The group debuted for TVT Records in 1995 with the single for Unified Rebelution. Their acclaimed position in the 1990s alternative hip-hop movement, alongside artists including Company Flow, Black Star and Kool Keith, was confirmed when the Jurassic 5 EP was released in December 1997.
The EP was later repackaged with additional tracks and released in December 1998 as the band's full-length debut album, entitled Jurassic 5 LP.
The tracks harked back to the old school attitude of New York's Native Tongues Posse, the seminal late 1980s coalition of artists who reaffirmed rap's social agenda, which included De La Soul, the Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest. This was evident on the song Concrete Schoolyard ("Let's take it back to the concrete streets/Original beats from real live MCs"), and the album even provided the troupe with a surprise UK Top 40 single when it reached number 35 in November 1998. The other stand-out track, Jayou, was built around a hypnotic flute loop from Pleasure Web's Music Man Part 1 (Music Man Part 1).
In 1999, Jurassic 5 signed to Interscope Records, who re-released the Jurassic 5 EP. This was followed by their second album (their first on a major label), Quality Control.
In 2002, they released their third album, Power In Numbers, which was followed by touring with the newly-revived Lollapalooza festival in the summer of 2003.
Their latest album, Feedback, was released on July 25, 2006.
High Fidelity
Jurassic 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm versatile
Plus I never eat the cow if ain't Halal
Why you rap or bit of styles in the third degree
Myself and 7even tight like cornbread Earl and me
Showcase with the voice that's oh so fresh
And I can still serve em up in a minute or less
I can talk all day but I'm gonna save my breath
I'll do the rest, but I won't rest
Get fresh off of any beat you suggest
High tech with the combination we prepare
Rap concierge behind the rhyme kickin' the snare
Check it
Marc's the word
7even marks the spot
Guaranteed to keep it hot
If you like it or not
MCs
With verbal potshots
Taking the top spot
Clutching top notch
And together we, will forever be
High Fidelity
Definitely
Switching the melody
Can it be
The Casanova speech therapy
That heavenly puts the flavor right where it should be
My words have been connected to the poets of old
The way I utilize the pen I turn ink to gold
Keep it overly creative
Innovator of soul
Check the flavor from the fader
Which my DJ holds
And together we
Will forever be
High Fidelity
Definitely
Switching the melody
Can it be the brothers that you rarely see
Got together for the better
Whether him or me
And together we
Will forever be
High Fidelity
Definitely
Switching the melody
Can it be the brothers that you rarely see
They got together for the better
Whether him or me
You better remember these
Incredible MCs
Our sounds invade spread plagues just like leprosy
Our weapons be our vocals
Guaranteed to smoke you
Better think twice about stepping
We nice
Never focused on ice
And still coming off tight
It's like the color of night
I mean the beat is so right
Damn
Soup and 7even
Betrayed your heart
The beat that's compliment of DJ Numark
And it's the fifth element
Never repetitive
Highly competitive
Classy and elegant
Super intelligent I'm telling it to ladies and gents
Never irrelevant now do I have to say it again
The fifth element
Never be hesitant
Totally accurate
Present or past tense
We immaculate in fact you get a whole crew
Backin' it
Show you what working with
And together we
Will forever be
High Fidelity
Definitely
Switching the melody
Can it be the way that we demonstrate
All of the twin powers we activate
I'll tear into competitors
Pluck them like chicken feathers
Or better than ever
Incredible poetical editor
Deader be better
I bid the regards to whether whenever
We're clever
Endeavors when me and 7even rappin' together
Your style is post mortem
No decorum
Stop borin
We explorin'
You ignorin'
I'm the foreman
Longshoreman
And I'm sure when we touring
That you whack and you boring
The song High Fidelity by Jurassic 5 starts with Zaakir introducing himself as a versatile artist who never eats cow unless it's Halal. He claims that he and his partner, 7even, are tight like cornbread and Earl; they showcase their unique styles and fresh voices, delivering their raps in just a minute or less. However, for this song, he will let 7even do the rest. He claims he won't rest and can get fresh off any beat suggested by anyone. Together, they create a high tech combination that always keeps their listeners hooked. Marc comes in and adds his part, as he guarantees to keep the music hot, and his style, along with 7even's, makes him stand out from the rest.
The following lyrics tell the audience that no one can compete with Jurassic 5. They are the masters of rap, and no one can take the top spot from them. They skillfully switch the melody, creating a unique and memorable sound, as they rarely perform together. The chorus repeats itself as the duo shows off their exceptional talent and vocabulary. Their weapons are their vocals, as they step into the stage and take over with their sounds. They compete elegantly and with class, always staying true to themselves and never losing sight of who they are. In the end, this song is the perfect representation of its title, which is high-fidelity, as Zaakir, and Marc 7even create a sound that is unparalleled, unforgettable, and unique.
Line by Line Meaning
My name, Zaakir
Introducing himself as Zaakir
I'm versatile
Claiming versatility in his style
Plus I never eat the cow if ain't Halal
Mentioning his dietary restrictions
Why you rap or bit of styles in the third degree
Questioning why people copy him
Myself and 7even tight like cornbread Earl and me
Praising his partnership with 7even
Showcase with the voice that's oh so fresh
Describing his fresh-sounding voice
And I can still serve em up in a minute or less
Claiming that he can come up with rhymes quickly
I can talk all day but I'm gonna save my breath
Choosing to let 7even speak
And let my nigga Marc 7even just do the rest
Referring to his partner, 7even, to take over
I'll do the rest, but I won't rest
Promising to work hard
Get fresh off of any beat you suggest
Claiming to have skills to master any beat
High tech with the combination we prepare
Praising the high-quality music they create
Rap concierge behind the rhyme kickin' the snare
Praising their rapping skills
Marc's the word
Playing on the word 'mark'
7even marks the spot
Associating '7even' with a destination or target
Guaranteed to keep it hot
Promising to deliver good music
If you like it or not
Ignoring negativity from others
MCs
Addressing rappers in general
With verbal potshots
Referring to criticism from other rappers
Taking the top spot
Competing for the best position
Clutching top notch
Praising their own high quality
And together we, will forever be, High Fidelity, Definitely, Switching the melody, Can it be
Praising the longevity and quality of their music style
The Casanova speech therapy, That heavenly puts the flavor right where it should be
Praising their lyrics as being heavenly and the way they speak as being their 'speech therapy'
My words have been connected to the poets of old, The way I utilize the pen I turn ink to gold, Keep it overly creative, Innovator of soul,
Comparing his lyrics to those of famous poets, boasting his creativity and soulfulness
Check the flavor from the fader, Which my DJ holds
Referring to his DJ and the quality of music produced from his turntable
You better remember these, Incredible MCs, Our sounds invade spread plagues just like leprosy
Boasting that their style of music is infectious and cannot be ignored
Our weapons be our vocals, Guaranteed to smoke you
Praising their own vocals and warning others of their power
Better think twice about stepping, We nice
Warning others not to challenge them, while praising their own abilities
Never focused on ice, And still coming off tight
Not showing off their wealth, yet still delivering great music
It's like the color of night, I mean the beat is so right
Praising the quality of the beat used in their music
Damn, Soup and 7even, Betrayed your heart
Referring to 7even and Zaakir as 'Soup and 7even' and showing how they can impact their listeners emotionally
The beat that's compliment of DJ Numark
Praising the beat selection of their DJ, Numark
The fifth element, Never repetitive, Highly competitive, Classy and elegant, Super Intelligent I'm telling it to ladies and gents,
Praising their music as fresh, diverse, competitive, and intelligent
Never irrelevant now do I have to say it again
Claiming that their music is always relevant, therefore not needing repeated explanation
Never be hesitant, Totally accurate, Present or past tense, We immaculate in fact you get a whole crew, Backin' it, Show you what working with
Praising their impeccable ability to rhyme perfectly in the present or past, boasting their talent and prowess that they can appear as a whole team
Can it be the way that we demonstrate, All of the twin powers we activate
Highlighting their ability to work seamlessly and powerfully as a duo
I'll tear into competitors, Pluck them like chicken feathers, Or better than ever, Incredible poetical editor
Threatening to defeat competitors and boasting his own editing prowess
Deader be better, I bid the regards to whether whenever, We're clever, Endeavors when me and 7even rappin' together
Playing on the phrase 'dead is better' and continuing to praise his partnership with 7even
Your style is post mortem, No decorum, Stop borin, We explorin', You ignorin', I'm the foreman, Longshoreman, And I'm sure when we touring, That you're whack and you're boring
Insulting their competition and boasting their own superiority
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Charles L. Stewart, Courtenay D. Henderson, Dante Lamar Givens, Lucas Christian MacFadden, Marc F. Stuart, Mark Ali Potsic
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind