1) 108 is a New York City metalcore band founded in 1991. Their music refle… Read Full Bio ↴1) 108 is a New York City metalcore band founded in 1991. Their music reflects the Hare Krishna faith of the band members. Their name comes from the number of beads on the japamala, a rosary commonly used in Hinduism for spiritual activity. Vraja Kishordas (AKA Vic DiCara) had previously played with Zack De La Rocha in the hardcore band Inside Out. Their first records were released on Equal Vision Records. These releases were followed by their participation in two documentary films, '108: The Final Tour' and 'N.Y.H.C.'.

2) 108 was a short lived jazzy hip-hop project from California, built around rappers Encore and Grand The Visitor (of Homeliss Derelix) and composer Sedric Edwards. They released one LP entitled "Mission Infinite" in 1996.
Mission Infinite Lp has been reissued on NBN Records, released December 6, 2019

Slave
108 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't tell me you don't surrender
And don't say you're not a servant
I see you slave away to the dictates of your senses you must obey.
Slave
In the name of freedom
We tie us up in chains.
You live on your knees, despite your lyrical pleas.
You bow your head to the ground.

Lust: this is your god
Greed: this is your god
Sex: this is your god

And he wipes the floor with you - slave
I reject this whole charade

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 108's "Slave" are a commentary on the human condition of servitude to our own desires and impulses. The song opens with the refrain "don't tell me you don't surrender, and don't say you're not a servant," which immediately sets the tone. The singer is calling out our tendency to pretend we are in control of our lives, when in reality, we are often ruled by our emotions and desires.

The following lines, "I see you slave away to the dictates of your senses you must obey," continue the theme of our inability to overcome our base desires. The chorus, "slave in the name of freedom, we tie us up in chains," contrasts the idea that our freedom is often a facade, with the truth that we are often imprisoned by our own vices.

The song's final verse, "lust: this is your god, greed: this is your god, sex: this is your god, and he wipes the floor with you - slave, I reject this whole charade," adds a note of defiance. The singer is stating that he/she will not live under the rule of these "gods," and that we should all reject the notion that our cravings should rule our lives.

Overall, "Slave" is a powerful anthem, a call to action reminding us that we are not helpless slaves to our impulses. We have the power to reject our baser instincts and live a life of freedom and purpose.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't tell me you don't surrender
I know that you surrender

And don't say you're not a servant
You are a servant

I see you slave away to the dictates of your senses you must obey.
I see you working hard based on your desires without thinking about consequences.

Slave
You are a slave to your own desires.

In the name of freedom
People think they are free.

We tie us up in chains.
We limit ourselves

You live on your knees, despite your lyrical pleas.
You beg for things but do not stand up for yourself.

You bow your head to the ground.
You submit yourself to the things you should not.

Lust: this is your god
People are blinded by lust.

Greed: this is your god
People are obsessed with wealth and money

Sex: this is your god
People are obsessed with sex.