Westside Connection is a West Coast gangsta rap group consisting of Ice Cub… Read Full Bio ↴Westside Connection is a West Coast gangsta rap group consisting of Ice Cube, WC, and Mack 10. Their first album, Bow Down, reached the #2 position on the Billboard 200 in 1996. The group was formed during the East Coast and West Coast rivarly, coming out with a vengeance after the death of 2pac. Death Row Records was suffering after the loss of 2Pac, poor sales of Snoop Doggy Dogg's Tha Doggfather and Dr. Dre leaving to form his own label Aftermath. Because of this, while Bow Down was enjoying chart success, its corresponding label Priority climbed the gangsta rap hierarchy.

After a seven-year haitus, the group reconstituted itself and released their second album Terrorist Threats in 2003 and sold respectably, fueled by the smash single "Gangsta Nation" with Nate Dogg.

Two albums may prove to be their limit, as members Mack 10 and Ice Cube are currently embroiled in an argument over Ice Cube's reluctance to go on tour, opting instead in favor of his movie career.

Although the rap supergroup came up and diminished relatively quickly, its impact is still felt today. Although it did not pioneer any new styles, it rather showcased the gangsta rap style at its peak with 3 of the best artists from the West. Bow Down is largely considered by fans and critics just short of a "classic" album today. Hip hop fans still speculate as to the amount of potential the group had if they had not disbanded so abruptly.

WC contributed to Ice Cube's seventh solo album, 2006's Laugh Now, Cry Later and his newest album I AM THE WEST.

Gangstas Don't Dance
Westside Connection Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Mack 10]
Gangstas don't dance, we boogie
niggas go out and get your cookies
Gangstas don't dance we boogie
stay the fuck away from the rookies

Overall Meaning

In this particular verse, Mack 10 makes a clear statement about gangsters and their behavior. He asserts that gangsters do not dance but rather boogie; implying that gangsters have a unique way of moving to music that differs from the traditional or popular dance culture. Furthermore, he warns individuals to watch their actions and stay away from new or inexperienced people (rookies) because gangsters have a code of conduct and may not be able to tolerate certain behaviors or actions.

This verse reflects the gang culture prevalent in the 1990s and early 2000s, whereby individuals who associated themselves with gangs adhered to unwritten codes of conduct that prohibited certain activities, such as dancing. The verse also highlights how gang culture was often brutal and uncompromising. It advocates for the maintenance of the status quo and the exclusion of newcomers or outsiders who may disrupt the ecosystem of the community.

Line by Line Meaning

Gangstas don't dance, we boogie
People who live a dangerous and criminal lifestyle do not participate in dancing but instead groove to music.

niggas go out and get your cookies
Men, go out and get your money or profits.

Gangstas don't dance we boogie
Individuals who belong to the gangster world refuse to dance and would rather make subtle moves.

stay the fuck away from the rookies
Stay away from inexperienced people who are new to the street life and may be unaware of the dangers that come with it.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: O'SHEA JACKSON, WILLIAM CALHOUN, DEDRICK ROLISON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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