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.
None Of That
Killah Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Millions of people live a life of poverty in old rundown apartment dwellings
The poor tenants trapped in these buildings
Must put up with constant harassment by greedy landlords
Who want to throw them out for higher rents
These rich slum lords go to ruthless extremes to evict poor tenants
And nothing seems to stop them
When you can't afford to move
But when landlords turn off your heat, water, gas, and electricity
To force you to move out
There's only one thing to do, fight!
This is the story of such a struggle
What if he sold a million records, will he sell out?
Then the whole world will respect him
Does he have doubts?
What if he really never exists?
What made 'em write that shit?
On everybody's top five
Why he ain't add to that list?
I wish the whole could hear him
Cause he has the serum
For the Hip-Hop body been infected wit venom
Why do a lotta rappers bite off him?
And say they were the first?
When you ask Priest about it, he always just smirks
What about the Heavy Mental verse?
Why he so mysterious?
He laughs on the outside but his mind is serious
I can tell he knows more then he shows
Street clothes, but his brain is a UFO
Have you eva' had a conversation wit 'em?
It's like listenin' to the instruction to a satellite space system
Does he talk about racism or atheism?
Or do he just hate religion
He's fly, then he looks like a bum then he's fly again
Wonder what's his outcome?
Well, soon all y'all will know
And y'all be lucky if you touch me
Science, Astrologists will discuss me
And I'm only at hexagram .03
And when I reach the Aquarian 9, the seven stars will align
The six planets will combine and I will incline
Wait till you see the lion covered in lamb
Then y'all see my presence for I Am
[Chorus]
And I don't need none of that
Cars, jewelry, clothes, girls, money
No I mean, I don't need none of that
Mansion, a yard, a food, a job, sex
I don't need none of that
Just rap, no I mean, just rap for me
Cause I don't need none of that
They say he's just a family man but he's always lookin' up
I saw him six in the mornin' just stuck
Starrin' up in the space
Other times he's quiet, normal calm face
He likes to eat a lot, entree
I saw him at the mall wit his sons
I saw him at the movies havin' fun
They say he stands on the roof starrin' at the sun
For hours, all rappers he devour
Every year for Buddha's birthday he plants lotus flowers
He talks to the trees but he don't smoke weed
He comes around after a long time, just leaves
A beast on the mic, he teach about Christ
He broke up wit the Israelites
He don't hang wit the Muslims, bounced outta Brooklyn
But he speak Hebrew, he goes to the Mosque
He raps BK, calls himself God
How many times he have to prove he's the nicest?
How many times he said the word "Pharaoh"?
How many times he had to write shit like this?
Here's y'all answer, as long as I have a voice
Y'all will see ya voyage
Either if I'm livin' or transcendin'
My legend in y'all brains already been handwritten by God
[Chorus]
The lyrics to "None Of That" by Killah Priest describe different struggles faced by people, including poverty and landlords evicting tenants for higher rent. The song questions the idea of selling out and gaining fame in the music industry. Killah Priest's enigmatic personality is also discussed, with the lyrics portraying him as a thoughtful and introspective individual who is knowledgeable about both religion and science.
The first verse of the song describes the harsh reality of living in poverty in urban cities, where people are forced to live in rundown apartments and face constant harassment from greedy landlords. The lyrics highlight the difficult choices faced by those who cannot afford to move, even when their living conditions are unbearable. The second verse addresses the anxiety that comes with success and fame in the music industry, as well as the pressure to conform to certain expectations.
The chorus of the song asserts that Killah Priest does not need material possessions like cars, jewelry, or a mansion to be happy. Instead, he is content with his passion for music and rapping.
Overall, "None Of That" is a contemplative and socially conscious track that urges listeners to question the status quo and find their own path in life.
Line by Line Meaning
In large U.S. cities
In densely populated, urban areas in the United States
Millions of people live a life of poverty in old rundown apartment dwellings
Many people in these areas face financial hardship and reside in dilapidated buildings
The poor tenants trapped in these buildings
The individuals who rent these buildings and cannot afford to move out
Must put up with constant harassment by greedy landlords
They are subjected to ongoing abuse and mistreatment by landlords who prioritize profits over tenant wellbeing
Who want to throw them out for higher rents
These landlords wish to evict the tenants in order to increase the rent
These rich slum lords go to ruthless extremes to evict poor tenants
These wealthy landlords go to brutal lengths to force low-income renters out of their homes
And nothing seems to stop them
No intervention or law appears to halt their actions
When you can't afford to move
If someone is financially unable to relocate
Even a rat infested tenement can be called home
An individual may have no choice but to consider a subpar living environment their home
But when landlords turn off your heat, water, gas, and electricity
If a landlord cuts off utilities to a tenant's residence
To force you to move out
In order to compel the individual to leave
There's only one thing to do, fight!
The only viable option is to engage in a struggle against the landlord
This is the story of such a struggle
The preceding lyrics depict a struggle against a ruthless landlord
What if he sold a million records, will he sell out?
If Killah Priest were to attain great commercial success, would he abandon his authentic style and artistic integrity?
Then the whole world will respect him
Achieving widespread success would bring global acclaim to him
Does he have doubts?
Does the artist have self-doubt?
What if he really never exists?
What if the artist is fictitious?
What made 'em write that shit?
What inspired other artists to write similar music to Killah Priest's?
On everybody's top five
On the list of the most celebrated rappers
Why he ain't add to that list?
Why wasn't he considered among the top five?
I wish the whole could hear him
The artist desires for all people to listen to Killah Priest's music
Cause he has the serum
Because his music can cure societal ailments
For the Hip-Hop body been infected wit venom
As hip-hop culture becomes plagued by malevolence and division
Why do a lotta rappers bite off him?
Why do many artists imitate or replicate his style?
And say they were the first?
And claim to have originated what Killah Priest had already done
When you ask Priest about it, he always just smirks
When questioned about the imitation, Killah Priest often just smiles sarcastically
What about the Heavy Mental verse?
What is the significance of the lyrics in the song Heavy Mental?
Why he so mysterious?
Why does Killah Priest maintain an air of enigmatic mystery?
He laughs on the outside but his mind is serious
He appears jovial but possesses a thoughtful, solemn disposition
I can tell he knows more than he shows
The singer feels that Killah Priest possesses more knowledge than he reveals
Street clothes, but his brain is a UFO
He outwardly appears unremarkable, but he possesses a mind that feels otherworldly
Have you ever had a conversation with 'em?
Have you ever spoken to Killah Priest?
It's like listenin' to the instruction to a satellite space system
It is akin to receiving directions for an elaborate spacecraft system
Does he talk about racism or atheism?
Does Killah Priest discuss issues pertaining to racial discrimination or religious disbelief?
Or does he just hate religion?
Does his music espouse frustration with organized religion?
He's fly, then he looks like a bum then he's fly again
He appears fashionable and stylish, then unkempt, and then fashionable again
Wonder what's his outcome?
What is the ultimate destiny or goal of Killah Priest?
Well, soon all y'all will know
The singer implies that Killah Priest's legacy will soon be widely acknowledged
And y'all be lucky if you touch me
The singer suggests that it will be an honor to have contact with them
Science, Astrologists will discuss me
Scientists and astrologers will analyze Killah Priest's work
And I'm only at hexagram .03
The artist has not yet fully reached their potential or made their impact on the world
And when I reach the Aquarian 9, the seven stars will align
When Killah Priest transcends to a higher level of consciousness, a celestial alignment takes place
The six planets will combine and I will incline
The six planets will unite and Killah Priest will ascend
Wait till you see the lion covered in lamb
The artist references a biblical prophecy about the messiah coming in peace
Then y'all see my presence for I Am
They will finally witness that the artist is a manifestation of a divine entity
[Chorus]
Refrain
And I don't need none of that
I am not interested in material possessions
Cars, jewelry, clothes, girls, money
Examples of material objects that do not interest the artist
No I mean, I don't need none of that
I want only to focus on creating music
Mansion, a yard, a food, a job, sex
Additional examples of material objects that do not interest the artist
I don't need none of that
I seek solely to create hip-hop music
Just rap, no I mean, just rap for me
I derive satisfaction from simply creating and performing music
Cause I don't need none of that
I am content with solely creating music
They say he's just a family man but he's always lookin' up
Although he has a family, he continually gazes upward, implying he seeks transcendence
I saw him six in the mornin' just stuck
The singer observed Killah Priest seemingly transfixed at 6 a.m.
Starrin' up in the space
He was looking upward at the sky and heavenly bodies
Other times he's quiet, normal calm face
At times, Killah Priest possesses a peaceful and unremarkable disposition
He likes to eat a lot, entree
The artist has a penchant for consuming generous portions of food
I saw him at the mall with his sons
The artist was seen shopping with his children
I saw him at the movies havin' fun
The artist saw the artist enjoying a movie outing
They say he stands on the roof starrin' at the sun
It is rumored that Killah Priest observes the sun from rooftops
For hours, all rappers he devour
The artist meticulously consumes hip-hop music from numerous other artists
Every year for Buddha's birthday he plants lotus flowers
As a celebration of Buddha's birth, Killah Priest plants flowers
He talks to the trees but he don't smoke weed
The artist has a practice of conversing with trees, but does not use drugs
He comes around after a long time, just leaves
Killah Priest may leave for considerable stretches of time before reemerging
A beast on the mic, he teach about Christ
He is a formidable presence as a hip-hop artist and discusses Christ in his music
He broke up wit the Israelites
He distanced himself from other members of the Nation of Israel organization
He don't hang wit the Muslims, bounced outta Brooklyn
The artist implies that Killah Priest no longer associates with Muslims and relocated from Brooklyn
But he speak Hebrew, he goes to the Mosque
Despite distancing himself from other religious groups, he speaks Hebrew and observes Mosque events
He raps BK, calls himself God
Killah Priest references Brooklyn in his music and asserts religious authority
How many times he have to prove he's the nicest?
How many times must Killah Priest demonstrate that he is the most skilled artist in hip-hop?
How many times he said the word "Pharaoh"?
Killah Priest frequently references pharaohs in his lyrics
How many times he had to write shit like this?
How many songs like this must the artist create?
Here's y'all answer, as long as I have a voice
The artist will continue to create music as long as they are capable of doing so
Y'all will see ya voyage
The listener will witness their personal journey
Either if I'm livin' or transcendin'
The artist will continue to create music whether they are alive or have ascended
My legend in y'all brains already been handwritten by God
The artist's legacy is already cemented by a divine being
[Chorus]
Refrain
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nomadflbh
When I first heard this song, I was taking a break from life. The goal was to get my mind right and focused before going back out and snagging a job. I was lying on the floor listening to this song really taking in the message.
At first I was like, "dang, this is really serious." This was in 2011. Now, in 2022 after living a significant amount of life. I have a greater appreciation of this song's message.🙏🏾🌠
@jeremysaulnier5717
One of my fave KP songs,other rap?I DONT NEED NONE OF THAT!Peace
@shanethediscipIe
It's a powerful thing, to be freed from our own desires... Gangster.
@nomadflbh
Very true🫡
@epsiloneridani6093
spit it
@armeg5156
7 7 7