to pursue a deal with another major label. But with each offer they got something would go wrong. So they came to the solution where there's nothing else to do, besides starting their own label.

In February, 2000, the Outlawz were on Live From L.A. and stated they were starting their own label, Outlaw Recordz. They signed Noble's step-daughter, Baby Girle, Dirty Bert, Napoleon's little brother, Hellraza, and Lil' D. Then they looked for distribution. Bay area rapper Spice 1 told his distributor, Bayside Entertainment Distribution, about this. They contacted the Outlawz and signed a distribution deal. On November 7, 2000, the Outlawz's second LP and Outlaw Recordz's first release, Ride Wit Us Or Collide Wit Us, was released. It debuted at the ninth position on the Billboard independent album charts and became the best selling independent rap album of 2000. The first and second single and video were "Black Rain" and "Thug With Me."

In 2001, Napoleon made his film debut in Thug Life which also starred The Lady Of Rage and Willie D. New Child from Harlem, New York joined the group. Tupac always wanted someone from New York to be a member of the Outlawz and Fatal felt New Child was exactly what Pac was looking for before his death. On October 23, Big Syke's label, RideOnUm Record Group, released Thug Law Chapter 1, a collaboration album between the Outlawz and Thug Life.

The Outlawz felt Bayside Entertainment Distribution was too small for them. They left and signed a distribution deal with KOCH Records instead. On November 6, their third LP, Novakane, was released. It debuted at the 100th position on the Billboard 200 and third on the Billboard independent album charts. The first single and video was "World Wide" featuring Tupac and T-Low. The LP also featured "Loyalty," a dis directed at Fatal. There had been beef between Fatal and the rest of the Outlawz for a long time, but it wasn't known for the public until we interviewed Fatal in 2001. Fatal said he was angry at them for not being there for Tupac when he was shot and for "forgiving" Roddy for Kadafi's killing, which Fatal may or may not believe was an accident but felt there was no reason to point a gun at Kadafi's head, period. As Fatal said, accident or not, the outcome is the same. Fatal also questioned their judgement because they signed with Death Row Records although Tupac told them not to.

The future looks bright for the Outlawz. Next year, Fatal's second album, Death Before Dishonor, and New Child's debut album, S.O.G. (Son Of A Gangster) are coming out. Outlaw Recordz is releasing Napoleon's solo debut album, Bonapartes, Noble's solo debut album, Noble Justice, E.D.I. and Kastro's collaboration album, Blood Brothers, and the fourth group album. Fortress Entertainment is releasing their homevideo, World Wide, and E.D.I. is writing a screen play. They've got Outlaw Films and O.G. (Outlaw Gear) coming soon. Let's just hope they can squash their beef, like Tupac said, "Let no man separate what we create!"

(2)
The Dutch punkband formed in november 1981 and were first named Koi Boys. With Jeroen on bass, Maarten and David on guitars and Barend played the drums, vocals were done by Fokkie. The Outlawz split up in july 11983. Numbers by them may be found on the two albums "Als je Haar maar goed Zit".

Maintain
Outlawz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[EDI - Talking]
Uh, time done came, maintain
This for all them niggaz in the game, you know? hustlin, street life
Gettin that money, niggaz gotta maintain, you know? Holla! (yeah)

[Napolean - Verse 1]
The streets is a mother fucker, and I done said it before
Drive-bys, crack heads knockin at your front door

All them race for the money at the end of the road
Fully-loaded by my waist, I'm bout to explode
I'm on a mission for the money, ain't shit funny
Put a hole in your tummy, leave you smellin like a mummy
You crossed the game that the streets don't like
And fuckin with the Outlawz will get you killed tonight
I guzzle my pipe and think about the shit I ain't never had (uh-huh)
Just write my frustrations on my notepad
And life ain't nothin but a toe-tag
When I was three years old, I done known that

[Supreme see - Verse 2]
And yo the game got a nigga fucked up
I don't know who to trust, but I know just who to bust (bow)
Change your main form to ashes to dust
Minds stay corrupt, I'm a killa in the cut
I crush any competitor, writin back his editor
Leave your body leakin, it's Supreme see speakin
Pledge you then a edge you on, yo you just a pawn
You're runnin with the big boys, one move you're gone
I'm explosive when my rap over-doses
Label me ferocious on 'Wanted' signs posted
See me on the screen like blood on murder scenes
Midnight screams, sharp-shooter team
The williest, silliest, but yet I'm dead serious
Hate me with a passion up in the club mashin
Foul minds, I'm in your ears like a loud nine
Holdin off screamin, yeah niggaz it's about time
It's on again, got a brother feelin born again
I swore to win then, naturally my order's in
Recorded and stated, let the record show I made it
This dated when we blewin, and how you mother fuckers traded
Outlawz!

[Chorus - Napolean & EDI]
Gettin that money it ain't no tellin man (ain't no tellin)
You hustlin and strugglin and niggaz say you changed (huh)
One time, knockin they hotter with change (with change)
They eyes was watchin, but still we maintain (maintain)
Your baby momma gone say she want some change (ain't that a bitch)
Niggaz used to know, since you rollin game (oh)
Fuckin with that money now your brain tame
You fuckin the game and yo we maintain!

[Young Noble - Verse 3]
And you ain't never had a nigga that'll die for you
And you ain't never had a nigga that'll cry for you
And you ain't never had a nigga that'll pay your rent
And you ain't never know niggaz that was truly legit
And you ain't never had soldiers that'll hold you down
And you ain't never know killers that loan you pounds
And you ain't never had bitches that'll fuck the clan
Better yet, have bitches that'll fuck your man
And you ain't never had soldiers to floss the week
You couldn't hustle down the way nor walk the beat
And you ain't never had a clique that was thorough and tough
And you ain't never know Yak and Pac so give it up!

[Kastro - Verse 4]
I love bitches and all types of fast cars (hahaha...me too)
Loud guns, money-runs, and those strip bars
We watch the sun turn to stars, back to sun again
I put a box under rocks to dump a body in
And I swin in sin, couldn't pretend it's all well
My world is a jail cell, I can't seem to find bail
We gas up, trouble, bubble in my belly (uh)
Every body knew it but ain't nobody try to tell me
We maintain!

Chorus

[Mil - Verse 5]
I'm a hell-raisin nigga and I'll burn the place up (Mil)
The streets made me, look at me now and I'm straighten up
When I rolled on your block, all I see is your pump
When you roll through my hood, niggaz'll fuck you up
You're weak, won't live long, niggaz rely on luck
Speak it cheap-goin nigga, I got the heart of a thug
Leave your pillow like a puddle of a blood
And I'm gonna show you how it is to stomp and never been love at all

[EDI - Verse 6]
Every day I'm stuck in this game so I got to play it
Yeah I made up my bed so I got to lay in it
There's only one way out, limo, window tinted
My momma prayin daily for my spirit
Fuck that! I'm here to stay nigga deal with it
And I'm one of the real niggaz that's actually real with it
Meals, I'm gonna get it, but it's about what happens when I get it
Will these niggaz come clackin for my trinkets? Think it's a joke?
Part it out while I kick it and smoke
We live on the ropes, triple-beam hopes
Simple schemes broke, two minutes to go alone
Fall or come up, fuck it, stack ones up
I keep my guns up, for these killers
My eyes on these bitches
And when it's me and the law, shit I'm the first to draw
Maintain, till the end of the game
Maintain, till the end of the game, you hear me man?

Chorus x 2

[Kastro - talking over second chorus]
Fuck that! Fuck that!
Fuck you too baby! Fuck all y'all niggaz
I'm on some maintain shit
All my money gettin niggaz maintain
Most of the time, niggaz get money and only last for like a year
I'm tryin to have money for twenty years, thirty years, forty years
It's called a general,

It's easy to get money in your pocket nigga, but can you keep it?
Can you maintain?

Overall Meaning

The song "Maintain" by Outlawz carries a powerful message of staying true to oneself in the harsh realities of the street life. The opening lines by EDI call out to all those men hustling on the streets to keep up the pace and maintain their stand in the game. Napolean, in the first verse, paints an image of the brutal experience of the streets and his determination to continue hustling and leave his mark in the game. Supreme see, in the second verse, talks about his readiness to eliminate anyone who crosses him or gets in the way of his desire to succeed in the game. Young Noble builds on the group's loyalty, highlighting the importance of having a dependable group of friends who will stand by you in dire times. Kastro speaks about the significance of maintaining hustle, even if the road is tough.

The track ends with EDI’s verse highlighting the challenges of staying relevant in the game. He talks about the importance of perseverance and determination, knowing when to take risks and when to hold back. The lyrics of the song resonate with the concept of maintaining oneself through the tough times, not just in the street hustles but also of life in general.

Line by Line Meaning

Uh, time done came, maintain
It's time to maintain. For all the hustlers and those in the street life, it's time to get that money and keep it.

The streets is a mother fucker, and I done said it before
The streets are tough and dangerous, and this has been said before.

Drive-bys, crack heads knockin at your front door
Drive-bys cause danger, and drug addicts are desperate for a fix.

All them race for the money at the end of the road
Everyone is competing to get the money at the end of the road.

Fully-loaded by my waist, I'm bout to explode
I'm heavily armed, and ready to attack.

I'm on a mission for the money, ain't shit funny
I'm determined to get the money, and it's no laughing matter.

Put a hole in your tummy, leave you smellin like a mummy
I'll shoot you and leave you bleeding like an ancient corpse.

You crossed the game that the streets don't like
You've broken the rules of the game that the streets have set.

And fuckin with the Outlawz will get you killed tonight
Mess with us, and you'll be dead by tonight.

I guzzle my pipe and think about the shit I ain't never had (uh-huh)
I smoke my drug pipe and think about all the things I've never had.

Just write my frustrations on my notepad
I express my anger and frustration by writing it down.

And life ain't nothin but a toe-tag
Life is short and in the end, you're just another dead body getting tagged.

When I was three years old, I done known that
Even at a young age, I already knew the harsh reality of life.

And yo the game got a nigga fucked up
The game has messed me up.

I don't know who to trust, but I know just who to bust (bow)
I can't trust anyone, but I know who to shoot.

Change your main form to ashes to dust
I'll kill you and you'll be reduced to ashes and dust.

Minds stay corrupt, I'm a killa in the cut
My mind is corrupted, and I'm a killer lurking in the shadows.

I crush any competitor, writin back his editor
I'll destroy anyone who competes with me and their writing editor.

Leave your body leakin, it's Supreme see speakin
I'll shoot you and leave your body bleeding, and it's me, Supreme, doing the talking.

Pledge you then a edge you on, yo you just a pawn
I'll manipulate you and then push you to the brink, you're nothing but a pawn to me.

And you ain't never had a nigga that'll die for you
You've never had anyone who's willing to sacrifice their life for you.

And you ain't never had a nigga that'll cry for you
You've never had someone who will cry for you.

And you ain't never had a nigga that'll pay your rent
You've never had anyone who paid your rent for you.

And you ain't never know niggaz that was truly legit
You've never known anyone who was really legitimate.

And you ain't never had soldiers that'll hold you down
You've never had anyone who will support and protect you.

And you ain't never know killers that loan you pounds
You've never known any killers who would lend you money.

And you ain't never had bitches that'll fuck the clan
You've never had women that will sleep with your gang.

Better yet, have bitches that'll fuck your man
Or even worse, have women that will sleep with your partner.

And you ain't never had soldiers to floss the week
You've never had anyone to show off your wealth to.

You couldn't hustle down the way nor walk the beat
You can't hustle or survive on the street.

I love bitches and all types of fast cars (hahaha...me too)
I enjoy women and all kinds of fast cars.

Loud guns, money-runs, and those strip bars
I also enjoy loud guns, making money, and going to strip clubs.

We watch the sun turn to stars, back to sun again
We see the day turn into night, and then back to day again.

I put a box under rocks to dump a body in
I hide a box under rocks to dispose of dead bodies in.

I swin in sin, couldn't pretend it's all well
I live in sin, and I can't pretend everything is okay.

My world is a jail cell, I can't seem to find bail
My life is like being in a prison cell and I can't seem to escape.

I'm a hell-raisin nigga and I'll burn the place up (Mil)
I'm a dangerous person who will cause chaos and destruction.

The streets made me, look at me now and I'm straighten up
The streets shaped who I am, but now I'm cleaning up my act.

You're weak, won't live long, niggaz rely on luck
You're not strong, and won't survive for long, you depend on luck.

Speak it cheap-goin nigga, I got the heart of a thug
Don't underestimate me; I may look cheap, but I have the heart of a thug.

Leave your pillow like a puddle of a blood
I'll kill you while you sleep on your pillow, leaving it soaked in blood.

And I'm gonna show you how it is to stomp and never been love at all
I will show you how rough it is to be in my shoes, where I've never felt love.

Every day I'm stuck in this game so I got to play it
I'm always in this game, so I have to continue playing it.

Yeah I made up my bed so I got to lay in it
I made my choices in life, so I have to live with the consequences.

There's only one way out, limo, window tinted
There's only one way to escape, in a limousine with tinted windows.

My momma prayin daily for my spirit
My mother prays every day for my well-being and safety.

Fuck that! I'm here to stay nigga deal with it
I'm here to stay, so deal with it!

And I'm one of the real niggaz that's actually real with it
I'm one of the few real people who keep it real.

Meals, I'm gonna get it, but it's about what happens when I get it
I will get my meals, but what matters is what I do after I get them.

Will these niggaz come clackin for my trinkets? Think it's a joke?
Will these people come after me for my possessions? Do they think it's a game?

Part it out while I kick it and smoke
I'll break it down while I relax and smoke.

We live on the ropes, triple-beam hopes
We live on the edge, hoping for a better future.

Simple schemes broke, two minutes to go alone
Our simple plans failed, and there's only two minutes left to be alone.

Fall or come up, fuck it, stack ones up
Either fall and give up, or keep going and stack money.

My eyes on these bitches
I'm focused on women.

And when it's me and the law, shit I'm the first to draw
And when it's me against the law, I'm quick to pull out my weapon.

Maintain, till the end of the game
Keep hustling and surviving until the game ends.

Fuck that! Fuck that!
I don't care about that!

Fuck you too baby! Fuck all y'all niggaz
I don't care about any of you!

I'm on some maintain shit
I'm focused on staying alive and surviving.

Most of the time, niggaz get money and only last for like a year
Most of the time, people make money and only last for a short period of time.

I'm tryin to have money for twenty years, thirty years, forty years
I'm striving to have money that will last for multiple decades.

It's called a general,
This is what a true leader is.

It's easy to get money in your pocket nigga, but can you keep it?
It's easy to make money, but can you keep it and make it last?

Can you maintain?
Can you survive and thrive for a long time without failing?

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: KAMIL BEALE, MUTAH W. BEALE, RUFUS LEE COOPER, MALCOLM GREENIDGE, CARL R. HARTE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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