Currently, DJ Lethal is the main producer of hiphop supergroup La Coka Nostra, which includes his former House of Pain mates Everlast and Danny Boy, among others. The group's debut album is expected to be released in 2007.
Biography
Early years:
Dimant (often written as «Dimant», although the correct form is «DiMant») was born in Riga, Latvia. His first contact with music was through his father, who, along with his friends, played guitar in a rock band.
In 1979, at the age of seven, Dimant and his family moved to Italy, where they remained for a year until they obtained a visa. They were then allowed to go to either Toronto, Los Angeles, or New York City. His parents chose New York. There, his father performed in various Russian clubs and restaurants mostly in Brighton Beach.
Dimant and his parents lived in Jersey City for a time, but moved to Los Angeles in 1987 when his father got a job at a new Russian restaurant there. His first introduction to hiphop was in Jersey City, when his school held a talent show with several students performing a rap song, and Dimant was amazed. Once he moved to Los Angeles, he quickly became interested in hip hop culture, including breakdancing and graffiti. Before learning to DJ, he actually started off as a beatboxer. He later practiced DJing using his friend's turntables and mixer.
Everlast and House of Pain:
By the late 80s, Dimant became friends with a female rapper who at that time dated rapper Everlast. When Everlast was about to go on a Europe tour with Ice T and Rhyme Syndicate, he mentioned that he'd like to hear Dimant beatbox, and they met. Everlast was impressed by his beatboxing skills, and he invited Dimant to be his DJ on the upcoming tour. Dimant, who was only 16 at the time, decided to do so and dropped out of school.
After the tour, in 1990, Everlast's first solo album, including a track featuring scratching by Dimant, was released to both critical and commercial failure.
Following that, Everlast and Dimant, now known as DJ Lethal, decided to start a group, and with the addition of Everlast's high school friend Danny Boy, House of Pain was formed. The group's 1992 self-titled debut album went multi-platinum and is best known for the DJ Muggs produced hit single "Jump Around" and the DJ Lethal produced "Shamrocks and Shenanigans". A second album was released in 1994.
In 1996, on the eve of the release of the group's third album, produced by Everlast and DJ Lethal, things began to go sour. DJ Lethal claims it started to become a hassle, and simply wasn't fun anymore. Soon after, the group broke up.
Limp Bizkit:
On House of Pain's final tour, Limp Bizkit, an up-and-coming band from Jacksonville, Florida was hired as a supporting act. DJ Lethal and the band became friends, and later, Limp Bizkit hired him to do some work on their recordings, eventually asking him if he wanted to join them. DJ Lethal accepted the offer, and the band became one of the most popular rap/rock groups during the late 90s and early 2000s, selling over 33 million records worldwide.
DJ Lethal wanted his contributions to the band recordings to be more original than typical DJs in bands at the time. "There are a couple of other rock bands that have DJs and they’re just like, [mimics a chirp scratch] “Hey, what’s going on? Let me spin around a couple of times and show off that I can spin two records.” So I definitely knew I didn’t want to be just another DJ in a rock band. I wanted to be another instrument—a part of the band, like another guitar player." On Limp Bizkit albums, he is credited for doing "sound development".
Features:
Besides the work with his groups, DJ Lethal is producing records in his Hollywood based studio, working for artists such as Scott Harris, and is also preparing his long delayed solo album, which is set to feature Will.I.Am, Ol Dirty Bastard, Chester Bennington, Kurupt, B-Real, Redman, Tha Alkaholiks, Rock of Heltah Skeltah, Pharoahe Monch, Chino XL, Diamond D, Dilated Peoples, Method Man, and more, along with his La Coka Nostra bandmates.
Partial discography:
- Everlast - Forever Everlasting (1989)
- Sugar Ray - Lemonade and Brownies (1995)
- Sepultura - Roots (1997)
- Tura Satana (band) (aka Manhole) - All Is Not Well (1998)
- Soulfly - Soulfly (1998)
- Powerman 5000 - Tonight The Stars Revolt! (1999)
- Videodrone - Videodrone (1999)
- Rob Zombie - American Made Music to Strip By (1999)
- Rob Zombie - The Sinister Urge (2001)
- Kurupt - Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey (2001)
- Shihad - Pacifier (2002)
- Evanescence - The Open Door (2006)
Bring The Noise
DJ Lethal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dance, how low can you go?
Death row, what a brother knows
Once again, back is the incredible
The rhyme animal, the incredible D
Public Enemy number one
Can I tell 'em that I really never had a gun?
But it's the wax that the Terminator X spun
Now they got me in a cell 'cause my records they sell
'Cause a brother like me said
Well, Farrakhan's a prophet and I think you ought to listen to
What he can say to you, what you ought to do
Follow for now, power of the people, say
Make a miracle, D pump the lyrical
Black is back, all in we're gonna win
Check it out, yeah y'all, here we go again
Turn it up, bring the noise
Never badder than bad 'cause the brother is madder than mad
At the fact that's corrupt as a senator
Soul on roll but you treat it like soap on a rope
'Cause the beats in the lines are so dope
Listen for lessons I'm saying inside
Music that the critics are blasting me
For they'll never care for the brothers and sisters
Now across the country has us up for the war
We got to demonstrate, come on now
They're gonna have to wait till we get it right
Radio stations I question their blackness
They call themselves black but we'll see if they'll play this
Turn it up, bring the noise
The lyrics of DJ Lethal's song Bring the Noise have a deep meaning that goes beyond just a party anthem. The song delves into social and political issues that were relevant during the late 80s and early 90s, and it criticizes the systemic racism and oppression that African Americans faced in society. The opening lyrics invite the audience to party and dance, but also ask how low they can go, indicating that one's social status should not dictate their worth. Death row refers to the prison system and the violence that is perpetuated within it, highlighting that the black community is disproportionately convicted and sentenced to death row.
The following lyrics pay homage to the hip-hop artists who had paved the way for DJ Lethal and Public Enemy, mentioning the incredible Rhyme Animal and the incredible D. Public Enemy was and still is one of the most influential hip-hop groups, with a strong social message that criticized the government and societal norms. The lyrics then address the police brutality that the black community faced, with Five-O referring to the police. The lyrics deny that DJ Lethal had a gun, but he is still imprisoned, a commentary on the unjust and biased criminal justice system.
The song also advocates for listening to Farrakhan, who is a leader in the Nation of Islam and a prominent voice in the black community. The lyrics call for the power of the people to come together to make a miracle and win against oppression. The song's title, Bring the Noise, refers to the need for the black community to speak up and make their voices heard in a world that ignores their struggles and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, party
We're here to have a good time and enjoy ourselves.
Dance, how low can you go?
Let's dance! How low can you get down?
Death row, what a brother knows
Being in a dangerous situation can give you insight.
Once again, back is the incredible
We're back again and we're amazing.
The rhyme animal, the incredible D
I'm a skilled rapper, and my name is D.
Public Enemy number one
We're challenging the status quo and speaking truth to power.
Five-O said, 'Freeze', and I got numb
I was scared and startled when the police told me to stop.
Can I tell 'em that I really never had a gun?
I'm innocent, I've never possessed a weapon.
But it's the wax that the Terminator X spun
It's the DJ who created the beats that make us popular.
Now they got me in a cell 'cause my records they sell
I'm in jail because people like my music.
'Cause a brother like me said
My lyrics challenge the establishment.
Well, Farrakhan's a prophet and I think you ought to listen to
I believe that Farrakhan is a wise figure, and people should pay attention to what he has to say.
What he can say to you, what you ought to do
Farrakhan has important advice for you.
Follow for now, power of the people, say
Join us and help make change for the better.
Make a miracle, D pump the lyrical
I'll use my lyrics to inspire people and maybe even create a miracle.
Black is back, all in we're gonna win
We're black, we're strong, and we're going to succeed.
Check it out, yeah y'all, here we go again
Listen up, we're ready to make our message heard once more.
Turn it up, bring the noise
Let's make some noise and really get our message out there.
Never badder than bad 'cause the brother is madder than mad
I'm as mad as it gets, and nobody's angrier than me.
At the fact that's corrupt as a senator
I'm outraged by the rampant corruption in government.
Soul on roll but you treat it like soap on a rope
Our music has soul and value, but you treat it as disposable.
'Cause the beats in the lines are so dope
Our music is amazing and innovative.
Listen for lessons I'm saying inside
My lyrics contain important messages that you should pay attention to.
Music that the critics are blasting me
The critics don't approve of my music, but I know it has value.
For they'll never care for the brothers and sisters
The critics don't understand or care about our struggle.
Now across the country has us up for the war
People across the nation are ready to take a stand.
We got to demonstrate, come on now
We need to protest and make our voices heard.
They're gonna have to wait till we get it right
We won't stop fighting until we've succeeded.
Radio stations I question their blackness
I'm doubtful that some radio stations catering to black audience really care about our cause.
They call themselves black but we'll see if they'll play this
Let's see if those same radio stations will even play our music.
Turn it up, bring the noise
Let's make even more noise and ensure our message is heard loud and clear.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Carlton Ridenhour, Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, Eric T. Sadler, James Henry Boxley Iii
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@seanstafford39
we ride limos too...before Fred was doing it all for the nookie
@gntrihg
pretty fuckin good
@nikolarodman483
WHERE'S "Goin' Back to Cali"!!!?
@CroOCkStar
gimme some guitars punk! :)
@Mikessv1
Is this a single or is it on an album?
@timotte92
it's a tribute album compiled of bands https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_a_Bite_Outta_Rhyme:_A_Rock_Tribute_to_Rap