Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville, Killah Priest became infatuated with hip-hop as a child, listening to old-school and new school acts like Eric B. & Rakim alike. He also was influenced by local rappers, like GZA and Onyx's Suave, who would often play local parties. Killah Priest began working on his rhyming and eventually earned a considerable reputation in Brooklyn , but instead of pursuing his musical career further, he took a sabbatical in order to educate himself, primarily about religion and history.
Killah Priest returned to rapping in 1995, appearing on several Wu projects. All of his cameos were noteworthy, but his role on Liquid Swords earned special attention. By the end of 1996, he formed his own side project, the Sunz of Man. In 1997, GZA suggested to Geffen that they sign Killah Priest, and the label took his advice.
Killah worked on the album with True Master and 4th Disciple, two producers associated with the Clan. The resulting album, Heavy Mental, was dense with religious imagery and filled with evocative sounds. It received excellent reviews upon its March 1998 release and was a respectable commercial success, debuting at number 24 on the pop charts.
Killah Priest issued his second album, View from Masada, in the spring of 2000, further bolstering his status as one of the most compelling solo artists in the Wu-Tang stable. After that he has released more projects such as Priesthood and Black August.
Ein Sof
Killah Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna tell a story
Yeah, that′s what we'll do
At night the lepers break into the temple
And drink the sacrificial vessel dry, a condor into the sky
Cigar smoke reverse in front of my eyes
Back into my mouth, the fire goes out
Beneath it there are secrets, dealers with crack
Killers with gats, hoodies and cap, I'm out of body
I become the streets breathing through the sewer hole
I am the belt that shooters hold
I became the building that′s chilling, Murals, R.I.P
Across my brick stomach, someone′s coming
Barely could hear what their lips are mumbling
They stash a bag between my bones
Suddenly, I am the bag, holding three crystal stones
The crack inside me yelling they can't breathe
I tried to use my cemented abdomen to push them free
They told me if they find their supplier, he usually finds a buyer
Then it′s off to the Lighter, the tube of Fire
They said then we become as One
We transform into something strong, a gas, toxic form
From solid to killing brain cells
It's insane in this hell, so please free us
Fall upon us, crush us to Dust
Just then two fingers grabbed him, one wore a ring
I became a sleeve, the wrist spoke to me
He said his hand′s about to freeze
Heard a conservation between a ring, told a story of a finger
Who pushed the trigger for them little killers, we call them rocks
His hand got hot, I became as hard as liver
Yell, "Stop!", he's riddled from shots
His turned dark, I woke up and lit up a bark
Glory, money, judgement, fame
Demons, temple, alter, the flames
Paradise, Ein Sof Paradise
The Glory, the money, the judgement, the fame
The Demons, the temple, the alter, the flames
Paradise, Ein Sof Paradise
When I sleep I dream of deers, a black forest. rivers of blood
Pentagrams on the mirrors of thugs
Scary mares of my enemies filling me with slugs
Haunting my memories, it′s the misery I love
I wake up with prayers under my breath
Make sure the stairs is under my steps
Lately I've been writing pages under distress
I want to see the new life that's promised
I want to see the men who lived honest
I want to see the things of Nostradamus, Prophet Muhammad
I look around; all I see is garbage
Kid searching through a dead man′s pockets
The projects, we try to survive
Why we only ask questions when we high?
I want to see the Messiah′s enthronement
I want to see the peace and light on the night of atonement
I want to see Heaven on Earth, the afterlife the rebirth
The Nazarite bring Peace to our turf
I know the Devil want it all reversed
It's all up in the Universe, but you have to some research
If you a leader of your crew, they wanna kill you
You see higher than your team, they wanna shill you
If you talk about the problems in your hood, they wanna replace you
If you try to do good, they gonna hate you
With this mindstate, what do you do?
What path do you choose? Either way you have to pay dues
They say we all born to lose, we′re set up to fail
I'm on my roof top, "Victory!" I yell
Like Obama did it with the girls and Michelle
I look at this government and load up my shell
Glory, money, judgement, fame
Demons, temple, alter, the flames
Paradise, Ein Sof Paradise
The Glory, the money, the judgement, the fame
The Demons, the temple, the alter, the flames
Paradise, Ein Sof Paradise
Uh, Let us pray
A story of a man, who told a story of another man
Who told a story of another man
Ein Sof, Keter the Tiferet
You know, the tree of life inside the tree
Look inside
The lyrics of Killah Priest's song "Ein Sof" delve into various themes and emotions, combining vivid storytelling with philosophical thoughts. In the first paragraph, the lyrics depict a surreal experience where the singer is smoking a cigar and begins to enter a dream-like state. The lepers breaking into the temple and the reference to crack dealers and killers with guns symbolize the darkness and secrets that exist beneath the surface of society. The singer then becomes one with the streets, representing a sense of immersion and connection with the urban environment.
The second paragraph introduces the concept of transformation and internal struggle. The singer becomes a bag holding valuable crystal stones that are suffocating, symbolizing the toxic and suffocating nature of addiction. The imagery of falling as dust implies a desire for liberation and a release from the pressures of this hellish existence.
The chorus of the song repeats the words "Glory, money, judgement, fame" and "Demons, temple, alter, the flames" several times. These phrases represent the worldly desires and conflicts that plague humanity. The reference to Ein Sof, which is a concept in Jewish mysticism that signifies the infinite and unknowable nature of God, suggests a longing for a higher purpose and a world beyond the earthly struggles.
In the third paragraph, the lyrics reveal the dreams and aspirations of the singer. There is a longing for a better future, for justice, and for the fulfillment of prophecies. The mention of Nostradamus and Prophet Muhammad alludes to the idea of seeking guidance and enlightenment from various spiritual sources. Despite observing the hardships and corruption around him, the singer yearns for a world of peace and harmony.
The final paragraph brings a sense of introspection and reflection. The lyrics explore the challenges faced by leaders and individuals who strive to make a positive impact. The singer contemplates the choices and consequences one must face in search of truth and justice. The government and its shortcomings are juxtaposed with the determined spirit of the singer, symbolized by loading up a shotgun.
Overall, "Ein Sof" is a complex and thought-provoking song that delves into themes of societal struggles, personal transformation, and the quest for a better world. Killah Priest weaves intricate and metaphorical storytelling to paint a vivid picture of the inner conflicts and aspirations of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
This cigar's good
I am enjoying this cigar
I'm gonna tell a story
I am going to narrate a tale
Yeah, that's what we'll do
Indeed, that is our plan
At night the lepers break into the temple
During the nighttime, individuals afflicted with leprosy unlawfully enter the sacred place
And drink the sacrificial vessel dry, a condor into the sky
They consume all the contents of the sacred vessel, as if a condor soaring high in the sky
Cigar smoke reverses in front of my eyes
The smoke from my cigar changes direction before my very eyes
Back into my mouth, the fire goes out
The smoke returns inside my mouth, extinguishing the fire
My room turns black, the Moon gets fat
My surroundings darken, and the Moon appears larger
Beneath it there are secrets, dealers with crack
Below it, hidden truths lie, including drug dealers
Killers with gats, hoodies and cap, I'm out of body
Assassins armed with firearms, wearing hoodies and caps, while I experience an out-of-body sensation
I become the streets breathing through the sewer hole
I transform into the very streets, inhaling through a sewer opening
I am the belt that shooters hold
I embody the belt that gunmen grasp
I became the building that's chilling, Murals, R.I.P
I metamorphose into the chilling structure adorned with murals depicting those who have passed away
Across my brick stomach, someone's coming
Along the surface of my brick facade, someone approaches
Barely could hear what their lips are mumbling
Scarcely can I discern the words muttered by their lips
They stash a bag between my bones
They hide a bag within the crevices of my construction
Suddenly, I am the bag, holding three crystal stones
Abruptly, I assume the form of the bag, containing three precious crystals
The crack inside me yelling they can't breathe
The crack cocaine within me vocalizes its inability to breathe
I tried to use my cemented abdomen to push them free
I endeavored to employ my solidified abdomen to free them
They told me if they find their supplier, he usually finds a buyer
They informed me that upon locating their source, they typically find a purchaser
Then it's off to the Lighter, the tube of Fire
Subsequently, they journey towards the lighter and the instrument of combustion
They said then we become as One
They stated that at that moment, we assimilate into a single entity
We transform into something strong, a gas, toxic form
We mutate into a formidable, poisonous gaseous state
From solid to killing brain cells
Transitioning from a solid state to causing deterioration of brain cells
It's insane in this hell, so please free us
The conditions are maddening in this infernal realm, therefore, release us
Fall upon us, crush us to Dust
Descend upon us, reduce us to dust
Just then two fingers grabbed him, one wore a ring
In that moment, two fingers seized him, one adorned with a ring
I became a sleeve, the wrist spoke to me
I transformed into a garment sleeve, and the wrist communicated with me
He said his hand's about to freeze
He explained that his hand is on the brink of freezing
Heard a conversation between a ring, told a story of a finger
Overheard a discussion between a ring and a finger, recounting a narrative
Who pushed the trigger for them little killers, we call them rocks
Who initiated the act of pulling the trigger for those small killers, commonly known as rocks (crack cocaine)
His hand got hot, I became as hard as liver
His hand became hot, while I solidified like a liver
Yell, 'Stop!', he's riddled from shots
Shouted, 'Cease!' as he was filled with bullets
His turned dark, I woke up and lit up a bark
His surroundings darkened, and I awakened and ignited a piece of tree bark
Glory, money, judgement, fame
Greatness, wealth, evaluation, recognition
Demons, temple, alter, the flames
Malevolent spirits, place of worship, sacrificial platform, the fires
Paradise, Ein Sof Paradise
Utopia, limitless paradise
When I sleep I dream of deers, a black forest. rivers of blood
During my slumber, I envision deer within a dark, blood-filled forest
Pentagrams on the mirrors of thugs
Pentagrams etched onto the mirrors owned by criminals
Scary mares of my enemies filling me with slugs
Terrifying nightmares involving my adversaries engulf me with bullets
Haunting my memories, it's the misery I love
Persistently haunting my recollections, it is the sorrow that I embrace
I wake up with prayers under my breath
I awaken with prayers murmured under my breath
Make sure the stairs is under my steps
Ensuring that the staircase supports my every stride
Lately I've been writing pages under distress
Recently, I have been composing distressing written works
I want to see the new life that's promised
I desire to witness the future existence that has been guaranteed
I want to see the men who lived honest
I yearn to observe the individuals who led righteous lives
I want to see the things of Nostradamus, Prophet Muhammad
I long to see the prophecies of Nostradamus and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad
I look around; all I see is garbage
As I survey my surroundings, all I perceive is worthless debris
Kid searching through a dead man's pockets
A child rummaging through the pockets of a deceased individual
The projects, we try to survive
In the housing projects, we strive to endure
Why we only ask questions when we high?
Why do we only inquire when we are under the influence?
I want to see the Messiah's enthronement
I aspire to witness the coronation of the Messiah
I want to see the peace and light on the night of atonement
I long to observe the tranquility and illumination during the night of reconciliation
I want to see Heaven on Earth, the afterlife the rebirth
I yearn for the manifestation of paradise on Earth, the revival of life after death
The Nazarite bring Peace to our turf
The Nazarite shall bring tranquility to our territory
I know the Devil want it all reversed
I am aware that the Devil desires to invert everything
It's all up in the Universe, but you have to some research
It is all within the cosmos, but you must conduct some investigation
If you a leader of your crew, they wanna kill you
If you are a leader of your group, they desire your demise
You see higher than your team, they wanna shill you
If you possess greater insight than your comrades, they aim to deceive you
If you talk about the problems in your hood, they wanna replace you
If you vocalize the issues within your neighborhood, they attempt to substitute you
If you try to do good, they gonna hate you
If you endeavor to perform good deeds, they will despise you
With this mindstate, what do you do?
Given this mindset, what course of action do you pursue?
What path do you choose? Either way you have to pay dues
Which path do you select? Regardless, you must fulfill obligations
They say we all born to lose, we're set up to fail
It is asserted that we are all destined for defeat, designed to falter
I'm on my rooftop, 'Victory!' I yell
I am positioned on my rooftop, exclaiming 'Triumph!'
Like Obama did it with the girls and Michelle
Just as Obama accomplished it alongside his daughters and Michelle
I look at this government and load up my shell
As I observe this administration, I prepare my firearm
Writer(s): Reed Walter
Contributed by Layla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
IVAN XEDEX ADAMSEL JR
He is obviously an underrated genius for sure
Anodrew Sanabria
This song bangs in my car. Always liked this song but now that l know how it hits. Y'all need to listen to this on a system that thumps. Peace
Lonely Crow
Demon means genius and a genius is a spirit attached to you at birth if I'm correct it's also born with you, unto you.
The Guardian of the Threshhold
Ty Tipton
As all are
Ken
This video is ultra well made!! the animations combined with the lyrics really paint the perfect picture.
Mike T
This entire video is full of symbolism for the minds ready to catch and decipher the hidden meanings! Dope album
Rkb Brown
Dude's a genius!
Tim Gerie
I agree completely. He is simply on another level than any other rappers out there. He's incredible.
Melissa Herman
I can't get enough of this song.
Sébastiaan Stevens
This is as high as it is deep, and killah priest is one to keep! A Masterpiece right there.