Phunk Junkeez fuse a number of different styles in their music, from hardcore punk to trip-hop. Many of the band's early shows involved breaking into warehouses in the Phoenix area and performing to fans who were all told by word-of-mouth, attracting the attention of local police who threatened to throw the band in jail. These parties are still rumored to be continuing to this day.
Their music attracted a loyal following. At a September 24, 1993 Concert at the Mesa Amphitheater in Mesa, AZ, (opening for dada), the band had to be pulled from the stage. The band played for several minutes past its alloted set. The band would not leave the stage despite the requests of the producer and threats of calling the police. This forced the venue to shut off the mics of the Junkeez. Despite this, and the disdain of the crowd, the junkeez continued to play for several minutes. After the junkeez left the stage, a large percentage of the audience left the venue, not wanting to see the mild pop of dada, despite the popularity of their hit song "i'm going to dizzkneeland"j
The band released their self-titled debut-album in 1992. This album, as well as Injected (1995), Fear of a Wack Planet (1998) and Sex, Drugs and Rap N' Roll (2001) were all released by the independent label Ichiban Records and received virtually no radio support in the United States due to their at-times-explicit lyrics. Injected did produce one successful single, "Chuck", which was played in rotation on Australian youth network Triple J, which has very few restrictions on profanities on the air. The song came in at number #56 on the Hottest 100 that year.
In 2002, Phunk Junkeez signed a recording deal with Suburban Noize Records and released their fifth album, Rock It Science, the following year. A new album, entitled The Good, the Bad, the Phunkee, is scheduled for release 2007.
Since then, Phunk Junkeez have been rocking the streets of your backyard and sending your head into another twisted lyrical world of funk!
American Pimp
Phunk Junkeez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'84 4-door Caddy--roof to the floor--black and red, mama bought for ya.
You're just a silly little wanna-be punk-ass, backdoor, truck-store, cowboy crusin' crack...
...Storytellin', lady-smackin', fake pimp-ass pinky ring,
Stealin' things your mama bought for ya.
You wanna-be suburban ass kingpin, gold grill,
Livin' for the thrill, you're nothin' but a G thing.
You're talkin' so much; it's makin' me sick.
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
Yo, what's up with these American pimps?
Mackin' in your ride, ladies lookin' so fine,
Ya see she got no class, on the floor suckin' glass
Real fast, smokin' more, I'm so sorry you're a whore.
Keep ya steppin', what a pity, what's a pretty fucked up scene.
Police statement...now you're sleepin' in a cell.
It's a real living hell...your punkie, he's a junkie,
Shootin' dope in his veins...you're wheelin' and dealin' and feelin' the pain.
You're a joke, you're broke, you're up in smoke...now look at you.
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
You're talkin' so much; it's makin' me sick.
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
Yo, what's up with these American pimps?
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
An Elvis motherfucker...wifebeater...and gold chains.
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
Yo, what's up with these American pimps?
Now you're claimin' you ain't flamin', but you're gamin' like you hip-hop.
Flip-flop, monkey boy, or the big top.
Big pimpin' in a fagazine--but you're fake like plastic cellophane limosuines.
Pitiful, don't mean digital, unedible, lifestyle not credible.
It's the unforgettable American ones...who live so fast and die so young.
Live so fast and die so young. [Repeat: x4]
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
You're talkin' so much; it's makin' me sick.
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
Man, what's up with these American pimps?
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
Candy-hair grease, black Dickies, and Gucci shades
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
Yo, what's up with these American pimps?
Live so fast and die so young. [Repeat: x4]
Yo, what's up with these American pimps?
The song "American Pimp" by Phunk Junkeez is a satirical look at the glorification of the pimp lifestyle, which has been popularized by Hollywood and the music industry. The song's lyrics describe the stereotypical image of a pimp, riding around in a 1984 Cadillac with a black and red roof, sporting a fake pinky ring and a gold grill, and living for the thrill of the lifestyle. However, the reality of being a pimp is far from glamorous, as the song points out the consequences of drug abuse and criminal activity, which often leads to being locked up in a cell.
The song is critical of the "American pimp" culture and calls out the hypocrisy of those who try to emulate it. The lyrics mock the use of fake jewelry bought by one's mother and the fakeness of the lifestyle which is comparable to plastic cellophane limousines. The song critiques the unrealistic image of success it portrays.
Line by Line Meaning
Down-sun setting,
It's sunset
'84 4-door Caddy--roof to the floor--black and red, mama bought for ya.
You have a 1984 Cadillac with a black and red paint job that your mother bought you
You're just a silly little wanna-be punk-ass, backdoor, truck-store, cowboy crusin' crack...
You are an inexperienced, ignorant, and cowboy-wannabe who hangs out at truck stores and does crack
...Storytellin', lady-smackin', fake pimp-ass pinky ring,
You tell lies, mistreat women, and your fake pimp pinky ring is pathetic
Stealin' things your mama bought for ya.
You take things your mother bought for you without permission
You wanna-be suburban ass kingpin, gold grill,
You aspire to be a suburban drug kingpin and have a gold grill
Livin' for the thrill, you're nothin' but a G thing.
You live for excitement, but in reality, you are nothing of value (G thing)
American pimp [Repeat: x2]
The chorus: commentary on what an American pimp is
You're talkin' so much; it's makin' me sick.
You speak so much that it's nauseating
Yo, what's up with these American pimps?
The artist is questioning what is wrong with American pimps
Mackin' in your ride, ladies lookin' so fine,
You're driving in your car trying to impress ladies
Ya see she got no class, on the floor suckin' glass
The woman you are with has no self-respect and is performing oral sex while under the influence
Real fast, smokin' more, I'm so sorry you're a whore.
You smoke drugs quickly without a care, while the woman you are with is a prostitute
Keep ya steppin', what a pity, what's a pretty fucked up scene.
The artist is disgusted with the situation and would rather leave
Police statement...now you're sleepin' in a cell.
You were arrested and are now sleeping in jail
It's a real living hell...your punkie, he's a junkie,
Jail is a terrible place and your partner is a drug addict
Shootin' dope in his veins...you're wheelin' and dealin' and feelin' the pain.
Your partner is injecting drugs while you are dealing drugs and both of you are suffering
You're a joke, you're broke, you're up in smoke...now look at you.
You are destitute, and your life is in ruins due to your actions
An Elvis motherfucker...wifebeater...and gold chains.
You dress and imitate Elvis Presley, wear a wifebeater, and have gold chains
Candy-hair grease, black Dickies, and Gucci shades
You have candy-colored hair, wear black Dickies work pants, and have Gucci sunglasses
Now you're claimin' you ain't flamin', but you're gamin' like you hip-hop.
You are pretending not to be homosexual, but you are embracing hip-hop culture
Flip-flop, monkey boy, or the big top.
You are inconsistent, unpredictable and untrustworthy
Big pimpin' in a fagazine--but you're fake like plastic cellophane limosuines.
You project yourself as a pimp in magazines, but you are superficial and pretend like plastic limousines
Pitiful, don't mean digital, unedible, lifestyle not credible.
Your lifestyle is pathetic, you don't belong in the digital age, and it's unappetizing with no credibility.
It's the unforgettable American ones...who live so fast and die so young.
It's America's notorious people who live recklessly and die young
Live so fast and die so young. [Repeat: x4]
Repetition of the line 'live fast and die young' as a commentary on the lifestyle
Man, what's up with these American pimps?
Reiteration of the earlier question towards the end of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRIS JOHNSON, DANIEL KENT MUELLER, DANIEL PATRICK PATTERSON, JAMES R. WOODLING, JEFFREY I. SCOTT, JOSEPH DANIEL VALIENTE, VICTOR L. MURGATROYD
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