Learning from their cohort Lord Finesse, the two started an underground buzz by street promoting their demos then selling the tapes out of the trunks of their cars. The street sales helped them polish their debut single "Soul Clap" b/w "Party Groove," a cut that banged dance clubs and got love on Yo! MTV Raps for many a week, a self-titled EP was released in March of 1992. Their debut album, Runaway Slave, followed in the fall and is seen as an early-'90s hip-hop essential. The album brought a bouncing hardcore sound of crisp, jazzy horns, stiff drum kicks, and snapping snares that could get a party hopping but could also satisfy the non-dancing purist nodding his head in the back of the club. The album truly is a D.I.T.C. family affair and introduced such legendary names as the late Big L, Fat Joe, and Diamond D, whose classic debut solo album Stunts, Blunts, and Hip Hop dropped the same week in 1992.
The albatross of making unadulterated rap music is that it sometimes costs a crew acclaim, for Show and A.G. are some of rap's disturbingly underrated. The sequel to their raw, stripped sound came in 1995 with the under-appreciated Goodfellas and the two were major contributors to D.I.T.C.'s eponymous debut album in 2000.
Add On
Showbiz & A.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's Lord Finesse the rhyme vet
Like Bigge I'm "Ready to Die" but it ain't my fucking time yet
I bring the noise like static I cause havoc
You know my style I got the hip sound
I should be a construction worker the way I be tearing shit down
One of the best you ought to shout it
Bust a nigga's ass and won't give two thoughts about it
Word, I hunt you down
I got a million reasons why none of you can fuck around
I slay beginners, sautee contenders
Shit, and be damned if I don't walk away the winner
I kick facts, flip raps over hip tracks
You know what I'm saying? (Yeah, I can dig that)
I'm gifted, my rhyme is wicked
When it comes to knowledge, I got jewels like the Diamond District
I'm the dopest, the baddest, one of the fattest
Chickenheads know my status
For those that's waiting to doubt
I'm a play like Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth and "Straighten it Out"
Ayo Show, my man (Add on, add on!)
A.G. my man (Add on, add on!)
Ayo Show my man (Add on, add on!)
D-Flow my man (Add on, add on!)
[D-Flow]
Check it, I got the herb to bomb your brain
I'm a threat like Saddam Huessein, niggas better know my name
I flow the same in a competition
I break them clowns into something different, buck 'em with the fucking Smith &
Wesson, MC's never leave my section
Finger on the trigger, I figure I kill that nigga for stepping
I tote the four-fifth, riff and get your jaw shift
Flip phones and add jewels got me looking gorgeous
Ignore the style and get bucked down, child
With the three-pound pile, BLOW! How you like me now?
The new improved Flow, you know how I do so
Whatever, a motherfucking terror like Cujo
I'm out to get mine, I want mils, God
Niggas that feel hard chill, fuck around and get your grill scarred
It's D-Flow, you know my steelo, ceelo will let you know how we go
Chop him like a kilo and let him die
[A.G.]
And then I'm a add on like arithmetic
Suckers careers get stopped so stop who you riffing with
I'm on point with the snakes and fakes
Ain't the one (Think I am?) You get hung like drapes
And it's proven, point blank that's the conclusion
Seeing me losing, it's all an illusion
Like the raw ism, I'm a kiss him when I hurt him
Then desert him, because the Show & A.G. shit is sickening
Giving stress to them snakes is a ritual
Nights and north flakes, oh yes, they bless the physical
Promote the glock? No I'm not
I use it as an art, ain't got the heart to disrespect hip-hop
Time to breeze, now I'm gone, the Greats is rolling strong
So add on and on
Ayo Show, my man (Add on, add on!)
A.G. my man (Add on, add on!)
Ayo Show my man (Add on, add on!)
D-Flow my man (Add on, add on!)
The lyrics to Showbiz & A.G.'s "Add On" are from three different rappers - Lord Finesse, D-Flow, and A.G. Each of the rappers gives his own unique interpretation of the song. In his verse, Lord Finesse boasts about his rhyming skills and declares himself one of the best. He uses clever wordplay and similes to convey his message, such as comparing his rhyming style to that of a construction worker tearing things down. In the following verse, D-Flow takes a more aggressive tone, warning his competition that he is a formidable opponent who will not be taken lightly. He also references the infamous Saddam Hussein to cement his threat level. Finally, A.G. adds his own contribution by expressing his superiority over his challengers, claiming that they will be "hung like drapes."
Overall, the "Add On" lyrics convey a sense of confidence and bravado, with each rapper taking their turn to declare their dominance in the rap game. The repeated refrain of "Add on" serves as an invitation for other rappers to join in and add their own verses, adding to the overall sense of community within the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Lord Finesse the rhyme vet
I am Lord Finesse, an experienced rapper known for my skills with words.
Like Bigge I'm "Ready to Die" but it ain't my fucking time yet
I'm like Notorious B.I.G in his song "Ready to Die." I'm ready to give it my all, but I'm not ready to die yet.
I bring the noise like static I cause havoc
My rhymes are loud, powerful, and disruptive. When I grab the mic, I create chaos and destruction.
When I grab the mic I pack a party like traffic
My performances are so lively and exciting that they attract a crowd just like a traffic jam.
You know my style I got the hip sound
My style is distinctive and embodies the essence of hip hop music.
I should be a construction worker the way I be tearing shit down
My rhymes are so powerful that they have the ability to demolish just like a construction worker.
One of the best you ought to shout it
I'm one of the best rappers out there, and you should acknowledge and celebrate it.
Bust a nigga's ass and won't give two thoughts about it
I'll dominate and defeat any other rapper without hesitation or concern.
Word, I hunt you down
I'll aggressively pursue and attack any rapper who tries to compete with me.
I got a million reasons why none of you can fuck around
I have a multitude of skills and abilities that set me apart, so no one should dare try to compete with me.
I slay beginners, sautee contenders
I effortlessly defeat inexperienced rappers and take on more skilled competitors like a chef cooking food.
Shit, and be damned if I don't walk away the winner
I'm so confident in my abilities that I know I'll come out on top in any competition.
I kick facts, flip raps over hip tracks
I use my rhymes to tell the truth and switch up my delivery over great hip hop beats.
I'm gifted, my rhyme is wicked
I have a natural talent for rapping with a style that's edgy and powerful.
When it comes to knowledge, I got jewels like the Diamond District
I have extensive and valuable knowledge about hip hop, just like the Diamond District's jewelry is highly valuable.
I'm the dopest, the baddest, one of the fattest
I am the most skilled, toughest, and most impressive rapper out there.
Chickenheads know my status
Even the most superficial fans and groupies know how great I am.
I'm a play like Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth and "Straighten it Out"
I'll offer my thoughts and opinions on a topic, much like Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth did in their song "Straighten it Out".
Check it, I got the herb to bomb your brain
I have some powerful, mind-altering substances that can take you to a new level when you consume them.
I'm a threat like Saddam Huessein, niggas better know my name
I pose a significant danger to any other rapper and people should be wary of crossing me.
I flow the same in a competition
My skills and abilities are consistent whether I'm in competition or not.
I break them clowns into something different, buck 'em with the fucking Smith &
I defeat and humiliate my competitors, and could even harm them with a Smith & Wesson firearm.
MC's never leave my section
Other rappers can't compete with me and leave in defeat.
Finger on the trigger, I figure I kill that nigga for stepping
I'm ready and willing to harm any rapper who tries to compete with me.
I tote the four-fifth, riff and get your jaw shift
I carry a four-fifth caliber gun, and will use it to make other rappers' jaws drop in defeat.
Flip phones and add jewels got me looking gorgeous
I have a lot of cash and bling, and it makes me look really good.
Ignore the style and get bucked down, child
If people try to ignore my style and ability, they'll still be defeated and humiliated.
With the three-pound pile, BLOW! How you like me now?
I'll use a heavy object to strike at other rappers, and ask how they like it.
The new improved Flow, you know how I do so
I'm even better than I used to be, and people know exactly what I'm capable of.
Whatever, a motherfucking terror like Cujo
I'm a scary, intimidating force that resembles the fictional dog Cujo.
I'm out to get mine, I want mils, God
I'm focused on getting rich and making millions of dollars.
Niggas that feel hard chill, fuck around and get your grill scarred
Other rappers who are feeling tough need to relax, or they'll end up getting hurt or humiliated by me.
It's D-Flow, you know my steelo, ceelo will let you know how we go
I'm D-Flow, and you should know what my style and approach is like. CeeLo, another rapper, will explain how our collaboration works.
Chop him like a kilo and let him die
I'll defeat and destroy other rappers just like someone would chop up and sell a kilogram of drugs.
And then I'm a add on like arithmetic
I'll contribute to the conversation like someone adding a new number to a math problem.
Suckers careers get stopped so stop who you riffing with
I'll end the careers of lesser rappers, so they should be careful who they choose to pick fights with.
I'm on point with the snakes and fakes
I can identify and deal with sneaky or phony people with ease.
Ain't the one (Think I am?) You get hung like drapes
If you underestimate how skilled or powerful I am, you'll end up getting humiliated and defeated.
And it's proven, point blank that's the conclusion
The evidence clearly shows that I am unstoppable and the best rapper out there.
Seeing me losing, it's all an illusion
It's unlikely that anyone would ever see me lose, because it's just a fantasy.
Like the raw ism, I'm a kiss him when I hurt him
I'll use my raw talents and abilities to humiliate other rappers when I defeat them.
Then desert him, because the Show & A.G. shit is sickening
Once I defeat a rival, I'll abandon them because the partnership with Show & A.G. is much more valuable to me.
Giving stress to them snakes is a ritual
I like to put pressure on sneaky and disloyal people as a part of my routine or tradition.
Nights and north flakes, oh yes, they bless the physical
Certain types of women are attracted to me and bless me with their physical intimacy.
Promote the glock? No I'm not
I'm not spreading messages of violence or promoting weapons like a Glock firearm.
I use it as an art, ain't got the heart to disrespect hip-hop
I use my rhyming and rapping as a form of self-expression and artistic creation, and I would never cross the line into disrespecting the art form.
Time to breeze, now I'm gone, the Greats is rolling strong
It's time for me to leave, and the greatest rappers out there are still prevalent and successful.
So add on and on
Keep contributing to the conversation and adding your input.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDRE MAURICE BARNES, D. FLOW, ROBERT A. HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind