The Artifacts were a throwback hip hop duo from Newark, NJ. Their music ref… Read Full Bio ↴The Artifacts were a throwback hip hop duo from Newark, NJ. Their music reflected and emphasized three of the four elements of true hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, and their specialty, graffiti writing or “bombing”; both Tame One and El Da Sensei are proficient at all three. With unique styles that play off each other well, Tame and El’s graff-rap was well received by underground audiences and continued in the Jersey rap tradition of Redman and Lords of the Underground. The crew scored an underground classic with their debut single in 1994, “Wrong Side of The Tracks,” serving notice to their graffiti bombing missions and their Jersey heritage. The debut album, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, followed soon afterward. Tight, funky production provided the duo’s B-boy stance the chance to take shape. Although it contained more of the same, the 1996 follow-up album, The Art of Facts, was not nearly as successful critically, getting lost amid the burgeoning kingpin gangster attitude of Jay-Z and Nas. The Artifacts were hard-nosed backpack hip hoppers in the halcyon days of hip hop’s golden age revisited, before hip hop’s mainstream explosion and the elevating gangster hardcore style that led to the violent deaths of 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. The duo split in 1997 and now release singles as solo artists.

Other artists known as Artifacts:
1. Artifacts, an alt-rock band
2. Artifacts, a hardcore punk band

1. Artifacts are london-based alt-rock noisemakers, who bring together a concoction of electronic layers, wall-of-sound guitars and heartfelt crescendos to create soaring-yet-introspective laments. With time on their side and "a plethora of fragile moments" to win hearts and minds, the five-piece have been marked as a band to "surprise and grow" as they spread across London and the south east. "They really are an exciting new find. Punctuated with dramatic, noisy guitar lines, haunting vocals and melodies; they deliver a plethora of fragile moments followed by sound scapes of pure ecstasy." - Artrocker. "Noisy guitars embellished with synths struck like percussion" - Clash

2. Artifacts (formerly known as Take A Right On Tulsa), a Hardcore band from the Pasadena/Houston Area, Artifacts is hitting the local Houston Hardcore music scene with a bang. Infusing traditional hardcore music with ambient and melodic sounds to create quite an unique blend music. The Line up includes: Vocals: Tyler Hill, Guitar:Miguel Villatoro, Guitar: Pablo Hernandez, Bass: Jorge Salinas, Drums: Justin Campbell. Artifacts has also shared the stage with Upon A Burning Body, Winds Of Plague, Stick To Your Guns, Sleeping Giant, Oceano, Circle Of Contempt, MyChildren MyBride, The Red Chord, Chelsea Grin, Those Who Lie Beneath, Suffokate, Molotov Solution, I Declare War, Dr.Acula, Monsters, and Broadway. With their ever aspiring band and steadily increasing fan base, Artifacts is sure to gain acknowledgment and respect among the Hardcore music scene and soar to new heights.

It's Gettin' Hot
Artifacts Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What do we have here...
It's gettin hot yo, it's gettin hot
Mr. Walt, Beatminerz, Evil Dee... yo

[El Da Sensai]
Who wants to see how we be the doper analyst
Antagonist with scripts, be from the Bricks perfect
There's no denying that you're spying -- trying to see the graph

but you're knowing that can't fuck with the mathe-matcian
When I rip and tip-in rebounds with mounds of work
Jerks get down, cause they know we hurt the sound
So ease as I please these OG's with seeds that
be fat, need that, Artifacts CD black

[Tame One]
My theoretical medical rhetoric is terrible, but bearable
Instead of sheddin wool, I'm takin sedatives
MC repetatives, think they competetive
but I'm the Exodus, of executing
all of my et ceteras, my Book of Revelations
speak of hesitation, but I got the longest lines
in Newark since Club Sensations
Haitians, request me on the station like I'm Lauryn
But if I ain't touring there ain't no rapper on the street scorin
(word up) and that's word to my moms

Chorus: Artifacts

It's gettin hot -- it's gettin hot MC's y'all know the steez
The rap game is gettin hot, consumers on they knees
Please, y'all know the steez
The rap game is gettin hot, consumers on they knees
It's gettin hot -- MC's, yo, y'all know the steez
The rap game is gettin hot, consumers on they knees
Peace, y'all know the steez
The rap game is gettin hot consumers on the knees

[El Da Sensai]
Ac-tual, natural blends that tend
to leave MC's stagnated, rated number ten
In all secret wars when we on tour for
now and forever rockin shit for your pleasure

[Tame One]
It's the secret agent (double oh seven) mental patient
Smokin blunts for information
But you can catch me at the dugout, eatin kennel rations
Rap innovations, causin confrontations
And I got some fast assed styles, so go and chase one
Hah, you lose from takeoff, so break off your shake off
cause here comes the payoff, for Ferris on his Day Off
Hieroglyphic, mystic, misfit rips shit, toxic Mr. Rock
Bugs Bunny who outfoxes, all of the blunted gun runners
The small Wonder like Vicki
Bustin lyrical nuts and gettin sticky

(touch me there, right there, ooh ooh)

Chorus (w/ variations)

[El Da Sensai]
For much we lust, it be us, A-are-T
Fuckin smash parties, niggaz win, hardly
Smartly, advance no chance my lyrics prance upon the tracks
snap on, motherfuckers who can't catch on
To my, do or die, stature bound to catch ya
Those who try and match the, master not an actor, poseur
Wet with rap caliber, challengers
Wonder how I handle the, dates on my calendar
Using, verbal assault to insult
those who wish to diss the first born is catchin fault
Self taught, not many can say that
So put the needle to the groove and listen to real rap
So I'ma come to a close, it be the pros, y'all know the steez
The rap game is gettin hot, consumers on they knees

Chorus (w/ variations)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Artifacts' song "It's Gettin' Hot" are a display of the duo's lyrical prowess and ego. The opening lines, "Who wants to see how we be the doper analyst, antagonist with scripts, be from the Bricks perfect," is El Da Sensai's self-assessment and assurance of his superiority. The song is a commentary on the state of rap music at the time of its release, with references to how the industry was getting hot, implying the increased hype and interest in rap music.

