I Got 5 On It

Album: Operation Stackola (1995)
Charted: 3 8
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Luniz is a duo from Oakland, California, comprising the rappers Yukmouth and Numskull. Released as the lead single from their debut album, Operation Stackola, "I Got 5 On It" became an internationally successful hit and was further boosted by the remix featuring Bay Area rap stars Dru Down, Shock G, Richie Rich, E-40, and Spice 1.
  • The "5" is five dollars, and is a reference to going 50/50 on a $10 dime bag of weed with another person.

    I got five on it,
    Partna let's go half on a sack


    Rather than rapping about being drug kingpins, Luniz talk about being broke and trying to get hold of some cheap weed. Five dollars is a small enough number to be relatable for anyone who's shared some marijuana with a friend.
  • The song features guest vocals by Michael Marshall of the Timex Social Club, who croons the hook.
  • The track samples Kool and the Gang's 1973 single "Jungle Boogie" and two 1987 tracks, Club Nouveau's "Why You Treat Me So Bad" and Audio Two's "Top Billin'."
  • The song's hypnotic instrumentation has been sampled by countless artists, including Puff Daddy for his 1999 hit "Satisfy You," Nas for his 2002 single "I'm Gonna Be Alright" and Meek Mill for his 2013 track "Heaven or Hell." Also the rapper Lecrae recorded in 2014 an updated version of the song titled "Nuthin'."
  • A creepy remix of the song was featured in the 2019 horror thriller movie Us. The remix is listed on the film's official soundtrack as the "Tethered Mix."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.