When Matt Garappolo and Eddie Garcia Garza… Read Full Bio ↴The One And Only Typicals
When Matt Garappolo and Eddie Garcia Garza started writing songs together in college in 2000, they realized that rock music was to become much more than just a hobby for them. Fueled by a lot of beer and even more frustration with the stagnant state of mainstream music, the two set out to form a rock group that people would appreciate for its songwriting, energy and inspiration. In 2003, the duo met former Artichoke drum machine Dave Palamaro and with that, the One and Only Typicals, a.k.a. the O.A.O.T.s, were born into the Los Angeles music scene.
Citing influences such as the Who, the Jam, Guided By Voices, Superdrag, the Replacements, Hüsker Dü and the Pixies, the O.A.O.T.s are quickly gaining a reputation throughout the LA rock community for their riveting live shows, unparalleled energy and deafening onstage roar. Their number one goal is to write perfect songs and entertain everyone around them.
In September 2004 they finished their 13 song debut “Typical,” on their own Sounds Like Vinyl Records with the help of producer Matt Southwell (BANG sugar BANG), engineer Robin Holden (The King Cheetah), and mixer Evan Frankfort (Would Work Entertainment). Filled with “pop hooks and rootsy jangle, like a paisley-powered Jam, mixing up Who-inspired skinny tie herky-jerkiness with a little 80’s power pop,” (Sleazegrinder) the record arrived to immediate and positive response in LA as well as nationally and internationally. They have received airplay throughout the Los Angeles market including the newly acclaimed Indie 103.1, underground classic KXLU as well as on KROQ’s Rodney on the Roq. Word of the band has already spread as far as the UK, Japan, Italy and Portugal where they have received both airplay and very positive reviews.
In February 2004 the band’s single “On and On” was featured on Kiss or Kill’s first compilation, “Los Angeles Classics Vol. 1” along with 10 other power pop groups who regularly perform at Kiss or Kill, the best weekly punk and power pop club in LA. In January 2005 “On and On” was also chosen by A&R Worldwide, an independent global artist discovery and development group, to be featured on their Compilation CD – “Unearthered – Vol. 4.” 2005 also found a great deal of success and growth for Kiss or Kill, which the O.A.O.T.s have been very proud to be a part of. In March 2005 Kiss or Kill’s follow up compilation featured “Take Me” as it’s opening track.
In November 2004 “On and On” received even more national exposure when it was featured on the WB’s hit show Jack and Bobby and in February 2005 “Dance” was picked up by ABC’s new Sunday night drama Grey’s Anatomy.
The release of “Typical” was followed by a two and a half week nation-wide tour in October 2004 supported by a heavy campaign of college radio and local press. In February and March 2005, the O.A.O.T.s booked another very extensive and even more ambitious 7 week tour of the U.S.
Their hope is that their DIY brand of rock and roll, incessant touring, meticulous songwriting and infectious hooks and harmonies will turn some heads in both the American and international recording industry.
They are already working hard on writing songs for their follow up record and have over ten songs already completed and ready to record. This time they hope to capture the raw and energetic sound that until now can only be experienced at each and every one of their live shows.
Games
The O.A.O.T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hook:
Games people play (I want to know)
Games people play (why the brothers be playin' them games)
Here comes the man of the hour
Never catch me fuckin' with cowards
Rock men from Thug Life to High Powered
Blazin' trees Chinese chicks to Lebanize
Across seas me and Big Frank be pickin' up keys
seize the opportunity to freeze MCs
Recognize who be gettin' that cheese please
I see you watchin' me like Whitenour
You gettin' power
Chickens gassin' you thinkin' your clique is as big as ours
Long time no beef on the streets
Ain't nothing sweet I still walk around packin' heat
You pose no threat you get yourself soakin' wet
Vibes from the mac and the tech
And what we be doin' chumps uptown we call them push ups
Pushed about a thousand grills shit is real (yeah)
I leave no evidence cat's ain't been heard from ever since
And officer, those ain't my fingerprints
Down low I'm scary slide to the back of this
City-O cash flow is miraculous
Mark what I say somebodys got to pay
My clique walk around sick like Doc Holiday
Hook (x2)
Niggas got a lot of games
Verse 2:
A-yo blaze something quick
So recognize who ya fuckin' with
I'm gettin' bricks runnin' with Colombians
While you punk motherfuckers starve on a block
I'm drivin' around spots gettin' mad props
Fuck standin' on the ave gettin' cash (what?)
That's all in the past I graduated fromt he class (yeah)
Every thug get a chance to be the man
I got mines and now this nigga's pissin' in they pants (ha ha)
They scared to death they know it's real here
I murder niggas if not I have them rollin' in a wheel chair
I dare a nigga to step up i bet his t-shirt his sweater
Have holes from my nine beretta
I'm not the one for the postin' up shit
I toast you up quick I have you floatin' in the ocean
I get down like that cause I have to in the Big Apple
Many niggas try to cap you, for nothin'
Niggas be frontin' for fame they don't know the game
All they want to do is leave blood stains
That's why I keep my gat cocked and steady
Like Teddy I keep it on my waistline ready
I'm deadly like Freddie Kruger but fuck the claws
I'm strickly steppin' to ya niggas with the ruegers
"I need my shit kid" that be rapidly repeated
The more shots the more my enemy starts retreatin'
So back the fuck up I'm blowin' niggas out the frame
Maintain before you get a bullet in your brain
I'm that insain nigga from the Money Makin'
All you niggas fakin' I'm a leave your body shakin'
Hook
The streets ain't no game
Rock City will let 'em know
Verse 3:
Now yo fuck the radio and fuck the airplay
I'm strickly underground sayin' what I want to say
It doesn't matter if I'm hurt or not
I'm a wreck shop my way and still get props
That's my word shit is gettin' real with these critics
They always talk about a nigga lyrics
I ain't tryin't to hear it
Everyday the industry is gettin' realer
Sort of like that crack shit being done by the dealer
Brothers gettin' paid under the table
Labels already knowin' who they want to be stable
But fuck it I'm still gonna try to bring the ruckus
I'm comin' through your town Ill Man with the Cutlass
I saw a lot of niggas fail oh well
They mad cause I'm everlasting like a Duracell
Battery don't try to battle me
My mentality is gettin' salaries is all reality
Hook
The song "Games" by The O.A.O.T ft. Roc City O is a typical gangsta rap that represents the violent street life. The song talks essentially about the games people play on the streets, their motives, and the consequences. The hook of the song wants to know why people play games and why brothers be playing them. The verse 1 starts with the introduction of the singer, who says he's the man of the hour and never messes with cowards. He's a man that rocks men from Thug Life to High Powered and does illegal things like picking up keys with Big Frank. They recognize anyone who is making money, calling them out, and telling them that nobody can reach their level. In contrast, they see people watching them intently, but they don't care. They warn that they walk around packing heat and anybody that poses a threat ends up getting themselves soaking wet. The singer states that they deal with chumps uptown and call them push-ups. They've dealt with a thousand grills so far, and that's real. They mention leaving no evidence as all the cats that have crossed them ain't been heard from since. They constantly let anyone know that those fingerprints aren't theirs. In a nutshell, it's a clear representation of the illegal activities and how they operate their business.
Verse 2 starts with the singer calling out his mate to blaze something quick. He tells individuals to recognize who they're dealing with as he's running with the Colombians, picking up bricks, and being the man. He differs from others as he's graduated from the class, and every thug gets a chance to be the man. He functions from his position of power and scares people to death while murder them. He shows his confidence in the line, "I dare a nigga to step up I bet his t-shirt his sweater Have holes from my nine beretta." He warns that niggas are frontin' for fame as all they do is leave blood stains. So, he keeps his gun at the waistline ready to shoot anyone, and he's that insane nigga from Money Makin. The whole verse represents the everyday violent street life, and anyone that poses a threat needs to be out of the way.
Verse 3 starts by calling out the radio stations and their airplay because, for the singer, who he is and what he's achieved matters more than them. For him, he's going to produce his music his way and get prop. He doesn't care about the criticism, and the industry is getting realer for everyone. It's like crack being done by a dealer, and the labels already decide who they want to be stable. Nevertheless, the singer is still going to try to bring the ruckus with Ill Man Cutlass. He is confident that he's going to succeed and that nothing is going to bring him down.
Line by Line Meaning
Games people play (I want to know)
I want to understand the games that people play
Games people play (why the brothers be playin' them games)
Why are the brothers playing these games?
Here comes the man of the hour
I am the man who is receiving a lot of attention right now
Never catch me fuckin' with cowards
I never associate with weak or fearful people
Rock men from Thug Life to High Powered
I have connections and can hang with people ranging from thugs to the powerful
Blazin' trees Chinese chicks to Lebanize
I enjoy smoking marijuana and being with both Chinese women and those of Lebanese descent
Across seas me and Big Frank be pickin' up keys
My friend Big Frank and I are smuggling drugs across seas to make money
seize the opportunity to freeze MCs
I take advantage of the chance to silence other rappers
Recognize who be gettin' that cheese please
Please acknowledge who is making money
I see you watchin' me like Whitenour
I am aware that you are observing me closely, like a detective named Whitenour
You gettin' power
You are gaining power
Chickens gassin' you thinkin' your clique is as big as ours
Women are boosting your ego, making you think your group is as big or successful as ours
Long time no beef on the streets
It's been awhile since there has been any conflict or competition among us on the streets
Ain't nothing sweet I still walk around packin' heat
Things are still dangerous, so I carry a gun with me for protection
You pose no threat you get yourself soakin' wet
You are not a threat, so you are easily defeated and humiliated
Vibes from the mac and the tech
I have a strong feeling about my firearm
And what we be doin' chumps uptown we call them push ups
Our actions against weak and powerless opponents make them look like they are doing exercise push ups
Pushed about a thousand grills shit is real (yeah)
We have intimidated and defeated a lot of people, and it is a serious situation
I leave no evidence cat's ain't been heard from ever since
I am careful and make sure there is no evidence left behind. People who cross me disappear
And officer, those ain't my fingerprints
I deny leaving any finger prints at a crime scene
Down low I'm scary slide to the back of this
I try to maintain a low profile, while also being intimidating to others
City-O cash flow is miraculous
The amount of money I make in the city is almost unbelievable
Mark what I say somebodys got to pay
I am warning people that they will have to face consequences
My clique walk around sick like Doc Holiday
My group is dangerous and lethal like the infamous gunslinger Doc Holiday
Niggas got a lot of games
People have a lot of schemes and strategies
A-yo blaze something quick
Please quickly light up and smoke some marijuana
So recognize who ya fuckin' with
Understand who you are dealing with
I'm gettin' bricks runnin' with Colombians
I am involved in dealing drugs and working with Colombians to make money
While you punk motherfuckers starve on a block
Others who are not involved in our game are struggling to survive
I'm drivin' around spots gettin' mad props
I am driving around and receiving much admiration and attention
Fuck standin' on the ave gettin' cash (what?)
I don't bother standing on the street corner to make money
That's all in the past I graduated from the class (yeah)
I have moved on from that and graduated to a higher level of money-making
Every thug get a chance to be the man
Every tough street criminal has the opportunity to become a leader or successful person
They scared to death they know it's real here
Others are very afraid because they know how serious and dangerous the situation is here
I dare a nigga to step up i bet his t-shirt his sweater
I challenge anyone to try and step up to me and they will lose everything, including their clothes
Have holes from my nine beretta
They will be shot by my 9mm Beretta gun
I'm not the one for the postin' up shit
I'm not the kind of person who stands around waiting for something to happen
I toast you up quick I have you floatin' in the ocean
I will kill you and have your body disposed of in the ocean
I get down like that cause I have to in the Big Apple
I have to be violent and intimidating because that is the way things work in New York City
Many niggas try to cap you, for nothin'
Many people try to harm you for no particular reason
Niggas be frontin' for fame they don't know the game
People are pretending to be something they are not to gain attention, but they do not understand the true rules of the game
All they want to do is leave blood stains
These people are only interested in causing violence and death
That's why I keep my gat cocked and steady
That is why I am always ready with my gun
Like Teddy I keep it on my waistline ready
Just like Teddy Roosevelt carried a pistol on his hip, I am always prepared with my gun
I'm deadly like Freddie Kruger but fuck the claws
I am just as lethal as the fictional character Freddie Kruger, but I don't need his signature weapon
I'm strickly steppin' to ya niggas with the ruegers
I am confidently approaching you with my Ruger guns
"I need my shit kid" that be rapidly repeated
I keep repeating the phrase "I need my stuff" quickly and urgently
The more shots the more my enemy starts retreatin'
The more times I shoot, the more my opponents start to run away
So back the fuck up I'm blowin' niggas out the frame
Stay away from me or I will shoot you until you are completely out of the picture
Maintain before you get a bullet in your brain
Keep your distance or you might end up dead
The streets ain't no game
The reality of the streets is not a game
Now yo fuck the radio and fuck the airplay
I don't care about radio play or getting played on the radio
I'm strickly underground sayin' what I want to say
I am a strictly underground rapper saying whatever I want to say
It doesn't matter if I'm hurt or not
It doesn't matter if my words or actions cause me harm or not
I'm a wreck shop my way and still get props
I do things my own way and still receive respect and admiration
That's my word shit is gettin' real with these critics
I am serious, and these critics are starting to understand it
They always talk about a nigga lyrics
Critics are always discussing and analyzing my lyrics
I ain't tryin't to hear it
I don't care about their opinions
Everyday the industry is gettin' realer
The music business is becoming more competitive and dangerous every day
Sort of like that crack shit being done by the dealer
It's similar to the risks and challenges faced by drug dealers selling crack cocaine
Brothers gettin' paid under the table
Some people are secretly getting paid for their work
Labels already knowin' who they want to be stable
Record labels already have a plan for who they want to be successful
But fuck it I'm still gonna try to bring the ruckus
Despite the challenges, I am still going to try to succeed and cause trouble
I'm comin' through your town Ill Man with the Cutlass
I am coming to your town as a dangerous man with a sharp knife
I saw a lot of niggas fail oh well
Many people have failed, and I do not care
They mad cause I'm everlasting like a Duracell
People are angry because I am still successful and relevant after a long time, like the long-lasting Duracell batteries
Battery don't try to battle me
Do not try to compete or challenge me
My mentality is gettin' salaries is all reality
My mentality is that making lots of money is the only reality and goal
The streets ain't no game
Once again, the reality of the streets is not a game
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TERRY JOHNSON, ROBERT THOMAS, RONALD D. COLEMAN, RAY GRIFFIN, MICHAEL WINSTON, P. MICHAEL ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind