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".

They Don
Outlawz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Y'all ain't never just tripped and pictured
And just looked at the whole situation
'Cause once you look at it
You know (Really do)

They don't give a fuck about us
They don't give a fuck about us
They don't give a fuck about us

If I choose to ride, thuggin' 'til the day I die
Nobody gives a fuck about us
And when I start to rise
A hero in their children's eyes
Now they give a fuck about us

Some say niggas is hard headed 'cause we love to trick
Equipped with game so we bang with this thuggish shit
I see you tryin' to hide, hopin' that nobody don't notice
You must always remember
You're still a member of the hopeless
See, you're black like me, so you snap like me
When these devils try to plot, trap our young black seeds
Look it, cops are just as crooked as the niggas they chasin'
Lookin' for role models, our father figures is basers
Some say they expect Illuminati take my body to sleep
Niggas at the party with they shotties just as rowdy as me
Before I fear computer chips, I gotta deal with brothers flippin'
I don't see no devils bleedin', only black blood drippin'
We can change, what your mouth say?
I'm watchin' niggas work their lives out without pay
Whatever it takes to switch places with the busters on top
I'm bustin' shots, make the world stop
They don't give a fuck about us

Now if I choose to ride, thuggin' 'til the day I die
Nobody gives a fuck about us
But when I start to rise
A hero in their children's eyes
Now they give a fuck about us
If I choose to ride, thuggin' 'til the day I die
Nobody gives a fuck about us
But when I start to rise
A hero in their children's eyes
Now they give a fuck about us

It's the morning after and now all the laughter is gone
Time to reflect on what you did 'cause they saying you wrong
I'm sure you had your reasons dawg, I don't doubt you
See the simple fact of the matter is they don't give a fuck about you
Or them five mouths you forced to feed (Uh-huh)
Not including yourself, all you want is wealth, they perceive it as greed
So as you loaded up that MAC and continue to bust
I was on paper, thinkin' they don't give a fuck about us

I'm seein' it clearer, hatin' the picture in the mirror
They claim we inferior, so why the fuck these devils fear ya?
I'm watchin' my nation die, genocide the cause
Expect a blood bath, the aftermath is y'alls
I told you, last album, we need help 'cause we dyin'
Give us a chance, help us advance, 'cause we tryin'
Ignore my whole plea, watchin' us in disgust
And then they beg when my guns bust
They don't give a fuck about us

Now if I choose to ride, thuggin' 'til the day I die
Nobody gives a fuck about us
But when I start to rise
A hero in their children's eyes
Now they give a fuck about us
If I choose to ride, thuggin' 'til the day I die
Nobody gives a fuck about us
But when I start to rise
A hero in their children's eyes
Now they give a fuck about us

Now, all my homies got love for me
Down to catch a slug for me
Guaranteed to bleed deeply, now that's love
Shit, nobody else could give a fuck
If I'm tore down, from the floor down, six-feet deep in the cut
What the fuck done went wrong?
How long will I be mourned?
When I'm gone, same song, ain't gave a fuck all along
And who am I to blame 'em?
Just do or die through the rainin'
Since they don't give a fuck, I don't, feel what I'm sayin'?

Now, thug niggas die but multiply in doubles
Wrapped in plastic or closed casket for our troubles
Pressed in times, we busted, like bubbles
With the police, this nation's peace sent here to run you
Now look at what this crooked world has come to
I grew up on the other side of perfect, a life of hurtin'
Master a hustle, soon dyin' certain
So I spent your time in poor and workin', I see no reason
So I stay ballin' season to season
Why you stuck thinkin' that they give a fuck?

You tell me my world is in peace, but nigga, you're lyin'
'Cause half of my niggas long gone
Buried in the dirt just for tryin'
Sometimes I think my block is dyin' and that is awful
To wake up to another day, shit ain't changed that's all fool
I wake up sweatin', dreamin', coughin'
Seein' me upside down backwards head twisted
While I'm layin' in the coffin
The shit comes around so often, so tell me somethin'
Before I take it out on the world, and get to dumpin'
Nigga, I be so in vain, go through the struggle
And I'm doin' the same thing you did at my age, and that's hustlin'
On the edge of straight bustin'
Well, since you don't give a fuck, I be frontin'
I'mma drink my Hennessy like it ain't nothin'

Now if I choose to ride, thuggin' 'til the day I die
They don't gives a fuck about us
But while I'm kickin' rhymes
Kick it to their children's minds
Now they give a fuck about us
They wanna see us die
They kick us every time we try
'Cause they don't give a fuck about us
So while I'm gettin' high
I'm watchin' as the world goes by
'Cause they don't give a fuck about us
If I choose to ride, thuggin' 'til the day I die
They don't gives a fuck about us
But while I'm kickin' rhymes
Kick it to their children's minds
Now they give a fuck about us
They wanna see us die
They kick us every time we try
'Cause they don't give a fuck about us
So while I'm gettin' high
I'm watchin' as the world goes by

'Cause they don't give a fuck about us
Rise, rise

Overall Meaning

The Outlawz's song "Us" is a powerful commentary on the systemic oppression that people of color face in society. The lyrics reflect the frustration and anger of young black men who have grown up under the weight of poverty, racism, and police brutality. The first verse speaks directly to the listener, urging them to look closely at the situation and see that those in power do not care about them. The repetition of the phrase "They don't give a fuck about us" is a declaration of defiance against a society that views them as disposable.

The second verse focuses on the struggles of black youth and the ways they are perceived and mistreated by law enforcement. The lyrics emphasize that police corruption and brutality are as much a part of the problem as the lack of positive role models and opportunities for young black men. The repeated line "Lookin' for role models, our father figures is basers" highlights the lack of positive male figures in the black community and the resulting influence of drugs and crime.

Line by Line Meaning

Y'all ain't never just tripped and pictured
You have never taken a moment to step back and imagine

And just looked at the whole situation
To truly examine and understand the entire circumstance

'Cause once you look at it
Because once you observe it closely

You know (Really do)
You will understand the truth (truly)

They don't give a fuck about us
They do not care about us

Some say niggas is hard headed 'cause we love to trick
Some believe that we, as African-Americans, are stubborn because we enjoy deception and manipulation

Equipped with game so we bang with this thuggish shit
Armed with knowledge and street smarts, we engage in illicit activities

You must always remember
You must always keep in mind

You're still a member of the hopeless
You still belong to the group of people without hope

See, you're black like me, so you snap like me
Because you are black like me, you react in the same way as I do

When these devils try to plot, trap our young black seeds
As these oppressive individuals conspire to entrap our young black generation

Lookin' for role models, our father figures is basers
Seeking for positive influences, but our male authority figures are drug users

Some say they expect Illuminati take my body to sleep
Some claim that they anticipate the Illuminati to harm or kill me

Niggas at the party with they shotties just as rowdy as me
Black men at the gathering armed with their weapons and behaving as unruly as I do

Before I fear computer chips, I gotta deal with brothers flippin'
I have to confront the betrayal and disloyalty of my own brothers before I worry about technology taking over

I don't see no devils bleedin', only black blood drippin'
I witness no demons suffering, only black people experiencing hardships

We can change, what your mouth say?
We have the ability to transform, what are you saying with your words?

I'm watchin' niggas work their lives out without pay
I observe black individuals laboring without receiving fair compensation

Whatever it takes to switch places with the busters on top
We are willing to do whatever it takes to trade positions with those in power

I'm bustin' shots, make the world stop
I am firing gunshots, causing the world to come to a halt

It's the morning after and now all the laughter is gone
After the events have unfolded, the joy and amusement have disappeared

Time to reflect on what you did 'cause they saying you wrong
It is necessary to contemplate your actions as others are claiming they were misguided

I'm sure you had your reasons dawg, I don't doubt you
I'm certain you had your justifications, my friend, I have no doubts about that

See the simple fact of the matter is they don't give a fuck about you
The straightforward truth is that they do not care about you

Or them five mouths you forced to feed (Uh-huh)
Nor do they care about the five people you are obligated to provide for

Not including yourself, all you want is wealth, they perceive it as greed
Excluding yourself, all you desire is financial success, but they view it as greed

So as you loaded up that MAC and continue to bust
As you armed yourself with a MAC gun and continued to shoot

I was on paper, thinkin' they don't give a fuck about us
I was confined in prison, pondering the fact that they have no concern for us

I'm seein' it clearer, hatin' the picture in the mirror
I am realizing it more clearly, despising the reflection in the mirror

They claim we inferior, so why the fuck these devils fear ya?
They assert that we are inferior, so why do these oppressive individuals still dread you?

I'm watchin' my nation die, genocide the cause
I am witnessing the destruction of my people, and genocide is the reason

Expect a blood bath, the aftermath is y'alls
Anticipate a massacre, the consequences will be on your hands

I told you, last album, we need help 'cause we dyin'
I previously informed you, in my previous album, that we require assistance because we are perishing

Give us a chance, help us advance, 'cause we tryin'
Provide us with an opportunity, assist us in progressing because we are making an effort

Ignore my whole plea, watchin' us in disgust
Disregard my entire request, observing us with revulsion

And then they beg when my guns bust
And then they plead for mercy when my guns start firing

Now, all my homies got love for me
Now, all my friends have affection for me

Down to catch a slug for me
Willing to take a bullet for me

Guaranteed to bleed deeply, now that's love
Assured to be severely injured, now that's true love

Shit, nobody else could give a fuck
Damn, no one else cares at all

If I'm tore down, from the floor down, six-feet deep in the cut
Even if I am broken, completely shattered, buried six feet deep in the grave

What the fuck done went wrong?
What the hell happened and went wrong?

How long will I be mourned?
How much longer will people grieve for my loss?

When I'm gone, same song, ain't gave a fuck all along
When I am no longer here, the situation remains unchanged, they never cared from the start

And who am I to blame 'em?
And who am I to hold them responsible?

Just do or die through the rainin'
Simply survive and persevere through the struggles

Since they don't give a fuck, I don't, feel what I'm sayin'?
Considering that they do not care, I, too, do not feel what I am expressing?

Now, thug niggas die but multiply in doubles
Now, gangster individuals perish but their presence multiplies twofold

Wrapped in plastic or closed casket for our troubles
Encased in plastic or buried in coffins due to our difficulties

Pressed in times, we busted, like bubbles
Under extreme pressure, we burst like bubbles

With the police, this nation's peace sent here to run you
When it comes to law enforcement, they are here to oppress you and disrupt the peace of our nation

Now look at what this crooked world has come to
Now observe the state to which this corrupt world has deteriorated

I grew up on the other side of perfect, a life of hurtin'
I was raised in an imperfect environment, a life filled with pain and suffering

Master a hustle, soon dyin' certain
Become adept at surviving through illicit activities, but it will lead to an inevitable death

So I spent your time in poor and workin', I see no reason
So I wasted your time, impoverished and toiling, and I see no justification

So I stay ballin' season to season
So I continue to live luxuriously, regardless of the circumstances

Why you stuck thinkin' that they give a fuck?
Why are you still under the impression that they care?

You tell me my world is in peace, but nigga, you're lyin'
You claim that my world is peaceful, but man, you are lying

'Cause half of my niggas long gone
Because half of my friends and associates have passed away

Buried in the dirt just for tryin'
Buried in the ground simply for attempting to overcome

Sometimes I think my block is dyin' and that is awful
At times, I believe my neighborhood is perishing, and that is horrendous

To wake up to another day, shit ain't changed that's all fool
To awaken to yet another day where nothing has improved, that's all, fool

I wake up sweatin', dreamin', coughin'
I awaken covered in sweat, plagued by dreams, and coughing

Seein' me upside down backwards head twisted
Witnessing myself with an inverted head, twisted and contorted

While I'm layin' in the coffin
While I am lying in the casket

The shit comes around so often, so tell me somethin'
These circumstances recur frequently, so enlighten me

Before I take it out on the world, and get to dumpin'
Before I vent my frustrations on the world and start shooting

Nigga, I be so in vain, go through the struggle
Man, I am so narcissistic, yet I endure the hardships

And I'm doin' the same thing you did at my age, and that's hustlin'
And I am engaging in the same activities you did at my age, and that is hustling

On the edge of straight bustin'
On the verge of resorting to violence

Well, since you don't give a fuck, I be frontin'
Well, since you do not care, I will pretend

I'mma drink my Hennessy like it ain't nothin'
I will consume my Hennessy as if it is of no consequence

Now if I choose to ride, thuggin' 'til the day I die
Now, if I decide to live a life of crime, embracing the thug mentality until the moment of my death

They don't gives a fuck about us
They do not care about us

But while I'm kickin' rhymes
However, as I am expressing myself through my lyrics

Kick it to their children's minds
Implanting my words into the minds of their children

Now they give a fuck about us
Now they begin to care about us

They wanna see us die
They desire to witness our demise

They kick us every time we try
They metaphorically kick us whenever we attempt to succeed

'Cause they don't give a fuck about us
Because they do not care about us

So while I'm gettin' high
So while I am indulging in drugs

I'm watchin' as the world goes by
I am observing the world as it continues to progress

'Cause they don't give a fuck about us
Because they do not care about us

Rise, rise
Emerge, flourish

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHNNY LEE JACKSON, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR, YAFEU FULA, MUTAH BEALE, MALCOLM GREENIDGE, KATARI COX

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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