Ten Crack Commandments
Biggie Smalls Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴(Chuck D) One two three four five six seven eight nine

Uhh, it's the ten crack commandments
What, uhh, uhh
Nigga can't tell me nothin bout this coke, uh-huh
Can't tell me nothin bout this crack, this weed
To my hustlin niggaz
Niggaz on the corner I ain't forget you niggaz

My triple beam niggaz, word up

(Chuck D) One two three four five six seven eight nine
TEN

I been in this game for years, it made me a animal
It's rules to this shit, I wrote me a manual
A step by step booklet for you to get
your game on track, not your wig pushed back

Rule nombre uno: never let no one know
how much, dough you hold, cause you know
The cheddar breed jealousy 'specially
if that man fucked up, get your ass stuck up

Number two: never let em know your next move
Don't you know Bad Boys move in silence or violence
Take it from your highness (uh-huh)
I done squeezed mad clips at these cats for they bricks and chips

Number three: never trust no-bo-dy
Your moms'll set that ass up, properly gassed up
Hoodie to mask up, shit, for that fast buck
she be layin in the bushes to light that ass up

Number four: know you heard this before
Never get high, on your own supply

Number five: never sell no crack where you rest at
I don't care if they want a' ounce, tell 'em bounce

Number six: that god damn credit, dead it
You think a crackhead payin you back, shit forget it

Seven: this rule is so underrated
Keep your family and business completely seperated
Money and blood don't mix like two dicks and no bitch
Find yourself in serious shit

Number eight: never keep no weight on you
Them cats that squeeze your guns can hold jobs too

Number nine shoulda been number one to me
If you ain't gettin bags stay the fuck from police (uh-huh)
If niggaz think you snitchin ain't tryin listen
They be sittin in your kitchen, waitin to start hittin

Number ten: a strong word called consignment
Strictly for live men, not for freshmen
If you ain't got the clientele say hell no
Cause they gon want they money rain sleet hail snow

Follow these rules you'll have mad bread to break up
If not, twenty-four years, on the wake up
Slug hit your temple, watch your frame shake up
Caretaker did your makeup, when you pass
Your girl fucked my man Jake up, heard in three weeks
she sniffed a whole half of cake up
Heard she suck a good dick, and can hook a steak up
Gotta go gotta go, more pies to bake up, word up, uhh

Crack king, Frank Blizzard
Uhh

(Chuck D) One two three four five six seven eight nine
Ten

Overall Meaning

The song Ten Crack Commandments by Biggie Smalls, also known as The Notorious B.I.G., is an influential piece of hip-hop music that provides insights into the world of drug dealing. In the song, Biggie provides a list of ten rules for hustlers to follow in order to stay safe and successful in the world of drug dealing. The song is a testament to the realities of the drug trade, illustrating how dangerous and treacherous the business can be.

The first rule Biggie lays out is to never let anyone know how much money you have because jealousy breeds trouble. He goes on to emphasize the importance of keeping one’s moves and plans to oneself, not trusting anyone, and never getting high on one’s own supply. Biggie also cautions against selling drugs where you live, warns against extending credit to addicts, and stresses the importance of keeping business and family separate. He advises against keeping drugs on one’s person and encourages dealers to stay away from the police. Finally, he recommends that only experienced dealers should get into the consignment game.

Ten Crack Commandments is notable not only for its stark portrayal of the illegal drug trade but also for its influence on hip-hop. The song has been sampled by numerous artists and has been used in movies and TV shows. It is widely regarded as one of Biggie Smalls’ greatest hits and remains a classic in the genre. It is also notable for its clever use of rhymes, its tight structure, and its straightforward depiction of the complexities of the world of drug dealing.

Line by Line Meaning

I been in this game for years, it made me a animal
Having been in the drug game for years has transformed me into an aggressive and cunning person

It's rules to this shit, I wrote me a manual
There are specific rules to follow in the drug game, and I have created a guidebook to help others navigate it successfully

Rule nombre uno: never let no one know how much, dough you hold, cause you know
The first rule is to keep the amount of money and drugs you have a secret because people will become jealous and may try to rob you if they know how much you have

Number two: never let em know your next move
Always keep your plans and actions a secret, as it will make it harder for others to set you up or betray you

Number three: never trust no-bo-dy
No one can be trusted, as even your own family and friends may betray you if the price is right

Number four: know you heard this before - Never get high, on your own supply
Do not use the drugs you are selling, as it can cloud your judgement and harm your business

Number five: never sell no crack where you rest at - I don't care if they want a' ounce, tell 'em bounce
Avoid selling drugs in your own neighborhood, even if there is a demand for it, as it can draw unwanted attention and violence to your doorstep

Seven: this rule is so underrated - Keep your family and business completely seperated
It is crucial to keep your drug business completely separate from your family, as any involvement or overlap can put them in danger or lead to legal trouble

Number eight: never keep no weight on you - Them cats that squeeze your guns can hold jobs too
Do not carry large amounts of drugs on your person, as it makes you a target for robbers or police, and even seemingly innocent people may be involved in the drug trade

Number nine shoulda been number one to me - If you ain't gettin bags stay the fuck from police
Avoid any interaction or involvement with the police, as even if you are innocent, they may try to pressure or frame you for drug-related crimes

Number ten: a strong word called consignment - Strictly for live men, not for freshmen
The process of consignment, or lending drugs to others for resale, is for experienced and trusted drug dealers only, and should not be attempted by newcomers or amateurs

Contributed by Hailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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