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.
W.O.E. Is Me
Jurassic 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna tell you what my crew is all about
We like raw rhythm fusion, real rhyme producin'
Songs for the world's men, women and children
Armed and equipped with much confidence
And this is how we're gonna make our living
Some are known for bein' biters
Non-creative and wack rhyme-writers
Known to the world as a one-hit band
Easy come, easy go, yo you had your turn
Temporary niggas touchin' up your perm
You see a rapper is a kid that brags and acts big
A rhymer is a nigga that can handle his biz
Yo, A rapper is a kid that's tryin' to be the shit
An entertainer ain't tryin' cause he already is
[Chorus: x2]
Welcome to the wonderful world of entertainment
Where life imitate art and people get famous
Welcome to the world of showbiz arrangement
Where lights, camera, action is the language
We was rocking a jam the other night
J5 was on the mic so the people was hype
Yo, we like to rock the party with adrenalin and passion
The crowd started screaming "Action Satisfaction"
Numark dropped the beat and the heat from the fire
We brought the energy and streetcar named desire
We was flipping, they was tripping, how we was old schoolin'
Needle to the groove, hands in the air movin'
And we said to the crowd "This is the place to be,
Whether you paid a fee or you got in free"
So when you step through the door, the music gets loud
Maneuver through the crowd to get a better view now
[Chorus]
To be an MC, you got to be so fresh
To have style and finesse way above the rest
With the strong delivery, vocal chemistry
Street poetry in tune with the beat
So if you think you got the skills come take a test
Microphone check if you truly are blessed
If you can flow like water and can comprehend
You need longevity in this game to win
Now if you want to be the best you got to move and motivate
Watch the money that you make in the industry stakes
Cause some of these people ain't got no class
And some of these folks'll make you beat they ass
If you can believe then you can achieve
Get the loot, live the dream, be on top of the scene
To keep the people in it, and accumulate fans
To be dope in the studio and slam at the jams, so
[Chorus]
Welcome party people, while we got your attention
There's a few things we'd like to mention
The name is Jurassic, but they call us J5
We rock bonafide fly rhymes fortified
We got 2 DJs controlling the beat and
Vocal harmonies make it sound so sweet
We're the four horsemen, with words to caution
Expressed and flipped in an orderly fashion
With the rhymin', designin' the music on time and
The fellas saying "ho" and the ladies losin' they mind and
The breakin', the scratchin', this thing called rappin'
The cultivated music that keeps your hands clappin
The passion, reaction, the street satisfaction
Brothers using no tactics to make it happen
The rhythm, the spirit, you love it when you hear it
Nowadays when you're samplin' shit, you gotta clear it
[Chorus]
"Welcome to the world of showbiz arrangement, where"
"lights" "camera" "action!"
In the song "Woe is Me," Jurassic 5 expresses their views on the state of the rap industry, focusing on the differences between true artists and one-hit wonders. They reveal their desire to keep their music authentic and promote the importance of creativity and skill. The opening verse of the song describes what Jurassic 5 stands for and their music's essence, which is authentic and made for people of all ages and genders. They distinguish themselves from other rappers who may be popular yet lack the sophistication required for longevity in the rap industry. The group emphasizes the importance of being skilled in rap and entertaining, considering one's success in the entertainment industry.
Jurassic 5 uses the chorus of the song to describe the alluring aspects of the world of entertainment. A place where people can pursue their passion and achieve fame and fortune by mimicking art. The chorus also highlights the glamour and the allure of the entertainment sector, describing how performers become famous and their lives changed for the better.
In the last verse, Jurassic 5 introduces their group and its talent. They express pride in their group and their accomplishments, especially in the cohesiveness of the band. They also emphasize the importance of rhythm and the significance of music in the entertainment industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, here's a little something for my people in the house
I have a message for my listeners
I'm gonna tell you what my crew is all about
I will describe my crew's style and values
We like raw rhythm fusion, real rhyme producin'
Our music combines beats and lyrics authentically
Songs for the world's men, women and children
Our music is universal
Armed and equipped with much confidence
We have self-assurance and boldness
And this is how we're gonna make our living
Our music is our livelihood
Some are known for bein' biters
Some rappers copy others' styles
Non-creative and wack rhyme-writers
These rappers lack originality and are poor lyricists
Yo, they soup you up but can't rock the jam
These rappers hype up the crowd, but can't perform well
Known to the world as a one-hit band
These rappers are famous for only one song
Easy come, easy go, yo you had your turn
Their fame was temporary and fleeting
Temporary n***** touchin' up your perm
Their temporary success is like getting a new hairstyle
You see a rapper is a kid that brags and acts big
Rappers often boast and act tough
A rhymer is a n***** that can handle his biz
A skilled rapper is one who can deliver their verses well
Yo, A rapper is a kid that's tryin' to be the s***
Rappers seek to become popular and respected
An entertainer ain't tryin' cause he already is
An accomplished performer is confident in their skills
Welcome to the wonderful world of entertainment
The music industry is exciting and glamorous
Where life imitate art and people get famous
The music industry mirrors art and fame is common
We was rocking a jam the other night
We performed at a party recently
J5 was on the mic so the people was hype
Jurassic 5 got the crowd excited with their performance
Yo, we like to rock the party with adrenalin and passion
We perform with energy and enthusiasm
The crowd started screaming "Action Satisfaction"
The audience was impressed and excited
Microphone check if you truly are blessed
You must prove your skills as a rapper
If you can flow like water and can comprehend
If you can rap effortlessly and understand the beat
You need longevity in this game to win
To succeed as a rapper, you must have staying power
And some of these folks'll make you beat they ass
Some people in the industry are rude and disrespectful
If you can believe then you can achieve
If you are confident, you can succeed
The rhythm, the spirit, you love it when you hear it
The music has a powerful and appealing energy
"Welcome to the world of showbiz arrangement, where"
Introducing the music industry
"lights" "camera" "action!"
Describing the excitement of performing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHARLES L. STEWART, THOMAS CLAUSEN, LUCAS CHRISTIAN MACFADDEN, DANTE LAMAR GIVENS, COURTENAY HENDERSON, MARC F. STUART, MARK ALI POTSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind