Krush began pursuing his solo career after the break-up of the group in late 1991, and soon grabbed people's attention as the first DJ to use turntables as live instruments, doing free sessions with live musicians on stage. He released his 1st album "Krush" in January 1994, and since then released countless records in Japan, Europe, US and around the globe. All his solo releases have ranked high in various charts in & out of Japan, and his 6th album "Zen" had been highly acclaimed and awarded the Best Electronica Album in 2002 AIFM Awards (US). His 8th album "Jaku" released in late 2004 has topped the RPM chart of CMJ for 3 weeks in the US. In March 2006, he released his first best albums in self-remixed style, "Stepping Stones", making another huge buzz around the globe. In March 2007, a historical collection of the 12 years of his career " Suimou Tsunenimasu" was released in Japan in a special DVD box.
Aside from his outer national activities as producer, remixer and DJ, he constantly expands his field from soundtracks for films, TV dramas & commercials to live sessions with various musicians that transcends music genre. In '98 spring, he formed a production unit with DJ Hide & DJ Sak named Ryu (流), collaborating with Nigerian percussionists and releasing a single & album from Polydor Japan. From the end of the year 2000, he also got involved in project which will be launching various projects to question worldwide issues in the 21st Century.
An internationally acclaimed producer, remixer and a DJ, producing music in vast variety of fields such as films, TV dramas and commercials. He has done countless collaborations with artists transcending genres, such as Grammy winning artist, from Black Thought (of The Roots) －provided a track for his solo album, to Herbie Hancock and k.d. lang －provided remixes. In 2009, he scored an animation film entitled "FIRST SQUAD," which was shown in theaters throughout Russia, and won the Kommersant Award in Moscow Film Festival.
At the end of the year 2000, he joined which was established to aim for the 21st Century, and provided a track for its first benefit compilation album "African JAG vol.1" released in 2005. And from 2009, he joined Bill Laswell’s latest project along with artists such as Bernie Worrell and Toshinori Kondo. Following a show in Montreaux Jazz Festival, he also took part on its album "Incunabula" released in 2010. That Herbie Hancock also took part on this album.
And in 2011, he celebratted the 20th year of his solo career. Kicking off with the commemorative 20th anniversary showcase in Tokyo as performed 7 hours long set, released Monthly Single Series (total 10 singles) and world tour at 16 countries. For this constantly evolving artist, DJ Krush, now making a step into his next stage.
As of now, he has performed in front of over 5 million audiences in 313 cities of 50 countries. And he still continues to renew this record, transcending all barriers, and leaving some distinctive footsteps of his own, achieving ever-increasing acclamation as an international artist.
Only the Strong Survive
DJ Krush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Actual facts
The ghetto reacts to warfare
Real bullets miss you by your hair
Survival of the fittest
Hell for the three time losers
The prisoners of enemy maneuvers
Coz life is short enough to get it taken
Forsaken when your mental planes' breakin'
Concealin' a four pound with every area
We surround coz clown
I get down for my crown
Take it to the streets for the
Honor and respect
Connect the lethal
Plus my young guns are unbeatable
Aiding and abetting the foul
Is a violation
That's why my retaliation
Is premeditation
The invitation
Is to run with a crew you can't do
And too great to infiltrate from a
Nickel plate
I state
This be the illest ever known on a rush
Swervin' with the Krush
Slip into the world of shiesty individuals
A troubled man stalked by criminals
Creeping through the city
I step on the block to chat with
Thugs from all the drugs for fat cat
Stepping off the set now hand on my tool
Thinking how bad I want to flip on that fool
Times are wasting
Chasing these punks for petty loot
When there is a real mission to execute
I put the plan in effect
Forget what you heard
When you get the word from first and third
For real I got the fam and all my soldiers to feed
With the gunslingers on the block puffin' weed
Envision the prison that I walk through
Leaving any witness
When I'm about to handle my business
No escape from the duct tape and artillery
Now tell me big man
Where's the money ain't a damn thing funny
Cops play for medals
Killers play for corners
In the middle are your sons and are
Your daughters
Who gives the orders
To chaos and mayhem
Who has the proper guidance and mind to save them
From this cold world of heartless ghetto dwellers,
Pimps, prostitutes, and dope sellers
Strive to be the lead and not follow
Ladies
You can be the queens of tomorrow
Dig it, I want all that and more
For my peeps in the struggle
Food, clothing, and shelter
Is essential
To maintain the hardcore from the soft
That pushed me to the edge but I can't fall off
My battlegrounds keep the sound of babies crying,
Gunshots, and cursing
Can you feel my reel
Here's the deal
By any means necessary
Go all out
And keep this alive
Coz only the strong survive
The lyrics of DJ Krush's Only the Strong Survive talk about the harsh reality of life in the ghetto, where survival is only possible for the fittest. The song starts by describing how people living in the ghetto have to deal with warfare and real bullets that miss them by inches. The three-time losers are the ones who find it impossible to survive, and they become prisoners of enemy maneuvers. The lyrics also emphasize the need to hold down the fort as life is too short to be taken away.
The lyrics also talk about how people living in the ghetto have to be on guard at all times. They need to be strong enough to face any challenges that come their way. The survival of the fittest is the key to living in the ghetto. Those who are too weak cannot survive. The lyrics also talk about how people living in the ghetto need to conceal a four-pound weapon with them at all times. They need to be ready to face any situation, and they surround themselves with people they trust.
The song's message is about striving to be the best and not giving up. Life in the ghetto is tough, and only the strong can survive. The lyrics talk about how people need to work together to overcome the challenges that come their way. It is essential to have a strong crew that can help you when you need it the most. DJ Krush highlights the importance of honor and respect in the ghetto and how they can make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
Actual facts
Let me tell you the truth
The ghetto reacts to warfare
In the ghetto, there's always fighting
Real bullets miss you by your hair
People avoid death by sheer luck
Survival of the fittest
Only the strongest and smartest can make it
Hell for the three time losers
It's tough for repeat offenders
The prisoners of enemy maneuvers
Those caught in the middle of wars are often trapped
Hold down the fort
Protect your territory
Coz life is short enough to get it taken
Death can come at any moment
Forsaken when your mental planes' breakin'
When you're mentally weak, no one will help you
Concealin' a four pound with every area
Carrying a gun at all times
We surround coz clown
We stick together to protect ourselves
I get down for my crown
I fight for my respect and power
Take it to the streets for the honor and respect
Fight for your reputation in public
Connect the lethal
Join forces with dangerous people
Plus my young guns are unbeatable
The younger members of our group are strong and fearless
Aiding and abetting the foul is a violation
Helping criminals is a crime
That's why my retaliation is premeditation
I plan to get revenge before I'm hurt
The invitation is to run with a crew you can't do
Join us only if you're tough enough
And too great to infiltrate from a nickel plate
We're too powerful to be defeated by weak attackers
I state this be the illest ever known on a rush
We're the most dangerous group out there
Swervin' with the Krush
Riding around with DJ Krush
Slip into the world of shiesty individuals
Enter the world of shady people
A troubled man stalked by criminals
Someone in danger of being attacked by bad people
Creeping through the city
Moving quietly in a dangerous area
I step on the block to chat with thugs
I talk to the dangerous people in the neighborhood
From all the drugs for fat cat
From the drug dealers who make a lot of money
Stepping off the set now hand on my tool
Getting ready to use my gun
Thinking how bad I want to flip on that fool
Wanting to attack someone who insults you
Times are wasting
We're running out of time
Chasing these punks for petty loot
Going after small amounts of money
When there is a real mission to execute
When there's a bigger task to accomplish
I put the plan in effect
I'm ready to take action
Forget what you heard
Don't believe the rumors
When you get the word from first and third
When you receive information from a reliable source
For real I got the fam and all my soldiers to feed
I take care of my family and my group of followers
With the gunslingers on the block puffin' weed
My associates on the street smoking marijuana
Envision the prison that I walk through
Imagine the danger I face every day
Leaving any witness when I'm about to handle my business
Killing anyone who might report me for my illegal activities
No escape from the duct tape and artillery
No way to escape being tied up and shot
Now tell me big man where's the money ain't a damn thing funny
Where's the money that was stolen from me?
Cops play for medals
The police care about recognition
Killers play for corners
Criminals fight for control of neighborhoods
In the middle are your sons and your daughters
The innocent children affected by violence
Who gives the orders to chaos and mayhem
Who's in charge of the violence and destruction?
Who has the proper guidance and mind to save them
Who can help the children escape the violence?
From this cold world of heartless ghetto dwellers, pimps, prostitutes, and dope sellers
The dangerous people that live in the ghetto
Strive to be the lead and not follow
Be the one in charge and don't follow others
Ladies you can be the queens of tomorrow
Women can be successful and powerful
Dig it, I want all that and more for my peeps in the struggle
I want success for my friends who are struggling
Food, clothing, and shelter is essential
Basic necessities for survival
To maintain the hardcore from the soft
To continue being strong and not weak
That pushed me to the edge but I can't fall off
Difficulties made me stronger and I won't give up
My battlegrounds keep the sound of babies crying, gunshots, and cursing
My neighborhood is full of violence and suffering
Can you feel my reel?
Can you understand my reality?
Here's the deal by any means necessary
We'll do anything to survive and succeed
Go all out and keep this alive
Fight hard to stay alive and become successful
Coz only the strong survive
Because only tough and resilient people make it through
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: C.l. Smooth, Hideaki Ishi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aether4554
This song will only be ever heard by real hip hop heads. I guarantee you no one else will ever come across his song. Seemingly lost, but not forgotten
@TarunoNafs
Bought the album today, randomly, from a Salvation Army family store. I was nothing near a hip hop head, but am enjoying the music quite a bit.
@BENEATH_THE_SEWERS
It's too REAL , thats why
@iamgooggig
Got there!
@filterfunkable
It is a lost gem.
@sebb9340
Bon son😊
@shawnrudiman
Flawless execution of perfect ideas and forms. From this attack there is no defense. Mastery of all possible forms. This is how its done.
@wandererkenshin7557
The drums on this track and the flute sample are amazing.
@strappaplank6017
the pure essence of hiphop, intelligence, no boundaries, the beats, the rhyme flow
@gregc7699
one.of the most underrated mc ever