The lyrics also talk about the group's ability to stand out in a crowded rap scene with countless MCs vying for recognition. Tame One boasts of his "theoretical medical rhetoric," indicating his lyrical abilities to be experimental and unconventional, while adding that his long lines are akin to Newark's Club Sensations. At the same time, the chorus, "It's gettin hot - it's gettin hot MC's y'all know the steez/The rap game is gettin hot, consumers on their knees," shows how the industry was capitalizing on the growing demand for rap music, with fans eagerly consuming new releases.

Through the lyrics, Artifacts also makes use of wordplay, expressing their thoughts on the state of rap music. For instance, Tame One uses the phrase "But if I ain't touring, there ain't no rapper on the street scorin" as a play on words, indicating that if he's not actively promoting his music, the industry would not generate significant revenues.

Line by Line Meaning

What do we have here...
The Artifacts are introducing themselves and their song

It's gettin hot yo, it's gettin hot
The rap game is becoming more competitive and intense

Who wants to see how we be the doper analyst
The Artifacts are confident in their ability to analyze and critique the rap game

Antagonist with scripts, be from the Bricks perfect
The Artifacts are from Brick City (Newark, NJ) and they bring a confrontational style to their raps

There's no denying that you're spying -- trying to see the graph
Others in the rap game are watching the Artifacts and trying to understand their success

but you're knowing that can't fuck with the mathe-matcian
The Artifacts are skilled at both rap and math, making them a difficult and unique force in the industry

When I rip and tip-in rebounds with mounds of work
The Artifacts work hard and bring a lot of energy to their performances

Jerks get down, cause they know we hurt the sound
Other rappers feel threatened by the Artifacts' skills and impact on the rap game

So ease as I please these OG's with seeds that
The Artifacts are able to win over even the most established and respected veterans in the rap game

be fat, need that, Artifacts CD black
The Artifacts have a successful album that people want to hear

My theoretical medical rhetoric is terrible, but bearable
Tame One's rhymes are intellectual and challenging, but still enjoyable to listen to

Instead of sheddin wool, I'm takin sedatives
Tame One is not interested in conforming to typical rap norms, instead choosing to focus on his own unique style

MC repetatives, think they competetive
Other rappers who rely on repetitive rhymes are not seen as a real threat by Tame One

but I'm the Exodus, of executing
Tame One is leaving behind other rappers and elevating his own skills and popularity

all of my et ceteras, my Book of Revelations
Tame One's rhymes contain a lot of extra details and insights, like the Bible's Book of Revelations

speak of hesitation, but I got the longest lines
Tame One's rhymes are long and complex, indicating a high level of skill and thought

in Newark since Club Sensations
Tame One is a successful rapper from Newark who has become popular in the city's club scene

Haitians, request me on the station like I'm Lauryn
Tame One's popularity extends beyond just Newark, with Haitians requesting his music and comparing him to Lauryn Hill

But if I ain't touring there ain't no rapper on the street scorin
Tame One is an important part of the rap game and without him touring, other rappers won't be as successful

(word up) and that's word to my moms
Tame One is confident in his abilities and can swear on his mother's name that he's telling the truth

For much we lust, it be us, A-are-T
The Artifacts are proud of their success and reputation in the rap game

Fuckin smash parties, niggaz win, hardly
The Artifacts are known for throwing amazing and memorable parties, impressing other rappers and audiences

Smartly, advance no chance my lyrics prance upon the tracks
The Artifacts' lyrics are clever and well-written, and they smoothly rap over the beat

snap on, motherfuckers who can't catch on
The Artifacts are dismissive of other rappers who can't keep up with their talent and style

To my, do or die, stature bound to catch ya
The Artifacts are determined and continuously improving in their rap skills, making others take notice

Those who try and match the, master not an actor, poseur
The Artifacts don't see other rappers who copy their style as true competition or genuine artists

Wet with rap caliber, challengers
The Artifacts are confident in their rap skills and believe that others cannot match their quality

Wonder how I handle the, dates on my calendar
The Artifacts are successful and have a lot of bookings and performances, causing others to be curious about how they manage their schedule

Using, verbal assault to insult
The Artifacts use their rap skills to attack and insult other rappers, showcasing their superiority in the industry

those who wish to diss the first born is catchin fault
Other rappers who try to diss the Artifacts will end up looking foolish and unsuccessful, as the Artifacts are well-respected and talented

Self taught, not many can say that
The Artifacts are proud of their rap skills and believe that their success has come from their hard work and self-determination

So put the needle to the groove and listen to real rap
The Artifacts believe that their music is true and authentic rap, and they encourage others to listen and appreciate it

So I'ma come to a close, it be the pros, y'all know the steez
The Artifacts are ending their song, reminding listeners of their skill and reputation in the rap game

Peace, y'all know the steez
The Artifacts are signing off with a message of peace to their fans and listeners

The rap game is gettin hot -- consumers on they knees
The competition in the rap game is intense and consumers are hungry for new and exciting music

Lyrics © Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WILLIAMS, R. BROWN, WALT DEWGARDE JR., KEITH LAMAR WILLIAMS, R BROWN, WALTER DEWGARDE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS