Survival of the Fittest

Mobb Deep

About Survival of the Fittest

"Survival of the Fittest" is a song by American hip hop duo Mobb Deep from their 2nd studio album, The Infamous (1995). It was released as the second single from the aforementioned album on May 29, 1995 by Loud. The song was produced by Havoc, using a sample of 1976's song "Skylark" by The Barry Harris Trio and Al Cohn. The single had mainstream success, it peaked at no. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and hit the Top 10 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. The song received acclaim from music critics and is widely considered a classic of 1990s New York hip hop, along with the lead single from the album, "Shook Ones Pt. II". 


Year:
2004
3:43
119 
#1

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Yeah
Sendin' this one out, to my man Killa be
No doubt indeed, without weed, know what I'm sayin'?
That old real shi'

There's a war goin' on outside no man is safe from
You could run but you can't hide forever
From these streets that we done took
You walkin' witcha head down scared to look
You shook 'cause ain't no such things as halfway crooks
They never around when the beef cooks in my part of town
It's similar to Vietnam
Now we all grown up and old, and beyond the cop's control
They better have the riot gear ready
Tryin' to bag me and get rocked steady
By the mac one-double, I touch you
And leave you with not much to go home wit'
My skin is thick, 'cause I be up in the mix of action
If I'm not at home, puffin lye relaxin'
New York got a nigga depressed
So I wear a slug-proof underneath my Guess
God bless my soul, before I put my foot down and begin to stroll
And to the drama I built, and all unfinished beef
You will soon be killed, put us together
It's like mixin' vodka and milk
I'm goin' out blastin', takin' my enemies with me
And if not, they scarred, so they will never forget me
Lord forgive me the Hennesey got me not knowin' how to act
I'm fallin' and I can't turn back
Or maybe it's the words from my man Killa Black
That I can't say so it's left a untold fact, until my death
My goal's to stay alive
Survival of the fit only the strong survive

Yo, yo
We livin' this til the day that we die
Survival of the fit only the strong survive
(We still livin' it)
We livin' this til the day that we die
Survival of the fit only the strong survive
(Thug life, we still livin' it)
We livin' this til the day that we die
Survival of the fit only the strong survive
(We still livin' it)
We livin' this til the day that we die
(we livin' this til the day that we die)
Survival of the fit only the strong survive
(survival of the fit only the strong)

I'm trapped, in between two worlds, tryin' to get dough ya know
When the dough get low the jewels go, but never that
As long as fiends smoke crack
I'll be on the block hustlin countin' my stacks
No doubt, watchin' my back and proceed with caution
Five-oh lurkin', no time to get lost in the system
Niggas usin' fake names to get out quick
My brother did it and got bagged with two ounces
I-llegal world where squads hit the block hard
Ask my man Twin when he got bagged, that fucked me up God
But shit happens for a reason
You find out who's your true peoples when you're upstate bleedin'
You can't find a shorty to troop your bid wit'chu
Hit wit a 2 to 4 it's difficult
Wild on the streets I try to maintain
Tight with my loot, 'cause hoes like to run game
Some niggas like to trick but I ain't wit that trickin' shit
I'm like a Jew, savin' dough so I can big whip
Pushin' a Lex, now I'm set, ready to jet
No matter how much loot I get I'm stayin' in the projects, forever
Jakes on the blocks we out-clever
If beef, we never separate and pull together
When worse comes to worse and my peoples come first
Try to react and get them motherfuckin' feelings hurt
My crew's all about loot
F*ck lookin' cute, I'm strictly Timb boots and army certified suits
Puffin L's, laid back, enjoyin' the smell
In the Bridge gettin' down it ain't hard to tell
You better realize

We livin' this til the day that we die
Survival of the fit only the strong survive
(We still livin' it)
We livin' this til the day that we die
Survival of the fit only the strong survive
(Thug life, we still livin' it)
We livin' this til the day that we die
Survival of the fit only the strong survive
(We still livin' it)
We livin' this til the day that we die
Survival of the fit only the strong survive
(Thug life, we still livin' it)
(the strong survive)

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Mobb Deep

Mobb Deep is an American Hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consisted of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast Hip-Hop groups". The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones Pt. II". Mobb Deep have become one of the most successful rap duos in Hip Hop having sold over three million records. The majority of their albums have been critically acclaimed, in particular The Infamous, which is considered to be classic among avid Hip-Hop listeners and general fans. They are partially credited for the resurgence of East Coast rap in the early to mid-'90s. Havoc and Prodigy were also judges for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards to support … more »

2 fans

Written by: KEJUAN WALIEK MUCHITA, ALBERT JOHNSON

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Information
"Survival of the Fittest" is a song by the American hip hop duo Mobb Deep from their second studio album, "The Infamous".
Chart Performance
Upon its release in 1995, the song reached number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and number 10 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.
Music Video
The music video for "Survival of the Fittest" was directed by Hype Williams and features the duo performing the song in various locations in Queens, New York.
Lyrics
The lyrics to "Survival of the Fittest" reflect Mobb Deep's experiences of growing up in the tough neighborhood of Queensbridge Houses, with themes of violence, poverty, and the struggle for survival.
Sample Usage
The song is notable for its sample of a song called "Skylark" by the Barry Harris Trio and Al Cohn.
Pop Culture Reference
"Survival of the Fittest" has appeared in multiple media, including the soundtracks of video games like "Grand Theft Auto IV" and for the TV series "Luke Cage".
Re-release
In 2015, in honor of the song's 20th anniversary, Mobb Deep released a remix of "Survival of the Fittest" via a partnership with ESPN.
Critical Acclaim
Widely acknowledged as a hip hop classic, "Survival of the Fittest" has been praised for its dark, gritty realism and the duo's stoic delivery.
Legacy
The song's title has become a common phrase in hip-hop, often used metaphorically to signify hardship and the struggle to succeed against odds.
Key Members
The song features Prodigy and Havoc, the two members of Mobb Deep. Prodigy is the lead vocalist on the track.

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    Survival of the Fittest

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1995

    Billboard #69


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