As a member of Company Flow, he honed his production skills alongside DJ Mr. Len and Bigg Jus. His unique style helped Company Flow gain critical, then popular success, culminating in 1997 with Funcrusher Plus. Eventual differences between the group & label Rawkus, lead to El-P & Len leaving the label in 2000.
El-P then started his own record label, Definitive Jux. Of the many albums he has helped produce (most on Definitive Jux), the most influential and successful has been Cannibal Ox's album, The Cold Vein (2001). In 2002 he released his debut album, Fantastic Damage, which received critical acclaim. His follow-up, I'll Sleep When You're Dead, hit stores in March of 2007. It featured a wide range of artists, including The Mars Volta, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, and Cat Power. El-P has also contributed productions and guest raps to albums by DJ Krush, Aesop Rock, Murs, Cage, Mr. Lif, Prefuse 73, Del the Funky Homosapien, Mike Ladd, The High and Mighty, Aceyalone, and Alec Empire on the first Handsome Boy Modeling School album.
Cannibal Ox member Vordul Mega can be heard on "Linda Tripp", El-P's rebuttal to Sole's "Dear Elpee". He was also selected to work on Rage Against the Machine frontman Zach de la Rocha's solo album.
In 2012, El-P released his 3rd solo album, Cancer 4 Cure, on Fat Possum Records. The album was released to general acclaim, aggregating a score of 84 out of 100 on Metacritic.
In 2013, Meline formed rap duo Run the Jewels, with Michael Render (aka Killer Mike).
Sites: Discogs, Wikipedia and SoundCloud.
The dance
El-P Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Def Jux Motherfucker and we run this shit
Got you all up on your keyboard stunnin and shit
Oh you got a couple jokes now you funny bitch (HA HA)
Have you laughin all the way to the bank
On point make a cut like we holdin a shank
Got it all up on ya back now you walkin a plank
Try to do it like this but you drawin a blank
Like piranhas when you drop fresh meat in the tank
Fell off of the game can't keep ya rank
Mad cause you try to rock sweet but you ain't
Been around no-will shit where crews peel clips
Niggaz that kill for fun
Wanna talk that ill shit sayin how you kill shit
Bullets still in ya gun
Koolaid in ya veins so now you gotta change clothes
'cause you pissed ya pants
Saw me durango said you wanna tango
Now this is the dance
Where ya shoes at where ya crew at
Claim you do gats but you do rap
What you gonna bust a verse right before the guns burst
Push ya girl on the ground so that you can run first
Now you about to get rolled up hold up wait
Just an emcee that was tryin to make cake
Now you gotta gun all up in ya face
All of a sudden found god like run and mase
Thought it be fun to front on tape
Now you wish you woulda have stuck to drum n' bass
But you had to be hard on the boulevard
When you never gang banged a day in ya town
Try to be a manhuter the streets ain't a jungle gym nigga stop playin
Around
Lay it down
(Chorus: repeat 3X)
This is the Dance!
You don't wanna be late 'cause the moment won't wait betta get ya shit straight
This is ya Chance!
You don't have to be fake with a heart full of hate just try to say thanks
Murs fall up on the spot like what up bitch
Approached the finest girl like shutup bitch
Than I grab the microphone and I cut up kids
Like a hot knife straight through a butter stick
Now I'm in the spotlight about to rock all night
Shot of tequila than a hot mamacita
Who said she know to swallow but not margaritas
Body on point so I follow the leader
Need more tequila so I swallow the liter
How can the night get sweeter (cant)
So I passed out woke up do it again
Won't neva roll up ya crew in the wind
High velocity high viscocity slippin right pass your animosity
Fans are constantly, askin me
Who said what and who has beef
My crew got stuck in we to musty
So try to weigh it out with the truth laid out (stop the gossip)
That's just played out there's more to ya life than underground rap
What you waste all ya time and you wanna run it back
All on the message board runnin ya yap
At the end of the night only wanted to chat
Now you know that you got issues
That early in the morn you should look at some porn
And jack off right in the tissue
Than call it a night that's probley the life
Go to sleep with the girl that you callin ya wife
Wake up to the same shit different day
Everybody onto work and they on the way
Cause we all got bills and rent to pay
Lent to the earth wasn't meant to stay
So before I'm gone I wanna make a hit song that'll always get some play
Got the homey el producto workin in the cut so what you got to say
(El-P)
You wanna trace along the pattern of fair please rest
I wanna pattern how the drum scheme mechanism I.D. jux breath commence fresh
Test the mesh, metal on the chestplate tech
Better wear the smile right, wanna frown like die right
With a highlight primal fright in a prime life of a double ox razor blade fade like 88'
It's the revenge on the whits and lazerface oh break two three
God to analog monkey not me rock hard and shit
The radio flyer kit, flyin with a boombox pack wit' clips
Faggots wanna ratta tat tatter this
And a PT cruiser he creed lucifer
Here comes the booster bruiser, betta get used to losin movement
They couldn't move like el, ox, murs, lif or bazooka tooth die so useless
So use this tip that'll have a little truth in it like (poof)
Deep space nine milli mechanism fist raise the roof again
Who stays on a move that says
Jukie with a shake ring catapult crawl through the trenches
Revelation manifacture eat senses all city
All compositive battle turn logic pretty
All the hard edge tomorrow brings heads or home up in me come get me
I'm for this shitty dizzy spinning lawless constant progress whose with me
Fabolous thunder bird word nerd unda that tom pill shit
Who heard kill quick
And independent since 96' they still ride ya dick
I refined the style with wild wit from an era with an automan mix
Community watch groups enlist young kids
Hit the road skippy
I don't answer to you george bush or the war time committee
Dumber than a mongaloid race movin shit
With a heart of hell's tutelage bruisin shit
Every time you make a move the industry start the new movement kid
I'm not losin bitch
Essentially on the edge of a generations new ruthlesness
Who's in charge, take me to ya leader man stop the foolishness
Cop the new shit bitch
In "The Dance" by El-P, the artist critiques the rap industry and calls out those who try to act tough or fake. The opening lines establish Def Jux's dominance, as El-P asserts that he and his associates will take control of the rap game. The song's repeated refrain of "this is the dance" refers to the metaphorical dance El-P describes where people try to front or show off, only to end up getting rolled on. He talks about those who try to act hard but have never actually faced gang violence, as well as the role of message boards in promoting fake beefs. El-P also boasts his own lyrical abilities within the genre, suggesting that he can easily "cut up kids" with his rhymes. The song culminates in a flurry of dense, surreal lyrics, challenging the listener's ability to keep up and inviting them to "cop the new shit."
Line by Line Meaning
You didn't think me and El was comin like this
You underestimated us, El-P and I, and didn't expect us to come in this strong.
Def Jux Motherfucker and we run this shit
We are from the Definitive Jux label and we are in charge here.
Got you all up on your keyboard stunnin and shit
We have you so shocked and speechless, sitting behind your keyboard.
Oh you got a couple jokes now you funny bitch (HA HA)
You think you're funny with your jokes, but you're just a joke yourself.
Have you laughin all the way to the bank
We have you laughing all the way to the bank, as you realize our success.
On point make a cut like we holdin a shank
We make precise moves, just like someone holding a sharp weapon.
Got it all up on ya back now you walkin a plank
We have you under pressure and in a difficult situation, like walking on a narrow plank.
Try to do it like this but you drawin a blank
You attempt to imitate us, but you can't come up with anything original.
Do it double time all up in yo face
We come at you with twice the speed and intensity, right in your face.
Like piranhas when you drop fresh meat in the tank
We attack you aggressively, just like piranhas when fresh meat is introduced.
Fell off of the game can't keep ya rank
You've lost your standing in the music industry and can't maintain your position.
Mad cause you try to rock sweet but you ain't
You're angry because you tried to be cool, but you're not.
Been around no-will shit where crews peel clips
We've been involved in situations where crews are armed and ready to use their weapons.
Niggaz that kill for fun
We associate with people who take pleasure in killing.
Wanna talk that ill shit sayin how you kill shit
You want to boast about all the violent things you do, acting tough.
Bullets still in ya gun
You still have bullets in your gun, indicating that you have unfinished business.
Koolaid in ya veins so now you gotta change clothes
You're scared and nervous, causing you to soil yourself and requiring a change of clothes.
'cause you pissed ya pants
You urinated in your pants due to fear or anxiety.
Saw me durango said you wanna tango
You saw me and wanted to engage in a confrontation or fight.
Now this is the dance
Now, this is the situation or battle you've gotten yourself into.
Where ya shoes at where ya crew at
Where are your shoes and where is your crew? Who can vouch for you now?
Claim you do gats but you do rap
You claim to carry guns, but all you do is rap about it.
What you gonna bust a verse right before the guns burst
Are you going to rap a verse just before the guns start firing?
Push ya girl on the ground so that you can run first
You would sacrifice your girl's safety and push her down so you can save yourself.
Now you about to get rolled up hold up wait
Now, you're about to be caught and face the consequences, pause and wait for it.
Just an emcee that was tryin to make cake
You were just an emcee trying to make money.
Now you gotta gun all up in ya face
Now, you're faced with a gun pointed at you.
All of a sudden found god like run and mase
You suddenly became religious and sought for God's help, just like running and spraying pepper spray for protection.
Thought it be fun to front on tape
You thought it would be fun to pretend and act tough on recordings.
Now you wish you woulda have stuck to drum n' bass
Now, you regret not sticking to a safer and less confrontational genre like drum and bass.
But you had to be hard on the boulevard
You wanted to portray yourself as tough on the streets.
When you never gang banged a day in ya town
When in reality, you've never been involved in gang activities in your own neighborhood.
Try to be a manhuter the streets ain't a jungle gym nigga stop playin
You're trying to act like a predator in the streets, but it's not a playground. Stop pretending.
Lay it down
Submit or surrender.
(Chorus: repeat 3X)
Repeating chorus.
This is the Dance!
This is the situation or battle we are engaged in.
You don't wanna be late 'cause the moment won't wait betta get ya shit straight
You don't want to be unprepared or late because opportunities are fleeting, so get yourself together.
This is ya Chance!
This is your opportunity.
You don't have to be fake with a heart full of hate just try to say thanks
You don't have to pretend or be hateful, just show gratitude and appreciation.
Murs fall up on the spot like what up bitch
Murs arrives at the scene, confidently greeting everyone.
Approached the finest girl like shutup bitch
He confidently approaches an attractive girl, telling her to be quiet.
Than I grab the microphone and I cut up kids
Then, he takes hold of the microphone and impressively performs, leaving a lasting impact.
Like a hot knife straight through a butter stick
Seamlessly and effortlessly, like a hot knife through butter.
Now I'm in the spotlight about to rock all night
Now, Murs is in the center of attention and ready to perform all night long.
Shot of tequila than a hot mamacita
After taking a shot of tequila, he encounters an attractive woman.
Who said she know to swallow but not margaritas
She claims to know how to perform oral sex but not how to make margaritas.
Body on point so I follow the leader
She has an attractive and well-toned body, so Murs is interested and follows her lead.
Need more tequila so I swallow the liter
He needs more tequila, so he drinks a liter of it.
How can the night get sweeter (cant)
He wonders how the night could get any better, but realizes it can't.
So I passed out woke up do it again
He passes out from the alcohol and wakes up ready to repeat the same events.
Won't neva roll up ya crew in the wind
He will never attack or confront someone else's crew alone or without consideration of the consequences.
High velocity high viscocity slippin right pass your animosity
He moves at a fast and intense pace, easily surpassing any negative feelings or hostility.
Fans are constantly, askin me
His fans are always asking him.
Who said what and who has beef
They want to know who said what and who has conflicts or disagreements.
My crew got stuck in we to musty
His crew got caught up in a bad situation, resulting in tension or unpleasantness.
So try to weigh it out with the truth laid out (stop the gossip)
He advises them to consider the facts and stop spreading rumors or gossip.
That's just played out there's more to ya life than underground rap
He dismisses their obsession with underground rap and suggests that there is more to life than that.
What you waste all ya time and you wanna run it back
He questions why they waste their time and want to relive or repeat the past.
All on the message board runnin ya yap
They constantly run their mouths and argue on message boards or social media platforms.
At the end of the night only wanted to chat
However, at the end of the night, all they really wanted was to have a simple conversation.
Now you know that you got issues
They now realize that they have personal problems or unresolved conflicts.
That early in the morn you should look at some porn
He suggests that in the early morning, they should watch pornography as a form of release or distraction.
And jack off right in the tissue
They should masturbate and ejaculate into a tissue for cleanliness.
Than call it a night that's probley the life
Afterward, they should call it a night, as that is probably the extent of their exciting life.
Go to sleep with the girl that you callin ya wife
They should go to sleep next to the girl they claim as their wife or partner.
Wake up to the same shit different day
They will wake up to the same routine or problems, just another day.
Everybody onto work and they on the way
Everyone heads to work and is on their way.
Cause we all got bills and rent to pay
Everyone has financial obligations and must pay bills and rent.
Lent to the earth wasn't meant to stay
Our time on earth is borrowed and not meant to be permanent.
So before I'm gone I wanna make a hit song that'll always get some play
Before he leaves or dies, he wants to create a popular song that will be played forever.
Got the homey el producto workin in the cut so what you got to say
His friend, El-P, is working behind the scenes, so what objections or opinions do you have?
(El-P)
El-P begins speaking.
You wanna trace along the pattern of fair please rest
You want to follow a fair and just path, so please relax or take a break.
I wanna pattern how the drum scheme mechanism I.D. jux breath commence fresh
He wants to create his own unique drum patterns and breathe fresh life into the music industry under the Definitive Jux label.
Test the mesh, metal on the chestplate tech
He challenges the boundaries and tests the resilience of metal armor or technology.
Better wear the smile right, wanna frown like die right
He advises others to wear a smile and approach life positively, not frown like they are on the brink of death.
With a highlight primal fright in a prime life of a double ox razor blade fade like 88'
He experiences a heightened sense of fear and excitement, reminiscent of a faded memory or moment in 1988.
It's the revenge on the whits and lazerface oh break two three
He seeks revenge and vengeance on those who underestimate his intelligence and skills.
God to analog monkey not me rock hard and shit
He compares himself to an analog monkey, indicating that he is not easily influenced or manipulated, remaining strong and resilient.
The radio flyer kit, flyin with a boombox pack wit' clips
He metaphorically compares himself to a radio flyer wagon, flying with a boombox that is filled with ammunition or music.
Faggots wanna ratta tat tatter this
He dismisses those who want to engage in meaningless arguments or conflicts with him.
And a PT cruiser he creed lucifer
He sarcastically refers to someone as a PT Cruiser, suggesting that they are not a threat or significant player.
Here comes the booster bruiser, betta get used to losin movement
He introduces himself as someone who boosts and intimidates others, warning them to get used to losing and accepting defeat.
They couldn't move like el, ox, murs, lif or bazooka tooth die so useless
He suggests that his enemies are unable to move or act with the same skill and precision as himself, El-P, Murs, Mr. Lif, or Bazooka Tooth, making them useless.
So use this tip that'll have a little truth in it like (poof)
He offers a piece of advice that contains some truth, as it disappears quickly.
Deep space nine milli mechanism fist raise the roof again
He references a deep space concept with a powerful weapon or mechanism, raising the roof or creating excitement once again.
Who stays on a move that says
He questions who maintains a constant state of movement or progress.
Jukie with a shake ring catapult crawl through the trenches
He describes someone with a shaky mindset or determination, crawling through difficult situations or challenges.
Revelation manifacture eat senses all city
He refers to a revelation or realization that affects all the senses and is widespread across the city.
All compositive battle turn logic pretty
He describes a comprehensive and impressive battle that relies on strategic and logical thinking.
All the hard edge tomorrow brings heads or home up in me come get me
He acknowledges the tough challenges that the future may bring but asserts that he is prepared and ready for anyone to come and confront him.
I'm for this shitty dizzy spinning lawless constant progress whose with me
He declares that he is for the chaotic and challenging progression of life, asking who is with him in this journey.
Fabolous thunder bird word nerd unda that tom pill shit
He describes himself as a fabulous, powerful bird, a lyrical nerd who is under the influence of a drug named Tom Pill.
Who heard kill quick
He questions who has heard or experienced quick and deadly actions.
And independent since 96' they still ride ya dick
He states that he has been independent since 1996 and implies that people are still trying to take advantage of or ride his success.
I refined the style with wild wit from an era with an automan mix
He claims to have refined his style with cleverness and wit from a bygone era, characterized by an automatic mixing technique.
Community watch groups enlist young kids
He criticizes community watch groups that involve and use young kids.
Hit the road skippy
He tells someone to leave or hit the road, using the name Skippy as a playful insult.
I don't answer to you george bush or the war time committee
He asserts that he doesn't answer to George Bush or any committee associated with war efforts.
Dumber than a mongoloid race movin shit
He belittles those who are mentally challenged or slow, comparing their intelligence to their ability to move or accomplish tasks.
With a heart of hell's tutelage bruisin shit
He describes himself as having a heart that has experienced and survived hellish guidance, ready to bruise or challenge others.
Every time you make a move the industry start the new movement kid
He suggests that every time someone tries to make a move or create something in the music industry, the industry quickly moves on to the next big thing or trend.
I'm not losin bitch
He asserts that he is not losing.
Essentially on the edge of a generations new ruthlesness
He is on the brink or forefront of a new era of ruthlessness for his generation.
Who's in charge, take me to ya leader man stop the foolishness
He questions who is in charge and challenges others to take him to their leader, suggesting that they stop their foolish behavior.
Cop the new shit bitch
He encourages others to acquire or listen to the new music he releases.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MATTEO SAGGESE, MINO VERNGNAGHI, PAMELA SHEYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aaron Hooper
Murs killed this beat! Sure miss those Def Jux days!
Eziokilla9595
Amazing work, per usual.
MpstrGC
El p is so good! Why is this such a small club?
UnderThousandViews Records
dope
da zurp
Inside me when i m with the people