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…

Rare Breed
Bronze Nazareth Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Phillie)
Yeah, let's get real acquainted, flows hard as the pavement
Far as basic, my aim in the game's, through complication
Food for thought tast it, ain't it amazing?
God MC, whose hard as me, rumble real looks, in the mob like me
Get stuck by Timb boots, on the robbing spree
Keep thinking ya'll me, tough as teflon
I won't bleed, squeeze til I'm empty

My enemies resent me, since peep it
A player's potential, playing my pussy while they sleeping
Prepare for the worse, or a hearse, do it or cremate it
However you gon' take it, stand a chance of leaving here naked
Where I was raised in, new killers who made the sacrifice
Died trying, to show the nigga, how to cherish life
Walk around at night, packing a pistol
Cuz niggas get got for doing this shit I meant to
I got rap skills, I'm spitting what I've been through
Clear as crystal, in Detroit, we get physical
One dimensional, gully, gutter or gangsta
On every block, some spots, somebody selling weed or rocks
Caught on the wrong side, weave them shots
Cuz they coming from all directions, breathe & stop
Tucked and roll, turn around, bust ya clone
And that's all to walk home, in my city, fo' sho
Learn how to shoot, at a early age, be a drug dealer
Make skrilla, cuz time's real, relate to some niggas

(Bronze Nazareth)
I remember gear for days, shift with them grimey ways
Words to the pope's robe, if I ain't ate that day
Became vegetarian, only inhale vegetation
No hesitation, when the crowd elope, pellets came in
I walk with Abraham, through the ghettos and slums
My mentals is numb, my pencils held for the glaciers
The way words work is circling through ya third eye
My rhymes bird eye, could see the snakes in their turf line
My search burn minds, with walking through desert eyes
Only to find the streets run as long as the Nile
Be stronger, how? We can never move all this concrete
Til blind streets, lead us to God's bronze feet
We'll be tusslin' on corners, musclin' on us
Cussin' our foreigners, mourners cry, watching funeral workers
Word to Thelma from Good Times, my mind's a rhyme library
The size of a high rise

(Bronze Nazareth)
Yo, I'm a rare breed, you won't dare scheeme
I blow a hole through ya speakers, and watch ya snares bleed
I spot and stare at fiends til they capillaries clean
Rhyme on the top of ferris wheels, until the beams lean
I set up street dreams, so do they nightmares
Bet on ice stares, so drag it that they dice pairs
With angus beef lands after hands are slaughtered
War street marauders, selling hearts after life's harbors
Through here a high water, low town's of heaven's gates
Escape like seven freight trains, holding on the weight
Like anaconda snake, a man who taunt the snakes
Circle you fakes, get stomped in the surgery gates
Ghetto's my toothpick, I spit hand-to-hell scenes
My thought for food stay warm like hand held machines

With simple precision, I paint steel for the living
Bare with the villains, dope fiends and the victims

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bronze Nazareth's song "Rare Breed" are packed with vivid descriptions of the gritty reality of life in the inner city. The first verse, delivered by Phillie, is a bold declaration of his MC skills and his tough-as-nails attitude. He raps about his experiences growing up in Detroit, where violence and crime are everyday occurrences, and the importance of being prepared to defend oneself. Phillie's rhymes are hard-hitting and confrontational, reflecting the streetwise vibe of the track.

Bronze Nazareth takes over on the second verse, and his flow is just as potent as Phillie's. He reflects on his own experiences growing up in the streets, and how his surroundings have influenced his artistic output. Bronze Nazareth's rhymes are clever and intricate, weaving together dense wordplay and evocative imagery to create a vivid picture of his world. He raps about the struggle to find meaning in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving, and the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, let's get real acquainted, flows hard as the pavement
Let's get to know each other intimately, my rap style is tough and unyielding just like the concrete on the street.

Far as basic, my aim in the game's, through complication
Although my style may seem simple at first, my true goal is to convey complex ideas through my lyrics.

Food for thought tast it, ain't it amazing?
Take a moment to digest my words and ideas, and you'll realize just how impactful and thought-provoking they are.

God MC, whose hard as me, rumble real looks, in the mob like me
I'm a supreme master of the art of rapping, and I'm just as tough and intimidating as any mobster on the street.

Get stuck by Timb boots, on the robbing spree
If you try to rob me, you'll end up getting hit with a Timberland boot to the face.

Keep thinking ya'll me, tough as teflon
Don't assume that you're as tough as me and that nothing can penetrate your unyielding exterior like Teflon.

I won't bleed, squeeze til I'm empty
I won't show any weakness or vulnerability, I'll keep fighting until I have nothing left to give.

My enemies resent me, since peep it
My adversaries hate me, but they still can't help but admire my talent and skill.

A player's potential, playing my pussy while they sleeping
Other rappers may underestimate me or dismiss me, but they'll regret it when I rise to the top and prove my worth.

Prepare for the worse, or a hearse, do it or cremate it
Be prepared for the worst-case scenario, because if you're not careful, you could end up in a coffin or crematorium.

However you gon' take it, stand a chance of leaving here naked
No matter how you interpret or react to my lyrics, you run the risk of being stripped of your dignity and exposed to the world.

Where I was raised in, new killers who made the sacrifice
The place where I grew up is full of young people who are willing to kill and risk their lives for their ideals and beliefs.

Died trying, to show the nigga, how to cherish life
These young people may have died in pursuit of their goals, but their sacrifice was not in vain if it taught others the value of life.

Walk around at night, packing a pistol
In my neighborhood, it's necessary to carry a gun for protection, especially after dark.

Cuz niggas get got for doing this shit I meant to
You can get killed for doing the same things that I do, but I'm still here because of my wit and skill.

I got rap skills, I'm spitting what I've been through
I have a natural talent for rapping, and my lyrics reflect my personal experiences and struggles.

Clear as crystal, in Detroit, we get physical
My message is straightforward and easy to understand - in Detroit, you have to fight to survive.

One dimensional, gully, gutter or gangsta
Many rappers only have one style or image - they're either tough, gritty, or gangster.

On every block, some spots, somebody selling weed or rocks
Drug dealing is rampant in my community, and it's impossible to ignore or avoid.

Caught on the wrong side, weave them shots
If you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, you'll get caught in the crossfire and get shot.

Cuz they coming from all directions, breathe & stop
Bullets are flying at you from every angle, and all you can do is try to catch your breath and stay alive.

Tucked and roll, turn around, bust ya clone
Dodge the bullets, take cover, and then retaliate by taking down your attacker.

And that's all to walk home, in my city, fo' sho
This is just a typical day in my town - you have to fight to survive and make it back home in one piece.

Learn how to shoot, at a early age, be a drug dealer
If you want to survive and thrive in my hood, you need to learn how to use a gun and also become involved in drug dealing.

Make skrilla, cuz time's real, relate to some niggas
Make money by any means necessary, because time is precious and hard to come by, and that's what many people in my community can relate to.

I remember gear for days, shift with them grimey ways
I have a lot of memories of hustling and making money by any means necessary, including shady or unscrupulous methods.

Words to the pope's robe, if I ain't ate that day
I'm so hungry that even the Pope's ceremonial robes look like food to me.

Became vegetarian, only inhale vegetation
I've had to adjust my eating habits and become a vegetarian, because meat is too expensive and hard to come by.

No hesitation, when the crowd elope, pellets came in
I don't hesitate to use violence when needed, even if it means firing pellets into a crowd of people.

I walk with Abraham, through the ghettos and slums
I feel a spiritual connection to Abraham, the Biblical figure who was also a wanderer and outcast in his time.

My mentals is numb, my pencils held for the glaciers
My mind is desensitized by all the violence and hardship I've experienced, but I still use my pen to create works of art that are as enduring as glaciers.

The way words work is circling through ya third eye
My lyrics have a mystical quality that can awaken and enlighten your inner consciousness.

My rhymes bird eye, could see the snakes in their turf line
My lyrics have a sharp, keen-eyed intuition that can detect enemies and threats in any environment.

My search burn minds, with walking through desert eyes
My quest for knowledge and enlightenment is intense, like trekking through a desert with nothing but your eyes to guide you.

Only to find the streets run as long as the Nile
No matter how far I wander or how much I seek, the harsh realities of the streets are always present and inescapable, like the endless river Nile.

Be stronger, how? We can never move all this concrete
It's easy to say 'be strong,' but much harder to actually break free from the oppressive force of the urban landscape.

Til blind streets, lead us to God's bronze feet
Even though the streets may seem bleak and unyielding, they can lead us to a higher power and a greater understanding of our place in the universe.

We'll be tusslin' on corners, musclin' on us
We'll continue to struggle and fight for survival on the street corners, even as they push back against us and muscle us out.

Cussin' our foreigners, mourners cry, watching funeral workers
We curse and blame outsiders and immigrants for our problems, but all we can do is watch as more and more people die and are laid to rest by funeral workers.

Word to Thelma from Good Times, my mind's a rhyme library
Like Thelma from Good Times, my mind is a treasure trove of creative inspiration and poetic brilliance.

The size of a high rise
My mind is so vast and expansive that it could fill an entire skyscraper.

Yo, I'm a rare breed, you won't dare scheeme
I'm a one-of-a-kind rapper and individual, and you won't be able to plot or scheme against me.

I blow a hole through ya speakers, and watch ya snares bleed
My rhymes and beats are so intense and powerful that they can literally damage your speakers and make your drums bleed.

I spot and stare at fiends til they capillaries clean
I have a penetrating gaze that can see through people's fears and doubts, and make their veins run clean.

Rhyme on the top of ferris wheels, until the beams lean
I'll keep spitting lyrics even as the world around me tilts and spins, until the very beams and supports of the ferris wheel start to wobble.

I set up street dreams, so do they nightmares
I have the power to inspire people to dream of a better life, but I also recognize that the harsh realities of the streets can turn those dreams into nightmares.

Bet on ice stares, so drag it that they dice pairs
I'm willing to risk everything and bet on myself, even if it means playing with loaded dice and staring down my enemies with icy resolve.

With angus beef lands after hands are slaughtered
I create new worlds and realities with my words, even as the old world crumbles and falls away like slaughtered cattle.

War street marauders, selling hearts after life's harbors
I'm a warrior and champion of the streets, taking what I need and selling it to others who are also trying to survive and find shelter in this harsh world.

Through here a high water, low town's of heaven's gates
I've weathered countless storms and hardships, but I still believe that there's a chance for redemption and salvation, even in the poorest, most downtrodden parts of the city.

Escape like seven freight trains, holding on the weight
I have the strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle or adversity, even as I'm holding onto the heavy burden of the past and the weight of the present.

Like anaconda snake, a man who taunt the snakes
I move with stealth and precision, like a powerful anaconda, and I fearlessly confront anyone who dares to cross my path.

Circle you fakes, get stomped in the surgery gates
I can identify and expose fake or phony people, and I'll make sure that they receive the punishment they deserve.

Ghetto's my toothpick, I spit hand-to-hell scenes
The ghetto is my weapon of choice, and I use it to create vivid and powerful scenes of struggle and perseverance.

My thought for food stay warm like hand held machines
My thoughts and ideas are just as valuable and necessary as food, and they stay with me at all times, like the warmth of a handheld machine.

With simple precision, I paint steel for the living
I have a gift for creating powerful and evocative images and stories with simple, straightforward language.

Bare with the villains, dope fiends and the victims
I'm willing to expose myself and reveal my innermost thoughts and struggles, even if it means being associated with the darker, more troubled aspects of society.

Contributed by Sarah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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