Paz formed the outfit in the late 1990s with the original roster of Bahamadia, Chief Kamachi, Virtuoso, 7L & Esoteric, plus Jedi Mind Tricks' other member Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. The group first released the "Five Perfect Exertions" and "War Ensemble" 12" on Paz's short-lived Recordings in 1998, but then the underground supergroup remained silent for several years. After a couple of successful Jedi Mind Tricks albums and a new deal with Babygrande by 2003, Paz resurrected the crew, adding OuterSpace, Celph Titled, Reef the Lost Cauze, King Syze, Des Devious, and Apathy; however, Stoupe, Bahamadia, and Virtuoso had defected from the group. Babygrande issued their "Tear It Down" 12" and first album, The Torture Papers, in 2006. The 2007 follow-up album, Ritual of Battle, saw Jus Allah and JMT protégés Doap Nixon and Demoz joining the Pharaohs.
The Unholy Terror was released on March 30, 2010. This album marked the return of Apathy and the addition of two new AOTP members, Block McCloud and Journalist. Two songs, "Godzilla" and "Contra Mantra", were released before the album. This album also marked the departure of Chief Kamachi who left the group because of business issues and an apparent feud with Vinnie Paz and Apathy.
In early 2011, Vinnie Paz announced on his Facebook page that In Death Reborn is due to be released in 2012, however the date was pushed back and almost seemed like it was never going to be released. Early in 2012, Houston underground MC VZilla and Connecticut's Blacastan were added to the group. Both artists have made names for themselves with their features and album releases in 2012. In Death Reborn was eventually released on April 22, 2014. The album featured members Vinnie Paz, Apathy, Blacastan, Block McCloud, Celph Titled, Demoz, Des Devious, Doap Nixon, Esoteric, Lawrence Arnell,[8] King Magnetic, King Syze, OuterSpace, Reef the Lost Cauze and VZilla. Their fifth studio album, Heavy Lies the Crown was released on October 21, 2014.
Henry The 8th
Army of the Pharaohs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah...it's murders...plenty murders
Blood...We spell doom
Pharaoh clique, baby
[Verse 1: Vinnie Paz]
For whom the bells toll, Vinnie Paz, I call hell home
Put the ratchet to the side of your face like a cell phone
Vinnie Pazienza, be proud that you you fell to him
Me and Shareef, we stronger than pillars in Greece
You need to over-stand that pharaohs are still in the streets
You need to know that we got beef but we willin' to peace
You need to know that we got hate and it's still for police
It's Juju Mob, and Army of the Pharaoh clique
We on some revolution Amadou Diallo shit
I like to watch your brain explodin' when the hollow hit
It's Vinnie Paz, Louie Dogs, Kamachi follow it
[Verse 2: Chief Kamachi]
Yo its my house like RUN! Controllin' the 80's
Flow very crazy like I spit the blood of Rosemary's baby
Slang fire like a hustle in Haiti
Couple holes for the souls, pitchfork for the daisies
Ashes for urns, I'm a murderer maybe
A lavish little Lucifer burnin' the hazy
Faced out, still could get a hold of the ladies
Hit from Madam Bavaskier in a older Mercedes
This is death speakin', the smell of fresh flesh wreakin'
Get a funeral organ and the best dressed deacon
Juju tongue, voodoo come, eye of the pharaohs
Blood pour, heart of a chump, jump from the arrows
[Chorus: Chief Kamachi]
We got a message for ya
Yeah, our squads ain't checkin' for ya
And if its beef, we'll produce the Smith and Wesson's on ya
AOTP, Juju Mob, we bossin' ya clique
Rain fire on this hip hop shit
[Verse 3: Reef The Lost Cauze]
The king Reef raw, on the streets I'm King Cauze
Wild the fuck out, beat my chest like King Kong
Is this thing on?
I'm tryin' to channel the youth
I rock the crown of Caesar, and Hannibal's boots
They call me animal tooth
Use your bones as a back scratcher
I'm allergic to dirt weed and wack rappers
My hand's too gritty, I just let the gat smack ya
I dropped outta school, motherfuck a backpacker
Double cross us and we'll bomb on you bitches
You a fuckin' fruitcake like what my aunt sent for Christmas
My dogs relentless and we ain't tryin' to be friends
My gun attach to my hip like a siamese twin
[Verse 4: Planetary]
It's a critical beatdown, QD niggas hit the street now
Bangin beats out, thug niggas throw they heaters out
It's pussy niggas like y'all scared to leave the house
Once they retrieve 'em out, *BLAAT*
Let 'em see the clouds
I make the most gangsta nigga hit the concrete
And start snitchin', pointin' fingers like they on Wall Street
My squad deep, we the "Gods and Generals"
Type of niggas too drunk, we dodge the interviews
We came a long way from cipherin' all day
When days was all play, now we rhymin' for strong pay
Outerspace got a strong hold on the game
We reign, you minor leaguers, we breezin' the Hall of Fame
(Chorus)
The song "Henry the 8th" by Army of the Pharaohs is a gruesome depiction of violence and power. The song opens with an introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the song: "murders" and "blood." Vinnie Paz, the first rapper on the track, boasts of his hellish home and his willingness to bring "doom" to his enemies. He is joined by Chief Kamachi, who raps about his murderous tendencies and how he controls his "house" like a king. Reef The Lost Cauze, the third rapper on the song, describes himself as a raw and wild king on the streets who can beat his chest like King Kong. Finally, Planetary talks about his gangster ways and how he and his crew are "Gods and Generals" in the rap game.
The themes of violence, power, and control run throughout the song, and the lyrics are filled with violent imagery, such as ratchets to the side of faces and pitchforks for daisies. The rappers also frequently reference their gang, the Juju Mob, and their army of pharaohs, signaling their allegiance to one another and their willingness to go to war if necessary.
Overall, "Henry the 8th" is a dark and intense song that is not for the faint of heart. However, it is a powerful portrayal of power and violence in the rap game, and it has cemented Army of the Pharaohs' reputation as one of the most hardcore rap crews around.
Line by Line Meaning
For whom the bells toll, Vinnie Paz, I call hell home
I am at home in hell, ready to do what needs to be done.
Put the ratchet to the side of your face like a cell phone
I will use my weapon to communicate my intentions to you.
Any way you wanna look at it, it spell doom
Whatever you do, it will lead to your downfall.
Vinnie Pazienza, be proud that you fell to him
You should feel honored to have been defeated by me.
You need to over-stand that pharaohs are still in the streets
You need to realize that we are still here, powerful and active.
You need to know that we got beef but we willin' to peace
We have disagreements, but we are willing to work towards resolution.
You need to know that we got hate and it's still for police
We have animosity towards law enforcement, and that will not change.
It's Juju Mob, and Army of the Pharaoh clique
We are a powerful group with a strong sense of unity.
We on some revolution Amadou Diallo shit
We are fighting for change, and willing to make sacrifices for it.
I like to watch your brain explodin' when the hollow hit
I enjoy the devastation caused by my violent actions.
Yo its my house like RUN! Controllin' the 80's
I am in charge, running everything in my domain like Run-DMC in the 1980s.
Flow very crazy like I spit the blood of Rosemary's baby
My rap style is intense and insane, like I am spitting the blood of a demon child.
Slang fire like a hustle in Haiti
I have a talent for using language in a powerful and provocative way, like a successful street vendor in Haiti.
Couple holes for the souls, pitchfork for the daisies
I am a murderer, and will send people to their graves. Their souls will be gone, and their bodies will be thrust into the ground with a pitchfork.
Ashes for urns, I'm a murderer maybe
I am a killer, and may kill again. My victims may end up as ashes in an urn.
A lavish little Lucifer burnin' the hazy
I am like a wealthy devil, causing chaos and confusion around me.
Faced out, still could get a hold of the ladies
Even though I present an intimidating face, I am still able to charm and attract women.
This is death speakin', the smell of fresh flesh wreakin'
I represent death, and am drawn to the scent of freshly killed bodies.
Get a funeral organ and the best dressed deacon
I will make sure that my victims receive a proper funeral, complete with music and a well-dressed preacher.
It's a critical beatdown, QD niggas hit the street now
We are about to violently attack, and our rivals should prepare themselves.
Bangin beats out, thug niggas throw they heaters out
We are making a lot of noise, and those who are willing to fight will come out to join us.
We reign, you minor leaguers, we breezin' the Hall of Fame
We are the best of the best, and will easily make our way into the hall of fame while others struggle to keep up.
Contributed by Lucas B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@timhefty504
One of the craziest beats I've ever heard, kinda fights with the vocals but still this is a crazy track
@benvaldez4980
good times hit my mind when this song plays
@shoto520
Too hard for this gen
@emilyhadley1869
F ing amazing. I can listen to this on repeating. It's what I play when I get to work at 6am to pump me up.
@cidkurtz7814
You're
@cidkurtz7814
You're
@edanisgreat5118
@@cidkurtz7814 *yore
@greysenG10
@@MrRemirem88 Can't even see her face man relax
@gussampson5029
@@MrRemirem88 Dude she's like 12.
@boredguy52
"-is this thing on?!-"
damn.