Marvin Bernard, better known by his stage name Tony Yayo is an American rap… Read Full Bio ↴Marvin Bernard, better known by his stage name Tony Yayo is an American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit.

Though his appearances on mixtapes announced his return on the street level, it was not until the release of "So Seductive" that his return received wide recognition. In August, Tony Yayo released his debut, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon

Tony Yayo has confirmed that work is in progress for his second studio album.The album was originally called Godfather of the Ghetto, then I Am 50's Tax Write-off, finally leaving Tony Yayo undecided on a title.
Tony Yayo is known to involve himself in the G-Unit and The Game feud. He has been known to denounce The Game's street credibility in various interviews and diss songs. On his mixtape G-Unit Radio Pt.23: Finally Off Papers, Tony Yayo made some hits towards The Game in the track Mo Money, Mo Problems by poking fun about his album sales being considerably less without the help of 50 Cent or G-Unit. In an interview with MTV, Tony Yayo aired his feeling towards many rappers who he "doesn’t believe".

Tony Yayo openly involves himself in 50 Cent's Feuds. The most recent example of this would be the 50 Cent vs Cam'ron Feud. Although he hasn’t released a direct diss track towards Cam’ron, he has voiced his opinion through interviews.

This feud took off when Tony Yayo yelled "boring" instead of "balling" (a reference to "We Fly High") backstage at a show where both G-Unit and Dipset were performing.

Tony Yayo took a shot at Jim Jones on Shade 45, claiming that Jim Jones was trash, and that he was disrespecting Haitians.Tony Yayo stated that Jim Jones tried to phone him, but Tony Yayo refused to take the call.

Tony Yayo later addressed Jim Jones on his mixtape Finally Off Papers (G-Unit Radio Pt. 23) on the track "Mo Money, Mo Problems". He yells "Boring!" in the background to mock Jim Jones as well as shouting other insults towards him at the end of the track.

Tony Yayo and Jim Jones have settled their feud[when?] and have even performed together. They also both appeared on BET's "Rap City" which 50 Cent was hosting

Along with 50 Cent, Yayo was arrested on December 31, 2002 for weapons possession. When police discovered that Yayo had an outstanding warrant for a previous such charge, Yayo was sentenced for bail jumping and spent all of 2003 in prison.Yayo served time in the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility and was paroled on January 8, 2004. The next day, he was arrested for possessing a forged passport and served time in federal prison until May 25, 2004. When Yayo was incarcerated, G-Unit began a campaign called "Free Yayo".

On March 24, 2007, Tony Yayo was arrested for allegedly assaulting the 14 year-old son of The Game's manager, Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond. Tony Yayo and 50 Cent were accused of approaching the child, with members of their entourage, and pushing him against a nearby wall. This was when Tony Yayo reportedly slapped the boy several times and said "Fuck Czar Entertainment". Tony Yayo has pleaded "not guilty" and 50 Cent has since proven his innocence with video footage showing him at his Connecticut mansion at the time of the alleged incident.

Tony Yayo made his first court appearance on the morning of April 25, 2007 in New York. The case was adjourned to July 24. Tony Yayo's Lawyer has expressed his belief that Yayo is innocent and commented on the situation in an interview with MTV.

After a thorough investigation, I steadfastly and adamantly state to you that Tony Yayo did not slap anyone," Leemon said. "I am hopeful that when [authorities] complete their investigation, they will come to the same conclusion. Yayo, as a father, understands the allegations and would never do anything to harm a child.

On April 18, 2007, the house of Tony Yayo’s mother was "sprayed with bullets". The attack is believed to be in connection with Tony Yayo’s recent arrest.

On July 24, Tony Yayo attended a court hearing regarding his alleged assault. The prosecution offered him a nine-month prison sentence if he pleaded guilty which he rejected.

One of the men from Tony Yayo's entourage, a co-defendant, admitted that it was him, not Yayo who slapped Rosemond, on January 10, 2008.

Wannabe
Tony Yayo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus: Tony Yayo]
Nigga I'm a baller, shot caller
23 inches on a phantom with the spoiler
Baller gettin head tonight
Dutchie rolled tight duck the feds tonight
On the high wayyy
I got the things on the high wayy
Moving bricks the better way

Better way, better way, yeaaah

[Tony Yayo:]
I used to smoke blunts in the amp you know the hoop ride
Now it's hermee jeans with the patch on the inside
The 800 hold a blicky up
I'm in all white, roll the sticky up
Rest in peace to ethel, rest in peace to huey
Nigga make a move, I'm a make a movie
Righteous kill like deniro and paccino
Fuck boys sweet like some fucking frappuchino
Niggas on the set and handle all the fiends orders
Rod need a bathroom set for his daughter
I used to buy weed right by the fish house
1 2 1 1 10 when the dreads out
Pieces go up, pieces go down
Task run up, niggas go down
I hold a 4 pound, not to be frank
Fuck a pair of sneakers got a marble fish tank
I got fish scales, my pills have you cellabit
They have you seeing t-pain on a pink elephant
I'm a hustler, you a strusstler
Strugglin to hustle I don't move a muscle

[Chorus:]

[Spider Loc:]
If it don't make dollars then it don't make the attenary
We do move more heat like the millitary
Air force ones, top guns go hard
In miami waters more than the coast guards
Jump off the jet ski, hop on a speed boat
Cut throats commit the murder that greed wrote
Me and my guerillas got gravy deals
But still kill at will like navy seals
Handle on the eagle just flash and accord
Got the streets on lock like the national guard
If you want me better bring an army
21 gun saluter I'm a shooter

[Chorus:]

[40 Glocc:]
Never claimed to be a baller but I'm all in
Kobe bryant in the courtroom what they call him
32 slim jeans, that's fag
That's my bitch size, call that fat
I'm crack on a track worth 15 5
10 east next stop I-95
My altitude 40 thou I'm so higggh
My license revoked, I don't drive
Cobalt city homeboy born to ride
2 hands minus a finger use that 9
A brick ain't 10 a key don't use that line
Bite the hand when it feeds put his teeth on the side

[Chorus:]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tony Yayo's "Wannabe" glorify a life of crime and depict the rapper's success as a drug dealer. The chorus boasts about his luxurious lifestyle as a "shot caller" with a flashy car and beautiful women. He also talks about his success in evading the authorities and getting away with his criminal activities. Yayo talks about his transition from smoking blunts in a cheap car to wearing expensive clothes and carrying a gun. He also pays tribute to his fallen friends and warns his enemies that he won't hesitate to take action against them. In the verses, Spider Loc and 40 Glocc continue the theme of violence and criminal activity, talking about their ability to move drugs and their readiness to use guns to defend their territory.

The song's lyrics are controversial and have been criticized for promoting a negative image of African American youth. Some have argued that songs like this contribute to the glorification of gang culture and encourage young people to engage in violent and dangerous behavior. Others have defended the song as a raw depiction of the reality of living in impoverished communities and the struggles that people face to make ends meet.

Line by Line Meaning

Nigga I'm a baller, shot caller
I'm a big-time hustler and a dominant figure in the streets

23 inches on a phantom with the spoiler
I have a highly customized and expensive vehicle

Baller gettin head tonight
I'm going to receive oral sex from a woman tonight due to my status and wealth

Dutchie rolled tight duck the feds tonight
I am smoking marijuana while being cautious of the police presence

On the high wayyy
I'm driving on the highway

I got the things on the high wayy
I'm transporting drugs or illegal goods on the highway

Moving bricks the better way
I make a living by trafficking drugs with more efficient methods

Better way, better way, yeaaah
My current hustle is more effective than my previous one

I used to smoke blunts in the amp you know the hoop ride
I used to smoke marijuana in a cheap car

Now it's hermee jeans with the patch on the inside
I now have designer clothing with visible branding on the inside

The 800 hold a blicky up
I am armed with a gun that can hold 800 rounds

I'm in all white, roll the sticky up
I am wearing all white clothing and currently rolling a joint

Rest in peace to ethel, rest in peace to huey
I'm paying tribute to two deceased acquaintances

Nigga make a move, I'm a make a movie
I will retaliate with deadly force if someone attempts to harm me

Righteous kill like deniro and paccino
I will eliminate those who pose a threat to me, just like in the movie 'Righteous Kill'

Fuck boys sweet like some fucking frappuchino
People who are fake or posers are as annoying as a sugary Starbucks drink

Niggas on the set and handle all the fiends orders
My associates take care of all the drug transactions with our customers

Rod need a bathroom set for his daughter
Someone named Rod requires a specific item, possibly as a favor or business transaction

I used to buy weed right by the fish house
I used to purchase marijuana near a fish market

1 2 1 1 10 when the dreads out
A drug deal consisting of specific amounts is taking place

Pieces go up, pieces go down
Drug prices fluctuate regularly

Task run up, niggas go down
If the police arrive on the scene, I will resort to violence to protect myself

I hold a 4 pound, not to be frank
I am carrying a four-pound gun and do not want to hide that fact

Fuck a pair of sneakers got a marble fish tank
I prioritize and invest in luxurious objects rather than fashion footwear

I got fish scales, my pills have you cellabit
I have cocaine (which resembles fish scales) and ecstasy that may cause hallucinations

They have you seeing t-pain on a pink elephant
The ecstasy may cause vivid and unrealistic hallucinations

I'm a hustler, you a strusstler
I'm a skilled and successful street businessman while you can't keep up with me

Strugglin to hustle I don't move a muscle
I am financially secure and do not need to work hard anymore to survive

If it don't make dollars then it don't make the attenary
If a business endeavor does not bring me significant profit, it's not worth my time

We do move more heat like the millitary
My associates and I traffic more drugs than the military trades weapons

Air force ones, top guns go hard
I wear Air Force One shoes and possess high-powered firearms

In miami waters more than the coast guards
I am engaged in illegal activities in Miami more often than the coast guard patrolling the area

Jump off the jet ski, hop on a speed boat
I quickly switch from one illegal activity to another

Cut throats commit the murder that greed wrote
I become ruthless and commit murder when it benefits me financially

Me and my guerillas got gravy deals
My associates and I have profitable drug connections and contracts

But still kill at will like navy seals
I am trained to use lethal force and will do so if necessary

Handle on the eagle just flash and accord
I can quickly and effectively use a handgun

Got the streets on lock like the national guard
I have a strong influence and power over the area's drug market

If you want me better bring an army
I will defend myself fiercely against anyone who tries to come after me

21 gun saluter I'm a shooter
I will fire my gun and engage in violence when necessary

Never claimed to be a baller but I'm all in
I never bragged about being wealthy but invested everything I have into my criminal enterprise

Kobe bryant in the courtroom what they call him
I'm a great player in the streets, just like Kobe Bryant in a basketball court

32 slim jeans, that's fag
Wearing tight pants is associated with homosexuality

That's my bitch size, call that fat
My girlfriend has a bigger waist size than my own, making me look better by comparison

I'm crack on a track worth 15 5
I am a skilled and valuable rapper worth a high monetary amount to record companies

10 east next stop I-95
I am currently on a specific highway, heading towards another one

My altitude 40 thou I'm so higggh
My level of success and wealth is extremely high

My license revoked, I don't drive
I no longer have a valid driver's license and do not operate a vehicle

Cobalt city homeboy born to ride
I belong to a gang in Cobalt City and am meant to thrive in that dangerous lifestyle

2 hands minus a finger use that 9
Use a gun when you only have two hands; subtract one finger to pull the trigger

A brick ain't 10 a key don't use that line
Do not use that old method of pricing drugs, where one kilogram of cocaine is equal to ten thousand dollars

Bite the hand when it feeds put his teeth on the side
I will retaliate against someone who betrays me, even if they previously helped me

Contributed by Henry S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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