That same year he teamed up with Detroit natives TnT and Mastamind and formed the group Natas, whose controversial debut Life After Death has been blamed for the suicide of a Tennessee youth. After another EP released in 1992 entitled Hellter Skkkelter dropped, Esham's most recognized and most controversial album 1993's KKKill the Fetus hit stores. The cover of this album depicted an unborn fetus and the title track was a song explaining why unfit, drug addicted mothers should chose abortion over birth. Esham followed up with Natas' Blaz4me and another solo Closed Casket. This was all a prelude to another controversial release, Doubelievengod. Tracks such as "Pop Pop", "Sunday School", and "Heaven" set an unprecedented mark for evilness in rap music. Esham later released his final album on RLP, Dead Flowerz. This was a transitional period into Esham's new Gothom label. Bruce Wayne/Gothom City introduced the world to the new age Esham. After this release the head nodding, trunk rattling Multikillionaire was released.
After a 2-year break, E hit the scene with the colorful Mail Dominance CD. This CD had everything from slow jams, retrospectives on lost ones, wickedness, to 50's samples. The next release is what many feel was the critically acclaimed WWW.com. In 2001, Esham released what would become his smoothest album, Tongues. Followed by Natas 6th release Godlike. Esham resume of albums includes 10 full albums, 4 EPs, 3 greatest hits compilations, and 6 releases with Natas. Not to mention working with and producing for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ghetto E, Kool Keith, Insane Clown Posse, and the Dayton Family. From 1989 to 2005, Esham has given fans his heavy doses of Reel Life, Heavy Mental music. Esham truly revolutionized Detroit's rap sound and is a local legend.
Eminem has listed Esham as an influence, as he mentions on his debut album, The Slim Shady LP. Esham's next album, A1 Yola, was released April 19th, 2005 by Psychopathic Records. Included with the album was also a DVD with videos to every song, making Esham the first artist to make a music video for every song on an album. Towards the end of 2005 Esham could no longer be a part of Psychopathic Records. His last concert under the label was at the 5th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos. He contributed to the Soopa Villainz project and later left. The split was on bad terms according to acidrap.com. The reason, also according to acidrap.com, was that Psychopathic Records did not allow him to use the name The Unholy,The Black Devil or the group NATAS. Athough bitterness was expressed by both parties directly after the split, Esham and Psychopathic have since publicly apoligized to one another, and stated that any past grievances are water under the bridge.
On June 6, 2006 (6/6/06) Esham released the Judgement Day box set, Rap's first $100 box set, available only through the Natas website. This set includes Judgement Day Vol.1 and 2, the previously unreleased Judgement Day Vol.3 and 4, a new 6 track Esham EP, and a DVD featuring concert footage from '04. Only 1,000 have been produced.
Boogie Man
Esham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's your name son you look kinda strange, what's your name?'
'They call me the boogieman'
Let's play dead, and give ya a second to die
And if I do or die, I sing a lullaby
I'm not a crime fighter, I'm like a ghost writer
And then my rhyme is like a chip ahoy, I bet'cha bite uh
I'm not the KK Klan, more like the boogie man
And Satan's in the mix and you don't wanna diss
Because this is for all the suicidalists
I'd rather be dead, I'm knockin' 'em dead
Before you live, ya die, roll over play dead
I'm the B-Double O-G-I-D-M-A-D-M-A-N
Amen, another sin, here we go the fuck again
Takin' to the T-O-P, you don't wanna fuck with me
'Cause I'm the boogie man and I'm M-A-T-G
Now you wanna know, how we go a here we go
Unholy's my scenario, kickin' it in stereo
Style is stick, kickin' the ballistics
Kinda magnificent, but always stayin' distant
You don't understand, 'cause you can't and I can
I got the whole world in my hand
'Cause I'm the boogieman
'Oh shit I'm scared, God damn boogie man'
I'd rather be dope, then prayin' and wishin' on a ho
That's all she wrote, so fuck John the Pope
And if I do that, I give a clue jack
I'm the unholy but you already knew that
I'm a black devil, black sheep
Black rhythm, black rhyme, black beat, yo
I never went pop with acid hip hop
A with a 1, 2 and ya don't stop
I keep it goin' I, I know you're knowin' I
The way I'm goin' I'm showin' ya how I'm flowin' I
I hold my black dick just like a pool stick
My cue balls in my corner pocket so watch it
But you don't understand 'cause you can't and I can
I got the whole world in my hand, 'cause I'm the boogieman
Call me the boogieman
The song "Boogie Man" by Esham is a dark and intense rap that captures the mindset of a person who has given up on life and embraced darkness. The lyrics are an exploration of the psyche of the character who claims to be the Boogie Man. The Boogie Man is someone who is feared and respected, but also hated for the darkness that he represents. In the lyrics, the Boogie Man is portrayed as someone who is not afraid to die and is actually looking forward to it. He is confident in his ability to take anyone down and is not afraid of anyone or anything.
The chorus of the song is a dialogue between the Boogie Man and a young boy. The Boogie Man introduces himself to the boy and tells him that they are going to play a game. The boy is scared and says, "Oh shit I'm scared, God damn boogie man." The Boogie Man responds by telling him not to be scared and that he just wants to play a game.
The verses of the song focus on the Boogie Man's perspective and his mindset. He talks about how he would rather be dead than alive and how he is not afraid to die. He also talks about how he is not a crime fighter but more like a ghost writer. He is not interested in justice but is interested in causing chaos and destruction. The Boogie Man also talks about his ability to control people and how he has the whole world in his hands.
Overall, the song is a dark and intense exploration of the mindset of the Boogie Man character. It is a representation of the darkness that exists in some people and the struggle to overcome it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey boys and girls today we're gonna play a game What's your name son you look kinda strange, what's your name?
Let's play a game, what's your name? Oh, they call me the boogieman.
Let's play dead, and give ya a second to die And if I do or die, I sing a lullaby
I'll give you a moment to act dead, and if I succeed in 'killing' you, I'll sing you a lullaby.
I'm not a crime fighter, I'm like a ghost writer And then my rhyme is like a chip ahoy, I bet'cha bite uh
I'm not a hero, I'm more like a ghost who writes lyrics that are catchy like a cookie fresh out of the oven. You can't resist.
And they don't understand, a rock and roll band I'm not the KK Klan, more like the boogie man
People are confused about me because I'm not a white supremacist group, but rather the 'boogie man', a mysterious and eerie figure.
And Satan's in the mix and you don't wanna diss Because this is for all the suicidalists
Satan is involved, so don't speak ill of me. My music is for those who feel depressed or suicidal.
I'd rather be dead, I'm knockin' 'em dead Before you live, ya die, roll over play dead
I'd rather be dead than alive because I have the power to take lives in my music. I make people feel like they're dead already.
I'm the B-Double O-G-I-D-M-A-D-M-A-N Amen, another sin, here we go the fuck again
I'm the boogieman - the baddest, most evil guy around. And here comes another sinful song from me.
Takin' to the T-O-P, you don't wanna fuck with me 'Cause I'm the boogie man and I'm M-A-T-G
I'm at the top of my game, and I'm not someone to mess with because I'm the boogieman, the Most Evil of All Time.
Now you wanna know, how we go a here we go Unholy's my scenario, kickin' it in stereo
You want to know how I do it? It's my unholy scenario, with my music blasting in both ears on high quality speakers.
Style is stick, kickin' the ballistics Kinda magnificent, but always stayin' distant
My style is unique and dangerous. I'm known for my amazing music, but I always keep a distance from people.
I'd rather be dope, then prayin' and wishin' on a ho That's all she wrote, so fuck John the Pope
I prefer to make great music rather than worshiping false idols or hoping for something from 'a ho'. The church and its leaders like the Pope mean nothing to me.
And if I do that, I give a clue jack I'm the unholy but you already knew that
If I give you a clue about my true nature, it's just stating the obvious - I am the most unholy of all.
I'm a black devil, black sheep Black rhythm, black rhyme, black beat, yo
I'm a devilish outcast with a strong connection to my own culture and music, predominately featuring a strong beat and rhyme.
I never went pop with acid hip hop A with a 1, 2 and ya don't stop
My hip hop music has never been too mainstream or commercialized like much of the hip hop that is out there. I keep things simple.
I keep it goin' I, I know you're knowin' I The way I'm goin' I'm showin' ya how I'm flowin' I
I keep it moving smoothly and I know you know this. The way I rhyme and flow in my music is a unique display of my talent.
I hold my black dick just like a pool stick My cue balls in my corner pocket so watch it
I hold my 'black' masculinity confidently, like I'm holding a pool stick, and my 'cue balls' or symbols of power are secured in my pocket. So be careful around me.
But you don't understand 'cause you can't and I can I got the whole world in my hand, 'cause I'm the boogieman
You can't understand my power and existence because you are limited, but I have control over everything because I am the boogieman.
Call me the boogieman
Just call me the boogieman.
'Oh shit I'm scared, God damn boogie man'
'Oh snap, I'm terrified, this is the boogieman.'
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DiaAkin
Man, growing up in Flint, Esham had us LIT back in the 90's!
@stevee05
Dia Akin he had his town on lock!
@T.Maximus
Hell yeah cuz
@digitalmitchie
First Esham Track I ever heard. Me and AJ in the parkin lot at JnJ in Pontiac.1992
@NightmareChild013
why do i love music from detroit so much im from utah
@jonesbad7974
Philadelphia here
@313classiccs
E sampled the same stuff as The Beastie Boys did in "Car Thief" (1989). He must bump the hell out of their first two albums back then, because he sampled most of the shit on all of his albums in the early 90s - especially on the JD's.
@SuperOldschool1994
One of my favs
@genesis7552003
Yup, this is the SHIT.....let's play dead.....I oh I remember.....kicking it on stereo....
@TheZigzach
Dont forget about Da Rock Bottom family and dem Chedda Boyzzz