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.
Truth B Told
Killah Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stephen King never wrote a scene as horrific
As God as my witness, what I write should make you artists suspicious
Pardon a nigga, as I say what's in my heart I guess it's just part of me venting
'Cause like you I'm from the park and the benches
So what can I lose? We'll make a conscious decision
'Cause I'm known to spaz when I'm asked my remarks on this business
In this game of do you and regardless of friendship
It's not you dog, it's the critics
They might catch me in the flick drunk with some strippers
And my girl see it as part of some sick photographer vengeance
So many new people around I gotta be sharp when in attendance
I mean it's great to MC, to display this art is a privilege
But now I gotta get down to darken my sentence
I dream of dead babies, streams of blood
Raining fire and brimstone, wipe the Earth clean with floods
I'm drowning my face next to the meanest thug
I'm telling my testimony to the supreme above
Ain't I from thy genes, the Priest was a king beloved
Then there appeared a bright beam with white wings of a dove
It's lightning, people screamed and shoved
It's frightening, but I kept writing 'cause what I seen was the judge
And what he shown me where grave sites and crucifixes
Ruthless bitches, how they treat you and what they do to your riches
For thirty pieces of silver niggas will kill you
I read Judas' scriptures, only warned me to be true to my niggas
The game corrupt like Catholic Church and child nudity pictures
That's like the Virgin Mary performing Karma Sutra with Hitler
The proof of my liquor is 180, the Grey Goose in my liver
But I still spit truth to the listener
[Break: Killah Priest]
That's enough son
Session up, stop
[Killah Priest]
No, hold up let me explain a second
I signed my first deal with Geffen Records
I told those crackers I ain't no motherfucker stepping fetched
To my recollection those bastards
Were like, "cool we'll drop you have our A&R go find the next one"
I said I'll sue, they said, "that's alright Blacky
Take us to court and your lawyer Larry Stud Nicky
We've been breaking him off", I almost felt ruined
And in the midst of the confusion
They said to motherfucking intern, "Sam, we don't understand his music"
"And how the fuck we market this
He talking all that God Body and that prophet shit"
I said, "damn, but it's still street, it's real, niggas can relate to it"
In return they said, "Priest throw that shit in the sewage"
Meanwhile niggas like Nas and 'Kiss and Pun
Is telling me I'm nice, down to G Rap and KRS-One
And GZA told me all this shit would happen, just keep rapping
I said, "that's piece God but I ain't motherfucking tapping"
But still these labels our fucking with me, it's Priest
Volume One, nigga, shit about to get ugly
In the song "Truth B Told," Killah Priest speaks about the challenges faced by artists in the music industry to maintain their authenticity while dealing with labels and critics. He starts by saying that his words are intense enough to make even Stephen King shiver, and he understands why other artists might see him as suspicious. As a rapper, he feels that it's challenging to express his views freely since he's expected to abide by certain rules of the music industry. Sometimes, he becomes hesitant to share his personal life with others because they might judge him harshly. However, he believes that he has a responsibility to speak truthfully and powerfully about his experiences.
Killah Priest criticizes the music industry for being corrupt and labels for exploiting artists, citing his own experiences of being signed to a major label and then being dropped after a short period. He faced discrimination from the label executives who didn't understand his music and didn't know how to market it. According to Killah Priest, the industry is filled with judgmental critics and vengeful photographers who try to ruin artists' reputations. Through all these trials and mess, Killah Priest still manages to convey his message, and he stays true to himself despite the challenges he faces.
Line by Line Meaning
Stephen King never wrote a scene as horrific
My writing is so dark and unsettling that it surpasses even the work of horror novelist Stephen King.
As God as my witness, what I write should make you artists suspicious
I swear on God that my writing is so potent it should make other artists question their own abilities.
Pardon a nigga, as I say what's in my heart I guess it's just part of me venting
Please forgive me for speaking my truth, but it's something I can't hold in.
'Cause like you I'm from the park and the benches
Just like many other artists in the industry, I come from humble beginnings and have worked hard to get where I am.
So what can I lose? We'll make a conscious decision
I have nothing to lose and will make my own choices based on my own beliefs.
'Cause I'm known to spaz when I'm asked my remarks on this business
When asked about my experiences in the music industry, I tend to get emotional and speak my mind.
In this game of do you and regardless of friendship
The music industry can be cutthroat and personal relationships don't always matter in the pursuit of success.
So excuse me when you reach for my palms and part of me flinches
I've been burned before and am hesitant to trust others, even if it's just a simple handshake.
It's not you dog, it's the critics
I'm not reacting to your actions, it's the negative criticisms that get to me.
They might catch me in the flick drunk with some strippers
The media might try to paint me in a negative light by releasing photos of me partying with strippers.
And my girl see it as part of some sick photographer vengeance
My girlfriend might think this is all a ploy by photographers to bring me down.
So many new people around I gotta be sharp when in attendance
There are constantly new people trying to get close to me and I need to be careful about who I allow into my inner circle.
I mean it's great to MC, to display this art is a privilege
Being a rapper is an honor and I'm grateful to be able to share my talent with the world.
But now I gotta get down to darken my sentence
I need to focus on writing even darker and more intense material.
I dream of dead babies, streams of blood
My nightmares are filled with gruesome imagery of death and destruction.
Raining fire and brimstone, wipe the Earth clean with floods
My apocalyptic visions involve catastrophic events that destroy all life on Earth.
I'm drowning my face next to the meanest thug
I'm surrounded by violent individuals who are just as dark and twisted as I am.
I'm telling my testimony to the supreme above
I'm confessing my deepest thoughts and fears to a higher power.
Ain't I from thy genes, the Priest was a king beloved
I believe I come from a lineage of greatness and am destined for similar success.
Then there appeared a bright beam with white wings of a dove
I experienced a spiritual awakening and felt the presence of a divine being.
It's lightning, people screamed and shoved
The experience was overwhelming and chaotic, causing those around me to panic.
It's frightening, but I kept writing 'cause what I seen was the judge
Despite the fear and confusion, I found the inspiration to continue putting my thoughts to paper after seeing the image of a judge in my vision.
And what he shown me where grave sites and crucifixes
The judge revealed to me a world of death and religious iconography.
Ruthless bitches, how they treat you and what they do to your riches
Women in the industry can be opportunistic and treat you poorly, using you only for financial gain.
For thirty pieces of silver niggas will kill you
People are willing to betray and harm others for even a small sum of money.
I read Judas' scriptures, only warned me to be true to my niggas
I learned from the story of Judas that it's important to stay loyal to those closest to you.
The game corrupt like Catholic Church and child nudity pictures
The music industry is just as corrupt and scandalous as the Catholic Church during the time of child abuse scandals.
That's like the Virgin Mary performing Karma Sutra with Hitler
The idea of religious and worldly leaders coming together in such a depraved way is unfathomable.
The proof of my liquor is 180, the Grey Goose in my liver
My excessive drinking is proof that I'm struggling to cope with the darkness of my thoughts.
But I still spit truth to the listener
Despite the challenges I face, I am committed to sharing my authentic self with my audience.
No, hold up let me explain a second
Wait, let me further clarify my point.
I signed my first deal with Geffen Records
I was signed to Geffen Records for my first major label deal.
I told those crackers I ain't no motherfucker stepping fetched
I made it clear to Geffen Records that I wouldn't go along with their racial stereotypes.
To my recollection those bastards
As far as I can remember, those executives were dishonest and manipulative.
Were like, "cool we'll drop you have our A&R go find the next one"
They were quick to drop me and find a new act to work with.
I said I'll sue, they said, "that's alright Blacky
When I threatened legal action, they belittled me with a derogatory racial nickname.
Take us to court and your lawyer Larry Stud Nicky
They taunted me by naming their own powerful, well-connected lawyer.
We've been breaking him off", I almost felt ruined
They boasted about how they had already bribed my lawyer and I felt hopeless.
And in the midst of the confusion
This situation caused me immense stress and uncertainty.
They said to motherfucking intern, "Sam, we don't understand his music"
Even low-level employees at the label were dismissive of my art and didn't bother to try to understand it.
"And how the fuck we market this
They were unsure of how to promote my unique style of music.
He talking all that God Body and that prophet shit"
They were intimidated by the spiritual and philosophical themes in my music.
I said, "damn, but it's still street, it's real, niggas can relate to it"
I argued that my music was still relatable to people in the streets and authentic to my own experiences.
In return they said, "Priest throw that shit in the sewage"
They rejected my argument and told me to abandon my creative vision.
Meanwhile niggas like Nas and 'Kiss and Pun
While I was being rejected by Geffen Records, other respected artists like Nas, Jadakiss, and Big Punisher were showing me support.
Is telling me I'm nice, down to G Rap and KRS-One
Even legendary MCs like Kool G Rap and KRS-One appreciated my talent and potential.
And GZA told me all this shit would happen, just keep rapping
The Wu-Tang Clan's GZA warned me that the industry would be tough, but advised me to persevere and keep making music.
But still these labels our fucking with me, it's Priest
Despite the support of my peers, I continue to face obstacles and discrimination from major record labels.
Volume One, nigga, shit about to get ugly
This is just the beginning, and things are only going to get more difficult.
Contributed by Lauren J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SNoCappidona
wow this track is dope, i'm feelin this one, so much energy... The delivery is on point and is complemented well by the beat "the proof in my liquour is 180, the grey goose in my liver but i still spit truth to the listener" ^ exactly.
focus1one
One Of The I'llest To Ever Do It!
Alejandro Alejandro
Killah priest forever, your the best!
emanzdaone
the entire album is on point and this is just another gem in KPs crown! serious; check this guy out he will change ur veiw of hip-hop.
ZoominatiMusic
sick beat and priest comes with some real real talk! production by JordanRiverBanks of GODZWRATH btw, check them dudes out too
robert barrera
The proof of my liquor is 180, the Grey Goose in my liver
But I still spit truth to the listener
Alien Element Music
i just heard that in the car. GREAT ALBUM!
SASUKE UCHIHA
2020 AND STILL THE TRUTH.
HenagaH LeWONe
Truth Hiphop is all I ask for.....We gotta let these labels know mane.....No flipfloppin...
Kasim Rai
real talk!