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.

Notty Headed Nigguhz
Artifacts Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Tame One]
Artifacts, check around my fuckin BLOCK, I X-Men like Cyclops
When I lift my shades up, my eyes blaze Ghetto Red Hot
But as is, my ad-libs, are more wicked than bad kids
Ask Biz if Tame leaves marks like a shit skid

[El Da Sensai]
It's the Mister, on a mission mixer of the rougher

Mix the snuff that get you up ? but no style is tougher
I dismiss crews, I bruise, snooze ya losin
Groovin provin I can do in men who went out smoother
Artifact chart, my rap gat starts to battle
Tracks be fat so who dat? Nigga I be through black

[Tame One]
I get biz on bitches, puff izz with my cousins
Tame shit so wild, honies roll they eyes like Teddy Ruxpin
I hit mad skins, then roll up bills on the reals
My skills mad ill, but chill kid, everything's real
from naps up top, down to the wrinkles in my Reeboks
I'm up late like Leno playin demos from my toolbox
My crew rocks, two blocks away from the buddha spot
I'm out but don't get it fucked up, cause I wsnt you to rock

[El Da Sensai]
I come from the slums of New Jeruz I do bums
who can't adapt no haps son, you know I close on caption
You know this, boss niggaz like Lex to Mr. Otis
You can't hold this BITCH I'm swift like a lotus

..

[Tame One]
Well it's the wiseguy, who never did a driveby
but I fly zones, and shine like chrome, on 7:35
I, play my Hi-Fi, volume up sky high
Talkin buddha thai, don't bother tryin to fascinate my eye
I got 20/20 like Baba Wawa on a Friday
Buy my tape, so I can put a Cruiser in my driveway
Say hi Tame, pass the dutch so I can take a puff
of Born Cypher Cypher Master, I never get enough
No curls, no braids, peasy heads still get paid
Smokin sassy-frassy, that grows free, in the Everglades
and get lit, trip up on the phone and talk some sex shit
But that's some next shit, yo peace I'm out to the exit

[El Da Sensai]
It's the funky Mister Ripper split your ass
Quick-fast, you never outlast the outcast
I'm stompin weak-ass niggaz, so ready let's go
I gas up a skit, I got the snaps on the petrol
I'm never fake I break the funk breaks I'm breakin
MC El create the styles that brothers ain't makin
To go past the end I run you over like a semi
Remember I be the guy, who's fuckin up your shit I,
be the one to call myself def in any program
Scan my battleplan before I step into a jam
I cross the major diction when fixed I'm a rap magician
You keep fishin for rhythms while I'm puffin on the ism
A Ford Explore, the rap tour, comin through ya door
One two three PEACE, I'm out for ninety-four

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics are from the song "Notty Headed Nigguhz" by Artifacts, featuring the rappers Tame One and El Da Sensai. The song showcases the duo's streetwise persona and their skillful rhyming abilities. In the first verse, Tame One boasts about his X-Men-like powers and his sharp ad-libs. El Da Sensai follows up with his own verse about his rugged style and his ability to dismiss other crews effortlessly. Tame One returns in the last verse with his brand of coolness and his prowess with women, ending with his desire to exit the scene.

The lyrics paint a picture of two rappers from the slums of New Jersey who have honed their rap skills to a sharp edge. They are proud of their roots and streetwise ways, but they also have an eye on success and recognition in the rap industry. The song's title and lyrics are a nod to the duo's unapologetic blackness and their rejection of societal norms.

Line by Line Meaning

Artifacts, check around my fuckin BLOCK, I X-Men like Cyclops
I'm the Artifacts crew, and if you doubt my skills, go ahead and check around my neighborhood. I'm powerful like Cyclops of the X-Men.

When I lift my shades up, my eyes blaze Ghetto Red Hot
When I take off my sunglasses, my eyes are intense and fiery, representing the tough and gritty atmosphere of the ghetto.

But as is, my ad-libs, are more wicked than bad kids
My spontaneous and improvised vocal embellishments are even more mischievous and entertaining than kids who are causing trouble.

Ask Biz if Tame leaves marks like a shit skid
If you're not convinced about my skills yet, just ask Biz (a fellow rapper). I leave a lasting impression like the stain of a skid mark in underwear.

It's the Mister, on a mission mixer of the rougher
I am El Da Sensai, the man on a mission who blends together the roughest and toughest sounds of hip-hop music.

Mix the snuff that get you up ? but no style is tougher
I mix and create beats that give listeners an emotional high, but I remain unmatched in terms of style and skill.

I dismiss crews, I bruise, snooze ya losin
I disregard and defeat entire groups of rappers who try to challenge me. If you underestimate me, you'll be the one who loses out in the end.

Groovin provin I can do in men who went out smoother
I am so smooth and skilled that I can outshine and defeat other rappers who were once considered more polished and refined.

Artifact chart, my rap gat starts to battle
When the Artifacts crew takes the stage or puts out a new album, it's like we're declaring war on inferior rappers and MCs everywhere.

Tracks be fat so who dat? Nigga I be through black
Our songs are thick and heavy, so it doesn't matter who else is trying to make music, because we've already won the game.

I get biz on bitches, puff izz with my cousins
I am successful with women and enjoy smoking marijuana with my relatives.

Tame shit so wild, honies roll they eyes like Teddy Ruxpin
I have a reputation for being wild and unpredictable, and women are sometimes amazed or skeptical of my behavior like the talking Teddy Ruxpin toy of the 1980s.

I hit mad skins, then roll up bills on the reals
I frequently have sexual encounters with multiple partners, then make and spend large amounts of money in an honest and straightforward way.

My skills mad ill, but chill kid, everything's real
I am extremely skilled at rapping, but it's important to remember that I am also authentic and genuine in everything I do.

from naps up top, down to the wrinkles in my Reeboks
Every part of my look and style is immaculate, from my perfectly styled hair, to the creases in my sneakers.

I'm up late like Leno playin demos from my toolbox
Late at night, I listen to recordings of my own music like the famous TV host Jay Leno.

My crew rocks, two blocks away from the buddha spot
My crew is very talented, and we live close to a location where marijuana is sold and smoked.

I'm out but don't get it fucked up, cause I wsnt you to rock
I am leaving now, but I want you to continue enjoying the music and the energy we've created.

I come from the slums of New Jeruz I do bums
I grew up in impoverished neighborhoods of New Jersey and I succeed in defeating and humiliating other rappers who are struggling like I once did.

who can't adapt no haps son, you know I close on caption
I easily defeat any rapper who can't keep up with my skills and style, and I am able to finish them off effectively.

You know this, boss niggaz like Lex to Mr. Otis
It's well-known that I am a boss in the rap game, and that I am on another level like the character Lex Luthor is to the everyday man, Mr. Otis.

You can't hold this BITCH I'm swift like a lotus
I am too skilled and fast for anyone to be able to stop me or slow me down. I'm as quick as a lotus flower.

Well it's the wiseguy, who never did a driveby
I am a clever and intelligent person, who has never participated in violent crime or aggression.

but I fly zones, and shine like chrome, on 7:35
I travel frequently and easily, and my presence is noticeable and bright, like the chrome finish on a luxury car.

I, play my Hi-Fi, volume up sky high
I listen to music at very loud volumes, and love the feeling of the beat pulsing through me.

Talkin buddha thai, don't bother tryin to fascinate my eye
I enjoy smoking high-quality marijuana from Thailand, and I am not impressed easily by anything else.

I got 20/20 like Baba Wawa on a Friday
My vision is perfect, just like the famous news anchor Barbara Walters on her show broadcasted on Fridays.

Buy my tape, so I can put a Cruiser in my driveway
Purchase my music album, so that I can afford to buy a new car and park it at my home.

Say hi Tame, pass the dutch so I can take a puff
Say hello to me, Tame, and share your marijuana pipe with me so that I can smoke some too.

of Born Cypher Cypher Master, I never get enough
I am incredibly talented at rapping, and I always want to do more and to improve my skills even further.

No curls, no braids, peasy heads still get paid
I don't have any fancy or elaborate hairstyles, but I am still successful and earn good money.

Smokin sassy-frassy, that grows free, in the Everglades
I smoke a type of marijuana called 'sassy-frassy', which is grown naturally in the Florida Everglades.

and get lit, trip up on the phone and talk some sex shit
I get high on marijuana and sometimes say inappropriate or sexual things when talking on the phone.

But that's some next shit, yo peace I'm out to the exit
That kind of behavior is not something to focus on, and now I am leaving and heading out the door.

It's the funky Mister Ripper split your ass
I am El Da Sensai, and I create funky and exciting music that will metaphorically defeat other rappers.

Quick-fast, you never outlast the outcast
I act quickly and effectively, and my rivals will never be able to surpass my talent or popularity.

I'm stompin weak-ass niggaz, so ready let's go
I am dismissing and easily defeating weaker rappers, so let's get started with the lyrical battle.

I gas up a skit, I got the snaps on the petrol
I am ready for the rap battle, fueled like a car with petrol or gasoline.

I'm never fake I break the funk breaks I'm breakin
I always remain true to myself and my style, and I break apart, or defeat, other funky sounds created by other rappers.

MC El create the styles that brothers ain't makin
I am El Da Sensai, and my musical style is so unique, creative, and impressive that no other rappers can match it.

To go past the end I run you over like a semi
I am determined to succeed and become the best rapper ever, and I will even metaphorically run over any other competitors like a big truck or semi-trailer.

Remember I be the guy, who's fuckin up your shit I,
Don't forget, I am the one who is turning the tables on other rappers, and causing problems for them.

be the one to call myself def in any program
I am confident enough to say that I am a great rapper in any situation or on any platform.

Scan my battleplan before I step into a jam
I always have a strategic and precise plan when it comes to battling other rappers.

I cross the major diction when fixed I'm a rap magician
I use complex and advanced techniques when it comes to rapping, and I am like a magician in my ability to control words and rhythm.

You keep fishin for rhythms while I'm puffin on the ism
While other rappers are struggling to come up with new and creative beats, I am relaxed and high on marijuana, enjoying the moment.

A Ford Explore, the rap tour, comin through ya door
We are arriving in a Ford Explorer SUV, ready to embark on a musical tour and performance right at your doorstep or home venue.

One two three PEACE, I'm out for ninety-four
I'm saying a quick 'peace out' and goodbye for now, as we head into the year 1994.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TODD RAY, ELLIOTT WILLIAMS, RAHEM ROSS BROWN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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