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.
Introduction
Fort Minor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The residential, man
That's underground hip-hop
Wit-with big sounds
Wut-with big, with big sounds
That's what takes it over, cause the sounds are so big
That's an underground hip-hop, right there Richness of the music and everything
I-I, I, I knew it was gonna be something serious
Fort Minor's song "Introduction" is an instrumental solo that sets the stage for Mike Shinoda's debut album, "The Rising Tied," under his side project, Fort Minor. The lyrics are spoken by a voice that emphasizes the importance of underground hip-hop with "big sounds," suggesting that it's the music's quality that truly distinguishes it. The voice notes that the underground is where the true richness of musical expression can be found, and by setting the foundation for his album with this track, Shinoda emphasizes the significance of authenticity and originality in his music.
Through this song, Shinoda seeks to convey his dedication to hip-hop and his respect for its roots. As an artist who was part of the mainstream, crossover success of Linkin Park, Shinoda was cognizant of the limitations of the popular music scene, and he wanted to use Fort Minor as an outlet for his hip-hop sensibilities. By featuring an instrumental track as the initial track on his debut album, he was making a statement about the importance of the production and instrumentation in hip-hop, setting the tone for the rest of the album.
Line by Line Meaning
The residential, man
This is referring to someone who resides in an area closely associated with hip-hop culture, possibly an artist or producer.
That's underground hip-hop
This refers specifically to the sub-genre of hip-hop that is often isolated from mainstream media and typically characterized by raw, authentic lyrics.
Wit-with big sounds
The music being discussed is characterized by prominent, impactful sounds in addition to the standard drumbeat and lyrics.
Wut-with big, with big sounds
Reinforcing the previous line, the emphasis here is on the impressive, imposing music that accompanies the lyrics of underground hip-hop.
That's what takes it over, cause the sounds are so big
The prominence of the instrumental sections in underground hip-hop tracks cannot be overstated, as it plays a significant role in drawing listeners in and setting the tone of the track.
That's an underground hip-hop, right there
This line is a definitive declaration that the music being played is indeed a prime example of underground hip-hop, as described throughout the song.
Richness of the music and everything
This is describing the complex layers and textures of the instrumental section of underground hip-hop tracks that leads to a full, immersive listening experience.
I-I, I, I knew it was gonna be something serious
The artist is expressing their understanding of the depth and significance of underground hip-hop music, and how it has the ability to connect with listeners on a personal level.
Contributed by Tristan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@WARRIORBOY_
You ready?! Let's go!
Yeah, for those of you that want to know what we're all about
It's like this y'all (c'mon!)
[Chorus:]
This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!
Mike! - He doesn't need his name up in lights
He just wants to be heard whether it's the beat or the mic
He feels so unlike everybody else, alone
In spite of the fact that some people still think that they know him
But fuck em, he knows the code
It's not about the salary
It's all about reality and making some noise
Making the story - making sure his clique stays up
That means when he puts it down Tak's picking it up! Let's go!
Who the hell is he anyway?
He never really talks much
Never concerned with status but still leaving them star struck
Humbled through opportunities given despite the fact
That many misjudge him because he makes a living from writing raps
Put it together himself, now the picture connects
Never asking for someone's help, or to get some respect
He's only focused on what he wrote, his will is beyond reach
And now it all unfolds, the skill of an artist
This is twenty percent skill
Eighty percent fear
Be a hundred percent clear cause Ryu is ill
Who would've thought he'd be the one to set the west in flames
Then I heard him wreck it with The Crystal Method, "Name Of The Game"
Came back dropped Megadef, took em to church
I like bleach man, why you had the stupidest verse?
This dude is the truth, now everybody's giving him guest spots
His stock's through the roof I heard he's fuckin' with S. Dot!
[Chorus]
They call him Ryu, he's sick
And he's spitting fire
And mike got him out the dryer he's hot
Found him in Fort Minor with Tak
What a fuckin' nihilist porcupine
He's a prick, he's a cock
The type women want to be with, and rappers hope he get shot
Eight years in the making, patiently waiting to blow
Now the record with Shinoda's taking over the globe
He's got a partner in crime, his shit is equally dope
You won't believe the kind of shit that comes out of this kid's throat
Tak! - He's not your everyday on the block
He knows how to work with what he's got
Making his way to the top
He often gets a comment on his name
People keep asking him was it given at birth
Or does it stand for an acronym?
No he's living proof, got him rocking the booth
He'll get you buzzing quicker than a shot of vodka with juice
Him and his crew are known around as one of the best
Dedicated to what they do and give a hundred percent
Forget Mike - Nobody really knows how or why he works so hard
It seems like he's never got time
Because he writes every note and he writes every line
And I've seen him at work when that light goes on in his mind
It's like a design is written in his head every time
Before he even touches a key or speaks in a rhyme
And those motherfuckers he runs with,
The kids that he signed?
Ridiculous, without even trying,
How did he do it?!
[Chorus - repeat 2x]
[Outro - Mike Shinoda:]
Yeah! Fort Minor
M. Shinoda - Styles of Beyond
Ryu! Takbir! Machine Shop!
@myarmfell0ff
Still listening in 2019. Mike Shinoda will always be so tragically underrated! Fort Minor, Linkin Park and even Mikes new “Mike Shinoda” music - he puts everything into it and it pays off!
I will never stop listening to Mike Shinoda.
@marekbrandon1065
same for me in 2020
@ebikun8212
@@marekbrandon1065 hi from 2022
@riccirinehartjr9355
Same
@veridisquo246
Me too
@jonayjosue1
hi from 2023
@AmbienceOfficial
The fact that there will only ever be one Fort Minor album is a crime.
@JustifiedJackass
Makes you appreciate it more don't it?
@JustifiedJackass
Makes ya appreciate it more don't it?
@JustifiedJackass
Makes ya appreciate it more don't it?