From his flow to the beats that he rhymes over, everything about rapper Shade Sheist screams "West Coast" in no uncertain terms. Sheist has, on occasion, worked with some East Coast rappers -- including Fabolous, Ja Rule and Naughty by Nature members Treach and Kay Gee -- but even so, Sheist is very much a product of the Southern California rap scene. Heavily influenced by West Coast gangsta rappers such as Snoop Doggy Dogg, DJ Quik, Warren G, Dr. Dre, and the late N.W.A. agitator Eazy-E, Sheist was born and raised in the Inglewood area. Anyone who forgets how long rap has been around need only think about how long Sheist has been alive; the Southern Californian was born in the early '80s, which means that he was only a baby when trailblazing old-school East Coast rappers like Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, the Sugarhill Gang (as in "Rappers Delight") and the Treacherous Three were at the height of their popularity. It also means that he was only two or three years old when Ice-T -- the seminal father of West Coast gangsta rap -- started recording in 1983.
Fast forward a little over a decade and Shade Sheist found himself on the receiving end of a joint venture deal with Universal Records in 2002. Universal's MCA Records released Sheist's first full-length solo album, “Informal Introduction” on September 10, 2002. It was not only hailed as a West Coast classic but also introduced Sheist to an international audience. The project features several Top Five and Top Ten singles: "Wake Up" featuring Nate Dogg and Warren G (produced by Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature) "Money Owners" produced by and co-starring Timbaland, and "John Doe" produced by and co-starring Dj Quik. The album's lead single "Where I Wanna Be," features Nate Dogg & Kurupt and as mentioned, hit the top spot on Billboard’s Hot Rap/Hip-Hop Singles and Airplay charts.
Shade Sheist has recorded with the industry’s best including: Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Dj Quik, Teddy Riley, Mariah Carey, Bone Thugs n Harmony and so many more. Some of Shade's notable musical acheivements include songs on “The Fast and The Furious,” "The Wash" and “Dark Angel” motion picture / television soundtracks, as well as the “True Crime: Streets of L.A.” and “25 to Life” videogame soundtracks. Being involved in all of these successful projects has helped Shade Sheist build a very loyal international fanbase that continues to grow daily. Once Shade has your attention he intends to keep it. His charm and the fact that he is so well spoken are just a few of the other great qualities that make Shade Sheist an artist to witness.
John Doe
Shade Sheist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
* from the forthcoming "Informal Introduction"
{*scratching*}
[Verse: Shade Sheist]
Yo, it ain't nothin' new (ain't nothin'), just a change in the name
Sheist done came and changed the game unexplained
Cause when Shade fuck up your sales, all your checks delay
And now niggas mad cause Shade can pull up in a Jag
Hands free, chaperone all gettin' the door
And I ain't even interested in stealing your whore
So why these niggas actin like they want to marry the floor?
Like they ain't seen me breeze past all the gaurds at the door
Like I'm just wearin' this jacket to be hot
I flash the juice card, man this shit ain't hard
And It's the same thing at the same spot
What's my name?
[Chorus] (2x)
[Vocoder Box:]It's John Doe
[DJ Quik:] 4-5's spittin' up outta the
[Vocoder Box:]Four Door
[DJ Quik:] No return fire cause they
[Vocoder Box:]Too slow {*gunshots*}
[DJ Quik:] What's the dilly?
[Vocoder Box:] Cause we kill for a living
[DJ Quik:] We kill for a livin'
[Verse: Shade Sheist]
They want to know why I keep it so simple
I see that they just don't get it like my Nextel signal
Sheist on some other shit, Centinella gutter shit
Cards on the table, you can hit me or split
And see now I fucked around and got Quik on the shit
So just imagine how many hips break when they dip
And all the excessive paper cuts from counting the grip
And how my legs hurt from humpin' back and forth in the whip
At only 35, coverage is a bitch on a six
And I ain't even got my first plaque yet (plaque yet)
Sheist, will still run circles over niggas who want it
And we ain't even gotta make the bets yet
Nigga what's my name?
[Chorus] (2x)
[Verse: Hi-C]
Throat-choke a hoe, Big Giggolo
Pimp the world, handcuff your hoe
Twurk your girl, when I step into the atmosphere
Niggas strapped wit fear, uh!
Is he is what I said he is and all
When I pimp bitches all dick and balls
Shade Sheist nothin' nice, new to the game
Get your money homie, bitch what's my name?
[Verse: AMG]
Hey-hey! we gon' hit these niggas where it hurt (uh)
Put the worm in your mouth like a perch (uh)
When I'm cum boo you gon' need a cert
Bust one, jump in the Monte Carlo and skirt (skirt!)
Give em naps, give 'em dap, then I holla holla back
"Hey nigga where you goin'?"
Boo I'm checkin' my traps
y'all niggas done shitted and stepped back in it
I'll fuck a nigga up all I need is five minutes.
[Verse: Swift]
Swift, and I pimp hoes like it's a gift
I got game so you know I'm "The Answer" like Allen I.
Got your whole style shook like 'Quilles or Kobe Bry'
While money multiply you haters ask why
No you can't stop the pimpin' the pimpin' is too fly
Runnin' game on yo wife while you out flossin' your ride
But she said, "if you ain't busy, or close in the vicinity
Stop on by and come get the thighs."
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
[Vocoder Box:]It's John Doe
[DJ Quik:] 4-5's spittin' up outta the
[Vocoder Box:]Four Door
[DJ Quik:] No return fire cause they
[Vocoder Box:]Too slow {*gunshots*}
[DJ Quik:] What's the dilly?
[Vocoder Box:] Cause we kill for a living
[DJ Quik:] And we hungry nigga
{*gunshots*}
In Shade Sheist's song "John Doe," the rapper appears to be boasting about his success in the music industry and his ability to navigate the scene with ease. He boasts about his ability to delay the checks of those who wrong him and his quick access to exclusive clubs and events. This success is demonstrated through his flashy car and ability to pull up without delay. However, Sheist also seems to be highlighting the fakeness and jealousy of those around him who want to marry the floor and appear better than they actually are. The chorus of the song repeats "John Doe" in a vocoder box and includes other rappers like DJ Quik and AMG boasting about their own abilities to "kill for a living" and make money.
It's interesting to note that "John Doe" is often a term used to refer to a person who is unknown or unidentifiable. However, in the context of this song, John Doe seems to be a figure that embodies the success and power the rappers seek to achieve. Another interesting aspect is the use of the vocoder box, a popular tool in the 2000s hip hop scene for creating distorted vocal effects. Additionally, the use of gunshots and violent language towards the end of the song adds a menacing tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, it ain't nothin' new (ain't nothin'), just a change in the name
Although there's nothing new happening, there's a new name in the game - Shade Sheist.
Sheist done came and changed the game unexplained
Shade Sheist has come in and changed the game without any explanation of how he did it.
Ways for days show you how to wait for your pay
Shade Sheist has ways to teach you how to wait for your pay.
Cause when Shade fuck up your sales, all your checks delay
If Shade Sheist messes up your sales, all your checks will be delayed.
And now niggas mad cause Shade can pull up in a Jag
People are upset that Shade Sheist can afford to pull up in a Jaguar.
Hands free, chaperone all gettin' the door
Shade Sheist can pull up and his handsfree device will open the doors for everyone.
And I ain't even interested in stealing your whore
Shade Sheist has no interest in stealing anyone's girlfriend.
So why these niggas actin like they want to marry the floor?
Why are these guys acting like they want to be close to the ground/floor?
Like they ain't seen me breeze past all the gaurds at the door
It's like they didn't see Shade Sheist breezing past all the guards at the door.
Like I'm just wearin' this jacket to be hot
It's as if people think Shade Sheist is only wearing his jacket to look cool.
I flash the juice card, man this shit ain't hard
All Shade Sheist has to do is flash his juiced up card, it's not a difficult task.
And It's the same thing at the same spot
Shade Sheist does the same thing every time he's at the same spot.
What's my name?
Shade Sheist is asking people if they know his name.
[Chorus] (2x)
The chorus repeats twice throughout the song.
[Vocoder Box:]It's John Doe
A vocoder box says, 'It's John Doe.'
[DJ Quik:] 4-5's spittin' up outta the
DJ Quik raps about 45s spitting out of the four door car.
[Vocoder Box:]Four Door
The vocoder box repeats the phrase, 'Four Door.'
[DJ Quik:] No return fire cause they
DJ Quik raps about there not being any return fire because they're too slow.
[Vocoder Box:]Too slow {*gunshots*}
The vocoder box repeats the phrase, 'Too slow' followed by gunshots.
[DJ Quik:] What's the dilly?
DJ Quik asks, 'What's the deal?'
[Vocoder Box:] Cause we kill for a living
The vocoder box says, 'We kill for a living.'
[DJ Quik:] And we hungry nigga
DJ Quik raps about them being hungry.
They want to know why I keep it so simple
People want to know why Shade Sheist keeps it so simple.
I see that they just don't get it like my Nextel signal
Shade Sheist sees that people don't understand it, similar to how his Nextel signal might drop out.
Sheist on some other shit, Centinella gutter shit
Shade Sheist is on some other kind of shit, more specifically, some Centinella gutter shit.
Cards on the table, you can hit me or split
Shade Sheist has his cards on the table, people can either hit him or split (a term used in blackjack).
And see now I fucked around and got Quik on the shit
Shade Sheist has collaborated with DJ Quik.
So just imagine how many hips break when they dip
Just imagine how many hips will break when they dip (dance move).
And all the excessive paper cuts from counting the grip
There will be excessive paper cuts from counting the money obtained.
And how my legs hurt from humpin' back and forth in the whip
Shade Sheist's legs hurt from sitting back and forth in the car.
At only 35, coverage is a bitch on a six
At only 35 years old, Shade Sheist has trouble with insurance for his six (car).
And I ain't even got my first plaque yet (plaque yet)
Shade Sheist hasn't received his first plaque (enhanced CD or trophy) yet.
Sheist, will still run circles over niggas who want it
Shade Sheist can still beat people who want to be in the game.
And we ain't even gotta make the bets yet
They don't even have to make bets yet.
Nigga what's my name?
Shade Sheist is asking what his name is.
[Verse: Hi-C]
Hi-C has a verse in the song.
Throat-choke a hoe, Big Giggolo
Hi-C boasts about being able to throat-choke a hoe and being a big gigolo.
Pimp the world, handcuff your hoe
Hi-C is a huge pimp and will handcuff your girlfriend.
Twurk your girl, when I step into the atmosphere
Hi-C will make your girlfriend twerk when he enters the atmosphere.
Niggas strapped wit fear, uh!
People are scared when they see Hi-C.
Is he is what I said he is and all
Hi-C is what he said he is and more.
When I pimp bitches all dick and balls
Hi-C pimps out the girls and takes their money.
Shade Sheist nothin' nice, new to the game
Shade Sheist isn't very nice even though he's new to the game.
Get your money homie, bitch what's my name?
Hi-C tells Shade Sheist to get his money and then asks what his name is.
[Verse: AMG]
AMG has a verse in the song.
Hey-hey! we gon' hit these niggas where it hurt (uh)
They're going to hit people where it hurts.
Put the worm in your mouth like a perch (uh)
They're going to put the worm in peoples' mouths like they're a perch (a kind of fish).
When I'm cum boo you gon' need a cert
When they're done having sex, the girl will need a certificate.
Bust one, jump in the Monte Carlo and skirt (skirt!)
They will bust one and then jump in the Monte Carlo and drive off quickly.
Give em naps, give 'em dap, then I holla holla back
They'll give people naps and daps before hollering back.
"Hey nigga where you goin'?"
They'll ask people where they're going.
Boo I'm checkin' my traps
They're checking their traps.
y'all niggas done shitted and stepped back in it
Other people messed up and made a mistake.
I'll fuck a nigga up all I need is five minutes.
AMG only needs five minutes to beat up anyone who comes at him.
[Verse: Swift]
Swift has a verse in the song.
Swift, and I pimp hoes like it's a gift
Swift is a pimp and it comes naturally to him.
I got game so you know I'm "The Answer" like Allen I.
Swift has game, so he's 'The Answer' like Allen Iverson.
Got your whole style shook like 'Quilles or Kobe Bry'
He's got your whole style shook like Quintin 'Rampage' Jackson or Kobe Bryant.
While money multiply you haters ask why
While money multiplies, haters keep asking why.
No you can't stop the pimpin' the pimpin' is too fly
No one can stop Swift's pimpin', it's too fly.
Runnin' game on yo wife while you out flossin' your ride
He's running game on your wife while you're out showing off your car.
But she said, "if you ain't busy, or close in the vicinity
She said, 'if you're not busy or near the area...'
Stop on by and come get the thighs."
Stop by and have sex.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats again.
{*gunshots*}
Gunshots are heard in the background.
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CRAWFORD WILKERSON, DAVID BLAKE, JASON LEWIS, KENYAN MAXON, TREMAYNE THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind