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.
Shot Down
Styles P Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over and over I done told ya boy
I'm a G-Unit motherfuckin' soldier boy
And when you gon' get it in your brain?
The gate's wide open and the dog's off the chain
I be that youngin' with that gun that's tellin' ya stop frontin'
In the Bible I read death is of the tongue
And if you talk about death enough, death is gon' come
Jay taught me how to flow, they shot him in the head
Randy ass was there, now he runnin' scared
Some say I'm gangsta, some say I'm crazy
If you ask me, I'll say "I'm what the hood made me"
Now I can stunt 'til my ass dead broke like JD
Or put a hundred grand on every nigga head that play me
See I'm cool with them Haitian mob niggas
That say "Sak pase? N'ap boule" and rob niggas
The media be tryin' to make a nigga look bad, what's up with that?
See my flick next to Preme, Papi and Cat
And Montana, I kill 'em with the grammar
I enhanced in the slammer after bangin' them hammers
X what up? (Aight)
If you don't live that, you shouldn't say that
'Cause what come out your mouth'll get you shot down
Throwin' your money around and we don't play that
Get in our line'll get you shot down (nigga)
We know where you hang, we know where you stay at
That bullshit you on'll get you shot down
Here's a few cliques that you shouldn't play with
G-Unit, Ruff Ryders'll get you shot down
Ay yo, fuck y'all niggas talkin' bout, think you playin' with?
Double R, G-Unit, the same ol' shit (what)
Put the faggots in the ring, watch 'em all quit
All y'all niggas is pussy, suck my dick
Ain't nothin' but a handful of man still standin'
I remember 50 in a cypher when Onyx was "Slammin" (aight?)
Now we meet again, it's all good my nigga
Back to the street again, it's all hood my nigga
Knock on wood my nigga, we both walk the dog
We ain't get to where we at by luck, shit was hard (aight?)
But once we got through the trials it's all smiles
'Til a bitch type nigga all of a sudden get wild
Now why you gotsta go and take me back to where I came from?
I'ma make you remember where you know my name from (yeah)
45th Street and blaow-blaow Ave
I done ran through your crew and only let off half, nigga
If you don't live that, you shouldn't say that
'Cause what come out your mouth'll get you shot down
Throwin' your money around and we don't play that
Get in our line'll get you shot down (nigga)
We know where you hang, we know where you stay at
That bullshit you on'll get you shot down
Here's a few cliques that you shouldn't play with
G-Unit, Ruff Ryders'll get you shot down
If your head ain't off of your shoulders (uh-huh)
You ain't get shot, you got nipped nigga (just nipped)
'Cause if my chrome hit a piece of your bone
It's gon' do more than chip, nigga (a lot more than that)
Yeah, what the fuck is the problem?
The Porsche is red the buckets is armored
30 shot handguns, the gutter is starvin' (yeah)
Niggas like me might rush your apartment (word)
Bloodstains'll fuck up your carpet, brain on the window
I smell murder every time that the wind blow
Tie him to the chair and then knock out his chinbone
I don't want the throne or the crown, I ain't sell enough
You can have the jail or the ground, you ain't in hell enough
I'm the one that flood the gutters
Better tap your man, and let him know P'll love to cut his
And niggas is gettin' shot down, two guns up
Double R, SP holdin' D Block down
If you don't live that, you shouldn't say that
'Cause what come out your mouth'll get you shot down
Throwin' your money around and we don't play that
Get in our line'll get you shot down (nigga)
We know where you hang, we know where you stay at
That bullshit you on'll get you shot down
Here's a few cliques that you shouldn't play with
G-Unit, Ruff Ryders'll get you shot down (down, down, down)
The song "Shot Down" by Styles P is a defiant track that reflects his persona as a member of G-Unit with a no-nonsense attitude. The chorus explicitly states that if you don't live what you say, you'll get shot down, and that's a clear message that resonates with the overall theme of the song. The verses depict his personal experience with the street life, how he learned the flow from Jay-Z and how death is always around the corner when you talk about it too much. He emphasizes his affiliations with the Haitian Mafia and how the media tries to take him down, and he doesn't shy away from his violent past. The second verse features a reference to Onyx’s song “Slam” from 1993 and the collaboration between the Double R and G-Unit camps, stating that they will never quit and that they made it through tough times together.
The song "Shot Down" is an ode to Styles P's street cred that he built over the years. It's not just about his personal experiences, but it also instructs his enemies about what will happen if they don't respect him. The song also shows how Style P's sensitivity to the mainstream media's portrayal of him and his team. In summary, the song is a street anthem that represents the raw and uncut persona of Styles P and his G-Unit team.
Line by Line Meaning
Grrr, arff arff
Aggressive and confrontational growls and barks
Over and over I done told ya boy
Repetition to emphasize a warning
I'm a G-Unit motherfuckin' soldier boy
Proud member of G-Unit and willing to fight
And when you gon' get it in your brain?
Asking when the warning will be taken seriously
The gate's wide open and the dog's off the chain
Ready and unleashed to attack
I be that youngin' with that gun that's tellin' ya stop frontin'
Intimidation with a weapon
I be that youngin' on the run after I pop somethin'
Escaping after committing a violent act
In the Bible I read death is of the tongue
Referencing how often spoken threats lead to actual death
And if you talk about death enough, death is gon' come
Stressing the power of words and thoughts to manifest into reality
Jay taught me how to flow, they shot him in the head
Paying tribute to a mentor who was tragically killed
Randy ass was there, now he runnin' scared
Naming a traitor who is now fearful
Some say I'm gangsta, some say I'm crazy
Acknowledging a reputation that invokes fear and respect
If you ask me, I'll say 'I'm what the hood made me'
Attributing one's identity and mentality to their upbringing and environment
Now I can stunt 'til my ass dead broke like JD
Living lavishly until it leads to financial ruin
Or put a hundred grand on every nigga head that play me
Rewarding those who bring harm to enemies
See I'm cool with them Haitian mob niggas
Claiming an alliance with powerful and dangerous individuals
That say 'Sak pase? N'ap boule' and rob niggas
Citing a Creole greeting followed by a reference to violent behavior
The media be tryin' to make a nigga look bad, what's up with that?
Accusing the media of unfairly portraying him
See my flick next to Preme, Papi and Cat
Boasting about being pictured alongside notorious figures
And Montana, I kill 'em with the grammar
Claiming superior lyrical ability
I enhanced in the slammer after bangin' them hammers
Referring to improved skills gained while in prison for gun violence
X what up? (Aight)
Acknowledging another rapper and friend
If you don't live that, you shouldn't say that
Warning not to speak on things you haven't experienced
'Cause what come out your mouth'll get you shot down
Words can be fatal
Throwin' your money around and we don't play that
Rejecting flashy spending as a sign of weakness
Get in our line'll get you shot down (nigga)
Challenging those who cross them to face the consequences
We know where you hang, we know where you stay at
Asserting knowledge of their enemies' whereabouts
That bullshit you on'll get you shot down
Threatening those who act tough
Here's a few cliques that you shouldn't play with
Listing dangerous and respected groups to avoid antagonizing
Ay yo, fuck y'all niggas talkin' bout, think you playin' with?
Challenging those who doubt or test their strength
Double R, G-Unit, the same ol' shit (what)
Proudly naming their respective groups
Put the faggots in the ring, watch 'em all quit
Derogatory language aimed at those not considered masculine or tough
All y'all niggas is pussy, suck my dick
A vulgar insult implying weakness and submission
Ain't nothin' but a handful of man still standin'
Prideful statement about their surviving strength
I remember 50 in a cypher when Onyx was 'Slammin' (aight?)
Recounting a memory of a talented rap group
Now we meet again, it's all good my nigga
Reuniting with an old friend and associate
Back to the street again, it's all hood my nigga
Returning to familiar surroundings and lifestyle
Knock on wood my nigga, we both walk the dog
Expressing gratitude for survival and solidarity
We ain't get to where we at by luck, shit was hard (aight?)
Acknowledging the challenges and sacrifices made to reach their status
But once we got through the trials it's all smiles
Celebrating success after overcoming difficulties
'Til a bitch type nigga all of a sudden get wild
Warning about someone acting out of character
Now why you gotsta go and take me back to where I came from?
Frustration at being reminded of a violent past
I'ma make you remember where you know my name from (yeah)
Promising to make an impact and leave a lasting impression
45th Street and blaow-blaow Ave
Providing a location where violence occurred
I done ran through your crew and only let off half, nigga
Claiming victory in a violent altercation while also showing restraint
If your head ain't off of your shoulders (uh-huh)
Acknowledging the intent to kill
You ain't get shot, you got nipped nigga (just nipped)
Claiming responsibility for injuring without killing
'Cause if my chrome hit a piece of your bone
Asserting the deadly power of his weapon
It's gon' do more than chip, nigga (a lot more than that)
Stressing the severe consequences of being shot by him
Yeah, what the fuck is the problem?
Challenging anyone who opposes them
The Porsche is red the buckets is armored
Boasting about expensive and protective cars
30 shot handguns, the gutter is starvin' (yeah)
Describing powerful weaponry and dangerous environment
Niggas like me might rush your apartment (word)
Threatening to escalate violence by invading personal spaces
Bloodstains'll fuck up your carpet, brain on the window
Describing the violent aftermath of an attack
I smell murder every time that the wind blow
Suggesting that violence is always present and possible
Tie him to the chair and then knock out his chinbone
Describing a grotesque and violent act
I don't want the throne or the crown, I ain't sell enough
Rejecting mainstream success and material wealth
You can have the jail or the ground, you ain't in hell enough
Suggesting that life is already a form of punishment
I'm the one that flood the gutters
Taking responsibility for a violent and dangerous environment
Better tap your man, and let him know P'll love to cut his
Threatening retribution for disloyalty
And niggas is gettin' shot down, two guns up
Acknowledging the ongoing violence and danger
Double R, SP holdin' D Block down
Name-checking a rap crew and asserting their control of a neighborhood
G-Unit, Ruff Ryders'll get you shot down (down, down, down)
Warning about the dangerous reputation and power of these groups
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis James Jackson, David Styles, Earl Simmons, Salam E. Nassar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adamgordon2572
Came back to listen to this as Styles P. said them first couple of bars were for 50 on Math Hoffa 💯
@claritywithteekay
Same
@marcosgarcia25
Same over here
@miguelhargrave7405
"I can't have the throne or the crown I ain sell enough - you can't have the dirt or the ground: you ain in hell enough" 🥶🥶 I always thought Styles smoked 50 up here n on Math podcast he confirmed it lol
@dontplay3088
Hahaha g shit
@mseembangtv4482
I guess I wasn’t the only like let look this up
@iprodigy6723
This song bout to blow again lol.
Gotta relive it after the SP interview with hoffa. It's still Double R for life.
@Dreweybaby
That brought me here 🤣💀🤣
@iprodigy6723
@@Dreweybaby 😅 gotta love SP he's def a gem and gives jewels. And his story telling is one of the best.
@Dreweybaby
@@iprodigy6723 i watch it everyday faithfully