He started out as a DJ for Jazzy Jay back in the late 1980s and was at the same time perfecting his skills in beat making and turntablism, and together with rhyme partner Master Rob, he was one half of the group Ultimate Force. The group signed with Jazzy Jay's Strong City Records, and Diamond and Rob started recording their debut album, I'm Not Playin', in 1988 and released the 12-inch single with the same title, which spawned a buzz in the underground. The album was completed in 1990, but it got caught up in label politics, such as the shutdown of Strong City distributor Uni Records, and was shelved until 2007 when it was released through Traffic Entertainment. One of the last songs recorded for the album was a Diamond D solo song in which he actually picked up the mike for the first time. The song was called "The Best-Kept Secret." As Ultimate Force dissolved, record executives got their eyes on the Bronx phenomenon, which eventually resulted in the release of Diamond's debut album, Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop (released under the moniker Diamond & the Psychotic Neurotics), in 1992. The album is considered to be one of the finest D.I.T.C. solo LPs and features early appearances from Big L and Fat Joe, the latter of whose 1993 debut album, Represent, was mainly produced by Diamond D.
Diamond's second album, Hatred, Passions and Infidelity, was released in 1997 to mixed but mostly positive reviews. Following the release, Diamond established his name as a sought-after producer after providing impressive beats for other hip hop artist such as Busta Rhymes, the Fugees, KRS-One, Queen Latifah, the Pharcyde, and Brand Nubian, among others. He is regarded as one of the first hip hop producers to work with artists on both the east and west coasts. Since then, he released the independent street album Grown Man Talk, the official mixtape compilation The Diamond Mine, and provided contributions to his D.I.T.C. cohorts' projects including the crew's self-titled 2000 debut album on Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records.
In 2008 Diamond signed with Babygrande Records. His fourth album, titled The Huge Hefner Chronicles, was released in October 2008, and unlike previous efforts, the LP showed Diamond focus more on his rhymes, as production was handled by other respected underground beat makers such as Nottz, DJ Scratch, Ill Mind, Def Jef, and Jesse West.
Gather Round
Diamond D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
Ayo check it
Now the ultraviolet seems to have me slippin'
Well I'm on guard son, there'll be no ass whippings
Some say "What's up?" Some stick out their bottom lip and
I motivate, spark the L then skate
There's no debate, I put the funk on your plate
So get it straight, it's the lyrical mechanic
I cause a panic, of depression that's manic
Harder than granite, I revolve like the planet
And got the game to leave the chicken heads enchanted
Word to Janet, and her brother Jackie
I put the squeeze on mommies like Pataki
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
Now, I dehydrate your body just like a Heineken
Tip-toe through your tulips like Tiny Tim
Back up son, it's Diamond D and his mighty men
You want to see a show? Call Chris Lighty and
I'll come to your town, tear the walls down
Pound for pound I gets down for my crown
I gets busy, you can ask my nigga Wizzy
I'm slicker than that fox found on Thin Lizzy
You wonder "Is he, slacking?" But I'm a mack and
I'm always packing, cause niggas don't know how to act and
They want to riff, made because I got the gift
Enjoying a spliff, on 125th
I roll on your set like a brand new Perelli
Got more charisma than Arthur Fonzarelli
Got a belly, but that don't slow me down in a telly
Put it on ya like the Claw did Jim Kelly
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
Now check it
To all my foes you can just keep hushin'
The stage ain't the place you want to be rushin'
'Cause there'll take place a spontaneous combustion
Life's a game of chess and I play like a Russian
I mean to win, pass me the gin and a pen
And on a skin, I spend no more than a Benjamin
Franklin, and I'm off to the bank and
I roll with a crew that passes out the most spankings
This side of the Mason Dixon
I bought your tape and I erased it like Nixon
In Watergate, mom don't blame me if your daughter's late
Cause she was hooking, one of my niggas saw the bate
I bob and weave like Julio Chavez
Vacate in San Juan or Nisna Budez?
Trying to get these beaches, I cut off the dreads
Make MC's run like they just seen the Feds
Live life for '96 that's my motto
Look out for my peeps like Alphonse D'Amato
Witty and shifty describes my sticcatto
Peace dun, the lyrical desperado
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
The lyrics to Diamond D's song "Gather Round" depict a self-assured artist who is unafraid to take on any challenger. Diamond D's confident flow is made evident by the lyrics, which describe how he is always on guard and causes a panic wherever he goes. He motivates himself by sparking up (smoking), and he's not afraid to put down MCs who might think they can take him on. Diamond D's self-confidence comes across in "Gather Round" when he describes how he's slicker than a fox and gets down for his crown. He's an artist in complete control of his craft, and this is made evident by the lyrics.
There's also a sense of humor in Diamond D's style. We see this when he refers to himself as a "lyrical mechanic" and talks about how he dehydrates his enemies' bodies like a Heineken. Diamond D's lyrical prowess is on full display in "Gather Round" as he tears through lines like "I roll on your set like a brand new Perelli/ Got more charisma than Arthur Fonzarelli." All in all, "Gather Round" is a great showcase of Diamond D's skill as an MC, and it's a classic hip-hop track.
