Lyrics & breakdown
Demo lines only. Select a line number to copy a stable deep link.
Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction
TargetThe Notorious B.I.G.
MeaningWhat it means: In “You know I'm sayin'? (Y'all kill 'em, kill 'em!),” Tha Dogg Pound converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at The Notorious B.I.G.. Why it was said: The record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute. The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts The Notorious B.I.G. as unable to return for another round.
ContextThe record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute.
- 19
Holy— I'm like yo
20Ya heard about that shit that happened in New York? (Outlawz, Threat)
21(He said don't ever bring your ass back here unless you bring me a gift, bitch)
Block noteMakes the confrontation explicit
TargetThe Notorious B.I.G.
MeaningWhat it means: In “(I heard 2Pac fucked Biggie bitch Faith, Cuzz that's on Dogg Pound!),” Tha Dogg Pound addresses The Notorious B.I.G. directly and makes the situation described in the quoted line the point of confrontation. Why it was said: The record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute. Naming or plainly addressing The Notorious B.I.G. removes the safety of a subliminal and makes the quoted claim something the target can either answer or leave standing.
ContextThe record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute.
- 42
I crack your clavicle for the cabbage, rhyme savage
43Introduction to death, murder MC's
44'Til ain't shit left in the sector
Block noteMakes the confrontation explicit
TargetMobb Deep
MeaningWhat it means: In “These adventures wreak havoc, speak lavish lifestyles,” Tha Dogg Pound addresses Mobb Deep directly and makes the situation described in the quoted line the point of confrontation. Why it was said: The record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute. Naming or plainly addressing Mobb Deep removes the safety of a subliminal and makes the quoted claim something the target can either answer or leave standing.
ContextThe record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute.
- 50
I turned the channel 'cause niggas you ain't live no more
51I used to follow but now you's a legend like Sleepy Hollow
52I shoot to kill, a horse pill you can't swallow
Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction
TargetThe Notorious B.I.G.
MeaningWhat it means: In “I shoot to kill, a horse pill you can't swallow,” Tha Dogg Pound converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at The Notorious B.I.G.. Why it was said: The record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute. The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts The Notorious B.I.G. as unable to return for another round.
ContextThe record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute.
- 66
And any Tribe who Quests to compete
67We the elite, the psycho assassin is blastin'
68And next time you hit L.A., nigga, we mashin'
Block noteMakes the rejection unmistakably direct
TargetMobb Deep
MeaningWhat it means: In “Nigga, we Mobb Deep, so fuck you, Jeru,” Tha Dogg Pound drops any pretense of a subliminal and rejects Mobb Deep in blunt, unqualified language. Why it was said: The record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute. The direct wording removes plausible deniability: listeners are not left guessing whether Mobb Deep is part of the dispute or whether a response is being invited.
ContextThe record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute.
- 83
Your DJ can't scratch, you won't last
84So just hop out the battle, retreat for your saddle
85It's too many of us, we kick plenty of dust
Block noteForces the dispute into a direct contest
TargetThe Notorious B.I.G.
MeaningWhat it means: In “So just hop out the battle, retreat for your saddle,” Tha Dogg Pound addresses The Notorious B.I.G. as an opponent who must prove the claims being made rather than rely on reputation. Why it was said: The record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute. The challenge narrows the argument to performance under pressure, where refusing or failing to answer can itself be presented as a loss for The Notorious B.I.G..
ContextThe record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute.
- 94
To make it until you die, until you out of it
95Scouting your hood for murders
96Roamin' through your house and murder
Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction
TargetThe Notorious B.I.G.
MeaningWhat it means: In “To make it until you die, until you out of it,” Tha Dogg Pound converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at The Notorious B.I.G.. Why it was said: The record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute. The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts The Notorious B.I.G. as unable to return for another round.
ContextThe record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute.
- 98
I told ya, Dogg Pound ain't nathan nice
99Sacrificin' motherfuckers from men to mice
100Twice, there's been a murder on your block
Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction
TargetThe Notorious B.I.G.
MeaningWhat it means: In “Twice, there's been a murder on your block,” Tha Dogg Pound converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at The Notorious B.I.G.. Why it was said: The record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute. The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts The Notorious B.I.G. as unable to return for another round.
ContextThe record belongs to 2Pac's conflict with The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, and associated rivals after the 1994 Quad Studios shooting and the ensuing East Coast–West Coast dispute.