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".

So Many Stories
Outlawz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus]
So many stories in the city I live in
I soak up the game, that everyone plays
I'm not the one so when they get caught sleepin
Out for the glory, there's so many stories around my way

It's been hard on us, day by day
Watchin my step gotta play where I lay

Now why this mother fucker want to test me out
It's this thang I'ma protect myself and blow his brains out

Cold on the streets never talk on the phone
And the main thing is never bring a snake in your home
But that's hard black, why?
'cause half the time them niggaz be in your face

smilin and shit but you don't know that
And I don't know why that nigga jealous of me
When he could do the same shit that pay me
In the streets breed a lot of killaz

That's why corners full of hate and the young ones is cap peelers
But they don't feel us when we're drownin in our own blood
And they don't know when we go home it's no love
So what's the use of us carin and shit
And that's the reason we buy guns, load 'em up and spit 'em at shit

[Chorus]
So many stories in the city I live in
I soak up the game, that everyone plays
I'm not the one so when they get caught sleepin
Out for the glory, there's so many stories around my way

[Young Noble]
I know niggaz that was kings that turned into fiends
The nigga lost everything jewels and dreams
He losin teams, the murder rate higher than ever
Niggaz need more than weed gettin higher than ever

Nuts in the streets my roots ain't nothin but deep
Niggaz roam with the heat just for somethin to eat
Niggaz sell to under covers then snitch on they brothers
Everybody sayin fuck us, I know God love us

(Mil a.k.a Hellraza)
I was raised when I cried in the household
Turned me into a nut
But these niggaz didn't know
Just from bein home I seen enough before I learned the streets

I knew all about a gun 'cause my background was deep
A little dirty nigga holdin my pants when I run
It's a chance you gotta take everyday in the slums
This for the hoods where, certain people scared to come
I had a heart as a young nigga, now I don't fear none

[Chorus]
So many stories in the city I live in
I soak up the game, that everyone plays
I'm not the one so when they get caught sleepin
Out for the glory, there's so many stories around my way

I keep my mind on my money, money on my mind
What more can I say it been that way a long time
And anybody, who think that rude
Can suck my dick until they spit my baby girl need food

I was young, when Pac put my hands on a gun
And told me life is what you make it
And stripes you gotta take them
It took a while for me to over stand

I was only 12 but I felt like a grown man
And livin on, and that which does not kill me can only make me strong
But ya'll niggaz don't hear me though
My souljah story, for glorious pain

While I'm game you niggaz playin, played out and lame
This shit hurt, my mind blind my dick in the dirt
And I'm so sick of bein tired, and tired of bein hurt
I search out the truth, and that shit worse

I swear it's a curse that the church can't nurse, come on

[Chorus]
So many stories in the city I live in
I soak up the game, that everyone plays

I'm not the one so when they get caught sleepin
Out for the glory, there's so many stories around my way

Overall Meaning

The chorus of "So Many Stories" talks about the many stories that happen in the city the Outlawz live in. They soak up the game, referring to the street knowledge and way of life that surrounds them. The lyrics also mention their commitment to protecting themselves in a violent environment where they can't trust others. The second verse has Young Noble reflecting on how some people he knew who used to be well-off have become drug addicts, indicating how easy it is to fall into that lifestyle. He goes on to describe the violence and desperation of his neighborhood, and how people are willing to do almost anything to survive. The third verse talks about the experience of growing up in a violent and impoverished environment, where having a gun is a matter of survival. The verse also contrasts this with commercial rap, telling his own story rather than trying to be something he's not.

Line by Line Meaning

So many stories in the city I live in
There are a lot of different stories and experiences in my city

I soak up the game, that everyone plays
I learn from the actions and behavior of those around me

I'm not the one so when they get caught sleepin
I am not the person who will be taken advantage of when someone is not paying attention

Out for the glory, there's so many stories around my way
I am seeking success and recognition in the midst of the many stories and experiences around me

It's been hard on us, day by day
Life has been difficult for us and our community, every single day

Watchin my step gotta play where I lay
I have to be careful and aware of my surroundings and how I interact with them

Now why this mother fucker want to test me out
I am confused as to why this person wants to challenge or provoke me

It's this thang I'ma protect myself and blow his brains out
I will use my weapon to defend myself and possibly even use lethal force

Cold on the streets never talk on the phone
We are cautious and don't speak on the phone in order to avoid being overheard by authorities or enemies

And the main thing is never bring a snake in your home
It is important to not bring untrustworthy or deceitful people into your personal space or circle

But that's hard black, why?
But that is difficult, and the reason why is unclear or maybe even obvious

'cause half the time them niggaz be in your face
Because a lot of the time, those people are pretending to be close to you or friendly with you, even when they are not

smilin and shit but you don't know that
They are smiling and pretending, but you do not know their true intentions or feelings

And I don't know why that nigga jealous of me
I am unsure why this person is envious or resentful of me

When he could do the same shit that pay me
He could also perform the same actions or behaviors that result in financial gain for me

In the streets breed a lot of killaz
The streets have created and bred many individuals who are willing to use violence and even kill others

That's why corners full of hate and the young ones is cap peelers
This is why there is a lot of animosity and violence on the street corners, and why young people are willing to use guns and cause harm

But they don't feel us when we're drownin in our own blood
Others do not understand or sympathize with the violence and pain that we are experiencing

And they don't know when we go home it's no love
When we leave the streets and return to our personal lives, there is not always love or support waiting for us

So what's the use of us carin and shit
What is the point of us caring or trying to make a difference in a system that does not seem to care about our wellbeing?

And that's the reason we buy guns, load 'em up and spit 'em at shit
This is why we arm ourselves and use our weapons to fight back against those who oppress and harm us

I know niggaz that was kings that turned into fiends
I know people who were once successful and respected, but have since become drug addicts and lost everything

The nigga lost everything jewels and dreams
They have lost all their possessions and aspirations

He losin teams, the murder rate higher than ever
They are losing their support system and the murder rate in our city has risen even higher

Niggaz need more than weed gettin higher than ever
People need more than just drugs to escape the problems we are facing, but they are becoming increasingly dependent on them

Nuts in the streets my roots ain't nothin but deep
There are a lot of unstable and unpredictable individuals in the streets, and my personal history runs deep

Niggaz roam with the heat just for somethin to eat
People carry weapons for self-defense and even to commit crimes in order to survive

Niggaz sell to under covers then snitch on they brothers
Some people sell drugs to law enforcement and then inform on their own friends and family

Everybody sayin fuck us, I know God love us
Everyone seems to disrespect or hate us, but I believe that God still loves us and sees us as worthy

I was raised when I cried in the household
I grew up in a tough and emotional environment where I often felt upset and overwhelmed

Turned me into a nut
This environment caused me to become mentally unstable or unpredictable

But these niggaz didn't know
But those around me did not realize or understand the impact of my upbringing on my mental health

Just from bein home I seen enough before I learned the streets
Just from experiencing my home life, I already knew and had seen enough to understand the problems and dangers of the streets

I knew all about a gun 'cause my background was deep
I was already familiar with guns and weapons due to my personal history and upbringing

A little dirty nigga holdin my pants when I run
I was a young and poor child who often had to run away from danger or trouble while holding my pants up

It's a chance you gotta take everyday in the slums
Living in impoverished and dangerous areas is a daily risk and gamble

This for the hoods where, certain people scared to come
This is for the areas where even some people within our own community are too scared or intimidated to visit

I had a heart as a young nigga, now I don't fear none
I used to be emotional and vulnerable as a child, but now I am tough and unafraid

I keep my mind on my money, money on my mind
I am focused on making money and financial success is my primary goal

What more can I say it been that way a long time
There is not much else to explain or elaborate, because this has been my way of life for a long time

And anybody, who think that rude
And anyone who believes that is disrespectful or confrontational

Can suck my dick until they spit my baby girl need food
I do not care what anyone else thinks or says, because I have a daughter to feed and take care of

I was young, when Pac put my hands on a gun
When I was young, Tupac introduced me to guns and gun violence

And told me life is what you make it
He told me that we have the power to create our own lives and circumstances

And stripes you gotta take them
And the difficult times and struggles we face are necessary obstacles to overcome

It took a while for me to over stand
It took me a long time to truly understand or appreciate these teachings

I was only 12 but I felt like a grown man
I was young but felt like I had to mature quickly and take on a lot of responsibility

And livin on, and that which does not kill me can only make me strong
I keep living and persevering, because I believe that the hardships I face will only make me stronger

But ya'll niggaz don't hear me though
But others do not listen or understand me

My souljah story, for glorious pain
My story as a soldier is one of both glory and pain

While I'm game you niggaz playin, played out and lame
While I am striving for success and progress, others are content with stagnation and lameness

This shit hurt, my mind blind my dick in the dirt
This lifestyle and the pain and suffering it causes me makes me feel hopeless and helpless

And I'm so sick of bein tired, and tired of bein hurt
I am exhausted and frustrated with constantly feeling tired and hurt

I search out the truth, and that shit worse
I seek honesty and truth, but sometimes it only makes things more difficult or painful

I swear it's a curse that the church can't nurse, come on
I believe that it is a serious problem that even the church and other religious institutions are unable to fully address or solve the issues we face

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HAROLD MORET, KAMIL BEALE, KATARI T. COX, MUTAH W. BEALE, RUFUS LEE COOPER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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