(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't Understand
Outlawz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y'all don't understand
Y'all want to, but cha don't though
This ain't what I planned
This is who I am
(I am, this is who I am)
(I am, this is who I am)
I ain't sayin' nothin' strange
My feelin's ain't changed
My feelin's ain't changed
No - no -- no - no
I ain't rappin', no
I look up to him
We got mo' laps to go
Understand? Naw, y'all don't understand
Pac made a nigga watch like a peep hole
Banger, that's my bigga' brotha'
I put it on my mother
I swear we need each other
(I swear we need each other)
Im just a real nigga talkin'
Real talk til I lay up in the coffin
And I'll handle my hat
And I'll gamble my stratch
Til I get mine back
It's just me dawg
[Chorus]
They don't understand
Why the fuck we do what we do
They don't understand
Why the fuck we keep it so true
They don't understand
Why the fuck we just don't give a fuck
They don't understand
When they see a nigga comin' up
They don't understand
They don't understand
They don't understand
But I don't give a damn, no
They don't understand
They don't understand
They don't understand
But I don't give a damn, no
[E.D.I]
Picture my mission
I'm in it to get it
One nigga yellin' FUCK THE WORLD
Homey that's how I live it
Strapped up
Us against the world
That's how we did it
I'm like fuck 'em
If they don't understand they ain't with us
They ain't in this
We them Outlaw souljahs
They them other niggaz that be rollin wit the row
Ya snitch
Y'all can kill my pride
If ya want it
The shit is in my veins
My blood streams is hunted
How could you not understand a nigga like me
How could you not understand living like a 'G'
It's who you be
I don't know about you
But the shit I'm puttin' down on these beats
Motherfucker it's true
No need to sugar-coat it
Or pussy deep stone it
My shit is so real
That's why the streets want it
Squares don't understand
That's why they hate on it
I'm like FUCK 'EM
They ain't stoppin' my chips
Hell naw niggaaaa
[Chorus]
[YOUNG NOBLE]
They don't understand
Man it's deeper then the music
Overstand what I'm sayin' to ya
(nigga just listen to me)
And when I die
Y'all keep on mashin'
Makaveli in our blood
We laced with his ashes
Got the mind of the militant
The heart of a souljah
Got the spirit of a struggla'
I know why God lovin' us
And all the glory is his
(all the glory is his)
They said we couldn't
But I knew we could win
With my back against the wall
Hands tied behind my back
When you got God on ya team
Young Outlaw king, I mean
Gotta feel it, don't hate it
Gotta respect it, we made it
And young niggaz worldwide related
To some shit that I was sayin' from the bottom of my heart
They felt like we felt
Tryna get some light
We in the dark
(they don't understand -- stand)
All the shit we been through
(but if you understand)
You went through something similar too
Ya feel me dawg
[Chorus]
The Outlawz's song, They Don't Understand, is an anthem that expresses the realities of being misunderstood. The song features verses from Kastro, E.D.I, and Young Noble. In Kastro's verse, he talks about people not understanding who he truly is, and although they want to, they can't seem to fathom it. He then goes on to say that his admiration for greed hasn't changed, and he looks up to people who motivate him. Kastro also shows his loyalty to Tupac, who was an instrumental figure in his life. He admits that he needs Tupac's inspiration, and they are like brothers who rely on each other to succeed.
In E.D.I's verse, he talks about how people never seem to understand why he lives the way he does. He believes that they are not with him and his crew, and therefore, he doesn't pay attention to their criticisms. His loyalty lies with being an outlaw souljah, and he takes pride in it. He believes his music is real, and the streets love it, even though squares don't understand it.
Young Noble's verse, on the other hand, takes a more spiritual approach. He mentions how the song is more profound than just music and expresses that Makaveli is in their blood, referencing Tupac's alter ego. Young Noble talks about how his mind is militant, his heart is of a soldier, and he has the spirit of a struggler. He shows that he's proud of his roots and how he has made it and relates to young people worldwide who feel insignificant. He also talks about how he may be in the dark, but his back is against the wall, and with God's help, he can overcome anything.
Line by Line Meaning
Y'all don't understand
The listener does not comprehend the singer's perspective or choices.
Y'all want to, but cha don't though
The listener desires to comprehend the singer's perspective, but is unable to do so.
This ain't what I planned
The singer did not intend for their situation or choices to turn out this way.
This is who I am
The artist's current situation or choices are an authentic representation of their personality or character.
I look up to greed
The artist admires the pursuit of wealth and material possessions.
I ain't sayin' nothin' strange
The singer's admiration for greed is not an uncommon sentiment.
My feelin's ain't changed
The singer's opinion on the value of greed has not shifted.
No - no -- no - no
The artist reiterates that their stance on greed has not changed, and is not open for debate.
I ain't rappin', no
The artist is not merely stating these sentiments for the purpose of a rap performance; they truly believe them.
We got mo' laps to go
The artist and their peers have future goals and aspirations that they intend to pursue.
Understand? Naw, y'all don't understand
The listener still does not comprehend the singer's viewpoint, despite their efforts to explain it.
Pac made a nigga watch like a peep hole
The late rapper Tupac Shakur (also known as 'Pac') had a profound impact on the artist's life and perspective.
Banger, that's my bigga' brotha'
The singer has a close, familial relationship with someone they refer to as 'Banger.'
I put it on my mother
The singer swears to the truth of their statements, with their mother as proof of their sincerity.
I swear we need each other
The singer and 'Banger' rely on one another for support and guidance in their lives and careers.
Im just a real nigga talkin'
The artist prides themselves on being honest and genuine, rather than artful or calculated, in their communication.
Real talk til I lay up in the coffin
The artist intends to speak and live authentically until their death.
And I'll handle my hat
The singer will persevere through difficult situations with a sense of dignity and pride.
And I'll gamble my stratch
The singer is willing to take chances and risks in pursuit of their goals.
Til I get mine back
The artist will continue pushing forward until they achieve the success and recognition they desire.
They don't understand
The listener remains unable to comprehend or empathize with the artist's perspective.
Why the fuck we do what we do
The listener cannot grasp the motivations behind the artist's actions and choices.
Why the fuck we keep it so true
The singer and their peers value honesty and authenticity in their art and their lives.
Why the fuck we just don't give a fuck
The artist and their peers do not care about conforming to societal norms or expectations.
When they see a nigga comin' up
The singer and their peers are beginning to gain success and recognition in their careers.
But I don't give a damn, no
The listener's inability to comprehend the singer's viewpoint has no effect on the singer.
Picture my mission
The singer has a clear sense of purpose or goals.
I'm in it to get it
The artist is committed to achieving their goals.
One nigga yellin' FUCK THE WORLD
The artist has a rebellious, anti-establishment attitude.
Homey that's how I live it
The singer consistently embraces their rebellious attitude and approach to life.
Strapped up
The singer is prepared to defend themselves if necessary, likely with a weapon.
Us against the world
The artist and their peers feel alienated from or in opposition to mainstream society.
That's how we did it
The artist and their peers have achieved success in the past through a united or defiant approach.
If they don't understand they ain't with us
Those who cannot comprehend the artist's perspective or share their values are not accepted or trusted by the artist and their peers.
We them Outlaw souljahs
The singer and their peers are a part of a larger collective known as the Outlawz, who share their attitude and approach to life.
Y'all can kill my pride
The listener can attempt to shame or discredit the artist, but will ultimately fail.
If ya want it
The singer is prepared to stand by their convictions and face any consequences.
The shit is in my veins
The singer's rebellious attitude and sense of purpose are deeply ingrained in their character.
My blood streams is hunted
The singer has experienced trauma or violence that has left a deep impression on them.
How could you not understand a nigga like me
The listener should be able to relate to the artist's experiences and attitude, given their shared identity as Black men.
How could you not understand living like a 'G'
The listener should be able to understand the artist's admiration for a 'gangsta' or defiant lifestyle.
It's who you be
The singer's lifestyle and attitude are integral to their identity and sense of self.
I don't know about you
The singer acknowledges that their perspective and lifestyle may not be universal or shared by everyone.
But the shit I'm puttin' down on these beats
The artist's music is an authentic expression of their perspective and lifestyle.
Motherfucker it's true
The artist's statements and attitudes are not exaggerated or insincere.
No need to sugar-coat it
The artist will not soften or obscure their perspective for the sake of appealing to a wider audience.
Or pussy deep stone it
The singer will not back down or retreat from their perspective, even in the face of opposition or danger.
My shit is so real
The artist's music and perspective are not fabricated or inauthentic.
That's why the streets want it
The singer's music and perspective resonate with a broad audience, especially those who share their sense of alienation or opposition to mainstream society.
Squares don't understand
Those who conform to mainstream society and values cannot comprehend or relate to the singer's perspective or lifestyle.
That's why they hate on it
Those who cannot comprehend the singer's perspective or lifestyle will attempt to discredit or oppose it.
They ain't stoppin' my chips
Those who oppose or misunderstand the artist will not prevent them from achieving success or recognition.
Hell naw niggaaaa
The artist is resolute and committed to their perspective and goals, and will not be deterred by opposition or criticism.
Man it's deeper then the music
The singer's music and perspective have a deeper significance and resonance than merely entertainment or art.
Overstand what I'm sayin' to ya
The listener must not only understand but internalize and relate to the singer's perspective and message.
And when I die
The artist is considering their legacy beyond their immediate life.
Y'all keep on mashin'
The listener should continue pursuing their goals and objectives after the artist's death, in accordance with the artist's perspective.
Makaveli in our blood
Tupac Shakur's influence and message are deeply ingrained in the artist's perspective and values.
We laced with his ashes
The singer and their peers have incorporated Tupac's legacy and influence into their own identity and lifestyle.
Got the mind of the militant
The artist has a committed and unwavering attitude towards their perspective and goals.
The heart of a souljah
The singer is driven by their sense of identity and values, rather than external motivations or rewards.
Got the spirit of a struggla'
The singer has faced adversity and challenges in their life and career, but has continued to pursue their goals.
I know why God lovin' us
The singer has a broader, spiritual perspective on their experiences and purpose.
And all the glory is his
The artist acknowledges that their achievements and success are ultimately due to a higher power or forces beyond their control.
They said we couldn't
The artist and their peers have faced opposition and criticism in their pursuit of success and recognition.
But I knew we could win
The singer maintained their belief in their own abilities and goals, despite doubts and opposition from others.
With my back against the wall
The singer has faced significant challenges and obstacles in their life and career.
Hands tied behind my back
The artist has faced limitations or constraints on their actions or opportunities.
When you got God on ya team
The artist's spiritual beliefs and values provide them with a source of strength and guidance.
Young Outlaw king, I mean
The artist is proud of their identity as a member of the Outlawz collective and their commitment to rebellious, anti-establishment values.
Gotta feel it, don't hate it
The listener must not only understand but embrace and appreciate the singer's perspective and message.
Gotta respect it, we made it
The artist and their peers have achieved recognition and success despite opposition and challenges, and should be respected for their accomplishments.
And young niggaz worldwide related
The singer's music and message have resonated with a global audience of young people who share their sense of alienation or opposition to mainstream society.
To some shit that I was sayin' from the bottom of my heart
The singer's music and message are a genuine, authentic expression of their perspective and values.
They felt like we felt
The singer's fans and supporters can relate to their experiences and perspective, leading to a sense of community and mutual understanding.
Tryna get some light
The artist and their peers are striving for recognition and success in their careers and lives.
We in the dark
The artist and their peers feel alienated or misunderstood by mainstream society, leading to a sense of isolation or obscurity.
Contributed by Andrew S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Odiwuor Ocholla
on Leave the Past Behind
BEST SONG EVER, TOO BAD I'M LISTENING TO IT LATE
Odiwuor Ocholla
on Leave the Past Behind
BEST SONG EVER, TOO BAD I'M LISTENING TO IT LATE
Odiwuor Ocholla
on Leave the Past Behind
BEST SONG EVER, TOO BAD I'M LISTENING TO IT LATE