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.
Constant Elevation
Gravediggaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beeeware! Four figures appear through the fog
Yeah! Gravediggaz cut like swords... rrRRRAAA!!
Fear makes ya brain go numb
You ain't, got a clue, where the Gods, come from
I sold my-self to exist and then I flittle
With millions of sperm cells and I found the eggggg
Know I got my chance
[Fruitkwan]
Pass it, a deep theourassic
Gravediggaz are massive, puttin niggaz in caskets
Blowin like the wind, when I'm in my spin
ya got fucked cross the path of the twister
You face the storm and bring it onnnnn
and get chopped in the blocks from Hitchcock
The birds, my mental ward is my brainstorm
Somehow I flipped and came equipped with a chainsaw
[Grym Reaper/Too Poetic]
Diggin graves see, pays my rent for the day
Some hate the image that I must portray
Critics, say "Go to hell" I say "Yeah,
stupid motherfucker I'm already there!"
Fru-strated, mentally aggravated
to be the rebel that society created
I'm good most times but when I'm foul then I'm flagrant
Livin in the shadows like a government agent
[Fruitkwan]
Ummm, one side of the story
Shit cooked up from Gravediggaz laboratory
Transformin brains with remains of a slug
With the Undertaker makin beats that's buuuuuugged
Path we creatin
Splittin G's, choppin necks with the fat guillotines
I'm your nightmare, fright with verse, one verse
Will put your ass in my black hearse
[Ryzarector/The RZA]
Ryza-rector, ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha
Hooah, hooah, hooah, hoo!
Danger, enter the graveyard, chamber
It's like, diggin, in yer EAR, with a hanger
I inject my poison stinger, into your finger
Of all your life forces, I'll take ya
I'm blood, thirsty, thirsty for sure
About to bust up the same ones, who bust up the poor
You're, not safe, anymore
To all the holy spooks, I declare war
I'll, gravedig them up from hell, ryzarect them
From the poisonous bones of swine, I disinfect them
Positive Energy Activates, Constant Elevation
Positive Energy Activates, Constant Elevation
[Prince Paul]
Out of the darkness
Out of the deep of the darkness
Lies the Gravediggaz
from the parts unknown
The world that's unknown
People fear what they don't understand
So, this is why we're here
To explain that there's nothin to be afraid of
Have no fear, Gravediggaz are here
The song Constant Elevation by Gravediggaz is a piece that speaks of their nihilistic views and a sense of dread towards society. The intro, "Beware! Four figures appear through the fog," sets the tone of the song as a warning, suggesting that something wicked and dangerous is approaching. The lines "Fear makes ya brain go numb, You ain't got a clue where the Gods come from" reflect the group's nihilistic viewpoint, that fear and ignorance render people helpless and that there is no divine intervention to save them. The lines "I'm good most times, but when I'm foul, then I'm flagrant, Livin in the shadows like a government agent" reflect the group's outsider status and the frustrations of being misunderstood.
The second verse delivered by Fruitkwan has an aggressive tone, portraying the Gravediggaz as unstoppable and invincible. The lines "Blowin like the wind when I'm in my spin, ya got fucked cross the path of the twister" convey the group's penchant for chaos and destruction. The line "My mental ward is my brainstorm" reflects their revolutionary spirit, as they see themselves as a threat to the status quo.
The third verse by Ryzarector (The RZA) is filled with violent imagery and metaphors. The lines "Of all your life forces, I'll take ya, I'm blood-thirsty, thirsty for sure" suggest that the Gravediggaz are out to destroy their enemies, leaving nothing but death in their wake. Finally, Prince Paul appears towards the end of the song, offering a graphical depiction of the Gravediggaz and their place in the world: "Out of the deep of the darkness lies the Gravediggaz from the parts unknown."
Line by Line Meaning
Beeeware! Four figures appear through the fog
A cautionary message as the Gravediggaz emerge from the fog
Yeah! Gravediggaz cut like swords... rrRRRAAA!!
Gravediggaz are fierce and powerful like swords
Fear makes ya brain go numb
Fear can paralyze and impair one's ability to think
You ain't, got a clue, where the Gods, come from
Humans have no knowledge or understanding of the origins of deities or higher powers
I sold my-self to exist and then I flittle
The artist implies he compromised his ideals for the sake of survival
With millions of sperm cells and I found the eggggg
The singer metaphorically searched and found his purpose or calling
Know I got my chance
I have an opportunity to succeed or make a difference
I came to enhance represent and get open as a bank
The artist aims to improve and inspire others with his words and creativity
Pass it, a deep theourassic
The artist wants to share his philosophical or deep thoughts
Gravediggaz are massive, puttin niggaz in caskets
The Gravediggaz cause death and destruction on a large scale
Blowin like the wind, when I'm in my spin
The singer is unstoppable and powerful like the wind
ya got fucked cross the path of the twister
Those who encounter the Gravediggaz will face chaos and destruction
You face the storm and bring it onnnnn
The Gravediggaz challenge their enemies to face their wrath
and get chopped in the blocks from Hitchcock
The victims of the Gravediggaz face a horrific fate inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's films
The birds, my mental ward is my brainstorm
The singer's mind is like a mental institution, with his ideas and thoughts being the patients
Somehow I flipped and came equipped with a chainsaw
The artist had a transformation and now has a deadly weapon
Diggin graves see, pays my rent for the day
The Gravediggaz make their living by burying the dead
Some hate the image that I must portray
The Gravediggaz are disliked or criticized for their public image
Critics, say "Go to hell" I say "Yeah, stupid motherfucker I'm already there!"
The Gravediggaz take pride in their reputation as outcasts or rebels, and reject the criticism of their detractors
Fru-strated, mentally aggravated
The artist is stressed and annoyed
to be the rebel that society created
The Gravediggaz are rebelling against the expectations and norms of society
I'm good most times but when I'm foul then I'm flagrant
The artist has good intentions most of the time but can be disruptive or controversial when provoked
Livin in the shadows like a government agent
The Gravediggaz operate in secret and are almost invisible, like government agents
Ummm, one side of the story
The following lines may have a biased or incomplete perspective
Shit cooked up from Gravediggaz laboratory
The Gravediggaz have created something sinister or dangerous
Transformin brains with remains of a slug
The Gravediggaz use the aftermath of violence to influence minds and perceptions
With the Undertaker makin beats that's buuuuuugged
The producer creates music that is unconventional and disturbing
Path we creatin
The Gravediggaz are forging their own path or destiny
Splittin G's, choppin necks with the fat guillotines
The Gravediggaz are killing their enemies in brutal fashion
I'm your nightmare, fright with verse, one verse
The singer is terrifying and can cause fear with just his words
Will put your ass in my black hearse
The victim will die and be carried to his funeral in the singer's hearse
Danger, enter the graveyard, chamber
The artist warns of the danger that awaits those who enter the Gravediggaz's domain
It's like, diggin, in yer EAR, with a hanger
The Gravediggaz's music is like a tool digging into the listener's consciousness
I inject my poison stinger, into your finger
The artist uses a metaphorical poison to paralyze or control his victims
Of all your life forces, I'll take ya
The singer will drain the energy or soul of his victim
I'm blood, thirsty, thirsty for sure
The artist has a strong desire for blood or violence
About to bust up the same ones, who bust up the poor
The Gravediggaz aim to defeat those who oppress or exploit the powerless
You're, not safe, anymore
The Gravediggaz pose a threat to the safety and security of their enemies
To all the holy spooks, I declare war
The Gravediggaz challenge any supernatural forces that stand in their way
I'll, gravedig them up from hell, ryzarect them
The Gravediggaz have the power to raise the dead from hell
From the poisonous bones of swine, I disinfect them
The Gravediggaz have the ability to purify or heal the corrupted or evil souls
Positive Energy Activates, Constant Elevation
The Gravediggaz promote the idea of positive energy leading to continuous improvement and growth
Out of the darkness
The Gravediggaz are emerging from obscurity or unknown territory
Out of the deep of the darkness
The Gravediggaz are coming from a place of impenetrable darkness or uncertainty
Lies the Gravediggaz
The Gravediggaz exist in this dark and enigmatic world
from the parts unknown
The origins and identities of the Gravediggaz are mysterious and unclear
The world that's unknown
The Gravediggaz inhabit a world that is unfamiliar and unexplored
People fear what they don't understand
The Gravediggaz are feared because they are unknown and difficult to comprehend
So, this is why we're here
The Gravediggaz aim to enlighten and educate those who fear them
To explain that there's nothin to be afraid of
The Gravediggaz want to reassure people that they have no reason to fear them
Have no fear, Gravediggaz are here
The Gravediggaz are making a confident statement of their presence and purpose
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY IAN BERKELEY, ARNOLD E. HAMILTON, PAUL E. HUSTON, ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dripgodplex72
Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation - PEACE!!
@Ghostfacekillah1
Protons electrons always cause explosions
@timtebone1843
Negative energy activates constant escalation. That's peace, friend.
You did love lol. That post is about love.
@Ambystoma39
I haven’t heard this song in 25 years but as soon as it started playing I was mashing my headphone volume up to max
@RIDGEMATIC
This shit was INCREDIBLE! Classic album highly slept on!!!
@thepope9648
This group was perfect for Rza rap style
@unknownmlgbird2361
U mean Giza
@loontunez6724
Unknown MLG bird nah he means Rza
@bilwit
*RZAs rap style was perfect during this era... until he changed it around Wu-tang Forever and after
@kushrat1398
Who tf copying odbs vocals tho that’s disrespectful