Shamele Mackie (born December 31, 1978 in Brooklyn, New York), better known… Read Full Bio ↴Shamele Mackie (born December 31, 1978 in Brooklyn, New York), better known by his stage name Papoose, is an American rapper and actor signed to DJ Kayslay's Streetsweepers Entertainment. Raised in the notorious Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, he made his first attempts at being a rapper at the young age of 11, and he made his first recorded appearance on Kool G Rap's Roots of Evil album in 1998. Since then he has released 22 mixtapes to huge underground success. In 2008, he issued a statement saying that he and fellow rapper Remy Ma were to be married, but due to her impending jail sentence of potentially up to 25 years, they had changed their plans and intend to marry in prison instead. The prison wedding was called off after he attempted to smuggle a handcuffs key into prison on their wedding day in May 2008. After the incident, Papoose married Remy Ma the next day inside the courtroom right before sentencing and was barred from visiting her for six months.

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 Truth
Papoose Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You want answers?
I think I'm entitled!
You want answers?!
I want the truth!
You can't handle the truth!

If ya fake, ya fake!
(fake, fake)

If ya wack, ya wack!
(wack, wack)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(hot, hot)

Most of you rap cats
Don't appeal to me
A lot of you say you keeping it real
But you ain't real to me
Mac 10, Ice Cube, W.C
You niggers make me laugh
Ya'll belong on W.B
Coolio is so whacky, it's disgusting
Most rappers on the West Coast
Don't even like you
Trust me
And E-40 I gotta talk about you
Your style's so annoying
I just wanna smack the shit out you
And Snoop?
I don't know where to begin
There should be a sin
To be a millionaire and be so thin
But on the real
When you first got the deal
You was the man
I swear to god Snoop
I used to be your fan
What happened?
Now everything you make sucks
Now you're just like all these
Other commercial dumb fucks

MC Ren?
I respect you kid
But your style kinda died (with Easy E in it)

If ya fake, ya fake!
(real niggaz know)
If ya wack, ya wack!
(real niggaz know)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(real niggaz know)

The Truth!
(real niggaz know)
The Truth!
(real niggaz know)

If ya fake, ya fake!
(real niggaz know)
If ya wack, ya wack!
(real niggaz know)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(real niggaz know)

The Truth!
(real niggaz know)
The Truth!
(real niggaz know)

Foxy Brown?
Who the hell gave you that name?
I saw you in Harlem
You looked like a dude
Fuck game
It's a shame tryin' to
Gain fame as a hoe
You the same as the other hoes
That came in the
Game for the dope
And Nore I never liked you and Capone
But I can't fund on your album
You sound better alone!
And I don't really mean to diss you
'Cause you really seem cool
But most of your rhymes
Sound like you never finished school

DMX?
No doubt you got a rap soul
But the way you stress
Your the best
But your head is a little too blown
You kill me with all that dog barking
Gimmick-crap
Carice one already put a song
About gimmicks on the map

Cannibus you rack hot, 97
On a scale from one to ten
We all said 11
DMX got a 9
Nore a 6
I'm glad you left Wyclef alone
'Cause you cats didn't mix

Mase you came real
With DMX and Alocks
But now
You sound more in beef
Than Devil Cocks
You represent Harlem
But Harlem don't respect you
And if those rumors are true
You better get someone else protect you!

If ya fake, ya fake!
(real niggaz know)
If ya wack, ya wack!
(real niggaz know)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(real niggaz know)

The Truth!
(real niggaz know)
The Truth!
(real niggaz know)

If ya fake, ya fake!
(real niggaz know)
If ya wack, ya wack!
(real niggaz know)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(real niggaz know)

The Truth!
(real niggaz know)
The Truth!
(real niggaz know)

Will Smith?
Now you know damn well
The only air you belong on
Is the one in Bell
Even though I don't like you
I don't hate you
I hate when award shows let you win
And nonetheless nominate you

Onxy?
I love y'all
But I gotta pull your card
You gotta be soft
'Cause you act too hard

Big Daddy Kane?
I get rolled off the mobe
But you sober
When you came out with that black
Beautiful in the bone

You hurt me
And most of your fans
I'm glad you back out
And keepin' it real
Please keep it in your plans

Charlie Baltimore
You need more than just luck
'Cause you suck
And I really mean you suck!

Cameron?
Your first joint was off the hook
And I liked a lot of songs off your album
But look
Horse N' Carriage
Fuck me up
That shit was wack
And the remix
Had nothing to do
With that track

But I don't blame you
Believe me
I know the game
Record labels
Holly Gift Creative controlling it
Is a shame!

Look at McCgruff his album was a hike
But the cats he sounded with
Didn't even put the shit right!

If ya fake, ya fake!
(real niggaz know)
If ya wack, ya wack!
(real niggaz know)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(real niggaz know)

The Truth!
(real niggaz know)
The Truth!
(real niggaz know)

If ya fake, ya fake!
(real niggaz know)
If ya wack, ya wack!
(real niggaz know)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(real niggaz know)

The Truth!
(real niggaz know)
The Truth!
(real niggaz know)

If ya fake, ya fake!
(real niggaz know)
If ya wack, ya wack!
(real niggaz know)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(real niggaz know)

The Truth!
(real niggaz know)
The Truth!
(real niggaz know)

If ya fake, ya fake!
(real niggaz know)
If ya wack, ya wack!
(real niggaz know)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(real niggaz know)

The Truth!
(real niggaz know)
The Truth!
(real niggaz know)
The Truth!

If ya fake, ya fake!
(fake, fake)
If ya wack, ya wack!
(wack, wack)
If ya hot, ya hot!
(hot, hot)

If ya fake, ya fake, fake, fake,
Fake, fake, fake, fake...

Overall Meaning

In the song "The Truth" by Papoose, the rapper disses various celebrities and other rappers about their abilities and characteristics. He questions their authenticity and accuses many of them of making terrible music. Papoose uses several popular rap stars from the late 90s and early 2000s as examples of how the industry sometimes creates fake or unimpressive artists. The song emphasizes Papoose's love for real hip hop and his disdain for what he views as the inorganic and degrading components of the industry. The phrase "if you fake, you fake/ if you wack, you wack/ if you hot, you hot" repeats throughout the song to drive home this point.

Papoose's "The Truth" exposes the hypocrisy, immorality, and lack of creative authenticity that he perceives in some rappers. Interestingly, one of the most significant aspects of the song is that Papoose himself would eventually sign to RCA records around two years after its release, following the trend of many of the same types of celebrities he criticizes. Nevertheless, "The Truth" has large cultural significance because it highlights the conflict between real hip hop ideology and the way the industry often operates.

Line by Line Meaning

You want answers?
Do you desire knowledge or information?

I think I'm entitled!
I believe I have the right or claim to something.

You want answers?!
Are you seeking knowledge or information?

I want the truth!
I desire the actual or real facts.

You can't handle the truth!
You are not capable of accepting or dealing with the truth.

If ya fake, ya fake!
If you are not genuine or authentic, then you are not genuine or authentic.

(fake, fake)
Inauthenticity, inauthenticity.

If ya wack, ya wack!
If you lack skill or talent, then you lack skill or talent.

(wack, wack)
Lack of skill or talent, lack of skill or talent.

If ya hot, ya hot!
If you are talented or successful, then you are talented or successful.

(hot, hot)
Talented or successful, talented or successful.

Most of you rap cats
The majority of you individuals involved in rap music.

Don't appeal to me
Do not attract or interest me.

A lot of you say you keeping it real
Many of you claim to be truthful or authentic.

But you ain't real to me
But you are not genuine or authentic in my perception.

Mac 10, Ice Cube, W.C
Referring to specific rappers Mac 10, Ice Cube, and W.C.

You niggers make me laugh
You individuals amuse or entertain me.

Ya'll belong on W.B
You all should be associated with the Warner Bros. entertainment company.

Coolio is so whacky, it's disgusting
Coolio is incredibly foolish or absurd to the point of being revolting.

Most rappers on the West Coast
The majority of rappers from the western region of the United States.

Don't even like you
Do not even have a favorable opinion of you.

Trust me
Believe or have confidence in what I am saying.

And E-40 I gotta talk about you
And E-40, I need to address you or mention you.

Your style's so annoying
Your manner or way of doing things is extremely bothersome

I just wanna smack the shit out you
I simply desire to forcefully strike you.

And Snoop?
And what about Snoop?

I don't know where to begin
I am unsure of how to start or approach this topic.

There should be a sin
There ought to be a wrongdoing or offense.

To be a millionaire and be so thin
To possess great wealth and yet have a lack of substance or depth.

But on the real
But in reality or truth.

When you first got the deal
When you initially signed a record contract.

You was the man
You were highly respected, influential, or successful.

I swear to god Snoop
I sincerely promise or affirm, Snoop.

I used to be your fan
I used to be a supporter or admirer of yours.

What happened?
What transpired or occurred?

Now everything you make sucks
Now everything you create or produce is of poor quality or unenjoyable.

Now you're just like all these
Now you are similar to all these other individuals.

Other commercial dumb fucks
Other ignorant or foolish individuals who are driven by financial gain.

MC Ren?
And what about MC Ren?

I respect you kid
I have admiration or esteem for you, my friend.

But your style kinda died (with Easy E in it)
But your manner or way of doing things has somewhat lost its impact or significance since Easy E's involvement.

The Truth!
The actual or real facts!

Foxy Brown?
And what about Foxy Brown?

Who the hell gave you that name?
Who in the world bestowed or assigned you that particular name?

I saw you in Harlem
I encountered or observed you in the Harlem neighborhood.

You looked like a dude
You resembled or appeared similar to a male.

Fuck game
Disregard or reject the idea or concept of the game.

It's a shame tryin' to
It is a disgrace or unfortunate when attempting to

Gain fame as a hoe
Obtain fame or recognition as a promiscuous woman.

You the same as the other hoes
You are indistinguishable from the other promiscuous women.

That came in the
Who arrived or entered

Game for the dope
Industry for the purpose of acquiring money or drugs.

And Nore I never liked you and Capone
And Nore, I never had a favorable opinion of you and Capone.

But I can't fund on your album
But I cannot criticize or mock your album.

You sound better alone!
You sound more favorable or superior without collaboration.

And I don't really mean to diss you
And I do not truly intend to insult or disrespect you.

'Cause you really seem cool
Because you genuinely appear pleasant or likable.

But most of your rhymes
However, a large portion of your lyrics

Sound like you never finished school
Resemble or give the impression that you did not complete your education.

DMX?
And what about DMX?

No doubt you got a rap soul
Undeniably, you possess a spirit or essence for rap music.

But the way you stress
However, the manner or way in which you emphasize

Your the best
That you are the greatest or most superior

But your head is a little too blown
But your ego or sense of self-importance is exaggerated or excessive.

You kill me with all that dog barking
You amuse or entertain me with your constant aggressive aggression or bravado.

Gimmick-crap
Deceptive or superficial marketing technique or ploy.

Carice one already put a song
KRS-One already created or released a song

About gimmicks on the map
Regarding the use of deceptive marketing techniques in the industry.

Cannibus you rack hot, 97
Cannibus, you receive high praise or recognition, 97 (referring to a radio station)

On a scale from one to ten
Using a numerical system to evaluate or measure

We all said 11
We unanimously agreed or declared 11, surpassing the scale's limit.

DMX got a 9
DMX received a rating of 9 on the scale.

Nore a 6
Nore received a rating of 6 on the scale.

I'm glad you left Wyclef alone
I am pleased or satisfied that you ceased to interact with Wyclef.

'Cause you cats didn't mix
Because your styles or personalities did not blend or harmonize

Mase you came real
Mase, you presented yourself as genuine or authentic.

With DMX and Alocks
Alongside DMX and Alocks

But now
However, in the present time

You sound more in beef
You now appear primarily concerned with conflict or rivalry

Than Devil Cocks
Than pursuing a career in the rap industry.

You represent Harlem
You symbolize or embody the neighborhood of Harlem.

But Harlem don't respect you
However, Harlem does not hold you in high regard.

And if those rumors are true
And if the claims or speculation is accurate

You better get someone else protect you!
You should acquire the help or support of someone else to ensure your safety or well-being.

Will Smith?
And what about Will Smith?

Now you know damn well
Now you are fully aware or conscious

The only air you belong on
The only place or platform you should be featured on

Is the one in Bell
Is the atmosphere within the Bell entertainment company.

Even though I don't like you
Despite the fact that I am not fond of you

I don't hate you
I do not hold any animosity or ill will towards you.

I hate when award shows let you win
I despise or strongly dislike when award shows grant you victory or recognition.

And nonetheless nominate you
And yet, still consider or officially suggest you for an award.

Onxy?
And what about Onyx?

I love y'all
I have affection or admiration for all of you.

But I gotta pull your card
However, I must expose or reveal your true nature or qualities.

You gotta be soft
You must possess a weak or non-threatening demeanor.

'Cause you act too hard
Because you present yourself as overly tough or aggressive.

Big Daddy Kane?
And what about Big Daddy Kane?

I get rolled off the mobe
I am dismissed or disregarded from memory or consideration.

But you sober
Yet, your behavior is restrained or composed.

When you came out with that black
When you released that dark or introspective

Beautiful in the bone
Song titled 'Beautiful in the Bone.'

You hurt me
You caused me emotional pain or distress.

And most of your fans
And the majority of your supporters or followers.

I'm glad you back out
I am pleased or satisfied that you have returned or made a comeback.

And keepin' it real
And remaining faithful or genuine.

Please keep it in your plans
Please continue to prioritize or make it a part of your future intentions.

Charlie Baltimore
And what about Charlie Baltimore?

You need more than just luck
You require more than simply relying on chance or fortune.

'Cause you suck
Because you are highly inadequate or subpar.

And I really mean you suck!
And I genuinely mean that you are extremely terrible.

Cameron?
And what about Cameron?

Your first joint was off the hook
Your initial release or project was outstanding or highly impressive.

And I liked a lot of songs off your album
And I enjoyed many tracks from your album.

But look
However, take notice

Horse N' Carriage
Song titled 'Horse N' Carriage'

Fuck me up
Negatively affected or overwhelmed me.

That shit was wack
That was of poor quality or unimpressive.

And the remix
And the alternate version or adaptation

Had nothing to do
Contained no connection or relevance

With that track
To the original song.

But I don't blame you
However, I do not hold you responsible or accountable.

Believe me
Have faith or trust in what I am saying.

I know the game
I am familiar with the industry or its workings.

Record labels
Companies that produce and distribute music recordings

Holly Gift Creative controlling it
Having significant influence or power over it.

Is a shame!
Is disgraceful or regrettable!

Look at McCgruff his album was a hike
Consider McCgruff, whose album gained popularity or recognition.

But the cats he sounded with
But the individuals he collaborated or performed with

Didn't even put the shit right!
Failed to properly arrange or organize the material.

The Truth!
The actual or real facts!

If ya fake, ya fake!
If you are not genuine or authentic, then you are not genuine or authentic.