George Clinton (born July 22, 1941) is an American musician, widely conside… Read Full Bio ↴George Clinton (born July 22, 1941) is an American musician, widely considered one of the forefathers of funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and was a solo funk artist as of 1981.

He was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina, grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey, and currently resides in Tallahassee, Florida. In Plainfield, he ran a barber salon, where he straightened hair, and soon formed a doo wop group, inspired by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, called The Parliaments. Despite initial commercial failures, The Parliaments eventually found success under the names Parliament and Funkadelic in the seventies (see also P-Funk). This article focuses on Clinton's solo efforts after 1981.

Beginning in the early 1980's, Clinton recorded several nominal "solo" albums, although all of these records featured contributions from P-Funk's core musicians. The primary reason for recording under his own name was legal difficulties, due to the complex copyright and trademark issues surrounding the name "Parliament" (primarily) and Polygram's purchase of his former label (as part of Parliament), Casablanca Records. In 1982, Clinton signed to Capitol Records as a solo artist and as the P-Funk All-Stars, releasing Computer Games that same year. "Loopzilla" hit the Top 20 R&B charts, followed by "Atomic Dog," which reached #1 R&B, but peaked at #101 on the pop chart. In the next four years, Clinton released three more studio albums (You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit Fish, Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends and R&B Skeletons in the Closet) as well as a live album, Mothership Connection (Live from the Summit, Houston, Texas) and charting three singles in the R&B Top 30, "Nubian Nut," "Last Dance," and "Do Fries Go with that Shake." This period of Clinton's career was marred by multiple legal problems (resulting in financial difficulties) due to complex royalty and copyright issues. In 1985 he was recruited by the Red Hot Chili Peppers to produce their album Freaky Styley, because the bandmembers were huge fans of George Clinton and Funk in general. Though Clinton's popularity had waned by the mid 1980s, he experienced something of a resurgence in the early 1990s, as many rappers cited him as an influence and began sampling his songs. Alongside James Brown, George Clinton is considered to be one of the most sampled musicians ever.

In 1989, Clinton released The Cinderella Theory on Paisley Park, Prince's record label. This was followed by Hey Man... Smell my Finger. Clinton then signed with Sony 550 and released T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. (The Awesome Power Of A Fully Operational Mothership) in 1996, having reunited with several old members of Parliament and Funkadelic.

In the 1990s, Clinton appeared in films such as Graffiti Bridge (1990), Good Burger (1997) and PCU (1994). Most recently he appeared as the voice of The Funktipus, the DJ of the Bounce FM station in the 2004 video game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Rapper Dr. Dre sampled most of his beats to create his G-Funk music era.

"You're Thinking Right" - the theme song for The Tracey Ullman Show, was written by Clinton.

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This is not the soundtrack composer George S. Clinton who did Mortal Kombat etc.

Rhythm and Rhyme
GEORGE CLINTON Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Therefore this rap rendition in tradition of competition
Mace the mother before the first emission
Gets to ascend the mountain
I sip the spout rhyming ad infinitum
I pee in the fountain then I claw, clutchin´ the cliff
´Cause I got to get higher
I shall begin with a crazy evil grin
So evidently awesome both know something will occur

Deep and dreadful be constant careful
You get an earful of the fearful
The rhythm, the rhythm not based on material mind
More so along strong ethereal lines
Although torn from a brain remaining to ruckus
You got music that is so massive you move to it
Or you must move away
Choose to play or stray into it
Over chill mode, I load a lyric I fling you hard against the bass
In ways shown to be mixed from an ID a forbidden poet in me
Arrivin´ unannounced and let me pounce on you
You bust I bounce and it´s a take out
You´re through, finished, quick yeah I said of that
And it takes just a few of my favourite breaks

Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme

Therefore this rap rendition in tradition of competition
Mace the mother before the first emission
Gets to ascend the mountain
I sip the spout rhyming ad infinitum
I pee in the fountain then I claw, clutchin´ the cliff
´Cause I got to get higher into the mansion
Where the mad messiah GC gone crazy
Hackin´ in the channel through all the slack rappers
I pack a bag, I travel to the peninsula with a posse
Peepin´ over the edge I drop a rock on your head
As you leapin´ up the ledge, to lead on
Leavin´ you mangled, tangled in your mic cord
Your mama would have been better in battle
Your boastin´ is bogus, silly poses
Puttin´ your pretty poetry packaged pathetically in front of me
I suppress I arrest the best of MC´s regularly
Come along, too strong, no don´t move
This ain´t a shake or bake, it´s time to rhyme
For those who think we fake a few of my favourite breaks

Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme

You walk a million miles to bite off one of my styles
Death tolls in the trillions, trashed by the trial of traumatic
Disorder sort of relating the way that I saw them
Death by battle before the post mortem

I caught ´em silhouetted, picked out to get it
Like an AK 47 I fired the rhythm
Let it reload my lips and gob to fit the job
Shootin´ straight upon the head of a segregated slob
That hobbled up, bobbled up, with a front to chap me
Get that bull out of my face
I totally rap my reply, attackin´ the guy
Who from this point on now is doomed to die
One thousand times
As I rewind the very line I used to slay him with
Guess I was born with a gift
The dumb got me to deal with

Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme

Each growl is golden
I grow beholdin´ to the bold but basic beat
That I been sold on loads of lyrics
Sewn attached desk to deck, miced and patched through to disk
I snatched two thousand versions
I´m on a version excursion
Still I can spare a bit of time to do a rhyme without swearin´
Give him the all clear sign
And I´m preparing, daring, rap and roll with soul
Compatibility to the laughter at your rap senility
A line of rhymes snorted, my face is contorted
The loser says I´m lame but he´s self-supported
Yeah, it goes without sayin´, it´s true
Anybody get up, it´s gonna be you

And I´m your local gravedigger on a vocal hairpin trigger
And sure as candy´s delicious, quicker than you figure
Too quick to quench the fire of my biggest funeral pyre
Builds and fills with fools desiring open combat
They choke and jump back
Now they wonder how I´ve done that
Sensing seconds too late, you got room for improvement
You wanna stop and drop, go over the top
You bop and strain your voice, haha got no choice
Come back one more time and try to win against the veteran
The better than many, than plenty, than any
You
Here´s the cemetery where they line up all the graves
Of those that tried that, no breaks
Pontious peers, lend me your ears
I´m the madman at the helm
The one that steers this vessel of vocals

Watch out, it´s gettin´ choppy
I ride the rough out in a way you cannot copy
Look and see if the sharks have taken a bite out of my hull
They always do, and I feel the gale pull me into battle
Maybe I said something really too clever right there
Off the top of my head, they take it and tape it
Before I can say this the property of the P
Mine by design each and every line, relies on the rewind
You better pray to the heaven and the earth
´Cause I´m gonna scorch your monkey with the next verse

Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme

Therefore this rap rendition in tradition of competition
Mace the mother before the first emission
Gets to ascend the mountain
I sip the spout rhyming ad infinitum
I pee in the fountain then I claw, clutchin´ the cliff
´Cause I got to get higher into the mansion
Where the mad messiah GC gone crazy
Hackin´ in the channel through all the slack rappers
I pack a bag, I travel to the peninsula with a posse
Peepin´ over the edge I drop a rock on your head
As you leapin´ up the ledge, to lead on
Leavin´ you mangled, tangled in your mic cord
Your mama would have been better in battle
Your boastin´ is bogus, silly poses
Puttin´ your pretty poetry packaged pathetically in front of me
I suppress I arrest the best of MC´s regularly
Come along, too strong, no don´t move
This ain´t a shake or bake, it´s time to rhyme
For those who think we fake a few of my favourite breaks

Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme
Rhythm and rhyme

Rhythm and rhyme
Rhythm and motherfuckin´ rhyme

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to George Clinton's song Rhythm and Rhyme are full of playful, witty wordplay and references to competition and ascendancy. The repetition of certain phrases, like "rhythm and motherfuckin' rhyme," adds to the overall rhythm and momentum of the song. The verses are filled with descriptions of the rapper's determination to climb higher and higher, as well as references to the competition between MCs. The chorus emphasizes the importance of rhythm and rhyme, which are at the heart of any good rap song.

Throughout the song, there is a sense of playful bravado, as the rapper boasts about his skills and taunts his opponents. The word "mother" is often used as a derogatory term, which adds a sense of aggression and edginess to the lyrics. There are also references to violence, like "dropping a rock on your head," which are meant to further emphasize the rapper's toughness and ability to overcome obstacles.

Overall, the lyrics to Rhythm and Rhyme are full of energy and clever wordplay. They showcase the rapper's ability to dominate the competition and rise to the top of the rap game. With its catchy chorus and intricate verses, this song is a testament to the power of rhythm and rhyme in the world of hip-hop.

Line by Line Meaning

Therefore this rap rendition in tradition of competition
This rap song is a competition in the traditional style

Mace the mother before the first emission
I defeat my opponents before they even have a chance to start

Gets to ascend the mountain
I'm striving to reach the top and achieve greatness

I sip the spout rhyming ad infinitum
I continuously rap with an endless flow

I pee in the fountain then I claw, clutchin´ the cliff
I take risks and push myself to the limit in order to rise higher

´Cause I got to get higher
I am driven to succeed and surpass my current position

Into the mansion where the mad messiah GC gone crazy
I enter the realm of greatness where my talent and creativity are unrivaled

Hackin´ in the channel through all the slack rappers
I expose and overcome the unskilled and lazy rappers

I pack a bag, I travel to the peninsula with a posse
I gather my crew and go on a journey to conquer new territories

Peepin´ over the edge I drop a rock on your head
I surprise and defeat my challengers from a position of advantage

As you leapin´ up the ledge, to lead on
As you try to surpass me, I stay one step ahead and maintain my leadership

Leavin´ you mangled, tangled in your mic cord
I leave you defeated and humiliated, unable to continue

Your mama would have been better in battle
Even your mother would have put up a better fight

Your boastin´ is bogus, silly poses
Your arrogant claims are false and your attempts at looking cool are laughable

Puttin´ your pretty poetry packaged pathetically in front of me
Your attempts at impressive poetry are pathetic compared to my talent

I suppress I arrest the best of MC´s regularly
I consistently defeat and silence the most skilled rappers

This ain´t a shake or bake, it´s time to rhyme
This is not a casual or easy task, it's a serious competition

For those who think we fake a few of my favourite breaks
To prove the doubters wrong, I incorporate some of my favorite samples and breaks

You walk a million miles to bite off one of my styles
You go to great lengths to imitate my unique style

Death tolls in the trillions, trashed by the trial of traumatic
Countless rappers have been defeated and destroyed by the intense battles I engage in

Disorder sort of relating the way that I saw them
The chaos and confusion reflects how I saw their feeble attempts at competing

I caught ´em silhouetted, picked out to get it
I identified their weaknesses and targeted them for defeat

Like an AK 47 I fired the rhythm
My rapid and powerful delivery is reminiscent of an automatic rifle

Let it reload my lips and gob to fit the job
I replenish and adapt my rhymes to match the task at hand

Shootin´ straight upon the head of a segregated slob
I aim my lyrics directly at those who lack skill and originality

That hobbled up, bobbled up, with a front to chap me
They clumsily attempted to challenge and disrespect me

Get that bull out of my face
I demand that they stop their nonsense and false bravado

I totally rap my reply, attackin´ the guy
I respond with full force, verbally attacking my opponent

Who from this point on now is doomed to die
They are destined to be defeated and eliminated

Each growl is golden
Every word I rap is valuable and powerful

I grow beholdin´ to the bold but basic beat
I am constantly inspired and captivated by the strong and fundamental rhythm

That I been sold on loads of lyrics
I am deeply committed to and fascinated by the art of lyrical expression

Sewn attached desk to deck, miced and patched through to disk
Every aspect of my performance and recording is meticulously planned and executed

I snatched two thousand versions
I have collected and mastered numerous variations and styles

I´m on a version excursion
I am constantly exploring and experimenting with different approaches

Still I can spare a bit of time to do a rhyme without swearin´
Despite my busy schedule, I can create a clean and enjoyable rap

Give him the all clear sign
I give my approval and encouragement to others

And I´m preparing, daring, rap and roll with soul
I am fully committed and ready to deliver an authentic and passionate performance

Compatibility to the laughter at your rap senility
I am completely in tune with the amusement and mockery directed towards your lack of skill

A line of rhymes snorted, my face is contorted
My intense and energetic delivery consumes me and contorts my facial expressions

The loser says I´m lame but he´s self-supported
The defeated rapper may call me untalented, but he only has himself to blame

Yeah, it goes without sayin´, it´s true
It should be obvious and accepted as true

Anybody get up, it´s gonna be you
If anyone dares to challenge me, they will be swiftly defeated

And I´m your local gravedigger on a vocal hairpin trigger
I am the one who buries your career with my lyrical prowess

And sure as candy´s delicious, quicker than you figure
I am faster and more skilled than you can imagine

Too quick to quench the fire of my biggest funeral pyre
No one can extinguish the intensity and impact of my greatest performances

Builds and fills with fools desiring open combat
My reputation attracts arrogant challengers seeking a battle

They choke and jump back
They are overwhelmed and retreat in fear

Now they wonder how I´ve done that
They are amazed and confused by my success

Sensing seconds too late, you got room for improvement
Realizing their mistakes too late, they have a lot of improvement to make

You wanna stop and drop, go over the top
You want to give up and make a desperate attempt to outdo me

You bop and strain your voice, haha got no choice
You struggle and strain your voice, realizing you have no chance

Come back one more time and try to win against the veteran
You foolishly attempt another battle, hoping to defeat an experienced performer

The better than many, than plenty, than any
I am superior to many and unmatched by anyone

You
You are the one being challenged and defeated

Here´s the cemetery where they line up all the graves
This is where the defeated rappers are buried

Of those that tried that, no breaks
Those who attempted to challenge me, without any chance of success

Pontious peers, lend me your ears
I demand the attention of my peers and competitors

I´m the madman at the helm
I am the uncontrollable force leading the charge

The one that steers this vessel of vocals
I guide and control the power of my lyrical delivery

Watch out, it´s gettin´ choppy
Beware, the situation is becoming chaotic

I ride the rough out in a way you cannot copy
I navigate through rough waters in a unique and unmatched manner

Look and see if the sharks have taken a bite out of my hull
Check if my opponents have managed to damage my reputation

They always do, and I feel the gale pull me into battle
My opponents always try to harm me, but it only fuels my determination

Maybe I said something really too clever right there
Perhaps I delivered an exceptionally brilliant line

Off the top of my head, they take it and tape it
They quickly capture and admire my spontaneous brilliance

Before I can say this the property of the P
Before I can assert my ownership of my art and talent

Mine by design each and every line, relies on the rewind
I've crafted every line intentionally and they require repeated listening to fully appreciate

You better pray to the heaven and the earth
You should beg for divine help and mercy

´Cause I´m gonna scorch your monkey with the next verse
I'm about to humiliate and defeat you with my next set of lyrics

Contributed by Jonathan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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