He was given the name Papoose by his grandmother because of his childhood resemblance to an American Indian child. Inspired by rap legends Rakim, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane, he has been well respected on the underground hip-hop circuit for a long period of time now.
In early 2006, his StreetSweepers crew linked up with Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Inkprint to co-executive produce Papoose's first official album. On August 24, 2006, his official website officially announced that he signed with Jive Records, a deal which, according to his management's official website was worth $1.5 million.
Papoose has recently become known for engaging in charity work, visiting sick children and donated to causes including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and to various Hurricane Katrina charities.
On September 19, 2007 DJ Kay Slay announced that Papoose and himself have parted ways from Jive records. "We have officially gotten our release from Jive fuckin records. It was like a fuckin year of hell... Unfortunately, we almost became victims of A&R hell." On the radio show slay was asked what was next for Papoose, and he said "You know we can't talk about that man." The future of the Papoose's debut album, The Nacirema Dream, is unknown at this time; however, Papoose and Kay Slay are rumored to own the records that were created under Jive.
Papoose is no longer affiliated with Flipmode Squad.
The Boyz in the Hood
Papoose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I told you so
Violator management
Thuga thuga thuga thuga
Thugacation
(Riiiicccky)
One hand on a desert eagle
My other hand on my dick takin a leak fool
The piss splashed on my kicks, I let my feet move
You tellin me you a G, but I don't believe you
Cuz tellin me you a G that's not a G move
I'm the soul controller of all of these dudes
I'm the reason they threw away their evisu
Carry the city by myself, NY heavy
I sent the whole rikus island to law library
Cuz me and slay don't perpitrate, we dictate
We the reason yall puttin credits on yall mixtapes
I'ma sign my name in the book at his wake
Cuz he movin too fast, he better switch pace
When you alive they call you a ugly bastard
But when you die they say 'he look good in a casket'
The wake, the funeral, and the burial
After that nobody remembers you
So as long as you alive, get your revenue
Stop chasin them hepers, that's what you better do
He bustin his gun... The boyz in the hood
He flippin his work... The boyz in the hood
He doin his dirty... The boyz in the hood
The wool to the earth... The boyz in the hood
You put numbers on me, I'll kill you for free
Have niggas ridin on you in the name of loyalty
You clappin at me, how many shots 3?
He got 5 more left, I'm countin them to the tee
Soon as he empty, I swear to my whole team
I'm a chase his ass down and give him the whole thing
Respect what niggas do what they do, but you over did it
You can't take me out the picture I'm photogenic
I'll wash both of yall up, you and your co-defendent
I'll wash more niggas up then a home attendent
Most niggas do biz when they go in the system
He keep comin home, I know he snitchin
But they built funeral homes for house niggas like you
Who can't do a day in jail, or see a night through
I'ma come to your funeral wearin a white suit
So people can see the color that you gave your life to
The wake, the funeral, and the burial
After that nobody remembers you
So as long as you alive, get your revenue
Stop hatin on us, that's what you better do
He bustin his gun... The boyz in the hood
He flippin his work... The boyz in the hood
He doin his dirty... The boyz in the hood
The wool to the earth... The boyz in the hood
You could bullet proof your vest, full metal your jacket
Even cops die with those on, it never mattered
Hard hat your head, bullet proof your rider
None of that could stop your ass from gettin shot up
You pressured lately? No fear, I tote the desert bravely
When I hear shots fired, I never let em graze me
When they die they gon' burn in hell cuz heaven praise me
I'm the nicest how could you underestimate me
My introduction was hella crazy
Cuz you only get one chance to make a first impression baby
You gotta keep it gangsta if you plan to ever phase me
How you gonna keep it regular and try to regulate me?
Been bangin a minute you ain't banged a sec
I'm like a hospital for animals, I'm a vet
I got one question for rappers who disrespect me
Whatchu wanna be, cremated or buried?
The wake, the funeral, and the burial
After that nobody remembers you
So as long as you alive, get your revenue
Stop chasin them hepers, that's what you better do
He bustin his gun... The boyz in the hood
He flippin his work... The boyz in the hood
He doin his dirty... The boyz in the hood
The wool to the earth... The boyz in the hood
In the forthright track "The Boyz in the Hood" by Papoose, he discusses the harsh realities of street life in New York City. He starts with a gritty scene of him urinating beside a garbage can outside of a drug store, juxtaposed with him wielding a Desert Eagle in hand. He calls out those who falsely proclaim to be Gs, deeming them to be unworthy of the title as Gs do not make moves that endanger themselves or their community. Papoose prides himself as the "soul controller" of the toughest rappers in the city, explaining how he even convinced them to abandon the coveted Evisu denim trend. He speaks to his exceptionalism and how he alone can carry the weight of New York City on his shoulders. He reminisces about how he sends messages to his peers through his lyrics, wanting to be known as the one responsible for making people revere their "mixtapes." Papoose offers a warning to those who think little of him, promising to take five shots and make them suffer the consequence of the sixth. He harangues those who aspire to achieve things only in death, with people remembering them at their wake, funeral, and burial. He instructs everyone to accumulate "revenue" when they are alive and not waste time chasing after momentary pleasure that could lead them to unfurl their destinies.
Line by Line Meaning
I know yall niggas hear my footsteps out there
I am confident in myself and expect that others are aware of my presence
You tellin me you a G, but I don't believe you
Just saying you're a gangster doesn't make you one
I'm the reason they threw away their evisu
My influence caused others to stop wearing a particular brand of clothing
When you alive they call you a ugly bastard
But when you die they say 'he look good in a casket'
People's opinions of you change once you are dead, but it's important to focus on living and making money while you can
Stop chasin them hepers, that's what you better do
Don't waste your time pursuing undesirable or unproductive things
He bustin his gun... The boyz in the hood
He flippin his work... The boyz in the hood
He doin his dirty... The boyz in the hood
The wool to the earth... The boyz in the hood
The criminal activities of these men define them as members of the 'boyz in the hood'
You could bullet proof your vest, full metal your jacket
Even cops die with those on, it never mattered
No amount of protection can guarantee safety from violence
Been bangin a minute you ain't banged a sec
I'm like a hospital for animals, I'm a vet
I have more experience and skill in this lifestyle than my opponents, and I can take care of them like a veterinarian takes care of animals
The wake, the funeral, and the burial
After that nobody remembers you
So as long as you alive, get your revenue
Stop chasin them hepers, that's what you better do
The only thing that matters is making money while you're alive
Writer(s): Shamele Mackie
Contributed by Molly S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Monk Morgan
classic era of mixtapes. papoose made some classics remixing movies and old songs to produce so serious thought provoking bangers.
kk ss
Wen I listen to this .. I feel like I was in the movie. Paints a picture ..
KingAvery89
Been bumping this song for over 10 year's now, still my shit.
EditedImpressions
one of my fav papoose tracks!
Dominique Jones
Still mine
MUSIC SHACK
2019 and still goosebumps when I listen to this
mommamogel 2
Remeber when this movie came out I always thought this beat would be fire for the right artist PAP IS THE RIGHT ARTIST....love how they kept the sound effects baby crying furious rolling the stress balls in his hand.....
13youngtazz
Papoose.... The most lyrical one alive
The Guardian Archives
This shit was Fire! 🔥🔥 First mixtape after getting signed
Stay Making Moves
Papoose is a Legend