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.
Night Vision
Esham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deadly shadows, so uh
You afraid of the dark?
Deadly shadows, in the dark in the dark
In the dark
Shadows, shadows,
Gotta watch yaself out here boy
Another victim want to get some infrared.com
Who's your idle suicidal receital never take my title
'cause what I know, crows never see like a shadow
In a battle, my head move like a snake and my tail rattle
All those with beef get mutalated like dead cattle
Finally hearing true confessions and murder lessons
I keep the Smith n Wesson for the tratior steady stressin
Life's a bitch n when I spit internet watch the glitch
I'm deadly as the virus that you don't want to get
Wicked shit is all I hear
New year I move clear
Buried alive in a pinebox is my deepest fear
Solar systems should be hidden
Like green leaves n green trees
Don't make me walk the waters across the seven seas
The serpent and the rainbow
The cocaine flow
The forbidden fruit telling you not to bite or i'll sheen
(Chorus 4x, repeats I'll sheen 3 times)
Wicked entities with ya
Don't let the sun hit ya
In ya head you might picture
How the shadows gonna get ya
When doves fly thugs cry
So you can't deny
When tears fall from your eyes
Up your soul to the sky
The fallen angel you-n-h-o-l-why
Hell I be hellavul hellifeid
'cause Detroit be suicide
In the darkness
Straight out the abiss
Spark the cannabis
No mercy for the weakmind not understanding this
Hardcore, or your'e gonna die
'cause I got the body armor I declare war for
the punk mutherfuckers
Biting every lyric
Full clips of hollow tips to release your holy spirt
Your unoriginal, artafical
Flavor tampering
If ya style was strach n sniff it would smell like dirty pampers
'cause you got clap
You heard a round of applause
Deadly shadows in the back when you break rap laws
(Chorus 4x, repeats when you break rap laws 3x)
The lyrics of Esham's Night Vision portray a sense of danger, ominousness, and violence. The use of the phrase "deadly shadows" highlights the theme of lurking and unseen threats throughout the song. The metaphor of shadows represents an unknown and potentially dangerous presence, and it could signify various things from physical threats to the darker, nefarious side of human nature. Esham's confident and almost arrogant tone in the first verse outlines his skill set and brutal tendencies as a rapper. He describes himself as the "icon," someone who stands out, and rightfully so, as he is deadly with his rhymes. He references his ability to move like a snake and rattle his tail in a confrontation, perhaps indicating that he's strategic in his approach to battles.
Throughout the song, Esham showcases his gift for wordplay and clever metaphors. There's a sense of warning and defiance in his words, particularly in the last verse, where he takes aim at less skilled rappers who try to imitate his style. The chorus repeats the phrase, "Don't let the sun hit you," which could suggest that the darker entities or the past events that created the shadows should be left alone rather than exposed to the light of day. In total, Night Vision is a dark, brooding song about the dangers of the streets, the people who occupy them, and the underbelly of human existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Deadly shadows, so uh
Esham asks the listener if they are afraid of the danger lurking in the darkness.
Deadly shadows, in the dark in the dark
Esham emphasizes the danger present in the darkness.
In the dark
Esham repeats that the environment of darkness is dangerous.
Shadows, shadows,
Esham repeats that the shadows he sees are dangerous.
Gotta watch yaself out here boy
Esham gives a warning to be careful in this dangerous environment.
I be the icon, auto-bomb named Esham
Esham introduces himself as a well-known and lethal figure in the world of hip-hop.
Another victim want to get some infrared.com
Esham refers to those who try to steal his style, warning them that they are only getting a limited imitation.
Who's your idle suicidal receital never take my title
Esham challenges anyone who thinks they can surpass him in the music industry.
'cause what I know, crows never see like a shadow
Esham suggests that he has insider knowledge and power that surpass others in the industry.
In a battle, my head move like a snake and my tail rattle
Esham describes his tactics in a competition as being deceptive and cunning like a snake.
All those with beef get mutalated like dead cattle
Esham threatens competitors that he will destroy them and their careers.
Finally hearing true confessions and murder lessons
Esham hears and chronicles evidence of horrific crimes.
I keep the Smith n Wesson for the tratior steady stressin
Esham reveals that he carries a gun to protect himself from those who may betray him.
Life's a bitch n when I spit internet watch the glitch
Esham acknowledges the power of his lyrics, and how they may have repercussions on the internet.
I'm deadly as the virus that you don't want to get
Esham proclaims that he himself is as dangerous as any virus.
Wicked shit is all I hear
Esham acknowledges the dark and twisted stories he hears and is inspired by.
New year I move clear
Esham takes stock and readies himself for the new year ahead.
Buried alive in a pinebox is my deepest fear
Esham confesses his greatest fear of being trapped and buried alive in a coffin.
Solar systems should be hidden
Esham suggests that the vastness of space is better left unknown.
Like green leaves n green trees
Esham compares the need to hide certain knowledge to the way leaves and trees hide from sight.
Don't make me walk the waters across the seven seas
Esham asserts his power, indicating that he could cross any waters to take what he wants.
The serpent and the rainbow
Esham alludes to a common symbol of danger and trickery.
The cocaine flow
Esham references a drug culture that is dangerous and alluring.
The forbidden fruit telling you not to bite or i'll sheen
Esham warns that certain knowledge or opportunities, though tempting, may have severe repercussions.
(Chorus 4x, repeats I'll sheen 3 times)
Esham repeats the chorus and asserts that the shadows he sees are dangerous, and should be avoided.
When doves fly thugs cry
Esham references a common trope that suggests good things, like doves flying, often end up in sadness for those involved.
So you can't deny
Esham insists that what he knows to be true cannot be disputed.
When tears fall from your eyes
Esham acknowledges the pain and sadness that can come from life.
Up your soul to the sky
Esham seems to suggest resignation and acceptance of death or the afterlife.
The fallen angel you-n-h-o-l-why
Esham references the devil or a devil-like figure in the context of being cast out.
Hell I be hellavul hellifeid
Esham seems to revel in the power and danger of his lyrics and persona.
'cause Detroit be suicide
Esham claims that the city of Detroit, where he is from, is a dangerous and hopeless place.
In the darkness
Esham repeats the danger of the dark.
Straight out the abiss
Esham claims to come from a place of darkness and danger.
Spark the cannabis
Esham seems to suggest smoking marijuana to deal with the darkness and pain of life.
No mercy for the weakmind not understanding this
Esham claims he has no patience for those who cannot handle the dangerous lyrical material he produces.
Hardcore, or your'e gonna die
Esham uses harsh language to assert the dangerous nature of his lyrics.
'cause I got the body armor I declare war for
Esham feels impenetrable and powerful, ready to take on any challenge.
the punk mutherfuckers
Esham singles out those who he feels are too weak to handle his work.
Biting every lyric
Esham accuses others of copying his work in order to get ahead.
Full clips of hollow tips to release your holy spirt
Esham threatens to use violent force to defend his work if necessary.
Your unoriginal, artafical
Esham calls others who try to copy his style fake and unoriginal.
Flavor tampering
Esham returns to the metaphor of his work being imitated but inferior to the original.
If ya style was strach n sniff it would smell like dirty pampers
Esham uses crude language to insult those who he feels do not have an original style.
'cause you got clap
Esham accuses those who copy his style of lacking creativity and authenticity.
You heard a round of applause
Esham subtly criticizes the music industry for perpetuating inferior styles.
Deadly shadows in the back when you break rap laws
Esham relates back to the chorus, suggesting that the danger in the shadows is particularly directed at those who try to break the unspoken rules of the music industry.
(Chorus 4x, repeats when you break rap laws 3x)
Esham repeats the chorus with added emphasis on those who dare to question or disrupt the music industry's unwritten rules.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: SCOTT SANTOS, ESHAM N SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind