Gorillas
Army of the Pharaohs Lyrics

Y'all get too close, I'ma squeeze the life out of you
I'm warning you to not encroach upon my personal space, else I'll attack you violently.

You speak too loosely with your words, I'ma silence you
If you use obscene language in my presence or speak out of turn, I'll shut you up by force.

You ain't a leader, dog, nobody'd die for you
You lack leadership qualities and no one would be willing to sacrifice their life for you.

You ain't a killer, dog, who the fuck lied to you
You're not a murderer, so who deceived you into believing otherwise?

And I don't even fuck with y'all ballerinas
I don't associate with those who are indecisive or unmanly.

Tryin' to tiptoe by me, I'ma stab your team up
If you attempt to sneak by me unnoticed, I'll cause harm to your crew.

Tryin' to get dough by me, I'ma snatch your cream up
If you try to earn money in my presence, I'll steal it from you.

'Cause my squad gotta eat and y'all can't come between us
My team needs to make ends meet, and you cannot interfere with that.

Thoughts of blowin' my fuckin' head off when I look in my gun
I am so deeply disturbed that I consider suicide when holding my firearm.

I cock back, can't squeeze when I look at my son
I cannot bring myself to pull the trigger when I think about my child.

I stop that, can't breathe, y'all wouldn't walk in my shoes
I restrain myself from suicidal tendencies, but the pain I feel is unimaginable to those who haven't experienced it.

I'm antisocial, don't speak unless I talk with a tool
I prefer solitude and violent confrontation over socializing, and will only communicate if threatened with a weapon.

You can take the braggin', the boastin', add up the passion devotion
Other rappers may boast about their skills or dedication, but our group has true commitment.

The crabs that lack in emotion, we throw 'em back in the ocean
Those who cannot show empathy or emotion are not welcome in our group.

The Pharaohs packin' the potion, we back in action and rappers are chokin'
Our group is confident and powerful, and we make other rappers nervous.

Actin' like the smokin' cats, their backs will get broken
If any other rappers try to act tough like they're smoking marijuana, they will get seriously hurt.

And '96 was the year I started talkin' with Vinnie
In 1996, I began collaborating with Vinnie Paz and developing my music career.

Rockin' the city, talkin', really reppin' Boston and Philly
We are well-known and respected in both the Boston and Philadelphia hip-hop scenes.

Now you can find us, lined up with OS and QD
We have been associated with rappers OS and QD in recent years.

We flow best, so don't test, we grotesque and beauty
Our rap techniques are unmatched, so don't even try to challenge us. Our style is simultaneously ugly and beautiful.

I profess a slow death, your plan of attack's a panic attack
I promote a gradual, inevitable demise, while your attempt to intimidate is cowardly and ineffective.

Still better than Bush's plan for Iraq
Our approach to rapping is more favorable and successful than George W. Bush's plan for the Iraq War.

My fam in the back, known to keep it realer than most
My family members, who are part of my group, are known for keeping it authentic and honest.

While you fake cats cower like the Steelers coach
Other rappers are cowardly and intimidated, akin to the Pittsburgh Steelers' coach during a game.

Yeah, we the realest, ain't nobody stoppin' the fam
Our group is genuine and nobody can challenge us or our music.

And we gorillas, walk around with glocks in our hand
We are as powerful and intimidating as gorillas, possessing firearms at all times.

And we some killas, run it like the Mafia ran
We are murderers and operate our group like the Mafia.

And you should feel us 'cause we turn your fuckin' block into sand
People should respect us and fear our power, as we are capable of annihilating entire neighborhoods.

We been bubblin' like Bazooka Joe since Boogie Down and Superho
Our group has been successful since our earlier years in the Boogie Down and Superho areas.

Futuristic, new simplistic, sweatin' my computer flow
Our rapping style is innovative and modern, yet straightforward and easy to understand. I put all my effort into perfecting my computer-based music production.

Army of the armed and dangerous, we stay with stainlesses
Our group is heavily armed and dangerous, always carrying stainless steel weapons.

Status is famous, raps translated to seven languages
Our group is highly acclaimed and well-known, with our music having been translated into seven languages.

Rulin' rap, iron fisted, flow's fluid, rhyme is liquid
Our group dominates the rap scene, with powerful, distinctive styles of rapping and rhyming.

Nitrogen, knife in my pocket, pull it out when shit gets twisted
I carry a knife for protection and will use it if necessary when things take a bad turn.

Y'all lookin' for villains? Well, I'm that guy
If anyone is searching for a villain, they can find one in me.

I charge junior high kids for a contact high
I'm willing to exploit young teenagers to make money, even selling them drugs.

And I could always tell y'all was on some faggot shit
I can sense that you are behaving in a cowardly or unmanly manner.

Like singin' Lil' Kim's parts during Magic Stick
Specifically, I notice when men sing parts from the female rapper Lil' Kim's songs, such as her verse in "Magic Stick".

You'll get your face rocked, nose popped, we got, heat cocked
If you provoke me or my group, we will physically harm you and have loaded weapons ready.

The A-dot, o-dot, t-dot, P-dot
AOTP - Army of the Pharaohs, abbreviated.

Check, yo
Listen closely, pay attention.

Ever since Blood and Ashes life's slowly been changin'
My life has been undergoing a significant transformation since the release of our album "Blood and Ashes".

Catch me sweatin' every night, with my rosary, prayin'
I'm feeling great pressure and stress, resorting to prayer with my rosary to cope.

Meditatin', bathin' in blood, face full of mud
I'm engaging in strange, ritualistic practices such as meditation, bathing in blood, and getting muddy.

So grimy, tryin' to speak to me's like takin' a drug
I'm in such a dark, troubled state that even communicating with me can be hazardous, like taking a dangerous drug.

Razor blades under the tongue, with "Ways of the Gun"
I carry razor blades in my mouth, while listening to the soundtrack for the film "Ways of the Gun" which is similarly violent and disturbing.

Playin' in the background when I'm embracin' my sons
I am still able to find solace in my family, even while immersed in my violent and unsettling behavior.

It's like I'm huggin' Satan, though, they feel the evil inside me
Despite the love I feel for my family, they cannot ignore the darkness and malevolence that resides within me.

Nah boys, it's me, Papi, can't one emcee stop me
I am unstoppable and no fellow rapper can overcome my skills and power.

I'm stressed, blessed with a gift, I'm still tryin' to make it
I possess a musical talent that produces both pressure and reward, and am still working hard to achieve greater success.

Stained from separations, my brain is like a matrix
I am scarred from personal losses and changes, and my mind is complex and layered like the fictional Matrix in popular culture.

I tighten up my laces, prepare for the sequel
I'm getting ready for what comes next, and am tightening my shoelaces as a metaphor for preparation and readiness.

Until then, I'm gon' hustle and take care of my peoples, what!
For now, I keep hustling and taking care of those close to me, no matter how difficult and challenging things may become.

(Chorus x2)
The chorus repeats from earlier in the song, expressing the group's strength, violence, and power.