In 2002, Atom joined forces with the hip-hop crew Secta 7. Shortly thereafter, Atom independently released his first full-length LP, Sword of 77 Faces. Atom's intense style and verbal ability quickly gained the attention of hip-hop fans across the globe, establishing a small but growing fanbase. In December 2003, Download.com launched its music site, music.download.com, and in the first week of operation, Atom's track "A.I." (Sword of 77 Faces) received over 6,000 downloads. This made it the second most downloaded track on the entire site. The momentum was building.
After graduating from his university studies in 2004, Atom spent two months backpacking through South America. This trip changed his view on politics, poverty and to life. Upon his return in early 2005, Atom independently released his second LP, The Day the World Changed. That same year he was also voted "Solo Artist of the Year" on mp3unsigned.com, chosen out of twelve thousand other artists and groups. His track "A.I." remains one of the top 10 most downloaded songs on that site. (As of April, 2006.)
Atom has received radio play on numerous radio and internet stations, including KSDB 91.9FM, KDUR 93.9FM, KUCR 88.3FM, WRTE Radio Arte 90.5FM, UK Conspiracy Radio Worldwide and Redlightradio.com. He is working on his third album, Son of Slaves and Lords, which is set to drop in 2008.
Listening to Atom's music, it is hard not to be moved to thinking about matters that really matter. There is no quick fix for the planet but doing nothing is not the answer. We need a revolution for and by the people, not necessarily a bloodbath but a change. Change comes from ideas and Atom lays out quite a few. Now it's up to you to listen.
© 2007 AtomthaImmortal.com
Empire
Atom Tha Immortal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll wreck a civilian
With military conditioning I'm killing them
Lyricism of War
You ain't ready for metaphor
Cause an Atom song has more megatons than atom bombs
Moving on
Like Louis Armstrong to Great Beyond
Like Viet Cong in Vietnam
Transform
Like Enoch turning to Metatron
Bringing bombs like Hizbollah guerrillas in Lebanon
The line has been drawn
Here's some critical 4-11
Repent and seek Christ to go to heaven
Spiritually no Pharisee leaven
I'll leave you terrified to go outside like New York city in '77
Summer of Sam
Rip mics with both hands
Early advance
Was in spray cans and breakdance
You're half a man
But I'm something else entirely
Immortal representing for the I.E. society
Chorus:
-------
Empire strikes back
Give us our mics back
You wack cats can't rap
Scared to spit the facts
Spitting fictitious rhymes
Straight suspicious rhymes
The human race is almost over
Here comes the finish line
(x 2)
(T'sai of Outskirts)
T'sai the chosen
Bulldozing over you characters
Ain't scared of you
Preparing you for the final shake down
Attacking your mentals to the point they break down
Your mic I take now
Till your crew don't make a sound
Cause I roll with tight spitters
Holy mic defenders
This beat packs more heat than cops with life enders
White flags waves surrenders
My flow leaves you froze
Like poles in the winter
Try to lick a bite, you'll get stuck
Unstoppable like Mack truck
You're wack when you bust, suddenly smacked by a bust
I stand my ground like no more back of the bus
Empire strikes back fast
With no hesitation
Collaboration y'all wack crews can't even fathom
T'sai form the Outskirts, and that spiritual brother Atom
With skills that's endless and that's a Menace like the Phantom
909 we put it down to the fullest, so here's the anthem
What, what.
(chorus)
In "Empire," Atom Tha Immortal shows off his skilled lyricism with metaphors and references to war and historical events. He paints himself as a military-trained rapper who can "wreck a civilian" with ease. He boasts that his rhymes have more impact than an atom bomb, and he compares himself to legendary figures like Louis Armstrong and Enoch turning to Metatron. He also references the Vietnam War and Hizbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, showcasing his knowledge and awareness of global conflicts. Atom Tha Immortal's lyrics are confrontational, urging listeners to repent and seek salvation or else face terror and violence comparable to New York City during the infamous Summer of Sam.
The chorus of "Empire" emphasizes the threat posed by Atom Tha Immortal and T'sai of Outskirts. They call out all other rappers, accusing them of being "wack cats" who can't handle the truth. Their rhymes are "fictitious" and "suspicious," lacking the depth and authenticity that Atom Tha Immortal and T'sai bring to the game. The "Empire" they refer to could be the dominant force in the music industry, but Atom Tha Immortal and T'sai are ready to challenge and subvert this power structure. Ultimately, "Empire" is a testament to the power of words and the potential of rap music to shake up existing systems of oppression and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
Enter my dominion of mic oblivion
Welcome to my world of rap where I dominate and destroy anyone who tries to challenge me.
I'll wreck a civilian
I'm so talented that I could easily take down any average rapper who dares to go up against me.
With military conditioning I'm killing them
My skills are honed and refined to perfection, making it easy for me to take down any rapper who comes my way.
Lyricism of War
My songs are like battles, where I use words as weapons to defeat my opponents.
You ain't ready for metaphor
My lyrics are so complex and metaphorical that most people wouldn't even be able to understand them.
Cause an Atom song has more megatons than atom bombs
My songs pack such a powerful punch that they could do more damage than an atom bomb.
Moving on / Like Louis Armstrong to Great Beyond
I keep advancing and improving my skills, like how Louis Armstrong advanced to his next life.
Retaliate / Like Viet Cong in Vietnam
I will fight back just like how the Viet Cong fought against their enemies in Vietnam.
Transform / Like Enoch turning to Metatron
I can adapt and change just like how Enoch transformed into Metatron, a powerful archangel.
Bringing bombs like Hizbollah guerrillas in Lebanon
I am bringing my powerful rhymes and lyrics, like how Hizbollah guerrillas bring their bombs to Lebanon.
The line has been drawn / Here's some critical 4-11
I am calling out my opponents and letting them know that I am serious with some critical truth.
Repent and seek Christ to go to heaven / Spiritually no Pharisee leaven
I am encouraging people to change their ways and follow Christ, and I am also not like the religious hypocrites of the Pharisees.
I'll leave you terrified to go outside like New York city in '77 / Summer of Sam
My lyrics will leave you so scared and intimidated that you won't even want to leave your own home, just like how people were scared to go outside during the Summer of Sam in NYC.
Rip mics with both hands / Early advance / Was in spray cans and breakdance
I am so talented that I can tear apart microphones with both hands, and my earliest skills were in graffiti and breakdancing.
You're half a man / But I'm something else entirely / Immortal representing for the I.E. society
Most people wouldn't be able to compare to my skills, and I am uniquely talented in my own way, representing my hometown of the Inland Empire.
Empire strikes back / Give us our mics back / You wack cats can't rap / Scared to spit the facts / Spitting fictitious rhymes / Straight suspicious rhymes / The human race is almost over / Here comes the finish line
I am calling out those who are faking their skills and are too scared to rap about the truth. The human race is coming to an end, and there won't be any time for these fake rappers.
T'sai the chosen / Bulldozing over you characters / Ain't scared of you / Preparing you for the final shake down
T'sai is the chosen one who will take down any rapper who tries to challenge him. He isn't afraid of anyone and is getting everyone ready for the final showdown.
Attacking your mentals to the point they break down / Your mic I take now / Till your crew don't make a sound
T'sai's lyrics are so powerful that they will mentally break down his opponents, and he will take their mics until their entire crew is silenced.
Cause I roll with tight spitters / Holy mic defenders / This beat packs more heat than cops with life enders
T'sai is rolling with only the best rappers and is dedicated to protecting the art of rap. This beat is so hot that it's like having dangerous firearms.
White flags waves surrenders / My flow leaves you froze / Like poles in the winter
Everyone will surrender to T'sai's skills, and his flow is so cold that it will leave his opponents frozen like poles in icy weather.
Try to lick a bite, you'll get stuck / Unstoppable like Mack truck / You're wack when you bust, suddenly smacked by a bust / I stand my ground like no more back of the bus
If you try to imitate T'sai's skills, you'll get stuck and fail. He is unstoppable, like a huge Mack truck, and his opponents will suddenly get smacked down by his powerful rhymes. He stands his ground and won't be pushed around like in the back of the bus.
Empire strikes back fast / With no hesitation / Collaboration y'all wack crews can't even fathom / T'sai form the Outskirts, and that spiritual brother Atom / With skills that's endless and that's a Menace like the Phantom / 909 we put it down to the fullest, so here's the anthem / What, what.
T'sai and Atom are coming back with a vengeance and won't hesitate to take down their opponents. Their collaboration is so powerful that their opponents can't even understand it. They both have endless skills and are a menace to their enemies, just like the phantom. They are putting on a show for their hometown area code (909), and here is their anthem.
Contributed by Max G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.