They ended up leaving Bad Boy over financial disputes with record boss P. Diddy and were snapped up by the DMX-led Ruff Ryders. At that time they released We Are The Streets with the stand-out singles "Wild Out" and "Ryde or Die, Bitch". They expanded their group with the inclusion of new member, Jae Hood, and are now known as D-Block.
For a time, Diddy owned their publishing. They reinstated their beef with him even after performing together at Jay-Z's I Declare War concert; recently, however, Jadakiss and Styles P. appeared on popular NY radio station Hot 97.1 to plead for their publishing rights, a request which was granted.
As individual artists, each member of D-Block has released at least one album. Jadakiss released Kiss The Game Goodbye and Kiss of Death, Sheek Louch, Walk Witt Me and After Taxes, and Styles P., A Gangster and a Gentleman and Time Is Money. Jadakiss, one of the self proclaimed "top five dead or alive", has been the most commercially successful with singles "Knock Yourself Out", "We Gonna Make It", "Put Ya Hands Up", and "Why?"; Styles P. has released "Good Times (I Get High)", "Can you Believe It" featuring Akon, and "My Life" and Sheek Louch "Mighty D-Block (2 Guns Up)" and "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye".
In 2002-2003, Jadakiss and later the rest of The Lox were embroiled in a beef with Roc-a-Fella Records artist Beanie Sigel and the label head, Jay-Z. Today all parties have made peace.
Currently, they have dramatically increased their exposure and popularity and are frequently featured on mixtapes. They are now beefing with G-Unit after 50 Cent dissed Jadakiss for appearing on 50's nemesis, Ja Rule, single, "New York". The feud has grown to encompass both groups. Jadakiss responded to 50's "Piggy Bank" with "Checkmate". 50 came back with "I Run New York" and a video for "Piggybank", which dissed Jadakiss, Nas, Kelis, Fat Joe, *The Game (rapper). Styles and Jada released "Problem Child" directly aimed at 50 Cent. "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye" was released by Sheek Louch and featured Fabolous, Beanie Sigel, The Game and Jadakiss. Lloyd Banks has announced on his upcoming album "Rotton Apple" there will be a diss track aimed at Fat Joe and D-Block named "Death Wish". More recently, D Block went all out on G Unit with the song "Shots Fired," a song whose chorus recommends murdering 50 Cent and G Unit.
Filthy America
The Lox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The first case is the United States versus Sean Jacobs
AKA Sheek Louch
AKA Silverback gorilla
AKA Donnie G
Our records indicate he's being charged with an 848 and a 926C
Yo, your honor, listen
I learnt to swim with the sharks in a school of piranhas
Smoke marijauna, even bagged it up in pounds
I made money, packed guns, yeah, I held my grounds
Bullets ring, I don't know how we made it this far
A skinny nigga too, I got up on the pull-up bar
Niggas dying over who fucked who
Some broke ass bitch with a fat ass made beef in ya crew
I went to see niggas in jail when I had nothing to do
I got a call to grab my burner when I was sick with the flu
I gave my soul to this music, hood love it, big labels abuse it
Honestly I'm still learning how to use it
I gave to charity, I flew niggas around for free
For my kids, think about that when you sentence me
Your honor
The verdict is in
We find Mr. Jacobs guilty
Sentenced to life
Send him to D Block, get him out my courtroom
*Our next case, your honor
United States versus David Style
AKA Ghost
AKA the Phantom
AKA Pinero
He's being charged with an 848 and a 922G*
David Styles, do you have anything to say for yourself?
I'mma plead guilty
But before I do, your honor
You and the D suck a dick 'cause yo filthy
White America be killing Black America
Jail system slavery, how's that America?
Drugs in the hood and you're poisoning the food
School system suck and it's hard to get a job
And poverty put niggas in a really bad mood
Call me a menace but I could've been a dentist
So I wish I had the pump at Donald Trump's Apprentice
Bill was half black but middle finger to the Clinton
'Cause niggas still lie, fuck that, yeah I'm venting
That's my word, I've been frightened for a bird to catch a judge or a DA
Make them bite the curb and
And then remove their nerves or their bones or their ligaments
Tie 'em to the pipe and get a knife and start digging in
So, your honor, if you wanna hear my thoughts
Fuck you and the DA and this whole fucking court
We've come to the conclusion, the verdict is in
David Styles: guilty
You don't have respect for humanity
You're a menace to society
We sentence you to death row
Get him out my courtroom also
Get outta here
*Our next case, your honor, Is United States versus Jason Phillips
AKA Jadakiss
AKA Al-Qaeda Jada
AKA Top Five Dead or Alive
Being charged with an 848 and a 924C*
Jason Phillips, do you have anything you could possibly say for yourself?
