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.
I'll Be Around
Rappin' 4-Tay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I speak to Fo
One moment please, he's around
Yo, wassup
Wassup, Fo, I know you finished that cut for the radio
As a matter of fact Fly I just finished it baby boy
No worry about nothin', I'll be around
With my homie Young Fly even Al B. sure
Never hesitate to call me after I'm done
Cause homie I'm real and always true to my loved ones
Too many wakes and funerals full of tears
You say there's something on your mind, well hey, I'm all ears
Cause ain't nobody thinking about the funk that you're choosin' it
A lot of my homies stuck in the pen for life or losin' it
Call up your folks you keep thinkin' about home
Recorder keeps a peep and there's a block on the phone
And all of this is enough to make a brother's nerves bad
Reminds me of a situation that I once had
Spent that, spent this endless relentless tremendous women on my jock
And don't nobody mind their business
He say she say throwin' salt about it
And chooses to talk about you cause there's no one else to talk about
Talk about the show and the flow and all the clout
Then be real with yourself and talk about and turned it out
It's not hard to compete when his name is poppin'
A scared man can never win that's why I stay clockin'
Fools be huffin' and puffin' don't wanna see me about nothin' I'm down
And if you ever need me Fly, I'll be around
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
I'll be around
Life ain't based on peaches and cream
This new generation lost a whole lot of dreams
Future doctors, producers, and mothers
The list goes on but now we killin' our brothers
And if we killin' our brothers that means we killin' our own kind
These kids is watchin' now it goes to their mind
Rattatatat cause you got a gat
Then they want a gat you livin' like that
Moms ain't cookin' she worked the week straight
If anything she's the one deserves a hot plate
The ghetto, the ghetto ain't nothin' to dream about
Tryin' to get out now that's somethin' to think about
Fools might disagree but I'm a stay sucka free
Now I'm so black and so strong they can't fade me
Blacks are blacks worst enemy there's still no remedy
You got me for a grip do you call yourself kin of me
Jealousy, envy, I see it in your eyes
Tell me what's wrong with seeing a black man rise
I keep it funky it's pretty hard to miss it now it is not explicit
A message for the mind, and a moral for statistics
So I'm doin' what we call a roll call
Talkin' about the ones who won't rap then take a downfall
I spit the street life and then I go underground
You silly, it's called versatility and I'll be around
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
I'll be around
Things are gettin' crucial you gotta exercise your mind
Or learn about life before you're left behind
But how you gonna get it right when you're not doin' right
When you get mad all you want is a gunfight
This tension causes a gang of madness
Now you want funk that results to sadness
Sadness results to a lot of revenge
And your so called friends really ain't your friends
So how do you know who you're able to trust
If you think about the past look what happened to us
I never trust no one, I only trust myself
Or I would've been a victim like everyone else
In friendship or hardship whenever you need me
Just give me a call G I won't deceive thee
These fools be shakin' best believe they're fakin'
Just tryin' to get a grip of all the money you're makin'
This ain't race a mind is a terrible thing to waste
I drop the rap and J drops the bass
To the flow cause ain't nobody get with Fo
I'm a down young brother comin' straight outta Frisco
Droppin' a message out of love to your town
Love your brothers and sisters and I'll be around
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
I'll be around
The song "I'll Be Around" by Rappin' 4-Tay feat. The Detroit Spinners starts with a phone call where the person on the line is asking whether Fo has finished his cut for the radio, to which he replies that he has done so and assures the caller that he will always be around for them regardless of whether he is on tour or hanging backstage with his friends. He tells the caller to speak up about whatever's on their mind because he will listen and that he has witnessed too many friends lost to incarceration or death. The rapper urges the caller to embrace their roots and to call home and not to worry about their location being monitored as they are just thinking about their homeland. In the second verse, Rappin' 4-Tay speaks on the sad reality of black people killing other blacks and not realizing the importance of building a better future and educating themselves. He warns against living in the ghetto and glamorizing violence and guns, but instead preaches for self-education and reflection to make a positive change. He urges people to trust him and love their brothers and sisters.
Line by Line Meaning
Ragtop records, may I help you
Answering phone call at the record company
Can I speak to Fo
Asking to speak with Fo
One moment please, he's around
Putting call on hold to find Fo
Yo, wassup
Greeting Fo on the phone
Wassup, Fo, I know you finished that cut for the radio
Inquiring about Fo's recent music production
As a matter of fact Fly I just finished it baby boy
Confirming that the music production is completed
No worry about nothin', I'll be around
Assuring that Fo will be around to deal with anything that comes up
Regardless if I'm chillin' backstage or on tour
Explaining that Fo will be available even if busy on tour
With my homie Young Fly even Al B. sure
Noting Fo's connection to other musicians
Never hesitate to call me after I'm done
Encouraging others to reach out to Fo when needed
Cause homie I'm real and always true to my loved ones
Stating Fo's commitment to those close to him
Too many wakes and funerals full of tears
Recognizing the sorrow and loss caused by violence
You say there's something on your mind, well hey, I'm all ears
Offering a listening ear to those in need
Cause ain't nobody thinking about the funk that you're choosin' it
Pointing out that negative behaviors are not worth it
A lot of my homies stuck in the pen for life or losin' it
Highlighting the negative consequences of poor choices
Call up your folks you keep thinkin' about home
Encouraging people to stay connected to their roots and family
Recorder keeps a peep and there's a block on the phone
Acknowledging potential obstacles to communication
And all of this is enough to make a brother's nerves bad
Recognizing the stress and frustration of these circumstances
Reminds me of a situation that I once had
Reflecting on a similar experience that Fo has personally faced
Spent that, spent this endless relentless tremendous women on my jock
Describing Fo's experiences with women throwing themselves at him
And don't nobody mind their business
Noting the lack of privacy and gossip surrounding Fo's life
He say she say throwin' salt about it
Referencing negative rumors and lies spread about Fo
And chooses to talk about you cause there's no one else to talk about
Acknowledging the tendency to gossip about those in the public eye
Talk about the show and the flow and all the clout
Recognizing the attention and fame associated with being a successful musician
Then be real with yourself and talk about and turned it out
Encouraging people to be honest with themselves about their accomplishments
It's not hard to compete when his name is poppin'
Discussing Fo's success in the music industry
A scared man can never win that's why I stay clockin'
Stating the importance of confidence and perseverance
Fools be huffin' and puffin' don't wanna see me about nothin' I'm down
Acknowledging haters and critics who want to bring Fo down
And if you ever need me Fly, I'll be around
Reiterating Fo's availability and loyalty
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Reassuring that Fo will always be there for others
Life ain't based on peaches and cream
Recognizing life's challenges and struggles
This new generation lost a whole lot of dreams
Expressing concern for the younger generation's future
Future doctors, producers, and mothers
Listing important roles that future generations may hold
The list goes on but now we killin' our brothers
Highlighting the problem of violence and crime
And if we killin' our brothers that means we killin' our own kind
Recognizing the harm that this violence does to the community
These kids is watchin' now it goes to their mind
Stressing the importance of positive role models for children
Rattatatat cause you got a gat
Referencing the problem of gun violence
Then they want a gat you livin' like that
Observing that one act of violence leads to more violence
Moms ain't cookin' she worked the week straight
Describing the hardships faced by many families in the inner city
If anything she's the one deserves a hot plate
Recognizing the hard work and sacrifice of mothers
The ghetto, the ghetto ain't nothin' to dream about
Acknowledging the harsh realities of life in the inner city
Tryin' to get out now that's somethin' to think about
Encouraging people to work hard to improve their situation
Fools might disagree but I'm a stay sucka free
Refusing to engage with negativity
Now I'm so black and so strong they can't fade me
Expressing confidence and strength
Blacks are blacks worst enemy there's still no remedy
Recognizing the problem of racism within the black community
You got me for a grip do you call yourself kin of me
Asking who is truly a friend and ally
Jealousy, envy, I see it in your eyes
Noticing negative feelings from others
Tell me what's wrong with seeing a black man rise
Challenging the negative attitudes towards success among black men
I keep it funky it's pretty hard to miss it now it is not explicit
Being authentic and true to oneself, even if it's not popular
A message for the mind, and a moral for statistics
Providing a meaningful message through music
So I'm doin' what we call a roll call
Checking in with people and addressing societal issues
Talkin' about the ones who won't rap then take a downfall
Addressing those who criticize and fail to succeed themselves
I spit the street life and then I go underground
Describing Fo's style of music
You silly, it's called versatility and I'll be around
Laughing off criticism and reiterating Fo's commitment to his music and community
Things are gettin' crucial you gotta exercise your mind
Stressing the importance of mental health and wellness
Or learn about life before you're left behind
Encouraging people to learn and grow to avoid being left behind
But how you gonna get it right when you're not doin' right
Stating the importance of making good choices to succeed
When you get mad all you want is a gunfight
Addressing the problem of impulsiveness and violence
This tension causes a gang of madness
Describing the harmful effects of tension and violence
Now you want funk that results to sadness
Noting the negative consequences of seeking revenge and violence
Sadness results to a lot of revenge
Describing the cycle of violence and revenge
And your so called friends really ain't your friends
Warning against false friends and negative influences
So how do you know who you're able to trust
Questioning who can be trusted in a world of violence and crime
If you think about the past look what happened to us
Reflecting on past mistakes and tragedies
I never trust no one, I only trust myself
Advising self-sufficiency and caution
Or I would've been a victim like everyone else
Explaining the need for self-preservation and protection
In friendship or hardship whenever you need me
Offering support in all situations
Just give me a call G I won't deceive thee
Reiterating Fo's loyalty and honesty
These fools be shakin' best believe they're fakin'
Noting the insincerity and falseness of certain people
Just tryin' to get a grip of all the money you're makin'
Accusing others of wanting to take advantage of Fo's success and wealth
This ain't race a mind is a terrible thing to waste
Stressing the importance of education and using one's mind
I drop the rap and J drops the bass
Describing the music production process
To the flow cause ain't nobody get with Fo
Boasting about Fo's skills and talents
I'm a down young brother comin' straight outta Frisco
Introducing himself as a successful musician from San Francisco
Droppin' a message out of love to your town
Sending a positive message to communities everywhere
Love your brothers and sisters and I'll be around
Encouraging love and unity in the community, reiterating Fo's availability
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Phil Hurtt, Thom Randolph Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zarakikenpachi-ds1ud
i am a 52 year old white man. i absolutely love this song. The message, the words he spoke, are full of hope and charity and most of all common sense. A wonderful song...
@WALKER-wo2sd
5 : 28 : 30 a.m. i mh li ke me
imlike me
@vinnysoprano1180
I'm 68 white guy also and loved his version
@amidmuhhammed8496
Word good music no color limit
@zarakikenpachi-ds1ud
@@amidmuhhammed8496 Great music is Great music no matter who makes the tunes...
@mustejabahsan9680
Respect 🙏🏻
@brutuspendleton8543
I’m a 104 year old white man and dance to this every weekend at the disco.
@SsmallSaturn
😂
@nschamp7powerboxingseries
I’m middle aged and still rocking to this in 2023!
@trashpanda3156
I was homeless for a while before I went to a trade school called Job Corps. I was given chance after chance to establish myself and I disappointed my parents time after time. I eventually got to Job Corps and the day I got here my dad sent me this song. I'm just listening to it and I'm in tears...