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.
If You Don't Know
Killah Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
King Mu'tazila
Landed on a sick canvas
Now I roll his dead planet head bandaged
Sent through the God's commandment feel m
I move through the dark rages and won't stop until your ?
Until your bleedin' until you stop breathin'
Giving careers a severe beatin' for emceeing
To a duel, I drool, before I break through, then I drag emcees
Beat um' down to their knees, grab their necks and squeeze!
Till there's no life left, they lifeless, they micless
What a crisis, I give them a good nights rest,
I break they biceps, and triceps, thighs and necks
Breast area, is the best area, before I bury ya
I make sure that you never, ever, ever, ever, try that shit no more
Know what I'm sayin', (word is bond), no ambition
Put you in that fucked up condition, leave you with your own conviction
Shit was non-fiction, now you in a state of non-fiction
Make you beg for mercy, if you ever approach me, I blow your head off
When I talk, chop off your arms, and bash your head in
You know where this shit is headin', for a dead-end
Stop your sweatin', like Otis Reading, got your pants wettin'
Snuck up on ya a wedding, at your honeymoon, turn that shit into doom
Turn your rap cassettes, into your a fucking caskets, you God damn bastards
Lyrics I mastered, rhymes burns like acid
I'm a complete analyzer of your entire eye
Gave ya the tone to tour, to walk on by
I'm the insect in your pie, the hair to your lie
So good to you why?, Yo! Question to you why?
The wing to your fly, bone to your high
The dirt dog, I be the God
The tear to your cry, I drop in it, cleanse the Earth's
My place to burst from, gave me the eye
They made a braid to grave, ceremonies, from religious cults
Half man and half goat, tomorrow hopes, based on the horoscopes
We followed goats, our nose and hella smoke
Fire breathin' dragons, I rubbed the gold lantern
To the see the future, through the crystal ball
The triple walls of fisher wants to miss the fall
Offence, see the coffin, often, fell at the doorstop
Coughin, I heard the pipe organ, saw some men of a white origin
I saw Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush
Bare foot, sucking from the titties of a wolf
Upon the braisen altar, six men offer they only daughter
Splashing holy water, I ran for the, camcorder
Now I play with curses, I roam the Earth's surface
Snatching purses, allergic to catholic churches
What's the purpose, religious worship, is worthless
I visit ancient sanctuaries, where the saints were married
But now they buried 'cause of Satan's fury, I faced the jury
Held in court, like Christ nailed to a cross, confront my knowledge
Like Christ in front of Pontius Pilot, days are violent
Standing in a haunted palace, the government wants my wallet
I'm a complete analyzer of your entire eye
Gave ya the tone to tour, to walk on by
I'm the insect in your pie, the hair to your lie
So good to you why? Yo! Question to you why?
The wing to your fly, bone to your high
The dirt dog, I be the God
The tear to your cry, I drop in it, cleanse the Earth's
My place to burst from, gave me the eye
I'm a complete analyzer of your entire eye
Gave ya the tone to tour, to walk on by
I'm the insect in your pie, the hair to your lie
So good to you why?, Yo! Question to you why?
The wing to your fly, bone to your high
The dirt dog, I be the God
The tear to your cry, I drop in it, cleanse the Earth's
My place to burst from, gave me the eye
The song "If You Don't Know" by Killah Priest is a complex and multifaceted rap song that deals with themes of power, religion, and violence. The song opens with a series of cryptic and ominous lines, including references to "King Mu'tazila" and a "sick canvas," suggesting a world in turmoil and darkness. As the song progresses, Priest offers a series of violent and intense verses, threatening to crush his enemies and condemning the power structures that he sees as corrupt and unjust.
The refrain of the song offers a strange and poetic series of images, including "the insect in your pie" and "the tear to your cry." It is unclear exactly what these images mean, but they add to the overall sense of mystery and menace that pervades the song. The final lines of the song offer a powerful and dramatic image of Priest's place in the world, as he declares that he has "the eye" and that he is the one who will burst forth and cleanse the earth.
Overall, "If You Don't Know" is a challenging and thought-provoking song that showcases Killah Priest's impressive lyrical skills and his ability to create complex and evocative images with his words.
Line by Line Meaning
King Mu'tazila
Referencing King Mu'tazila who was a philosopher and theologian.
Landed on a sick canvas
Arrived on a corrupted planet.
Now I roll his dead planet head bandaged
I have conquered this planet and now I rule with the planet's old leader held captive.
Sent through God's commandment feel m
Conveyed by the commandment of God and I feel it.
I move through the dark rages and won't stop until your?
I traverse through dark times and will not rest until there is a resolution.
Until your bleedin', until you stop breathin'
I will not stop until there is a winner or loser in this conflict, even if it means death.
Giving careers a severe beatin' for emceeing
I will take down anyone in the rap game who is not up to par.
It's something that I don't take lightly how the fuck you ever fight me
I do not consider fighting me to be a light matter.
To a duel, I drool, before I break through, then I drag emcees
I am always ready for a rap battle and will defeat my opponent with ease.
Beat um' down to their knees, grab their necks and squeeze!
I will defeat opponents so badly they will be physically affected.
Till there's no life left, they lifeless, they micless
I will defeat my opponents so badly that they will have nothing, not even their music career.
What a crisis, I give them a good nights rest,
I defeat my opponents so badly that they will need to rest and recover from the damage done by me.
I break they biceps, and triceps, thighs and necks
I will defeat my opponent so badly that they will need medical attention to recover from the extent of their injuries.
Breast area, is the best area, before I bury ya
I will ensure that my opponent will never come back after the defeat.
I make sure that you never, ever, ever, ever, try that shit no more
I will defeat my opponent so horribly that they will think twice before ever trying again.
Know what I'm sayin', (word is bond), no ambition
I speak truth and have no interest in misleading anyone.
Put you in that fucked up condition, leave you with your own conviction
I defeat my opponents so badly that they are left to reflect on their own actions.
Shit was non-fiction, now you in a state of non-fiction
The event was real and now my opponent is living in the aftermath of it.
Make you beg for mercy, if you ever approach me, I blow your head off
I will not tolerate any disrespect and will harm anyone who tries to approach me negatively.
When I talk, chop off your arms, and bash your head in
I will use physical violence to show that I am serious and cannot be messed with.
You know where this shit is headin', for a dead-end
There will be no positive outcome from this situation.
Stop your sweatin', like Otis Reading, got your pants wettin'
Your fear is evident and you cannot handle the pressure.
Snuck up on ya a wedding, at your honeymoon, turn that shit into doom
I will ruin your happiest moment and turn it into your worst nightmare.
Turn your rap cassettes, into your a fucking caskets, you God damn bastards
I will destroy your music career completely.
Lyrics I mastered, rhymes burns like acid
I have perfected my craft and my lyrics are powerful and impactful.
I'm a complete analyzer of your entire eye
I am able to understand people and their motives very well.
Gave ya the tone to tour, to walk on by
I have given you the perspective to move on and let things go.
I'm the insect in your pie, the hair to your lie
I am always there, even in places where I am not visible.
So good to you why?, Yo! Question to you why?
Why are you still not realizing the good I have done for you?
The wing to your fly, bone to your high
I complete you and complement your strengths.
The dirt dog, I be the God
I may be an underdog, but I am the one in control.
The tear to your cry, I drop in it, cleanse the Earth's
My tears will heal and bring new life to the world.
My place to burst from, gave me the eye
My current place in life has allowed me to have a unique perspective.
They made a braid to grave, ceremonies, from religious cults
Religious cults have twisted ceremonies and rituals into something dangerous.
Half man and half goat, tomorrow hopes, based on the horoscopes
People are relying on false hope and predictions to guide their future.
We followed goats, our nose and hella smoke
We were blindly following an unreliable source of guidance.
Fire breathin' dragons, I rubbed the gold lantern
I have sought out and interacted with mythical and dangerous creatures.
To the see the future, through the crystal ball
I have used divination to try and predict the future.
The triple walls of fisher wants to miss the fall
There are obstacles in place to prevent me from reaching my goals.
Offence, see the coffin, often, fell at the doorstop
There is danger all around me and I am constantly under threat.
Coughin, I heard the pipe organ, saw some men of a white origin
I am experiencing a funeral or similar ceremony and there are people of privilege involved.
I saw Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush
I am experiencing a situation involving past US Presidents.
Bare foot, sucking from the titties of a wolf
I have resorted to desperate measures to survive.
Upon the brazen altar, six men offer they only daughter
I have witnessed a dangerous and disturbing sacrifice being made.
Splashing holy water, I ran for the, camcorder
I was in such disbelief that I had to record the event.
Now I play with curses, I roam the Earth's surface
I have turned to dark and dangerous practices and travel the world doing so.
Snatching purses, allergic to catholic churches
I have become a criminal and have a negative association with organized religion.
What's the purpose, religious worship, is worthless
I see no value in organized religion and its rituals.
I visit ancient sanctuaries, where the saints were married
I have been to places of religious significance and tradition.
But now they buried 'cause of Satan's fury, I faced the jury
Traditional religious practices have been destroyed and I have to answer for it.
Held in court, like Christ nailed to a cross, confront my knowledge
I am being judged harshly and my entire knowledge and beliefs are under scrutiny.
Like Christ in front of Pontius Pilot, days are violent
I am going through a dark and scary time, reminiscent of the biblical story.
Standing in a haunted palace, the government wants my wallet
I am in a situation where the government is trying to take everything from me, even in a place of significance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Derrick Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sal's Maintenance Solutions
I'm complete analyzer of your entire eye
Gave you no time to crawl, so walk on by
I'm the insect in your pie, the hair to your lie
The good to your bye; your question to your why?
The wing to your fly, low to your high
The Dirt Dog, I be the God; the tear to your cry
I drop in it, cleanse the Earth's
My place to birth strong, gave me the eye
- Ol' Dirty Bastard
Skottshope
One of the WuTang's best Album hands down. Lyrics are absolutely incredible.
dreadghoul23
Not just Wu Tang's but overall, the greatest album of all time IMO
Emm
i agree they should make a wu bible album , i lovethese types , the get the mind right . we need more than ever in these days
Adam Gordon
Hip hop classic 🔥🔥
Simon Pitt
love how it was always a great record, but now you hear it in 2021 and the shit is just nuts.
Hyina Mufasa
Hard
Ivan Oppel
man i love this track old dirty bastard
killing it on the chorus
Javi Jernando
Agreed 1000%>>>miss the GOD!!
Sal's Maintenance Solutions
I'm complete analyzer of your entire eye
Gave you no time to crawl, so walk on by
I'm the insect in your pie, the hair to your lie
The good to your bye; your question to your why?
The wing to your fly, low to your high
The Dirt Dog, I be the God; the tear to your cry
I drop in it, cleanse the Earth's
My place to birth strong, gave me the eye
- Ol' Dirty Bastard
Blackpixels
👑 💫 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