True to the Game

Ice Cube

About True to the Game

"True to the Game" is the final single from Ice Cube's Death Certificate album.


Year:
1991
4:10
239 
#2

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

It's the nigga ya love to hate with a new song
So what really goes on
Nothing but a come-up, but ain't that a bitch
They hate to see a young nigga rich
But I refuse to switch even though
Cause I can't move to the snow
Cause soon as y'all get some dough
Ya wanna put a white bitch on your elbow
Moving out your neighborhood
But I walk through the ghetto and the flavor's good
Little kids jumping on me
But you, you wanna be white and corny
Living way out
"N*gger go home" spray-painted on your house
Trying to be White or a Jew
But ask yourself, who are they to be equal to?
Get the hell out
Stop being an Uncle Tom, you little sell-out
House nigga scum
Give something back to the place where you made it from
Before you end up broke
F*ck around and get your ghetto pass revoked
I ain't saying no names, you know who you are
You little punk, be true to the game

When you first start rhyming
It started off slow and then you start climbing
But it wasn't fast enough I guess
So you gave your other style a test
You was hardcore hip-hop
Now look at yourself, boy you done flip-flopped
Giving our music away to the mainstream
Don't you know they ain't down with the team
They just sent they boss over
Put a bug in your ear and now you crossed over
On MTV but they don't care
They'll have a new nigga next year
You out in the cold
No more white fans and no more soul
And you might have a heart attack
When you find out the black folks don't want you back
And you know what's worse?
You was just like the nigga in the first verse
Stop selling out your race
And wipe that stupid-ass smile off your face
Niggas always gotta show they teeth
Now I'm a be brief
Be true to the game

A message to the oreo cookie
Find a mirror and take a look, G
Do you like what you see?
But you're quick to point the finger at me
You wanna be the big fish, you little guppy
Black man can't be no yuppie
You put on your suit and tie and your big clothes
You don't associate with the Negroes
You wanna be just like Jack
But Jack is calling you a n*gger behind your back
So back off genius
I don't need you to correct my broken English
You know that's right
You ain't white
So stop holding your ass tight
Cause you can't pass
So why you keep trying to pass?
With your black ass
Mister Big
But in reality, you're shorter than a midge
You only got yourself to blame
Get a grip, oreo and be true to the game

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Ice Cube

O'Shea Jackson (born June 15, 1969), better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, screenwriter, film producer, and director. He began his career as a member of the hip hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A (Niggas With Attitudes). After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer, director, actor and producer in cinema. Additionally, he has served as one of the producers of the Showtime television series Barbershop and the TBS series Are We There Yet?, both of which are based upon films in which he portrayed the lead character. more »

5 fans

Written by: O'SHEA JACKSON, RAYMOND JAMES CALHOUN

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Background
"True to the Game" is a song by Ice Cube, a renowned rapper, actor, and filmmaker. Ice Cube, whose real name is O'Shea Jackson, was a key member of the seminal rap group N.W.A. before launching a successful solo career.
Album Information
The song appears in Ice Cube's studio album "Death Certificate", which was released in 1991. The album is split into two parts: the 'Death' side and the 'Life' side. "True to the Game" is part of the 'Death' side, representing the harsh realities Cube confronted.
Song Theme
"True to the Game" is a criticism of men and women who act white or abandon their cultural identity to gain acceptance in mainstream society. It delves into the themes of racial identity and cultural authenticity.
Controversies
Some of the lyrics in "True to the Game" sparked controversy and were considered racist due to their blunt criticism of racism and white supremacy.
Commercial Success
Though not released as a single, "True to the Game" contributed to the overall success of "Death Certificate", which ended up being a commercial hit. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and was eventually certified platinum, solidifying Ice Cube's reputation as one of the key voices of West Coast hip-hop.
Productions & Samples
The song contains samples of various songs like "Funky Drummer" by James Brown, "Bring the Noise" by Public Enemy, "Don't Believe the Hype" by Public Enemy, and "The Race" by Yello.
Cultural Impact
Despite the sparks of controversy, "True to the Game" is held up as a classic example of Ice Cube's political and social commentaries within his music. It reflects the socio-political climate and the racial and class tensions of the time.
Recognition
"Death Certificate", the album that contains "True to the Game", received a 5-star rating from AllMusic and a 4.5-star rating from Rolling Stone, attesting to the high regard the album and its tracks are held in.
Remake
The song was remade in 2017 by Ice Cube himself. This new version, titled "Only One Me," references the original while also offering new commentary, indicating Ice Cube's enduring engagement with the issues raised by "True to the Game".
Real-Life Connections
Ice Cube’s life experiences in South Central Los Angeles greatly influenced the song’s lyrics. He articulated this in the 2005 documentary, “Beef,” saying “In the inner city, the blacks feel they are ostracized, persecuted, prosecuted differently.”

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