It's a Shame (Kool G Rap song)
# It's a Shame (Kool G Rap song)

"It's a Shame" is the debut solo single from American hip hop artist Kool G Rap, from his 1995 album 4,5,6.

## Background

"It's a Shame" was recorded at Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York. In the song, Kool G Rap portrays himself as a heroin kingpin, boasting of his wealth, power and extravagant lifestyle. However, it is implied that he harbours a sense of remorse over his choice of trade, with the chorus (sung by an uncredited Sean Brown) stating:

    Now it's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar
    Living in this game, sometimes it makes you wanna holler

A particularly memorable part of the song is G Rap's description of his mistress Tammy in verse two:

    I got a fly ho up under the wing, a swinger that does her thing
    And if you step inside my ring, she'll bang it out and make your brains hang
    She sits at restaurant tables with mink foxes and sables
    Drinkin' Cherenade brand label, she'll rock a sucker's cradle
    And yeah, honey is more bounce to the ounce
    She walks around with Lucci in large amounts
    Millions inside Swiss bank accounts
    Her name is Tammy, got a beach house in Miami
    Rides around with a small jammy in her silk and satin panties
    A down ho, a Foxy Brown ho, standin her ground ho
    And if you clown yo, she'll turn into a bust a round ho
    Fly as a Heaven's Angel, got sapphires in her bangles
    Diamond earrings hang n' dangle, gettin' money from all angles
    She's pretty under the New York City bright lights
    And real late, way after midnight, I hit it cause the slit's tight

## Music video

The music video for "It's a Shame" shows Kool G Rap living a life of luxury as a wealthy and powerful gangster as well as shots of drug addicts and prostitutes, signifying the less glamorous side of the drug trade.

## Critical reception

Hip Hop Album Reviews called the song "one of G Rap's premier ventures at storytelling, only weakened by the dime-a-dozen hook".

## Samples

"It's a Shame" samples the following songs:

* "Love Is for Fools" by Southside Movement

## Track listing

### 12"

**A-side**

* "It's a Shame" (Original) (4:02)
* "It's a Shame" (Acapella) (4:01)
* "It's a Shame" (Instrumental) (3:54)

**B-side**

* "It's a Shame" (Original) (4:03)
* "It's a Shame" (Acapella) (4:01)
* "It's a Shame" (Instrumental) (3:54)

### CD

* "It's a Shame" (Original) (3:54)
* "It's a Shame" (Acapella) (3:54)
* "It's a Shame" (Instrumental) (3:54)
