True to the Game
Ice Cube
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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
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.
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Album InformationThe 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.
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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.
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ControversiesSome of the lyrics in "True to the Game" sparked controversy and were considered racist due to their blunt criticism of racism and white supremacy.
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Commercial SuccessThough 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.
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Productions & SamplesThe 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.
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Cultural ImpactDespite 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.
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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.
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RemakeThe 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".
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Real-Life ConnectionsIce 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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