G Rap began working with DJ Polo in 1986, releasing several underground hit singles including "It's a Demo"/"I'm Fly." Two other singles, "Streets of New York" and "Road to the Riches," received heavy rotation on Yo! MTV Raps and cemented his reputation as one of New York's top lyrical auteurs. His talent for telling a compelling, hard-luck story in a single song was considered second to only that of Rakim. While G Rap grew in popularity, he never crossed over like Biz Markie or Big Daddy Kane, both also members of the Juice Crew.
G Rap began a solo career in the mid-1990s, released 4,5,6. This and subsequent LPs saw little attention from critics or consumers, and G Rap began collaborating with others. Signing to Rawkus Records, G Rap launched a comeback with 2002's The Giancana Story. "Giancana" also is said by Kool G Rap to be the "G" in his name in the song "Drama". The album was well-received without commercial success.
In 2008 he released Half a Klip on Chinga Chang Records, featuring production from DJ Premier and Marley Marl, among others. His 2011 album Riches, Royalty, Respect showcased his true to form style and lyricism.
Fast Life
Kool G Rap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Distribution, New York, Chicago, L.A.
We gotta set our own market, and enforce it
Champagne wishes and caviar dreams
A team that's gettin' C.R.E.A.M
With sales of fishscales from triple beams
I gleam, livin' the live of Riley, packin' fifty cali's
Up in casinos, just me and my dino primo
Pushin' Bimm-o's, then parlay in Reno with two fly Latinos
Nas, he runs the whole staff
We count math from steam baths
We've seen a half a milli dashin' out there on the Queens half
Three major players gettin' papers by the layers
And those that betray us on the block get rocked like Amadeus
Fakers get used as shootin' targets soon as the dark hits
Front on the drug market, bodies get rolled up in a carpet
Those that cheat us try to beat us, we got hookers with heaters
That'll stray pop and put more shells in your top than Adidas
The leaders lookin' straight charmin' in our Giorgio Armani's
You wanna harm me and Nas?
You gots to come get through a whole army
The cee-lo rollers, money folders, sippin' Bolla, holdin' mad payola
Slangin' that coke without the Cola
Me and black don't fake jax, but we might sling one
It ain't no shame in our game, we do our thing, son
Livin' the fast life with fast cars
Everywhere we go, people know who we are
A team from outta Queens with the American Dream
So we're plottin' up a scheme to get the seven-figure cream
Livin' the fast life with fast cars
Everywhere we go, people know who we are
A team from outta Queens with the American Dream
So we're plottin' up a scheme to get the seven-figure cream
Yo, I got guns from Italy, smoke trees considerably
Mid-state and Green it seems is where all my niggas be
The ghetto misery, shootouts and liquor stores
A perpendicular angle of the clout war
Police searchin' up my Lexo, but who's petro?
My TEC blows straight off the roof and tests yo' respect, though
But dough don't respect me, it got me handcuffed
The rough life, I just be up nights, breathin' with scuffed Nike's
Pour my beers for my peoples under the stairs
These years, I got they names in my swears
Poppin' Cristal like it's my first child, lickin' shots holiday style
Rockin' Steele sweaters, Wallabee down
Twenty-four carats, countin' cabbage like the Arabs
The marriage of me and the mic is just like magic
Elegant performance, bubble Lex full insurance
Guzzlin' Guinness, shootin', catchin' cases concurrent
It's Nas, seven hundred wives, King Solomon size
We on the rise, me and G, ghetto wise guys
The Luciano, Frankie Yale, Bugsy Seagal
Green papers with eagles from a trade that's illegal
Brother, you've got to make it happen
Yeah, yeah, get this money, yeah
Brother, you've got to make it happen
When you're living in the fast life, hey, yeah, yeah
Ayo, our lifestyle's exquisite, yayo like a blizzard
Esquire attire standin' on ground with one pivot
Two players rockin' silk blazers and diamonds like glaciers
Lands with name brand seats, reclinin' like it's spacious
Bodies on ice, livin' trife, rollin' fixed up dice
Gamblin' Grants, handlin' stamps, moves are sheist
My bankrolls got the cops comin' in plainclothes
Tryna arraign our gang 'cause of our fame
That's how the game goes (true)
Right out the slammer with the fame and glamor
Cookin' up grams with Arm & Hammer
Supplyin' scramblers in Alabama
Rub out faces and leave no traces
My aces got mad body cases, preserve spaces at the horse races
Servin' us Dom, Veuve Clicquot
Dimes look magnifico, puttin' a cut inside perico
Heat for foes, shoppin' sprees with my fleet for clothes
In Caribbean suites deep, rippin' beats with flows
Ayo, we went from standin' on blocks without some socks
Sellin' rocks, to pickin' up stocks in boat docks with Glocks
And got poppy seed fields with million dollar bills
Packin' all the blue steel, we keeps it real inside the battlefield
Yeah, so here's a toast to the funds and things
Gun smokes in rings, graveyards is buried with kings
Livin' the fast life with fast cars
Everywhere we go, people know who we are
A team from outta Queens with the American Dream
So we're plottin' up a scheme to get the seven-figure cream
Livin' the fast life with fast cars
Everywhere we go, people know who we are
A team from outta Queens with the American Dream
So we're plottin' up a scheme to get the seven-figure cream
Brother, I got to make it happen
Yes, get this money, yo
You know I got to make it happen
Yes, get this money, yo
Livin' in the fast life
I'm livin' in the fast life
Livin' in the fast life, oh yeah, ayy
Livin' in the fast life
Livin' in the fast life
In Kool G Rap's song "Fast Life", the lyrics talk about the singer and his crew expanding their drug operation across the United States, from New York to Chicago and L.A. They plan to set their own market and enforce it, making a lot of money in the process. The song talks about their expensive lifestyles, with "champagne wishes of caviar dreams" and "roddy packin' fifty calis, rockin' lizard Bally's," revealing their high-end choices. They brag about frequenting casinos and making drug deals in dark alleys, discussing their association with Latino drug dealers.
The chorus repeats that they are living the fast life, driving fast cars, and people know who they are wherever they go. They are from Queens and have the American dream, always plotting up schemes to get the seven-figure cream. The verses talk about their criminal activities, from smuggling guns from Italy, shooting up liquor stores, getting handcuffed by the police, to gambling, handling stamp moves, preserving spaces at horse races, and so on. They talk about their riches and how their association with drugs brings them respect and fear. The last verse talks about their rise from selling drugs on the blocks to the poppy seed fields with million dollar bills, packing all the blue steel and keeping it real inside the battlefield, making toasts to funds and things while gunsmokes and rings surround them.
Line by Line Meaning
The time has come, we gotta expand, the whole operation
It is time for us to grow and expand our business operations.
Distribution, New York, to Chicago, L.A.
We need to establish our market and distribute our products across New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
We gotta set our own market, and enforce it
We must establish and protect our own market, ensuring that we have control over it.
Champagne wishes of caviar dreams, a penis didn't cream
We have extravagant desires and aspirations, but we have not yet achieved them.
With sales of fish scales from triple beams I gleam
We make a lot of money selling drugs, specifically cocaine, and that makes us shine.
Livin' the live of rowdy packin' fifty cali's
Our lifestyle is full of excitement and danger, always carrying powerful firearms.
Rockin' lizard Bally's while we do our drug deal in a dark alley
We wear expensive Lizard skin footwear while conducting illegal drug transactions in dark, hidden locations.
Up in casinos just me and my dino primo
I go to casinos with my close friend who is referred to as 'dino primo'.
Pushin' beam-o's then parlay in Reno with two fly Latinos
After selling cocaine, we gamble and relax in Reno with two attractive Latin women.
Nas, he runs the whole staff, we count mad for seen bad
Nas, a fellow rapper, is in charge of our crew, and we bravely count a lot of money.
We've seen a half a milli dashin' out there on the Queens half
We have witnessed and made a lot of money while running through the streets of Queens.
Three major players gettin' papers by the layers
The three of us, as significant figures in the drug trade, are making money in large amounts.
And those that portray us on the block get rocked like Domateus
Anyone who tries to imitate or impersonate us on the street will face severe consequences and violence.
Fakers get used to shootin' targets, soon as the dark hits
In the darkness, impostors become accustomed to being targeted and shot by us.
Front on the drug market, bodies get rolled up in a carpet
If someone interferes with our drug trade, they will end up dead and wrapped in a carpet.
Those that cheat us try to beat us we got hookers with heaters
Anyone who tries to deceive or cheat us will face the wrath of our armed prostitutes.
That'll stray pop and put more shells in your top than Adidas
These armed prostitutes will shoot and put more bullets in your head than the number of stripes on Adidas shoes.
Da leaders, lookin' straight crimy in our Giorgio Armani's
As leaders, we maintain our criminal demeanor while wearing expensive Giorgio Armani clothing.
You wanna harm me and Nas you gots ta come get through a whole army
If anyone wants to harm me or Nas, they will have to face our entire group, resembling an army.
The celo rollers money folders sippin' bola holdin' mad payola
We, the organized criminals, count large amounts of money while sipping brandy and holding vast amounts of illicit cash.
Slangin' a Coke without the Cola
We sell cocaine without any added substances.
Me and black don't fake jacks but we might sling one
My collaborator and I do not engage in deceptive practices, but we might carry and sell a handgun.
It ain't no shame in our game we do our thing son
We have no regrets or shame in our illicit activities, as this is our way of life.
Livin' the fast life, in fast cars
We are living a fast-paced, extravagant lifestyle, driving expensive cars.
Everywhere we go, people know who we are
We have gained significant recognition and fame, and people recognize us wherever we go.
A team from out of Queens with the American dream
We are a group originating from Queens who are striving to achieve the American dream.
So we're plottin' up a scheme to get the seven figure cream
We are devising a plan to acquire vast amounts of money, reaching a total of seven figures.
Yo I got, guns from Italy, smoke trees, considerably
I possess firearms imported from Italy and frequently smoke marijuana.
Mid-state and Green it seems, is where all my niggaz be
It appears that many of my associates can be found in the Mid-state and Green areas.
The ghetto misery, shootouts and liquor stores
Living in the impoverished neighborhood brings about distress, including gunfights and reliance on liquor stores.
A perpendicular, angle of the clout war
Participating in a power struggle results in conflicts fought from opposing directions.
Police searchin' up my Lex over who's petrol
Law enforcement officers inspecting my luxury car, suspecting me of possessing stolen gasoline.
My tech blows straight off the roof and tests yo' respect though
I use my firearm as a threat to assert dominance and test your level of respect for me.
But dough don't respect me, it got me handcuffed
Despite having wealth, money does not command respect and instead puts me in a vulnerable position.
The rough life, I just be up nights, breathin' with scuffed Nike's
My life is filled with hardship, causing me to stay awake at night, struggling while wearing worn-out Nike shoes.
Pour my beers for my peoples under the stairs
I raise a glass of beer to honor and remember my friends who live in poverty under the staircases.
These years I got they names in my swears
I mention the names of my friends in my prayers and promises.
Poppin' Cristal like it's my first child, lickin' shots, holiday style
Celebrating with expensive Cristal champagne as if it is a precious child, firing rounds of gunshots, reminiscent of holiday celebrations.
Rockin' Steele sweaters, Wallaby down
Wearing fashionable Steele brand sweaters and comfortable Wallaby shoes.
Twenty-four carats, countin' cabbage, like the Arabs
Possessing pure gold, counting stacks of money, emulating the extravagant wealth of Arabs.
The marriage of me and the mic is just like magic
My connection and performance with the microphone is incredibly powerful and enchanting.
Elegant performance, bubble Lex full insurance
I deliver a sophisticated and captivating performance while driving a luxurious Lexus with complete insurance coverage.
Guzzlin' Guinness shootin' catchin' cases concurrent
I drink Guinness beer excessively, indulging in alcohol while engaging in illegal activities simultaneously.
It's Nas, seven hundred wives, King Solomon size
My colleague Nas has a metaphorical reference to King Solomon, renowned for having many wives.
We on the rise, me and G, ghetto wise guys
Both Nas and I, being street-smart individuals, are steadily increasing our status and influence.
The Luciano Frankie Aiel, Bugsy Seagal
Referring to ourselves as legendary figures in organized crime like Luciano, Frankie Aiel, and Bugsy Seagal.
Green papers with eagles from a tray that's illegal
Handling illegal drugs and money, associating the green currency with the emblem of an eagle.
Brother you've got to make it happen
My friend, it is imperative for you to achieve success.
When you're living in the fast life
While living a fast-paced and extravagant lifestyle.
Aiyyo my lifestyle's exquisite, yayo like a blizzard
My lifestyle is luxurious and extravagant, similar to the effect of a blizzard caused by cocaine.
It's choir attire standin' on ground with one pivot
I wear elegant clothing, resembling a choir ensemble, while firmly standing my ground and remaining steadfast.
Two players rockin' silk blazers and diamonds like glaciers
My partner and I wear stylish silk blazers and dazzle with diamond accessories, sparkling like glaciers.
Lands with name brand seats reclinin' like in spaceships
We occupy luxury vehicles with branded seats that recline, resembling the comfort of a spaceship.
Bodies on ice
We are responsible for putting dead bodies on ice, indicating our involvement in violence and murder.
Livin' trife, rollin' fixed up dice
We live recklessly, engaging in illegal activities, and manipulate the outcome of rigged dice games.
Gamblin' Grants
We gamble large sums of money.
Handlin' stamps
We are involved in the distribution and handling of illegal drugs.
Moves are sheist
Our actions and strategies are deceitful and cunning.
My bankrolls, got the cops comin' in plain clothes
My large amounts of money attract undercover police officers to investigate me.
Tryin' to arraign again cause of our fame that's how the game goes
Law enforcement attempts to arrest us due to our fame and notoriety; such is the nature of the game.
True
What I just said is a fact.
Right out the slammer with the fame and glamor
Immediately upon being released from jail, I regained my fame and glamorous lifestyle.
Cookin' up grams with Arm & Hammer supplyin' scramblers in Alabama
I am involved in the production of crack cocaine using baking soda while also providing drug dealers in Alabama with their supply.
Rub out faces and leave no traces
We eliminate individuals by killing them and ensuring no evidence or traces are left behind.
My aces got mad body cases, preserve spaces at the horse races
My closest associates have been involved in numerous murders, securing lucrative spots at horse races while avoiding suspicion.
Servin' us Dom P my cliquo
Our group is being served Dom Perignon champagne.
Dimes with magnifico, puttin' in cut inside perico
We are in the presence of attractive women while sharing and distributing high-quality cocaine.
Heat for foes, shoppin' sprees with my fleet for clothes
We are armed with firearms to confront enemies and enjoy shopping sprees to buy fashionable clothing.
In Caribbean suites, deep, rippin' beats with flows
We stay in luxurious suites in the Caribbean, engaging in deep conversations and delivering impressive rap performances.
Aiyyo, we went from standin' on blocks, without some socks
We have progressed from standing on street corners, lacking basic necessities like socks.
Sellin' rocks, to pickin' up stock and boat docks with Glocks
We have transitioned from selling drugs on the streets to acquiring stocks and engaging in illegal activities involving firearms.
And got poppy seed fields with million dollar bills
We possess vast opium farming fields, generating immense profits.
Packin' all the blue steel we keeps it real inside the battlefield
We carry firearms, particularly handguns, in order to stay true to our criminal lifestyle and protect ourselves in dangerous situations.
Yeah so here's a toast to the funds and things
Let's raise a glass in celebration of wealth and material possessions.
Gun smokes in rings, graveyards is buried with kings
Our guns release smoke as we fire, metaphorically associating gunfights with royalty and death.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Anthony Best, Bernard Jackson, David Conley, David Townsend, Nasir Jones, Nathaniel Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HDitzzDH
G Rap's rhyme-scheme on the first verse, my fucking god..
1. "Eam" (dreams, team, cream, gleam)
2. "Ali" (riley, calis, bally's, alley)
3. "Ino" (casinos, dino, primo, beam-o's, Reno, latinos)
4. "Aff" (staff, math, baths, half)
5. "Ay" (major, players, papers, layers, portray-us, Amadeus, fakers)
6. "Ar" (targets, dark-hits, market, carpet)
7. "E" (cheat-us, beat-us, heaters, Adidas, Da-leaders)
8. "Ar/Me" (Armani's, harm-me, army)
9. "Ol" (Cee-lo rollers, folders, Bolla, payola, Cola)
10. "Ack" (black, jacks)
11. "Ing" (Slanging, sling, thing)
12. "One" (one, son)
13. "Ame" (shame, game)
I probably missed many rhyme patterns but fuck it.
@jkbzz
The first verse on this song is greater than 99.9% of rappers entire careers.
Kool G remains one of my favorite of all time.
@georgemaxwell3467
Easily...
@felipe3354
You’re not wrong
@BudsCartoon
Any good albums you can put me on? I've seen him for years in my real Giancana research.
@felipe3354
Anybody who wants to hear a Kool G verse that you haven’t ever heard. He did a bonus track on Diabolic’s album Liar and a Thief back in 2010. Just type in “Diabolic cursed” and you’ll get it.
@cori3093
That opening verse from G rap..... gotta be up there with one of the best verses of all time!!! Insane
@spencerdoss1571
3 major players getting papers by the layers, and those that portray us on the block man they rock like Amadeus
@simonpitt4080
Don’t get the end of that line about Amadeus anyone
@YoungShadTv
@Simon Pitt it's a song by falco came out in the 80s
@Clint_tha_great
Song by Falco called “Rock me Amadeus”