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.
Welcome
Fort Minor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me break it down now if y'all still with it
First time I did it, yeah I'll admit it
I kinda hit it and quit it and left y'all hanging
Sang it, kinda off key with a passion
Asking, can I give you back that action?
Yeah I'ma blast in a hashtag fashion
To spell it out for you like a mass closed caption
This is my spot that I'm taking back
Get at me punk I was made for that
Y'all don't really even know what you aiming at
So far back what you waving at?
Y'all can't see the stage that I'm playing at
Y'all hating that, but that's why I do it
So tell me where the motherfucking haters at?
'Cause
I don't need their blessing now
I don't need their invitation
Ain't no way to shut me down
Or to take this path I've taken
And maybe I've been left out
Never let this be mistaken
They can keep that blessing now, forget me now
'Cause I was never welcome
Yeah it's been a long road
Never really know how it all unfold
I'm just trying hard not to sell my soul
When the rest want guns and a mouth full of gold
I don't hate 'em, I still love 'em
That's not me, I'm not judging
Not below 'em, not above 'em
But disrespect me? Well then fuck 'em
This a house I'm living in
Y'all just pass through visiting
I draw these lines y'all fill 'em in
I'm a grown ass man, y'all children
No competition, I'm killing them
Talking 'bout him and him and him
Let's take it out for another spin again
And I don't give a fuck if I win again
'Cause
I don't need their blessing now
I don't need their invitation
Ain't no way to shut me down
Or to take this path I've taken
And maybe I've been left out
Never let this be mistaken
They can keep that blessing now, forget me now
'Cause I was never welcome
No (I was never welcome)
No
No
No, no, no (I was never welcome)
I don't need their blessing now
I don't need their invitation
Ain't no way to shut me down
Or to take this path I've taken
And maybe I've been left out
Never let this be mistaken
They can keep that blessing now, forget me now
'Cause I was never welcome
I was never welcome (No)
I was never welcome (No, no)
I was never welcome
The song "Welcome" by Fort Minor is an anthem for anyone who has felt alienated and rejected by society. It starts with the artist admitting that he has let his fans down before but has come back stronger. He talks about how he sang off-key before and now, he is back with a bang to take back what is rightfully his. He has a message for the haters who are trying to bring him down and emphasizes that he doesn't need their validation. He is comfortable with who he has become and is not going to compromise on his values for anybody. He is also not here to judge anyone or put himself above anyone, but he is going to stand up for himself and be true to who he is. The chorus repeats the idea that he was never welcome, but it doesn't phase him because he has made his space and is not going to allow anyone to take it away from him.
The message of the song is that everyone has the potential to make themselves welcome in this world if they believe in themselves and value their own worth. The artist lays down his struggles and talks about how he has come out on top. The song is also an encouragement to others to do the same and not let anyone else dictate their worth. It's an anthem for anyone who has struggled to be heard or accepted, and it empowers people to take control of their own lives and be their authentic selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome, yeah it's been a long minute
It's been a while since I last addressed my fans
Let me break it down now if y'all still with it
Let me explain what I've been up to since we last talked
First time I did it, yeah I'll admit it
The first song I made wasn't perfect, but it was a start
I kinda hit it and quit it and left y'all hanging
After my first song, I moved on without providing any closure for my fans
Sang it, kinda off key with a passion
I may not have had perfect musicskills, but I sing with passion
Asking, can I give you back that action?
I'm wondering if I can come back and give you what you truly deserve
Yeah I'ma blast in a hashtag fashion
I'll promote myself on social media with new music and a new image
To spell it out for you like a mass closed caption
I'll make sure that my message is clear and easily understandable for everyone
Get a closed casket, fade to black
I'm making sure that I'll kill the competition and take over the music scene
This is my spot that I'm taking back
I'm taking back my position as one of the best in the music industry
Get at me punk I was made for that
I'm challenging anyone who thinks they can take me on musically
Y'all don't really even know what you aiming at
Others in the industry don't understand what they're getting themselves into when coming against me
So far back what you waving at?
Other artists cannot see the level that I am currently playing at
Y'all can't see the stage that I'm playing at
Other artists are not able to see the level of success that I have reached
Y'all hating that, but that's why I do it
Other artists may not like my music, but that is what drives me to be better
So tell me where the motherfucking haters at?
I'm calling out those who don't believe in me and my music
I don't need their blessing now
I don't need anyone's approval for my music
I don't need their invitation
I'll make my own way in the music industry without relying on anyone else
Ain't no way to shut me down
No one can stop me from being successful
Or to take this path I've taken
No one can take away the hard work and dedication I've put into my music career
And maybe I've been left out
Others in the music industry might not have included me because they don't see my worth
Never let this be mistaken
Don't get it twisted, I am still a force to be reckoned with
They can keep that blessing now, forget me now
I don't need anyone's approval or help anymore
'Cause I was never welcome
I wasn't included or given a chance to shine when I first started out
Yeah it's been a long road
My journey in the music industry has been a tough and challenging one
Never really know how it all unfold
I never know what's going to happen next in my career
I'm just trying hard not to sell my soul
I'm working hard to stay true to myself and not compromise my principles
When the rest want guns and a mouth full of gold
Other artists focus on materialistic things like jewelry and weapons, but not me
I don't hate 'em, I still love 'em
I don't have any animosity towards other artists, I still respect them
That's not me, I'm not judging
I don't judge other artists for their choices, it's just not my lifestyle
Not below 'em, not above 'em
I don't see myself as inferior or superior to other artists
But disrespect me? Well then fuck 'em
If other artists disrespect me, I'll cut them off
This a house I'm living in
My music career is like a house that I've built for myself
Y'all just pass through visiting
Other artists come and go, but I've remained in the music industry
I draw these lines y'all fill 'em in
I provide the framework for my music, but others help me fill it in and make it a hit
I'm a grown ass man, y'all children
I'm more mature and experienced than other artists in the industry
No competition, I'm killing them
I am unrivaled and unbeatable in the music industry
Talking 'bout him and him and him
I don't waste my time talking about other artists and their shortcomings
Let's take it out for another spin again
Let's try again with a new approach to music
And I don't give a fuck if I win again
I'm not worried about winning or losing in the music industry anymore
'Cause I was never welcome
I wasn't included or given a chance to shine when I first started out
No (I was never welcome)
No
No
No, no, no (I was never welcome)
I was never welcome
I wasn't included or given a chance to shine when I first started out
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mike Shinoda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hectormangual8853
Mike is tragically under rated
@REMINISC3NT116
hes the best rapper alive, no debate
@Skat9
cut the crap.
@ooh2965
yes is freaking underrated
@Skat9
REMINISC3NT best rapper alive?! I love Mike but he can't compete with other rappers with his catalogue. I know each song by MS/LP so you can tell me shit. He's underrated for sure but that's it.
@REMINISC3NT116
Skatemaster3000 his lyrics dont misuse women or drugs and his voice isnt mis construed. You probably like Drake more foh
@blodus4521
Most underrated rapper ever
@owlproductions3119
"I'm just trying hard not to sell my soul when the rest want guns and a mouth full of gold" I love that part
@waterproof4403
I came across this comment right when he sang that part wow
@maurastine6128
Definitely has a way with words