Establishing his own spot amongst the ranks of East Coast hip-hop's seminal… Read Full Bio ↴Establishing his own spot amongst the ranks of East Coast hip-hop's seminal figures, DJ/producer Statik Selektah utilized his turntabling skills and ingenuity in PR and promotions to break some of the region's most promising artists, bearing his own influence on the national mixtape circuit. Born January 23, 1982 in Lawrence, MA, Patrick Baril was exposed to production equipment at a very early age, tinkering with his parents' eight-track machine, cassette recorders, and turntable. By middle school, he was already DJing school functions, but he was inspired to be a true wheels-of-steel artiste after hearing DJ Premier scratch and mix records on Funkmaster Flex's Hot 97 radio show. Soon after, at 14 years old, he purchased his first turntables and mixer. Calling himself DJ Statik (the "Selektah" surname came later), he started to work clubs and private parties up and down the New England coast.

In 2000, after living in New Hampshire, he moved back down to Massachusetts to enroll in the audio production program at Boston's New England Institute of the Arts. That same year, Selektah started putting out mixtapes, namely his Spell My Name Right series. With his mixtapes and DJ gigs, Selektah never passed up the opportunity to champion local hip-hop from Boston and the surrounding New England area. In particular, Selektah was responsible for introducing fellow Lawrence, MA, native Termanology to the world, helming his Hood Politics mixtapes in the mid- to late 2000s. Managing all of these tasks became much easier when he established in 2003 his own PR/marketing firm ShowOff.

In 2006, he turned ShowOff Records into an official record label, with Termanology & Producer DC's Out the Gate LP as its first release. By this time, though, Selektah's prestige had grown considerably. His radio shows were playing in several places, from London to Mobile, AL; he produced beats for many artists, including Foxy Brown, AZ, and Joell Ortiz; and most importantly, the DJ dished out tons of mixtapes with big name and up-and-coming artists, such as Nas, Q-Tip, John Legend, Royce da 5'9" (The Bar Exam, co-hosted with DJ Premier), and Saigon.

Statik dropped his first LP, Spell My Name Right in 2007, and his follow up Stick 2 the Script album in 2008. Other artists he has produced for following that include Talib Kweli, Bun B, Styles P, Consequence, Freeway, M.O.P., and Jadakiss. Rockstar games reached out for Statik in late 2008 to enlist him as DJ and producer of the Grand Theft Auto IV update "the Lost and Damned", as well as 2 songs for Midnight Club: Los Angeles.

In March 2008, Selektah and Saigon recorded All In A Day's Work in a 24 hour period, and was acclaimed by critics. He also DJed for Q-tip on his 2009 Renassaince World Tour. Statik just dropped his third studio album, 100 Proof: The Hangover on Showoff/Brick Records.

In 2010 Statik Selektah released his fourth album, Population Control, on Duck Down Records to critical acclaim boasting features from a mix of up and coming MC's and well established veterans.

Statik's fifth album, Extended Play, was released on June 18, 2013, and features Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Raekwon, Sean Price, Mac Miller, Black Thought, Noreaga, Lecrae, Lil' Fame, Styles P, Mike Posner, Termanology, Freddie Gibbs, Bun B, Joell Ortiz, Posdnuos of De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Troy Ave., Hit-Boy, Smif-N-Wessun, Flatbush Zombies, and many many more.

What Goes Around
Statik Selektah Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They say what goes around comes around
This rap game is a gamble, it's like a roulette wheel
You just gotta learn to take the ups with the downs

Here comes the first thing, you know I don't fake it
Usually bust raps on how to rob a nigga naked
Made for the Benjie, crack era frenzy
Rest in peace [?] Spuds MacKenzie

Major or independent, this street shit I represent it
We look major on the independent
Go dig down your bitch mouth to where her neck be
And explode like Mentos in a Pepsi
Good morning, scrub, don't you all look for it, huh?
Fuck your fort, little nigga
This blood sport, little nigga
You balling on the wrong court, little nigga
Right now, homie, you staring down a barrel
This is the sound of New York airing out to battle
But as the game goes on know you lames fall off
Me and Statik show off, show off

What goes around comes around, am I coming or going?
Only God knows when my time'll come to his closing
I got a wondeful flow and a bright future, a nice Ruger
I just might shoot ya with this gun that I'm holding
I've never been no shook ass, I ain't running from no one
Brought a can of whoop ass y'all don't want me to open
Who want it with Easy? Got a militant mind
And a weapon with enough bullets to fill up your spine
Plotting on getting the mine, I may let 'em out
Bet I give 'em more rounds than a Mayweather bout
When I aim at a scout and bang 'em out
You would think his brains was chilling how them hanging out
For real, and your women I'm all in 'em
They calling 'em a G-star in the hood like raw denim
Your boy kill 'em back to back, bringing this rap shit back

Spazzing black on these Statik tracks
It's easy

Overall Meaning

The first stanza of Statik Selektah's "What Goes Around" reminds listeners that actions have consequences - "they say what goes around comes around" - and the rap game can be unpredictable, like a "roulette wheel." The ups and downs that come with it must be navigated with resilience. The second stanza starts off by disavowing any inauthenticity; the rapper doesn't just rap about robbing people for show. He's representing a chaotic time in American history, the crack epidemic of the 1980s, and gives a nod to Spuds MacKenzie, a bull terrier who was a popular mascot for Bud Light beer in the late 80s. The rap game is compared to a street war - "this blood sport" - with high stakes. The bravado continues, the rapper's not intimidated by anyone; he's quick to pull the trigger and let the bullets fly.

The hook ties everything together; whether it's karma or just bad luck, life has a way of circling back around. The rapper's fate is up in the air - "am I coming or going?" - but he's confident he has what it takes to survive. He's got a "wonderful flow" and a "bright future" as well as a gun, a "nice Ruger" that he's not afraid to use. The third and final stanza doubles down on his confidence, declaring that he's not scared of anyone, will unleash "a can of whoop ass" on anyone who tries to mess with him. His foes will be left with their brains hanging out, his women are all in line, and he's bringing back old-school rap style.

Line by Line Meaning

They say what goes around comes around
As the saying goes, the consequences of one's actions always return to them in some form or another.

This rap game is a gamble, it's like a roulette wheel
The rap industry is unpredictable, just like a game of luck where one can never be sure of what will happen.

You just gotta learn to take the ups with the downs
To be successful in the rap game, one must accept that there will be both good and bad times.

Here comes the first thing, you know I don't fake it
I always speak my truth and don't pretend to be something I'm not.

Usually bust raps on how to rob a nigga naked
My usual rhymes include aggressive themes such as stealing and violence.

Made for the Benjie, crack era frenzy
My music is suited for the time period of selling crack and making money, known as the Benjie era.

Rest in peace [?] Spuds MacKenzie
I pay my respects to Spuds MacKenzie, a beloved advertising mascot of the 80s and early 90s who passed away.

Major or independent, this street shit I represent it
I represent the harsh realities of the streets whether I'm signed to a major label or independent.

We look major on the independent
We may not be signed with a major label, but our success and quality make us appear to be one.

Go dig down your bitch mouth to where her neck be
I use vulgar language to describe performing oral sex on a woman at a deep level.

And explode like Mentos in a Pepsi
The act of performing oral sex on a woman to the point of climax is as explosive as dropping Mentos in a bottle of Pepsi, causing a reaction.

Good morning, scrub, don't you all look for it, huh?
I greet my enemies with arrogance and unfounded confidence.

Fuck your fort, little nigga
I don't respect your sense of protection, and I am ready to attack.

This blood sport, little nigga
I approach this situation as a deadly game or competition where only one will come out on top.

You balling on the wrong court, little nigga
You may think you have the advantage, but you are overestimating your abilities and making a mistake.

Right now, homie, you staring down a barrel
You are in a dangerous position and at risk of losing everything.

This is the sound of New York airing out to battle
This is a classic example of New York-style rap with aggressive and confrontational lyrics leading to a rap battle.

But as the game goes on know you lames fall off
In the rap industry, those who lack talent and creativity are doomed to fail over time.

Me and Statik show off, show off
I am confident in my abilities as a rapper, and me and Statik will continue to showcase our talent and success.

What goes around comes around, am I coming or going?
Referring back to the opening line, I question whether my actions will lead to positive or negative consequences.

Only God knows when my time'll come to his closing
My ultimate fate is in the hands of a higher power and cannot be predicted or controlled.

I got a wonderful flow and a bright future, a nice Ruger
I have the skills and potential for success, but I am also armed with a gun for protection.

I just might shoot ya with this gun that I'm holding
I am willing to use violence to defend myself and my success.

I've never been no shook ass, I ain't running from no one
I am not afraid of my enemies or running away from a fight.

Brought a can of whoop ass y'all don't want me to open
I am capable of unleashing a lot of pain and damage if provoked.

Who want it with Easy? Got a militant mind
I am a formidable opponent with a strategic and aggressive mindset.

And a weapon with enough bullets to fill up your spine
I am dangerous and ready to attack with a weapon equipped with many bullets.

Plotting on getting the mine, I may let 'em out
I am focused on gaining success and will not hesitate to use force to achieve it.

Bet I give 'em more rounds than a Mayweather bout
I am confident in my ability to defeat my opponents with ease, just like how Floyd Mayweather wins his boxing matches.

When I aim at a scout and bang 'em out
When I have a target in sight, I will not hold back and will attack until they are defeated.

You would think his brains was chilling how them hanging out
The result of my attack will be violent and gruesome, leaving the target's brains hanging out of their head.

For real, and your women I'm all in 'em
I am not just a rapper, but also a ladies' man who is successful with women.

They calling 'em a G-star in the hood like raw denim
I am respected and revered in the streets like an iconic clothing brand.

Your boy kill 'em back to back, bringing this rap shit back
I am a dominant force in the rap industry, bringing the genre back to its roots of aggressive and confrontational lyrics.

Spazzing black on these Statik tracks
I am putting all my energy and passion into my verses on Statik Selektah's beats.

It's easy
I make it look effortless because of my talent and skills.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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