Born in Corona, Queens, and raised on Groshon Ave in Yonkers, NY, Styles began rapping with Jadakiss and Sheek in 1994, as they all grew up in the same Yonkers, New York neighborhood. They eventually signed to Bad Boy Records, formed the rap group called "THE LOX" which stands for "Living Off Xperience", and recorded songs with Notorious B.I.G., Sean Combs and Darren Blackburn. In 1998, The Lox released Money, Power & Respect w/ the hit song "Money, Power, Respect" feat. fellow Bad Boy, "Lil Kim" and Ruff Ryder Earl "DMX" Simmons. Soon thereafter, Styles P led the Lox on the now infamous quest to leave Bad Boy Records. When they were finally released, the Lox signed to Interscope. Shortly thereafter, a new Lox album and Jadakiss' solo album Kiss Tha Game Goodbye were released.
Styles released A Gangster and a Gentleman in 2002, as his debut solo album. The album contained the song "The Life", featuring Pharoahe Monch which was originally recorded for Rawkus Records' Soundbombing 3 compilation album. The follow up hit was the song dedicated to marijuana use, "Good Times (I Get High)", one of the most played songs of 2002.
In 2003, Styles P. and Jadakiss appeared on the "Oz Soundtrack" with one of the harder edged songs "Some Niggas" about prison life. On a mixed album with several songs about the lifestyle behind bars, "Some Niggas" was one of the fiercest and most remembered songs on the street from that album.
In 2004, Styles P. released the mixtape Ghost Stories in limited distribution form (NY only) -- the mixtape spread to other cities and onto the internet in the next year. He was featured on the hit song "Locked Up", by R&B artist Akon.
In 2005, Styles P. received local market airplay for his and Jadakiss' remix of Mariah Carey's mega-hit "We Belong Together", and on Miri Ben-Ari's album, The Hip-Hop Violinist; he features on the track "We Gonna Win". He released two stand-alone mixtapes in complete form: Ghost in the Shell in the spring of 2005 and Ghost in the Machine in the Fall.
Styles P. has been featured on many rappers' albums including Ghostface Killah, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Akon's albums. Styles is rumoured to appear on DMX's new album Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later. He will also appear on the title track to The Roots' latest album, Rising Down.
Outro
Styles P Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
holiday, styles, pinero, well you listen to me
real niggaz feel me, some real nggaz probably won't feel me
but as you know me, I don't really give a fuck
before I leave I'd like to give a word to the shorties
despite what I say, despite what you see in the streets
dspite what you influenced by, the life of crime has many downs
A little bit of ups, and everything you do got consequences and repercussions,
hit the books, stay off the streets if possble
to those on the streets, who feel stuck in the game
to those in jail, thats just how shit goes sometimes
we make do wit what we got.
to all mc's, poets, lyricists, people such as myself, ghostly individuals
you should listen to my album, and listen and listen and listen
I dont know what i'ma sell or none or that shit
I would say i dont give a fuck but i'd probably be lying
I love to get money and break it down wit my niggaz
but in case i don't, the most important thing is respect and honor
and i got plenty of that, so until sheek lou child, next l.o.x. album
and all the mtherfucking rest of the albums we do from the double R
to the d block, to anybody else whose our motherfucking family putting down an
album, we gon crush yall motherfuckers
Well this one is the ghost, my lil niggaz stay outta trouble,
my big niggaz who in trouble, hold ya head and everybody in the motherfucking
struggle, I love you and if you love me,
shit i'll see you when I get there, One.
In the song Outro by Styles P, he addresses his listeners, telling them to stay in school and avoid getting caught up in the life of crime. He speaks to those who may feel stuck in the game or are in jail, telling them that he understands how things can go sometimes and to make do with what they have. Styles P also addresses his love for making money but emphasizes that respect and honor are more important. He ends the song by sending love to those both in and out of the struggle and saying that he will see them when he gets there.
Throughout the song, Styles P emphasizes the importance of staying out of trouble and making the best of what you have. He acknowledges that sometimes things don't go as planned and that those in the game or in jail may feel stuck, but he offers words of encouragement and pushes for education as a way out. Despite his love for making money, Styles P emphasizes the importance of respect and honor, showing his values and what he prioritizes.
Overall, Outro is a powerful and motivational song that urges its listeners to make wise choices and prioritize education and respect over material gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah my niggaz, just spend a little bit of time with the ghost
Listen to me for a bit, I'm Styles P and I'm here to impart some wisdom.
holiday, styles, pinero, well you listen to me
I go by different nicknames but ultimately, I have something important to say.
real niggaz feel me, some real nggaz probably won't feel me
I know that some people might not agree with what I'm saying, but I'm here to reach the ones who do.
but as you know me, I don't really give a fuck
I don't care if people don't agree with me, I'm going to say what I need to say anyway.
before I leave I'd like to give a word to the shorties
Before I finish this song, I want to talk to the young people who might be listening.
despite what I say, despite what you see in the streets
No matter what I'm telling you, regardless of what you see happening in your neighborhood,
dspite what you influenced by, the life of crime has many downs
Even if you're surrounded by people who glorify a life of crime, it's important to understand that it comes with a lot of negative consequences.
A little bit of ups, and everything you do got consequences and repercussions,
There may be some small benefits to participating in criminal activity, but ultimately every action comes with its own set of consequences.
so you're best bet better be to stay in school
Your best option is to focus on education and staying in school rather than getting caught up in the streets.
hit the books, stay off the streets if possble
Study hard and try to avoid getting involved in any harmful or dangerous situations on the streets.
to those on the streets, who feel stuck in the game
For those who have already become involved in criminal activity and feel like they can't get out,
to those in jail, thats just how shit goes sometimes
And for those who are currently incarcerated, sometimes that's just the way things go when you've made poor choices.
we make do wit what we got.
But even in difficult circumstances, we have to make the best of what we have.
to all mc's, poets, lyricists, people such as myself, ghostly individuals
To all the artists out there, including me, who might feel like we don't quite fit in,
you should listen to my album, and listen and listen and listen
I want you to listen closely to my music, and not just once, but over and over again.
I dont know what i'ma sell or none or that shit
I'm not sure how successful my music will be or how many copies I'll sell, but that's not the most important thing to me.
I would say i dont give a fuck but i'd probably be lying
Even though I act like I don't care about what people think, I do to some extent.
I love to get money and break it down wit my niggaz
I enjoy earning money and sharing it with my close friends.
but in case i don't, the most important thing is respect and honor
But even more important than money or anything else is earning the respect and honor of those around me.
and i got plenty of that, so until sheek lou child, next l.o.x. album
I feel like I have earned the respect of those around me, and I'm excited for what the future holds for me and my group (The LOX).
and all the mtherfucking rest of the albums we do from the double R
And I'm looking forward to all the other albums that my group and label (Ruff Ryders) will release.
to the d block, to anybody else whose our motherfucking family putting down an album
I'm also excited to hear all the albums coming out from other artists who are a part of our tight-knit family.
we gon crush yall motherfuckers
We're confident in ourselves and our music, and we know we'll outdo anyone who tries to compete with us.
Well this one is the ghost, my lil niggaz stay outta trouble,
As I sign off, I want to remind my younger listeners to steer clear of any dangerous situations or illegal activity.
my big niggaz who in trouble, hold ya head and everybody in the motherfucking struggle,
And for anyone who is already in trouble or facing difficult circumstances, stay strong and keep pushing forward. I'm thinking of all of you.
I love you and if you love me, shit i'll see you when I get there, One.
I care about my listeners and my community, and if you feel the same way, I'll see you in the afterlife.
Contributed by Jasmine T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.