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.
More Than One Way Out Of The Ghetto
Showbiz & A.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause of the things I wanted, as a little kid
I wanted to be like the dealers a lot
Cause of the things they had and the respect that they got
All the girls used to jock 'em
And I wondered why my parents used to knock 'em
I had a talent, or a hobby you should say
I like rap, or poetry, but anyway
I wanted to hustle for bread, instead of writin rhymes
So I said to hell with it
Instead of stayin away from drugs I was sellin it
I was out all day until the job was done
Instead of rockin the parties I was robbin 'em
The females, paid me no mind, not a Giant
Andre Barnes at the time
But the rock started sellin, the dough was comin in
Dealers wanted in, girls started runnin in
Some said I'm crazy how I'm livin
I must be, crazy cash and crazy women
Yeah my gear was right
They called me Andre the Giant and it wasn't cause of my height
Losin G's in cee-lo
I never sweat it; cause my connect got kilos
My bank, two thou that's what's in it
Rollin cee-lo, headcrack makin G's in a minute
Oh yeah I'm all for dis
Yeah I'm handsome, but the money made me gorgeous
Now the girls want to see me
The little kids around the block want to be me
I was chillin, in thousand dollar coats
I had links and ropes, and yo the shit was dope
I had the jewels oh did I have the jewels
The talk of the town, the neighborhood news
But friends weren't true inside
They were passengers, goin along for the ride
And it makes you say damn!
Because I feel so hard I had scars on my hands
I thought I'd be fine
But I got bagged and snagged and then I had to do a little time
Friends don't hang it's a waste of time
I got one dollar, one girl and some great rhymes
I pursued the wrong dream
Now to make a fast buck I gotta scheme
Find a cee-lo game, yo Bank I gotta buck
I ace to a deuce, yeah that's just my luck
I gotta go right and exac
tInstead of a package, I wanted a mic and a hype track
Instead of robbin the parties, I'm rippin 'em
MC's were gettin done, every week a different one
It's time to put my talent to use
There's no excuse, I just gotta get loose
And now I'm really convinced
I got raw with Lord Finesse, and been straight since
Now you see how I lost it
But I bounced back, you might not be as fortunate
So take heed my friend
Before you take a shortcut that leads to a dead end
Take my advice cause the Giant said so
And remember -- there's more than one way out the ghetto
The lyrics to Showbiz & A.G.'s song More Than One Way Out of the Ghetto detail the struggles and temptations of growing up in the ghetto and the choices that can ultimately lead to a dead end. The singer explains how he was influenced by drug dealers and their respect and possessions, wanting to replicate their lifestyle instead of pursuing his talent for writing rhymes. He becomes involved in selling drugs, with success bringing in more money and women, but ultimately leading to a prison sentence. After his release, he refocuses on his talent and reconnects with Lord Finesse, leading him back to a positive path.
The song provides a cautionary tale for young people growing up in similar situations, showing the dangers of taking shortcuts and pursuing material possessions at the expense of one's own well-being and future. The singer reflects on his past mistakes and urges others to learn from them, emphasizing that there are other ways out of the ghetto than succumbing to the temptations of drugs and easy money.
Overall, More Than One Way Out of the Ghetto is a powerful and thought-provoking song that speaks to the realities of growing up in difficult circumstances, and the choices that can shape one's life path. It is a testament to the power of talent and determination, and the importance of making positive choices even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Now a while ago, I had to do a little bid
I ended up in jail due to my poor choices in life.
Cause of the things I wanted, as a little kid
I was influenced by materialistic desires since being a child.
Stay away from drugs, I paid it no mind
I disregarded the warnings about drug use and its effects.
Instead of rockin the parties I was robbin 'em
I chose to commit crimes instead of pursuing a career in music.
The females, paid me no mind, not a Giant
I wasn't popular with the ladies until I became wealthy.
Losin G's in cee-lo
I lost a lot of money in a popular street gambling game.
My bank, two thou that's what's in it
I only had two thousand dollars in my bank account.
And it makes you say damn!
I regret my past decisions and the consequences they brought me.
I pursued the wrong dream
I realized that hustling was not the right career path for me.
I gotta go right and exact
I need to make a change and pursue a legitimate career in music.
MC's were gettin done, every week a different one
I started to gain success in my music career by defeating other rappers.
Take my advice cause the Giant said so
I'm sharing my story to advise others to avoid making the same mistakes I did.
And remember -- there's more than one way out the ghetto
There are various paths to success besides hustling, and they are worth exploring.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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