As a young kid growing up in San Jose, Chris Manak soon realized he needed … Read Full Bio ↴As a young kid growing up in San Jose, Chris Manak soon realized he needed an escape from the realities of suburban life in the Silicon Valley. The age of nine was his coming of age. This was the year he discovered sports (Pittsburgh Pirates), video games (Pac man), girls (Anita Balderama), and hip hop ("Rappers Delight"). Alongside partner Sweet Steve, young Chris fashioned primitive mix-tapes (using the pause button) and ran amok at the local roller rink.

He took on the name Peanut Butter Wolf in the late-80s when he realized that, in an odd turn of events, a girlfriend’s youngest brother feared the “peanut butter wolf monster” more than death itself. Wolf and his more conventionally-named counterpart, Charizma, began recording in 1989 when the two were still teenagers. Within three years, the duo signed a contract with Hollywood Basic (Disney) alongside label mates Organized Konfusion and DJ Shadow. Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf were riding high, touring Europe, receiving press in magazines such as Billboard and (a then newspaper format) Urb , hanging with radio legends Sway & King Tech on Wake Up Show and performing live shows with groups like House of Pain, Nas and The Pharcyde. Then, in December of 1993, Charizma tragically lost his life. Stunned, Wolf temporarily gave up on music.

After releasing the song "Just Like A Test" with Charizma for David Paul's Bomb Hip Hop Compilation early in 1994, Upstairs Records, a label known primarily for house music, approached Wolf to record an instrumental LP. Thus, the Peanut Butter Breaks was born; the record became the Wolf’s calling card, leading to meetings and collaborations with like-minded DJs like Q-bert, Cut Chemist and Rob Swift.

After the release of Peanut Butter Breaks, PB Wolf found himself in demand as a producer. His track for the all-scratching compilation Return of the DJ was labeled “incredible” by The Source magazine. He released a 6 song compilation for South Paw Records in 1995, featuring collaborations with up and coming San Jose MCs. He also produced Kool Keith's first single as a solo artist "Wanna Be A Star." These releases, amongst others, led to a picture disc EP for British label 2 Kool Records.

In 1996, Peanut Butter Wolf founded Stones Throw Records. Charizma’s posthumous "My World Premiere" was the single to launch the label. A few highlights in the beginning were the songs "Unassisted" by Rasco, Super Duck Breaks LP by DJ Babu, and hip hop 7” series.

Lately, PB Wolf has moved away from producing (save the odd remix or compilation track) to build the Stones Throw label and to travel as a DJ to Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, and across the US. Through his willingness to experiment and provide Stones Throw’s artists with musical carte blanche, he has overseen the releases of Lootpack’s Soundpieces, Quasimoto’s The Unseen, Breakestra’s Live Mix, Yesterdays New Quintet’s Angles Without Edges, Madlib's Shades of Blue, and Jaylib's Champion Sound.

Hold up
Peanut Butter Wolf Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

featuring Rasco

Verse 1:

Yo check

I capital punish brothers that fronted

Can only write rhymes any time they get blunted

We be at the spot chillin

While you're stealin

Niggas is still walkin Rasco is four wheelin

Only built for speed yes indeed

27 years old with no seed

I'm a raw breed

But still got mouths to feed

So don't be givin me shit I don't need

I make the head hurt

>From the supadupa legwork

Now these brothas be wantin the red shirt

I bring it to the chest when I suppass the rest

Now a different story when I come blast the vest

Teflon spittin and written, I stab kitten

Comin out your face

Sideways, it's forbidden

Better get the guiden

I swopped like Batmidden

Soon as niggas open they mouth I start shittin

Right down they neck, they threw the whole nine

Seen you fools scopin my plans the whole time

Said I couldn't rhyme, that's funny

Women didn't want it but now they yell honey

Bring 'em to the house

Watch 'em come out the blouse

Unzip the pants then watch the snake dance

Assume the stance, cash in advance

I got the full package but watch the right hand

Verse 2:

It's the five-minute drill

But still we stack bills

Take you to the shop to fix them broke wheels

Tell you how it feels to starve with no meals

Bring it to the front to pump with no frills

All extra shit can get the backsplit

Ras be the brother that women relax with

I do a backflip, then pirouette inject

Plus be the nigga that never lost a bet

Television sets ain't big enough to see

And now my career ain't big enough for three

Still down with 'em, can talk and laugh with 'em

But tell you one thing, can't split it in half with 'em

Half a 1/3 to me sounds absurd

I rather keep a 100% to pay rent

Lay out the prints, the plans to stand grande

And keep the joint jumpin from Philly to San Fran

Never gave a damn how hard y'all can slam

Broke out the mic to smoke your half gram

A 150 pounds with worldwide respect

Be chillin at the crib while Wolf signs the check

1998

Soul Father

PB Wolf, on the 1's and the 2's

Wack crews get bruised

Check us out y'all

Check us out y'all

Overall Meaning

In Peanut Butter Wolf's song, Hold Up, featuring Rasco, the lyrics of the verses revolve around bragging rights and the journey to the top of the music industry. The song starts with both of them talking about how they have no tolerance for people who front, and how they only come up with good rhymes when they're high on weed. They also talk about how they spend their time at the spot, while others are stealing, and how Rasco is moving forward, symbolized by the mention of four-wheeling. Rasco also talks about how he's built for speed and how he doesn't have a child yet. He talks about how he's got mouths to feed but doesn't need any more crap from others. They both also talk about how they're the best in the game and how they're ready to take on anyone. The second verse talks about how they're stacking bills and how they're able to fix everything, including broken wheels. Rasco mentions how he does a backflip and injects while relaxing with women. He talks about how he never loses bets and how he doesn't want to split anything. They both talk about how they're signing checks and how their careers demand more respect than they're receiving.

The lyrics of the song display a sense of confidence and resilience, despite the odds, through which both Peanut Butter Wolf and Rasco are able to level up their careers. The two artists flow effortlessly over the beat, displaying their lyrical prowess and ability to capture the listener's attention. Ultimately, their message in the song is that they are not to be messed with, especially because they've put in the effort to reach the top.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo check
Listen up and pay attention

I capital punish brothers that fronted
I severely punish those who act tough or disrespect me

Can only write rhymes any time they get blunted
Some rappers can only write rhymes when they're under the influence

We be at the spot chillin
We're hanging out in a relaxed setting

While you're stealin
While you're committing crimes

Niggas is still walkin Rasco is four wheelin
I'm driving in style while others are still walking

Only built for speed yes indeed
I'm built for speed and agility

27 years old with no seed
I'm 27 and don't have any children

I'm a raw breed
I come from a tough background and am a unique individual

But still got mouths to feed
I have responsibilities to take care of

So don't be givin me shit I don't need
Don't give me anything unnecessary or unwanted

I make the head hurt
I create memorable and impactful music

From the supadupa legwork
Through my hard work and dedication

Now these brothas be wantin the red shirt
Others envy me and want what I have

I bring it to the chest when I suppass the rest
I become the best and surpass others in my field

Now a different story when I come blast the vest
It's a different story when I'm involved in something violent or aggressive

Teflon spittin and written, I stab kitten
My rhymes are tough and I leave others in shock

Comin out your face Sideways, it's forbidden
Talking disrespectfully is not allowed

Better get the guiden
Get guidance before you act or speak

I swopped like Batman
I move quickly and gracefully

Soon as niggas open they mouth I start shittin
As soon as others speak or act, I'm on top of them

Right down they neck, they threw the whole nine
I completely outdo and defeat my opponents

Seen you fools scopin my plans the whole time
I know others are watching and trying to copy my moves

Said I couldn't rhyme, that's funny
Others thought I couldn't rap, but it's amusing to me

Women didn't want it but now they yell honey
Women did not initially show interest in me, but now they do

Bring 'em to the house Watch 'em come out the blouse
I attract women to my home and they become attracted to me

Unzip the pants then watch the snake dance
I have sexual encounters with women

Assume the stance, cash in advance
I prepare for future success and make smart financial decisions

I got the full package but watch the right hand
I have many skills and talents, but be aware of my true intentions

It's the five-minute drill But still we stack bills
We work hard and efficiently to make money

Take you to the shop to fix them broke wheels
I can help fix your broken car

Tell you how it feels to starve with no meals
I can explain the struggles of hunger and poverty

Bring it to the front to pump with no frills
I'm not interested in unnecessary extravagance or fancy things

All extra shit can get the backsplit
All unnecessary things can go away

Ras be the brother that women relax with
Rasco is someone that women feel comfortable around

I do a backflip, then pirouette inject
I am skilled physically and gifted in dance

Plus be the nigga that never lost a bet
I have a history of successful betting

Television sets ain't big enough to see
My accomplishments are so great that they can't be contained on TV

And now my career ain't big enough for three
My success has reached its maximum potential

Still down with 'em, can talk and laugh with 'em
I am still friends with some people who knew me before my success

But tell you one thing, can't split it in half with 'em
I can't share my success with others equally

Half a 1/3 to me sounds absurd
Splitting my success with others is unfair and unreasonable

I rather keep a 100% to pay rent
I want to keep all of my earnings in order to pay basic necessities

Lay out the prints, the plans to stand grande
I'm making plans to reach the highest level of success

And keep the joint jumpin from Philly to San Fran
I want to keep audiences energized and excited in different cities

Never gave a damn how hard y'all can slam
I don't care about criticism or hate from others

Broke out the mic to smoke your half gram
I'm so good at rapping that I can make others look bad in comparison

A 150 pounds with worldwide respect
I'm a small individual but have a large amount of respect from people all over the world

Be chillin at the crib while Wolf signs the check
I'm relaxed at home while Peanut Butter Wolf handles business dealings

1998 Soul Father PB Wolf, on the 1's and the 2's Wack crews get bruised
These are the artists and producers involved in the song

Check us out y'all
Take a look at what we're doing

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andre Harris, Antwan Patton, Jamal Harris, Vidal Davis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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