The group was formed in 1992, bringing together Prince Paul (The Undertaker), Frukwan (The Gatekeeper), Poetic (The Grym Reaper) and RZA (The RZArector). It came about largely due to the efforts of Prince Paul. Frukwan and Prince Paul were previously together in the group Stetsasonic. According to Frukwan, the group's name means "digging graves of the mentally dead, and it stood for resurrecting the mentally dead from their state of unawareness and ignorance." The group's lyrics mix black humor (regarding topics such as suicide, death, killing, psychopathy, hell, etc.), criticism regarding the music industry, cartoonish violence reminiscent of the Geto Boys, and esoteric references to the Nation of Gods and Earths. The group pioneered the horrorcore genre.
The group's first album was originally to be titled Niggamortis; however, this potentially risqué title was changed to 6 Feet Deep for the American market (European versions of the album retained the original title, and also included the bonus track "Pass the Shovel"); it was released on August 9, 1994. The four members adopted Gravedigga alter egos for their work with the group: RZA became The RZArector, Poetic became The Grym Reaper, Prince Paul became The Undertaker, and Frukwan became The Gatekeeper. In 1995, the three rapping members (without Prince Paul) released a collaborative EP titled "The_Hell_E.P." with UK trip hop artist Tricky.
The second full-length Gravediggaz album The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel was less humorous, dealing more with social and political issues; it also used calmer and more conventional production. Prince Paul played a considerably smaller role in the making of this album, with many of the production duties now taken care of by RZA and his Wu-Tang affiliates (including True Master and 4th Disciple).
A bootleg Gravediggaz album surfaced in 1998, called Scenes From The Graveyard. It featured seven unreleased tracks plus some remixes from the first two albums.
Gravediggaz recruited DJ Diamond J. Poetic died of colon cancer in July 2001. Frukwan stated in an interview not long after Poetic's death that a new album using leftover Poetic material would be released. Nightmare in A-Minor, the third official album for Gravediggaz, came out in 2001; it featured two of the original members, Poetic and Frukwan. This album was their darkest work yet, including many references to Poetic's struggle with cancer, as well as apocalyptic themes to do with the teachings of the Five Percent Nation. Although RZA did not take part in the album, some Wu-Tang Clan affiliates such as 4th Disciple, True Master and Beretta 9 were involved. The album was mostly produced by Poetic and Frukwan. A different version of the album (minus the song "Better Wake Up") was released in 2002, for which some of the tracks created by Poetic were replaced or altered.
In 2003 Frukwan released his debut solo album, Life. The fourth Gravediggaz album 6 Feet Under was released in 2004 by Cleopatra Records and featured songs from Nightmare in A-Minor and Life. According to Frukwan, he had nothing to do with the release and claimed that song titles were changed without permission, making it an unauthorized release.
In 2010, Gravediggaz recorded a new song, "2 More Cups of Blood". In 2011, it was announced that the group had been recording new tracks involving Shabazz The Disciple & Killah Priest.
In 2018, Gatekeeper released "1 Cup of Blood" under the Gravediggaz name.
1-800-SUICIDE
Gravediggaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suicide it's a suicide
Suicide it's a suicide, biddy bye bye
Suicide it's a suicide
So you wanna die, commit suicide
Dial 1-800-Cyanide line
Put a rope around your neck and jerk it
The trick didn't work
Your life was fucked up from the first day of birth
After watching Jackie Gleason walk into a precinct
Gun down the captain for no fucking reason
And get some LSD or a drink from the bar
Get behind your wheel and crash the car
Like Desert Storm, got bombs for the war
Confront an alligator, let it eat ya raw
Back to the function, riding the caboose to hell
BZZZZZT touched the third rail
You fucked up chicken, now you just got fried
'Cause it's a suicide
Suicide it's a suicide, biddy bye bye
Suicide it's a suicide
Suicide it's a suicide, biddy bye bye
Suicide it's a suicide
Hey you little rich kid, what's your beef?
Come and tell the Grym Reaper all of your grief
You asked for a Benz and you only got a Jeep
Your pop's got ends, but yo he's mad cheap
Maybe you're a bastard child you think
Mom and dad are white and you're dark as ink
Maybe you're Sicilian with a tan
But you hate lasagna and the pizza man
Now you stand on the grave digga plot and
You're singing the blues about the rough life you've got
Not! You don't wanna live no more
I guess you're really ready for the grave yard tour
When you get home, just seal up your windows and you doors
Turn your oven on high for about four hours
Light you a blunt, kiss your ass goodbye
You gassed yourself, 'cause it's a suicide
Suicide it's a suicide, biddy bye bye
Suicide it's a suicide
Suicide it's a suicide, biddy bye bye
Suicide it's a suicide
Suicide it's a suicide, biddy bye bye
Suicide it's a suicide
Suicide it's a suicide, biddy bye bye
Suicide it's a suicide
Yep, I've said it before and I'll say it again
Life moves pretty fast
If you don't stop and look around every once in a while
You could miss it
Six fucking devils stepped up playing brave, God
Had the fucking nerve to try and enter my grave yard
I'm the Rzarector, be my sacrifice
Commit suicide and I'll bring you back to life
The first was convinced
Stuck a water hose in his mouth at full blast so his head can explode
Second one said, "Hmmmm, that's good but I can top it!"
Put an ax up to his head and then he chopped it
Blood shot out in every direction
The rest didn't know what to do, I made suggestions
Put a slug in your mug, overdose on a drug
Wet your hand, stick a knife in the plug
Or be like Richard Pryor set your balls on fire
Better yet, go hang yourself with a barbed wire
Three and Four fell deep into the spell and
Ran to the zoo, locked themselves in the lion's den
Number Five said, "It ain't worth being alive!"
Smoked a dust joint, mixed it with cyanide
The only one who escaped was number six
He went home, sat in the tub, and slit his wrists
Yeah, more graves to dig, goodbye
There's no need to cry, 'cause we all die
The song "1-800 Suicide" by Gravediggaz is a compelling and chilling depiction of suicide. The lyrics are particularly graphic and explore different ways one could take their own life, urging listeners not to go down that path. The opening line, "suicide it's a suicide, biddy bye bye" sets the tone for the song, with a lulling melody that leads the listener to the dark and dangerous territory of suicide. The song is an admonition against the act of suicide and the terrible costs it incurs.
The song tells stories of different scenarios in which people may commit suicide. It includes the story of a person who watched Jackie Gleason walk into a police station and shoot the captain without reason. Another story is of a seemingly rich kid who feels unfulfilled and angry with life because his father won't buy him a Benz. The song seems to be urging people to consider the consequences of their actions and not to take their life for granted. Perhaps most hauntingly, the Rzarector says that he can bring people back to life if they commit suicide and offer themselves up to him as a sacrifice. But there's no escape from the finality of death; he ends the song by telling the listeners that we all die eventually.
Overall, "1-800 Suicide" is a song that tries to shock people out of suicidal thoughts by depicting the gruesome reality of what suicide entails. It's a warning that life is precious and that one shouldn't take it for granted, despite the problems and difficulties one may face. The song encourages people to reach out for help, to talk to someone if they feel overwhelmed, and not to take the extreme route of ending their own life.
Line by Line Meaning
Suicide it's a suicide, biddy bye bye
The singer is acknowledging suicide and saying goodbye to life.
Suicide it's a suicide
The singer is repeating that suicide is being discussed.
So you wanna die, commit suicide
The singer is addressing someone who is considering suicide.
Dial 1-800-Cyanide line
The artist is giving a phone number where people can get help.
Far as life, yo it ain't worth it
The artist believes that life is not worth living.
Put a rope around your neck and jerk it
The singer is suggesting hanging oneself.
The trick didn't work
The singer is saying that suicide is not a solution to problems.
Your life was fucked up from the first day of birth
The artist is implying that a person's life is hopeless and was doomed from the start.
After watching Jackie Gleason walk into a precinct
The artist is referencing a specific event.
Gun down the captain for no fucking reason
The artist is describing a violent act.
And get some LSD or a drink from the bar
The singer is suggesting the use of drugs or alcohol.
Get behind your wheel and crash the car
The artist is suggesting driving while under the influence.
Like Desert Storm, got bombs for the war
The singer is comparing suicide to warfare.
Confront an alligator, let it eat ya raw
The singer is suggesting a dangerous situation that will result in death.
Back to the function, riding the caboose to hell
The singer is talking about a descent into death.
BZZZZZT touched the third rail
The artist is making a reference to electrocution.
You fucked up chicken, now you just got fried
The artist is mocking the person who committed suicide.
'Cause it's a suicide
The singer is reiterating the fact that a suicide has occurred.
Hey you little rich kid, what's your beef?
The singer is addressing a privileged youth.
Come and tell the Grym Reaper all of your grief
The artist is suggesting that death could be a solution to the person's problems.
You asked for a Benz and you only got a Jeep
The artist is implying that the person is ungrateful.
Your pop's got ends, but yo he's mad cheap
The artist is criticizing the person's father for being stingy.
Maybe you're a bastard child you think
The singer is making an assumption about the person's paternity.
Mom and dad are white and you're dark as ink
The artist is implying that the person does not belong in their family.
Maybe you're Sicilian with a tan
The singer is suggesting that the person is not accepted by their culture or ethnicity.
But you hate lasagna and the pizza man
The singer is suggesting that the person does not fit their perceived stereotype.
Now you stand on the grave digga plot and
The singer is suggesting that the person has reached a point of no return.
You're singing the blues about the rough life you've got
The artist is criticizing the person for being overly dramatic.
Not! You don't wanna live no more
The artist believes that the person wants to die.
I guess you're really ready for the grave yard tour
The singer is making a mocking comment about the person's readiness for death.
When you get home, just seal up your windows and you doors
The singer is suggesting an act of self-harm.
Turn your oven on high for about four hours
The artist is suggesting another method of self-harm.
Light you a blunt, kiss your ass goodbye
The artist is suggesting that using drugs will result in death.
You gassed yourself, 'cause it's a suicide
The reference to gassing oneself reinforces the suggestion of self-harm.
Yep, I've said it before and I'll say it again
The singer is reiterating their message.
Life moves pretty fast
The artist is making an observation about the speed of life.
If you don't stop and look around every once in a while
The singer is suggesting that one should take time to appreciate life.
You could miss it
The singer is emphasizing the importance of recognizing life's value.
Six fucking devils stepped up playing brave, God
The singer is using religious imagery when describing the people who committed suicide.
Had the fucking nerve to try and enter my grave yard
The artist is using hyperbole to suggest ownership of the graveyard.
I'm the Rzarector, be my sacrifice
The artist identifies himself as a master of death.
Commit suicide and I'll bring you back to life
The singer is making a promise that cannot be fulfilled.
The first was convinced
The singer is describing one of the people who committed suicide.
Stuck a water hose in his mouth at full blast so his head can explode
The artist is describing a graphic method of suicide.
Second one said, "Hmmmm, that's good but I can top it!"
The artist is depicting a competitive attitude towards suicide.
Put an ax up to his head and then he chopped it
The artist is describing another violent method of suicide.
Blood shot out in every direction
The singer is describing a gruesome scene.
The rest didn't know what to do, I made suggestions
The artist is taking credit for suggesting methods of suicide to the others.
Put a slug in your mug, overdose on a drug
The singer is suggesting violent and drugging methods of suicide.
Wet your hand, stick a knife in the plug
The singer is suggesting electrocution.
Or be like Richard Pryor set your balls on fire
The singer is referencing a popular comedian who accidentally set himself on fire.
Better yet, go hang yourself with a barbed wire
The artist is suggesting another violent method of suicide.
Three and Four fell deep into the spell and
The artist is describing others who have followed through with suicide.
Ran to the zoo, locked themselves in the lion's den
The singer is using hyperbole to describe an act of suicide.
Number Five said, "It ain't worth being alive!"
The singer is taking a quote from someone who committed suicide.
Smoked a dust joint, mixed it with cyanide
The artist is suggesting mixing drugs and poison.
The only one who escaped was number six
The artist is describing the one person who did not commit suicide.
He went home, sat in the tub, and slit his wrists
The artist is describing yet another violent method of suicide.
Yeah, more graves to dig, goodbye
The singer is reflecting on the fact that more deaths will occur.
There's no need to cry, 'cause we all die
The artist is emphasizing the inevitability of death.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY IAN BERKELEY, ARNOLD E. HAMILTON, PAUL E. HUSTON, ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind