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.
ON DOING AN EVIL DEED BLUES
Lil Ugly Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
...I′m at the table like the Godfather, smoking a dutch
I'mma let the world know what time it is
Life on earth is just a death sentence
One little thing just leads to the next thing...
I got some records, cut some samples, made ′em mine
I dropped a tape, I did a show, I got some shine
Never made a lot of money; that's fine
I got some records, cut some samples, made 'em mine
I wrote some raps, I had a couple fire lines
A couple labels asked me if I want to sign
But rapping ain′t my grind, I just used to like to rhyme
Spitting Raekwon bars to the mirror
Just to hear if It sounded the same,
Dreams of insurmountable fame and valuable chains;
Spit so much I drowned before the drought ever came
And that′s the shit that never leaves you
Every line you rhyme leads back to cats that teach you
It's see through, right around the time a playa′s meat grew
Started making beats too
Never tried to please you
Numerous influences, but that was only clowning dog
The future of me pursuing it was nothing I was counting on
Seemed too far to go the distance, pitching from the mound I'm on
Pissed off, doubted on, thought the map was routed wrong
Persistence was a tag along, hit me like an atom bomb
So I give it up to those who let us have a job
All you rappers stacks is long cause Nina sang the saddest songs
Bristol sessions, Smif N′ Wesson, why's half of the fabric gone?
Art is imitation, creation is forever
Innovation is spontaneous, never
A lot of rappers put the work in so you could be clever
Everything is everything is everything is everything, ever
The blues won′t born in a bunker
Nothing can be born until you know how to hump her
Im still married to America, most you rappers dumped her
But you too blind Blake to see the spell they got you under
I used to like to rhyme when it was all about linguistics
When Big L verses was like decoding hieroglyphics
Back when my mission was still fillin' composition books
Working how I spit the and how my mic position look
Adolescent crook, lost up in the maze
Frankie Beverly, rapping in my book was a phase that weighed heavily
Rearranging bars and then they properly placed
Whole pages scribbled black from all the sloppy mistakes
Made a promise that I'd go and split the gwop with my ace
If I ever made a mill′ for merely rocking a place
I used to like to rhyme when there was never any pressure
When your own bars were stone cold and beat you on a stretcher;
It wasn′t business it was pleasure
I heard God through a boombox lampin' on my dresser
Hip-Hop, the most progressive music in the bunch
We hear tracks from ′05 on a flashback lunch
Cause we move ahead every 30 seconds
So hows it been 40 years and all we fucking rap about is weapons?
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
I wrote some raps, I had a couple fire lines
I dropped a tape, I did a show, I got some shine
Never made a lot of money; that's fine
I got some records, cut some samples, made ′em mine
I wrote some raps, I had a couple fire lines
A couple labels asked me if I want to sign
But rapping ain't my grind, I just used to like to rhyme
I used to like to rhyme when it was all about linguistics
When Big L verses was like decoding hieroglyphics
Back when my mission was still fillin′ composition books
Working how I spit the and how my mic position look
Adolescent crook, lost up in the maze
Frankie Beverly, rapping in my book was a phase that weighed heavily
Rearranging bars and then they properly placed
Whole pages scribbled black from all the sloppy mistakes
Made a promise that I'd go and split the gwop with my ace
If I ever made a mill' for merely rocking a place
I used to like to rhyme when there was never any pressure
When your own bars were stone cold and beat you on a stretcher;
It wasn′t business it was pleasure
I heard God through a boombox lampin′ on my dresser
Hip-Hop, the most progressive music in the bunch
We hear tracks from '05 on a flashback lunch
Cause we move ahead every 30 seconds
So hows it been 40 years and all we fucking rap about is weapons?
Art is imitation, creation is forever
Innovation is spontaneous, never
A lot of rappers put the work in so you could be clever
Everything is everything is everything is everything, ever
The blues won′t born in a bunker
Nothing can be born until you know how to hump her
Im still married to America, most you rappers dumped her
But you too blind Blake to see the spell they got you under
I got some records, cut some samples, made 'em mine
I wrote some raps, I had a couple fire lines
I dropped a tape, I did a show, I got some shine
Never made a lot of money; that′s fine
I got some records, cut some samples, made 'em mine
I wrote some raps, I had a couple fire lines
A couple labels asked me if I want to sign
But rapping ain′t my grind, I just used to like to rhyme
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
In the song "ON DOING AN EVIL DEED BLUES" by Lil Ugly Mane, the lyrics touch on various themes and personal experiences in the artist's career and life.
The first paragraph sets the tone for the song, as Lil Ugly Mane compares himself to the Godfather, someone in a position of power and influence. He acknowledges that life on Earth is ultimately a death sentence, highlighting the transience and inevitability of our existence. He also emphasizes how one small action can have a ripple effect, leading to a chain of events.
The second paragraph reflects on Lil Ugly Mane's journey as a musician. He talks about his passion for creating music, sampling records, and writing raps with powerful lines. While he received recognition and even had labels approach him for a record deal, he declares that rapping is not his primary focus, but rather an activity he used to enjoy.
The third paragraph delves into his early influences and the struggles of pursuing a career in music. He references spitting Raekwon's bars to the mirror, emphasizing his commitment to perfecting his craft. He also touches on the doubts and setbacks he faced, feeling like the future looked uncertain and the path to success was unclear. Despite this, he credits persistence and pays tribute to those who provided him with opportunities in the music industry.
The fourth paragraph explores broader societal issues within the hip-hop genre. Lil Ugly Mane questions the current state of rap music, lamenting how it seems to revolve around materialism, violence, and stagnant themes. He believes that true art involves imitation, creation, and innovation, and questions why rappers are still primarily rapping about weapons after decades in the industry. He cryptically references being blind like Blake (possibly referring to a blindness to the reality of the music industry) and being married to America while others have abandoned it.
Overall, these lyrics showcase Lil Ugly Mane's reflections on his musical journey, the challenges he faced, and his observations on the state of the hip-hop genre. He explores themes of mortality, artistic growth, and societal commentary, provoking thought and inviting listeners to contemplate their own experiences and the broader impact of music.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm at the table like the Godfather, smoking a dutch
I am in a position of power, making important decisions
I'mma let the world know what time it is
I will make my thoughts and opinions known to everyone
Life on earth is just a death sentence
Existence on this planet is ultimately a brief and mortal experience
One little thing just leads to the next thing...
Every action has consequences, and can set off a chain reaction
I got some records, cut some samples, made 'em mine
I took existing music and created something new with it
I wrote some raps, I had a couple fire lines
I composed lyrics and came up with powerful verses
A couple labels asked me if I want to sign
Record labels expressed interest in signing me as an artist
But rapping ain't my grind, I just used to like to rhyme
Although I enjoyed rhyming, pursuing a career in rap is not my primary focus
Spitting Raekwon bars to the mirror
Reciting verses by Raekwon in front of the mirror
Just to hear if It sounded the same
Checking if my delivery matched the original
Dreams of insurmountable fame and valuable chains
Aspiring for immense popularity and material wealth
Spit so much I drowned before the drought ever came
Rapping excessively to the point of exhaustion even before experiencing a lack of inspiration
Every line you rhyme leads back to cats that teach you
Each lyric I write is influenced by the artists who have inspired me
Started making beats too
I also began producing music
Numerous influences, but that was only clowning dog
While I had many inspirations, my style was still unique
Persistence was a tag along, hit me like an atom bomb
Perseverance accompanied me, striking me with great force
So I give it up to those who let us have a job
I am grateful to those who provide opportunities for artists to work
All you rappers stacks is long cause Nina sang the saddest songs
Rappers accumulate wealth because their music resonates with people emotionally
Art is imitation, creation is forever
Art involves replicating, while creation is a timeless act
Innovation is spontaneous, never
Innovation occurs naturally and cannot be forced
A lot of rappers put the work in so you could be clever
Many artists have put in efforts to entertain and impress listeners
The blues won't born in a bunker
True blues music cannot be created in a confined space
Nothing can be born until you know how to hump her
There can be no creation until you understand how to truly connect with it
I'm still married to America, most you rappers dumped her
I am still loyal to the ideals of America, unlike many other rappers
But you too blind Blake to see the spell they got you under
You are unaware, like Blind Blake, of the influence and control they have over you
Hip-Hop, the most progressive music in the bunch
Hip-Hop stands out as the most innovative genre
We hear tracks from '05 on a flashback lunch
Older songs from 2005 and earlier are played during nostalgic moments
Cause we move ahead every 30 seconds
Popular culture shifts quickly, advancing every half minute
So how's it been 40 years and all we fucking rap about is weapons?
After four decades, it is disappointing that rap music still predominantly focuses on violence and firearms
I used to like to rhyme when it was all about linguistics
I enjoyed rapping when the emphasis was on lyrical ability
When Big L verses was like decoding hieroglyphics
Analyzing Big L's verses felt like deciphering ancient symbols
Back when my mission was still fillin' composition books
During that time, my goal was simply to write as much as possible
How my mic position look
Ensuring that my microphone was properly placed for recording
Frankie Beverly, rapping in my book was a phase that weighed heavily
Frankie Beverly's influence heavily impacted my early rap career
Rearranging bars and then they properly placed
Organizing and structuring my verses effectively
Whole pages scribbled black from all the sloppy mistakes
My notepads were filled with corrections due to numerous errors
Made a promise that I'd go and split the gwop with my ace
I vowed to share the money I made with my closest friend
If I ever made a mill' for merely rockin' a place
If I achieved great success solely from performing live shows
When there was never any pressure
During a time when there were no expectations or demands
When your own bars were stone cold and beat you on a stretcher
When your own lyrics were so exceptional that they overwhelmed you
It wasn't business, it was pleasure
Rapping was not about making money, but solely for enjoyment
I heard God through a boombox lampin' on my dresser
I felt a spiritual connection to hip-hop through a simple boombox on my bedroom furniture
But rapping ain't my grind, I just used to like to rhyme
Although I used to enjoy rhyming, it is not my main pursuit
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
An allusion to a tragic death and burial in a desolate place
Writer(s): Travis Miller
Contributed by Adam V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@KidsInLA
[Intro]
You and I have some things to discuss!
...I'm at the table like the Godfather, smoking a dutch
I'mma let the world know what time it is
Life on earth is just a death sentence
One little thing just leads to the next thing...
[Hook 1]
I got some records, cut some samples, made 'em mine
I wrote some raps, I had a couple fire lines
I dropped a tape, I did a show, I got some shine
Never made a lot of money; that's fine
I got some records, cut some samples, made 'em mine
I wrote some raps, I had a couple fire lines
A couple labels asked me if I want to sign
But rapping ain't my grind, I just used to like to rhyme
[Verse 1]
I used to like to rhyme when it was other peoples lyrics
Spitting Raekwon bars to the mirror just to hear if It sounded the same ,
Dreams of insurmountable fame and valuable chains;
Spit so much I drowned before the drought ever came
And that's the shit that never leaves you
Every line you rhyme leads back to cats that teach you
It's see through, right around the time a playa's meat grew
Started making beats too
Never tried to please you
Numerous influences, but that was only clowning dog
The future of me pursuing it was nothing I was counting on
Seemed too far to go the distance, pitching from the mound I'm on
Pissed off, doubted on, thought the map was routed wrong
Persistence was a tag along, hit me like an atom bomb
So I give it up to those who let us have a job
All you rappers stacks is long cause Nina sang the saddest songs
Bristol sessions, Smif N' Wesson, why's half of the fabric gone?
[Hook 2]
Art is imitation, creation is forever
Innovation is spontaneous, never
A lot of rappers put the work in so you could be clever
Everything is everything is everything is everything, ever
The blues won't born in a bunker
Nothing can be born until you know how to hump her
Im still married to America, most you rappers dumped her
But you too blind Blake to see the spell they got you under
[Hook]
[Verse 2]
I used to like to rhyme when it was all about linguistics
When Big L verses was like decoding hieroglyphics
Back when my mission was still fillin' composition books
Working how I spit the hook and how my mic position look
Adolescent crook, lost up in the maze
Frankie Beverly , rapping in my book was a phase that weighed heavily
Rearranging bars and then they properly placed
Whole pages scribbled black from all the sloppy mistakes
Made a promise that I'd go and split the gwop with my ace
If I ever made a mill' for merely rocking a place
I used to like to rhyme when there was never any pressure
When your own bars were stone cold and beat you on a stretcher;
It wasn't business it was pleasure
I heard God through a boombox lampin' on my dresser
Hip-Hop, the most progressive music in the bunch
We hear tracks from '05 on a flashback lunch
Cause we move ahead every 30 seconds
So hows it been 40 years and all we fucking rap about is weapons?
[Hook 1]
[Hook 2]
[Outro]
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
@trash_bender420
The ultimate "I just love rapping, man" anthem
@nxvusagiii
lil ugly mane makes you feel good about being nothing special but to just even trying, in life, is good enough.
@TheShifty360
+nxvusagiii amen mane
@O0Q0OQO
+nxvusagiii we all just dust in the end
@user-hr7wq3ig2d
+Coiled -:- 😂😂😂😂🙀
@finnsawyer2239
+nxvusagiii well spoken
@xasma
+nxvusagiii thats definitely not his message but ok
@Puffiscool123
This aged like the finest wine. Lil Ugly Mane forever
@Brian-rp7dj
Unironically one of the most progressive hip hop artists of the generation and he'll be a footnote cause nobody wants to go out a limb and call a spade spade.
@lilmane1070
Do you mean progressive in terms of music production or politics? Both are true tbh