The group released their debut album, Here Come the Lords on March 9, 1993 with production handled by Marley Marl and K-Def. The album peaked at 66 on the Billboard 200 and featured five charting singles, including the group's signature song, "Chief Rocka".
The group released their second album, Keepers of the Funk the following year on November 1, 1994. Keepers of the Funk peaked at 47 on the Billboard 200 and featured three charting singles, the most successful of which was "Tic Toc". As stated in a 2013 interview, the group had never disbanded.
They reunited for a third album with 1999's Resurrection. Released via Queen Latifah's Jersey Kidz imprint, was so small-scale a release that few realized it had been recorded. The Lords returned again in 2007 for a fourth album entitled House of Lords, but like Resurrection, it failed to reach the Billboard charts.
The Lords are best remembered in connection with the golden age of hip hop. As such, when Nas decided in 2007 to do a remix of his song "Where Are They Now?", which asked of the fates of several long-forgotten golden age rappers, the Lords were among those requested to appear. DoItAll Dupré performed eight bars on the track.
DoItAll appeared briefly in the final scene of the final episode of The Sopranos credited as Du Kelly, as one of a series of potentially ominous figures entering the diner. He also appeared on other TV shows; Law & Order as Two Tone, on Oz the HBO series, and on the Christmas episode of 30 Rock on NBC (2008). He has also been in independent movies such as Somewhere in the City with Bai Ling, Rhyme & Reason, and with Treach of Naughty By Nature. He has also starred in an off Broadway play entitled Diss, Diss, & Diss, Dat.
In 2017, DoItAll revealed he planned on running for Councilman at Large for his hometown of Newark.[1] He started his campaign in 2018, and despite not winning a seat still plans to help the city.[2]
Keepers of the Funk
Lords of the Underground Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let the Lords of the Underground show you how
Everybody funk and they don't know how
Let the Lords of the Underground show you how
Well I was born in the year of the black??? shoe
When my mom did the Whomp in the bellbottom Zooks
Now I'm picking at my 'fro, so you better beware
Well I'm whoops-a-daisy, my parents had a funk baby
Now I am an addict, and that's just got me crazy
Sending???
And nothing but the rhymes trying to??????
Now everybody want to be a funk-ateer
But don't know how??? funk rip the???
So check it, now I got it locked on the record
And if you go and get it, I bet you won't regret it
So peep it, just like the joint??? did
A rebel for that funk, and that's how I keep it
I'll be the keeper of the funk, they know just who I am Cause I'm coming with that funk like I just don't care
(Repeat X2)
All hail???
I can't wait to get on stage, grab the mic, and show my ass
And if the girl is on my tip, then check her???
I mean come on now, half of ya'll don't really know what drama is (yea)
You know you ain't half the man your mama is
Now when the mothership landed, even though not on a planet
I still felt that vibe, that's why I feel like slammin'
So here, take a little bit, mix the funk with scripture
Hip-hop with that funk, now here by the picture
With my frame
The lyrics to Lords of the Underground's "Keepers of the Funk" are all about introducing people to the world of funk and showing them how to get down with it. The song speaks to anyone who wants to embrace the idea of funk, but doesn't necessarily know how to go about it. The Lords of the Underground offer themselves as guides in this endeavor, promising to show listeners what true funk is all about.
The opening lines to the song: "Everybody funky but they don't know how, Let the Lords of the Underground show you how," really set the stage for the message of the song. The lyrics are essentially saying that everyone is interested in funk, but not everyone has mastered it. The Lords of the Underground are here to remedy that.
Throughout the rest of the song, the group makes references to the history of funk music, with lines like "Well I was born in the year of the black??? shoe" and "My parents had a funk baby." These references serve to educate listeners about the legacy of funk, while also celebrating it.
Overall, "Keepers of the Funk" is a powerful message that encourages listeners to embrace funk in their lives. The Lords of the Underground do an excellent job of offering guidance and providing insight into what makes funk such a beloved genre of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody funky but they don't know how
Many people enjoy funk music but don't fully understand it.
Let the Lords of the Underground show you how
The Lords of the Underground are experts on funk music and are willing to educate others about it.
Well I was born in the year of the black??? shoe
The singer was born during a time of funk music and fashion trends.
When my mom did the Whomp in the bellbottom Zooks
The artist's mother was a fan of funk music and fashion.
Now I'm picking at my 'fro, so you better beware
The artist has embraced the funk lifestyle and is ready to share it with the world.
Cause I'm coming with that funk like I just don't care
The singer is confident in their love for funk music and isn't afraid to show it.
Well I'm whoops-a-daisy, my parents had a funk baby
The singer is a product of their parents' love for funk music.
Now I am an addict, and that's just got me crazy
The artist is passionate about funk music and it's become a huge part of their life.
Sending???
This line is unclear and open to interpretation.
And nothing but the rhymes trying to??????
The artist is focused on making music and writing lyrics about funk.
Now everybody want to be a funk-ateer
Funk music has become popular and many people want to be involved in it.
But don't know how??? funk rip the???
These lines are unclear and open to interpretation.
So check it, now I got it locked on the record
The singer has recorded their funk music and it's available for others to listen to.
And if you go and get it, I bet you won't regret it
The singer is confident in the quality of their music and encourages others to listen to it.
So peep it, just like the joint??? did
The singer is encouraging others to listen to their music and understand the message behind it.
A rebel for that funk, and that's how I keep it
The artist is passionate about funk music and will continue to pursue it, even if it means going against the norm.
I'll be the keeper of the funk, they know just who I am
The artist is known for their love and dedication to funk music.
All hail???
This line is unclear and open to interpretation.
I can't wait to get on stage, grab the mic, and show my ass
The singer is excited to perform their music and express themselves on stage.
And if the girl is on my tip, then check her???
The artist is confident in their ability to attract women with their funk music.
I mean come on now, half of ya'll don't really know what drama is (yea)
Many people don't understand the hardships and struggles faced by those involved in the world of funk music.
You know you ain't half the man your mama is
The artist is confident in their own abilities and feels they exceed those of others.
Now when the mothership landed, even though not on a planet
The singer is referencing the influence of funk music, which can feel alien and otherworldly.
I still felt that vibe, that's why I feel like slammin'
The artist is passionate about funk music and it inspires them to create and perform at a high level.
So here, take a little bit, mix the funk with scripture
The singer is suggesting that incorporating funk music into one's life can be uplifting and spiritually powerful.
Hip-hop with that funk, now here by the picture
The singer is describing the combination of hip-hop and funk music, and how they go hand-in-hand.
With my frame
This line is unclear and open to interpretation.
Writer(s): George Clinton, Lawrence Goodman, Jerome Brailey, William Collins, Glone Mc
Contributed by Wyatt D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Legendary DQ
01. Intro 0:00
02. Ready Or Not 1:02
03. Tic Toc 5:07
04. Keepers Of The Funk 8:59
05. Steam From Da Knot 13:16
06. What I'm After 16:24
07. Faith 20:45
08. Neva Faded 24:46
09. No Pain 30:01
10. Frustrated 33:57
11. Yes Y'all 38:15
12. What U See 42:35
13. Outro 46:32
Seng loMein
This album still on point, summer 2020.
To everyone discussing old school vs. new school, checking Hip-Hop's vitals n all...
Two decades ago, we need not look further -----
Some food for thought from a well known street prophet. . .
" [Yo what's gettin ready to happen with Hip-Hop?]
[Where do you think Hip-Hop is goin?]
I tell em, 'You know what's gonna happen with Hip-Hop?
Whatever's happening with us'
If we smoked out, Hip-Hop is gonna be smoked out
If we doin alright, Hip-Hop is gonna be doin alright
People talk about Hip-Hop like it's some giant livin in the hillside
comin down to visit the townspeople
We (are) Hip-Hop
Me, you, everybody, we are Hip-Hop
So Hip-Hop is goin where we goin
So the next time you ask yourself where Hip-Hop is goin
ask yourself.. where am I goin? How am I doin? "
~ "Fear Not of Man", Mos Def 1999
Gary Parton
from the East coast
redman
method man
Wu tang clan
black moon
smif n wessun
heltah skeltah r.i.p Sean P
originoo gunn clappaz
onyx
naughty by nature
lords of the underground
nas
jay-z
public enemy
diamond d
lord finesse
D.I.T.C.
from the west coast
cypress hill
funkdoobiest
house of pain
ice cube
dr dre
snoop
luniz
from the Midwest
Eminem
D-12 r.i.p big proof
common
Royce da 5,9
from the south
Scarface
outkast
ludacris
geto boys
S P ▲ C 3 N I N J ▲
K-Def is one of the greatest producers ever, a true architect of that tri-state, mid 90’s, jazzy sound.
Jack Thornes
This album is so overlooked. Its a straight classic
Legendary DQ
01. Intro 0:00
02. Ready Or Not 1:02
03. Tic Toc 5:07
04. Keepers Of The Funk 8:59
05. Steam From Da Knot 13:16
06. What I'm After 16:24
07. Faith 20:45
08. Neva Faded 24:46
09. No Pain 30:01
10. Frustrated 33:57
11. Yes Y'all 38:15
12. What U See 42:35
13. Outro 46:32
Pendejo Boludo
This album is pure and real hip hop. Respect from Brazil!
NENÉM 4:20²³
Muito Loko de verdade
murilo henrique
som de rua!!!!
Wendell 717
I was born in 1988. So I've been going back and listening to a lot of these tracks and albums from the Golden Age of the 1990s. I really appreciate this. high-quality content here
Santo Boss
Thank you for uploading this album. Thank you to the Lords of the Underground for this beautiful album. Thank you Hiphop for this wonderful culture and for giving us something great to grow up. Thank you.
Хлинін Владислав
i'm using "what im after" as a ringtone. mr funky killed this beat absolutely! this shit is fantastic! mad props to lords of underground ftom Kyiv, Ukraine!
武井希
The 1st is treated as a masterpiece, but it is a little high tension and it makes me feel a little tired when I listen to it through one album.This 2nd song has been sublimated in terms of song variety, MC skills, and spaciousness, and has a fulfilling content that you will never get tired of.