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
Pass It On
Everlast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
we have)
Everlast
(in the house tonight
I think they got somethin they want to say)
I'm here to uplift, I don't bug, I don't drift
Away from my subjects, not even if
I'm just here to express myself and pass it on
(So funky)
[ VERSE 1: Everlast ]
Speakin much words of wisdom, Everlast has the jism
So sit back, relax, kick up your feet and listen
To E cause that's me, no others can be
Half as fine, I blow your mind with an m-i-see
Get off the tip quick, boy, you're makin me sick
No other partner could be smarter than my man cool Nick
Understand, he's my man with the plan
We come to parties with the posse just to gain some fans
The posse is strong, the lines are long
People flockin to my shows just to hear a song
Like this, it's not a diss, it's a mouthful of bliss
Throw your hands in the air and blow me a kiss
From the crowd cause I'm proud, I say my name loud
Everlast pounds sounds like a thundering cloud
It's not rock 'n roll, it's hip-hop music
It's got a lot of soul if you learn how to use it
Well, I'm here to tell suckers go to hell
Others tried to take me down but they're the ones who fell
Ignorance was their downfall
Take it a little at a time, don't go for it all
At once cause that's stupid, it don't make sense
Just relax and move your body, don't look so tense
I'm not here to diss nobody, I'm just havin some fun
Everlast last forever, that's why I'm number one
So pass it on
[ VERSE 2: Everlast ]
With a forty in my fist breakin out my list
Of all the suckers I'm cold about to diss
There's none to match me or even catch me
Off my guard, so that they can scratch me
Off the MC all-star team
Everlast is number one, that means I reign supreme
Cause there ain't no others, listen up brothers
Just because I'm white don't mean that I'm another
Sucker on the microphone frontin and fakin
Not Mexican, Asian, black or Jamaican
Just a sensation made to be caucasian
Get ready brothers, here comes an invasion
Don't try to stop it, you got a rhyme? Drop it
You might detect that respect's my topic
I won't rush it but I'll discuss it
Go ahead and pop your shot if you think that you can bust it
But I'ma go on, I'm gonna talk some more
I guarantee you won't be bored if you get on the floor
And go for yours and say that you get it
Get up, get out your seats, get on the floor and get with it
And listen to the rhyme I like to call mine
I re-rehearsed every verse and soon you will find
Not one mistake, so don't try to break
Or talk about takin out the dope rhymes I make
Just pass em on
[ VERSE 3: Everlast ]
You're goin wild for my flow and style
I don't stutter, I utter words versatile
I'm entertainin with my brain and always wearin a smile
I don't front, I don't fake, I run the whole mile
You clap cause my snap is like a crocodile
Whether I'm on stage or in my domicile
I'm not fiendin, I don't smoke, I tell you I'm no joke
You're schemin for my lyrics cause you know I did dope
Don't give me no Moët, pour me a glass of rose
And I'll say 'skal' to your health and then I'll blow you away
Not Simple Simon on the ( ? ) just rhymin from Long Island
The rungs on the ladder of success I'm climbin
Fierce like a lion keepin ducks tame
Murderin two-bit MC's until none remain
Cold gettin dumb, I'm number one shinin like the sun
With a mic in my holster and I'm on the run
Gunnin down MC's and writin on the walls
I'm ready for a showdown if you got the balls
Commence, face my offense cause you're makin me tense
I make a lotta dollars but I make more sense
So pass it on
[ VERSE 4: Everlast ]
Pass it on, pass it down the line
I can throw with the best and go rhyme for rhyme
With any sucker claimin talent, thinkin that he got some
But what you do not realize is Everlast is number one
Cause Everlast is on a superior level
Go ahead and laugh, call me a devil
I won't care, yeah, my skin is fair
But I still go rhyme for rhyme anytime or -where
With you or any party or crew
And when I finished you're diminished, take a sip of my brew
And step off, clear my throat with a cough
And bust a move to show and prove that I'm hard not soft
And with my DJ Bilal my beat will be furnished
You find with my rhyme your mind will be nourished
With wisdom and knowledge, yeah, I went to college
And if you get dissed I won't apolog-
ize, cause that's a part of my rise
And I go on and on, I go to any length
Just to show that when I throw my rhymes on the strength
I like to see the crowd movin when I come on
I'm just tryin to get my message across and pass it on
The song "Pass It On" by Everlast is a piece about expressing oneself through music and creativity, particularly in the form of hip-hop. The song starts with Everlast stating his purpose, which is to uplift people by expressing himself and passing on his message to others. Throughout the song, there is an emphasis on positivity and sharing knowledge with others. Everlast talks about being proud of his skills as a hip-hop artist, and the fact that he is the best of his kind. He ends the song by inviting the listeners to join him in his positive message, to get up and move and to share their own experiences and perspectives.
One interesting aspect of "Pass It On" is its message of inclusivity. Everlast emphasizes the idea that good music comes from all kinds of people, regardless of race or ethnicity. He notes that he is not black, Mexican, Asian or Jamaican, yet he still considers himself a great hip-hop artist. This message of universal creativity is still relevant today and highlights the value of diversity in music.
Another interesting aspect of "Pass It On" is its use of slang and rhyming. Everlast uses various forms of slang and even creates some of his own. He also employs complex internal rhyming and wordplay throughout the song, which makes it both catchy and thought-provoking.
Overall, "Pass It On" is a song about creativity, positivity, and self-expression through music. Everlast's artistic vision, inclusive message, and impressive rhyming skills make it a timeless piece that resonates with fans all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm here to uplift, I don't bug, I don't drift
I aim to inspire and motivate, I do not cause trouble or deviate from my message
Away from my subjects, not even if
I am committed to my subject matter, no matter what obstacles I face
My music stops or my beat is gone
Even if the music stops, my passion for my message will still continue
I'm just here to express myself and pass it on
I am simply here to share my thoughts with others and encourage them to do the same
Everlast has the jism
Everlast has the talent and creative energy
To E cause that's me, no others can be
Only Everlast can be himself, no one else can replicate his style
Understand, he's my man with the plan
My friend Nick is my partner in music and we have a clear vision
We come to parties with the posse just to gain some fans
We attend events with the people who support us to attract new fans
People flockin to my shows just to hear a song
My music draws in crowds and people are eager to hear my music
It's not rock 'n roll, it's hip-hop music
My genre of music is hip-hop, not rock 'n roll
Take it a little at a time, don't go for it all
Don't try to do everything at once, take small steps towards your goal
Everlast last forever, that's why I'm number one
My music will have long-lasting impact, which is why I am highly regarded
With a forty in my fist breakin out my list
With a 40-ounce bottle in hand, I am ready to call out those I have a problem with
Cause there ain't no others, listen up brothers
There is no one else like me, so listen up
Just a sensation made to be caucasian
My race is white, but I'm still able to make great music
I guarantee you won't be bored if you get on the floor
You won't be bored if you dance to my music
I'm not fiendin, I don't smoke
I am not addicted to anything and I don't smoke drugs
Runnin MC's until none remain
I am dominating other MCs until they can't compete anymore
Pass it on, pass it down the line
Share the message and ideas with others
And step off, clear my throat with a cough
Take a break for a moment and prepare myself for the next verse
With wisdom and knowledge, yeah, I went to college
I am knowledgeable and educated
And if you get dissed I won't apolog-ize
If I call someone out and they don't like it, I won't apologize.
Just to show that when I throw my rhymes on the strength
I aim to demonstrate how powerful my rhymes can be
I like to see the crowd movin when I come on
I enjoy seeing people dancing to my music
I'm just tryin to get my message across and pass it on
My main goal is to share my message and have others continue to spread it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind