One day when ODB was in the studio, Monk gave suggestions on production and the RZA was pleased with his contribution and gave him permission to work with the Clan. He ended up singing backing vocals on CREAM aswell as appearances in several videos including Da Mystery of Chessboxin' and Brooklyn Zoo.
In 1998, after the proverbial years of struggling in the streets and hopeful records deals gone sour, it was Buddha Monk’s time to shine. The Prophecy was finally revealed to the masses and received both fans and critical acclaim. The album was dubbed hard-hitting without being too self-conscious.
On the first single, “Gots Like Come On Thru” featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard, Buddha applies the lessons that Dirty taught him: “not to clutter my music, to take my time and breathe, to harmonize and slurf my words” combined with Buddha's own ideas: “to make it swerve and have that extra funk that everybody can enjoy.” On tracks like “Warrior Chiefs” and “Eastside Story”, Buddha collaborates with other Brooklyn talents, such as Da Manchuz, who he's developing as his protégés.
Years later, we would hear a lot more of Buddha’s Brooklyn Zu family with the release of the Zu-Chronicles series on Chambermusik Special Products. But between those times, the tragic passing of Ol’ Dirty Bastard in 2004 almost put an end to Buddha Monk’s career. Devastated by the loss of one of his closest friend and music compadre, the Crown Heights native thought about quitting the rap game altogether. After taking a hiatus, General Monk returned through the underground circuit with one goal in mind: ensure that ODB’s legacy lives on.
Throughout his illustrious career, Buddha Monk has toured the world, worked with people from all over the planet, including more than 250 artists in the Brooklyn area alone and produced over 10,000 tracks. He is proud to include singing, rapping, producing, writing & recording to his repertoire. With the release of Unreleased Chambers (a compilation of the best songs from the Zu-Chronicles series) he’s closing down a chapter of his life and ready to continue his music.
The Prophecy
Buddha Monk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Prepare for the prophecy
[Buddha Monk]
Yea, to all challengers, let's begin
I be the holder of flows like air seepin through your windows
First nigga that oppose be the first nigga that goes
Crazy-ass dweller novelty known as best seller
It be the slack that you lack, I shoot the verses like gats
Your styles is too wack, it makes you burn like exlax
Buddha'll prove that he's the boss, for years I paid the cost
So now I am the force that keeps you at a state of loss
Wannabe kamakazi shootin at everybody
I'm worse than your John Gotti or your mayor Julianni
Severe body parts, who has to master this art?
Whether it be the day or dark, the fuckin sun has to spark
Niggaz
[Chorus x4]
[Buddha Monk]
It takes 8 million and one stuns for the God is done
If you feel it's a lie, then your ass I will fry
Styles is dirty dirty like some desert water
Watch out for the Zu slaughter (I'm talkin to you!!)
Your blood spills made me the science of my kills
I feels like that of a fuckin desert storm kill
Sight of an insighter who's out for real tight
Whatever lurks in the dark we shall bring to the light
Sit back and breathe the gases I relieve
Breakin off parts, piece by piece of enemies
You done made mad one of the dirty dozen
Guaranteed to slaughter off your moms, pops and cousins
[Interlude: unknown voice]
The prophecy, I see which can foretell the future.
The foretellin of what is to come.
Prophecy, to foretell by divine inspiration.
Something declared by a prophet.
One who speaks with the mind that's been stricken.
The prophecy, Lord Buddha Monk is the prophet.
Now you see, now you hear.
Take heed, which way of life would you travel?
The road of truth or the road of death?
(I can't take it no more!!!)
You have been warned, the prophet is here.
[Buddha Monk]
The prophecy has seen that you remain with the sting
Removin the skin, I never die and kill again
Sinfullness is my trifeness, leave a nigga lifeless
If you try to bite this
I levitate minds like 9's levitate your spines
If inclined, I kill with one line
and leave you dumb, deaf and blind
Done with the swiftness of a sword of Excalibur
Move with the speeds of culos through a callico
Feel the heat as my thoughts burn deep
Explosions to mind that I seek, now it's you soul that I reap
I remain in this game and take fame like grand larceny
There's pure fuckin havoc when you fuck with the prophecy!!!
[Chorus x2]
[Outro: same voice as interlude]
...[indecipherable]...
All the voices of the dark
...[indecipherable]...
Do you wish to take my sin? (Die fuckas!)
...[indecipherable]...
...[indecipherable]...
I choose to be ...[indecipherable]...
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!
...[indecipherable]...
The Prophecy by Buddha Monk is a song that calls out challengers to battle. Buddha Monk delivers the message that he is the holder of flows and anyone that opposes him will be the first one to go down. He refers to himself as a deadly comedic dealer and a crazy-ass dweller. He is known for his novelty and his ability to sell his work, which he does with the slack his opponents lack. Buddha Monk declares that he is the boss and has paid the cost to become the force that keeps his opponents at a state of loss. He further warns that he is worse than the notorious John Gotti or Mayor Julianni, and will severely punish his opponents.
The chorus of the song, ‘Prepare for the prophecy’, is repeated many times and sets the tone of the song, which is about the forthcoming of the prophecy. The prophecy is described as something that foretells the future and is declared by a prophet who speaks with his mind, which has been stricken. Buddha Monk declares himself as the prophet, and offers a warning for people to choose the road of truth rather than the road of death. The song emphasizes that messing with Buddha Monk is a bad idea, and the prophecy is clear – Buddha Monk is here to assert his dominance.
Line by Line Meaning
Prepare for the prophecy
Get ready for the foretelling of future events
Yea, to all challengers, let's begin
I welcome any challenge
I be the holder of flows like air seepin through your windows
I possess flowing rhymes that are as effortless as air
First nigga that oppose be the first nigga that goes
The first person to challenge me will be the first to fall
A deadly comedic dealer, nasty-ass good fella
I am a dangerous comic who excels in the rap game
Crazy-ass dweller novelty known as best seller
My unique style is well-received and popular
It be the slack that you lack, I shoot the verses like gats
Your rap skills are lacking and I shoot rhymes as if they were bullets from a gun
Your styles is too wack, it makes you burn like exlax
Your rap style is terrible and insulting
Buddha'll prove that he's the boss, for years I paid the cost
I will show you that I am the best and I have dedicated many years to perfecting my craft
So now I am the force that keeps you at a state of loss
I dominate the rap game and leave my competition feeling defeated
Wannabe kamakazi shootin at everybody
Amateur rappers trying to make a name for themselves by dissing others
I'm worse than your John Gotti or your mayor Julianni
I'm more dangerous than infamous gangster John Gotti or corrupt politician Mayor Julianni
Severe body parts, who has to master this art?
I am skilled at causing damage and harm and ask who can compete with me
Whether it be the day or dark, the fuckin sun has to spark
I shine bright and remain on top no matter what time of day it is
It takes 8 million and one stuns for the God is done
It takes an excessive amount of force to take me down
If you feel it's a lie, then your ass I will fry
If you doubt my strength, I will destroy you
Styles is dirty dirty like some desert water
Your rap style is dirty and unappealing
Watch out for the Zu slaughter (I'm talkin to you!!)
Be prepared for my rap style to take over and dominate
Your blood spills made me the science of my kills
My successful rap career is a result of defeating my competition
I feels like that of a fuckin desert storm kill
My rap skills are as fierce and devastating as a desert storm
Sight of an insighter who's out for real tight
I have a clear vision and awareness of my abilities
Whatever lurks in the dark we shall bring to the light
We will bring hidden talents and truths to the forefront
Sit back and breathe the gases I relieve
Relax and take in the rhymes that I deliver
Breakin off parts, piece by piece of enemies
I defeat my competition with ease
You done made mad one of the dirty dozen
You have angered one of the most dangerous rappers
Guaranteed to slaughter off your moms, pops and cousins
I will defeat your entire family in a rap battle
The prophecy, I see which can foretell the future.
The prophecy is the foretelling of future events
The foretellin of what is to come.
Prophesy predicts what will happen in the future
Prophecy, to foretell by divine inspiration.
Prophesying is done through divine inspiration
Something declared by a prophet.
A prophecy is the declaration of a prophet
One who speaks with the mind that's been stricken.
A prophet speaks with a divine-stricken mind
The prophecy, Lord Buddha Monk is the prophet.
Buddha Monk is a prophet
Now you see, now you hear.
Now you understand
Take heed, which way of life would you travel?
Choose which path in life to take wisely
The road of truth or the road of death?
The options are to either live truthfully or die unfulfilled
(I can't take it no more!!!)
I can't tolerate your ignorance any longer
The prophecy has seen that you remain with the sting
The prophesy predicts that you will remain defeated
Removin the skin, I never die and kill again
I keep winning and will continue to defeat my competition
Sinfullness is my trifeness, leave a nigga lifeless
I am skilled at causing death and destruction
If you try to bite this
If you try to challenge me
I levitate minds like 9's levitate your spines
My rhymes elevate and enthrall listeners
If inclined, I kill with one line
I am capable of defeating my opponents with just one line
and leave you dumb, deaf and blind
I overpower and leave you unable to compete
Done with the swiftness of a sword of Excalibur
I defeat my competition with speed and power
Move with the speeds of culos through a callico
I move with speed and precision
Feel the heat as my thoughts burn deep
My rhymes are full of passion and fire
Explosions to mind that I seek, now it's you soul that I reap
I use my talent to break through the minds of my competition and capture their souls
I remain in this game and take fame like grand larceny
I remain a dominant force in this industry and take fame with ease
There's pure fuckin havoc when you fuck with the prophecy!!!
There will be chaos if you try to challenge me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Etienne Pen
01. Meditation Hall 00:00
02. The Prophecy 1:06
03. Gots Like Come On Thru 4:54
04. Killa From The Villa 9:31
05. Art Of War 13:54
06. Bang It In Ya Whip 17:54
07. Dedicated 22:10
08. Freestyle with Popa Chief 26:49
09. Spark Somebody Up 30:06
10. Buddha Monk At The Opera 34:34
11. No Frills 35:38
12. Warrior Chiefs 39:26
13. Crazy Cats 44:02
14. Life's A Scheme 47:51
15. Royal Monk 52:46
16. Sometime Faces 56:42
17. Cuts To The Gut 59:52
18. Eastside Story 1:04:04
19. Blessings Of The Buddha 1:09:21
Etienne Pen
01. Meditation Hall 00:00
02. The Prophecy 1:06
03. Gots Like Come On Thru 4:54
04. Killa From The Villa 9:31
05. Art Of War 13:54
06. Bang It In Ya Whip 17:54
07. Dedicated 22:10
08. Freestyle with Popa Chief 26:49
09. Spark Somebody Up 30:06
10. Buddha Monk At The Opera 34:34
11. No Frills 35:38
12. Warrior Chiefs 39:26
13. Crazy Cats 44:02
14. Life's A Scheme 47:51
15. Royal Monk 52:46
16. Sometime Faces 56:42
17. Cuts To The Gut 59:52
18. Eastside Story 1:04:04
19. Blessings Of The Buddha 1:09:21
Мирослав Вътов
One of Wu's best albums. Very powerfull and dark. Love it !
breakfreak mooose
this one is Buddha Monk's solo album man....
Draoem Drteomas
This is not a Wu Tang Clan album.
critical+
Greatest album in my opinion! 👊 Greetings from Bulgaria! 🇧🇬
M
Пускам паля и наливам! 🍺✌
Indra Kalki
very underrated underappreciated album.
100ROSTO
🇧🇷✌️😎 pesado! Buddha Monk tem um flow chapado!!!
Darley ScarFace
zika w br na cena .
Zoran Vulić
One of the best of the Brooklyn Zoo Crew!!!