Young God and Kingston make up the duo, and acquire additional people to help construct the synthesis of instrumental variety. Often a single track will involve a violin, cello, keyboard, and guitar mixed with live vocals and abstract samplings. Each song compiles and manipulates to make the music engage on several levels.
Most of their reputation comes from their accomplishments with various hip hop collaborators (Jean Grae, Crooked-I, Hell Razah, the late Guru, Ill Bill, to name but a few). Each album surpasses the next in expectation thus creating surprise. BSBD has been recieved praise from such publications as Spin, URB, Rock Sound, XLR8R (naming "Late Night Cinema" as: "The Best Instrumental Hip Hop album of 2008. Unlike any other artist around right now"), Itunes featured artist, Imeem featured artist, ReUp magazine, Filter Magazine, Vapors Magazine, Remix Magazine, Pop Matters, amongst others, and their music has led them to receive world wide recognition. Their most recent highly acclaimed album "Slow Burning Lights" matches BSBD with phenomenon Yes Alexander. Her spine numbing vocals and somber lyrics meld flawlessly amongst BSBDs quixotic rhythms. BSBD has redefined hip hop through their kaleidoscopic perception of music as a landscape; music as a dimension to construct and build upwards and out. Their name borrowed from the skydiving term, beauty before death, mirrors their longevity and ability to bring back to life, dead and forgotten dimensions. There's no artifice behind BSBD, as will be heard with "Third Party," which is set to drop September 7, 2010 and will be BSBDs 10th album released within a 4-year-span. "Third Party" pairs BSBD with songwriter Alexander Chen of Boy in Static, and most recently The Consulate General. The songs draw from a span of inspiration, from 80's pop melodies to modern indie rock experimentation.
Halos
Blue Sky Black Death Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I pop pop the biscuit and shut down your businesses
They wanna white-wash scan-copy my image
While I became a menace 'cause I found my limits
Spit it, open up the Book of Life and see my name in it
Same sentence, sure my wagers are death if I ain't live it
Ask the Lord for forgiveness of sins that I committed
Even Solomon predicted, you can't die with your riches
Each verse be worth money like Egyptian pictures
It got worse since the Bush's took that torch from Hitler
Pour out liquor for my dead comrades, I ain't forget ya, man
A lot of sex, but I'm no Caligula
I'm livin' Hip Hop, son, you just a visitor
A lot of faces and the names are similar
I build with the OG's down to superiors, yeah
"Fight the system"
"Got a precinct with the po-po"
"Bust your pistol"
"Seekin' five-O"
"Fight the system"
"Got a precinct with the po-po"
"Bust your pistol"
"Seekin' five-O"
Yo, this how we do it, man
Crooked I, where you at, baby?
I sit in the dark with my dead homies, obituary pictures
They talk to me while I'm writin' these literary scriptures
Sayin', "Crooked, don't let the Police Military get ya"
I tell 'em, before they do I'll be in a cemetery with ya
Militant momma, she was down with the Panthers
Picture me, a baby G in a dashiki and Pampers
I was the face of the pamphlets man, the black future
But nowadays, niggas gat shoot ya, fuck it, I clap rugers
My nina singin' like Fat Luther
Vandross, a damn boss bringin' that braat-braat to ya
COB is a religion, listen I'm in it
Everything I'm spittin' was written with hidden symbolism in it
Infinite wisdom hittin' the intricate sentences I'm spittin'
Cryptic as hieroglyphics, thought they figured it, but they didn't
West Coast Fayroll, killers on the payroll
20's on my chariot, dodge a blue halo
Hey yo, ya feel me out there? Whassup, Razah
Momma raised a Hell Razah
"Fight the system"
"Got a precinct with the po-po"
"Bust your pistol"
"Seekin' five-O"
"Fight the system"
"Got a precinct with the po-po"
"Bust your pistol"
"Seekin' five-O"
In this modern-day era, we be in terror, black Che Guevara's
On wax we like anthrax wrapped in a letter
My Beretta is for the slaves with forgotten graves
Like the names of Dred Scott, we aimin' with head shots
With scopes and red dots on old prejudice cops
Who plot on dope blocks with coke measurement drops
It's more drugs to schools for kids with no pops
My hood be like a cemetery
They gave a project tombstones and sanctuaries
This for the kids outside that's in the military
No matter black or Israeli, they both want us buried
It's a war outside, I hope you gettin' ready
Get off your celly and stand up and grab a semi-
Automatic, 'cause momma raised a Hell Razah like Makaveli
I'd like to pour out some Holy Water
For all the thug angels we been missin'
"One day you will look behind you and you will see we three...
And on that day, YOU WILL REAP IT! "
"We will send you to whatever God you wish."
"And shepherds we shall be, for thee, oh Lord, for thee.
Power hath descended forth from Thy hand.
That our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command.
So we shall flow a river forth to Thee,
And teeming with souls shall it ever be.
In Nomeni Patri, Et Fili, Spiritus Sancti."
The song "Halos" by Blue Sky Black Death featuring Crooked I and Hell Razah is a politically charged track that addresses issues of police brutality, institutionalized racism, and social injustice. The lyrics are divided into three verses, with each rapper sharing their personal experiences and perspectives on the current state of society. The first verse is delivered by Blue Sky Black Death and introduces the underlying themes of the song. The second and third verses are performed by Crooked I and Hell Razah, respectively, and provide more specific examples and stories of oppression.
The first verse sets the tone for the song and features a critique of mainstream culture's tendency to sanitize and commodify art. Blue Sky Black Death raps about being a "menace" because he refused to conform to the industry's expectations and found his own voice. He also references mortality and the importance of living authentically, as "solomon predicted, you can't die with your riches." The chorus repeats the phrase "fight the system," a call to arms for listeners to resist oppression and stand up for justice.
The second verse is performed by Crooked I, who shares his upbringing as a member of the Black Panther movement and the legacy of his militant mother. He asserts his commitment to COB (Circle of Bosses), a collective dedicated to fighting against oppression and inequality. The verse also features a nod to the late rapper Tupac Shakur, with Crooked I rapping "before they do I'll be in a cemetery with ya," referencing Tupac's line "I've been dead for years, but somehow I'm still alive."
The third and final verse is delivered by Hell Razah, who addresses the war on drugs and the criminalization of black and brown bodies. He references the graves of slaves and forgotten histories and acknowledges the pervasive nature of institutionalized oppression. The verse concludes with a reference to the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity, with Hell Razah reciting the prayer "In Nomeni Patri, Et Fili, Spiritus Sancti," which translates to "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Overall, "Halos" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that provides a commentary on the intersection of race, politics, and culture in modern society.
Line by Line Meaning
Knock, knock, who is it? I'm back, stop the gimmicks
I am here and ready to prove myself so don't try to fake or deceive me
I pop pop the biscuit and shut down your businesses
I use force to shut down and end your illegal activities
They wanna white-wash scan-copy my image
They try to replicate and alter my identity to fit their preference
While I became a menace 'cause I found my limits
I became a threat since I discovered my true potential and boundaries
Spit it, open up the Book of Life and see my name in it
Witness my presence and impact through your religious records and beliefs
Same sentence, sure my wagers are death if I ain't live it
The consequence of me not fulfilling my potential is death
Ask the Lord for forgiveness of sins that I committed
Request pardon from God for the wrongdoings I have done
Even Solomon predicted, you can't die with your riches
Even King Solomon prophesized that death erases all wealth and material possessions
Of course, no pillow talk when you lie with them bitches
There is no intimacy or personal connection when you engage in sexual activities with promiscuous women
Each verse be worth money like Egyptian pictures
My lyrics and poetic words hold immense value like ancient Egyptian artwork
It got worse since the Bush's took that torch from Hitler
Political and social issues have intensified since the Bush administration followed the legacy of Hitler's regime
Pour out liquor for my dead comrades, I ain't forget ya, man
I remember and honor my deceased friends by pouring alcohol as a tribute
A lot of sex, but I'm no Caligula
Although I engage in sexual activities, I am not as involved and excessive as Emperor Caligula
I'm livin' Hip Hop, son, you just a visitor
I fully embody and embrace the culture of Hip Hop, while you only participate temporarily
A lot of faces and the names are similar
Many people of similar identity or background exist and hold similar names
I build with the OG's down to superiors, yeah
I associate and collaborate with original gangsters, as well as those of higher authority
"Fight the system"
Encourage defiance against oppressive systems and authority
"Got a precinct with the po-po"
Have a police department actively watching and surveilling my actions
"Bust your pistol"
Use and fire my gun at those who pose a threat
"Seekin' five-O"
Actively searching for the police and their presence
I sit in the dark with my dead homies, obituary pictures
I reflect and mourn my lost friends, gazing at their obituary photos in the darkness
They talk to me while I'm writin' these literary scriptures
My deceased friends' spirits and memories inspire and guide me as I write these poetic verses
Sayin', "Crooked, don't let the Police Military get ya"
My friends warn me not to get caught or harmed by the law enforcement or military personnel
I tell 'em, before they do I'll be in a cemetery with ya
I reassure my friends that I am willing to die and reunite with them in the afterlife before any harm comes upon me
Militant momma, she was down with the Panthers
My mother was involved and supported the Black Panther movement
Picture me, a baby G in a dashiki and Pampers
Visualize me as a young gangster wearing African traditional clothing and diapers
It's more drugs to schools for kids with no pops
The drug industry targets and exploits children who lack a father figure or guidance
My hood be like a cemetery
My community is ridden with violence and death, resembling a cemetery
This for the kids outside that's in the military
Dedicated to the young soldiers who fight and serve their country
No matter black or Israeli, they both want us buried
Both black people and Israelis face the threat of death and war, regardless of their differences
It's a war outside, I hope you gettin' ready
The reality outside is a conflict and I encourage you to prepare and arm yourself
Get off your celly and stand up and grab a semi-
Stop using your cellphone and take action by getting a semi-automatic weapon
'Cause momma raised a Hell Razah like Makaveli
My mother raised me to be a fearless and controversial figure like Tupac Shakur
"We will send you to whatever God you wish."
A pledge to send the antagonist to their desired deity or afterlife
"And shepherds we shall be, for thee, oh Lord, for thee."
Posing a prayer for guidance and protection from God
"Power hath descended forth from Thy hand."
Acknowledging the authority and power of God
"So we shall flow a river forth to Thee,
A promise to offer a continuous stream of devotion and loyalty to God
"And teeming with souls shall it ever be."
The stream will be abundant with the souls of all believers
"In Nomeni Patri, Et Fili, Spiritus Sancti."
Latin phrase indicating a prayer or invocation for the Holy Trinity
Contributed by Alaina I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cory Stevens
crookeds verse is one of the best i've ever heard in my life.
D DD
It's my all time favorite verse from him. Never gets old
Palestinian AF
Yup
B Cuad
"MOMMA RAISED A HELL RAZAH" this album is insane. So slept one. The Luther Ingram sample is NASTY too
Sharif Hamida
“ Open up the book of life and see my name in it” pumps me up
Daily News Grind
The way I metaphored it to myself was "Seen The Book of Life (Government Watchlist) and seen my name in it.
LoL I'm a former criminal. 3 time felon.
"I pop pop, the biscuit and shut down your businesses" (with Covid19 Lockdowns). LoL
Yoshi Izumi
Love it... Thank you for this.
iAmSkilldog
Love this, buying up mad BSBD instros at the minute haha got a sick idea for this one. Love Boondock Saints too so hope that samples kept on there. Shit's fire.
chrispy199
oh my god this is so sick
Reymond Miramontes
Remember this being a banger