Anthony Forte was born March 2, 1968 and grew up in San Francisco's Fillmore District. He has a twin sister. He has a son as well as three daughters.
Right after high school, 4-Tay made his debut on the Too Short album Life Is...Too Short. He was later convicted on drug charges and served ten months in prison. Upon his release from prison he released his debut album Rappin' 4-Tay Is Back in 1991, and followed up in 1994 with Don't Fight the Feelin', which included the hits "Playaz Club" (which sampled the song "Private Number" by William Bell and Judy Clay and hit number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100), the "Dank Season" featuring Seff Tha Gaffla, and "I'll Be Around" (which hit number 39 on the US Hot 100, number 59 in Australia, and number one in New Zealand).
In 1995, two Rappin' 4-Tay songs—"Problems" and "A Message for Your Mind"—were featured on the Dangerous Minds soundtrack. "A Message For Your Mind" sampled "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5.
Rappin' 4-Tay's mainstream success has been scarce since then, but he was featured on 2Pac's All Eyez on Me album on the track "Only God Can Judge Me" in 1996 and Master P's West Coast Bad Boyz II compilation in 1997. 4-Tay was also an original member of Bay Area supergroup T.W.D.Y. in 1999.
In 2003 Rappin' 4-Tay released the album Gangsta Gumbo with the single "Burning, Burning", followed up by the album That's What You Thought in 2007. In 2010 He was featured on R&B Artist E. Broussard's song titled Big Game Droppin'.
He was featured on the song "My Alphabets" on fellow Bay Area rap veteran Mac Dre's 2004 album The Genie of the Lamp. Dec 06 2011 Rappin' 4-Tay, E-40 and Playalitical collaborated on a song entitled "Bounce It Like a Bad Check" which was featured on the Political Playboy Music album released by Playalitical. In 2012 Rappin' 4-Tay collaborated on the song "Picture a Nigga" with Lil' Gang$ta, as well as helping with his debut album.
In 2013, he headlined the main stage of Seattle Hempfest with artists Ditch, Tony Tag, Brian Meyers and more.
In May 2014, he appeared with E Bone415 in a music video about Alcatraz Island.
Dreams
Rappin' 4-Tay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(What if she came over to me and handed me a big Fancy Valentine
With lace all around the Edges)
(What if She said to me Dearest, Charlie Brown Won't you be my valentine)
(Please please please
I better go in)
What is a dream girl she make me happy
The type be on your mind when your thinking
Asleep oh no you're blinking
Jumped out your dream but you really didn't leave it
I think you're right about wrong
Don't let her leave me alone
That girl a gone now we calling her gone
Now come on answer your phone
And girl I wrote you a song
Hi my name is tay
I know a couple niggas back in the k
I'm doing good and is better than okay
Shit you said you from LA
(Ughhhh)
Let me walk the other way
(Uh huh)
And go on about my day
Cause I finally had to realize
All my dreams are in la
(Hahaha)
I guess I'll dream on the night
(Night)
I guess I'm wrong and you're right
(Right)
I never wanted to fight I guess I'm wrong and you're right
And you're my dream girl so I'm gonna need you tonight
I dreamed you of a vampire so I'm taking your bite
And we can take this to the top and just say fuck all the height
I've been stabbed by a knife
But I'm gonna need you tonight
Cause you're my dream girl and you gotta be that for life
What is a dream girl she make me happy
The type be on your mind when your thinking
Be floating but your not drinking
Asleep oh no you're blinking
Jumped out your dream but you really didn't leave it
What is a dream girl she make me happy
The type be on your mind when your thinking
Be floating but your not drinking
Asleep oh no you're blinking
Jumped out your dream but you really didn't leave it
Now we Callin her gone
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In these lyrics, Rappin' 4-Tay explores the concept of a "dream girl" who brings happiness to his life. He begins by fantasizing about a girl he is infatuated with, wondering what it would be like if she were to give him a valentine. This portrays his desire for a romantic connection and his yearning for love.
The artist then delves into the idea of a dream girl being constantly on his mind. She is someone who captivates his thoughts, even when he is not under the influence of alcohol or any external influences. This emphasizes the power and impact she has on him, suggesting that she is always present in his thoughts, even in his waking moments.
He goes on to describe the feeling of being jolted out of a dream but still feeling connected to it. This metaphor represents his attachment to this dream girl, suggesting that even though their connection might not be physically tangible, he still feels a strong emotional bond with her. He expresses a desire for her not to abandon him and pleads for her attention by urging her to answer her phone.
Rappin' 4-Tay then turns his attention to himself, introducing himself as Tay. He shares that he knows people from back in the "k" (possibly referring to his hometown in Oakland, California) and reassures the dream girl that he is doing well. However, he abruptly changes his tone, suggesting that the dream girl's claim of being from LA pushes him away. He decides to move on with his day and acknowledges that all his dreams and aspirations are focused on the city of Los Angeles.
The artist continues to express his conflicting emotions, contemplating the difference between his dreams and reality. He admits that he is wrong and the dream girl is right, indicating a sense of acceptance and surrender. Despite not wanting to fight, he acknowledges his strong connection to her, referring to her as his dream girl and expressing his need for her presence.
Throughout these lyrics, Rappin' 4-Tay explores the concept of a dream girl who holds a significant place in his thoughts and emotions. He yearns for her attention and grapples with the conflict between fantasy and reality, ultimately realizing the significance of this dream girl in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Wouldn't it be great if that little red hair girl gave me a valentine
Imagining a perfect scenario where the girl I like shows her affection towards me on Valentine's Day
What if she came over to me and handed me a big Fancy Valentine with lace all around the Edges
Thinking about the possibility of the girl giving me an elaborate and beautifully crafted Valentine's Day card
What if She said to me Dearest, Charlie Brown Won't you be my valentine
Fantasizing about hearing the girl ask me to be her valentine
Please please please I better go in
Feeling the urgency to act on my desires and pursue a relationship with the girl
What is a dream girl she make me happy
Reflecting on the qualities that make a girl perfect and bring joy to my life
The type be on your mind when your thinking
Describing a girl who occupies my thoughts constantly
Be floating but your not drinking
Feeling a sense of euphoria and happiness in her presence, as if I'm floating without needing any intoxication
Asleep oh no you're blinking
Seeing the girl in my dreams, but realizing that she's not just a figment of my imagination
Jumped out your dream but you really didn't leave it
Waking up from my dream, but still feeling the strong connection and longing for the girl
I think you're right about wrong
Admitting that my initial beliefs or actions were incorrect or misguided
Don't let her leave me alone
Fearing the possibility of the girl walking away and leaving me feeling lonely
That girl a gone now we calling her gone
Realizing that the girl I desired is no longer available or interested, and acknowledging her absence
Now come on answer your phone
Urging the girl to respond or communicate with me, hoping for a chance to reconcile
And girl I wrote you a song
Expressing my feelings for the girl through a song that I've dedicated to her
Hi my name is tay
Introducing myself as Tay, signaling a willingness to open up and connect with the girl
I know a couple n***as back in the k
Referencing my acquaintances or friends from a specific location, possibly trying to impress the girl
I'm doing good and is better than okay
Assuring the girl that I'm doing well and that being with me would bring happiness and satisfaction
Shit you said you from LA
Expressing surprise or disbelief about the girl's claim of being from Los Angeles
(Ughhhh) Let me walk the other way
Expressing disappointment or frustration, and deciding to move on and distance myself from the girl
(Uh huh) And go on about my day
Agreeing with the decision to focus on my own life and move forward without dwelling on the girl
Cause I finally had to realize all my dreams are in LA
Coming to the realization that my hopes and dreams are centered around finding love and happiness in Los Angeles
(Hahaha) I guess I'll dream on the night
Laughing at myself and acknowledging that I will continue to dream and hope for love during the nighttime
(Night) I guess I'm wrong and you're right
Accepting that my perspective or actions were mistaken, and acknowledging the girl's correctness
I never wanted to fight I guess I'm wrong and you're right
Expressing a desire to avoid conflicts and agreeing with the girl's perspective
And you're my dream girl so I'm gonna need you tonight
Confirming the girl's importance in my life and expressing my longing to be with her
I dreamed you of a vampire so I'm taking your bite
Imagining the girl as a seductive and alluring figure, and expressing a willingness to embrace her influence
And we can take this to the top and just say fuck all the height
Proposing a relationship where we strive for success and overcome challenges together, disregarding any obstacles or limitations
I've been stabbed by a knife
Experiencing emotional pain and vulnerability in the past
But I'm gonna need you tonight
Emphasizing the girl's importance in my life and my longing for her presence
Cause you're my dream girl and you gotta be that for life
Affirming my belief that the girl is my ideal partner and expressing a desire for a lifelong connection
Now we Calling her gone
Acknowledging that the girl has left and accepting her absence
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Possibly an abbreviation or reference to a personal or group affiliation
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: HENRIK WIKSTROM, STEVE MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind