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.
Never Less Than Ill
Showbiz & A.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let the critics know they can't tamper with the Jolly Green
No longer on the low because my flows be tight
On my own shit, A to the G is what I be like
The Neighborhood Sickness makes you feel the pain
But the Medicine got the brain numb like novacaine
Red hot, Got the Flavas, Show & A got the flavas
Now come on with the get down
More flavors than them freaky 411s your bitch got on
Next Level is what it's Time For
'94 missed us, but check us when nine pound wind down
Forget my fame, because my aim is the riches
Even Robert DeNiro, he ain't seen more witches
The street is filled with chickens, some finger-licking
I need that queen that represents by all means
You're bopping your head, now watch it spread like cancer
On the move like go-go, burn you like Jo Jo
Dancer, you can't relate because my raps are the roughest
Retaliate, but you wrath is roughless
Fear no human being, seeing me is rare
Time has took its toll, I can tell by your tears
A man amongst children, and my records make a killing
Like tobacco, I got a fat flow, worth a million
You'd better breeze cause you're finished
You'll get sprayed like afro sheen, got more green than spinach
Time to roll, got my squad on patrol
Trying to find phony fellas faking like they got soul
In "Never Less Than Ill," Showbiz & A.G. boast about their lyrical prowess and the power of their flow. They declare that they are no longer flying under the radar and that they can't be messed with. They reference their hit "Soul Clap" with the line, "A full blitz when I put wits to song," suggesting that they continue to dominate the rap game. They compare themselves to the Incredible Hulk, calling themselves "Jolly Green" and warning their critics not to tamper with them.
The song features gritty, hard-hitting bars that speak to the realities of street life. They reference the "Neighborhood Sickness," or the problems that afflict struggling communities, and the "Medicine," or drugs, that temporarily ease the pain. They acknowledge the obstacles they face in achieving success, including jealousy, greed, and fear. They emphasize the importance of authenticity and finding a partner who shares those values.
Line by Line Meaning
No longer on the low, I gotta flow is what I mean
I'm no longer staying silent, my skills are too good to waste.
Let the critics know they can't tamper with the Jolly Green
I won't let anyone criticize my music or my message.
No longer on the low because my flows be tight
I'm confident in my abilities and ready to showcase them to the world.
On my own shit, A to the G is what I be like
I'm doing things my way and staying true to myself.
The Neighborhood Sickness makes you feel the pain
Our music reflects the struggles and hardships of living in the neighborhood.
But the Medicine got the brain numb like novacaine
Our music also provides relief and escape from those struggles.
Red hot, Got the Flavas, Show & A got the flavas
We have a unique and distinct style that makes us stand out.
Now come on with the get down
Let's get into the groove and have some fun.
A full blitz when I put wits to song
I go all out and give it my all when writing and performing.
More flavors than them freaky 411s your bitch got on
We have more styles and flavors in our music than anything that person has ever experienced.
Next Level is what it's Time For
We're always looking to take our music to the next level and evolve.
'94 missed us, but check us when nine pound wind down
We may have been overlooked in the past, but we're still here and going strong.
Forget my fame, because my aim is the riches
I'm not focused on fame, but rather on achieving financial success through my music.
Even Robert DeNiro, he ain't seen more witches
I've dealt with more adversity and challenges than even a successful actor like Robert DeNiro.
The street is filled with chickens, some finger-licking
There are a lot of weak and fake people in the streets, some even trying to take advantage of me.
I need that queen that represents by all means
I'm looking for a strong and loyal woman who can represent me and my values.
You're bopping your head, now watch it spread like cancer
My music is infectious and will spread quickly amongst listeners.
On the move like go-go, burn you like Jo Jo Dancer
I'm always on the move and will come after anyone who tries to bring me down.
You can't relate because my raps are the roughest
My rhymes and messages may be too real and raw for some people to handle.
Retaliate, but you wrath is roughless
Don't even try to come at me with your weak and ineffective retaliation.
Fear no human being, seeing me is rare
I'm not afraid of anyone and am a rare and unique presence in this world.
Time has took its toll, I can tell by your tears
Time has worn you down and it's evident in your emotional state.
A man amongst children, and my records make a killing
I'm a mature and experienced man in a game filled with younger and less experienced artists, and my records sell well.
Like tobacco, I got a fat flow, worth a million
My flow is addictive and valuable, like tobacco, and worth a lot of money.
You'd better breeze cause you're finished
You should just leave and give up because you're done for.
You'll get sprayed like afro sheen, got more green than spinach
I have more money and success than you and will take you down easily.
Time to roll, got my squad on patrol
It's time to move on and my crew is ready to back me up.
Trying to find phony fellas faking like they got soul
We're on the lookout for fake and insincere people pretending to be something they're not.
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.