The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Watts Up, DJ Quik and KAM, damn, another dynamic duo
What, I thought you knew, oh
It's on and poppin' with my nigga from Compton
East side hoo-ride and it ain't no stoppin'
Hoppin' the toys and poppin' the boys
Cause see the West Coast test most rookie-ass decoys
So fuck what they goin' through
Because I'm stayin' pro-black on this track that I'm flowin' to
So go and do your dirt but don't get yourself hurt
Let you KAM show you how to pop a devil, then skirt
It's on like that as if you didn't know
They say life is a gamble, yeah? So what they hittin' foe?
I'm gettin' mo' money, no honey, I don't want a white companion
Leap the Grand Canyon
Shots, I gots to have me a Sister Souljah
Told you last single I don't mingle, tramp, so vamp
(That's my nigga) (nigga) (nigga)
That's my nigga
It's goin' on to the break of dawn just like that
So roll up your sleeve and let me strike up a tat
I'm showin' pride for my side, you wonder which God
I represent the sun, moon and star
A 'mad dog' spelled backwards since I was a pup, huh? (Yup)
So don't forget it when I hit it up
I lit it up and had people sayin' goddamn
But now it's never unusual to spot KAM
I'm just a regular nigga who ain't bigger than nobody else
I can't hack it, homie, don't put no jacket on me
Yeah, it's all good and I probably should care
But see, I'm from the hood, I'm not no Hollywood Square
So it's rare to see a rap nigga stayin' down
Without losin' touch or do too much playin' 'round
But I be damned if I'ma let a TV tell me who's who
'Cause I'm a real nigga just like you
(That's my nigga) (nigga) (nigga)
That's my nigga
So now I'm kickin' it with DJ Quik
Street Knowledge, Hit Squad, Dogg Pound or any other black clique
And you can bet your grip there's no set-trip involved
Let's hope all that shit was resolved
Out with the old, in with the new improved gee
'Cause ain't no set-trip wet lip service ever moved me
Come at us right and you might get love
Come at us wrong and it's on, I break you off a doubt
Ain't nothin' to lose except some excess baggage
You ain't payin' no dues, we'll be takin' your cabbage
So the average Joe, you know the whole routine
We gon' be pattin' down the pockets of them old blue jeans
So welcome to the everything is real here
Where little locs'll take a shot and not feel fear
Straight soldiers layin' in the cut like a knife
Peace to the gees and Islam for life
(That's my nigga) (nigga) (nigga)
That's my nigga
What, I thought you knew, oh
It's on and poppin' with my nigga from Compton
East side hoo-ride and it ain't no stoppin'
Hoppin' the toys and poppin' the boys
Cause see the West Coast test most rookie-ass decoys
So fuck what they goin' through
Because I'm stayin' pro-black on this track that I'm flowin' to
So go and do your dirt but don't get yourself hurt
Let you KAM show you how to pop a devil, then skirt
It's on like that as if you didn't know
They say life is a gamble, yeah? So what they hittin' foe?
I'm gettin' mo' money, no honey, I don't want a white companion
Leap the Grand Canyon
Shots, I gots to have me a Sister Souljah
Told you last single I don't mingle, tramp, so vamp
(That's my nigga) (nigga) (nigga)
That's my nigga
It's goin' on to the break of dawn just like that
So roll up your sleeve and let me strike up a tat
I'm showin' pride for my side, you wonder which God
I represent the sun, moon and star
A 'mad dog' spelled backwards since I was a pup, huh? (Yup)
So don't forget it when I hit it up
I lit it up and had people sayin' goddamn
But now it's never unusual to spot KAM
I'm just a regular nigga who ain't bigger than nobody else
I can't hack it, homie, don't put no jacket on me
Yeah, it's all good and I probably should care
But see, I'm from the hood, I'm not no Hollywood Square
So it's rare to see a rap nigga stayin' down
Without losin' touch or do too much playin' 'round
But I be damned if I'ma let a TV tell me who's who
'Cause I'm a real nigga just like you
(That's my nigga) (nigga) (nigga)
That's my nigga
So now I'm kickin' it with DJ Quik
Street Knowledge, Hit Squad, Dogg Pound or any other black clique
And you can bet your grip there's no set-trip involved
Let's hope all that shit was resolved
Out with the old, in with the new improved gee
'Cause ain't no set-trip wet lip service ever moved me
Come at us right and you might get love
Come at us wrong and it's on, I break you off a doubt
Ain't nothin' to lose except some excess baggage
You ain't payin' no dues, we'll be takin' your cabbage
So the average Joe, you know the whole routine
We gon' be pattin' down the pockets of them old blue jeans
So welcome to the everything is real here
Where little locs'll take a shot and not feel fear
Straight soldiers layin' in the cut like a knife
Peace to the gees and Islam for life
(That's my nigga) (nigga) (nigga)
That's my nigga
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
That's My Nigga Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
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