Your honor
I already paid my dues to society
Allegedly, I sold drugs, huge variety
Had to feed the ones I love, that's a priority
No matter the verdict, they'll forever be a part of me
You would much rather see me laying on the gurney
18 holes of golf and play with my attorney
The system is designed to burn me, not learn me
My arresting officer is related to Mark Fuhrman
Throw the noose up on the tree, that's how they do here
I ain't see a black nigga get acquitted that came through here
And I ain't do fear
So all I ask the court is that they move me to a new jail, every two years
Either way you looking, it'll finish
This is just a bunch of paragraphs in my mentions
*So what you want, forgiveness?*
Nah, I ain't looking for forgiveness
All I give a fuck about is if the Yankees win the Pennant
Let's get it
The verdict is in
We find Jason Phillips guilty
Sentenced to two life sentences with no possibility of parole
We're going to make sure you never see the streets again, sir
In The Lox's song "Filthy America," the verses depict the trio's hypothetical trials against the American justice system. The song opens with the judge presenting the charges against Sheek Louch. Sheek Louch then testifies to the judge, explaining his criminal past as a father figure to many members of his community. He speaks about how he survived in a world among drug dealers by swimming with the sharks and evading danger. Sheek ultimately admits guilt to his charges. Similarly, Jadakiss and Styles P also confess to their charges but not before they protest against the unfairness and systematic racism of the American justice system.
The song's title "Filthy America" points to the underlying themes of rage and frustration towards the economic, political, and social systems in America. The song's lyrics speak to how the treatments of minorities by the system are unfair, and the problem is systemic. The song's three rappers speak for their generation, voice their struggles and paint a picture of the hopelessness and despair they feel for society. For this reason, the song is particularly timely, reflecting the experiences of the lives of young, black males in America.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning, your honor
Respectful greeting to the judge
The first case is the United States versus Sean Jacobs
Legal case between the government and Sean Jacobs
AKA Sheek Louch
Also known as Sheek Louch
AKA Silverback gorilla
Also known as a Silverback gorilla
AKA Donnie G
Also known as Donnie G
Our records indicate he's being charged with an 848 and a 926C
Officially charged with specific criminal offenses
Yo, your honor, listen
Informal address to the judge
A father figure to a lot of these niggas, your honor
Respected and influential figure among many individuals
I learnt to swim with the sharks in a school of piranhas
I gained experience and survival skills in dangerous environments
Smoke marijauna, even bagged it up in pounds
Used and distributed marijuana in large quantities
I made money, packed guns, yeah, I held my grounds
Engaged in illegal activities, including carrying firearms
Bullets ring, I don't know how we made it this far
Faced dangerous situations and survived against all odds
A skinny nigga too, I got up on the pull-up bar
Despite physical challenges, I worked hard and improved myself
Niggas dying over who fucked who
People getting killed over petty disputes
Some broke ass bitch with a fat ass made beef in ya crew
A woman caused conflict among my associates
I went to see niggas in jail when I had nothing to do
I visited incarcerated friends without any personal gain
I got a call to grab my burner when I was sick with the flu
Received a request to retrieve my gun while being physically ill
I gave my soul to this music, hood love it, big labels abuse it
I dedicated myself to making music, embraced by my community, but exploited by major record labels
Honestly I'm still learning how to use it
I am still figuring out how to navigate the music industry
I gave to charity, I flew niggas around for free
I donated to charitable causes and provided free transportation
For my kids, think about that when you sentence me
Consider the impact on my children before passing judgment
The verdict is in
The decision has been reached
We find Mr. Jacobs guilty
We declare Mr. Jacobs as guilty
Sentenced to life
Punished with a lifetime imprisonment
Send him to D Block, get him out my courtroom
Transfer him to a specific cell block and remove him from the courtroom
Our next case, your honor
The next legal case to be presented
United States versus David Style
Legal case between the government and David Style
AKA Ghost
Also known as Ghost
AKA the Phantom
Also known as the Phantom
AKA Pinero
Also known as Pinero
He's being charged with an 848 and a 922G
Officially charged with specific criminal offenses
David Styles, do you have anything to say for yourself?
Is there anything you would like to express or defend yourself with, David Styles?
I'mma plead guilty
I will admit my guilt
But before I do, your honor
However, before I proceed with my admission
You and the D suck a dick 'cause yo filthy
You and the District Attorney are disrespectful and corrupt
White America be killing Black America
The systemic racism in America causes harm to the Black community
Jail system slavery, how's that America?
The prison system resembles modern-day slavery, how can this be America?
Drugs in the hood and you're poisoning the food
The presence of drugs in impoverished communities and contaminated food
School system suck and it's hard to get a job
The education system is inadequate and finding employment is challenging
And poverty put niggas in a really bad mood
Living in poverty has a negative impact on one's mental state
Call me a menace but I could've been a dentist
Label me as a threat, but I had the potential to be successful in another field
So I wish I had the pump at Donald Trump's Apprentice
I regret not having the power to confront Donald Trump during his television show
Bill was half black but middle finger to the Clinton
I feel resentment towards Bill Clinton despite his mixed racial background
'Cause niggas still lie, fuck that, yeah I'm venting
Because people still deceive, I'm expressing my frustration
That's my word, I've been frightened for a bird to catch a judge or a DA
I honestly fear retaliation against a legal authority figure
Make them bite the curb and
Inflict harm upon them
And then remove their nerves or their bones or their ligaments
Subject them to severe physical damage
Tie 'em to the pipe and get a knife and start digging in
Restraining them to a pipe and using a knife to inflict further harm
So, your honor, if you wanna hear my thoughts
Therefore, if you are interested in my perspective, your honor
Fuck you and the DA and this whole fucking court
Expressing disdain towards the judge, the District Attorney, and the entire court system
We've come to the conclusion, the verdict is in
We have reached a decision, the judgment has been made
David Styles: guilty
David Styles is declared guilty
You don't have respect for humanity
You lack regard for the well-being of people
You're a menace to society
Your actions pose a threat to the community
We sentence you to death row
You are condemned to death row
Get him out my courtroom also
Remove him from the courtroom as well
Get outta here
Leave immediately
Our next case, your honor, Is United States versus Jason Phillips
The next legal case is between the government and Jason Phillips
AKA Jadakiss
Also known as Jadakiss
AKA Al-Qaeda Jada
Also known as Al-Qaeda Jada
AKA Top Five Dead or Alive
Also known as Top Five Dead or Alive
Being charged with an 848 and a 924C
Officially charged with specific criminal offenses
Jason Phillips, do you have anything you could possibly say for yourself?
Do you have any words or defenses, Jason Phillips?
Your honor
Respectful address to the judge
I already paid my dues to society
I have already suffered the consequences of my actions in society
Allegedly, I sold drugs, huge variety
There are claims that I sold a wide range of drugs
Had to feed the ones I love, that's a priority
Necessity forced me to provide for my loved ones
No matter the verdict, they'll forever be a part of me
Regardless of the decision, my loved ones will always be important to me
You would much rather see me laying on the gurney
You would prefer me to be lying on a stretcher
18 holes of golf and play with my attorney
Engage in leisure activities with my lawyer
The system is designed to burn me, not learn me
The system aims to harm me rather than educate me
My arresting officer is related to Mark Fuhrman
The officer who arrested me has connections to a controversial figure
Throw the noose up on the tree, that's how they do here
Metaphorically expressing the presence of racial bias and injustice
I ain't see a black nigga get acquitted that came through here
I haven't witnessed a Black person being found not guilty in this place
And I ain't do fear
I do not experience fear
So all I ask the court is that they move me to a new jail, every two years
My request is to be transferred to a different prison every two years
Either way you looking, it'll finish
Regardless of the perspective, the outcome will be the same
This is just a bunch of paragraphs in my mentions
These legal proceedings are merely mentioned in my life's story
So what you want, forgiveness?
Do you expect forgiveness?
Nah, I ain't looking for forgiveness
No, I am not seeking forgiveness
All I give a fuck about is if the Yankees win the Pennant
I only care about the success of the Yankees in baseball
Let's get it
Let's proceed
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Jason Phillips, David Styles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind