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.
Mystic City
Killah Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've found a star (bad news about Killah Priest ya know)
I've found a star (out here right now it's madness )
Where do we go from here (things going on word shooting up )
After the storm is clear (lotta cops ya know what I'm sayin )
Where do we go from here (it's madness that's going on in the)
After the storm is clear... (world today, so what I've gotta do is)
(open up my mind, and then try to, ya)
(know, take it from there, from what I)
(can build, ya know what I'm saying?)
('Cause, ain't nobody gonna, nobody gonna)
(look out for me...)
It's the end of the road, It's like the red moon,
Over Tibet, theory of the 12 monkeys, left in this cold war hungry,
We kill over blood money, the cops seem to think it's funny,
We murder over pennys and crumbs, plenty of guns,
Crammed in the city slums, the man pity none,
For this next millennium, kids starving when they breath,
You can see they kidneys and lungs, they left blind, skinny and dumb,
Sights far from a pretty one, praying to god, when will he come,
But half of my crew is atheists,
While the other halfs waiting on a spaceship, I can't take it,
Screaming life is what you make it, so called fake-friends,
They all snakes in the end, trying to hide they face,
Try to blend one mistake, I see them grin,
Try to say we have the same king, 'cause we have the same skin,
I live amongst the unholy, we all role weed, thick as Jamaican rollies,
Until the lords scold me, and told me, you'll be my next Moses,
Go sake the hopeless and homeless, with eviction notice,
Arrive like the infant Joseph, with a grudge to Caesar,
Like the blood of Jesus, I told the Judge they don't love us,
We don't love um' either,
My sword would drink the blood of an un-believer,
My sword would drink the blood of an un-believer,
My sword would drink the blood of an un-believer,
My sword would drink the blood of an un-believer..
Where do we go from here, (where do we go from here)
After the storm has cleared, (after that storm has cleared)
Where do we go from here, (like nights over Tibet)
After the storm has cleared..
My home is where the physco rage, spending long nights and cold days,
Inside a bible cage, is it the curse of a bible plague,
Welcome, to the cyber age, the air's burning like a microwave,
The holy lands sees miles away, I pour out some alisae, beneath the skies,
'Cause the clouds are grey, ? piles of graves of the older slaves,
Reptiles araise, from out the caves they invade,
The dirt under my nails got a story to tell,
I wrestle with angels like Michael L, spending nights in Jail,
Beneath the hells dungeon, with the drunkest tongue kids,
We all haunted and unwanted, forgotten city,
Where the air stays hot and misty, I see crack fiends with rotten titties,
Twist the top off a whisky, east the block is risky,
That's why my shots empty, till the cops come and get me,
I stay in green camoflage, I see camels on mars,
Already stars, scanning are cars, world famine at large,
They got us trapped like ?ak and ?ak and the ?,
I'm looking for the city of gold, I pity the soul,
They take you man, so start ?, I'm like ?,
It's like the 6 points of the hexagram,
Resembles the sex of man, all my children in Bethlehem,
I dropped the tek out my hand, dropped to the earth,
Caresed the sand, yes I understand now, I heard a voice say,
Come hither, I walk while others slither, lead me to my fathers river..
Where do we go from here.. (where do we go,)
After the storm has cleared.. (beneath the red moon, skys moan)
Where do we go from here.. (where do we go from here)
After the storm has cleared.. (after the storm is clear)
Where do we go, we go.. (bound man is desolate)
After the storm has cleared, the storm has cleared..
(we love amongst the,)
Where do we go, from here, where do we go
(less infectionate,)
After the storm has cleared.. the storm has cleared,
(and the seperatist)
Where do we go, from here, from here (travel at the end of the)
After the storm has cleared.. (road, looking for the)
Where do we go, away from here, (gold, it's like that,)
After the storm has cleared.. (honesty, love, peace,)
(and happiness..)
The lyrics to Killah Priest's song "Mystic City" depict a world of chaos, violence, and corruption, where people struggle to survive amidst poverty, hunger, and disease. The singer feels disillusioned and lost, wondering where he and his fellow humans can go from here, after the storm of destruction and despair has cleared. He searches for answers in different places, including religion, spirituality, and rebellion, but finds no easy solutions to the problems that afflict his world. He also encounters various challenges and obstacles, both internal and external, such as doubt, fear, betrayal, and persecution. However, he remains determined to fight for his beliefs and values, even if it means risking his life or freedom. The song ends on a poetic and visionary note, as the singer transcends his mortal limitations and seeks a higher purpose and destiny.
One interesting fact about "Mystic City" is that it is part of Killah Priest's debut solo album, "Heavy Mental", which was released in 1998 and received critical acclaim for its lyrical depth, social critique, and musical innovation. The album features production from Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, True Master, and 4th Disciple, as well as guest appearances from other Wu-Tang affiliates such as GZA, Raekwon, and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Killah Priest, whose real name is Walter Reed, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and started rapping in the mid-90s as a member of the group Sunz of Man, which also included fellow Wu-Tang proteges like Hell Razah and Prodigal Sunn. Killah Priest is known for his metaphysical and esoteric themes, which often draw on his religious and spiritual beliefs as a Five Percenter and a member of the Nation of Gods and Earths.
Another interesting fact about "Mystic City" is that it samples various sources, including the films "12 Monkeys" and "Escape from New York", as well as the song "Five To One" by The Doors. The eerie and dystopian atmosphere of the song is enhanced by the use of haunting keyboards, atmospheric sound effects, and distorted samples. Killah Priest's flow and delivery are also distinctive, as he switches between spoken-word poetry, rapid-fire rhymes, and melodic singing. The lyrics of "Mystic City" have been praised for their social commentary and poetic imagery, as well as their spiritual and philosophical dimension.
Line by Line Meaning
I've found a star
I've discovered something valuable, but there are also rumors and bad news circulating about me.
Where do we go from here
What is the next step to take in the midst of the madness and violence happening in the world?
After the storm is clear
Once the chaos settles, I will try to expand my mind and see what I can do to build a better future.
It's the end of the road, It's like the red moon,
The world we live in is dark and ominous, like a red moon. We are in a cold war, fighting for survival and money.
Over Tibet, theory of the 12 monkeys, left in this cold war hungry,
We are like the 12 monkeys, trapped in a war-torn world, fighting for survival and food.
We kill over blood money, the cops seem to think it's funny,
We fight and kill for money, but the police seem to enjoy watching us suffer and turn against each other.
Sights far from a pretty one, praying to god, when will he come,
The world is far from beautiful, and many people are suffering, hoping for God's intervention and for a better world.
For this next millennium, kids starving when they breath,
The next generation is struggling to survive, and many suffer from hunger and poverty from a young age.
My sword would drink the blood of an un-believer,
I am willing to fight and defend my beliefs, even if it means harming others who do not share my faith.
My home is where the physco rage, spending long nights and cold days,
I live in a place with constant violence and chaos, and I struggle to survive day by day.
Beneath the hells dungeon, with the drunkest tongue kids,
I am surrounded by others who are struggling and suffering, and we are all in a dark and hopeless place.
Where the air stays hot and misty, I see crack fiends with rotten titties,
The air is unpleasant and uncomfortable, and I see people suffering from addiction and physical decay due to their drug use.
That's why my shots empty, till the cops come and get me,
I am always ready to defend myself and fight back, but I am also aware of the consequences and the possibility of being pursued by the police.
Where do we go, we go.. (bound man is desolate)
The future is uncertain, especially for those who are oppressed and trapped in their circumstances.
After the storm has cleared.. (and happiness..)
Even after the chaos has passed, we still strive for honesty, love, peace, and happiness in our lives.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FL6K0
Theory of the 12 Monkeys, left in this Cold War hungry
We kill over blood money, the cops seem to think it's funny
We murder over pennies and crumbs
Plenty of guns, crammed in the city slums
The man pity none for this next millennium
Kids starving when they breathe, you can see they kidneys and lungs
They left blind, skinny and dumb
Sights far from a pretty one, praying to God, when will he come?
But half of my crew is atheists
While the other half's waiting on a spaceship, I can't take it
Screaming, "Life is what you make it!", so called fake-friends
They all snakes in the end, trying to hide their face
Tryna blend one mistake, I see them grin
Tryna say we of the same kin because we have the same skin
I live amongst the unholy, we all role weed
Thick as Jamaican roadies until the Lord scold me
And told me, "You'll be my next Moses
Go save the hopeless and the homeless"
With eviction notice arrive like the infant Joseph
With a grudge to Caesar like the Blood of Jesus
I told the Judge, "They don't love us, we don't love 'em either"
My sword would drink the blood of an unbeliever
@FL6K0
Tryna say we of the same kin because we have the same skin
I live amongst the unholy, we all role weed
Thick as Jamaican roadies until the Lord scold me
And told me, "You'll be my next Moses
Go save the hopeless and the homeless"
With eviction notice arrive like the infant Joseph
With a grudge to Caesar like the Blood of Jesus
I told the Judge, "They don't love us, we don't love 'em either"
My sword would drink the blood of an unbeliever
My sword would drink the blood of an unbeliever
My sword would drink the blood of an unbeliever
My sword would drink the blood of an unbeliever
@dealerdestro5857
Who’s here in 21? This album was so far ahead of its time and it’s more relevant now than it was in 98.
@nf5011
timeless wisdom 🙏
@livinproof718
So far ahead I agree
@esoligh
Saves my life, every time I'm blessed to hear the sound.
@depechemoto
I tried to like this comment again lol
@FL6K0
Me too 😔
@shaunacole1
"They got us trapped like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego"; Killah always paints the picture not just a lyricist but a poet and academic. GOAT!!! And this is the sickest beat..
@WorldGoyimUnite
You will Absolutely Never Hear anything like this again!
@MrWhite-sx2fv
That piano is crucial
@soobpl
I swear the God, the second verse is so abstract yet so perfect that you can feel the deepest of it in the manner of his voice!