Gatas Parlament were the first Norwegian rappers to rap in Norwegian. The pioneers of Norwegian Rap, such as Warlocks or A-Team, rapped in English. Gatas Parlament started out in 1993, taking the name Kveldens Høydepunkt (Highlight of the Night). Don Martin did not take to the name, and it was therefore changed. Later, they attended a public speech by Carl I. Hagen, the chairman of the right-wing party Fremskrittspartiet, where they threw eggs and rotten fruit at Hagen. This caused Hagen to comment that gatens parlament ruled the country, and the three rappers stuck with the name (the riksmål-wording of gaten was dropped for gata, more fitting for their sociolect).
The band caused controversy in Norway with their video "Antiamerikansk Dans" (Anti American Dance) together with the Swedish rap artist Promoe. In addition, their website killhim.nu ("Kill him Now"), which put a bounty on the assassination of George W. Bush, caused the American embassy in Norway to react, and the website was subsequently shut down.
Ti mot en
Gatas Parlament Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ti stjerner på en av rapartistene
Så fuck de listene
Det går hundre snut på en demonstrant
Du få'kke høre det så ofte
Men fortjener det iblant
Det går ti ledere på en aktivist
Så fuck de listene
Det går hundre snut på en demonstrant
Du få'kke høre det så ofte
Men fortjener det iblant
Gatas Parlament er oss
Med de fengende refrengene
Så lenge det rocker gir vi pokker i pengene
Vi vi'kke hore
For å menge med de store
Hvis det er noen som sku' tro det
Vi gir ordet til hodene som er trengende
Og kan tyde kodene
Så nytter det å ta det til ett nytt nivå
Tvinge deg til å lytte på
Gatas parlament spytter så
Knakende bra
De nyskapende sakene
Med de skremmende stemmene
Som tar revolusjon til hjemmene
Vi skal myrde morderne
Rane ranerne
Avlytte Håkon Lie & co
Og spane spanerne
Hvem faen er det
Som ikke aner det
Svinger nå inn i ville forpulte helvete
Av de funky partisanerne
Utstudert lokale vrier
Vi risiker smale stier
Ubetalelige rim
Gale MC'er
Unormale verdier
Vokale fantasier
Bygd på venstreradikale teorier
The lyrics of Gatas Parlament's song "Ti mot en" address the power dynamics and hierarchies within activism, rap music, and society as a whole. The opening lines suggest that there are only ten leaders for every activist or rap artist, emphasizing the scarcity of those who take a stand and speak up for their beliefs. Similarly, the line "Det går hundre snut på en demonstrant" (There are a hundred cops for every protester) highlights the oppressive presence and surveillance that individuals fighting for change often experience.
The chorus, repeated twice, expresses a sense of defiance and rebellion towards the established systems. The phrase "Så fuck de listene" (So fuck those lists) suggests a rejection of any rankings or categorizations imposed on them. Gatas Parlament declares their allegiance to the people who are in need, rather than seeking validation or recognition from the mainstream. They prioritize authenticity and substance over commercial success, stating, "Vi vi'kke hore, For å menge med de store" (We won't sell out to mingle with the big ones).
The lyrics also emphasize the revolutionary nature of Gatas Parlament's music and their commitment to exposing the injustices within society. They aim to bring revolution into people's homes, confront corrupt politicians such as Håkon Lie, and dismantle oppressive systems. The lines "Vi skal myrde morderne, Rane ranerne" (We shall murder the killers, rob the robbers) metaphorically call for an overthrow of those who perpetuate violence and inequality.
Overall, "Ti mot en" serves as a rallying cry for resistance, urging listeners to challenge the status quo and pursue change. Gatas Parlament uses their music to amplify the voices of the marginalized and to challenge existing power structures.
Line by Line Meaning
Det går ti ledere på en aktivist
There are ten leaders compared to one activist, highlighting the lack of support and recognition activists receive.
Ti stjerner på en av rapartistene
One rap artist is equivalent to ten stars, emphasizing the fame and attention given to mainstream rap artists.
Så fuck de listene
Disregard those lists that prioritize popularity and fame.
Det går hundre snut på en demonstrant
Demonstrators are outnumbered by a hundred police officers, illustrating the power dynamics and potential for suppression.
Du få'kke høre det så ofte
These issues are not frequently discussed or acknowledged.
Men fortjener det iblant
However, these issues deserve attention and recognition at times.
Gatas Parlament er oss
Gatas Parlament represents the common people, the voice of the streets.
Med de fengende refrengene
Through catchy refrains, they attract attention and engagement.
Så lenge det rocker gir vi pokker i pengene
As long as the message rocks, they don't care about making money or commercial success.
Vi vi'kke hore
They don't want to whore themselves out or sell out their principles.
For å menge med de store
They don't want to align themselves with the elites or those in power.
Hvis det er noen som sku' tro det
In case someone believed otherwise.
Vi gir ordet til hodene som er trengende
They give a voice to those in need, the marginalized and underprivileged.
Og kan tyde kodene
They can decipher the codes, uncover the hidden meanings and agendas.
Så nytter det å ta det til ett nytt nivå
It's worthwhile to take it to a new level, pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo.
Tvinge deg til å lytte på
They force you to listen and pay attention.
Gatas parlament spytter så
Gatas Parlament's lyrics are so powerful and impactful.
Knakende bra
Incredibly good, outstanding.
De nyskapende sakene
Their innovative issues and topics.
Med de skremmende stemmene
With their intimidating voices, they instigate fear in those in power.
Som tar revolusjon til hjemmene
They bring revolution to the homes, advocating for change and resistance.
Vi skal myrde morderne
They aim to metaphorically kill those responsible for injustice and oppression.
Rane ranerne
They metaphorically rob the robbers, taking back what was unfairly taken.
Avlytte Håkon Lie & co
They want to eavesdrop on politicians and influential individuals like Håkon Lie.
Og spane spanerne
They want to spy on the spies, keeping an eye on those who monitor others.
Hvem faen er det
Who the hell are those individuals?
Som ikke aner det
Who don't have a clue about what's really going on.
Svinger nå inn i ville forpulte helvete
Embarking on a wild, chaotic journey into hell.
Av de funky partisanerne
Led by the funky partisans, those who fight for justice and equality.
Utstudert lokale vrier
Calculated, subtle local twists or methods.
Vi risiker smale stier
They are willing to take risks and travel narrow paths.
Ubetalelige rim
Priceless rhymes, valuable and meaningful.
Gale MC'er
Crazy, unconventional MCs.
Unormale verdier
Unconventional values that challenge societal norms.
Vokale fantasier
Vocal fantasies, expressing imaginative ideas and dreams.
Bygd på venstreradikale teorier
Built upon left-radical theories, ideologies that challenge capitalism and promote social justice.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind