Hunter routinely mentions the Park Hill Projects in Clifton, Staten Island, NY, where he grew up, going to school with the future Ghostface Killah, Raekwon and Method Man. Coming from a musical family, his father died when he was 6, and seeing his mother support the family contributed to his laid-back, quiet mentality; this led to his stage name, as he decided to play a low-key counterbalance to the antics of RZA, Method Man and Ol' Dirty Bastard. This is also referenced by Method Man at the end of the track "Can it Be All So Simple?" on "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)', stating.
However, Deck was featured as much, if not more, than any other of his fellow clansmen on the group's 1993 debut album, "Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)". While keeping a relatively high profile on Wu-Tang group releases — including highly-praised verses on the singles "C.R.E.A.M." and "Triumph", from 36 Chambers and Wu-Tang Forever, respectively — Deck has had less success with his own solo career. Originally set to release an album in 1997, his first effort, Uncontrolled Substance, was delayed until 1999, after a flood in RZA's basement destroyed over a hundred beats, including those meant for Deck's album. According to Wu affiliate Cilvaringz, "Recently Deck pulled out some disks from the flood and they worked again and he used 1 for his upcoming album on Koch."[4]
In the years following the release of the highly successful debut album of the Wu-Tang Clan, Hunter would appear on several Wu members' solo albums, including the critically acclaimed trio "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…" by Raekwon, "Liquid Swords" by GZA and "Ironman" by Ghostface Killah. On the Clan's second group album, "Wu-Tang Forever" (1997), Deck produced the track "Visionz" and contributed a solo track, "The City." He also provided production for some of his Wu cohorts, including "Kiss of a Black Widow" for RZA's "RZA as Bobby Digital in Stereo", and "Elements" and "Spazzola" from Method Man's sophomore "Tical 2000: Judgement Day". In 1999, he finally released his debut solo album, featuring a number of less-exposed Wu-Tang affiliates as guests and more of Deck's own production. The album received strong reviews but failed to garner him the popularity enjoyed by some of his groupmates; Deck subsequently returned to the Wu-Tang fold for the albums "The W" and "Iron Flag", also providing beats for GZA's sophomore "Beneath the Surface" and Ghostface Killah's "Supreme Clientele". In 2003 the rapper released his follow-up, "The Movement". That album failed to live up to Deck's expectations, and soon he was back to planning his next album, "The Rebellion"; three years later, in 2006, he released "The Resident Patient", intended as a precursor to the album. The rapper took a hiatus to record "8 Diagrams" with the group, partaking in the controversy sparked when Raekwon and Ghostface Killah disparaged RZA's tight control of the album, championing Ghost's album "The Big Doe Rehab"
“I feel like we have to give them a newer, better album such as the new Ghost album. I’m not saying that’s the truth either. I’m just saying that his album sounds like what a Wu-Tang album should sound like, but it’s him by himself.”
He has also mentioned "The Rebellion" again, confirming production by RZA and the Wu-Elements; it is now set to come after "The Resident Patient 2" and will, reportedly, be Deck's final album as a solo artist. Deck is also featured on several tracks of Raekwon's most recent album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II".
On March 23rd, 2010 he will drop his 3rd album entitled "The Manifesto", with guest-appearances from Raekwon, Cormega,Termanology , Planet Asia, Cappadonna, Kurupt and M.O.P.'s Billy Danze. Deck himself will be producing on the album as well as having outside contributions: most notably, The Revelations who produced on Wu-Tang's Chamber Music[9].
In 2008, a mixtape entitled "The Resident Patient 2" was leaked to the internet, featuring some original material as well as freestyles over other artists' songs. In a recent interview, Deck stated that "The Manifesto" was meant to be the originally announced full-length sequel, "The Resident Patient 2". Since the early leak of "The Manifesto", he has begun work already on his final album "The Rebellion" and has expressed his interest in having Snoop Dogg, E-40, Nas & Jadakiss as guests but wanted to involve more of his fellow Clansmen on this album. He had also stated on a interview with Conspiracy Radio he will only retire from albums if the fans show support for "The Manifesto" and "The Rebellion". He has also expressed his wish to release an instrumental album of his own production similar to the ones put out by Alchemist, Ayatollah & Pete Rock. The album is to be entitled 'Instrumartyr' & recently confirmed March, 2011 as the release for The Rebellion according to his Twitter.
Elevation
Inspectah Deck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems like life is hell, dreams the only way of escapin'
To worlds that's beyond imagination
I know a place, I could take you there through elevation
Where I come from young ones pump jums for lump sums
Bustin' guns, trust none, become son
Truth spells broke loose shells that propel
My nigga Tone just came home but improvised
The system tried to give him five more for gettin' high
Fly Stacy, daddy's little lady fucks crazily
Wavy after baby, lost the shape as of lately
Used to spend the quiet nights home, now she likes to roam
Feelin' quite grown, caught in like cyclones
I was taught be the wise of glide and I'll impass
To advance, learn the science of life and earn the masters
Trapped in the havoc, I'm forced to go the whole
Although, it might spell a jail cell and no parole
I fight with the force of Steve Austin
Until my arms can no longer hold off the coffin
In this ghetto Heaven, God bless the children
Whose shattered dreams are offered and hard to mend
We don't believe in Heaven, we livin' in Hell
Tryin' to escaped, but fate's sealed in the bomb shell
Feelin' like you, he knew they would pnat the plot
When high-tech surveillance got my moves on watch
So, I drop jewels, use the music to educate
Can't celebrate 'til we elevate
Tired of trials and tribulations
It seems like life is hell, dreams the only way of escapin'
To worlds that's beyond imagination
I know a place, I could take you there through elevation
In "Elevation," Inspectah Deck laments the hardships of life and the difficulties of escaping them. He paints a vivid picture of the realities of his environment: young people resorting to crime and violence, women losing themselves to a world of meaningless pleasure, and the ever-present threat of confinement in jail. Despite these struggles, Deck offers a glimmer of hope through "elevation," a higher state of being that transcends the limits of our physical world. He raps, "I know a place, I could take you there through elevation." This place is beyond our imagination, but it is possible to reach it with a little guidance and a lot of persistence.
