Bronze Nazareth was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan where his love for hip-h… Read Full Bio ↴Bronze Nazareth was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan where his love for hip-hop was fostered by a group of friends wanting to escape their humble existence through the power of music. At sixteen, Bronze formed a group with his high school friends that planted the seeds for his future in music. He and his group ‘The South House Click’ attempted to work on their music, but lacking resources, never got the chance to record their dreams. While no actual recordings materialized, it was in this inner city home that Bronze’s creative spark was cultivated.

Bronze Nazareth is a Hip-Hop producer and MC associated with the Wu-Tang Clan. He is regarded as the new generation torchbearer of the Wu-Tang sound. He has a solo career as an emcee and is also the head of his Detroit based group the Wisemen.

After becoming a Wu Element in 2002 and moving to Detroit, two of Bronze’s beats were chosen by The RZA for his album Birth of a Prince. The album’s title track, on which RZA retired the popular Bobby Digital alter ego, was produced by Bronze as was the sonically brilliant ‘A Day to God is a Thousand Years’. In 2005, Bronze introduced a younger generation to Wu-Tang via the Source’s Independent Album of the Year (2005) Wu Tang Meets The Indie Culture. Garnering critical acclaim for his work on the album Nazareth found himself with a Babygrande Records recording contract. 2006 saw Bronze release his first solo album The Great Migration where he proved his lyrical deft was on par with his production. Again, Nazareth’s album received critical acclaim.

Detroit, Michigan to New York City is a 15 hour one-way bus trip. It took Bronze Nazareth four of such round trips on a Greyhound bus from Detroit to New York to finally meet RZA, the abbot of the Wu-Tang Clan; the man responsible for selling millions of records, selling out arenas, scoring wildly successful movies and, generally, changing the course of popular culture. On the fourth trip, Bronze was able to use his talent to get inside 36 Chambers, ended up doing three tracks for one of Rza’s groups that was recording and then Rza arrived.

As Bronze recalls: “When he walked in I noticed he was nodding his head to the beats. After vibing for awhile in the studio, Rza and crew were about to go to the club, and I was like, ‘yo RZA, let me get just five minutes, that’s all I need!’ He graciously gave me those five minutes. I showed him one song, and it was Wu-Tang from then on.”

Upon hearing the song ‘Blowgun,’ The RZA immediately asked Bronze Nazareth to join his production group, The Wu Elements. As The RZA instantly recognized, Bronze churns out searing, painful production that is practically tangible in its emotiveweight, while his deep poetic lyrics are designed to put a thinking mind to work. Bronze incorporates the rawness of his beloved old-school soul albums, injecting his beats with painful moans and notes that mesmerize.

In the whirlwind years that followed, Bronze’s music fueled the sale of hundreds-of-thousands of units and left its own indelible imprint upon the Wu-Tang legacy. He has since worked with the likes of The Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, Raekwon, GZA/Genius, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Royce da 5'9", Canibus, AZ, Immortal Technique, Copywrite, LA the Darkman, Willie the Kid, Kool G Rap, Buckshot, Sean Price, Ras Kass, Cannibal Ox, Tragedy Khadafi, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Casual of Hieroglyphics, Roc Marciano, 4th Disciple, Killarmy, Black Market Militia, R.A. the Rugged Man, Timbo King, Planet Asia, and many more of today’s most vibrant and relevant independent acts.

His most recent work, on Raekwon's Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang Clan's Legendary Weapons, a stellar verse alongside Royce da 5’9" & Sean Price on “Let’s Go” and Willie The Kid’s “The Guilt” further prove that Bronze Nazareth’s star continues to rise.

September 13, 2011, Saw Bronze release his sophomore album, School for the Blindman, which is again being heralded (by fans and critics alike) as a masterpiece. The album is a charted #61 on the Billboard Hip Hop & R&B Top 200 hundred.

Bronze isn’t precious like gold, Bronze is hard. Gold is for the show, Bronze is the foundation. Some folks lament the fact that they never got a break; Bronze Nazareth went and made his break, the saga continues…

Hear What I Say!
Bronze Nazareth Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Intro: kung fu sample)
You're here to learn kung fu, remember?
This is not a rest home...
Now go on, do some practice!

(Bronze Nazareth)
I'll prolly never be as big as Slim Shady or Jay-Z
Even though I write vivid like a home of the Greek

And study life like Socrates, without MTV
You think ya thugs, but for real, I sat offense with robbery
I'm try'nna walk the desert sands like RZA and Ringz
Gotta eat and beast, don't pay the bills, unless you got a name
Like The Neptunes, Jazze Pha or Kanye West
And if the album ain't five mics, don't front like it is
I got classic material without a mixtape host
Love Pac and B.I.G., but I miss Pun the most
I'm so underground, I play beats on the bowls, with mega errors
Sitting next to Murs, Immortal Technique and The Beggaz
Like Vernon Johnson with no voice, you'll never hear my message
Not on the block, selling cooked rocks to my sisters
Not in the club all hard with credit cards in your ass
Driving 86, got mad when Goodie Mob didn't last
Just wanted more "Soul Food" and an occassional "party"
Just wanted you to hear what I say, love it or disregard it
Just wanted Hot 97 to play my shit, like they promised
They never did, but probably payola was loudest
I'm like Van Gogh's paintings, you'll never hear my talents
It's the sound of neglect, that makes me green with malace
Search Kay found my music, he ain't answer me in a while
I was hoping The Unknown album got signed by Kevin Liles
But I never heard back from him, or Artist Direct
Sat in my room and watched Stagga Lee disrespect rap
While Khia got her neck and back, licked by the millions
I tried to tell you about history, mansions and killings
Like how the Wu-Tang gave the knowledge, but you just wanted to dance
Shame on family and friends, ain't buy Birth of a Prince
My debut, starting a war, but what's the fucking purpose?
You faggots rhyme weak, but everybody's spitting verses
We used to follow Martin Luther, up in Capitol Hill
Now you follow every rap artist whose throwback is ill
Albums weak now, internet didn't fuck up your sales
12 producers, on 12 songs, your shit can't gel
It's just a compilation album, full of your wack songs
And bitches dancin' all in your video with black thongs
All I wanted was for Steve Rifkind to listen, push play

And for those whose not listening, to hear what I say
Fuck, man....

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bronze Nazareth's "Hear What I Say!" delve into the struggles of being an underground rapper and not quite making it to the mainstream. The song opens with a kung fu sample, reminding listeners that they are here to learn and practice. This sets a tone for Bronze's lyrics, where he talks about how he's not as big as Slim Shady or Jay-Z, but he still writes vividly and studies life like Socrates. He critiques the music industry, stating that unless you have a big name like The Neptunes or Kanye West, your music won't pay the bills. He also expresses admiration for Tupac, Biggie, and Pun, and how he is so underground that he plays beats on bowls.

Bronze speaks about how he wants to be heard and for his music to be played on Hot 97, but it never happens, possibly because of payola. He is frustrated that he never heard back from record labels or Kevin Liles about signing onto their label. He comments about how rap is weak and how everyone is spitting weak verses. He laments how people used to follow Martin Luther but now follow every rap artist whose throwback is ill. Despite all these struggles, Bronze just wants people to listen to what he has to say and appreciate it for what it is, whether they love it or disregard it.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll prolly never be as big as Slim Shady or Jay-Z
I doubt I'll ever achieve the same level of fame as Slim Shady or Jay-Z.

Even though I write vivid like a home of the Greek
Despite my ability to write vividly, like ancient Greek literature.

And study life like Socrates, without MTV
I explore life like Socrates did, without being influenced by MTV or mainstream media.

You think ya thugs, but for real, I sat offense with robbery
You may think you're tough, but I've actually been involved in criminal activity, such as robbery.

I'm try'nna walk the desert sands like RZA and Ringz
I strive to leave a lasting impact on hip hop culture, like RZA and Wu Tang Clan.

Gotta eat and beast, don't pay the bills, unless you got a name
In order to make a living as a musician, you need to have a well-known name and brand.

Like The Neptunes, Jazze Pha or Kanye West
These are examples of successful producers and musicians with established names and brands.

And if the album ain't five mics, don't front like it is
If an album isn't considered top tier, don't try to pretend or deceive others into thinking that it is.

I got classic material without a mixtape host
I have produced classic music on my own, without needing the help or promotion of a mixtape host.

Love Pac and B.I.G., but I miss Pun the most
While I appreciate the music of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G., I personally miss the work of Big Pun the most.

I'm so underground, I play beats on the bowls, with mega errors
My music is so underground and obscure that I have to rely on faulty or makeshift equipment, such as playing beats on bowls.

Sitting next to Murs, Immortal Technique and The Beggaz
I have connections and relationships with other underground musicians, such as Murs, Immortal Technique, and The Beggaz.

Like Vernon Johnson with no voice, you'll never hear my message
Similar to Vernon Johnson, a man whose message went unheard due to a lack of voice, my message may also go unheard or ignored by many.

Not on the block, selling cooked rocks to my sisters
Contrary to what some might assume or stereotype about a rapper, I've never sold drugs to my own family members.

Not in the club all hard with credit cards in your ass
I'm not the type of person to flaunt wealth or act tough at a club while carrying credit cards in my back pockets.

Driving 86, got mad when Goodie Mob didn't last
I used to drive an '86 car, and was disappointed when Goodie Mob, an influential hip hop group, broke up.

Just wanted more 'Soul Food' and an occassional 'party'
I simply wanted more good music and occasional opportunities to party and have fun.

Just wanted you to hear what I say, love it or disregard it
At the end of the day, all I really want is for people to listen to and appreciate my music, regardless of their opinions or reactions.

Just wanted Hot 97 to play my shit, like they promised
I had hoped that Hot 97, a popular radio station, would play my music after they promised to, but they never followed through.

They never did, but probably payola was loudest
I suspect that Hot 97 didn't play my music due to payola, where radio stations accept payment in exchange for airplay.

I'm like Van Gogh's paintings, you'll never hear my talents
Similar to Van Gogh's art, which took time and recognition to truly appreciate, many might not discover or appreciate my musical talents until much later on.

It's the sound of neglect, that makes me green with malace
The neglect and lack of recognition for my music makes me bitter and upset.

Search Kay found my music, he ain't answer me in a while
After Kay discovered my music, he stopped responding to me and hasn't done so in a while.

I was hoping The Unknown album got signed by Kevin Liles
I had hoped that my album, called The Unknown, would get signed by music executive Kevin Liles, but this did not happen.

But I never heard back from him, or Artist Direct
Both Kevin Liles and Artist Direct, a music distribution company, never got back to me or showed interest in my music.

Sat in my room and watched Stagga Lee disrespect rap
I sat alone in my room, feeling frustrated and upset, as I watched another musician, Stagga Lee, disrespect the genre of rap music.

While Khia got her neck and back, licked by the millions
Meanwhile, Khia, another musician, was receiving a lot of attention and money for her music, despite its explicit content and lack of depth or substance.

I tried to tell you about history, mansions and killings
My music aims to explore and discuss topics such as history, social inequality, and violence.

Like how the Wu-Tang gave the knowledge, but you just wanted to dance
I admire how Wu-Tang Clan used their music to educate and spread knowledge to listeners, but too many people just want to use music as a form of mindless entertainment and dancing.

Shame on family and friends, ain't buy Birth of a Prince
I feel disappointed and ashamed that many of my own family and friends didn't support or purchase my album, called Birth of a Prince.

My debut, starting a war, but what's the fucking purpose?
My first album debut caused conflict and controversy, but I'm not sure if it was worth it or if it had any real purpose.

You faggots rhyme weak, but everybody's spitting verses
Many other musicians might be spitting verses, but their rhymes are weak and lack substance, in my opinion.

We used to follow Martin Luther, up in Capitol Hill
In the past, many followed Martin Luther King Jr.'s example of peaceful protesting and advocating for change, especially in the political arena.

Now you follow every rap artist whose throwback is ill
Now, too many people simply follow and idolize any rap artist who has a nostalgic or retro aesthetic, regardless of their true talent or worth.

Albums weak now, internet didn't fuck up your sales
In my opinion, many albums nowadays are weak or lacking, and blaming the internet for poor sales isn't always the accurate reason.

12 producers, on 12 songs, your shit can't gel
Having too many producers work on too many different songs can lead to a lack of cohesion and consistency in an album or project.

It's just a compilation album, full of your wack songs
Sometimes, an album might just be a compilation of mediocre or bad songs put together, rather than a cohesive or quality project.

And bitches dancin' all in your video with black thongs
Many music videos nowadays might showcase women dancing or wearing provocative clothing, an often repetitive and tired trope in the industry.

All I wanted was for Steve Rifkind to listen, push play
All I wanted was for Steve Rifkind, a music executive, to simply listen to my music and give it a chance.

And for those whose not listening, to hear what I say
For those who may not be interested in or aware of my music, I still wish for them to listen and hear my message.

Fuck, man....
An expression of frustration or exasperation, likely regarding the struggles and challenges of producing and promoting music in the industry.

Contributed by Christopher T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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