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
Punch-Out
Doomtree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ring around the squared circle
Side setter repertoire
Blind sider gut splitter butt splatter weapon paw
Second guesser predecessor hidden stressor
Set it off
Second in command commanding power with the reckoning force
Double O ten
You getting knocked out harder than Danny Donavon
Doomtree blowout winter for your wonderland
Willing to only cut a man bullies will never understand
Wooly mammoth Minnesnowta
Murder Maker Mike Mictlan
Hoodie, parka, Nordic, mitten, muzzle, skully, get it on
Sims and Cecil, Mike and Stef (and Dessa and Paper), Lazerbeak the legend god
Wings and Teeth teaming up, feeding on the lesser parts
Uptown to Peavey Park
West Bank to Powderhorn
Doomtree
Captains of the rapping Liberal North
Sovereign township on some Watership Down shit
The Bangarang Gang
Style over everything!
[Sims]
I try to stay cool, let the assholes be assholes
But they're pulling on my last hopes
Yeah they're pulling on my last cord
Anymore and I might dive them something to die for
Call 911 last days in America, the primates won
At the mouth frothing like troglodytes
I'm on a zombie hunt, yeah it's on tonight
Put out an APB, all these silverback gorillas on the trail chasing me
Man, I should just move to the sticks
And let these alpha males roll in their own shit
But I ain't giving into you
I'm a citizen too, who's trying to save who?
On a big white horse in a pale grey suit
So I move with the moon
I'm like ready, aim, shoot
The song "Punch-Out" by Doomtree is a rap track that is all about empowerment and standing up for oneself. The lyrics are filled with allusions to boxing and the ring, making it clear that the metaphor is for a struggle that is bigger than just one individual. The first verse spoken by Mike Mictlan talks about being in charge; he's the second in command, but he's got a commanding power that is undeniable. He speaks of being able to take on anyone, no matter how much larger they may be than him. The chorus of the song talks about being a part of a special team that is always pushing forward, no matter how much adversity they may face. The second verse, spoken by Sims, is all about staying strong and fighting back against the forces of negativity and oppression. He talks about how he's always trying to stay cool, but sometimes people really push him to the limit. He speaks of his experiences with racism and other types of discrimination, noting just how hurtful it can be. At the end of the verse, Sims is ready to stand up for himself and fight for what is right, no matter what the cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Ring around the squared circle
The competition of life is a never-ending cycle.
Side setter repertoire
The group has a unique skill set that sets them apart from others.
Blind sider gut splitter butt splatter weapon paw
Doomtree's attack is unexpected, powerful, and leaves no room for the opponent to retaliate.
Second guesser predecessor hidden stressor
Uncertainty, doubt, and anxiety can hinder the group from reaching their full potential.
Set it off
Start the action.
Second in command commanding power with the reckoning force
The group's second in command is powerful and can make significant moves on their own.
Double O ten
Referring to the year 2010, and how the group is ahead of its time.
Larger than Kelly Robinson
The group's impact is greater than even a legendary athlete's fame.
You getting knocked out harder than Danny Donavon
You will face a crushing defeat from Doomtree, worse than a boxer getting knocked out in a match.
Doomtree blowout winter for your wonderland
The group will bring a storm of sound and energy to brighten your otherwise mundane existence.
Willing to only cut a man bullies will never understand
Doomtree is only willing to fight with those who understand the art of rap, not bullies who use their power to bring others down.
Wooly mammoth Minnesnowta
Minnesota is characterized as large, cold, and powerful like a wooly mammoth.
Murder Maker Mike Mictlan
Mike Mictlan is a powerhouse rapper who can defeat his opponents through his skillful rhymes.
Hoodie, parka, Nordic, mitten, muzzle, skully, get it on
The group dresses for the cold Minnesota winter, and is always ready to perform their music.
Sims and Cecil, Mike and Stef (and Dessa and Paper), Lazerbeak the legend god
The members of the group are listed and recognized for their contributions to Doomtree's sound.
Wings and Teeth teaming up, feeding on the lesser parts
The group combines their strengths and works together to overpower weaker opponents.
Uptown to Peavey Park
Referring to areas of Minneapolis favored by the group.
West Bank to Powderhorn
Referring to areas of Minneapolis favored by the group.
Doomtree
The name of the group.
Captains of the rapping Liberal North
Doomtree is a leader of the liberal, free-thinking rap scene in the Northern US.
Sovereign township on some Watership Down shit
Doomtree is independent and doesn't need others to succeed, similar to the rabbits in the novel Watership Down.
The Bangarang Gang
Doomtree members are united by their passion for music, and are like a gang in that sense.
Style over everything!
Doomtree values their unique sound and style above all else.
I try to stay cool, let the assholes be assholes
The artist tries to keep calm in the face of negative people.
But they're pulling on my last hopes
Negative people can chip away at the singer's positivity and hopefulness.
Yeah they're pulling on my last cord
Negative people are testing the singer's last shred of patience.
Anymore and I might dive them something to die for
The singer is on edge and ready to fight back against negative people.
Call 911 last days in America, the primates won
The negativity and chaos in the world feels like the end of time, as if animals have taken over.
At the mouth frothing like troglodytes
Negative people are acting like primitive creatures, foaming at the mouth with anger and aggression.
I'm on a zombie hunt, yeah it's on tonight
The singer is motivated to fight against negativity and is ready to take action immediately.
Put out an APB, all these silverback gorillas on the trail chasing me
Aggressive people are hunting the singer like wild animals.
Man, I should just move to the sticks
The artist wants to escape from negative people and live in a more peaceful area.
And let these alpha males roll in their own shit
Negative people can continue to be negative without the artist's involvement.
But I ain't giving into you
The artist won't let negativity control their life.
I'm a citizen too, who's trying to save who?
The singer is trying to make a positive change and help others, despite negative people's efforts to bring them down.
On a big white horse in a pale grey suit
The artist is symbolic of a chivalrous hero, ready to stand up against negativity.
So I move with the moon
The singer is constantly in motion, never stopping their pursuit of positivity and change.
I'm like ready, aim, shoot
The singer is always prepared to take action against negativity.
Contributed by Alexis N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.