DJ Babu (from the DJ crew Beat Junkies), Evidence, and Rakaa joined together in 1992 in Los Angeles, CA and released Third Degree and Work the Angles, which were quickly established as favorites in the underground scene and among rap critics. They eventually signed to Capitol and in 2000 released The Platform, to more critical acclaim. Their sophomore set Expansion Team was released in 2001, led by the Alchemist-produced single Worst Comes To Worst, which sampled from Mobb Deep's Survival Of The Fittest. Their third album, Neighborhood Watch, was released in 2004 and debuted at #55 on USA's Billboard 200 Albums Chart. In addition to the Kanye West-produced single, This Way, it also featured the single Who's Who?, which was also included as a track on the Need for Speed: Underground and SSX 3 soundtracks, and peaked at #35 on the UK Singles Chart.
In 2006, they returned with the single Back Again, produced by The Alchemist. The trio's fourth album, 20/20, debuted on February 21, 2006.
In 2007 they released The Release Party. This package included a feature-length documentary on DVD as well as EP featuring new songs and remixes. The film, released through Decon, is a celebration of the release from their contract with Capital.
Directors of Photography is the fifth studio album by the American hip hop group. The album was released on August 12, 2014, by Rhymesayers Entertainment.
Dilated Junkies
Dilated Peoples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know back on the hip hop?s DJ
Lot of people talk with their game with their mouth
Dangerous people to hang with
that's a dangerous man who speak with his hand
Hit the turntable listen
That's a dangerous man who speak with his hand
He don't need no introduction, he just bust in
Grab the turntables and then start hugging
DJ?s are ducking, tucking their tails running
Well, blending, rocking at twelve hundreds
Or vest tax, one of them fresh cats
The type you definitely wanna bless with rats
So recognize that you met your match
But check out Babu with the cold, cut, scratched
Break it down
Break it down
Break it down
Yo, bring it back Bab?s one more time, that's fine
Face off on tracks while you walk the plank
And now drums are come back
With redemption of Shawshank
that's a dangerous man who speak with his hand
Dilated junkie
That's a dangerous man who speak with his hand
Junkie is the keep, junkie is the keeper
The DJ?s in effect, keep holding it down
P Junkie sound system just rolled into town
The world USA and CA rock, LA rock
The funky presented J Rocks
Funky present
Funky present
Keep it movin?
And show my cats how it?s done
Visionary Redmatic, next up, hit the one
You know the fucking concept
Whenever we step to this set is no contest
Come on, come on, come on
When I do my thing I?d be on some more of shit
To service qua two, Babu with another hit
?Cause if you ain't a beat junkie then you ain't said shit
Like that
This is with an expansion team
Beat junkie sound, sure short production
Live and direct, on the ones and twos
Redmatic, Babu and beat junkie sometimes
The lyrics in Dilated Peoples' song "Dilated Junkies" celebrate the art of turntablism and the skill of DJing. The repetitive phrase "that's a dangerous man who speaks with his hand" is a nod to the power and influence of DJs when they control the music, and how they can set the tone for the entire atmosphere of a room. The line "dilated junkies make the rookies drive slow" refers to the high level of skill possessed by Dilated Peoples and their DJ counterparts, the Beat Junkies, which can make other DJs feel inferior or intimidated.
The song also includes references to the competitive nature of the DJ world, with lines like "He don't need no introduction, he just bust in / Grab the turntables and start hugging" and "check out Babu with the cold, cut, scratched." These lines highlight the desire to show off one's skills and prove oneself as the best in the business.
Finally, the catchy "funky present" hooks throughout the song represent the party atmosphere that DJs can create, bringing people together through the power of music.
Overall, "Dilated Junkies" celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of DJing, and the power of music to connect people and create a memorable experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Crop, crop again
Repeatedly cutting and manipulating sounds on the turntable
You know back on the hip hop's DJ
Returning to the roots of hip hop, where the DJ plays a pivotal role
Lot of people talk with their game with their mouth
Many people talk about their skills, but don't actually have the talent to back it up
Dangerous people to hang with
Those who talk more than they can deliver can be risky to associate with
That's a dangerous man who speak with his hand
Skilled DJs can speak through their mixes and scratching
Hit the turntable listen
Pay attention to the sounds being created on the turntable
Dilated junkies make the rookies drive slow
Experienced DJs can be awe-inspiring, causing less experienced DJs to slow down in admiration
He don't need no introduction, he just bust in
A skilled DJ doesn't need an introduction, their skills speak for themselves
Grab the turntables and then start hugging
Showing affection and appreciation for the turntables and the art of DJing
DJ's are ducking, tucking their tails running
Less experienced DJs may be intimidated and flee when faced with a skilled DJ's abilities
Well, blending, rocking at twelve hundreds
Mixing and manipulating tracks at high speeds on a turntable
Or vest tax, one of them fresh cats
Referring to new and fresh DJs who are making an impact in the scene
The type you definitely wanna bless with rats
These DJs deserve recognition and respect for their skills
So recognize that you met your match
Acknowledging the skills of other DJs and showing respect
But check out Babu with the cold, cut, scratched
Drawing attention to the skills of DJ Babu and his ability to cut and scratch records
Break it down
Simplifying the beats and sounds to make it more accessible for the audience
Yo, bring it back Bab's one more time, that's fine
Asking DJ Babu to repeat a set or mix that stood out
Face off on tracks while you walk the plank
Competing against other DJs, with the possibility of falling off or making mistakes
And now drums are come back
The drums in the mix are now coming to the forefront
With redemption of Shawshank
Similar to the movie 'The Shawshank Redemption', the mix or set is making a comeback
Junkie is the keep, junkie is the keeper
A reference to the Beat Junkies crew and the importance of the DJ in keeping the music alive and relevant
The DJ's in effect, keep holding it down
The DJ is in control and maintaining the energy of the music
P Junkie sound system just rolled into town
The Beat Junkies sound system has arrived and bringing their unique style to the scene
The world USA and CA rock, LA rock
The Beat Junkies represent the West Coast hip hop scene, with influences from the USA and California
The funky presented J Rocks
Introducing J-Rocc, one of the members of the Beat Junkies crew
Keep it movin
Continuing the energy and flow of the music
And show my cats how it's done
Teaching and inspiring less experienced DJs through their skills
Visionary Redmatic, next up, hit the one
Referring to Rhettmatic, another member of the Beat Junkies crew and their turntable skills
You know the fucking concept
Understanding the core principles of hip hop, including the importance of the DJ
Whenever we step to this set is no contest
The Beat Junkies crew are so skilled that they always dominate when performing
Come on, come on, come on
Encouraging the audience to engage and participate in the music
When I do my thing I'd be on some more of shit
Referring to their own skills and abilities, and their unique style of DJing
To service qua two, Babu with another hit
Highlighting DJ Babu's skills and their ability to create new and exciting mixes
'Cause if you ain't a beat junkie then you ain't said shit
Suggesting that to truly understand and appreciate the art of DJing, one must be a part of the Beat Junkies crew
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: CHRIS OROC, MICHAEL PERRETTA, RAKAA TAYLOR, Fahd Azam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind