Following the release of his debut album, Defari co-headlined with Xzibit & Phife (A Tribe Called Quest) on The Underdawgs of Hip Hop National Tour in April & May of 1999. He wasn't a newcomer when it came to performing live. Prior to this, he toured the underground circuit for years and received rave review for being one of the most charismatic emcees to hit the stage. His energetic and captivating performances led him to other national & international tours. Rocking a wide range of audiences with some of the major players of the game today. The most current recent N. American tour being the Anger Management Tour where he performed with Xzibit and performed his own material to 20,000 plus crowds each night. Many agree that Defari knows how to bring it like a true seasoned veteran.
It came to the point in 2000 that the fans were not going to be satisfied with just the 12” vinyl available from Defari. With ABB Records’ new initiative into the European markets, they released their first ABB Europe CD: Defari’s “LA Collexion” – a collection of all Defari’s vinyl only singles on ABB Records for the first time on CD. The whole pressing was sold out in France alone within 2 days!
An even more heightened profile in the US came after his featuring on Dr Dre’s “Chronic 2001” album and touring the world on the “Up In Smoke Tour” with Dre & Eminem. With fans around the world screaming for Defari to face them one to one in shows – Defari turned to Nicci Cheeks Management in the UK to formalise a new base for his operations outside of the USA, but this time for Europe.
High Times Records signed Defari for his 2003 sophomore album “Odds & Evens” featuring all the usual Likwit family: Dilated Peoples, Tha Liks (Tash, J-Ro & E-Swift) and the Barbershop MCs. This was an automatic VIP round trip ticket to the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup in 2002 and 2003, where Defari performed to a very packed out Melkweg every year alongside groups including: Tha Liks and De La Soul. The release of his new album coupled with a fantastic video for the single “Spell My Name” gave fuel to fire for his European management. This has resulted in a 300% increase in Defari’s press, radio and TV coverage (including a special feature documentary about Defari on VIVA TV’s “Mixery Raw Deluxe” show during May 2004)… and ultimately his touring capabilities as a solo artist.
Thunder & Lightning
Defari Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"My lightning my thunder"
IT DOES NOT END
"Not havin it" "My lightning my thunder"
"Not hav--"
Xzibit (lightning) Defari (come on) "not havin it"
"My lightning my thunder" "not havin it" "my lightning my thunder"
(Defari)
Look what the wind blew in, a Wild West storm
In the form of Thunder and Lightning
Xzibit be the Thunder, Defari be the Lightning
Crack a shark's teeth when he be bitin
These fakers can't stand it to sell they bandit
Wit silver-tipped lyrics I shoot across the holy planet
Your favorite's Janet, I'm bangin hits that's hard like granite
Surprising these critics cuz that's the way I planned it
Your brain I scanned it, and analyzed your weakness
You're not creative, niggas like you we call leeches (say what)
(That brother teaches, yep) don't make no big deal of it
I just knows I don't half-step
The after high noon Moonshine saloon
That's where you find a table reserved for X and Herut
>From Alaska to the Mellanys
Don't give a fuck where you look, they feelin Likwit emcees
Chorus (Tash)
"Not havin it"
Xzibit's da Thunder, Defari's da Lightning (4x)
(Xzibit)
Y'all niggas speakin out of anger and ignorance
But Xzibit got the diligence
Defari sparkin joints in the ligiments
Kill-afornia b-boys who search and destroy missions
Bring the heat to raise the temperature in Hell's Kitchen
Don't get too relaxed and find yourself missin, listen
Shot caller from a whole new position, relieve the tension
Break bread wit my brothers
All the bitches we fuck be hangin out wit one another
And associate my good times wit Hennesy straight
Can you relate, or is your heart filled wit hate?
We makin history, get your cameras and roll the tape
Document the moves y'all niggas refuse to make
How many fools do it take for me to shut down
To realize Likwit niggas ain't fuckin around
Feel the shakin underground sound will never provoke
We automatically swing hard and aim for the throat, mothafuckers
Chorus 4x
(Defari)
The Ice Age couldn't stop me from writin a page
Of lyrical rage to be taken out on stage
Then my frustrations slice emcess wit vocal blades
No dough, no show, no doubt gots to get paid
You listen to the horses *horse sounds*
It make these wack emcees wanna quit and go take college courses
And get a higher sense of learning
Clappin off ?vermin?, bust his spine and be the iodine that's burnin
(Xzibit)
Put your gun down boy, you get beat like your father did
Debo style, snap your limbs like a crocodile
Nasty, wicked, and wild and ready for the confrontation
You tryin to deliver but runnin into complications
Of course, the work horse, the main source
Either come in quietly or be taken by force
40 Dayz & 40 Nightz brought the Thunder & Lightning
Let's both burn sudden and have a Clash of the Titans
Chorus 4x
The song "Thunder & Lightning" by Defari featuring Xzibit is a powerful display of each rapper's lyrical abilities. The song starts with the repeated phrase "Not havin it" followed by "My lightning my thunder," symbolizing their strength and determination. Defari compares himself to lightning and Xzibit to thunder - both natural phenomena that display immense power and energy. In the first verse, Defari references being compared to other rappers and shares his ability to surprise critics with his planned creativity. He also highlights his analytical strengths and ability to detect weakness in others. Xzibit's verse references the ignorant and angry reactions of some others in the industry, but he reiterates his commitment to fighting and succeeding. Lastly, Defari references his frustrations with the industry and the need to get paid for his work.
Overall, the theme of "Thunder & Lightning" is one of strength, determination, and power. Both Defari and Xzibit make music not only to entertain their fans but also to fight against those who would try to bring them down. Each rapper showcases his individual lyrical ability throughout the track, emphasizing that they each add a unique voice to the hip-hop industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Not havin it
I won't put up with it or accept it.
My lightning my thunder
I am strong, powerful, and unstoppable like a storm.
IT DOES NOT END
This is an ongoing, endless battle.
Not havin it
I won't tolerate it and will resist it.
My lightning my thunder
I am a force to be reckoned with and won't be stopped.
Look what the wind blew in, a Wild West storm
A powerful force has arrived unexpectedly from the Wild West.
In the form of Thunder and Lightning
The storm is comprised of two strong, powerful elements.
Xzibit be the Thunder, Defari be the Lightning
Xzibit and Defari each embody one of the powerful components of the storm.
Crack a shark's teeth when he be bitin
I am so strong that even a dangerous predator like a shark can't resist me.
These fakers can't stand it to sell they bandit
Fake people can't handle my authenticity and have to resort to selling themselves out.
Wit silver-tipped lyrics I shoot across the holy planet
I use my powerful words to reach people all over the world.
Your favorite's Janet, I'm bangin hits that's hard like granite
I am making music that is even harder and better than what people already love.
Surprising these critics cuz that's the way I planned it
I am subverting expectations and exceeding critics' expectations deliberately.
Your brain I scanned it, and analyzed your weakness
I study my opponents and understand their flaws and weak points.
You're not creative, niggas like you we call leeches (say what)
People who lack creativity like you are just hangers-on and we don't respect them.
(That brother teaches, yep) don't make no big deal of it
I am teaching valuable lessons, but I'm not bragging or making a big deal out of it.
I just knows I don't half-step
I am always fully committed and don't do things halfway.
The after high noon Moonshine saloon
The place to be is at the Moonshine saloon after noon.
That's where you find a table reserved for X and Herut
Me and Herut have a special spot that's reserved for us.
>From Alaska to the Mellanys
We're known and respected all over, from Alaska to Mellanys.
Don't give a fuck where you look, they feelin Likwit emcees
People everywhere are loving Likwit emcees no matter where you look.
Y'all niggas speakin out of anger and ignorance
You're talking out of emotion and lack of knowledge or understanding.
But Xzibit got the diligence
I am diligently pursuing my goals and won't give up.
Defari sparkin joints in the ligiments
Defari is smoking and relaxing to ease his tension.
Kill-afornia b-boys who search and destroy missions
We're tough California boys on a mission to win.
Bring the heat to raise the temperature in Hell's Kitchen
We're turning up the heat to the point of discomfort in Hell's Kitchen, aka the industry.
Don't get too relaxed and find yourself missin, listen
Stay on your toes and pay attention so you don't miss out or get left behind.
Shot caller from a whole new position, relieve the tension
I'm a leader and decision-maker who can ease the tensions and stresses of the situation.
Break bread wit my brothers
I am sharing food and bonding with my close friends and partners.
All the bitches we fuck be hangin out wit one another
The women we have sex with are all friends and associate with each other.
And associate my good times wit Hennesy straight
I equate my good times with drinking straight Hennesy.
Can you relate, or is your heart filled wit hate?
Do you understand and empathize with me, or are you full of hate?
We makin history, get your cameras and roll the tape
We are doing something important and historic, so document it.
Document the moves y'all niggas refuse to make
Capture what we are doing that others are too afraid to try.
How many fools do it take for me to shut down
It doesn't matter how many weak opponents I face because I'll come out on top eventually.
To realize Likwit niggas ain't fuckin around
You'll see that Likwit emcees are serious and shouldn't be underestimated.
Feel the shakin underground sound will never provoke
The strength and power of our sound won't be shaken or intimidated.
We automatically swing hard and aim for the throat, mothafuckers
We hit hard and go for the kill with no hesitation.
The Ice Age couldn't stop me from writin a page
Even extreme obstacles like an Ice Age can't prevent me from writing and creating.
Of lyrical rage to be taken out on stage
I have strong emotions and create powerful lyrics to perform.
Then my frustrations slice emcess wit vocal blades
I express my frustrations through my music and lyrics, which can cut down other emcees.
No dough, no show, no doubt gots to get paid
I need to get paid in order to perform, and it's a certainty that I'll be paid no matter what.
You listen to the horses *horse sounds*
I am so powerful that even horses listen to me.
It make these wack emcees wanna quit and go take college courses
Hearing me makes weak emcees want to quit and go back to school.
And get a higher sense of learning
They want to learn more and improve themselves.
Clappin off ?vermin?, bust his spine and be the iodine that's burnin
We're taking care of pests by killing them, and it's a painful process that leaves a mark.
Put your gun down boy, you get beat like your father did
If you try to use violence, you'll end up losing like your father did.
Debo style, snap your limbs like a crocodile
I will overpower you and physically harm you like a crocodile would.
Nasty, wicked, and wild and ready for the confrontation
I am aggressive, dangerous, and prepared for any challenge.
You tryin to deliver but runnin into complications
You're struggling to succeed despite your efforts and running into problems.
Of course, the work horse, the main source
I am a hard worker and main source of success and leadership.
Either come in quietly or be taken by force
You can either cooperate peacefully or be forced to comply with us.
40 Dayz & 40 Nightz brought the Thunder & Lightning
The album '40 Dayz & 40 Nightz' features powerful and unstoppable music.
Let's both burn sudden and have a Clash of the Titans
We should come together in a powerful confrontation like the Clash of the Titans.
Contributed by Jayden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.