The Dayton Family originally formed in the early 1990's. The group consisted of Bootleg ( Ira Dorsey ), Shoestring ( Raheen Peterson ), and Backstabber ( Matt Hinkle ). They decided to name the group after one of Flint's most infamous hustling streets, none other than Dayton Avenue. Immediately after the group's formation they began writing rhymes together, resulting in their first song "Dope Dayton Ave". They teamed up with local producer Steve Pitts and recorded their first full album "What's On My Mind?". It was released locally in 1993, and then again nationally on April 27, 1995. Soon after, they also contributed the song "Stick N' Move", to No Limit's "Down South Hustlers" compilation album, which helped them to gain fans in the American south.
After much touring and word of mouth promotion, TDF had begun to develop quite a reputation in the hardcore "gangsta rap" underground scene, mainly across the MidWest and South. They then entered the studio to create their second album, "F.B.I." (Fuck Being Indicted). The group was now a duo consisting of Bootleg and Shoestring since Backstabber had been arrested on drug charges and sentenced to a ten year prison term between "What's on My Mind?" and "F.B.I.". The album was released on September 24, 1996. It soon went gold and managed to make it's way into the billboard R&B/rap top ten chart in late 1996. But unfortunately, just as the Dayton Family were on their way to mass recognition in the hardcore rap underground, the law intervened. But if this wan't enough hard luck, Bootleg was indicted soon after the release of F.B.I.
All through the remainder of the 90's the group's members, (especially Bootleg) dealt with legal issues and jail time. Amidst this, Bootleg still managed to release his first solo album: "Death Before Dishonesty" on March 23, 1999. Shoestring also released his first solo album, "Representin' Til' the World Ends" this same year. Then in 2001 Bootleg and Shoestring both released their second solo albums "Hated By Many, Loved By Few" (Bootleg) and "Cross Addicted" (Shoestring), also Bootleg's brother Ghetto E released his first solo album "Ghetto Theater" in this same year.
Finally, in 2002 the group released their first LP in five years: "Welcome to the Dopehouse", with the addition of Ghetto E as the third member. The group then waited until July 26, 2005 to release their fourth LP "Family Feud" once again as the duo of Bootleg and Shoestring. The album was well received by fans and featured appearances from Capone, Cormega and Kurupt. Bootleg then proceeded to release his third solo album "The Product" on October 25, 2005. TDF recently released a 9 track EP entitled "Back on Dayton Ave." in April 2006, featuring long time staple of the "Flint Town" rap scene and collaborator, Jake the Flake as the group's third member. The Dayton Family is now signed to U Be U Records based in Saginaw, Michigan.
On July 14th, 2010 it was announced on the official website of the Insane Clown Posse and through all Psychopathic Records outlets that The Dayton Family had been signed to their sub-label, Hatchet House.
Real With This
The Dayton Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ain't shit changed, this onehere for Bootleg and Backstabber
nigga, Dayton Avenue don't shit go round to round
Nickle plated you hated
AK blastin assassin
You debated and waited
And now your shit is unfastened
Cause I'm a motherfuckin killa
On the for reala my nigga
I be creepin like the Riddler
Thinkin bout back in the days
Passin blunts and AKs
My people's a posse black punk
So like a blunt you get blazed
Betta pull your glock, cause I'll be pullin it from the side nigga
Before you open your eyes and realize you've been shot nigga
Leavin niggas bloody is the nuttiest that you read about
Talk your shit and cross the click and get yo bitch ass knocked out
Cause we don't give a fuck about where you from
So motherfuck yo rep
You can get yo shit blown off
If you just take another step
Can't you feel the power
Stands the tower with the chrome piece
??? like a beast got you slippin like you slidin on grease
Represent Dayton Avenue but bitches its a Dayton thang
The Rap Capone was gone now he's home and free and makin change
Rollin through yo city
See that's the way it shoul've been
Not to say it wasn't
But you boys ain't no could've beens
??? from the hardknocks survival is the struggle
Crooked as the Joker or juggler when he juggles
So don't you underestimate the wrath of the blood bath
F-L-I-N-T, that be creepin on Dayton Ave
Bang to the boogie of the motherfuckin punches
Been ridin on these and them hoes come in bunches
All up on my snakeskin the game I shoot is drastic
I been in this shit for 10 years and now I'm rollin classic
So hoarse that shit you talkin bout and we can squash the drama
Nigga shed tears cause I'm all up in his baby mama
Fuckin gave me game and bitches I can kill with this
D-A-why-T-O-N-A-V-E is comin real with this
Chorus: (Repeat 2X)
Real with this, real with this always comin real with this
Niggas from the Ave kill with this to get real with this
Real with this, real with this always comin real with
Niggas from the Ave kill with this, deal with this realness
Bootleg:
Gang related you hated, AK blastin assassin
Tried to run but got caught, caught with yo Nike's unfastened
Playa hated and waited, you searched for death and you found it
Tried to run and get help, found out yo spot was surrounded
Adversaries a victim, of gunplay where I stay
I refused to be murdered, the rules of death I obey
Twist a ??? smoke em all, lets have a ball when we kill them
Scream out Dayton for life, right at that moment you drill them
Never gave a fuck about nothin, but smokin weed gettin drunk
Snortin cocaine in the club, paranoid and shot me a punk
I'm just a victim of livin, givin the best that I got
Disrespectin my clan, can get you killed on the spot
I'm just a soldier that's huntin, wearin my army fatigues
Betta watch yo mouth when you see me
Cause I can make that bitch bleed
Johnny Cochrane can help, in a trial I inflict
On any bitch that's a victim, caught in a Dayton conflict
Murder them all is the message, that's what i yellin and screamin
Tears of pain starts to fall, from all the drama i'm bringing
Stop the Al Capone, deadliest overall
Smokin sherm got me trippin, I'll smash yo face through a wall
Hand grenades and artillery, got me ready to kill
Apology is accepted, but bitch I'm killin you still
Got some beef bring it on, the Rap Capone here to cook it
I'm a villain that's killin, livin a lifestyle that's crooked
Before I starve, I'm a steal
Before I die, I'm a kill
Puncture yo lungs with a
I bust yo head with blue steel
Bootleg the Rap Capone for ninety-six
None of you hoes can get with this
D-A-why-T-O-N-A-V-E is comin real with this
Chorus
The Dayton Family's song "Real With This" is a gangsta rap anthem that celebrates the violence and criminal activity of the group's members on Dayton Avenue in Flint, Michigan. The lyrics boast of their expertise with guns, their willingness to kill, and their disdain for anyone who opposes them. The song begins with a declaration of loyalty to the Dayton Ave community and a memorial to two former members of the group who betrayed them. The rest of the song is a series of threats and insults, aimed at rival gangs and anyone who dares to cross them.
The lyrics are aggressive and violent, but they also reveal a certain kind of desperation and paranoia. The rappers describe themselves as killers who are constantly on the lookout for danger, and who can only trust each other. They are proud of their reputation for violence, but they also seem to be driven by a sense of fear and insecurity. The chorus, "real with this, always comin real with this" reinforces their commitment to their violent lifestyle, while the verses describe the harsh realities of living in a world where violence is the only currency.
Overall, "Real With This" is a bleak and disturbing portrait of a subculture that values violence and criminal activity over everything else. The lyrics are raw and unflinching, and they paint a picture of a community that is trapped in a cycle of brutality and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
1997, Dayton Avenue, always was true nigga
In 1997, Dayton Avenue was a place where true, authentic people lived.
ain't shit changed, this onehere for Bootleg and Backstabber
Despite the time that has passed, things have not changed, and this song is dedicated to Bootleg and Backstabber.
nigga, Dayton Avenue don't shit go round to round
Dayton Avenue is not a place where things go around and round - you can't trust anyone.
Nickle plated you hated
You hated me, but now I have a nickel-plated gun.
AK blastin assassin
I am an assassin with an AK-47.
You debated and waited
You debated whether to mess with me and waited too long.
And now your shit is unfastened
And now you are caught with your shoes still untied.
I can't be trusted or dusted
You can't trust me or kill me.
Cause I'm a motherfuckin killa
I am not afraid to kill.
On the for reala my nigga
I am serious about this.
I be creepin like the Riddler
I am sneaky like the Riddler.
Thinkin bout back in the days
I reminisce about the past.
Passin blunts and AKs
We used to share blunts and guns.
My people's a posse black punk
My crew is black and we don't take shit.
So like a blunt you get blazed
If you mess with us, you will get hurt.
Betta pull your glock, cause I'll be pullin it from the side nigga
Be ready to defend yourself, because I am coming from the side with my gun.
Before you open your eyes and realize you've been shot nigga
You won't even see me coming before I shoot you.
Leavin niggas bloody is the nuttiest that you read about
We are notorious for leaving people bloody.
Talk your shit and cross the click and get yo bitch ass knocked out
If you talk trash and cross us, you will get knocked out.
Cause we don't give a fuck about where you from
We don't care where you are from.
So motherfuck yo rep
We don't care about your reputation.
You can get yo shit blown off
You can get shot.
If you just take another step
If you try to approach us.
Can't you feel the power
Can't you feel how powerful we are?
Stands the tower with the chrome piece
We have a tower with a large gun.
??? like a beast got you slippin like you slidin on grease
We move like beasts and make you slip like you're on grease.
Represent Dayton Avenue but bitches its a Dayton thang
We represent Dayton Avenue, but it's something that only Dayton people understand.
The Rap Capone was gone now he's home and free and makin change
The Rap Capone was in jail, but now he's free and making change.
Rollin through yo city
We are cruising through your city.
See that's the way it shoul've been
This is how things should have been all along.
Not to say it wasn't
Not to say it wasn't like this before.
But you boys ain't no could've beens
But you guys could never have been like us.
??? from the hardknocks survival is the struggle
We come from a rough background and surviving is a constant struggle.
Crooked as the Joker or juggler when he juggles
We are crooked like the Joker or a juggler.
So don't you underestimate the wrath of the blood bath
Don't underestimate our anger and willingness to fight.
F-L-I-N-T, that be creepin on Dayton Ave
Flint is creeping on Dayton Avenue.
Bang to the boogie of the motherfuckin punches
Our punches are powerful and make a loud boom.
Been ridin on these and them hoes come in bunches
We have been cruising around and a lot of girls come around.
All up on my snakeskin the game I shoot is drastic
I am wearing my snakeskin boots and I am not playing a game.
I been in this shit for 10 years and now I'm rollin classic
I have been doing this for a long time and now I am doing it in style.
So hoarse that shit you talkin bout and we can squash the drama
Stop talking nonsense and we can end the drama.
Nigga shed tears cause I'm all up in his baby mama
You cry because I am with your baby mama.
Fuckin gave me game and bitches I can kill with this
You gave me knowledge and now I am using it to kill people.
D-A-why-T-O-N-A-V-E is comin real with this
Dayton Avenue is being real with this.
Real with this, real with this always comin real with this
We are always real.
Niggas from the Ave kill with this to get real with this
People from Dayton Avenue kill to make it real.
Real with this, real with this always comin real with
We are always real.
Niggas from the Ave kill with this, deal with this realness
People from Dayton Avenue kill to deal with this reality.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN DORSEY, JALIL HUTCHINS, LAWRENCE SMITH, RAHEEM PATTERSON, STEVE PITTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind