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.
Playaz Dedication
Rappin' 4-Tay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Intro: Sway Of Kmel interviewing 2Pac]
[Sway (2Pac)]
A yo Pac, you work, you gave a lot of love back to uh, some Bay Area artists
Like E-40, 4-Tay (yup), you know, Dru Down, and the whole crew
Talk about what made you decide to work with them
[2Pac]
Because I can't always be in the Bay
And I know how the Bay is
The Bay is tight people, man
If you ain't there, they gone talk about you
So I want them to know, I love you, I feel you, I'm representing for you
So I know I got a certain amount of acclaim and everything
So I bring the Bay with me, and 4-Tay, he always been raw to me
And I like his style, when I was in jail, I used to listen to his stuff
So when I got out, we clicked, we did the song
Now he in jail, now I got to do what he did for me
When I was in jail, he used to send out shout outs
And say how he support me and everything
Now I support 4-Tay, everybody pray for him and send letters
I hope the brother get out of jail soon as possible and get back to his shit
Because you know it's a struggle for every young black man
4-Tay, you know how it is, only God can judge
[Verse 1: Rappin' 4-Tay]
I ain't trying to make you feel all down and bitter
This is for my dog, about to pour me out a little liquor
Could of swam in the tears shedded in the Bay
Try to hold it in, couldn't help but cry all day
I'm stressing, please with my rap, hopefully it's working
Because when your folks leave this earth, man, that shit be hurting
Emotional traumas, enough to make you lose your ground
No matter what happen, just represent and put it down
I feel I owe this to the real g's across the nation
Not just the R.I.P., a player's type of dedication
What's rap without the game, gangsters, and villains
My fears of this calls me on got to make a killing
Because my voices is saying things that I ain't ever heard of
And just because of that, a nigga wants to plot a murder?
But I got something for them suckers who intend to rush me
Part two, and only God can judge me
[Chorus: Rappin' 4-Tay]
From the ghetto to the pen, can you comprehend?
And all the real players, pour out some Hen
This my dedication to a million soldiers
May you rest in peace, this coming from the Forte
From the ghetto to the pen, can you comprehend?
And all the real players, pour out some Hen
This my dedication, my nigga 2Pac
And you can best believe - that it wont stop, uh
[Verse 2: Rappin' 4-Tay]
You should've known that I'd be coming back, especially after
All the drama that done happened, got to holler at you
Coolio hot and the Together Brothers kicked the game
But things done got so out of hand that we can't even sing
This ain't a sad song, man this some real shit
Go to clubs and chop up game, who pump that rough shit?
Wish I could bring you all back from heaven but I can't
Sometimes I reminisce and down a whole fifth of drink
But the least I could do is stay on the hit list
Despite the controversy, put it down and shift the gift
Life goes on just like a show goes on
The player haters roll on, but man we oh so strong
Wish I could bring you back through the time
So we could spit some rhymes, and show them busters how players recline
So took the deepest feelings in the heart, and when the drama starts
Just ask yourself who was down from the very start
[Chorus: Rappin' 4-Tay]
[Verse 3: Rappin' 4-Tay]
Things just ain't the way they used to be
It seems the more money you stack, the more retracted enemies
First round draft pick, millions for baskets
Jealousy and envy results to nothing but caskets
And it's a cold thing for a black man
He clocking more than you clock, so you let that 9' rain?
True enough there's a lot of drama in a ghetto story
And a lot of tears, but that comes with the territory
That's why you got to keep the game on the shelf
And by all means, look out for your legitimate work
So let me put you up on the scoop, because suckers like to swoop
Before you know it you got caught up in the pimping
And ain't nothing you can do to pay the price
Like innocent people I know with 25 to life
It's got me caught up, stuck, trapped in a corner
But it's Westside for life, I'm representing California
[Chorus x3: Rappin' 4-Tay w/ minor variations]
[Outro: Rappin' 4-Tay]
And anybody who lost a loved one
Rappin' 4-Tay and Rag Top
We too willing not to feel you
May you rest in peace
My dedication
The song Playaz Dedication by Rappin' 4-Tay featuring 2Pac is a powerful tribute to players and soldiers who have lost their lives. The song opens with an interview excerpt between Sway and 2Pac discussing the Bay Area artists like E-40, Dru Down, and Rappin' 4-Tay that he has collaborated with. This lays the foundation for the song, making it a dedication to Rappin'4-Tay and other fallen players. In his verse, Rappin' 4-Tay speaks of the pain of losing people in his life and how he hopes his dedication will not only honor those he has lost but also inspire others to represent and put it down. He addresses the emotional trauma and struggles he has faced, only fueled to make it to the top.
The song talks about the struggles of a black man, the jealousy and envious people that come with making it in the music business. Rappin' 4-Tay encourages players to keep legitimate work and look out for their wellbeing in a dangerous environment. The chorus is a call to the fallen players, with a request to pour out some Hennessy, demonstrating love and respect for their memories. Rappin' 4-Tay speaks to the players and soldiers that don't make it out of the ghetto or the pen, hoping that they find peace in the afterlife. The song ends with a reminder of why the dedication was made, for anyone who has ever lost a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
[Intro: Sway Of Kmel interviewing 2Pac]
An interviewer asks 2Pac about his collaboration with Bay Area rappers E-40, 4-Tay, and Dru Down.
[2Pac]
2Pac explains that he collaborated with Bay Area artists because he wanted to represent the Bay despite not physically being there all the time, and because he respects their talent and style.
[Verse 1: Rappin' 4-Tay]
4-Tay reflects on the emotional trauma of losing loved ones, and dedicates his music to real gangsters and players across the nation.
[Chorus: Rappin' 4-Tay]
4-Tay pays tribute to fallen soldiers and real players, including Tupac, and promises to keep the music coming.
[Verse 2: Rappin' 4-Tay]
4-Tay laments the violence and drama in the rap game and the deaths of his friends, but vows to keep the music real and stay on the hit list.
[Verse 3: Rappin' 4-Tay]
4-Tay warns of the dangers of jealousy and envy in the rap game, and advises listeners to focus on legitimate work and avoid getting caught up in the drama. He represents the Westside and California.
[Outro: Rappin' 4-Tay]
4-Tay and Rag Top express their condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one, and promise to keep it real and represent the players and gangsters who have passed away.
Contributed by Camden H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Contra 2075
Hopefully Rapping 4 Tay will be on the new 2 Pac movie or at least have a actor play him. Sounds and looks like thats Pac one of his favorite homies.
oliverrando
that would be dope if he would be on the movie but the new pac movie i might go and see it i dont know
SAMREZ-55
This is one of the best dedication track for PAC ever Made ! Real Rap from 4Tay for his Homie PAC R.i.P
Patrick Harris
this one was cool yur boy OPP mourn you till i join you was a good one
jack holmes
4 tay's a natural story tellin rapper
Super Unknown
Like scarface!
Georgie Vera
You right he is from the bay like too short
SAMREZ-55
i Miss these ERA of G-Rap , THIS never comes back !! i am so happy TO live these ERA AS a young Teenager, and young man now im 33 years old and HIP HOP IS DEAD, VERY SAD, THE G,s in my Generation knows what im talking about, peace from Germany-Turkey
Sasikanth Reddy E
G refers to Gangsta?
81Support
...damn right Bro! Things just ain't the way they used to be...