Line by Line Meaning
"Gather round!" Gather round and check the flow!
Come closer and listen to my impressive rap skills.
"Ayo check it" Now the ultraviolet seems to have me slippin'
Listen up, I'm feeling high and ready to deliver my rhymes.
"Well I'm on guard son, there'll be no ass whippings"
I am prepared for any confrontation with other MCs.
"Behind my back, I know MC's be tripping"
I am aware that some MCs talk behind my back.
"Some say 'What's up?' Some stick out their bottom lip and"
Some people greet me nicely, while others have a different attitude.
"I motivate, spark the L then skate"
I inspire and smoke weed before leaving.
"There's no debate, I put the funk on your plate"
There's no argument, I deliver funk to your ears.
"So get it straight, it's the lyrical mechanic"
Understand clearly that I am skilled with words.
"I cause a panic, of depression that's manic"
My lyrics create chaos and uncontrollable emotions.
"Harder than granite, I revolve like the planet"
I am tough and constantly evolving, just like the Earth.
"And got the game to leave the chicken heads enchanted"
I've got the skills to impress and attract women easily.
"Word to Janet, and her brother Jackie"
I give a shoutout to the Jackson family.
"I put the squeeze on mommies like Pataki"
I seduce and impress women like a politician seduces voters.
"Now, I dehydrate your body just like a Heineken"
I will leave you weak and dehydrated like after drinking a Heineken beer.
"Tip-toe through your tulips like Tiny Tim"
I move stealthily like Tiny Tim walking through a garden.
"Back up son, it's Diamond D and his mighty men"
Don't mess with me, I have powerful allies.
"You want to see a show? Call Chris Lighty and"
If you want to watch me perform live, call my manager Chris Lighty.
"I'll come to your town, tear the walls down"
I'll come to your city and give an amazing performance.
"Pound for pound I gets down for my crown"
I am a great rapper who always gives his best.
"I gets busy, you can ask my nigga Wizzy"
I am always working hard, just like my friend Wizzy.
"I'm slicker than that fox found on Thin Lizzy"
I am smoother than the fox found in the band Thin Lizzy's logo.
"You wonder 'Is he, slacking?' But I'm a mack and"
You might doubt my skills, but I am a smooth talker and seducer.
"I'm always packing, cause niggas don't know how to act and"
I always carry a gun because some people can't behave.
"They want to riff, made because I got the gift"
Some people want to argue with me because I have talent.
"Enjoying a spliff, on 125th"
I am smoking weed on the street 125th in New York.
"I roll on your set like a brand new Perelli"
I arrive at your location like a new luxury car tire.
"Got more charisma than Arthur Fonzarelli"
I am more charming than the famous TV character the Fonz.
"Got a belly, but that don't slow me down in a telly"
I have a big stomach, but it doesn't affect me in the bedroom.
"Put it on ya like the Claw did Jim Kelly"
I am going to have sex with you like the professional wrestler the Claw did with Jim Kelly.
"To all my foes you can just keep hushin'"
My enemies should just remain quiet.
"'Cause there'll take place a spontaneous combustion"
If you mess with me, there will be trouble.
"Life's a game of chess and I play like a Russian"
Life is like a chess game and I am a skilled player like a Russian.
"I mean to win, pass me the gin and a pen"
My objective is to win, give me a drink and something to write with.
"And on a skin, I spend no more than a Benjamin"
I am willing to pay up to a hundred dollars for a sexual encounter.
"Franklin, and I'm off to the bank and"
I am going to the bank to deposit my earnings.
"I roll with a crew that passes out the most spankings"
I am part of a group that imposes punishment on those who misbehave.
"This side of the Mason Dixon"
This is the northern side of the Mason-Dixon line, which was the boundary between two regions of the US during the Civil War.
"I bought your tape and I erased it like Nixon"
I bought your music and didn't like it, so I erased it like President Nixon deleted audio tapes.
"In Watergate, mom don't blame me if your daughter's late"
Referring to a scandal where Nixon tried to cover his tracks, don't blame me if I make your daughter arrive late at home.
"Cause she was hooking, one of my niggas saw the bate"
She was probably prostituting herself and one of my friends saw it.
"I bob and weave like Julio Chavez"
I dodge and move around like the boxer Julio Cesar Chavez.
"Vacate in San Juan or Nisna Budez?"
Should I go on vacation to San Juan, Puerto Rico or Nice, France?
"Trying to get these beaches, I cut off the dreads"
I am getting ready to enjoy the beaches and I cut my dreadlocks.
"Make MC's run like they just seen the Feds"
I scare other MCs, making them run away like they saw the Feds (Federal agents).
"Live life for '96 that's my motto"
My life philosophy is to live fully in the year 1996.
"Look out for my peeps like Alphonse D'Amato"
I take care of my friends like US Senator Alfonse D'Amato.
"Witty and shifty describes my sticcatto"
My rap style is clever and quick.
"Peace dun, the lyrical desperado"
I am a peaceful but skilled rapper.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH KIRKLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind