1992 to 1996
Black Moon was the first to record, debuting in 1992 with their underground hit single "Who Got Da Props?". Their debut album Enta Da Stage followed in late 1993, featuring production from DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz, and featured appearances from Mobb Deep's Havoc, Smif-N-Wessun and Duck Down Records Co-head Dru-Ha. Smif-N-Wess' dropped their debut single "Bucktown" in 1994, followed by their full-length debut Dah Shinin' in early 1995. The album was produced by Beatminerz members DJ Evil Dee, Mr. Walt, Baby Paul and Rich Blak. The album featured appearances from the entire Boot Camp Clik. Later in 1995, Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. teamed up to form The Fab 5, and released their debut single "Blah b/w Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka". "Leflah" was included on Heltah Skeltah's 1996 debut Nocturnal. The album featured a more expanded list of producers, including Brand Nubian's Lord Jamar, Tha Alkaholiks E-Swift, Shaleek, Shawn J. Period, as well as Boot Camp members such as DJ Evil Dee, Mr. Walt, Baby Paul, Buckshot, and Supreme. The album also featured debut appearances from Representativz and Illa Noyz. O.G.C. followed up later in 1996 with their debut Da Storm. Production was handled by Baby Paul, Shaleek, Mr. Walt, Supreme, DJ Evil Dee, DJ Ogee, Buckshot, Lord Jamar, E-Swift and Madlib. Guest appearances came from Brand Nubian's Sadat X, Representativz, M.S., Sean Black, and Rock of Heltah Skeltah. Furthermore, in 1996 Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun and others began collaborating on numerous songs with 2Pac. These were to be used on an upcomming compilation entitled "One Nation." Though various bootleg tracks surfaced, the album was never released in its entirety.
These four albums are now hailed by many as 1990s Hip-Hop classics.
1997 to 1999
In 1997, the whole Camp came together for their first group album For the People. They abandoned their Beatminerz production crew and left behind their signature, grimy, sample-heavy basement sound, instead choosing to rap over beats with live instrumentation. The album received lukewarm reviews and mediocre sales. Their work over the next two years was met with declining sales and interest. Smif-N-Wessun [Now the Cocoa Brovaz due to a lawsuit with Smith & Wesson firearms] were the first to return, with 1998's The Rude Awakening, which, compared to the other albums soon to come, did pretty well critically and commercially. Heltah Skeltah met some harsh reviews for their 1998 second album Magnum Force, accused of abandoning their grimy street work for a more commercial sound. Despite a hit single, "I Ain't Havin' That", they weren't producing the sales they hoped for, and soon split up. Black Moon returned, after a lengthy legal battle over their name, in early 1999 with War Zone. The album did pretty well critically, but couldn't match the sales of their debut. O.G.C.'s 1999 second album The M-Pire Shrikez Back almost completely missed the radar commercially, but received mostly good reviews. 1999 also saw the debut album from Boot Camp affiliates Representativz, with "Angels of Death", and a Duck Down Records compilation Duck Down Presents: The Album.
2000 to present
The Camp was largely missing from the Hip-Hop scene between 2000 and 2001, besides a Boot Camp Greatest Hits compilation titled Basic Training: Boot Camp Clik's Greatest Hits in 2000. The Camp (minus Heltah Skeltah's Rock) returned with another group album in 2002, titled The Chosen Few, their first on an independent label. Sales were pretty strong for an independent album, reaching around 60,000. The album received a 4 1/2 star rating from All Music, as well as other strong reviews from Hip Hop magazines. In early 2003, Duck Down Records released a compilation album entitled Collect Dis Edition, featuring a number of singles released during their MIA period. Black Moon returned in 2003 with Total Eclipse. The album was very well received, and featured the underground anthem "Stay Real". In 2005, Duck Down released their "Triple Threat" campaign, featuring the solo debut from Sean Price, Monkey Barz, a collaboration between Buckshot and Little Brother's 9th Wonder, Chemistry, and a new album from Smif-N-Wessun, Tek N Steele: Reloaded. In early 2006, Duck Down released a DVD titled Video Surveillance, featuring over thirty of the Camp's music videos. In July 2006, the Camp released their third group album, entitled The Last Stand, featuring the return of Heltah Skeltah. The first track and music video released from the project was "Trading Places", which was also featured as the B-Side to the first official single "Yeah". On January 30, 2007, Sean Price will release his second solo album, titled Jesus Price Supastar.
Soul Jah
Boot Camp Clik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
One for all and all for one
It's all for all, it's all or none
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
Stand for something or fall for whatever
When we ride out, we ride together, let's get busy
Yeah, I'm a Boot Camp soldier 'til I D-O-A
'Til I'm in a gunfight and my heat don't spray
Some of you believe all I do is smoke weed all day
But I stay military, mine sharp like a stingray
I'm a Boot Camp soldier 'cause I rep the streets
This means that I'll go to war for my beliefs
And I owe it to my peeps, know that helpin' 'em reach
Another level in this rap game where niggaz can eat
(Verse 2-Buckshot)
I'm a soldier like a political prisoner
This is a all-out war so you can load up your Dillingers
You willing to step up and play the front? So
First you gotta show 'em how your gun blow, aight though?
Don't go bailin' on me now, or gun failin' on me now
On the real, just hold me down, then
If I take aim, you take aim
If I bust, you bust, it's simple, do the same thing
Be a soldier, I told ya, it's all in the mind frame
They ain't ready for war, when it come they like "Ah, man"
This ain't a fashion statement
When they bash your face in, then it's back to the basics
(Hook-Steele w/vocal sample)
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
One for all and all for one
It's all for all, it's all or none
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
Stand for something or fall for whatever
When we ride out, we ride together, let's get busy
(Verse 3-Rock)
I always been a Boot Camp soldier, even though I went AWOL
It's family, when they call, I bang all
At your whole team, though, the 'Wild Boy' is back, I'm Steve-O
Without the leopard thong all in the crack (Nah)
Everything is logical, ain't no emotions here
Cut you, you dyin' fool, I'm Spock without the pointy ears
I'm goin' there, you ain't goin' where we goin', clear
The fuck outta gear, the whole in your rear, we soldier's here
(Verse 4-Sean Price)
Freak soldier, heat holder, Green Beret
Johnny Rambo, nigga, make my day
Your ass is frontin', don't make the God blast at somethin'
Sean Price is the weapon of mass destruction
Captain Black America, strapped with the gat, darin' ya
Pop two shots at your knot with the black Deringer
Sean's a soldier, see the stripe on my arm
How you wanna do it, knife or the chron's? Really, though
(Hook-Steele w/vocal sample)
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
One for all and all for one
It's all for all, it's all or none
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
Stand for something or fall for whatever
When we ride out, we ride together, let's get busy
(Verse 5-Starang Wondah)
You hear my voice, you got no choice but feel the presence
And in the underground, BCC is still legends
Now I'm back smarter, but a little older
Niggaz in my hood said that it was over
Hit the block, Ruck, Rock, black-on-block Rover
Like "Hate to say I told you so, but nigga, I told ya"
I'm the beast, a Savage like the Macho Man
Niggaz take your cheese like you the Nacho Man
And I'm not yo man, y'all niggaz so phony
You owe me, got dope for me, show me
(Verse 6-Top Dog)
Do you remember, my Boots and my troops?
My troops in those suits, we world wide
And I still rep BCC
And I'm still Top D-O-G 'cause I'm a soldier
Fatigued up, some days I'm jeaned up
My two soldiers at home keep me serene and cleaned up
So don't make me call my team up
Just ease up, see my name in them books, you wanna read up?
(Verse 7-Louieville Sluggah)
Chumps at ease, put it on freeze
Henny's in your presence, I'm about cheese
'Bout that Play-Doh, haters fuck with mines
Replace your fitted with a halo
Boot Camp's stompin' through my veins
We are, Sacman street hustlers, ain't shit change
Respect is everything and I gotta shine
Suck dick for yours, but I'll die for mines, you know
(Verse 8-Tek)
Please take a look at my battle scars
Realize it's a miracle how I survive
My Brooklyn Vietnam
I was always trained first to bomb
The element of surprise 'll put your foes on they heels
Tags on they toes, it's kill or be killed
Should I show you blueprints to a murder?
Nobody no case, you could be the murder
Confidently move, leave no trace
Consequently, the DA 'll have no case
You could take it how you want it, this is just a tip
But don't quote me, boy, 'cause I ain't said shh...
(Hook-Steele w/vocal sample)
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
One for all and all for one
It's all for all, it's all or none
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
Stand for something or fall for whatever
When we ride out, we ride together, let's get busy
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
The lyrics to Boot Camp Clik's song Soul Jah are about standing up for one's beliefs and being a soldier for a greater cause. The chorus repeats the line "Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah" to emphasize the importance of this identity and the idea of standing together as a group. The verses touch on themes of loyalty to one's community and the willingness to fight for what one believes in. Steele raps about being a soldier for the streets, ready to go to war for his beliefs and help others succeed in the rap game. Buckshot emphasizes the importance of teamwork and unity in battle, while Rock boasts about his logic and tactical mindset as a soldier. Sean Price emphasizes his role as a "weapon of mass destruction," and Starang Wondah reflects on the legacy and presence of BCC as underground legends. Top Dog raps about his commitment to BCC and his personal life as a soldier, while Louieville Sluggah asserts his loyalty and willingness to die for his beliefs. Tek raps about the battle scars of his experiences and the importance of leaving no trace in warfare.
Overall, the lyrics to Soul Jah convey a message of solidarity and commitment to a greater cause. The idea of being a Soul Jah is about standing up for one's beliefs, helping others succeed, and working together to achieve a common goal.
Line by Line Meaning
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
I am a devoted and loyal warrior for a greater cause
One for all and all for one
We stand united and support each other
It's all for all, it's all or none
We are all in this together, and we either succeed together or fail together
"Do you remember me? I'm a Soul Jah"
I am a devoted and loyal warrior for a greater cause
Stand for something or fall for whatever
It is important to have strong beliefs and principles, or else we will be easily influenced by anything
When we ride out, we ride together, let's get busy
When we take action or face challenges, we do so as a unified force, and we are ready to work hard
Yeah, I'm a Boot Camp soldier 'til I D-O-A
I am a committed soldier of the Boot Camp Clik until the day I die
'Til I'm in a gunfight and my heat don't spray
Even in dangerous situations, I remain calm and focused, never losing my ability to defend myself
Some of you believe all I do is smoke weed all day
There are misconceptions about me, with some thinking I only engage in recreational activities
But I stay military, mine sharp like a stingray
However, I maintain a disciplined and strategic mindset, always prepared to strike like a well-sharpened weapon
I'm a Boot Camp soldier 'cause I rep the streets
I proudly represent and fight for the people and communities that raised me
This means that I'll go to war for my beliefs
I am ready to fight fiercely for what I believe in
And I owe it to my peeps, know that helpin' 'em reach
I have a responsibility to support and uplift my community, helping them achieve success
Another level in this rap game where niggaz can eat
I strive to elevate the status and opportunities for fellow artists in the rap industry
I'm a soldier like a political prisoner
I possess the determination and resilience exhibited by those who fight for political causes even while facing imprisonment
This is a all-out war so you can load up your Dillingers
We are engaged in a fierce battle, so prepare yourself and arm yourself with weapons
You willing to step up and play the front? So
Are you brave enough to take on a leading role and face the challenges head-on?
First you gotta show 'em how your gun blow, aight though?
First, you need to demonstrate your skill and prowess with a weapon, all right?
Don't go bailin' on me now, or gun failin' on me now
Now is not the time to abandon or let your weapon malfunction
On the real, just hold me down, then
Honestly, just support and protect me, and we'll be fine
If I take aim, you take aim
When I target an opponent, you do the same
If I bust, you bust, it's simple, do the same thing
If I fire my weapon, you do the same. It's as straightforward as that
Be a soldier, I told ya, it's all in the mind frame
Embrace the mentality of a soldier. It's all about your mindset
They ain't ready for war, when it come they like 'Ah, man'
Many are not adequately prepared for battle, and when it arrives, they express surprise and disappointment
This ain't a fashion statement
Our involvement in warfare is not about making a trendy fashion statement
When they bash your face in, then it's back to the basics
In the midst of combat and violence, we return to fundamental and fundamental principles
I always been a Boot Camp soldier, even though I went AWOL
I have always remained a dedicated soldier of the Boot Camp Clik, even during times when I was absent without leave
It's family, when they call, I bang all
The Boot Camp Clik is like a close-knit family, and when they need me, I am ready to fight for them
At your whole team, though, the 'Wild Boy' is back, I'm Steve-O
I attack and overpower your entire team, just like the wild and daring personality of Steve-O from Jackass
Without the leopard thong all in the crack (Nah)
However, unlike Steve-O's bold and unconventional attire, I do not engage in such outrageous behavior
Everything is logical, ain't no emotions here
I approach every situation with a logical and rational mindset, devoid of emotional influence
Cut you, you dyin' fool, I'm Spock without the pointy ears
I possess the ability to deliver a fatal blow, making you a fool for opposing me. Like Spock from Star Trek, I am logical and intelligent
I'm goin' there, you ain't goin' where we goin', clear
I am determined and driven. You do not possess the determination and commitment we have
The fuck outta gear, the whole in your rear, we soldier's here
Get out of the way, and prepare for the assault from behind. We, the soldiers, are here and ready
Freak soldier, heat holder, Green Beret
I am an exceptional soldier, skilled in both unconventional warfare and combat, just like the elite Green Berets
Johnny Rambo, nigga, make my day
Similar to the iconic character of John Rambo, I am ready to take on any challenge and make a significant impact
Your ass is frontin', don't make the God blast at somethin'
If you continue to pretend and deceive, I will unleash my powerful and destructive force upon you
Sean Price is the weapon of mass destruction
I, Sean Price, am a force to be reckoned with, capable of causing immense damage and chaos
Captain Black America, strapped with the gat, darin' ya
Just like Captain America, I am a leader and defender, armed with a firearm, daring anyone to challenge me
Pop two shots at your knot with the black Deringer
I will fire two shots at your head with my small and concealable black Deringer pistol
Sean's a soldier, see the stripe on my arm
It is evident that I am a soldier, as I proudly bear the symbolic stripe on my arm
How you wanna do it, knife or the chron's? Really, though
In what manner would you like to engage in combat? With a knife or marijuana? Seriously, let's decide
You hear my voice, you got no choice but feel the presence
The moment you hear my voice, you cannot help but feel my powerful and dominating presence
And in the underground, BCC is still legends
Even in the underground music scene, the Boot Camp Clik remains legendary and highly respected
Now I'm back smarter, but a little older
I have returned with increased knowledge and wisdom, although I have also aged
Niggaz in my hood said that it was over
Some people from my neighborhood believed that our time had passed
Hit the block, Ruck, Rock, black-on-block Rover
But we proved them wrong by making a strong comeback, cruising through the neighborhood in a black Range Rover
Like "Hate to say I told you so, but nigga, I told ya"
With a touch of satisfaction, I express my realization that I was right all along, even though it may be challenging to admit
I'm the beast, a Savage like the Macho Man
I possess an intense and untamed nature, much like the wildness associated with Macho Man Randy Savage
Niggaz take your cheese like you the Nacho Man
People try to exploit and take advantage of you, similar to how others consume nachos
And I'm not yo man, y'all niggaz so phony
I do not associate with or belong to your group. You are all fake and insincere
You owe me, got dope for me, show me
You are indebted to me, so you better provide the drugs you promised me
Do you remember, my Boots and my troops?
Do you recall the loyalty and dedication of my fellow soldiers?
My troops in those suits, we world wide
My soldiers, dressed in military attire, have a global presence
And I still rep BCC
I continue to represent the Boot Camp Clik faithfully
And I'm still Top D-O-G 'cause I'm a soldier
I retain my position as a top-ranking member of the group because of my unwavering dedication and soldier-like qualities
Fatigued up, some days I'm jeaned up
I am often dressed in fatigue attire, but on certain occasions, I opt for jeans
My two soldiers at home keep me serene and cleaned up
The presence of my two supportive family members at home helps me maintain peace and cleanliness in my life
So don't make me call my team up
Do not provoke me to bring my fellow soldiers into action
Just ease up, see my name in them books, you wanna read up?
Just relax and recognize my reputation and achievements, making you eager to learn more about me
Chumps at ease, put it on freeze
In the presence of inferior individuals, they should calm down and freeze
Henny's in your presence, I'm about cheese
As Hennessy is being consumed in your vicinity, I prioritize obtaining financial gain
'Bout that Play-Doh, haters fuck with mines
I am focused on making money like Play-Doh, while haters try to disrupt my progress
Replace your fitted with a halo
I will cause significant harm to the point where your hat will be replaced with a halo, symbolizing your demise
Boot Camp's stompin' through my veins
The essence and spirit of the Boot Camp Clik course through my bloodstream
We are, Sacman street hustlers, ain't shit change
We, the dedicated street hustlers of the Boot Camp Clik, remain consistent and maintain our reputation
Respect is everything and I gotta shine
Gaining respect is of utmost importance, and I must rise above and distinguish myself
Suck dick for yours, but I'll die for mines, you know
Others may betray their own principles and values for personal gain, but I am willing to sacrifice my life for what is truly mine, as you should understand
Please take a look at my battle scars
I invite you to examine the wounds I have endured from my various struggles and conflicts
Realize it's a miracle how I survive
Understand that it is extraordinary and miraculous that I have managed to survive despite the challenges I have faced
My Brooklyn Vietnam
The experiences I have gone through in Brooklyn can be likened to the intense and chaotic nature of the Vietnam War
I was always trained first to bomb
From the very beginning, I was taught the art of launching attacks and causing significant destruction
The element of surprise 'll put your foes on they heels
By catching your enemies off guard, the element of surprise will make them uncertain and defensive
Tags on they toes, it's kill or be killed
Your enemies will feel pressured and vulnerable, as it becomes a situation of either killing or being killed
Should I show you blueprints to a murder?
Would you like me to reveal the detailed plan for a murder?
Nobody no case, you could be the murder
If no one has any evidence or is able to solve the crime, you could very well be the perpetrator
Confidently move, leave no trace
Move with assurance and ensure there is no evidence or trace left behind
Consequently, the DA 'll have no case
As a result, the district attorney will have no substantial evidence to build a case against me
You could take it how you want it, this is just a tip
Interpret my words and actions as you wish, but what I have provided so far is merely a small piece of information
But don't quote me, boy, 'cause I ain't said shh...
Do not attribute any of my statements or actions to me because I have not actually revealed any concrete information
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.