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.
Hard Life
The Lox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burner on me, nigga, come and get me right now
Dope fiends in the hallway
Little niggas'll clap something in broad day
Rose gold, princess cut
Pretty face, little titties, big butt
Thugged out, she with me like "nigga what?"
Big chain on my b-boy
Gem star make a nigga face keloid
Our 16s'll have your crew destroyed
LOX them niggas you wanna evoid
LOX is that hard life, Mobb Deep is that real
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
Infamous is that raw rap
You come through D-Block you get killed
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
100 shots to the fuckboys, 21 salute to the real Gs
Live by the code, if I couldn't do that a rat nigga'll kill me
24 karat gold handguns, mink seats in the coupe, yes
Rooftop party with the real gangstas, spiral stairs in my duplex
All high and I'm looking at my bitch, and my money like "what should we do next?"
Real nigga 'till I die, if I can't be real I'd rather die, yeah, I choose death
LOX is that hard life, Mobb Deep is that real
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
Infamous is that raw rap
You come through D-Block you get killed
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
LOX is that hard life, Mobb Deep is that real
Infamous is that raw rap
You come through D-Block you get killed
By these rich, young, black hustlers out the slum
In New York state, bitch, you could get some
Say ahhh, I'll shove my gun down your mouth
Like what was all that woopty woop about?
Greed is good
I get all this dope shit, you wish you could
I'm in a financial district, I don't do broke Uber
SUV, I send for your hoe
So these are iconic bars
When I bust your head you see all kinds of stars
To see your whole world turned black
What's done is done, there ain't not turning back
LOX is that hard life, Mobb Deep is that real
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
Infamous is that raw rap
You come through D-Block you get killed
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
Tie your shoelace, you rap niggas tripping
Fall face first when the pound start spitting
Same old dirt, really ain't no difference
Fuck about a Grammy, they salute me in the trenches
Fuck about y'all, got a give-a-fuck fetish
First nigga feel some kind of way I'm a lay
I could have a beef with the world, never dead it
Your son in deep shit, mama love better pray
With your broken-ass gun, shit, looking like relics
Fear so bad when we see him we can smell it
Room full of goons, lay back with my Ls lit
Son got bagged, real Gs never tell shit
Did 5 on his head and his mouth closed
Came home, hit him off, ball like Gauchos
D-Block, Mobb Deep
H-A-V-O make money in his sleep
LOX is that hard life, Mobb Deep is that real
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
Infamous is that raw rap
You come through D-Block you get killed
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
Top down in the winter time
If you on the boom list then it's dinner time
Horse head in your bed just so send a sign
This is dope right here, nigga, get in line
Yeah, I've been a don since Benetton
Before you let a man hit me on the intercom
I find out they did him wrong then I get 'em gone
They on the roof with the scopes, have 'em hit him long
Yeah, we bomb shit like the Pentagon
Where that money go, nigga, what you spend it on?
Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?
LOX is that hard life, Mobb Deep is that real
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
Infamous is that raw rap
You come through D-Block you get killed
(Life's difficult, death's easy
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
The song "Hard Life" by The Lox is an aggressive, confrontational track that portrays their gritty lifestyles as hard-working, street-savvy individuals. The rap group consists of Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Jadakiss, known for their street-centered lyrics about drugs, violence, and their experiences growing up in Yonkers, New York. In the first verse, they describe the thrill of smoking weed and driving around with the top down, while also staying prepared for any danger by carrying a firearm. They mention the presence of drug addicts in their building and the possibility of violence from younger members of their neighborhood.
The chorus repeats the message that The Lox and Mobb Deep (another influential New York hip-hop group) represent the hard realities of life, and those who cross them will face violent consequences. The lyrics emphasize the importance of respect, loyalty, and staying true to oneself. The second verse includes references to luxury goods and the good life that comes from hustling and making money on the streets. They boast about their wealth and power, including owning gold handguns and living in a duplex. The tone of the song is confrontational and aggressive towards other rappers who claim to be gangsters but cannot match The Lox's true street credibility.
Line by Line Meaning
Smoking loud with the top down
We're driving around with the windows down, smoking weed and not caring who sees or smells it.
Burner on me, nigga, come and get me right now
I have a gun with me and I'm ready to defend myself if someone tries to harm me.
Dope fiends in the hallway
There are drug addicts lurking around the building.
Little niggas'll clap something in broad day
Young gangsters will shoot someone in broad daylight without thinking twice.
Rose gold, princess cut
My jewelry is of the highest quality and value.
Pretty face, little titties, big butt
The girl I'm with is attractive and has body features that I appreciate.
Thugged out, she with me like "nigga what?"
My girl is just as tough as I am and doesn't take any disrespect from anyone.
Big chain on my b-boy
I'm wearing a large and flashy chain around my neck like a hip-hop dancer.
We walk in these niggas get p-noid
People get nervous and paranoid when my crew and I enter the room or area.
Gem star make a nigga face keloid
Getting shot by a gem star bullet will leave a permanent scar on a person's face.
Our 16s'll have your crew destroyed
Our rap verses are so powerful and well-crafted that they can dismantle an entire group of rappers.
LOX them niggas you wanna evoid
The LOX is a group of individuals that others want to avoid because of our rough and tough demeanor.
LOX is that hard life, Mobb Deep is that real
We represent the harsh reality of life, while Mobb Deep represents gritty and authentic hip-hop music.
(Life's difficult, death's easy
Life is a struggle, while death seems like an easy way out.
LOX, nigga, M-O-B-B, what?)
The LOX and Mobb Deep are two of the most respected hip-hop acts in the game.
Infamous is that raw rap
Mobb Deep's music is unfiltered and brutally honest.
You come through D-Block you get killed
If you enter our neighborhood, you'll face dangerous consequences.
100 shots to the fuckboys, 21 salute to the real Gs
We'll shoot 100 bullets at those who disrespect us, but we'll always honor and respect the real gangsters.
Live by the code, if I couldn't do that a rat nigga'll kill me
We follow a strict code of ethics and principles, and we trust no one who can't do the same. Loose lips get you killed.
24 karat gold handguns, mink seats in the coupe, yes
My guns are made of expensive gold, and the interior of my car is lined with luxurious mink fur.
Rooftop party with the real gangstas, spiral stairs in my duplex
I host parties on my building's rooftop with other genuine gangsters, and my home is a lavish two-story apartment with a spiral staircase.
All high and I'm looking at my bitch, and my money like "what should we do next?"
I'm feeling euphoric and empowered while gazing lovingly at my girl and my riches, pondering my next move.
Real nigga 'till I die, if I can't be real I'd rather die, yeah, I choose death
I value authenticity and realness above all else, and would rather die than betray these ideals.
By these rich, young, black hustlers out the slum
We're a group of young, black, and financially successful individuals who came from impoverished backgrounds.
In New York state, bitch, you could get some
You can get anything you want (drugs, sex, etc.) in New York if you know where to look and how to navigate the streets.
Say ahhh, I'll shove my gun down your mouth
If you don't show me the necessary respect, I'll forcefully insert my gun into your mouth.
Like what was all that woopty woop about?
What was that meaningless talking all about? Stop wasting my time.
Greed is good
I believe that greed and the pursuit of wealth is beneficial and necessary to succeed.
I get all this dope shit, you wish you could
I have access to all the finest things and pleasures in life, while you can only dream of having them.
I'm in a financial district, I don't do broke Uber
I'm riding in a luxury car, not an affordable Uber, in the wealthy section of town.
SUV, I send for your hoe
I'll use my fancy car to pick up your woman and whisk her away.
When I bust your head you see all kinds of stars
When I hit you, you'll see stars from the pain and shock.
To see your whole world turned black
To experience total and complete darkness, as if your entire world just disappeared.
What's done is done, there ain't not turning back
What's done is done and cannot be undone, no matter how much you regret it or try to change it.
Tie your shoelace, you rap niggas tripping
You need to focus and be careful, otherwise you'll stumble and fall.
Fall face first when the pound start spitting
You'll fall to the ground face-first when my gun starts firing.
Same old dirt, really ain't no difference
All of this violence and wrongdoing is quite ordinary and unremarkable, as it just repeats itself over and over.
Fuck about a Grammy, they salute me in the trenches
I don't care about winning a Grammy award, I just care about earning respect and admiration from those in the streets.
Fuck about y'all, got a give-a-fuck fetish
I don't care about your opinions or feelings, and instead have a strange obsession with not caring about them.
First nigga feel some kind of way I'm a lay
If the first person who talks to me expresses any negative emotions, I'll attack them in some way.
I could have a beef with the world, never dead it
I'm capable of having a problem with anyone and everyone, and I'll never back down from it.
Your son in deep shit, mama love better pray
Your son is in a lot of trouble, so his mother had better pray for him.
With your broken-ass gun, shit, looking like relics
Your gun is so old and broken down it looks like a historical artifact.
Fear so bad when we see him we can smell it
We're so intimidating and scary that people can smell their own fear when they face us.
Room full of goons, lay back with my Ls lit
I'm hanging out with a group of tough and dangerous individuals, smoking marijuana and chilling out.
Son got bagged, real Gs never tell shit
Your associate got caught by the police, but real gangsters don't snitch or give away information easily.
Did 5 on his head and his mouth closed
We put a $5,000 bounty on his head, and the person who did it kept quiet and didn't say anything.
Came home, hit him off, ball like Gauchos
The person who did the hit eventually got their reward and spent the money on luxurious things, like a rich Argentine cowboy (gaucho).
D-Block, Mobb Deep
The LOX's group name is D-Block, and Mobb Deep is another legendary hip-hop act.
H-A-V-O make money in his sleep
One of the LOX members, Havoc, is so successful that he can earn money with very little effort or work involved.
Top down in the winter time
I'm driving around in a convertible with the roof down, even during the cold winter season.
If you on the boom list then it's dinner time
If you're considered an easy or vulnerable target, then we'll take advantage of you like we're preparing for a feast.
Horse head in your bed just so send a sign
We'll leave a gruesome warning to let you know that we're serious and not to be trifled with.
This is dope right here, nigga, get in line
This is impressive and amazing, and you should recognize it and show your respect.
Yeah, I've been a don since Benetton
I've been a cool and stylish person since the days of the clothing brand Benetton.
Before you let a man hit me on the intercom
I would rather die than accept someone disrespecting me over an intercom system.
I find out they did him wrong then I get 'em gone
If someone I know is being mistreated or harmed, I'll take matters into my own hands and make sure justice is done.
They on the roof with the scopes, have 'em hit him long
My associates are waiting on the rooftop with long-range scoped guns, ready to shoot and hit their target.
Yeah, we bomb shit like the Pentagon
We cause destruction and upheaval on the level of a powerful bombing.
Where that money go, nigga, what you spend it on?
I want to know where all your money went and what you spent it on.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jason Phillips, Kejuan Muchita, David Styles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind