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This lyric is describing specific tricks that a lowrider with the properly equipped hydraulics can do. Since Dre’s `64 is obviously rigged with some fly shit, his car can pancake (All four tires lifting off the air simultaneously which appears as if the whole car is jumping), front and back (the front of the car and back of the car alternate bouncing into the air which appears almost as if the car is a see-saw), and side to side (The car’s left side and right side alternate lifting into the air. It looks like the horizontal version of front and back)

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The 1964 Chevy Impala was a popular car in the early 90s in South Central California. The line is also a reference to the first, and most famous, line on Eazy-E’s debut single, “Boyz-n-the-Hood”, which Dr Dre also produced.

Cruisin' down the street in my 6-4

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“Let Me Ride” was the third single released from The Chronic. Dre raps solo on this track as Snoop provides background vocals after he was prominently featured on the album’s first two singles, “Nuthin' But a ‘G’ Thang” and “Dre Day.” The beat and chorus are based around a sample from the 1976 Parliament hit “Mothership Connection (Star Child).” The remix features verses from Snoop Dogg and Daz, with additional vocals from George Clinton. The single peaked at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped Billboard’s Rhythmic chart. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1994.

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“The felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear” (California Penal Code for robbery)

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Dre is best known not for his raps, but for the heavy, synthesized beats he produces

In fact, after his large success in the early 90s, he spent much of his time producing beats for Snoop Dogg, Eminem and later 50 Cent (much of his Chronic 2001 album was a response to anyone who accused Dre of being inactive during his long album hiatus)

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Double entendre both refering to the exotic quality of his marijuana, as well as referring to it as “endo”, which is the most potent part of the plant

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This hook is sampled from the Parliament song “Mothership Connection” which borrows from a classic slave spiritual. Dre’s song was released in the wake of the ‘92 South Central riots

LA Riots
So, this conveys the sense of wanting to get away, while not necessarily having the agency to get away (“Let me”).
Dre, presumably because of his success represents that sort of messiah figure to the “niggas” and “bitches” asking for rides (or ways up outta there).

In a very interesting way, the terminology “Ride” could be dichotomous, illustrating also the propensity for violence which Compton is so associated with. As Dr.Dre is said to be quite deliberate in his production, the same “niggas” and “bitches saying..” are now representative of the legions of those living that life, “Let me Ride” now an acknowledgement, or celebration of the lifestyle.

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In New York it’s not all about the subway. If you need a ride there are different options:

  • The standard, popular yellow cab.

  • An gypsy cab, which is an illegal, unlicensed taxi.

  • A dollar cab, one of the illegal, unmarked taxis that used to go around Brooklyn at night, famous for letting as many people as possible on board, even in the trunk!

“Holla back” could be a reference to a line from the song “N.Y.C.” in the Broadway musical Annie:

Enough of cab drivers answering back

Jay’s “Hard Knock Life” references the same musical.

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Both Billboard charts and actual billboards. Jay Z is famous! (and as a result, so are some his friends)

In June 2010, Jay-Z was featured on a huge 225 x 95 feet Brooklyn Nets billboard right around the corner from Madison Square.

Also, note the alliteration from the previous line: Bed-Stuy, boy, Biggie, Billboard, brought, boys.

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An adaptation of lines by Biz Markie in the song “Biz is Goin Off”. The lines sound almost exactly the same except it’s “B.I.Z.” instead of “B.I.G.” in the original

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