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.
The Battle
Fort Minor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There really be kids starving give a fuck if it change
Shock rap not that, you get signed you might blow up
Release party in Iraq you might blow up
I see you trying to think a few lines you might get at me with
Slap happy with babies who're born with crack in they cribs
Too much to cram under you over sized titled
In Fort Minor's song The Battle, the lyrics delve into the harsh reality of the music industry, where many aspiring rappers struggle to break through in the hope of earning a living. The first two lines, "These hungry rappers battle for a buck and some change, there really be kids starving give a fuck if it change," highlights the irony of the situation, where rappers are battling for small sums of money while children around the world are starving due to poverty. The next two lines, "Shock rap not that, you get signed you might blow up, release party in Iraq you might blow up," are a commentary on how shock value and controversy can lead to fame and success in the music industry, where the possibility of being signed and having a release party in a place like Iraq could be a lucrative move for rappers.
The next set of lines, "I see you trying to think a few lines you might get at me with, slap happy with babies who're born with crack in their cribs," point to the lack of real depth and substance in the lyrics of some rappers, who resort to attacking others with cheap lines that lack originality. The last set of lines, "Too much to cram under you over sized titled, and the public system failed you either you ignore it," could be interpreted as a commentary on how public education systems fail to provide students with a well-rounded education that can equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate through life. The lyrics suggest that many rappers come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have limited opportunities to succeed in life due to systemic failures.
Line by Line Meaning
These hungry rappers battle for a buck and some change
Rappers are competing fiercely to earn money and small change.
There really be kids starving give a fuck if it change
It is important to care about the impoverished children who are suffering from hunger.
Shock rap not that, you get signed you might blow up
Popular music is not promoting violent or shocking themes, but if you are signed by a record label, you may become famous.
Release party in Iraq you might blow up
Performing in a risky area of the world may make you famous or result in danger.
I see you trying to think a few lines you might get at me with
I notice that you are attempting to come up with some lyrics to insult or attack me.
Slap happy with babies who're born with crack in they cribs
Parents who are addicted to drugs may neglect their babies, causing them harm.
Too much to cram under you over sized titled
There is too much information to fit into a lengthy and complicated title.
And the public system failed you either you ignore it
The education system did not give you the skills you need, or you chose to ignore them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@REALHIPHOPLOVE24
This Celph Titled freestyle is a underground 💎
@cardgamefool99
"Release party in Iraq, you might blow up" Crowd: OOOOOHHHH!!! best part 8)
@michealhoffstater9810
DAAAAMN this rap was sick. Now imagine if they got this guy onto ERB somehow....
@YoutubingTurtle
when the ad is longer than the song..
@Lastrevio
lol
@alkismexis3336
Unfortunately
@carlosalfredocalderonmarte124
desde aqui se puede ver QUE SOLO LA "FIGURA" DE FORT-MINOR ES LOS "PALITOS" CON ESE DIBUJO QUE SE CHOCA Y ACCIDENTA CON LOS CABLES DE TAN ALTA TENSION Y SE VA CAYENDO, SOLO ESO ASEGURA "EL PERRO"
@grandscream8656
Damn
@1LIFEtoWIN
@d0r1705 it was a side project by Mike shinoda who put it on a hiatus he can start it back up whenever he wants.. but dosent :(
@HalfKay
Has a full version of this battle ever been released?