Deck's lyrics speak to the desperation and longing that many people feel when faced with the hardships of life. The idea of finding a way to elevate ourselves, to rise above our troubles and achieve something greater, is a powerful sentiment that resonates with listeners from all walks of life. It is a reminder that no matter how bleak things may seem, there is always a chance to turn things around and find a better way forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Tired of trials and tribulations
Fed up with the constant struggles and difficulties of life
It seems like life is hell, dreams the only way of escapin'
Life feels unbearable, and the only solace is in one's dreams
To worlds that's beyond imagination
To places that are unimaginable and far beyond our current reality
I know a place, I could take you there through elevation
I have discovered a way to reach these unattainable worlds and can share it with others
Where I come from young ones pump jums for lump sums
In my neighborhood, the youth engage in criminal activity for money
Bustin' guns, trust none, become son
Carrying guns and being distrustful is a way of life in this environment
Truth spells broke loose shells that propel
When the truth is revealed, it can cause chaos and destruction
Where I'm dwellin', niggas bail, tellin' what you sellin'
In my community, people will abandon you and snitch on you if it benefits them
My nigga Tone just came home but improvised
My friend Tone recently got out of prison and is trying to make the most of his situation
The system tried to give him five more for gettin' high
The justice system is harsh and punitive, even for minor offenses
Fly Stacy, daddy's little lady fucks crazily
A young woman named Stacy has become promiscuous after having a baby
Wavy after baby, lost the shape as of lately
Stacy's body has changed after having a baby, and she is struggling with self-image
Used to spend the quiet nights home, now she likes to roam
Stacy used to be more reserved, but now she enjoys going out and being adventurous
Feelin' quite grown, caught in like cyclones
Stacy is feeling more mature but is also feeling overwhelmed and caught up in chaotic situations
I was taught be the wise of glide and I'll impass
I was raised to be smooth and calculated in my actions
To advance, learn the science of life and earn the masters
In order to progress in life, one must study and understand the principles that govern it
Trapped in the havoc, I'm forced to go the whole
Amid all the chaos, I have no choice but to push forward and persevere
Although, it might spell a jail cell and no parole
Despite the risks, I may end up in prison with no chance of release
I fight with the force of Steve Austin
I fight with everything I've got, like the wrestler Steve Austin
Until my arms can no longer hold off the coffin
I will fight to the very end, until death takes me
In this ghetto Heaven, God bless the children
Even in this difficult environment, we must protect and care for the young
Whose shattered dreams are offered and hard to mend
The children in this community have high hopes and aspirations, but their dreams are often broken and difficult to repair
We don't believe in Heaven, we livin' in Hell
We do not believe in a better afterlife, as we feel like we are currently in a hellish existence
Tryin' to escaped, but fate's sealed in the bomb shell
We are trying to escape this life, but our destiny seems to be predetermined by the violent environment we live in
Feelin' like you, he knew they would pnat the plot
I feel like others are plotting against me, and I always knew they would
When high-tech surveillance got my moves on watch
I am being constantly monitored by advanced surveillance technology
So, I drop jewels, use the music to educate
I share valuable information and knowledge through my music
Can't celebrate 'til we elevate
We cannot rejoice or prosper until we rise above our current circumstances and reach a better place
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: David Axelord, Jason Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
derickg73
I love at the beginning , when he's rapping and the beat just fades out, and then it comes back on again real loud, and my man INS starts going off.
yefimk
like fading in and out of a dream
PriestOfTheUnholy
yes i love that moment too
joegar317
While I agree that's impossible to come up with a universal ranking of who's the best lyricist in Wu-Tang since everyone has their own opinions, I think we can agree that Inspectah Deck has been one of, if not the most, slept on of the bunch.
gregbuzz
Guys there is no way to come up with a ranking like that... all MCs from the WU are unique and it's quite a miracle they joined all together, so be thankful and keep listening to the HOLY WU TANG CLAN!!!!
soulshower
One of the most talented and underrated Wu members.
NXB [NOTXNDYBOY]
"I fight with the force of Steve Austin/Until my arms can no longer hold off the coffin." Deck is ridiculous for that verse.
aNdzel0t
he was so high probably :P hh
thugstar14
this guy never disappoints, top 5 consistent spitters in the game in general
jahmic726
I remember buying this on CD on the day it released...and when that fade out in the beginning hit for the first time I was like: damn...I really wish that wasn't just a snippet and hit spit over that beat.
Then he came back and demolished the track. Deck at his finest on this project.