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 β 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, Iβma kill you." The track ends with the spoken words, "Fuck him, thatβs it, Iβm done, I promise, Iβm done, thatβs it," and again warning, "Mention my daughterβs 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 (2Γ 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: 1988βPresent
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
Tired
Everlast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kid you can touch me with a ten foot pole
And I even made the devil sell me his jewels
He was out to cold mock me, and play you for fools
Kid, you know the rules, must be smoking (?two for booze?)
Try to dis me on the low, got to be a psycho
That's alright though, you know you won't see me shaking
I'm out to the blow the spot on who's real and who's faking
Dis me on the mic, it's time for headstone carving
And epitaph writing, I strike you like lightning
Dissolve you like powder, so turn it up louder
Go on, pump the wattage, get the cheese, buy a cottage
I like mean streets, I like Spanish freaks
I like Korean bar-be -que, I like old school beats
Chorus:
And I'm sick of all the shit that's dropping
And I'm tired of all the lip that's popping
And all the wack attitudes people copping
I'm only tryin' to get a few heads bobbing
(Repeat)
It go bang bang boogie, I'm sick like a loogie
I'm w(e)iser than Bud, I'm thicker than blood
I'm moldin' in time, moldin' from the divine
How could you be so bold, to think that you'll take mine
I'm Cash like Johnny, it's the highway man
And I'm walkin' this line the best way I can
With my farmer's tan and my bloodshot eyes
I ain't body no one, I ain't dropped no pies
With the mothers from the gutters
I'm 'bout to explode, and blow the spot
For now, but the gun, he'll roll
Like artillery shells, been from heaven to hell
And I'm say a little prayer for every rapper that fell
Chorus
In this song, Everlast speaks about his dominance as a rapper and how no one can shake him or out-rap him. He talks about the rules of the game and how if someone disses him, he'll strike back even harder. He mentions his love for various cultures, including Spanish and Korean, and how he enjoys the old-school beats. Everlast seems to be tired of the "wack attitudes" people are displaying in the hip hop industry and is only interested in getting a few heads bobbing.
The lyrics of the song show the confidence and power of Everlast as he speaks about his skills, his ability to take down those who try to bring him down, and his love for different cultures. It seems that he has been around in the hip hop game for a long enough time and has seen all of the bs and drama that comes with it. The chorus shows his discontent for the current state of affairs in the industry and how he just wants to bring some real hip hop back.
Overall, the song is a testament to Everlast's talent and experience in the hip hop game. He shows his ability to ride a beat, his lyrical prowess, and his love for different cultures all while expressing his discontentment for the current state of hip hop.
Line by Line Meaning
We can go, soul for soul, over mic control
I challenge you to a competition of lyrical prowess, where our souls battle it out through the medium of microphone control.
Kid you can touch me with a ten foot pole
You are repulsed by me and wouldn't come near me even if it was with a ten foot pole.
And I even made the devil sell me his jewels
I am so smooth and persuasive that even the devil was willing to sell his possessions to me.
He was out to cold mock me, and play you for fools
The devil tried to make a fool out of me and you, but I didn't let him get away with it.
Kid, you know the rules, must be smoking (?two for booze?)
You should know the rules of this game - it's either smoking or drinking, pick your poison.
Try to dis me on the low, got to be a psycho
If you try to disrespect me in secret, then you must be crazy.
That's alright though, you know you won't see me shaking
I'm not afraid of any challenge or threat, I won't be shaken.
I'm out to the blow the spot on who's real and who's faking
I'm determined to expose who's genuine and who's feigning authenticity in the music scene.
Who's giving, who's taking, who's living, who's starving
I'm looking to distinguish who is being generous and who is being selfish and who is living and who is struggling.
Dis me on the mic, it's time for headstone carving
If you insult me or try to bring me down during a rap battle, then you're putting your own reputation and career at risk.
And epitaph writing, I strike you like lightning
If you continue to challenge or insult me, I'll finish you off and make sure you're remembered through writing your epitaph.
Dissolve you like powder, so turn it up louder
I'll destroy you like a powder dissolving in water, so you better turn up the volume on your speakers to hear it.
Go on, pump the wattage, get the cheese, buy a cottage
Turn up the power on your music system, make money, and enjoy life with the riches earned.
I like mean streets, I like Spanish freaks
I enjoy living in rough neighborhoods, and I'm attracted to Spanish women.
I like Korean bar-be-que, I like old school beats
I enjoy eating Korean BBQ, and I have an appreciation for old school music.
And I'm sick of all the shit that's dropping
I'm fed up with the low-quality and unoriginal music that's being produced and released.
And I'm tired of all the lip that's popping
I'm exhausted from all the talk and boasting going on in the music industry.
And all the wack attitudes people copping
I'm frustrated with the negative and toxic attitudes that people are adopting in the music scene.
I'm only tryin' to get a few heads bobbing
I'm only trying to create music that makes people dance and enjoy themselves.
It go bang bang boogie, I'm sick like a loogie
My music is catchy and infectious, and I'm unwell like a heavy cough.
I'm w(e)iser than Bud, I'm thicker than blood
I possess more intelligence than a Bud (Budweiser beer reference) and have a strong level of loyalty.
I'm moldin' in time, moldin' from the divine
I'm developing and evolving over time into something greater than myself through a spiritual force.
How could you be so bold, to think that you'll take mine
How could you be so daring to think you can steal my success or outdo me.
I'm Cash like Johnny, it's the highway man
I'm as legendary and powerful as the late Johnny Cash, a symbol of defiance and freedom.
And I'm walkin' this line the best way I can
I'm making the most of my opportunities, and trying to live life to the fullest.
With my farmer's tan and my bloodshot eyes
My skin is sunburnt from working in the fields, and my eyes are red from lack of sleep from working on my music.
I ain't body no one, I ain't dropped no pies
I haven't betrayed anyone, nor ruined my chances for success.
With the mothers from the gutters
I come from a rough background, but I still maintain respect for those in similar situations.
I'm 'bout to explode, and blow the spot
I'm about to take over the music industry with my talent and unique sound.
For now, but the gun, he'll roll
I may be on top for now, but things can change quickly in the music industry.
Like artillery shells, been from heaven to hell
My career has experienced highs and lows, like the intense power behind artillery shells.
And I'm say a little prayer for every rapper that fell
I'm keeping my fallen colleagues in my thoughts and prayers, and recognizing their contributions to the music industry.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANTE ROSS, ERIC SCHRODY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joel Osminski
Everlast was so underrated... dude was no joke! One of my all time favorites
Kirt Connolly
Yeah man. Homie don't ya know meh. Respect respect respect . Peace out . Keep it bopping
DirtLevel
Cringe
jason mctaggart
O canada clasifild
Colin K
A true Legend still walking.
Sir Capybarius
The fact that these lyrics still hold up to this day is wild man.
Patricksadie67
Baseline just keeps driving the whole song! Badass!
Andy Jennings
This was my favorite track when I bought this CD in '03
Effes DeMennus
That bassline though.. yet to be tested.
Aron ZemljiΔ
rawwwwww