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.
Phat Like That
Rappin' 4-Tay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why you tweaking now
Shawty all my songs you leaking now
Yeah I like that
(Yessir)
It’s for the live
Why you talk like that
Why you act like that
Please don’t be like that (Yeah)
Shawty why you tweaking
All my songs you leaking (Yeah)
All my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons (Yeah)
Why you talk like that
Why you act like that
Shawty, I don’t play like that
Please don’t be like that
Shawty why you tweaking
All my songs you leaking
All my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons
(All my niggas demons)
All my niggas demons
Whole squad lit yeah you know we beaming
Never gave a fuck I dove in the deep end
Always been a buck with you no pretend
Heard you miss me wow
I don’t need it now (Haa)
I know it’s been a while
Quit your tweaking now (Tweaking now)
Baby where’s your smile
I wanna see you smile (I wanna see you smile)
I wanna see it now
For you bring me down (You always bring me down)
You always bring me down
Always make me frown (Fuck)
I feel like such a clown
When you come around (Please don’t come around)
Baby with you I feel lost and found
I’m really getting tired of these ups and downs
Why you talk like that
Why you act like that
Shawty, I don’t play like that
Please don’t be like that (Yeah)
Shawty why you tweaking
All my songs you leaking (Yeah)
All my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons (yeah)
Why you talk like that
Why you act like that
Shawty, I don’t play like that
Please don’t be like that
Shawty why you tweaking
All my songs you leaking
All my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons
Hit that two step on em, they be watching how I move
I’m a popstar baby, they be loving how I groove
Stixxy the wave baby, damn right I got the tools
I don’t see nobody near me how the fuck i’m gone lose
(Shawty say) she like to dance
She like to bust down (Bust down)
Shawty come alive when the sun down
Baby come here, put your cup down
Babe you know I’m tweaking sit your ass down
I don’t need you anymore turn your ass round
My foot is out the door so just pipe down (Yeah)
Cause baby with you I feel lost and found
I’m really really tired of these ups and downs
Why you talk like that
Why you act like that
Shawty, I don’t play like that
Please don’t be like that (Yeah)
Shawty why you tweaking
All my songs you leaking (Yeah)
All my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons (Yeah)
Why you talk like that
Why you act like that
Shawty, I don’t play like that
Please don’t be like that
Shawty why you tweaking
All my songs you leaking
All my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons
The lyrics to Rappin' 4-Tay's song "Phat Like That" depict a complicated relationship dynamic between the artist and his significant other. The opening lines imply that the person he is addressing is acting strange or irrational, telling them not to be like that. He mentions that the person has been leaking his songs, which could be interpreted as sharing them without his permission. Despite this, he admits that he likes it, suggesting some level of attraction to the attention it brings. The repetition of the lines "Why you talk like that, why you act like that" indicates frustration with the person's behavior. He asserts that he doesn't engage in games and wants them to stop acting that way.
The second verse portrays a sense of longing and weariness in the relationship. The artist expresses that he no longer needs the person and that he has grown tired of their ups and downs. The mention of feeling like a clown and being brought down suggests that the person's actions have negatively impacted his emotional well-being. He is tired of the inconsistency and wants them to stop acting in such a way. The repeated lines, "Shawty why you tweaking, all my songs you leaking, all my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons," reinforce the idea that their actions are causing chaos and turmoil not just for the artist but for those around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Shawty please don’t be like that (Ayy)
Baby, please don't behave in that manner
Why you tweaking now
Why are you acting strange or erratic right now
Shawty all my songs you leaking now
Baby, you're spreading and sharing all my songs now
Yeah I like that
(Yessir)
Yes, I enjoy that
It’s for the live
This is for the real and authentic experience
Why you talk like that
Why do you speak in that manner
Why you act like that
Why do you behave in that way
Shawty, I don’t play like that
Baby, I don't engage in that behavior
Please don’t be like that (Yeah)
Please don't behave like that
Shawty why you tweaking
Baby, why are you acting strangely or erratically
All my songs you leaking (Yeah)
You're spreading and sharing all my songs
All my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons (Yeah)
All my friends are craving and hungry, they have dark sides
All my niggas demons
(All my niggas demons)
All my friends have dark sides
Whole squad lit yeah you know we beaming
The entire group is lively and shining brightly
Never gave a fuck I dove in the deep end
I never cared and fully immersed myself in a challenging situation
Always been a buck with you no pretend
I've always been honest and genuine with you, no pretending
Heard you miss me wow
I heard you feel nostalgia for me, surprise
I don’t need it now (Haa)
I don't require it anymore
I know it’s been a while
I'm aware that it has been a long time
Quit your tweaking now (Tweaking now)
Stop acting strangely or erratically now
Baby where’s your smile
Baby, why aren't you smiling
I wanna see you smile (I wanna see you smile)
I want to witness your smile
I wanna see it now
I want to see it immediately
For you bring me down (You always bring me down)
Before you make me feel negative or depressed (You always make me feel negative or depressed)
You always bring me down
You consistently make me feel negative or depressed
Always make me frown (Fuck)
You consistently make me have a sad expression (Damn)
I feel like such a clown
I feel foolish or ridiculous
When you come around (Please don’t come around)
When you're present or near me (Please stay away from me)
Baby with you I feel lost and found
When I'm with you, I experience a mix of feeling both confused and secure
I’m really getting tired of these ups and downs
I'm truly becoming weary of these fluctuating emotions or situations
Hit that two step on em, they be watching how I move
Perform a dance step on them, as they observe and analyze my actions
I’m a popstar baby, they be loving how I groove
I am a popular celebrity, darling, and they adore my style and rhythm
Stixxy the wave baby, damn right I got the tools
Baby, I'm the one creating the trend, and yes, I possess the necessary instruments
I don’t see nobody near me how the fuck i’m gone lose
I don't perceive anyone close to me, so how am I supposed to fail
(Shawty say) she like to dance
(Baby says) she enjoys dancing
She like to bust down (Bust down)
She likes to skillfully dance and show off
Shawty come alive when the sun down
Baby becomes lively and vibrant when the sun sets
Baby come here, put your cup down
Darling, approach me and place your cup on a surface
Babe you know I’m tweaking sit your ass down
Honey, you know I'm acting strangely or erratically, so please take a seat
I don’t need you anymore turn your ass round
I don't require your presence anymore, turn around and leave
My foot is out the door so just pipe down (Yeah)
I'm ready to leave, so be quiet and calm down (Yes)
Cause baby with you I feel lost and found
Because, my dear, when I'm with you, I experience a mix of feeling both confused and secure
I’m really really tired of these ups and downs
I'm truly exhausted by these fluctuating emotions or situations
Why you talk like that
Why do you speak in that manner
Why you act like that
Why do you behave in that way
Shawty, I don’t play like that
Baby, I don't engage in that behavior
Please don’t be like that (Yeah)
Please don't behave like that
Shawty why you tweaking
Baby, why are you acting strangely or erratically
All my songs you leaking (Yeah)
You're spreading and sharing all my songs
All my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons (Yeah)
All my friends are craving and hungry, they have dark sides
Why you talk like that
Why do you speak in that manner
Why you act like that
Why do you behave in that way
Shawty, I don’t play like that
Baby, I don't engage in that behavior
Please don’t be like that
Please don't behave like that
Shawty why you tweaking
Baby, why are you acting strangely or erratically
All my songs you leaking
You're spreading and sharing all my songs
All my niggas fiending, all my niggas demons
All my friends are craving and hungry, they have dark sides
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Trevor Ng’oma
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind