After appearing on two Lox albums, 1998’s platinum debut Money, Power & Respect, and 2000’s follow-up We Are The Streets, Sheek became a business man. First, he bought a recording studio in his hometown city of Yonkers, NY, and then founded the record label D-Block with lifelong friends Jadakiss and Styles P.
When Jadakiss feuded with Beanie Sigel, the battle also brought along Sheek Louch and Styles P. Shortly before Beans went to jail, however, Sigel and Kiss made up definitively, performing together at a show; after his release from jail, the two did a remix on a Sheek Louch song and appeared on a track on a Funkmaster Flex compilation.
When The Lox left Bad Boy Records, the group and each of its members' publication was still owned by label head Sean Combs. The group fought with him over royalties, debt issues and other things until 2005 when they briefly put their differences aside to perform with Jay-Z at his I Declare War concert.Combs still owned The Lox's publishing because they only completed one album on their contract. Afterward they went on New York radio station Hot 97 bashing Diddy about taking all their money.
Sheek Louch has played a supporting role in D-Block's battle with 50 Cent. Originally, after a guest appearance in Ja Rule's single "New York", Jadakiss was insulted on 50 Cent's track "Piggy Bank" on the 2005 album The Massacre. Sheek has in turn insulted 50 Cent and other members of G-Unit on tracks on various mixtapes, including ones by Big Mike and DJ Clue.
Shame on you for ever underestimating Sheek. Shame on you for thinking that his membership in the LOX is all he had and all he’d ever be. After dropping two LOX albums, 1998’s platinum debut Money, Power & Respect, and 2000’s chart topping follow up We are the Streets, Sheek became a business man. First, he bought a recording studio in his hometown town of Yonkers, NY. Then, he founded the record label D-Block with lifelong friends Jadakiss and Styles P. Sheek has been quietly focused. While Jadakiss and Styles were busy making guest appearances with everyone from Mary J. Blige to Jennifer Lopez, Sheek was planning and securing the foundation for what will undoubtedly become one of hip hop’s greatest classics, “D Block.” As the first artist signed to D-Block, Sheek’s debut Walk Witt Me takes hip hop back to the good days when MCs rapped with the kind of passionate power that could move entire coasts. After listening to Walk Witt Me, you’ll never sleep on Sheek again. In fact, you’ll be excitedly waiting for the next 16 bar ride through his life. “This album is all me,” says Sheek. “With the LOX, I have to write about the topic agreed on by all three of us. But on my album, I can get deep into it and let you understand me.”
Mixtape DJs like Kay Slay, Clue, and Whoo Kid understand Sheek. For months, the streets have been buzzing with his highly sought after freestyles. But when Walk Witt Me drops, the buzz will stop and the raucous will begin. Super lyrical songs like the standout “How I Love You,” take listeners on a mental journey through Sheek’s ups and downs in the hip hop game. “I’m explaining everything that has happened to me,” he says. “How I was chillin with the LOX, got comfortable, and then this hip hop thing left me alone because I got so comfortable.” Tracks like the bonafide hit “Don’t Worry,” featuring legendary DJ Kid Capri, samples the Jackson 5 Motown classic “Don’t Worry.” Sheek’s cocky declaration of his triumphant return to the spotlight will keep kids rapping along to “Don’t Worry” for days. Hardcore cuts like “Love You” and “Don’t Mean Nutin’ featuring Jadakiss, Styles, and J-Hood remind LOX lovers that Sheek will never loose his grimy touch. While the happy, carefree vibe on “Good Day” with the memorable hook “White tees, white airs, TK/Benz coup, rims spinnin, jake hatin me/ But that’s my life, my life in the sunshine” guarantees a summertime bass knocker. Spin queen Cocoa Chanel produced “Ok” the party anthem which is one of Sheek’s favorite album singles. And when the club closes and cats take a minute to focus, the title track “Walk Witt Me” will show a deep, intellectual side of Sheek that will make listeners stretch their eyes wide with amazement. “When I got into this solo project I was in a zone,” he says. “ A lot came out. And I’m still in a zone right now.”
But Sheek has always been focused. As 11 year old Sean Jacobs, he rapped with childhood friend Jayson “Jadakiss” Phillips and started the group Lil J and Shawn Ski. Years later, after signing with the LOX to Bad Boy, fighting for release, and eventually signing to Ruff Ryders, Sheek has only thought about one thing. “I was always the cat like, “Let’s get a label and sign to ourselves,” Why don’t we get our own artists and put ourselves out there? he says.’ Years later, Sheek’s focus paid off. As the first MC set to drop from D-Block, Sheek is concentrating on the task at hand. “I have to blow up this album and take this label to another level,” he says. “I can’t dance on stage forever.”
So although you may’ve doubted Sheek, he never underestimated himself. Because the stellar work on Walk Witt Me is all about confidence and focus. “This is mental. All soul and very carefully thought out,” he says. “Run with it.” And after people witness Walk Witt Me, they’ll be running with Sheek for life.
Sheek's second album, "After Taxes", was released in 2005 with guest spots from Fabolous, Beanie Sigel, T.I., Redman and his two LOX homies Jadakiss and Styles P. It also featured production from producers like Havoc, Rockwilder, Red Spyda and The Alchemist. Unlike his first album, "After Taxes" was released on Kock Records, one of the largest independent labels in the United States. Sheek got a minor hit "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye". Also included on the album was a diss track going at 50 Cent called "Maybe If I Sing".
* He, as well as Jadakiss, made guest appearances in the movie Honey.
* Sheek Louch met Jadakiss during his early childhood.
* In high school, he used to play football on the varsity team. However, due to an injury, he was force to not continue football.
Mic check
Sheek Louch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Microphone check, one two
Mic-microphone check, one two (is this thing on?)
Microphone check, one two
Mic-microphone check, one two
Microphone check, one two
Mic-microphone check, one two (is this thing on?)
Microphone check, one two
Aiyyo Mr. Magic playing, big old boombox
Way before D-Block, a little before LOX
Krush Groove and Beat Street, spell my name out
Fat Boys, remember Disorderlies came out?
I remember Reverend Run was Tougher Than Leather
New laces and he wore the mob hats together
So who's the next Jam Master Jay? Is it Flex? Is it Felli Fel?
Is Hova the next Melle Mel?
Is LOX the new Cold Crush, Furious Four?
New hood mink plus one more
A dying breed, yes indeed
But right now we what Hip Hop needs, aiyyo engineer
[Chorus]
Aiyyo cars, fashion, jewelry dripping
What color you wearing, what drink you sipping?
It's a new generation of Hip Hop
Now it's more money involved, so it's Hip Hop
And they expect you to change or get dropped
And you can listen or be mad when your shit flop
I like it though, all that just keep me on
Nowadays they say Sheek got a slick ass tongue
And I ain't old or young, I fit right in between
Still a player but it's only right I made her my queen
You don't come for my Beem', I don't come for yours
Let's get money and do some tours, hey yo engineer
[Chorus]
I know well I could sell more with Usher on the hook
Instead I make something to do a juk, look
It's no good without bad
It wouldn't be history if Shan didn't get mad
Listen, niggas battle to say the least
It's life, we go to war, we make peace
And they said that rap was the Devil's play
But it was cool when them boys made 'Walk This Way'
Now look, you got Nelly with Garth Brook, Diddy with the Pussycats
Some rap dudes, different hats
And we ain't going nowhere
Mr. if you got ears, this is all you gon' here, hey yo engineer
[Chorus]
The chorus of Sheek Louch's "Mic Check" opens with a confident yet relatable query: "Microphone check, one two / Mic-microphone check, one two (is this thing on?)" The rapper is testing his microphone, wondering if he's being heard by his audience. From there, Sheek launches into a contemplation of his legacy and the legacy of hip hop as a whole. He references old school hip hop from the 80s, giving a shout-out to influential artists like the Fat Boys and Reverend Run. Sheek muses about the future of the genre, wondering who will be the next "Jam Master Jay" or "Melle Mel," and questions whether or not the commercialization of hip hop will lead to its downfall.
The song continues with Sheek touching on the trappings of modern hip hop, such as cars, fashion, and money. He acknowledges the pressure that comes with trying to make it in the industry and the expectation that artists must change in order to achieve success. Sheek also acknowledges the beef that can arise between rappers, but emphasizes the importance of making peace. He points out the irony of how rap was once seen as a negative influence, but is now so mainstream that even country artists like Garth Brooks collaborate with rappers like Nelly. All the while, Sheek keeps returning to the refrain of the chorus, posing the simple yet vital question: "Mic check, one two?"
Line by Line Meaning
Microphone check, one two
Testing the microphone
Mic-microphone check, one two (is this thing on?)
Repeating the microphone test and checking if it is working
Aiyyo Mr. Magic playing, big old boombox
Reflecting on old school hip hop and DJ Mr. Magic's influence
Way before D-Block, a little before LOX
Referencing to the early days of hip hop before Sheek Louch's D-Block and rap group LOX
Krush Groove and Beat Street, spell my name out
Naming classic hip hop films and repping his name.
Fat Boys, remember Disorderlies came out?
Referencing the Fat Boys movie Disorderlies
I remember Reverend Run was Tougher Than Leather
Reminiscing about Reverend Run's album Tougher Than Leather
New laces and he wore the mob hats together
Noticing Run DMC's unique style with mob hats and laces
So who's the next Jam Master Jay? Is it Flex? Is it Felli Fel?
Wondering who the next legendary DJ will be
Is Hova the next Melle Mel?
Comparing Jay-Z to Melle Mel, a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Is LOX the new Cold Crush, Furious Four?
Comparing LOX to Cold Crush and Furious Four, two early hip hop groups
New hood mink plus one more
Rocking fresh new fur coats
A dying breed, yes indeed
Acknowledging that old school hip hop is becoming less popular
But right now we what Hip Hop needs, aiyyo engineer
Asserting that they are what the hip hop industry needs
Aiyyo cars, fashion, jewelry dripping
Shifting to talking about cars, fashion, and jewelry
What color you wearing, what drink you sipping?
Asking about people's fashion and drink choices
It's a new generation of Hip Hop
Acknowledging the changes in the hip hop genre
Now it's more money involved, so it's Hip Hop
Noting that the industry is now more focused on making money
And they expect you to change or get dropped
Noting the pressure to conform to the industry's expectations
And you can listen or be mad when your shit flop
Being aware that people may not like your music
I like it though, all that just keep me on
Stating that he enjoys the changes in the industry and it motivates him
Nowadays they say Sheek got a slick ass tongue
Acknowledging his reputation as a skilled rapper
And I ain't old or young, I fit right in between
Stating his age and making it clear he can keep up with the industry
Still a player but it's only right I made her my queen
Acknowledging being a player but also finding the right person to settle down with
You don't come for my Beem', I don't come for yours
Making it clear that he won't mess with other people's possessions or belongings
Let's get money and do some tours, hey yo engineer
Proposing that they work together to make money and go on tours
I know well I could sell more with Usher on the hook
Admitting that collaborating with mainstream artists could increase his sales
Instead I make something to do a juk, look
Opting to make something that people can dance to and enjoy
It's no good without bad
Noting that there needs to be balance in life
It wouldn't be history if Shan didn't get mad
Referencing the classic hip hop battle between MC Shan and KRS-One
Listen, niggas battle to say the least
Recognizing that rap battles are common within the industry
It's life, we go to war, we make peace
Comparing rap battles to wars, but acknowledging that peace can be made afterwards
And they said that rap was the Devil's play
Noting the criticism that rap music has received
But it was cool when them boys made 'Walk This Way'
Referencing when Run-DMC collaborated with Aerosmith for 'Walk This Way', proving rap can be mainstream
Now look, you got Nelly with Garth Brook, Diddy with the Pussycats
Pointing out successful collaborations in the industry
Some rap dudes, different hats
Noting that rappers have different personas and can take on different roles
And we ain't going nowhere
Asserting that hip hop is here to stay
Mr. if you got ears, this is all you gon' hear, hey yo engineer
Asking the engineer to listen up and acknowledge the longevity of hip hop
Contributed by Max G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.