Emcees
* P.O.S. has released four albums under the Rhymesayers record label in conjunction with the Doomtree label. His first album, Ipecac Neat, made its Rhymesayers debut in 2004. His next album Audition released in 2006. His third release, Never Better was released in February 2009. We Don't Even Live Here, his fourth album, came out October 2012.
P.O.S is the de facto leader of the group. He also performs with the punk rock group Building Better Bombs.
* Sims released his first full length album in July 2005, Lights Out Paris. He also released False Hopes 14 in 2009. In 2011, he released Bad Time Zoo to critical acclaim.
* Dessa released one of Doomtree's several False Hopes albums and often performs live with violinist Jessy Greene (who is featured on P.O.S's Audition). She is an accomplished spoken word poet. In January 2010, she released her first solo LP, A Badly Broken Code. 2011 brought Castor, The Twin, which was a re-imagining of many of the tracks from A Badly Broken Code, utilizing a live band.
* Mictlan has released Doomtree False Hopes albums Deity for hire and Deity for Re-hire. In 2008, Mike Mictlan and Lazerbeak released their album Hand Over Fist
* Cecil Otter released Hung Over-seas, a Doomtree False Hopes album in 2003. He was also a finalist in a national spoken word competition inspired by the 2004 presidential election. He released another album, simply titled Cecil Otter's False Hopes, in 2005. In 2006 Cecil Otter released his new full length album Rebel Yellow. He is also signed to Strange Famous Records.
Producers/DJs
* Paper Tiger has produced for Doomtree emcees and often spins records for Doomtree performances. He also provides graphic design for various flyers and other Doomtree visuals. He has released a solo album Made Like Us.
* MK Larada has produced many tracks for Doomtree emcees and is also Doomtree's resident artist. He has released an album Break In Two (Music For B People).
* Lazerbeak has produced many tracks for Doomtree emcees as well as several other Minneapolis hip-hop artists, including Toki Wright. He is also the guitarist of Minnesota indie band The Plastic Constellations. He has released his solo album Legend Recognize Legend
* Turbo Nemesis is the most common Doomtree DJ to spin at performances
http://www.doomtree.net
Drumsticks
Doomtree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Cecil]
We work the mics and rehearse the lines that life furthers
And curse the vines that you might have heard your rumors from
Like it's me verse a vice or vice versa
Then I returned to the life that Christ nurtured
Come come now
We're feet first in fire
We reversed the modern and earned the checks
To the check one-two's
The three-four-fives
And the right to watch the sun on the eastern seaboard rise
[Mictlan]
Pack up the bags, eat
Sleep for a second
Then it's back in the van
Listen to beats for the record
Feel like it's all that I ever knew
Convenient procedure
All for the revenue
Leave at my leisure
So coming soon to a college town near you
DTR here we are
Holla atcha rap group
Incorporated so of course it's hated
Write it, record it, order it, re-order it the more we make it
[Dessa]
This is not a promise it's a threat
The cigarette to your balloon
Cue the gossip roll the tape I rock the room
Say it's a nose job
As in she got it cause she knows somebody
I'm paying dues in red blood and borrowed money
Son me if you can
Lemme see your grand plan
A low-budget production bandana glamour on a handcam
Let me sign your poster strike a poser
Sleeping in my armor while you're sleeping on your holster
[P.O.S.]
It goes get money waste
Rather take money from a thing we need to a thing we see
Jake honey nothing's free
True indeed
Open the seam
Scribble the bleed
Agitate seed to leaves
Conceive Doomtree
Blood brothers
Close shutters
They don't need to see this beast
Prose sputters free
Those other Joes peddle cheap
And shody work'll bruise your body purple
Some folk'll never lose a toe, but then again some folk'll
[Sims]
You say that hell is human
I say you break it you buy it and make the shell-toes move in on self-improvement quicker that you could sell the movement
Make the circuits mash across the circus act
Two-thousand-something moving circa that
Turn off the screwdriver
Ghostwriter for hire
Tie up the wires
I am the fire supplier of inspired rap
Burn the empire back
It's Doomtree live through the wiretapa
-
Kick the beat with the help from the drum sticks
In the song "Drumsticks" by Doomtree, each verse is delivered by a different member of the group, including Cecil, Mictlan, Dessa, P.O.S., and Sims. The song explores the difficulties and challenges of being a member of a rap group and navigating the music industry while also showcasing the group's skills and determination in pursuing their passions.
Cecil's verse touches on the idea of facing opposition and standing up for one's beliefs, ultimately returning to the values and teachings of Christ. Mictlan's verse describes the relentless touring and recording process, with little time for rest or relaxation. Dessa's verse is an assertion of her dedication to her craft, rejecting the idea that her success is solely based on her connections and instead citing hard work and sacrifice as the source of her achievements. P.O.S.'s verse delves into the making of music and the struggle to stand out in a crowded industry. Finally, Sims' verse reflects on the power of music to inspire change and make a difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
We work the mics and rehearse the lines that life furthers
We put in the work and practice to perfect our craft
And curse the vines that you might have heard your rumors from
We reject and denounce gossip and hearsay about us
Like it's me verse a vice or vice versa
It feels like a constant battle between good and evil
Then I returned to the life that Christ nurtured
After struggling with inner demons, I have found peace in following Christ's teachings
Come come now
You're feet first in ice water
We're feet first in fire
The obstacle you face seems difficult, but we are working just as hard to overcome it
We reversed the modern and earned the checks
To the check one-two's
The three-four-fives
We defy modern conventions and make our own way to success
Pack up the bags, eat
Sleep for a second
Then it's back in the van
We live a grueling, non-stop routine while on tour
Listen to beats for the record
Feel like it's all that I ever knew
Music is our life and passion
This is not a promise it's a threat
The cigarette to your balloon
Cue the gossip roll the tape I rock the room
We are confident in our abilities and not afraid to speak up and stand out
I'm paying dues in red blood and borrowed money
Son me if you can
Lemme see your grand plan
We have faced obstacles and sacrifices to achieve our goals and challenge those who doubt us
It goes get money waste
Rather take money from a thing we need to a thing we see
We prioritize investing in and supporting what matters to us
Those other Joes peddle cheap
And shody work'll bruise your body purple
Some folk'll never lose a toe, but then again some folk'll
We strive to make high quality music, unlike others who put out subpar work
You say that hell is human
I say you break it you buy it and make the shell-toes move in on self-improvement quicker that you could sell the movement
We believe in personal accountability and self-improvement, taking ownership of our actions
Two-thousand-something moving circa that
Turn off the screwdriver
Ghostwriter for hire
We adapt to and embrace the changing times to stay relevant
Burn the empire back
It's Doomtree live through the wiretapa
We are ready to take down oppressive systems and stand up for ourselves and our fans
Kick the beat with the help from the drum sticks
We use our music as a tool to fight back and make a difference
Contributed by Jayden W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@HayHayRains
How does this video not have more views??
Fuck, I love Doomtree.Â
@youtubechannel12371
Still comin back to this 13 years later. So dope!
@amberlee4536
How have I never seen this before? Holy shit it's everything I love from Doomtree. Fire. Proof that they're all a bunch of giant nerds from the Midwest. Absolute self-awareness about that and owning it like bosses. Culture jamming for a straight decade.
@Mrpancake-lol124
Representing in 2020. Years on, still got it!
@jkrow6782
Still Listening to this in 2018.
@bordo3k
Wow! This video is fantastic. How so many talented people (producers, MCs, photographers) could come together and make such great and proffesional music and videos is beyond me...
@Omi17
Hell yeah that's the Midtown Greenway bike path. Minneapolis represent!
@zerodarkthirty1935
Priceless
@JeffrayHawks
Still like the song, after all this time. Just had to see Video today. Best from Germany!!!!
@BaconBLTurner
Honestly Minneapolis is an amazing place to live. Love every minute of it.