He was also a part of the hip-hop supergroup La Coka Nostra, which consists of his former House of Pain mates, Danny Boy and DJ Lethal along with underground rap veteran Ill Bill and Irish-American rapper Slaine. On July 14, 2009, they released their debut album, 'A Brand You Can Trust', through Uncle Howie Records and Suburban Noize Records.
Everlast was born in Valley Stream, New York of Irish descent. His grandfather was of German descent. Emerging as a member of the Rhyme Syndicate, Everlast's first solo album Forever Everlasting (1990), largely made possible by MC Ice T, was a disappointment both critically and commercially. Following the album's failure, Everlast teamed up with DJ Lethal and high school friend Danny Boy to form House of Pain. The group was signed to Tommy Boy Records, and their eponymous debut album, House of Pain (1992), went multi-platinum, spawning the successful DJ Muggs produced single Jump Around. This song was also remixed twice by Pete Rock, one version featuring a verse from him and one without. The album also featured Cypress Hill member, B-Real, on the song Put Your Head Out.
Fashioning themselves as rowdy Irish American hooligans (Lethal is actually of Latvian heritage), they toured with various rap and alternative-rock bands after their breakthrough. They participated together with Helmet, along with several other rap acts, on the influential 1993 rock-rap collaborative Judgment Night movie soundtrack. The group eventually disbanded in 1996, with Everlast pursuing a solo career.
Everlast's second solo album Whitey Ford Sings the Blues (1998)-- which was released a full eight years after his solo debut and after he had a major heart attack – was both a commercial and critical success (selling more than 3 million copies). Whitey Ford Sings the Blues was hailed for its blend of rap with acoustic and electric guitars, developed by Everlast together with producers Dante Ross and John Gamble. The album's lead single What It's Like proved to be his most popular and successful song, although the follow up single, Ends, also reached the rock top 10.
Everlast followed-up this success by collaborating with Santana on the track Put Your Lights On on Santana's 1999 album Supernatural. It charted at #118 on the pop chart, but did considerably better with rock radio airplay, peaking at #8 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. "Put Your Lights On" won Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
Despite the success of Whitey Ford Sings the Blues and his success with Santana, Everlast's follow-up album, Eat at Whitey's (2000), stumbled commercially at first in the United States. However, it was eventually certified gold. The album was also embraced critically, especially by Rolling Stone Magazine, which reviewed the album between "good" and "great" and focused on it as that month's most important release.
Shortly after both artists contributed tracks to the End of Days soundtrack, a feud erupted between Everlast and Eminem. Eminem and Everlast crossed paths before a concert in early 1999. Eminem says he didn't greet Everlast because he didn't recognize him right away, and said Everlast didn't acknowledge him. Everlast's version is that he tried to congratulate Eminem on his success, and Eminem blew him off. Either way, Everlast's verse from the Dilated Peoples all star track Ear Drums Pop (Remix) contained a thinly veiled reference to Eminem "I buck a .380 on ones that act shady", and went on to warn "You might catch a beatdown now where I come from" in his recounting of the incident.
Eminem, in turn, ripped Everlast several times in public and with the song I Remember (Dedication To Whitey Ford) released as the b-side to his group D12's 12" vinyl single Shit On You. In it, Eminem talks about how he remembered Everlast's music, however, "Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit came along now / Don't nobody wanna hear your old ass sing no more."
Everlast responded with the track Whitey's Revenge, released only on his official website. Whereas the song contained references to Eminem's strained relationships with his wife and mother, it was "Better run and check your kid for your DNA", again referring to Eminem's daughter, Hailie Jade Mathers, that set Eminem off.
Eminem & D12 responded with Quitter, the first half uses the backing of Eminem's own song Marshall Mathers, the second half of which is a take off on 2Pac's Hit Em Up (a diss song aimed at The Notorious B.I.G.). In it, he warns Everlast, "If you talk about my little girl in a song again, I’ma kill you." The track ends with the spoken words, "Fuck him, that’s it, I’m done, I promise, I’m done, that’s it," and again warning, "Mention my daughter’s name in a song again you fucking punk."
Everlast echoed similar sentiment on the status of this feud, stating in various interviews that he felt everything had been said and he would now refrain from further responses.
After the sale of the Tommy Boy Records' catalog of master tapes to Warner Bros. Records and its metamorphosis to a dance music label in 2002, Everlast was without a label, but in 2003 he signed with Island Def Jam. His fourth solo album, White Trash Beautiful (2004), was subsequently released after almost a four-year hiatus. The album, which had an almost country-rap feel, received mixed reviews and was a commercial failure. Eventually, Everlast was released from his contract.
In early 2006, Everlast teamed up with his former House of Pain mates DJ Lethal and Danny Boy to join the hip-hop group La Coka Nostra.The group first came to be due to the former House of Pain Hype man Danny Boy starting the group as a collective with rappers Slaine and Big Left (who has since left the group). Soon after the group started, Ill Bill of a now disbanded Non Phixion and Everlast joined the group. Their first known song was Fuck Tony Montana, which features Cypress Hill's MC B Real and Sick Jacken. Due to the popularity of the song online, the group released several more online for free. The group's debut album, A Brand You Can Trust, was released on July 14. The album features guests like Snoop Dogg, B Real, Bun B, Immortal Technique, Sick Jacken and Q-Unique. La Coka Nostra recently joined the likes of Nas and Ill Bill's brother, Necro on Rock The Bells.
In 2007, Everlast was chosen to do the theme song for the TV show Saving Grace. The song,Saving Grace, plays during the show's main title sequence, and was originally released to digital outlets only, however, it was also included on Everlast's fifth solo album, Love, War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford. The album was released on September 23, 2008, on Everlast's own record label Martyr Inc, with distribution by Hickory Records/Sony/ATV Music Publishing (It was revealed through diditleak.co.uk that the album leaked out early on Friday, August 29). A second single and video, Letters Home From The Garden Of Stone, was released for free download from martyr-inc.com in December 2007. The third single, a cover of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues, was released to download on August 19. The Video for Stone in My Hand debuted on the martyr-inc website on October 28, 2008, making it the fourth video for the album.
Discography
Forever Everlasting
* Released: March 27, 1990
* Label: Warner Bros. Records
* Singles: "Never Missin' a Beat", "The Rhythm", "I Got the Knack"
Whitey Ford Sings the Blues
* Released: September 8, 1998 (2× Multi-Platinum)
* Label: Tommy Boy Records
* Singles: "What It's Like", "Ends", "Painkillers"
Today (EP)
* Released: 1999
* Label: Tommy Boy Records
* Singles: -
Eat at Whitey's
* Released: October 17, 2000 (Gold)
* Label: Tommy Boy Records
* Singles: "Black Jesus", "Deadly Assassins", "I Can't Move"
White Trash Beautiful
* Released: May 25, 2004
* Label: Island Def Jam
* Singles: "White Trash Beautiful", "Sleepin' Alone", "Blinded By The Sun", "Sad Girl", "Lonely Road"
Love, War and The Ghost of Whitey Ford
* Release Date: September 23, 2008
* Label: Martyr Inc.
* U.S. sales: 6,500+ in its first week.
* Singles: "Letters Home from the Garden of Stone", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Stone In My Hand"
Selected Guest Appearances
* Ice-T - What Ya Wanna Do? (]The Iceberg, 1989)
* Bronx Style Bob - Ode II Junior (Grandma's Ghost, 1992)
* The Whooliganz - Hit the Deck (Put Your Handz Up (Single), 1993)
* Madonna/artist] - Waiting (Remix) (Rain (Maxi-Single), 1993)
* Nice & Smooth - Save the Children (Jewel of the Nile, 1993)
* Lordz of Brooklyn - Gravesend (Lake Of Fire) (Gravesend (Soundtrack), 1997)
* Carlos Santana - Put Your Lights On (Supernatural, 1999)
* Swollen Members - Bottle Rocket (Balance, 1999)
* SX-10 - Rhyme in the Chamber (Mad Dog American, 2000)
* Dilated Peoples - Ear Drums Pop (Remix) (The Platform, 2000)
* DJ Muggs - Razor to Your Throat (Soul Assassins II, 2000)
* Run DMC - Take the Money and Run (Crown Royal, 2001)
* Kurupt - Kuruption! (Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey, 2001)
* Limp Bizkit - Faith/Fame Remix (New Old Songs, 2001)
* Hesher - Whose Generation (Hesher, 2001)
* X-Ecutioners - B-Boy Punk Rock 2001 (Built From Scratch, 2002)
* DJ Muggs - Gone for Good (Dust, 2003)
* Danny Diablo - Rise Above (Street CD Vol 2, 2005)
* The Lordz - "The Brooklyn Way" (The Brooklyn Way, 2006)
* Swollen Members - Put Me On (Black Magic, 2006)
* Snoop Dogg - My Medicine (Ego Trippin', 2008)
* Ill Bill - Only Time Will Tell "Pain Gang"(The Hour of Reprisal, 2008)
* Swollen Members - Dumb (Armed to the Teeth, 2009)
Soundtracks
* Judgment Night (1993) -- "Just Another Victim" Helmet & House of Pain
* Gravesend (1997) -- "Gravesend (Lake of Fire)" w/ Lordz of Brooklyn; "Some Nights (Are Better Than Others)"
* End of Days (1999) -- "So Long"
* Big Daddy (1999) -- "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
* Black & White (2000) -- "Life's A Bitch"
* King of the Jungle (2000) --"Love for Real (Remix)" feat. N'Dea Davenport
* Ali (2001) -- "The Greatest"
* Saving Grace (TV series) (2007) -- Saving Grace
Birth Name: Erik Schrody
Also Known As: Whitey Ford, Mr. White, Whitey Farad
Born: August 18, 1969 (1969-08-18) (age 40)
Origins: Valley Stream, New York
Genres: Blues, Hip hop, Rock, Alternative, Country-rap
Instruments: Vocals, Emceeing, Guitar
Years Active: 1988–Present
Labels: Martyr Inc. Records. Warner Bros. Records, Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records, Island/ IDJMG/ Universal Records, PIAS Recordings
Associated Acts: House of Pain, La Coka Nostra, Soul Assassins, Cypress Hill, Rhyme Syndicate, B-Real, Carlos Santana
Hot to Death
Everlast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You gotta know the feel
You gotta know the life
You know what I'm sayin' (Hey!)
I said what's goin' wrong
You know it just ain't right
Tell me who be loud
Now from the break daylight
To the fall of the sun
You gotta pick your fight
It's time to choose your gun
Chorus:
Front to back
Right to left
Keep it live all night
Make it hot to death
Get your heart pumpin' like some crystal meth
Keep it live all night
Make it hot to death
Well...
Hey...
Tell me who's your God
Does he make a lotta dough
I'm gonna take you higher
Or to the fire below
Chorus
Guns to roses
Abraham to Moses
Daylight exposes what the night conceals
Let's break these seals
And get this thing started
Some be out classed
Some be out smarted
Some be over bound by the blindin' rays
I hear the whisper in the night
Get trapped in the maze
See back in the days
When I was juvenile
I dreamed of rockin' on the mic
In a brand new style
Now I'm shakin' these bones
Tryin' to get these shoes
Outbidded major crews
I'm paid crazy dues
Now I'm speakin' on you
They just slept on me
And rumors start spreadin'
Just like a disease
I'll have you down on your knees
Below the spot ground zero
Turn brown and burn down Rome just like Nero
A hero ain't nothing but a
Don't make me say it again
Legend
Don't make me say it
Chorus
That's what I'm sayin (2x)
In "Hot to Death" by Everlast, the rapper discusses the importance of staying true to oneself and the need to be aware of the people who surround you. The song begins with an exclamation that they are going to break it down and ends with the same declaration, reinforcing the idea that they are going to stay true to themselves throughout the night. Everlast then questions what's going wrong and mentions that somebody is being too loud when the spark ignites, implying that there's someone who is causing trouble. He advises listeners to choose their battles wisely, and to always make the right decision when it comes to fighting.
In the chorus, Everlast discusses the power of music in making people come alive and creating the right atmosphere. He tells listeners to keep it live all night long, to make it hot to death, to get their heart pumping like crystal meth. The second verse, however, focuses more on the rapper himself, as he speaks about his experience in the industry, including being outclassed and outsmarted by some, but still working on carving out a place for himself. He mentions how, as a young person, he had dreams of becoming a rapper, and now he has to overcome the odds and work hard to maintain his spot.
Line by Line Meaning
We're gonna be breakin' it down (Yeah!)
We are going to break it down.
You gotta know the feel
You have to understand the vibe.
You gotta know the life
You have to understand the lifestyle.
You know what I'm sayin' (Hey!)
Do you understand?
I said what's goin' wrong
What is going wrong?
You know it just ain't right
You know it is not right.
Tell me who be loud
Who is the loudest?
When the spark ignite
When the spark ignites.
Now from the break daylight
From daybreak.
To the fall of the sun
Until sundown.
You gotta pick your fight
You have to choose your battle.
It's time to choose your gun
It is time to choose your weapon.
Front to back
From front to back.
Right to left
From right to left.
Keep it live all night
Keep it lively all night.
Make it hot to death
Make it extremely hot.
Get your heart pumpin' like some crystal meth
Get your heart racing.
Tell me who's your God
Who do you worship?
Does he make a lotta dough
Is he wealthy?
I'm gonna take you higher
I will lead you to enlightenment.
Or to the fire below
Or to hell.
Guns to roses
Weapons and love.
Abraham to Moses
Biblical prophets.
Daylight exposes what the night conceals
The truth can be revealed during the day.
Let's break these seals
Let us break open these secrets.
And get this thing started
Let's begin.
Some be out classed
Some are inferior.
Some be out smarted
Some are outwitted.
Some be over bound by the blindin' rays
Some are overwhelmed by the bright light.
I hear the whisper in the night
I hear the nighttime whispers.
Get trapped in the maze
Get stuck in the labyrinth.
See back in the days
In the past.
When I was juvenile
When I was young.
I dreamed of rockin' on the mic
I dreamt of performing on the microphone.
In a brand new style
In a new way.
Now I'm shakin' these bones
Now, I am moving vigorously.
Tryin' to get these shoes
Trying to get ahead.
Outbidded major crews
Outperformed major crews.
I'm paid crazy dues
I paid a lot of dues.
Now I'm speakin' on you
Now I am speaking about you.
They just slept on me
They underestimated me.
And rumors start spreadin'
And rumors started spreading.
Just like a disease
Like a contagious illness.
I'll have you down on your knees
I will make you submit.
Below the spot ground zero
Below the point of impact.
Turn brown and burn down Rome just like Nero
Burn down Rome like Nero did.
A hero ain't nothing but a
A hero is just a
Don't make me say it again
I won't repeat it again.
Legend
A legend.
That's what I'm sayin (2x)
That's what I am saying.
Lyrics © Missing Link Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIK SCHRODY, MARK RICHARDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gardensofthegods
I never understood how this didn't become a big hit , I mean listen to this music ,
It IS really THE SHIT !
I never heard it on the radio , at least not where I lived , except his song
Now You Know What
It's Really Like to Sing
THE BLUES
where he talks about people who have NO COMPASSION , they might someday follow in the same fashion
of those who were at the top of the wheel , it spun them down to the ground , those who had been well-heeled ,it made them pay their dues ... now they to know what it's like to sing the blues .
And I believe I was one of them too ... I thought I had compassion but just not enough , I guess .
I gave up eating disgusting FAX FOODS ...
Me , I feel it is not real food .... only a
FACSIMILE.
Hot dogs , I used to steam them in beer ; that was before I gave up eating cute little piggies . They were the first to go ...First on my list of things to give up .
And I never thought I'd be the kind of person who'd get so hungry that I couldn't even stand up straight .
One day on my way to go to market research and make my quick three dollars, couldn't take it anymore when I walked into the mall ,
After I strolled through the door , something told me , I heard a voice yes , I did .
It said look in the garbage and so I lifted the lid
and what was in there ? ... a box , it still had 3 McNuggets and they were so delicious to me ( almost good as Grateful Dead's Robert Hunter's Box of Rain )
I looked for more and dug deeper in the trash and looked all around to make sure no one would see , me I felt like such a bum , I felt like such a loser . anyway all I found was lots of cigarettes and Ash . I dug out some good butts and stashed those for later to celebrate how lucky I had BIN .
Then my great good fortune , it happened yet once again that night
for market research , they gave me TWO hot dogs in a bun ...." 2 ! click , 2 certs are better than One ! " I heard in my head as I tasted the mustard mustard and ate them with relish literally and figuratively .
I felt so happy I wanted to do that little dance with food in my mouth like Elaine on Seinfeld eating that cake she couldn't resist .... they got it on tape .
They tasted so delicious it was the baddest in a good way and they killed my
Hunger
maybe at least for
one whole day
plus I felt so very rich because now I had 3 ... or was it 7 dollars CASH .... when I think of children in the richest country going to bed hungry ...
makes me want to scream , "makes me wanna holler , throw up my hands ", just like Marvin Gaye .
@charlesgideon1761
This song needs to be blasting to really appreciate it.
@steelerod4737
My phone speakers do no justice
@realnews7518
Agreed. I blast it at the bar. Phone speakers will never do it justice. You miss half the song. You need a high quality stereo to appreciate Everlast. Musical genius.
@gardensofthegods
I hear you my friend that's what I'm doing right now
@joebeastyg5686
Workout song fo' shizzle.
@tommymc6272
This is one of the best solo album he came out with. Classic!
@chrissawyer5477
Eat at Whitey's was pretty good
@kevinjones2667
Still bumpinthus shit to this day
@hmanuel7138
I remember hearing a few Everlast songs in the 90s. Then completely lost contact for over 20 years. Then I stumbled on What It's Like and was completely right back in. Great work.
@susannoble8736
Whitey Ford is by by far the most original and legend as far as I’m concerned! With his touch ya heart, make you cry to his live up and jumping around breaking shit if that’s how anyone wants it, and to his tributes to the OH “ORIGINAL HILLBILLIES “ who founded and lid the way in the music industry! Love ya Whitey, you need a mf at 3am with a shovel and you don’t want no questions! I got ya BROTHER!!!