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.
The Influence
Jurassic 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, I create off drum drops and ate away blacktops
Grab the mic so you don't react
The double X Polo shirt with the hat to match
In fact, we verbally vibrate your track
[Marc 7even]
Then crush your confidence like plastic condiments
The question is this: will they return with the hot shit?
Or keep it on the low flow
[Charli 2na]
Yo, and for you confused bastards, Tuna the blues master
Quick to grib the mic, crews fast and sound clashing
Critical mass, pinnacle blast have been deflected
Hypodermic vocals I flash get you infected
[Akil]
I don't sip on brew, so this Bud's for you
Speak when spoken to whenever you come through
My vibes fill you, Internal Revenue
You rhyme prostitute
The lyrics of Jurassic 5's "The Influence" talk about the rappers' abilities and influence in the music industry. The first verse, performed by Zaakir, describes his style of creation which comes to him naturally like an unstoppable force. He is a master at improvising lyrics as he performs, and he uses his skills to "vibrate" his tracks. In the second verse, Marc 7even addresses the notion that the crew can change the listener's confidence using their music. The lyrics are a metaphor for Jurassic 5's ability to build up an audience's expectations, just to tear them down and replace them with something they never imagined. The third verse, performed by Charli 2na, talks about his advanced skills at MC battles. He describes himself as a master of sound waves, and his raps can destroy opponents with ease. The fourth verse, performed by Akil, references his opposition to alcohol and the way he interacts with fans. He wants fans to respect him when they come to see him, and he feels that the strong emotions he conveys through his music, like anger, can fill his fans like the IRS fills governments with money.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I create off drum drops and ate away blacktops
I use drum beats to create my music and my rhymes are powerful enough to literally ruin roads.
Grab the mic so you don't react
I take control of the mic and captivate the audience so much so that they don't have the chance to react.
The double X Polo shirt with the hat to match
I have a specific style, wearing a Polo shirt with a hat that matches.
In fact, we verbally vibrate your track
Our rhymes are so impactful they can literally create a vibration in the music track.
Then crush your confidence like plastic condiments
We have the power to destroy your confidence like easily crushable plastic packets of condiments.
Build you up to break you down like forgotten monuments
We may initially hype you up, but then we can tear you down just like how once revered monuments can be forgotten and disregarded.
The question is this: will they return with the hot shit?
The real question is if other rappers will come back with rhymes that are as good as ours.
Or keep it on the low flow
They might choose to keep their rhymes low-key instead of trying to compete with us.
Yo, and for you confused bastards, Tuna the blues master
Some people may not understand my rhymes, but they should know that I am a master at this style of music, known as the blues.
Quick to grib the mic, crews fast and sound clashing
I am always eager to grab the microphone and battle against other skilled rappers.
Critical mass, pinnacle blast have been deflected
Even though other rappers try to reach our critical mass and level of excellence, they can never quite reach us and our level of skill.
Hypodermic vocals I flash get you infected
When I spit my rhymes, it's like injecting a powerful drug into your veins - you become addicted and unable to resist the powerful sound of my voice.
I don't sip on brew, so this Bud's for you
I don't drink alcohol myself, but if you do, then this beer is for you.
Speak when spoken to whenever you come through
When you come into our space, you should always wait to be spoken to before you start talking.
My vibes fill you, Internal Revenue
The energy and aura I have is so strong that it fills the space around you. It's like my rhymes are a currency that you can't help but be influenced by.
You rhyme prostitute
Other rappers are willing to sell their rhymes for any price, they are like prostitutes in the music industry.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Charles L. Stewart, Courtenay D. Henderson, Dante Lamar Givens, Lucas Christian MacFadden, Marc F. Stuart, Mark Ali Potsic, Martin Marty Louis Paich
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind