Off the Books

Big Punisher, Cuban Link, The Beatnuts

About Off the Books

"Off the Books" is the third single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records in both 12 inch and CD format in 1997. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les, the first on-record performance by Cuban Link, and a notable early verse from Big Punisher. (Big Pun's first on-record performance was the B-Side to Fat Joe's "Envy" single, "Firewater" with Fat Joe, Raekwon and Armageddon. ) Lyrics from Psycho Les's verse were later sampled in "The Rep Grows Bigga" by Gang Starr and two Beatnuts songs: "No Escapin' This" and "Slam Pit". The track's beat samples "Break that Party and Opening" by Melvin Van Peebles, "Sign Song" by Buddy Baker, "Get out of My Life, Woman" by George Semper and "Hihache" by Lafayette Afro Rock Band. "Off the Books" was the most commercially successful single from Stone Crazy; it reached #86 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it the first Beatnuts single to appear on the pop chart. Tom Doggett of RapReviews.com explains the source of the song's success: [The first] verse turned a lot of heads, and had plenty to do with Pun blowing up. What isn't always remembered was the Sesame Street flute sample that inspired him, laid over the uptempo drums and wailing vocal snippet. "Off The Books" is brilliant, one of the most accessible rap songs ever made. Thugs will be pleased with the vicious verses, and yet any club will still get hopping with one spin. 


Year:
2001
2:48
180 
#1

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Hey yo, it's all love but love's got a thin line
And Pun's got a big nine, respect crime
But not when it reflect mine
The shit I'm on is wrong but it lasts long

Pull a fast one, then Pun'll wake up
With the stash gone
I'm mad strong and my cream is fast
Smoke the greenest grass, my bitch got the meanest ass

And a taste legit, I don't have to waste a whole case of Crist'
All it takes is my pretty face and my gangsta wit
Lace the click 'cause we all share
It's all fair like love and war, thug galore with the long hair

Big Pun, Pun the name that makes the kids run
Like spelling murder reverse it deliver redrum
Come one, come all, if you wanna brawl
I'm the mighty Thor clotheslining motherfuckers

Like Steven Seagal, 'cause all you gonna get
Is your ass kicked or up in a casket
That's it, that's it
(That's it?)

Punisher bash it, at last it's, rappers that really blast shit
Cats getting Big Willie niggaz like Billy Bathgate
Up in Jimmy's Cafe, having caviar
Cracking Cristal at the bar, smoking cigars, living large

We rob and steal, run with the mob, doing jobs for bills
I'm hard to kill for real nigga guard your grill
I like to chill, spark an L and get high
I'm one hell of a guy, fly pelican fly

Whattup Duke-o, you know, politicking papi chuco
I'm out here, watching for Jake, getting this loot though
Shoot bro, I got a waterproof suit yo
Swerving like a A.K.A. in Beirut yo

Squeezing, out of automatic M3's and
Please, you ain't seen no thugs like these
I can tell you lots of things that'll make you believe
In Corona yo it's better to take than to receive

Your career's on life support and I'ma pull the plug
And have every thug shooting that Beatnut drug
In they blood, no escaping this
Niggaz is going over their favorite shit to be taping this
(For what?)

World premier, loud and clear
Lye and beer, get the dough, blow up the show
Disappear, jump in the Cavalier
Feeling marvelous, street pharmacist, twist arboles

For pleasure, bring your territory sever
Keep my workers under pressure got 'em saying f*ck Lester
But that's aight Duke-o, my heart nowadays too cold
Don't give a f*ck where you been what you done

Where you go, you know, peep this favorite
In black shades like a secret, agent
We're night thieves, roll up on you sleeves
We light trees, bust these and stack cheese

It's off the hook this year
Making mad money off the books this year, ain't nothing
But crooks in here
Getting mad money off the books this year

It's off the hook this year
Making mad money off the books this year, ain't nothing
But crooks in here
Getting mad money off the books this year

Go, go, go
Go, go, go
Go, go, go
...

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The Beatnuts

The Beatnuts are a New York-based hip hop group and production duo from Queens, New York City. Its current members are JuJu and Psycho Les. JuJu (born Jerry Tineo on December 4, 1968) is Dominican American from Corona and Psycho Les (born Lester Fernandez on April 10, 1972) is a Colombian American from Jackson Heights. The Beatnuts are the only Latino members of the Native Tongues collective. Although only peripheral members, they are routinely acknowledged by Q-Tip. The Beatnuts were originally a trio before Kool Fashion, now known as Al' Tariq, left the group to start a solo career. The Mighty V.I.C. (Groove Merchantz, Ghetto Pros) was also a member of The Beatnuts' production team for a while. more »

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Written by: CHRISTOPHER RIOS, JERRY TINEO, LESTER FERNANDEZ

Lyrics © JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Off the Books" is a song by The Beatnuts duo and Big Punisher, who is also known as Big Pun.
Release Date
The song was released in 1997.
Album Details
It was selected as the lead single of The Beatnuts' fourth studio album, "Stone Crazy."
Musical Style
The Beatnuts' music is recognized for its Latin and jazz influences. This style is noted in "Off the Books."
Big Pun's Breakthrough
"Off the Books" is considered Big Pun's breakthrough appearance in the rap industry.
Other Appearances
Cuban Link, a fellow member of Big Pun's Terror Squad, also makes an appearance in "Off the Books."
Lyrics and Themes
The song contains explicit lyrics and is noted for its street-level themes and humorous undertones.
Music Video
The song's music video, directed by Brian Luvar, includes appearances from Prodigy, Raekwon, Fat Joe, and Bone Thugs n Harmony.
Recognition
"Off the Books" is considered one of the best songs of The Beatnuts and Big Pun's discography and was widely acclaimed for its aggressive lyricism and innovative beats.
Legacy
The song helped catapult Big Pun to commercial success. It's often cited as a classic track in the East Coast hip hop genre.
Influence
The song has been sampled and quoted by numerous hip hop artists in their songs, demonstrating its lasting influence and importance in hip hop culture.
Beatnuts' First Hit
"Off the Books" is essentially the first notable hit of The Beatnuts, which helped them secure their foothold in the rap industry.
Innovative Beats
The Beatnuts are often praised for their innovative beat-making skills, which is clearly evidence in "Off the Books."
Cultural Impact
The song shares a cultural narrative that resonates with the lived experiences of many in the Bronx, New York — representing them authentically in mainstream music.
Famous Quotable Line
Big Pun's line from the song, “Dead in the middle of Little Italy little did we know that we riddled two middlemen who didn’t do diddly,” is often quoted and celebrated for its lyrical intricacy.

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    Off the Books

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1997

    Billboard #86


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