Miller rose to popularity in the early 2010s with an experimental approach to Southern hip hop. His debut album Mista Thug Isolation gained him notoriety in the underground hip hop scene. Since then, he has experimented with a number of styles within and outside the hip hop genre, most recently releasing the indie rock album Volcanic Bird Enemy and the Voiced Concern. His other work spans genres including instrumental and abstract hip hop, black metal, free jazz and noise music.
Career
Miller began recording music in the 2000s under a number of aliases. Much of his early music cannot be found today on the internet, however some of it has been re-released, such as on his Register compilation album. Some of his early work included the black metal projects Vudmurk and Seidhr, the industrial and noise projects Across, Public Garden and Rats, and the underground hip hop group The Legacy, during which time he rapped under the name Young Gus.
Miller began releasing hip hop under the name Lil Ugly Mane on Bandcamp and producing beats for himself and other artists under the name Shawn Kemp in 2010, releasing his debut mixtape Playaz Circle in 2011. His early work under the Lil Ugly Mane name drew on various styles of underground Southern hip hop from the 1990s such as Memphis rap and chopped and screwed. His style was similar to that of the contemporaneous Raider Klan collective, with whom he collaborated. His 2012 debut album Mista Thug Isolation earned positive reviews from Mishka NYC, among others and support from members of the popular hip hop collective Odd Future. The album has since been hailed as a classic of the 2010s underground hip hop scene, earning later praise from Pitchfork and The Needle Drop. The album was followed by a number of smaller releases, including the Uneven Compromise EP, which is ranked in the top 10 greatest EPs of all time by user-generated music review site RateYourMusic, and the single "On Doing an Evil Deed Blues", in which he outlined his grievances with the music industry and his intention to retire the Lil Ugly Mane project.
Miller announced he would release one final album under the Lil Ugly Mane name, and began sporadically releasing compilations of beats and older material on Bandcamp, including the Three Sided Tape series, the final installment of which, Third Side of Tape, received positive coverage from Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop among others. In 2015, Miller released what was intended to be the final Lil Ugly Mane album – Oblivion Access and the final Shawn Kemp project – Trick Dice, a collaboration with rapper Nickelus F. Oblivion Access saw Lil Ugly Mane taking a more experimental approach divorced from his earlier '90s Southern rap influences.
In 2017, Miller announced he would continue rapping under the name Bedwetter and released his debut project under the name – Vol. 1: Flick Your Tongue Against Your Teeth and Describe the Present. The album continued with the more introspective and experimental style of Oblivion Access. Around the same time however, Miller began rapping under the Lil Ugly Mane name again as part of the group Secret Circle with Antwon and Wiki. After releasing a few singles, the group disbanded and scrapped their debut album due to a personal falling out. Miller began working with the remaining members of GothBoiClique, however then appeared to go on hiatus, only releasing small collections of older material sporadically.
In 2021, Miller began releasing new music under the Lil Ugly Mane name. He released the single "Headboard", followed by "Porcelain Slightly" and then his third major release under the Lil Ugly Mane name – Volcanic Bird Enemy and the Voiced Concern, which was covered positively by Sputnik Music and Stereogum. Around the same time, Miller released a new black metal demo under the Vudmurk name.
Maniac Drug Dealer III
Lil Ugly Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a couple dumb guns put 'em right in your mouth
I don't ride with no suckers I don't ride with no buster
When I smile all you see is the diamonds in the cluster
I'mma pistol whip the bitch, I'mma put him in the trunk
Take the money out his pockets take his ho out to lunch
Really what's up we be doing it punk
Caught me waiting outside the club with the pump
(?) say you a chump
Fuck what you say, fuck what you claim
I be the killer they calls the mane
Running the game, swinging them thangs
I'm already dead, I'mma make you the same
Bitch!
Fuck a conversation bitch, murder's what I'm after
Catch you in the dark one hand I'mma grab ya
Blood everywhere shit looks like a disaster
I outlast and blast any punk ass bastard
Closed casket, what you really wanna do?
I got a stack on your head, bitch say it ain't true
I'mma call up my clique I'mma put out a hit
I'm a maniac murderer don't you forget
Maniac, maniac
Drug dealer, bitch killer
The lyrics to Lil Ugly Mane's "MANIAC DRUG DEALER III" are dark and violent, focused on the artist's desire to kill his enemies including a "hoeish ass bitch" who won't stop talking. The use of guns and violence is prevalent throughout the song, as Lil Ugly Mane describes how he will pistol whip someone, put them in the trunk, and take their money. He talks about being a "killer" who is "running the game" and "swinging them thangs."
The lyrics express the idea of power and control over others, driven by a desire to be the alpha male and enforce his will over those who are weaker. The artist's self-proclaimed status as a "maniac drug dealer" and "bitch killer" paints a picture of him as a dangerous and unstable individual. The lyrics may be seen as a commentary on the toxic masculinity in certain subcultures, and the glorification of violence that is often present in hip hop music.
Line by Line Meaning
Hoeish ass bitch keep running that mouth
A woman with promiscuous tendencies won't stop talking negatively.
Got a couple dumb guns put 'em right in your mouth
I have a couple of worthless guns, and I'll put them directly in your mouth.
I don't ride with no suckers I don't ride with no buster
I don't associate with people who are cowards, or losers.
When I smile all you see is the diamonds in the cluster
When I smile, all that is noticeable is my diamond cluster earrings.
I'mma pistol whip the bitch, I'mma put him in the trunk
I'll hit someone with the butt of my pistol and throw them in the trunk of a car.
Take the money out his pockets take his ho out to lunch
I'll steal the money in his pockets and then take his girlfriend out for a meal.
Really what's up we be doing it punk
What are you going to do? We're very tough, and we'll fight if necessary.
Caught me waiting outside the club with the pump
You found me standing outside the club with a shotgun.
Ready to dunk (?), (?) say you a chump
I'm prepared to shoot you, and others say you're a weak person.
Fuck what you say, fuck what you claim
I don't care what you say or pretend to be like.
I be the killer they calls the mane
They refer to me as 'The Mane,' the killer.
Running the game, swinging them thangs
I'm the one in control, and I'm using weapons to keep it that way.
I'm already dead, I'mma make you the same
I don't care if I die because I'll take you with me.
Bitch!
You're weak, and I'm going to exploit that.
Fuck a conversation bitch, murder's what I'm after
I'm not trying to engage in discussions- I'm trying to commit murder.
Catch you in the dark one hand I'mma grab ya
I'll find and grab you in the darkness with only one hand.
Blood everywhere shit looks like a disaster
There will be blood all over, and it will appear like a catastrophe.
I outlast and blast any punk ass bastard
I'm tougher than and will shoot any weak, unsavory person.
Closed casket, what you really wanna do?
You'll need a closed casket funeral- What are you going to do about it?
I got a stack on your head, bitch say it ain't true
I put a bounty on your head- tell me that it's a lie.
I'mma call up my clique I'mma put out a hit
I'll phone my friends and issue an assassination order.
I'm a maniac murderer don't you forget
I'm a crazed killer, and you must be aware.
Maniac, maniac
I'm completely crazy.
Drug dealer, bitch killer
I sell drugs and assassinate any unpleasant, weak people.
Contributed by Brayden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.