Translation of "Nuthin' but a G Thang" into academic English
For some time, I have wanted to translate hip hop songs from African American vernacular English, into academic English. Here is the first of such translations. . .Enjoy!
Artist: Dr. Dre f/ Snoop Doggy Dogg
Album: The Chronic
Song: Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang
Typed by: OHHLA Webmaster DJ Flash
[Snoop Doggy Dogg]
One, two, three and to the fo'
Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre is at the do'
T: Snoop Doggy Dog and Dr. Dre are here
Ready to make an entrance, so back on up
(cause you know we're bout to rip shit up)
T: the manner in which we make our entrance is abrubt, and flashy
Gimme the microphone first, so I can bust like a bubble
Compton and Long Beach together, now you know you in trouble
T: Hand me the microphone please, I wish to demonstrate my propensity for rhyming, and moreover, indicate the affinity that Long Beach and Compton have for one another. When these two great cities combine their strengths, they can cause you much strife
Ain't nuttin but a G thang, baaaaabay!
Two loc'ed out niggaz so we're craaaaazay!
T: Forsooth, this is a gangster existence! We are indeed two insane young men who are quite mad
Death Row is the label that paaaaays me!
Unfadeable, so please don't try to fade this (Hell yeah!)
T: My principal source of revenue is Death Row Records. You may wish to diminish my greatness, but my greatness cannot be diminished
But uhh, back to the lecture at hand
Perfection is perfected, so I'ma let em understand
from a young G's perspective
T: Back to the matter at hand. I wish for you to understand, that I am perfection personified. I wish to offer you my opinion, which of course is that of a youthful gangster.
And before me dig out a bitch I have to find a contraceptive
T: Before copulating, I must always procure a prophylactic
You never know she could be earnin her man
and learnin her man -- and at the same time burnin her man
T: A prospective female sexual partner could be afflicted with STD's, and spreading them about to the men she shows her favors to.
Now you know I ain't with that shit, Lieutenant
Ain't no pussy good enough to get burnt while I'm up in it
(YEAH!) And that's realer than Real-Deal Holyfield
And now you hookers and hoes know how I feel
T: I am vehemently opposed to the prospect of contracting VD! No vagina is of such merit, that it is worthwhile for one's member to contract VD whilst inside of it. I assure you, I say this in earnest. Now you trollops and strumpets know how I feel.
Well if it's good enough to get broke off a proper chunk
I'll take a small piece of some of that funky stuff
T: If a woman's vagina is sufficiently free of VD, that one might feel quite confident in inserting one's member, I will indeed be interested in copulating with that woman..
[Dr. Dre and Snoop]
It's like this and like that and like this and uh
It's like that and like this and like that and uh
It's like this and like that and like this and uh
[S] Dre, creep to the mic like a phantom
[Dr. Dre]
Well I'm peepin, and I'm creepin, and I'm creep-in
But I damn near got caught, cause my beeper kept beepin
T: I was moving about clandestinely, but my presence was nearly revealed as a consequence of my electronic pager device emitting 'beep' sounds
Now it's time for me to make my impression felt
So sit back, relax, and strap on your seatbelt
T: Please prepare yourself, I wish to impress upon you my aptitude in several areas of skill
You never been on a ride like this befo'
with a producer who can rap and control the maestro
T: I am quite adept at both producing, and rhyming
At the same time with the dope rhyme that I kick
You know, and I know, I flow some ol funky shit
T: My rhymes are indeed dazzingly impressive, and sometimes, they hearken back to the days of antiquity
to add to my collection, the selection
symbolizes dope, take a toke, but don't choke
If you do, you'll have no clue
on what me and my homey Snoop Dogg came to do
T: There is a chance that you may misinterpret the meaning of our rhymes if you are not an avid user of marijuana
[Dr. Dre and Snoop]
It's like this and like that and like this and uh
It's like that and like this and like that and uh
It's like this
[D] And who gives a fuck about those?
[S] So just chill, til the next episode
{*funky sample break*}
[Snoop Doggy Dogg]
Fallin back on that ass, with a hellafied gangsta lean
Gettin funky on the mic like a old batch of collard greens
T: One of my favorite past times is sitting upon women's posteriors. Once again, I must re-iterate my impressive rhyming proficiency
It's the capital S, oh yes I'm fresh, N double-O P
D O double-G Y, D O double-G, ya see
T: I am known as Snoop Doggy Dogg
Showin much flex when it's time to wreck a mic
Pimpin hoes and clockin a grip like my name was Dolomite
T: My skills on the microphone are colossal. When describing my abilities of pimping and monetary accrual, the great blaxpoitation character "Dolomite" comes to one's mind
Yeah, and it don't quit
I think they in the mood for some motherfuckin G shit
T: We are quite persistent. I think our listeners are favorably inclined towards gangster themed music
(Hell yeah!) So Dre (Whattup Dogg?)
Gotta give em what they want (What's that, G?)
We gotta break em off somethin (Hell yeah!)
And it's gotta be bumpin (City of Compton!)
T: We like to satisfy our listeners, also, we are very much identify with Compton
[Dr. Dre]
It's where it takes place so when asked, yo' attention
Mobbin like a muh'fucker, but I ain't lynchin
T: Your attention please, we are cruising about quite habitually, but at the present time we aren't endeavoring to kill anyone.
Droppin the funky shit that's makin the sucka niggaz mumble
When I'm on the mic, it's like a cookie, they all crumble
T: When exposed to my superb rhyming capabilities, men of inferior caliber cannot express their disdain for me. When I am on the microphone, these men become distraught, and fall apart.
Try to get close, and your ass'll get smacked
My motherfuckin homie Doggy Dogg has got my back
T: Attempt to accost us, and we will physically attack you. Snoop Doggy Dogg aids in my defense and general welfare.
Never let me slip, cause if I slip, then I'm slippin
But if I got my Nina, then you know I'm straight trippin
T: I mustn't be allowed to miss important details, as unfavorable consequences could result. If I have my nine millimeter handgun, then you can be quite certain that I am incensed
And I'ma continue to put the rap down, put the mack down
And if you bitches talk shit, I'll have to put the smack down
T: I will indeed persist in rhyming, and pimping, and if you weaklings malign me, I will physically assault you.
Yeah, and you don't stop
I told you I'm just like a clock when I tick and I tock
T: I am quite persistent, and rhythmic, in much the same manner as a clock.
But I'm never off, always on, to the break of dawn
C-O-M-P-T-O-N, and the city they call Long Beach
Puttin the shit together
Like my nigga D.O.C., "No One Can Do it Better"
T: Again, I am quite persistent, and moreover, fond of merriment. I very much identify with the cities of Compton and Long Beach, the forces of which are combining strength. It is much as my associate D.O.C. once remarked, "No one can do it better"
[Dr. Dre and Snoop]
Like this, that and this and uh
It's like that and like this and like that and uh
It's like this
[D] And who gives a fuck about those?
[S] So just chill, til the next episode
{*funky sample break*} -> repeat 3X
Artist: Dr. Dre f/ Snoop Doggy Dogg
Album: The Chronic
Song: Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang
Typed by: OHHLA Webmaster DJ Flash
[Snoop Doggy Dogg]
One, two, three and to the fo'
Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre is at the do'
T: Snoop Doggy Dog and Dr. Dre are here
Ready to make an entrance, so back on up
(cause you know we're bout to rip shit up)
T: the manner in which we make our entrance is abrubt, and flashy
Gimme the microphone first, so I can bust like a bubble
Compton and Long Beach together, now you know you in trouble
T: Hand me the microphone please, I wish to demonstrate my propensity for rhyming, and moreover, indicate the affinity that Long Beach and Compton have for one another. When these two great cities combine their strengths, they can cause you much strife
Ain't nuttin but a G thang, baaaaabay!
Two loc'ed out niggaz so we're craaaaazay!
T: Forsooth, this is a gangster existence! We are indeed two insane young men who are quite mad
Death Row is the label that paaaaays me!
Unfadeable, so please don't try to fade this (Hell yeah!)
T: My principal source of revenue is Death Row Records. You may wish to diminish my greatness, but my greatness cannot be diminished
But uhh, back to the lecture at hand
Perfection is perfected, so I'ma let em understand
from a young G's perspective
T: Back to the matter at hand. I wish for you to understand, that I am perfection personified. I wish to offer you my opinion, which of course is that of a youthful gangster.
And before me dig out a bitch I have to find a contraceptive
T: Before copulating, I must always procure a prophylactic
You never know she could be earnin her man
and learnin her man -- and at the same time burnin her man
T: A prospective female sexual partner could be afflicted with STD's, and spreading them about to the men she shows her favors to.
Now you know I ain't with that shit, Lieutenant
Ain't no pussy good enough to get burnt while I'm up in it
(YEAH!) And that's realer than Real-Deal Holyfield
And now you hookers and hoes know how I feel
T: I am vehemently opposed to the prospect of contracting VD! No vagina is of such merit, that it is worthwhile for one's member to contract VD whilst inside of it. I assure you, I say this in earnest. Now you trollops and strumpets know how I feel.
Well if it's good enough to get broke off a proper chunk
I'll take a small piece of some of that funky stuff
T: If a woman's vagina is sufficiently free of VD, that one might feel quite confident in inserting one's member, I will indeed be interested in copulating with that woman..
[Dr. Dre and Snoop]
It's like this and like that and like this and uh
It's like that and like this and like that and uh
It's like this and like that and like this and uh
[S] Dre, creep to the mic like a phantom
[Dr. Dre]
Well I'm peepin, and I'm creepin, and I'm creep-in
But I damn near got caught, cause my beeper kept beepin
T: I was moving about clandestinely, but my presence was nearly revealed as a consequence of my electronic pager device emitting 'beep' sounds
Now it's time for me to make my impression felt
So sit back, relax, and strap on your seatbelt
T: Please prepare yourself, I wish to impress upon you my aptitude in several areas of skill
You never been on a ride like this befo'
with a producer who can rap and control the maestro
T: I am quite adept at both producing, and rhyming
At the same time with the dope rhyme that I kick
You know, and I know, I flow some ol funky shit
T: My rhymes are indeed dazzingly impressive, and sometimes, they hearken back to the days of antiquity
to add to my collection, the selection
symbolizes dope, take a toke, but don't choke
If you do, you'll have no clue
on what me and my homey Snoop Dogg came to do
T: There is a chance that you may misinterpret the meaning of our rhymes if you are not an avid user of marijuana
[Dr. Dre and Snoop]
It's like this and like that and like this and uh
It's like that and like this and like that and uh
It's like this
[D] And who gives a fuck about those?
[S] So just chill, til the next episode
{*funky sample break*}
[Snoop Doggy Dogg]
Fallin back on that ass, with a hellafied gangsta lean
Gettin funky on the mic like a old batch of collard greens
T: One of my favorite past times is sitting upon women's posteriors. Once again, I must re-iterate my impressive rhyming proficiency
It's the capital S, oh yes I'm fresh, N double-O P
D O double-G Y, D O double-G, ya see
T: I am known as Snoop Doggy Dogg
Showin much flex when it's time to wreck a mic
Pimpin hoes and clockin a grip like my name was Dolomite
T: My skills on the microphone are colossal. When describing my abilities of pimping and monetary accrual, the great blaxpoitation character "Dolomite" comes to one's mind
Yeah, and it don't quit
I think they in the mood for some motherfuckin G shit
T: We are quite persistent. I think our listeners are favorably inclined towards gangster themed music
(Hell yeah!) So Dre (Whattup Dogg?)
Gotta give em what they want (What's that, G?)
We gotta break em off somethin (Hell yeah!)
And it's gotta be bumpin (City of Compton!)
T: We like to satisfy our listeners, also, we are very much identify with Compton
[Dr. Dre]
It's where it takes place so when asked, yo' attention
Mobbin like a muh'fucker, but I ain't lynchin
T: Your attention please, we are cruising about quite habitually, but at the present time we aren't endeavoring to kill anyone.
Droppin the funky shit that's makin the sucka niggaz mumble
When I'm on the mic, it's like a cookie, they all crumble
T: When exposed to my superb rhyming capabilities, men of inferior caliber cannot express their disdain for me. When I am on the microphone, these men become distraught, and fall apart.
Try to get close, and your ass'll get smacked
My motherfuckin homie Doggy Dogg has got my back
T: Attempt to accost us, and we will physically attack you. Snoop Doggy Dogg aids in my defense and general welfare.
Never let me slip, cause if I slip, then I'm slippin
But if I got my Nina, then you know I'm straight trippin
T: I mustn't be allowed to miss important details, as unfavorable consequences could result. If I have my nine millimeter handgun, then you can be quite certain that I am incensed
And I'ma continue to put the rap down, put the mack down
And if you bitches talk shit, I'll have to put the smack down
T: I will indeed persist in rhyming, and pimping, and if you weaklings malign me, I will physically assault you.
Yeah, and you don't stop
I told you I'm just like a clock when I tick and I tock
T: I am quite persistent, and rhythmic, in much the same manner as a clock.
But I'm never off, always on, to the break of dawn
C-O-M-P-T-O-N, and the city they call Long Beach
Puttin the shit together
Like my nigga D.O.C., "No One Can Do it Better"
T: Again, I am quite persistent, and moreover, fond of merriment. I very much identify with the cities of Compton and Long Beach, the forces of which are combining strength. It is much as my associate D.O.C. once remarked, "No one can do it better"
[Dr. Dre and Snoop]
Like this, that and this and uh
It's like that and like this and like that and uh
It's like this
[D] And who gives a fuck about those?
[S] So just chill, til the next episode
{*funky sample break*} -> repeat 3X