Killah Priest is a tangential associate of the Wu-Tang Clan. The Brooklyn n… Read Full Bio ↴Killah Priest is a tangential associate of the Wu-Tang Clan. The Brooklyn native made his first recorded appearances on records by such Wu side projects and solo albums as the Gravediggaz, Ol' Dirty Bastard's Return to the 36 Chambers, and, most importantly, Genius/GZA's seminal Liquid Swords. His contributions became legendary and paved the way for the release of his acclaimed debut album, Heavy Mental, in the spring of 1998.

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.

Gotta Eat
Killah Priest Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Masada
2000

[ verse 1 ]
My .44 calicol will silence y'all souls, masada
The ghost of the most prolific writer
Upon my death bed in roast in fire
See my most desires

Smell the smoke from my flesh as my ghost rise up
Hear the voices of 100 choirs
And angels looking down at my body attached to wires
Priest kissed by the widow spider that spit saliva
I write for lifers and boxers at rikers
I write pain
Blue ink replaced the blood in my veins
Thug in this game, flooded up rings
Cluttered up change, quick to pop a slug in your brain
If you a killer, then slugs we exchange
We like the mobsters, bullet shells and choppers
Cop cars and road blockers, they tryin to knock us
Catch us duck behind the bitches, d's tryin to pop us
On cbs news while the world watch us

[ chorus ]
I do this shit for my thugs
I do this shit for the chicks at the club
I do this shit for the niggas that I love
I do this shit for the streets, cause a nigga gotta eat, luv (2x)

[ verse 2 ]
I write theories that's motion pictures, y'all hear me?
I spit it clearly to roast y'all niggas, feel me?
Gangster, life of a don my icon
Sling on my right arm, rubber grip tight in my left arm
Body suited with teflon, it's brooknam
Raise a eyebrow at the child, respectfully bow
Pay hommage, gold studs in my garment
Hot slugs miss me cause I'm god-sent
If it hit me, it's god's wish
No man taketh a life, I'm late in the night
Catch me in the hood shakin the dice
Contemplatin a heist
Some say my team is satan's alike
Cartel, pop shells till our heart fails
Brooknam, a.k.a. roswell
Clappin at the spaceship
Bitches with fake tits
At nightclubs
We live the life of a true thug

[ chorus ]

[ verse 3 ]
I feel a holy spirit comin on me
My lifestyle: based on a true story
Read the credits: name appears alphabetic
On clear film with no edits
Masada bleedin in the hands of medics
Priest, I live it epic
Spoke on records, majestic
Physique: I stand six feet
Observe my posture, my click's deep
Director's edition, just listen
The words breathe on my sheet, I write a novel
Speak on behalf of every slain apostle
My slang's hostile, say my name as gospel
Masada, pop 2 through the confession booth
Don't say nothin, pull my weapon and shoot
Bullets wettin their suits
Herut's lady put death in my shoes
Cats die violent in war, silence the .4
The fall slow motion, seen the silent applause

[ chorus ]

Overall Meaning

In “Gotta Eat,” Killah Priest spits rhymes about his life as a hustler and how his dedication to the streets stems from his need to survive. The first verse is a haunting depiction of a man who will do anything to maintain his life and status. He uses a 44 caliber to shoot those who stand in his way, and describes how he will be eventually consumed by his own desires. He proclaims himself as a writer who writes for those who live within the confines of the prison system. He has written in pain, and his blue ink has replaced the blood in his veins. He compares himself and his gang to mobsters, and mentions how they evade cops using various tactics. The chorus is reflective of his motivations; he raps for love, for the clubs, but mainly for the streets. He does it in order to survive.

In the second verse, Priest continues to flaunt his alpha male status. He creates a picture of a man with a body suited with teflon, and walks around Brooklyn with aggression. He considers himself to be a godsend and passively suggests that any harm that may come his way will be only because God desires it. The life of a hustler comes across as tempting, and the listener gets a glimpse of the lore and the myths associated with it. He describes, in his signature poetic style, how he and his gang live like rogue characters and seem to attract trouble at nightclubs. In the final verse, he becomes more introspective and he remembers the fallen. He credits himself as a man who speaks for the slain apostles, suggesting that he is a community leader who has had to make sacrifices to get the job done.

Line by Line Meaning

My .44 calicol will silence y'all souls, masada
I possess a powerful weapon that can end lives, bringing about silence, similar to the historic siege of Masada.

The ghost of the most prolific writer
My spirit will continue to live on and inspire others, much like accomplished writers throughout history.

Upon my death bed in roast in fire
My physical body will experience agony as it burns after I die.

See my most desires
My deepest wishes and ambitions are visible to those around me.

Smell the smoke from my flesh as my ghost rise up
Even after death, my presence and impact on the world will linger and be felt by those around me.

Hear the voices of 100 choirs
The impact I have on the world is significant enough to be heard and noticed by many.

And angels looking down at my body attached to wires
My physical body may be tethered to life support, while my spirit has moved on to the afterlife.

Priest kissed by the widow spider that spit saliva
I have been blessed or cursed by a powerful and deadly figure, comparable to being bitten by a poisonous spider.

I write for lifers and boxers at rikers
My writing is meant to inspire and resonate with those who are incarcerated or facing difficult challenges.

I write pain
My writing often reflects the struggles and hardships of life, rather than just being focused on entertainment.

Blue ink replaced the blood in my veins
Writing has become such a part of my identity that it feels like it's in my blood, rather than just ink on a page.

Thug in this game, flooded up rings
I am a tough and experienced player in life's game, having accumulated wealth and status.

Cluttered up change, quick to pop a slug in your brain
I have little patience for those who cross me and am quick to resort to violence and retaliation.

If you a killer, then slugs we exchange
Those who are killers or have a violent nature will only receive more violence in return from me and my associates.

We like the mobsters, bullet shells and choppers
My lifestyle and actions are similar to those of organized criminals, with frequent use of weapons and vehicles associated with crime.

Cop cars and road blockers, they tryin to knock us
The authorities are attempting to interfere and disrupt our operations using blockades and other tactics.

Catch us duck behind the bitches, d's tryin to pop us
We will use women as shields and attempt to avoid getting caught by the police.

On cbs news while the world watch us
Our actions and lifestyle are so infamous that they have been covered by major news outlets and are known worldwide.

I do this shit for my thugs
My actions and writing are meant to benefit and support my closest associates and allies.

I do this shit for the chicks at the club
I am also motivated by the desire to impress and attract women in social settings.

I do this shit for the niggas that I love
My actions and writing are also motivated by love and loyalty to my closest friends and family.

I do this shit for the streets, cause a nigga gotta eat, luv (2x)
My lifestyle and actions are a result of the harsh realities of life in my community, where survival often requires aggressive and violent action.

I write theories that's motion pictures, y'all hear me?
My writing is so vivid and cinematic that it could easily be adapted into a blockbuster film or series.

I spit it clearly to roast y'all niggas, feel me?
I speak honestly and directly, unafraid to put others in their place or criticize them harshly.

Sling on my right arm, rubber grip tight in my left arm
I am frequently armed with a weapon, holding it firmly and ready for action.

Body suited with teflon, it's brooknam
I am prepared for danger, with protective gear that can withstand bullets and other attacks. This is a common occurrence in my hometown of Brooklyn.

Raise a eyebrow at the child, respectfully bow
I am confident and intimidating, able to command respect from others and make them take notice.

Pay hommage, gold studs in my garment
I am a figure worthy of admiration and respect, reflected in my expensive and regal clothing.

Hot slugs miss me cause I'm god-sent
I feel that my life and survival is because of divine intervention or luck, and that I am somehow chosen for greatness.

If it hit me, it's god's wish
Even if I am struck by a fatal blow, I believe that it is part of a divine plan beyond my control.

No man taketh a life, I'm late in the night
I believe that I have some ethical code, choosing not to take a life unless it is absolutely necessary and my safety is at risk.

Catch me in the hood shakin the dice
I am often found in my neighborhood, gambling or participating in other shady activities.

Contemplatin a heist
I am considering stealing or robbing something of value, possibly in a violent or dangerous manner.

Some say my team is satan's alike
There are those who believe that my associates and I are evil or have ties to the devil.

Cartel, pop shells till our heart fails
My associates and I are involved in organized crime, willing to engage in violence until our dying breath.

Brooknam, a.k.a. roswell
Brooklyn, my hometown, is sometimes referred to in the same way that Roswell is known for its association with extraterrestrial activity.

Clappin at the spaceship
I am engaging in a violent act against someone or something, possibly in retaliation for real or perceived slights against me.

Bitches with fake tits
Women who have chosen to get breast implants or other cosmetic surgery in order to improve their appearance and attract men.

At nightclubs
These women can often be found at clubs or other social gathering spots for partying and drinking.

We live the life of a true thug
My lifestyle and actions are representative of a true criminal or gang member, without any glamorization or romanticizing of this way of life.

I feel a holy spirit comin on me
I am being moved or inspired by a divine force or spiritual feeling.

My lifestyle: based on a true story
My actions and way of life are not just creative exaggerations, but are actually inspired by real events and experiences.

Read the credits: name appears alphabetic
My name frequently appears in media, listed alongside other notable people and organizations.

On clear film with no edits
My life and actions are unfiltered and candid, captured without any censoring or editing.

Masada bleedin in the hands of medics
I am facing a violent and potentially fatal situation, requiring medical attention to save my life.

Priest, I live it epic
My life and actions are larger than life, said or done in a grand and impressive way.

Spoke on records, majestic
My writing is powerful and attention-grabbing, inspiring awe and admiration in those who experience it.

Physique: I stand six feet
I am tall and imposing, with a physical presence and stature that commands respect.

Observe my posture, my click's deep
My body language and demeanor reveal that I am part of a tight-knit and powerful group of individuals.

Director's edition, just listen
My life and actions are so grand and epic that they could be compared to a high-budget, well-directed film.

The words breathe on my sheet, I write a novel
My writing is so detailed and intricate that it could fill an entire book or novel with ease.

Speak on behalf of every slain apostle
I am a voice for those who have been wronged or killed by oppressive systems and institutions.

My slang's hostile, say my name as gospel
My language and speech is aggressive and confrontational, with my name and reputation preceding me wherever I go.

Masada, pop 2 through the confession booth
I am willing to use violence and murder even within religious spaces or institutions, a reference to the tragic events during the Masada siege.

Don't say nothin, pull my weapon and shoot
I am quick to resort to violence, silencing those who cross me with a deadly weapon.

Bullets wettin their suits
My enemies or victims will be hit with bullets, staining or ruining their clothing in the process.

Herut's lady put death in my shoes
Someone close to me, possibly a woman or lover, has caused me to become involved in dangerous or deadly situations.

Cats die violent in war, silence the .4
In times of war or conflict, people often die brutally and violently. My weapon, the .4 caliber gun, aims to bring about that same kind of silence and death.

The fall slow motion, seen the silent applause
My life and actions are like a dramatic movie scene, where a person's fall or death is captured in slow motion. The silence that follows indicates both the shock and awe that others may feel at this event.

Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC

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