Rayme Supreme hailing from Philadelphia, PA and Big Cuz’n hailing from Mount Vernon, NY, caught their big musical break in 1995. A mutual friend who was also a student at their university, Breeze Brewin’ of the Juggaknots, introduced them to Bobbito.
He listened to a couple of demos and decided to pass them along to Columbia Records. The demos contained several tracks that were recorded while they were still students. The track that was scheduled to be highlighted on a NY underground demo complication album was "Boy and Girl Tale", but unfortunately that album was never released.
However, through the connection with Bobbito and Stretch they were able to appear at, and on, many of the thriving NY underground radio shows in the mid to late 90′s which aired their tracks. Eventually more and more people began to catch their ears on Adagio and it didn’t take long until their first independent release took place. Which was on EMO Recordings in 1996 and featured the single "The Obvious Joint"/ "Ass & Benefits".
In the same year they appeared together with Juggaknots and Wisdom on the track "All Star Jam". With Juggaknots they also recorded the track "Who Makes It Hot". Adagio! released two more 12" singles and a EP on EMO/SOM Recordings in 1997, "The Break", 12" single, "Everybody", 12" single and an EP entitled New York To Philly The EP on Som Recordings.
The duo were also able to secure a press and distribute deal through Fat Beats Records in 1997 and release several other projects. The last release they put out was in 2002. But that’s about to change now when Adagio! opens up their vault for the first time in over a decade, and Heavy Jewelz Records presents The Obvious Archives Pt. 1, which consists of some of the unreleased tracks that were recorded during the mid to late 90′s.
music
Adagio! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see the evil lying there
I see the horror growing deep
I see the sarcasms of your thoughts
I see the will becoming black
I see the wounds of mother Earth
My secret mystery
Soon yog-shotthot will proclaim king
I am the son of terror,
Mixture of beast and man
Messenger of the prophesy
Hold my tears sublime my wounds
Drown humanity in tear-now dominate
I see right through you
But my will is to dominate
I see right through you
But my will is to dominate
I see the mother giving birth
I see the child becoming man,
I see dunwich becoming fire
I see the substance of evil,
I hear the hounds barking at night,
Invisilbe mass climbing stone
How many days will I hold,
My secret mystery
Soon yog-shotthot will proclaim king
I am the son of terror,
Mixture of beast and man
Messenger of the prophesy
Hold my tears sublime my wounds
Drown humanity in tear-now dominate
I see right through you
But my will is to dominate
I see right through you
But my will is to dominate
In Adagio!'s song "Upperhand," the lyrics depict a person who sees the power, evil, horror, and sarcasms in the world. They also see the wounds of mother Earth, and the substance of evil that is climbing the stones. Despite this, the person holds a secret mystery that they will not reveal for many days. The person considers themselves the son of terror and a mixture of beast and man. They believe themselves to be the messenger of the prophecy and that Yog-Sothoth will soon proclaim them king.
The person seems to be conflicted as they want to dominate and drown humanity in tears, but they also hold their tears and sublime their wounds. The lyrics could be interpreted as a commentary on the corrupt nature of power and the devastation it can bring upon the world. The person in the song appears to be aware of the evils and yet is drawn to them, wanting to dominate and gain control.
Overall, "Upperhand" is a powerful song that showcases Adagio!'s ability to create a haunting and introspective message that leaves the listeners pondering. The song's lyrics resonate with those who struggle with power and its consequences. The mixture of soft and melodic moments in the music with the fervent and passionate vocals create a sense of unease that is fitting for the subject matter.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the power in the eye
I perceive a certain force emanating from the gaze of others.
I see the evil lying there
I detect a malevolent presence lurking beneath the surface of things.
I see the horror growing deep
I witness a monstrous fear taking root in the hearts of those around me.
I see the sarcasms of your thoughts
I sense the mocking, cutting nature of the inner dialogues of others.
I see the will becoming black
I observe a corruption of the aspirations and desires of those around me.
I see the wounds of mother Earth
I note the environmental damage and exploitation of the planet.
How many days will I hold,
For how long must I bear my truth within me,
My secret mystery
my hidden knowledge and enigma?
Soon yog-shotthot will proclaim king
Before long, the cosmic deity Yog-Sothoth will ascend to the throne of power.
I am the son of terror,
I proclaim myself the offspring of fear and terror,
Mixture of beast and man
a composite of bestial and human qualities.
Messenger of the prophesy
I am tasked with conveying the foreknowledge of impending doom.
Hold my tears sublime my wounds
Suppress my emotions and transcend my pain,
Drown humanity in tear-now dominate
Submerge humanity in tears, seize control of the situation.
I see right through you
I perceive the true motives and intentions of those around me.
But my will is to dominate
However, my desire and intention is to assert my power and control.
I see the mother giving birth
I bear witness to the miraculous process of new life being ushered into creation.
I see the child becoming man,
I observe the transition from innocence and youth to maturity and adulthood.
I see dunwich becoming fire
I foresee a place of horror and terror (Dunwich) consumed by the raging flames of destruction.
I see the substance of evil,
I witness the essence and manifestation of wickedness and malevolence.
I hear the hounds barking at night,
I am privy to the sounds of phantom beasts and spectral canines lurking in the darkness.
Invisible mass climbing stone
An unseen and impenetrable entity ascending undeterred up sheer cliffs and rocky crags.
Contributed by Mia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.