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.
You Know Now
Showbiz & A.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never pack the pistol, will I use it ain't the issue
And if you insist to test us, trust me
We're official, a bite-proof style you can't get through
Knew shit was real from day one
Say one verse, then I burst with the love so I can slay hon
Ain't none, that's the answer on who's better
Want more cheese than cheddar, soon to breeze like the weather
With mics you can't test me, you lose against the SP
Blacker than Wesley, almost perfect like Gretzky
You supposed to be the best? Step up, let's see
Check one two, that means I'm coming, too
But in my song, if I say "Peace, I'm gone" that means I'm through (true)
Monster, will stomp ya, until you suffocate
Turn red, now dead is your mental state
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
It's the A to the G-I, still with Show B-I
I can't see why you're trying to play me when you're knee-high
To a giant, money grip, you don't know me
Try my like Opie (Cunningham) 'cause I'm low key
With the spotlight I'm not concerned
You can ask Guru and Primo cause we know it's Hard to Earn
So burn, baby, burn
It's the year of the only little big man, so wait your turn
Who can get with the man with no gimmicks?
Got the mad team like the '96 Olympics
I used to wish chicks would notice me
Now they be scheming, got them bitches feenin' like Jodeci
Hopelessly, 'cause the dialogue is tight
I rip it and split, never hog the mic
Write with my brain cells, not a pencil
Can't survive what I've been through, or rent space in my mental
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
Play me on some happy shit, I turn this bitch into Happy Land
Burn it down, call the fireman, hire men 'cause I'm around
So eat your Wheaties and your vitamins
I smoke a pound of the black cheeba cheeba
I'm a seer on the verse, Back and Forth like Aalyiah
From the 'ville and the have, I rocks on like Rage
Party with Arty, around the world with Wally
Artifical mic handlers get broken, I'm potent
Shit that I be quoting be having brothers open
(You'll get knocked off the topic) if you think that I can't rock it
Rush ya like Russia, call my bluff, I'm a hush ya
I'm cuckoo for Coca, you slow poke
We had this style last year, this past year we was no joke
This year, I'm getting light from gripping mics
Fans getting hype and my pockets getting right
With my nigga Trigger T.O., you know how we go
On that reel-to-reel shit, you'll feel it, fuck your ego
And peace to brother Show, who's on this track, and in fact
I'm out with no doubt, peace and it's like that
To all my fellas, I got your back (I got your back)
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
In "You Know Now" by Showbiz and A.G., the two rappers showcase their lyrical ability and dominance in the rap game. The opening lines of the song establish their prowess as A.G. boasts that his raps are "homicide" while other MC's are "clear like crystal." He confidently declares that he doesn't need a gun because his rhymes alone are enough to take down any challenger. The following verses continue to assert their superiority and downplay other rappers who try to step to them.
Showbiz's verse highlights his skill in wordplay, rap cadence, and metaphors. He likens his raps to Wesley Snipes, implying that they are dark and quick-witted. He also flexes his sports knowledge by referencing Wayne Gretzky, suggesting that he is almost perfect in his craft. In the final verse, A.G. brags about his ability to turn women's heads and ultimately concludes that he has his peers' backs.
Overall, "You Know Now" is a declaration of Showbiz and A.G.'s dominance in the rap game, showcasing their wordplay, lyrical ability, and clever metaphors.
Line by Line Meaning
My raps are homicide, MC's are clear like crystal
My rhymes are deadly and impactful, in contrast to other rappers who have weak and easily understandable lyrics
Never pack the pistol, will I use it ain't the issue
I don't carry firearms and whether or not I use one is not the problem
And if you insist to test us, trust me
If you really want to challenge us, be prepared
We're official, a bite-proof style you can't get through
Our style is unique and resilient, and can't be easily copied or defeated
Knew shit was real from day one
Realized the harsh reality of pursuing a career in rap from the start
Say one verse, then I burst with the love so I can slay hon
Deliver one rap verse and then I'll passionately destroy any competition
Ain't none, that's the answer on who's better
There is no match for our skills and abilities
Want more cheese than cheddar, soon to breeze like the weather
Seeking more success than commonly achieved and destined to rise rapidly in the industry
My companion is standing on non-believers
My friend and partner is constantly proving doubters wrong
With mics you can't test me, you lose against the SP
Challenging me on the mic is futile, you'll be beaten by the Showbiz and A.G. duo
Blacker than Wesley, almost perfect like Gretzky
I'm very dark-skinned like Wesley Snipes and nearly flawless like famous ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky
You supposed to be the best? Step up, let's see
If you claim to be the best, prove it by competing against me
Check one two, that means I'm coming, too
My name is about to be called out, indicating my turn to rap
But in my song, if I say 'Peace, I'm gone' that means I'm through (true)
Ending my rap session with 'Peace, I'm gone' signals that my performance is over
Monster, will stomp ya, until you suffocate
I'll dominate and overpower you until you're left breathless
Turn red, now dead is your mental state
I'll completely disorient you, so much so that it's as if you're mentally deceased
If you didn't know before, guess you know now
If you weren't aware of our talents previously, you do now
It's Show & A.G. and this is how it's going down
This is what it feels like to experience a performance by Showbiz and A.G.
It's the A to the G-I, still with Show B-I
I'm A.G. and I'm still performing with my partner and friend Showbiz
I can't see why you're trying to play me when you're knee-high
I don't understand why you're trying to challenge me, especially since you're not experienced enough in the industry
To a giant, money grip, you don't know me
Compared to me, you're small and insignificant, and you don't have an understanding of who I am
Try my like Opie (Cunningham) 'cause I'm low key
Don't underestimate me because I remain low-key and modest like fictional character Opie Cunningham from 'The Andy Griffith Show'
With the spotlight I'm not concerned
I'm not obsessed with fame or the spotlight
You can ask Guru and Primo cause we know it's Hard to Earn
Ask fellow rappers Guru and DJ Premier about the struggles we face in the music industry
So burn, baby, burn
Let's make music so good we'll set the industry on fire
It's the year of the only little big man, so wait your turn
This is the time for me, the little big man, to shine, so please be patient and wait your turn
Who can get with the man with no gimmicks?
Who can compete with me without resorting to flashy gimmicks?
Got the mad team like the '96 Olympics
I have an exceptional, skilled group of artist like the U.S. Olympic team of 1996
I used to wish chicks would notice me
I used to wish women would pay attention to me romantically
Now they be scheming, got them bitches feenin' like Jodeci
Now women are trying to scheme and plot ways to get close to me, like the female fans of Jodeci
Hopelessly, 'cause the dialogue is tight
They're out of luck though, because my lyrics are too great to ignore
I rip it and split, never hog the mic
I perform energetically and leave the mic ready for my partners and fellow rappers
Write with my brain cells, not a pencil
I compose lyrics only through brainstorming with my mind rather than with writing utensils
Can't survive what I've been through, or rent space in my mental
What I've gone through in life can't be imitated by others or fit into their minds
Play me on some happy shit, I turn this bitch into Happy Land
Even if the mood of the music is happy and light-hearted, I'll still dominate and make it my own
Burn it down, call the fireman, hire men 'cause I'm around
Things get so intense when I'm present that even the fire department needs to be called for backup
So eat your Wheaties and your vitamins
Get ready for a high-energy performance by taking good care of yourself beforehand
I smoke a pound of the black cheeba cheeba
I consume a significant amount of marijuana
I'm a seer on the verse, Back and Forth like Aaliyah
My lyric abilities allow me to see the future, and my rap cadence switches back and forth like the late singer Aaliyah's hit song
From the 'ville and the have, I rocks on like Rage
Representing my hometown of Mount Vernon and the nearby city of New Rochelle, New York, and I rock hard like the rock band Rage Against the Machine
Party with Arty, around the world with Wally
I party with my friend Arty and travel around the world with another friend Wally
Artificial mic handlers get broken, I'm potent
Weak rappers who resort to artificial means of performing on the mic will be crushed by my natural talent
Shit that I be quoting be having brothers open
My lyrics are so powerful and impressive that they leave other rappers and listeners amazed and in awe
(You'll get knocked off the topic) if you think that I can't rock it
Don't doubt my abilities, or you'll quickly be proven wrong and get off topic
Rush ya like Russia, call my bluff, I'm a hush ya
I'll attack you aggressively like Russia, and if you dare to challenge me, I'll silence you
I'm cuckoo for Coca, you slow poke
I have an addiction to Coca-Cola and you're slow and lazy in comparison to me
We had this style last year, this past year we was no joke
We've had this unique style for a while now, and this past year, we really demonstrated its superiority
This year, I'm getting light from gripping mics
This year, I'm gaining more recognition and success from my performances on the microphone
Fans getting hype and my pockets getting right
Fans are energized and excited by my performances and my financial situation is prosperous
With my nigga Trigger T.O., you know how we go
With my friend Trigger T.O., you know that we perform at a high level and are successful
On that reel-to-reel shit, you'll feel it, fuck your ego
Performing our music on traditional reel-to-reel tape machines is how you'll feel the full impact of our talents, forget about your egos and biases
And peace to brother Show, who's on this track, and in fact
A shoutout to my friend and fellow rapper Showbiz, who is also featured on this song
I'm out with no doubt, peace and it's like that
I'm finished with my performance, no questions asked, peace out and that's it
To all my fellas, I got your back (I got your back)
I'm supporting and looking out for all of my male friends and colleagues in the industry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDRE MAURICE BARNES, RODNEY LEMAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind