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.
Knockin' 'em Dead
Esham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To kick the wicked shit and bust word after word
In a freestyle, E-style I go buck wild
Grab the microphone and start fuckin up yo style
Well as I stick up, turn the bass kick up
When a microphone I pick up, you pick my dick up
Now it's about time for me to change my rhyme
And let the Unholy fuck it up one time
To rock a ryhme I wont pretend to
Next on the menu, funky rhyme descends to
Love the way the bass go boom on ten
Let me bust it, well let me bust one time or was it
The U-N-H-O-L-Y cuz a easy does it
As I bust it all the suckas wanna write what I said
But this one here, a just knock em dead
Well it's about time, um, it's about time
Well it's about time for me to drop my rhyme
On the lyric with the holy spirit lyrical flowa
Ya bitch is on my tip so I'd like to get to know her
I can rock a rhyme either faster or slower
And my rhyme's be burnin like fuckin flame thrower
One for the homeboy's two for the ho's
Three to get ready I'm about to flow
I'm not a gangsta, sorta like a lyrical terror
The brand new funk is acid rap the new era
The Unholy witch and his bag of tricks
Nothin that a little holy water can fix
You rock Esham cuz he's the one that hit's
And if you dont like the Unholy poetry then suck my dick
This one right here a make you red in the face
I mean, this one right here a make your face turn red
But I'm knockin em out, knockin em down, and knockin em dead
Well as I rock and shock the funky rhyme that's one of a kind ya bite it
Sucka's here my rhyme run home and re-write
But this time I'm rockin rhyme's that you cant relate to
Rockin beat's like this you know I'd really often hate to
But I gotta show this certain style's sometimes
Cuz I can sound fresh and my shit dont have to rhyme
Like, grab my bozak, you niggas the bite me
The people who dont like me they just jealous
And suck my dick and you can suck my dick too
If you dont like this groove motherfucker I'm still gettin bank
You bought it just think, just use your head
Cuz I'm a slap you dick, I'm slap you with my dick
I'm a slap you with much dick, and just knock ya dead
The lyrics to Esham's song "Knockin' 'em Dead" showcase the artists' skills as a rapper, as he effortlessly flows from one rhyme to another. Esham starts by talking about his urge to rap and then proceeds to showcase his freestyle skills, claiming to "bust word after word." He asserts his dominance as a rapper and makes it clear that he'll take on any challenge with ease. Esham then introduces his alter-ego, the Unholy, who takes over the mic and continues to spit bars. The Unholy boasts about his lyrical terror and introduces the new era of acid rap.
Esham also talks about his haters and those who bite his style. He confidently tells them to suck his dick and asserts his dominance in the rap game. He switches up his flow and rhymes with a certain style that can't be matched. He shows off his versatility as a rapper and proves that he can create a groove that still gets him paid.
Overall, the lyrics to "Knockin' 'em Dead" showcase Esham's skills as a rapper and his confidence in his abilities. He effortlessly switches between different flows and creates a unique style that sets him apart from other rappers.
Line by Line Meaning
Well as I step up to the mic I get the sudden urge
I feel a sudden urge as I approach the microphone
To kick the wicked shit and bust word after word
I want to deliver powerful and provocative lyrics one after the other
In a freestyle, E-style I go buck wild
I express myself freely with my unique style and go crazy
Grab the microphone and start fuckin up yo style
I take over and dominate the microphone with my skill
Well as I stick up, turn the bass kick up
As I get ready and increase the bass level
When a microphone I pick up, you pick my dick up
When I grab the microphone, I become the authority
Now it's about time for me to change my rhyme
It's time for me to switch things up in my lyrics
And let the Unholy fuck it up one time
I'll let my dark alter ego, the Unholy, take over for a moment
The U-N-H-O-L-Y-L-Y-O-H-N-U
My alter ego goes by the name of Unholy Lyon
To rock a ryhme I wont pretend to
I bring a unique and authentic style to my raps
Next on the menu, funky rhyme descends to
My next move is to deliver funky and creative lyrics
Love the way the bass go boom on ten
I enjoy the way the bass sounds when it's turned up to the max
Let me bust it, well let me bust one time or was it
Let me deliver my performance, one time or maybe more
The U-N-H-O-L-Y cuz a easy does it
My Unholy alter ego takes over with ease
As I bust it all the suckas wanna write what I said
People try to copy my lyrics when I perform
But this one here, a just knock em dead
This performance will be unbeatable and leave the audience impressed
Well it's about time, um, it's about time
I'm emphasizing that it's been a long time coming
Well it's about time for me to drop my rhyme
It's time for me to deliver my lyrics
On the lyric with the holy spirit lyrical flowa
I'm using a flow that is divinely inspired and unique
Ya bitch is on my tip so I'd like to get to know her
There's a girl interested in me and I'd like to spend time with her
I can rock a rhyme either faster or slower
I have the ability to perform at different speeds
And my rhyme's be burnin like fuckin flame thrower
My lyrics are hot and powerful like a flamethrower
One for the homeboy's two for the ho's
I'm dedicating this performance to my friends and some women
Three to get ready I'm about to flow
I'm preparing myself to deliver a powerful performance
I'm not a gangsta, sorta like a lyrical terror
I may not be a gangster, but my lyrics are still intimidating
The brand new funk is acid rap the new era
My performance is a new and fresh style of rap
The Unholy witch and his bag of tricks
My alter ego, the Unholy, has many tricks up his sleeve
Nothin that a little holy water can fix
Even though my alter ego is dark, he's not invincible
You rock Esham cuz he's the one that hit's
People like my performances because I have a successful track record
And if you dont like the Unholy poetry then suck my dick
If you don't enjoy my alter ego's dark lyrics, then I don't care
This one right here a make you red in the face
This particular performance will make you blush
I mean, this one right here a make your face turn red
I'm explicitly stating that this performance will embarrass you
But I'm knockin em out, knockin em down, and knockin em dead
Even though my performance is provocative, I'm still impressing the audience
Well as I rock and shock the funky rhyme that's one of a kind ya bite it
I'm delivering a unique and exciting performance that people want to copy
Sucka's here my rhyme run home and re-write
My competitors are intimidated by my lyrics and go home to improve theirs
But this time I'm rockin rhyme's that you cant relate to
I'm performing lyrics that may not be relatable to everyone
Rockin beat's like this you know I'd really often hate to
I'm admitting that I'm not fond of this type of beat, but I'm still performing well
But I gotta show this certain style's sometimes
Sometimes I have to showcase a style that's out of my comfort zone
Cuz I can sound fresh and my shit dont have to rhyme
I have the ability to deliver unique and creative lyrics that don't necessarily rhyme
Like, grab my bozak, you niggas the bite me
I'm using slang to say that my performance is so good that others try to copy me
The people who dont like me they just jealous
I believe that people who don't enjoy my music are just envious
And suck my dick and you can suck my dick too
I'm expressing that I don't care what people think of me or my performance
If you dont like this groove motherfucker I'm still gettin bank
Even if people don't like my music, I'm still making money from it
You bought it just think, just use your head
I'm telling people to think for themselves and decide if they like my music
Cuz I'm a slap you dick, I'm slap you with my dick
I'm using vulgar slang to express that I'm going to impress the audience with my performance
I'm a slap you with much dick, and just knock ya dead
I'm going to deliver a powerful and memorable performance that will leave the audience impressed
Contributed by Ellie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.