They are known for the 2006 single, "Where'd You Go", which features Holly Brook and Jonah Matranga, and also his single, "Remember the Name". Thus far, Fort Minor has released one album, 2005's The Rising Tied (as well as one mixtape, FMInvasion - We Major, which featured DJ Green Lantern), and also has a fan club similar to Linkin Park Underground, titled Fort Minor Militia.
Mike Shinoda's plan was to make music while enjoying time with his friends, who include Ryu, Tak, and many other leading musical artists.
Fort Minor's first major album The Rising Tied, features 16 tracks (with three bonus tracks on the Limited Edition), many of which are specific to the lives of Shinoda and his collaborators. "Remember the Name", for example, describes the group's views on being rappers, while "Kenji" describes the experiences of Shinoda's family during the Japanese American internment of World War II. Other tracks, such as "Slip Out the Back" which features Joe Hahn of Linkin Park, have more general lyrical themes. In the lyrics of the track "Get Me Gone", Shinoda says that before the debut album of Linkin Park came out, someone at Warner Bros. Records told him to quit rapping and just play keyboards because the band didn't need an MC in addition to a singer. He goes on to say that with the help of the band, Mike released the album as it was and many critics were silenced.
Fort Minor won Ringtone of the Year for "Where'd You Go" at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
In mid August of 2006 Fort Minor performed at the Summer Sonic 2006 along side Linkin Park and other bands.
In November of 2006, Fort Minor released a video for "Remember the Name", which features a montage of various amazing feats. Shinoda has stated he felt the video was a nice wrap-up for Fort Minor. Also in November, Shinoda stated that Fort Minor is on hiatus, because of his dedication to Linkin Park.
As of August 19, 2006, Fort Minor's debut album has sold 400,000 copies.
In 2006, Holly Brook released an exclusive version of 'Where'd You Go?' to radio stations, made completely by Holly Brook. Mike does not appear on this version, which can be heard by request on various American radio stations.
In 2015, after Shinoda teased it on his own and Fort Minor's social media, the stand-alone single Welcome was released on June 21.
Cigarettes
Fort Minor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To add a little spice to the life you've been through
Everyone exaggerates a tiny little bit
Make that shit sound more gangster than it really is
You can't appear weak man, we wanna hear street
We wanna hear you spit your thug over this here beat
Don't take it as sarcastic, I can't get enough
I'm telling you, you can call my bluff, if it's not ruff
I got too much reality that's filling up my brain
So sell me on that product, I'm addicted to the game
Suck it up like a cigarette, light it up man
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth I wanna feel fucking cool
Let me tell you something that I realized tonight
My hip-hop radio's like Marlboro Light
They're both selling stories and they sound about the same
Cigarettes say they're safe, rappers claim they really bang
We don't care if it's true when we lay the money down
We don't believe the words, we just love the way they sound
They're acting we're like idiots, they're lying to our face
Maybe we are idiots, we buy it anyway
I'm running out to get the next rapper's CD
Just sucking up the guns, drugs and misogyny
The same way that I suck up all the stories when I breathe
That little bit of death supposedly cancer free
And everything they say's got the truth twisted up
But twisted up's what I want, man, I can't get enough
Cause even though we know it's all just a big bluff
We just light another up, what, we don't give a fuck
Man, listen to my words, listen for while
Lip service radio, don't touch the dial
If you're in the car, turn up the track man
Give your whole neighborhood some second hand rap, hey
Matter of fact, listen for a while
Lip service radio, don't touch the dial
If you're in the car man, turn up the track
And give your whole neighborhood some second hand rap
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth I wanna feel fucking cool
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Over and over but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth I wanna feel fucking cool
The song “Cigarettes” by Fort Minor is a critique of the music industry and its effects on society. The lyrics describe how the rap game is a cool way to add a little spice to the life one has been through. The lyrics also point out that everyone exaggerates a bit to sound gangster. The song highlights how people want to seem strong and that artists should spit their thug over the beat. The lyrics imply that people buy the product even if it's not truthful, just to feel the cool factor.
The song likened radio hiphop to marlboro lights and point out that they are both selling stories that sound alike, and people don't care if it is true or not, they just want to feel cool. The lyrics say that radio hiphop directs degradation of women, drugs, and guns that society is too addicted to. The song suggests that the rap industry is feeding listeners what they want to hear, and their listeners have, in turn, become addicted to death.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the state of the rap industry and the impact it has on our society. People want to feel the cool factor that rap music portrays, but in doing so, they have become addicted to the glorification of drugs, guns, and misogyny.
Line by Line Meaning
Man, I love this rap game mainly cause it's cool
I enjoy the rap industry because it is trendy and popular.
To add a little spice to the life you've been through
Rap music exaggerates and glamorizes street life for entertainment purposes.
Everyone exaggerates a tiny little bit
Rap artists embellish their experiences for artistic purposes.
Make that shit sound more gangster than it really is
Rap artists intentionally make their music sound rough and gangster to appeal to their listeners.
You can't appear weak man, we wanna hear street
Listeners expect rap artists to present a tough, street persona to maintain their credibility.
We wanna hear you spit your thug over this here beat
Listeners want to hear rap artists perform confidently over the instrumental beat.
Don't take it as sarcastic, I can't get enough
This is not a sarcastic statement, I genuinely enjoy listening to rap music.
I'm telling you, you can call my bluff, if it's not ruff
I am confident in my love of rough, aggressive rap music.
Then I don't really need it, I'm not even ashamed
If the rap music is not rough or aggressive, I am not interested in listening to it, and I am unashamed of that fact.
I got too much reality that's filling up my brain
Rap music provides an escape from the harsh realities of life.
So sell me on that product, I'm addicted to the game
I am a loyal fan of rap music and am open to hearing new artists and songs.
Suck it up like a cigarette, light it up man
I consume rap music like a cigarette addiction and can't get enough of it.
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Listening to rap music is a temporary, enjoyable activity.
Once in a while but between me and you
I listen to rap music occasionally and do not feel the need to share or justify my listening habits.
Nobody's really fooled
Despite the exaggeration and glamorization, listeners are aware that the rap music is not a true reflection of reality.
I don't want the truth I wanna feel fucking cool
I enjoy rap music because it makes me feel cool and edgy, not because it is truthful or accurate.
Let me tell you something that I realized tonight
An epiphany I had recently.
My hip-hop radio's like Marlboro Light
Rap music on the radio is similar to cigarette advertisements, both sell a narrative that is more desirable than reality.
They're both selling stories and they sound about the same
Both cigarette ads and rap music sell an appealing, unrealistic narrative.
Cigarettes say they're safe, rappers claim they really bang
Cigarette companies claim their products are safe, while rappers claim to be involved in criminal or violent activities.
We don't care if it's true when we lay the money down
We are willing to spend our money on these products despite knowing that they are not truthful.
We don't believe the words, we just love the way they sound
We are not interested in the accuracy of the product, but rather, we enjoy the way they are presented.
They're acting we're like idiots, they're lying to our face
Cigarette companies and rap artists believe that their consumers are gullible and easily convinced by their marketing strategies and lyrics.
Maybe we are idiots, we buy it anyway
Consumers may be aware of the inaccuracy of the product, but still choose to purchase it.
I'm running out to get the next rapper's CD
I am eager to consume more rap music from the newest and hottest artists.
Just sucking up the guns, drugs and misogyny
I consume rap music that glorifies guns, drugs, and misogyny.
The same way that I suck up all the stories when I breathe
I listen to rap music like breathing air, it is second nature to me.
That little bit of death supposedly cancer free
Rap music has negative themes, but is consumed because it is not physically harmful like cigarettes that are labeled as safe.
And everything they say's got the truth twisted up
Rap lyrics often misrepresent or twist the truth to create a more interesting story.
But twisted up's what I want, man, I can't get enough
I enjoy the twisted and fictional stories presented in rap music and cannot consume enough of it.
Cause even though we know it's all just a big bluff
Despite being aware of the inaccuracy of the lyrics, we still enjoy the listening experience.
We just light another up, what, we don't give a fuck
We continue to listen to rap music despite knowing that it misrepresents reality, and we do not care about this fact.
Man, listen to my words, listen for while
Pay attention to what I am about to say.
Lip service radio, don't touch the dial
Do not change the radio station, listen to the current rap song.
If you're in the car, turn up the track man
If you are in a car, turn up the volume to hear the rap song better.
Give your whole neighborhood some second hand rap, hey
Play the rap music loudly so that people nearby can hear it as well, even if they did not choose to listen to it.
Matter of fact, listen for a while
Actually, take the time to listen to the lyrics presented in the song.
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Rap music consumption is an activity that I enjoy and engage in regularly.
Over and over but between me and you
I listen to the same rap songs repeatedly, but I do not feel the need to justify or explain this habit.
Nobody's really fooled
Listeners are aware that rap music misrepresents reality and creates a fictional narrative.
I don't want the truth I wanna feel fucking cool
I listen to rap music to feel edgy, cool, and part of the counterculture, but not necessarily for its accuracy or truthfulness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MIKE SHINODA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
yogesh tanwar
Lyrics
Man, I love this rap game, mainly 'cause it's cool
To add a little spice to the life you've been through
Everyone exaggerates a tiny little bit
Make that shit sound more gangsta than it really is
You can't appear weak, man, we wanna hear street
We wanna hear you spit your thug over this here beat
Don't take it as sarcastic, I can't get enough
I'm telling you, you can call my bluff, if it's not rough
Then, I really don't need it, I'm not even ashamed
I got too much reality that's filling up my brain
So sell me on that product, I'm addicted to the game
Suck it up like a cigarette, light it up, man
[Chorus]
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
[Verse 2]
Let me tell you something that I realized tonight
My hip-hop radio's like Marlboro light
They both selling stories and they sound about the same
Cigarettes say they safe, rappers claim they really bang
We don't care if it's true when we just lay the money down
We don't believe the words, we just love the way they sound
They're acting like we're idiots, they're lying to our face
Maybe we are idiots, we buy it anyway
I'm running out to get the next rapper's CD
Just sucking up the guns, drugs, and misogyny
The same way that I suck up all the stories when I breathe
That little bit of death, supposedly cancer free
And everything they say's got the truth twisted up
And twisted up's what I want, man, I can't get enough
'Cause even though we know it's all just a big bluff
We just light another up, what, we don't give a fuck!
[Chorus]
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Over and over, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
[Bridge]
Man, listen to my words, listen for a while
Lip service radio, don't touch the dial
If you're in the car, turn up the track, man
Give your whole neighborhood some second hand rap
Hey, a matter of fact, listen for a while
Lip service radio, don't touch the dial
If your in the car, man, turn up the track
And give the whole neighborhood some second hand rap
[Chorus]
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Over and over, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
Skipper1010
Man, I love this rap game mainly cause it's cool
To add a little spice to the life you've been through
Everyone exaggerates a tiny little bit
Make that shit sound more gangster than it really is
You can't appear weak man, we wanna hear street
We wanna hear you spit your thug over this here beat
Don't take it as sarcastic, I can't get enough
I'm telling you, you can call my bluff, if it's not ruff
Then I don't really need it, I'm not even ashamed
I got too much reality that's filling up my brain
So sell me on that product, I'm addicted to the game
Suck it up like a cigarette, light it up man
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth I wanna feel fucking cool
Let me tell you something that I realized tonight
My hip-hop radio's like Marlboro Light
They're both selling stories and they sound about the same
Cigarettes say they're safe, rappers claim they really bang
We don't care if it's true when we lay the money down
We don't believe the words, we just love the way they sound
They're acting we're like idiots, they're lying to our face
Maybe we are idiots, we buy it anyway
I'm running out to get the next rapper's CD
Just sucking up the guns, drugs and misogyny
The same way that I suck up all the stories when I breathe
That little bit of death supposedly cancer free
And everything they say's got the truth twisted up
But twisted up's what I want, man, I can't get enough
Cause even though we know it's all just a big bluff
We just light another up, what, we don't give a fuck
Man, listen to my words, listen for while
Lip service radio, don't touch the dial
If you're in the car, turn up the track man
Give your whole neighborhood some second hand rap, hey
Matter of fact, listen for a while
Lip service radio, don't touch the dial
If you're in the car man, turn up the track
And give your whole neighborhood some second hand rap
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth I wanna feel fucking cool
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Over and over but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth I wanna feel fucking cool
Corneel Nyckees
this is why i like fort minor, i'm happy that there are still rappers out there who really have something to say, hip-hop with a meaning is very rare these days.
͔ ͔
ironic since MMLP2 came out around that time the comment was made
bbplay13
Sad how rare it is today to find anyone who appreciates the art.
afrosamuraiwarrior1988
Indeed!
Corneel Nyckees
@Marko Čenić in 6 years time I have to say my statement was wrong. There is a lot of great rap music but you indeed need to find a few of these artists so the algorithms start showing you more of them. Still, fort minor was very relatable for me in that period so I don't mind my opinion from back then, it's just good music.
Marko Čenić
Yes there is. You just got to found it.
yogesh tanwar
Lyrics
Man, I love this rap game, mainly 'cause it's cool
To add a little spice to the life you've been through
Everyone exaggerates a tiny little bit
Make that shit sound more gangsta than it really is
You can't appear weak, man, we wanna hear street
We wanna hear you spit your thug over this here beat
Don't take it as sarcastic, I can't get enough
I'm telling you, you can call my bluff, if it's not rough
Then, I really don't need it, I'm not even ashamed
I got too much reality that's filling up my brain
So sell me on that product, I'm addicted to the game
Suck it up like a cigarette, light it up, man
[Chorus]
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
[Verse 2]
Let me tell you something that I realized tonight
My hip-hop radio's like Marlboro light
They both selling stories and they sound about the same
Cigarettes say they safe, rappers claim they really bang
We don't care if it's true when we just lay the money down
We don't believe the words, we just love the way they sound
They're acting like we're idiots, they're lying to our face
Maybe we are idiots, we buy it anyway
I'm running out to get the next rapper's CD
Just sucking up the guns, drugs, and misogyny
The same way that I suck up all the stories when I breathe
That little bit of death, supposedly cancer free
And everything they say's got the truth twisted up
And twisted up's what I want, man, I can't get enough
'Cause even though we know it's all just a big bluff
We just light another up, what, we don't give a fuck!
[Chorus]
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Over and over, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
[Bridge]
Man, listen to my words, listen for a while
Lip service radio, don't touch the dial
If you're in the car, turn up the track, man
Give your whole neighborhood some second hand rap
Hey, a matter of fact, listen for a while
Lip service radio, don't touch the dial
If your in the car, man, turn up the track
And give the whole neighborhood some second hand rap
[Chorus]
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Once in a while, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
It's just like a cigarette, it's something that I do
Over and over, but between me and you
It's just like a cigarette, nobody's really fooled
I don't want the truth, I wanna feel fucking cool
Shrey Soldier
Tysm
Lastrevio
"We dont care if it's true when we lay the money down
We don't believe the words, we just love the way they sound"
sam lawes
These are the exact lines that caught me!