yes, the golden era. nothing comes close to what we grew up listening to. i was in my late teens early 20's when these songs were hittin the air waves.
❤ I love this dude I was super impressed to find out that he is the master of all the things that go on in these videos and I put them right up there with the likes of Outkast and of course Dre and anyone who works with him like Eminem, 50 Cent Mary J Blige and of course Snoop he is by far the funniest ....raps are solid and he's humble and awesome live and not too hard on the eyes either
~ My Top rapper! ✨ Worked with: Usher, Snoop, Fergie, his music spoke for itself, His videos made him a Global Super star 💫🌍 My brother's Fave is Tupac ✨
fast and the furious keep the legacy going to make 100 more movies and keep the legacy going on fast and the furious so it's about family let alone Luna Chris take over fast and the fears 900,000 likes Ludacris need to take over the franchise Ludacris need to take over Paul walker legacy Ludacris will take over of the franchise 900,000 likes will make 100 and more movies are fast in the furious no Chris will never die he'll keep the legacy going and keep on rolling with the fast and the furious on UA-camPG this year 2022-2023-2024👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Luna Chris will bring back for good the fast and the furious dancers franchise for good this year 2022-2023-2024 Luna Chris will bring back the games with a story mode🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Didn’t know Kanye produced the video until now. 3 things I like about Ludacris: His videos are always comical, he speaks coherently, and he can talk smack
He’s right tho. Every generation probably is going say the same shit but we’re talking about a golden era, bangers all over the place. We just shouldn’t compare a Ferrari with a Fiat…
Its tight to see an artist have fun in his video. He's laughing, smiling, instead of acting "hard." That last verse it's him just loving what he's doing. That's real shit.
Ludacris was forreal the male version of Missy Elliott & vice versa. Legendary art, legendary flow, legendary lyrics, and legendary visuals. To me, they’ll always be the reigning champs of the rap game. 🏆🏆
@sircartier4095 the crazy part is Kanye was a nobody when this dropped unless you were a hip hop nerd most people had no idea who he was at the time. He in the video
Joe Bankz And Devean George, the three time NBA champion with the 2000, 2001 and 2002 Los Angeles Lakers between 1:47 and 1:49 in the #16 football jersey.
Seltsamerweise ist mir dieser verdammte riesen-Schuh in Erinnerung geblieben^^ Ach, die gute alte Zeit... Hab das grade genau deswegen gesucht und mich an diesen echt guten Song erinnert!!!
Way back in 2004, In a crowded room full of metal heads, this song came on and we ALL grooved to it. Hilarious moment. This song is a classic. What an era
Truta1999 yep kanye produced that track. since college dropout & since kanye been rapping people forget that he was a nice producer. half of the late 90's early 00's rocafella beats came from kanye west or just blaze
Paul Mbele Ye-Through the wire, you don’t know my name - Alicia keys, Beyoncé’s first album, 50’s first album, OutKast’s album, Neptunes we’re running the game etc.
Kanye did the beat. Back then, if he did a track for somebody he was in the video. Might’ve been in his contract, he was still just building his buzz 🤣🤣🤣
Gotta love the comment section I thought I was the only one to notice that! I literally replayed that line to triple check he said "he's LIT and he don't care what noone thinks" over a decade ago 🤯
@@PokeyStix lmao fr I’m white but those phrases didn’t become popular until white people started using them but u can just tell from hip hop black people have been using that slang for decades now lol
This mans music has amped me up my whole life! I grew up with it, danced to it and all! Im a young woman born in 1992 so He was a huge part of my childhood! From his music to fast and furious series and his iconic Afro and braids! Nothing but good memories when it comes to Luda! Thank You! I’m modeling now so hopefully I’ll get a proper introduction soon! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
luda been in my top 10 for a minute. slept on by every one of these so called "top 10" hip hop lists. paved the way for artists to be "corny" and still be an artist. first gangster rapper to be 'himself'
Lets be honest youtube didnt reccomend this to you, you searched for it
no shit, how else would i have found it lol??
@@hohohoaaa2262 Recommended lmao
🌇
TrueDat I wuz feeling like some Luda it always puts me in a hype mood😁🎶🎵🎛️🎹🎚️Hay DJ bring sat back!!
Facts lol
Luda, Busta and Missy had some of the best creativity in their videos. No one nowadays can even come close to the greatness
J cole with ATM video could pass
Amen 💯
The Dababy is the animated new skool
Kanye is up there too, as far as creative videos
How did u forget to mention redman which was the first to do comedic hip hop videos
The era of comedic hip hop was a classic. Honestly one of the dopest eras ever, it was just fun 👌🏾
yes, the golden era. nothing comes close to what we grew up listening to. i was in my late teens early 20's when these songs were hittin the air waves.
Malcolm McNab mising it surely
True words. Stuff now is straight garbage.
From Earth true that. Early 2000s hip hop rap etc died off quickly..
real shit
Ludacris is one of the rappers with the best sense of humor, i wish people gave him more credit, he deserves it.
big shoe lmfao
big shoe lmfao
very nice comment
❤ I love this dude I was super impressed to find out that he is the master of all the things that go on in these videos and I put them right up there with the likes of Outkast and of course Dre and anyone who works with him like Eminem, 50 Cent Mary J Blige and of course Snoop he is by far the funniest ....raps are solid and he's humble and awesome live and not too hard on the eyes either
LUDA IS ONLY LOOKING OUT….FOR LUDA. Don’t ever doubt that.
2:24 Legendary moment you've been waiting for
BIG SHOE 🥶
big shoe lmfao
big shoe lmfao
Big shoe lmfao🥶🥶🥶
big shoe lmao
Ever notice how all of his big hits are about telling people what to do?
"Stand Up"
"Move/Get Out The Way"
"Get Back"
Definition of an MC (move the crowd)
And all of them have creative music videos
LUDA IS ONLY LOOKING OUT….FOR LUDA. Don’t ever doubt that.
Sounds like strong boundary enforcement
@@lainface5854And I respect a man who respects himself. :P
People don’t give Ludacris enough credit for his music career. This is fire asf
~ My Top rapper! ✨ Worked with: Usher, Snoop, Fergie, his music spoke for itself, His videos made him a Global Super star 💫🌍 My brother's Fave is Tupac ✨
Tap on a clip to paste it in the text box.
Ong💯
Hell yeah!
hell ya, seeing him in concert this month! I'm hyped as f
"Ay dawg can I take a step?"
"Only a shoeful!"
*pulls out comically large shoe* 2:24
Australians asking for a drink:
this made me start drinking coffee
[Terrifying presence] *pulls out comically large shoe*
You’ve lost karma!
Die, thy end is now! CRUSH! Prepare thyself! WEAK.
@@shaunburchett5428
"only a tallie!"
The order: 1:46
Ludacris was too ahead of his time man he is one the most under appreciated rappers ever
Dro Briggz/AAG Axel he is a legend salute ludacris
Truth!!!
How's he underappreciated? He's multi platinum...
He always sang about stupid shit
Under never that
"Watch out for the medallion, my diamonds are reckless
It feels like a midget is hanging from my necklace" 🔥🔥🔥
I can tell these songs go well with a drink in the club 😂
N the lil midget hangin on there 😂😂
"I'm young wild and strapped like Chi-Ali Blau!!💥
And we come behind that with a little bit of ludacris
Richard Cheese
This man doesn’t get enough respect
For real every song was a hiit
He really doesn’t.
Kung wild
Its nuts.
Nah Shawnna is the real genius who is too underrated
These videos are starting to turn into relics. Early 2000’s was the time to be in the club man. People actually danced then.
2002 I was going school❤❤
He created a legacy with this song, he can never die now. Never been to a party where this didn’t tear down the place.
fast and the furious keep the legacy going to make 100 more movies and keep the legacy going on fast and the furious so it's about family let alone Luna Chris take over fast and the fears 900,000 likes Ludacris need to take over the franchise Ludacris need to take over Paul walker legacy Ludacris will take over of the franchise 900,000 likes will make 100 and more movies are fast in the furious no Chris will never die he'll keep the legacy going and keep on rolling with the fast and the furious on UA-camPG this year 2022-2023-2024👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Luna Chris will bring back for good the fast and the furious dancers franchise for good this year 2022-2023-2024 Luna Chris will bring back the games with a story mode🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
at this point there still some Artists who had their own look and sound
Can't for get DMX party up
Kanye produced this but okay
Luda was way ahead of his time ...
And uses the now common term "Lit".
Amos Caul I peeped that
@Ichicinco Negrosaki Are you interested in the truth?
No he wasnt this is an old skool song
Ichicinco Negrosaki he didn't dab u need to rewatch it
Didn’t know Kanye produced the video until now. 3 things I like about Ludacris: His videos are always comical, he speaks coherently, and he can talk smack
And His Intros Are Always Lit
he produced the song too
Anyone can mumble a rhyme, but it takes skill to actually rap while speaking clearly
@@waytoocozy damn I thought for sure this was a timbaland beat. Didn't know it was Kanye
@@agecali7893 nah you can tell by the kick and clap its Kanye. The Potion is timbaland tho
Who’s here after learning Kanye produced this in 5 minutes? It is the simplest beat ever, but it’s the greatness of Kanye.. AGAIN!
Exactly why I was lead here
I can't lie... I came after I saw that.
HAD TO COME BACK
Yup, just did it lol must be the algorithm
Me fasho
“Do it now cause tomorrow ain’t promised today!” Preach Ludacris!
Thats a Great line😅 lol
Lol @ Katt Williams
That is a really good line.
LUDAAAAA!!!!!!
This music video perfectly describes partying in the early 2000's. It will never be the same again! Shit was always LIT!
Teach kids this.
It's more than we're getting old!!
Yes sir partied to Luda all the time
We're getting older. Of course it's not as lit. In 20 years time the newer generation will be saying the same thing you are saying
He’s right tho.
Every generation probably is going say the same shit but we’re talking about a golden era, bangers all over the place.
We just shouldn’t compare a Ferrari with a Fiat…
The midget on the necklace part cracks me up still to this day
so true lol
Zachry Guy yup hahahah
He’s bobbing his head
I love this song
It’s my favorite part too lol!!!
Before 2022: omg Ludacris is a legend of rap
After 2022: big shoe lmao
Big shoe lmfao
Big shoe lmfao
2021 actually
Big shoe Imfao
LOL
Its tight to see an artist have fun in his video. He's laughing, smiling, instead of acting "hard." That last verse it's him just loving what he's doing.
That's real shit.
Ludacris was forreal the male version of Missy Elliott & vice versa. Legendary art, legendary flow, legendary lyrics, and legendary visuals. To me, they’ll always be the reigning champs of the rap game. 🏆🏆
Show you rite! 😎
Between him and Busta Rhymes.
Ludas songs and videos were always brilliant. He doesn't get enough big ups. 🙏
“Gotta COOORDINATEEEE “ rip pops 🙏🏾
John Witherspoon from Boomerang
0:30 "I'm the gyatt, rizzing you in VIP" Ludacris was truly ahead of his time
“I’m the gd reason you in VIP”
@@jadaonebeats9791 Incorrect
i m going to end myself if it continues😊
“How you ain’t gon cut? Bitch I’m me, I’m da Goddamn reason you in VIP” nothing about rizz or gyat 🤦🏾🤦🏾
Nah cz that's deadass what I thought it said
2:25 a cruel warlock commandeers his thralls to rise only to knock them down again with his big shoe spell
I was just thinking that! You keep telling them to "Stand up!" Yet you're making them fall down!😂😂😂😂
Boss battle energy
bruh this beat has been in my head since my childhood & i finally found it 😭😭😭
That's Kanye West production got ya ! 🔥
@sircartier4095 the crazy part is Kanye was a nobody when this dropped unless you were a hip hop nerd most people had no idea who he was at the time. He in the video
@@fullweezy3553 🤯
2003 was a crazy good year, we killed this in Chicago. Ah, memories.
Demian C, we used to rock this shit in middle school in Chicago
+Jamal Thompson, Haha yes.
Damien C good old carter school in Chicago back in2004 through 2005 those were the days
Yeah we did bro.u ain't never lied
Darryl Jenks killed what?
Who here in 2024
Just watched a clip from Drink Champs that referenced the song. Had to revisit😁
22 years and still fresh!
🙌🏻
I’m here 2024, 2025 , 20… ! Old school incomparable
Literally playing it for my son. #musiceducation 👩🏫🏫
Ludacris had shit lit man ... I miss this era
Luda was the male Missy Elliott. His flow and videos were always creative and different from everyone else during that time.
So you got Lauren London, 2 chainz, Chingy, Kat williams, and Kanye West in the video 🔥
Joe Bankz And Devean George, the three time NBA champion with the 2000, 2001 and 2002 Los Angeles Lakers between 1:47 and 1:49 in the #16 football jersey.
& Tonya from "Little women L.A."
I didnt notice Chingy, Kat Williams, or 2 Chains. Tell me where at in the video
I dont see two chainz. I seen my boy Kanye back before he lost it
@@Mangaleaf 2Chainz is one of the guys who wearing a suit, the taller one.
2:24 BIG SHOE LMFAO ‼️‼️🥶🥶🥵🥵🔥🥶🥵‼️‼️👟👟
The fire marshal finished it 🤣
I miss how outrageous music videos were back then.
Kanye killed this beat 🔥 🔥 and his cameo too my guys definitely a Legend
YEEZY AT 2:22
Luda > Kanyuck
@@Eclectic999 wtf
@@wilsonimon2480 yeah you know what’s up
Ye the greatest artist of the 21st century self made billionaire
damn luda was saying "Lit" way back then
In a different context but yeah
JJ Inirio all these words we use is back then but different context etc . No one made a big deal of it
We were saying "lit" in Oakland in the 70's, lols.
Yea, I'm _that_ old, so? ^-^
@@aylbdrmadison1051 okay grandma
I heard and noticed that soon as I read this comment
Ludda still doing it today !!!
Waaaaay ahead of his time. Still hits. 🔥🔥🔥😄
I came from big shoe😭
@@Hazel_TheOnesameee
the big shoe still hits
Kanye production 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
2:22
@Brandon Knight how did he fall off ? Explain
I'm also waiting for an explanation of how he fell off.
and kanye freestyled on this beat too.
@Brandon Knight Yupp but people won’t aknowledge that ish… whatever makes them sleep at night 🤣
busta missy and luda had the best music videos overly creative
FACKS
Cant forget redman neither
which vids 4 busta??
eminem to
@@lamardoss3424 Agreed
Seltsamerweise ist mir dieser verdammte riesen-Schuh in Erinnerung geblieben^^ Ach, die gute alte Zeit... Hab das grade genau deswegen gesucht und mich an diesen echt guten Song erinnert!!!
Kanye is a icon
Back in the day when you could dance and have comedy in your videos and no one questioned your "gangster".
🌷 bee too many people are missing a decent amout of f sharp when they wipe for raps to bee clean enough.
Before dudes started twerking
Check Dababy he doesn't give a shit. Same with famous dex
@@PalmBaiReader dont kno who they are but i kno they aint flowin like luda
@@jaccbolton they dont😂
Now we be hearing this banger on the Google Ads 😌👌🏾
Actually it's a Samsung ad, but It does also advertise Google aswell
Yes!
Especially in shoe ads
forever on repeat
2:25 I love this part with the big shoe
Me too !
Same lmao
Luda as a baby dancing took me out
Way back in 2004, In a crowded room full of metal heads, this song came on and we ALL grooved to it.
Hilarious moment.
This song is a classic.
What an era
Kanye went crazy on this beat. 🔥
From 2000-05 Kanye was on fire
Ludacris x yeezy! This beat is undisputed 🔥 2023 still 🔥
i just realized Luda was basically the South's version of Busta Rhymes lol
Juan Rivera yo. You from rap critics page lol
In terms of his bars? His flow? Or his crazy videos?
Vinnie Mac I think all 3 really.
Stylistically and how bombastic they are
Luda lowkey a legend but noone will ever admit that. He got caught up in the wrong time to be reckognized as what he is - the GOAT party rapper.
the early 2000's were the wild west
Kanye West
This was 2003. And now, 20yrs later, he's getting a STAR on the HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME on May 18th. Yaassss!
Holy shhht back when music videos had a budget , this was an era; that will probably never come back
One of Kanye aka Ye's hardest productions....South side Chi connect Shawnna and Ye
I never knew KANYE made this beat! 💯💯💪🏽💪🏽
one of kanye west sickest beats
kanye produced this? for real?
Truta1999
yep kanye produced that track. since college dropout & since kanye been rapping people forget that he was a nice producer. half of the late 90's early 00's rocafella beats came from kanye west or just blaze
skyizdalimit6539 so dope Kayne did that I had no idea learn something new everyday 😍
Word
And directed the video
The fire marshal fell through the roof 😂😂😂
The golden age of Rap music.
r.i.p.
no way
90s
The Internet Troll you have something against the 90s 🖕
Hailee Kruse no dumb bitch I said the 90s is the golden age of rap 🖕🏽
"The owner already pissed cuz we sorta late..But our time & our clothes gotta co-ordinate" RIP John Witherspoon!!!
Miss the old times when Hip Hop and Rap were good like this...
Ludacris is always rapping straight fire in all his jams.
I never tire of this beat. Luda’s *songs from the 2000s keep getting fresher & hotter as the years go by. Forgot how crazy the bass was on this 💿🔊
Actually it was produced by Ye. I swear I always find your comment on every music video. Btw I'm one of ur subscribers.
i miss this level of ridiculousness
Psychic9008 Me too. The creativity in Hip Hop at one point was incredible.
I miss it too! Missy Elliott & Busta Rhymes were also good at adding ridiculousness to their videos.
J
This is when music videos, especially Hip-Hop videos could be fun
Some would say it was.. Ludacris.
2003 was the most groundbreaking year of the 2000s
Yup right along with 2004
With Beautiful of snoop and pharell.
2003 was lit AF
Paul Mbele Ye-Through the wire, you don’t know my name - Alicia keys, Beyoncé’s first album, 50’s first album, OutKast’s album, Neptunes we’re running the game etc.
Be clear please,actually I'm a frenchspoken.
The part I bet you came for 2:25
'Do it now cause tomorrow ain't promised today'!
- Ludacris
Luda so under rated. People know him only from his mainstream songs. He was a great lyricist just listen to his albums
2009-2022: nice music
2023: big shoe
More like 1979-2008
timeless classic
Ye Produced This Timeless Hit 💎🙅🏿♂️
Shawnna looked so damn fine here. What a moment in time. All the cameos, all the people who are still around and who aren't. Good shit.
LOOL THIS VIDEO IS OUTRAGOUS!!!
Lmao exactly
You mean its LUDACRIS!!!
Big Shoe LMFAO goes hard 🗣️🔥🔥
Fr 🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🥶🥶🥶🥶
Thank you to that Google commercial for bringing me back here 😭😭
Kanye was in his bag when he made this beat
As a child I couldn't wait to see Ludacris videos they was the best out there he honestly was on a level that no one can compete with 💯💯🔥
This song has the most memorable verses in all of hip hop. I can wrap this s*** word for word!
2:25 This part is the reason why I watched this video
this beat is hard. Men I Miss The Old Kanye. he's still my favorite rapper and producer'' One Love Ludacris
One of the best years of my life! This song brings back so many memories.... Miss this era soooooo much
The movado commercial brought me back 😊
Samsung flip phone advert brought me back to this song after 10 years😅
dude i just heard him say "lit" and this was released in 2003..
LUDA started the word lit.
whoa.. kanye at 2:23. lookin like college dropout..
lol he do
Kanye did the beat. Back then, if he did a track for somebody he was in the video. Might’ve been in his contract, he was still just building his buzz 🤣🤣🤣
Kanye did come out with his album The College Dropout about a year after this video 🤷🏾♀️
I heard Tupac say the work 'Gassed' in a song, and Parliment Funk use the word 'Twerk' in a song too
1:42 Scooter Braun lmao
THE BIG ASS SHOE THO 🔥🔥🔥
To understand when Ludacris said "when I move you move, just like that" is crazy work
Notice how Luda used today’s popular slang 16 years ago. Dude is a trendsetter.
Luda is one hella of a brilliant hip hop singer hes a dirty south icon and a dope rapper .. check out his rap city freestyles .. talanted AF
Gotta love the comment section I thought I was the only one to notice that! I literally replayed that line to triple check he said "he's LIT and he don't care what noone thinks" over a decade ago 🤯
you mean white people started imitating black folks' vernacular 16 years later
You meant people TODAY use Ludas slang .... what first ? egg or chicken ? smh
@@PokeyStix lmao fr I’m white but those phrases didn’t become popular until white people started using them but u can just tell from hip hop black people have been using that slang for decades now lol
I remember when Luda came to my island for our music festival...he was so surprised that we knew his songs...the guy is a legend.
Which island? The Caribbean?
I miss the old version of Luda, like if you watching this 2015!
3/23/2024: Tuned-in to lift my spirits💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾!!!!
I'm sure Luda is laughing his lungs out when he watches this madness he done back then😂🤣
😂😂😂
Absolutely!
😂🤣😂
Haha
Luda is very creative and innovative on his MVs and raps
Kanye west on the beat, Yeezy been a beast on them keys for ages.
ludacris was dope and funny af as a rapper lol
They don’t make em like this no more! Fire 🔥
I swear Luda is a lyrical genius... All his catalogs KILL! SALUTE Ludacris 💯
Let’s bring this type of rap back!!!!
A C yeaaah!!
Facts
2:22 That 1 second of Kanye was much better than the entire "Bound 2" video.
2024?🚴🚴
I'm surprised this hasn't got at least 100M views. This was a true classic back in the day
This mans music has amped me up my whole life! I grew up with it, danced to it and all! Im a young woman born in 1992 so He was a huge part of my childhood! From his music to fast and furious series and his iconic Afro and braids! Nothing but good memories when it comes to Luda! Thank You! I’m modeling now so hopefully I’ll get a proper introduction soon! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Did I just catch Lauren London in this video? 😩
luda been in my top 10 for a minute. slept on by every one of these so called "top 10" hip hop lists. paved the way for artists to be "corny" and still be an artist. first gangster rapper to be 'himself'