In late 1997, Solesides became Quannum Projects and in 1999 Blackalicious released the A2G EP, which served as a precursor to their debut full length album, Nia, which was released the following year. This was followed by a major label contract with MCA Records and the release of the critically acclaimed album Blazing Arrow in 2002.
In May 2004 Gift of Gab released his first solo album, 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, but he assured fans that Blackalicious was alive and well.
A third full length, entitled The Craft, was released on Epitaph Records imprint ANTI- on September 27, 2005.
You Didn't Know That Though
Blackalicious Lyrics
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Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo
Here we go again I lend a vocal to your dome
Help as a new MC find his way home
Wake up in the morning with the microphone jones
Step up in the room puff-puff the homegrown
All up in my zone prone stoned a drone's a drone
Most ill-in-tray innovative lo-'n-behold
Penetrating in the winebago goin' the road
Send a tape in when I break it though I be wrong
Help this innovatin' rhetor-icky flowin' along
But you never want to try to challenge bro that's wrong
Make your dome piece shatter make you go back home
Here to show that bro
In this world of disco, sippin' on a cup of cisco
Know that go
Till the sight that make me pyscho then I throw that blow
Lotta killin' lotta dyin' and I know that's wrong
So backbone on rap song no wack song
Alimony's trippin' sittin' all in the back row
Mack-mode style sizzle hot tabasco
Slappin' up your class ill-y-ask fiasco
Last call for MC's who have soul
Despirating elevating niggas' cause that's wrong
I passed all my logic in a flow rap mode
I got this whole map sold, you didn't know that though
Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo
Bomb-diddy put the beat in yo' head
Watch as it expands an' your face turn red
Put lead to me like laps at club dread
Hate 'em need 'em leave but passports are dead
I'm a rhyming on the rhyming break a armageddon
Patronize the webs in the heads of my bretheren
Exiting to hover over your opinion
Never let another ruler inside of my dominion
Sinner in the middle of my inner where the riddle
Smoke a pinner put a little bit of ginger in my dinner meal
Feeling ill stealing the show like a criminal
Cleaning out the mucus in your grill like benadryl
Call on any man lyrically battle any man
Go and get your posse and your crew I got plenty fam
I roll up in your entourage with a caravan
Course then I was humble then I let out the arrogance
Anti-American government crisis
Stare into my eyes don't you see you can never win
Hit you like a javelin severin hell of intelligent MC's
And victory relevant
You didn't know that though
Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo
Blast off
Make me look every way that's surrounding me
Break your sound of inter-ron colony
Ro produce and reduce the economy
Fill your ear with self sight psychology
In the world plan with spirituality
On the road sidelines enough casualties
Mind and body soul whole mathematically
Grab the microphone rock on emphatically
Grew youth into MC academy
Bring you truth in these lies and these fantasies
Comments sense and to y'all the man is me
You didn't know that though
Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo
The song "You Didn't Know That Though" by Blackalicious is an assertive and empowering hip-hop track. The lyrics are rich and complex, expressing a multitude of themes and ideas with intelligent rhymes and wordplay. The rapper encourages other emerging artists to find their own voice and share their truth, despite the challenges and struggles they may face in the music industry. The track also touches on broader social and political issues, including the impact of American government policies and the need for greater spirituality and mindfulness in our lives. Overall, the song is a masterclass in rap lyricism and an empowering call to action.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we go again I lend a vocal to your dome
I'm here to help another MC find his way using my voice
Wake up in the morning with the microphone jones
I'm always ready to spit some bars at any time of day
All up in my zone prone stoned a drone's a drone
I'm in my own headspace, feeling mellow, and some people just follow along
Television's inner vision native's are home
TV shows try to capture real life, but true natives have a deeper understanding of what's going on
Most ill-in-tray innovative lo-'n-behold
The most talented and groundbreaking MCs are worth admiring
Penetrating in the winebago goin' the road
I'm out on the road, traveling and perfecting my craft
Help this innovatin' rhetor-icky flowin' along
I want to inspire others to keep up with my innovative style of rapping
Make your dome piece shatter make you go back home
My rhymes are so powerful they can destroy someone's ego and make them want to give up
Lotta killin' lotta dyin' and I know that's wrong
There's too much violence in the world and it needs to stop
Alimony's trippin' sittin' all in the back row
People who want something from you will try to bring you down if you're not careful
Slappin' up your class ill-y-ask fiasco
I'm taking down anyone who thinks they can keep up with me
Despirating elevating niggas' cause that's wrong
I'm trying to motivate and inspire people, not bring them down
I passed all my logic in a flow rap mode
I'm using logic and creativity to create these rhymes
Bomb-diddy put the beat in yo' head
This beat is so good it will stick with you for a long time
Put lead to me like laps at club dread
I can handle anything that's thrown my way, like racing laps at a scary club
Call on any man lyrically battle any man
I'm prepared to take on anyone who wants to challenge me
Anti-American government crisis
I'm not a fan of the American government and the problems they've caused
Fill your ear with self sight psychology
I want to influence you with some deep thoughts and insights
Mind and body soul whole mathematically
Everything in the world is interconnected, and I'm able to break it down logically
Bring you truth in these lies and these fantasies
I'm here to expose the truth behind the lies and illusions we see every day
Comments sense and to y'all the man is me
I'm confident that I'm the best and everyone knows it
Contributed by Caden G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
trwijbenga
Around the new millennium, my friends and I raised a great party at new years eve. A friend of mine brought this track along, and it was the big hit of the evening, everybody was drunk, stoned, and people were singing YOYOOYOYOYOYO all night and morning long! Brings back great memories.
trwijbenga
Still listening to this every new year 😎
Tom Ivers
That rules
JG
I wish I was at that party.
dudewhyfi
this album is literally about 7-8 years ahead of its time production-combined with lyric wise. Crazier lyrics have been made before this but the combination of this production is def ahead of its time
BW
quite, Frank
Catherine Clark
m8 i would say 9 years to be quite frank
Darin Olsen
One of the best albums ever period. A true "put it in and press play album."
Dan Newell
Gift of gab..one of the most underrated MCs of all time
Luchan Baker
Rest In Power Gift! Oakland stand up!