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.
Wake The Dead
Esham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tonight all the dead in the cemetery will dance
The witch is on the broom stick, she put me in the mix
Now it's time to teach an old dog new tricks
You can't learn, so I burn your Holy Bible
Let's take a trip into my mind I'm suicidal
I'll get'cha locked inside my brain cell
And turn the world upside-down and make it rain hell
I got my soul on wax, I spin it back as I melt wax
The unwritten, rhymes forbidden, but still hittin'
The you-N-H-O-L-why and I ain't bullshittin'
Pray all night and day, my soul might be saved
I make dead bodies roll over their graves
I drop one, drop two, and then 3, 4
After that I'll scream God I can't wait for more
WAKE THE DEAD
Wakin' up D-E-A-D bodies around me
And I'm from motherfuckin' motown G
Blood stains all in the river 'cause I'm slittin' throats
Bodies chokin' and croakin' when I hit a note
Rotten, gone but not forgotten
Breathe your last breath 'cause the rhyme was death
So yes y'all, get off the wall for the psycho
Alfadiscobeta vinyl
Aquadoodoo, rock my voodoo
I'm kinda wicked when I kick it thought you knew
I get funky in the joint, but what's the point
Esham and I'm from D motherfuckin' troit
Back up off me I'm black like coffee
I rock for the suicidalists not the softees
Up and at 'em, I'm runnin' at 'em I got 'em scared
Now watch the devil get loose as I wake the dead
WAKE THE DEAD
I never fall back, I'm not a new jack
I get to sayin' wicked shit and get a flashback
I gotta unholy mind brain, money dollar insane poetry
To all the people that knowin' me
Some say I'm crazy for kickin' my looney tunes
When I drop bass, my shit goes boom
Never ever fake shit, on stage I break shit
And when I'm rockin' it you know it's the shit
I'm never stuck up so shut the fuck up
'Cause talkin' some shit about me will run your luck up
Headbangers bang your head to wake the dead
The red rum or is the rum red
From a black man, killa rap man
I'm not the caped crusaed named Batman
I like it louder, I'll make it prouder
I'll make your system blow up like gun powder
Yes yes y'all, that's what I'm sayin'
All the headbangers bang your head to wake the dead
WAKE THE DEAD
The lyrics of Esham's song "Wake Da Dead" describe a world that is filled with darkness, death, and supernatural powers. The singer picks up a Holy Bible, but it burns their hands, indicating that they are not a believer. The dead in the cemetery will dance, and the witch on the broomstick has put the singer in the mix. They want to teach an old dog new tricks, suggesting that they want to bring about a change in their life, but the listener can't learn, so the singer burns their Holy Bible. They then take the listener on a trip into their suicidal mind and turn the world upside-down, making it "rain hell." The singer rhymes forbidden, but it's still hitting the listener, and they're not bullshitting. They pray all night and day, and their soul might be saved, but they can make dead bodies roll over their graves. The song is a call to wake the dead, and the lyrics suggest that the singer has the power to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Picked up a Holy Bible and it burned my hands
I reject your religion and your faith burns me
Tonight all the dead in the cemetery will dance
The dead and the living will unite in my chaotic world
The witch is on the broom stick, she put me in the mix
I am possessed and controlled by dark forces
Now it's time to teach an old dog new tricks
I will shock and scare you with my new, twisted ways
You can't learn, so I burn your Holy Bible
I reject your teachings and I will destroy them
Let's take a trip into my mind I'm suicidal
My mind is a scary, dangerous place that I explore
I'll get'cha locked inside my brain cell
I will trap and control you with my dark thoughts
And turn the world upside-down and make it rain hell
I will cause chaos and destruction everywhere I go
I know you can't see, I'm not your G-O-D
I am not your savior or your god, I am something else entirely
I got my soul on wax, I spin it back as I melt wax
I have captured my twisted soul on a record and I play it for you
The unwritten, rhymes forbidden, but still hittin'
My lyrics are taboo and forbidden, but they still hit hard
The you-N-H-O-L-why and I ain't bullshittin'
I am spelling out my message, and I am not lying
Pray all night and day, my soul might be saved
I am tormented by my own darkness, and I hope for salvation
I make dead bodies roll over their graves
I have power over the dead and can control them
I drop one, drop two, and then 3, 4
I am counting down to the chaos that I will unleash
After that I'll scream God I can't wait for more
I am addicted to the thrill of causing destruction
WAKING UP D-E-A-D bodies around me
I am causing the dead to rise and come alive
And I'm from motherfuckin' motown G
I come from a rough, dangerous place
Blood stains all in the river 'cause I'm slittin' throats
I am causing death and destruction all around me
Bodies chokin' and croakin' when I hit a note
My music has dangerous, deadly power
Rotten, gone but not forgotten
The dead and the forgotten are still powerful in my world
Breathe your last breath 'cause the rhyme was death
My lyrics can be deadly and fatal
So yes y'all, get off the wall for the psycho
Embrace the madness and chaos that I bring
Alfadiscobeta vinyl
My music is a powerful tool for destruction
Aquadoodoo, rock my voodoo
My dark magic and power can control the elements
I'm kinda wicked when I kick it thought you knew
My twisted and dark nature is well known
I get funky in the joint, but what's the point
I am causing chaos and destruction just for the fun of it
Esham and I'm from D motherfuckin' troit
I come from a rough and dangerous part of the city
Back up off me I'm black like coffee
I am strong and powerful, like my music
I rock for the suicidalists not the softees
I embrace the darkness and madness that comes with suicide and death
Up and at 'em, I'm runnin' at 'em I got 'em scared
I am intimidating and scaring my listeners
Now watch the devil get loose as I wake the dead
I am unleashing my dark magic and causing chaos
I never fall back, I'm not a new jack
I am experienced and have been doing this for a long time
I get to sayin' wicked shit and get a flashback
My dark thoughts and lyrics remind me of my past experiences
I gotta unholy mind brain, money dollar insane poetry
My mind is twisted and haunted, and my lyrics reflect that
To all the people that knowin' me
My fans know and understand my twisted nature
Some say I'm crazy for kickin' my looney tunes
My music is insane and crazy, but that's what makes it great
When I drop bass, my shit goes boom
My music has power and can cause destruction
Never ever fake shit, on stage I break shit
I am authentic and true to myself and my dark nature
And when I'm rockin' it you know it's the shit
My music is powerful and undeniable
I'm never stuck up so shut the fuck up
I am humble and real, not arrogant or fake
'Cause talkin' some shit about me will run your luck up
Those who speak ill of me will face bad luck and misfortune
Headbangers bang your head to wake the dead
My music has the power to awaken the dead and cause chaos
The red rum or is the rum red
My lyrics are twisted and play with words and meanings
From a black man, killa rap man
I am a powerful and dangerous rapper
I'm not the caped crusader named Batman
I am not a hero or a savior, but something very different
I like it louder, I'll make it prouder
I am always looking to push the boundaries and make things more extreme
I'll make your system blow up like gun powder
My music has power and can cause destruction
Yes yes y'all, that's what I'm sayin'
I am powerful and unstoppable, and I know it
All the headbangers bang your head to wake the dead
Those who embrace the madness and chaos will awaken the dead and cause destruction
WAKE THE DEAD
My dark magic has the power to awaken and control the dead and cause chaos and destruction
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SOVEREIGN MUSIC
Written by: JEPH HOWARD, QUINN ALLMAN, ROBERT C. MCCRACKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind