There is at least seven artists named Natas:

1. Detroit Acid Rap Tr… Read Full Bio ↴There is at least seven artists named Natas:

1. Detroit Acid Rap Trio Natas;
2. Argentinian stoner rock group Natas, that after the release of their first album Delmar changed its name to Los Natas;
3. Lithuanian singer Natas;
4. Hardcore/Gabber producer Robert Gilmore (aka Rob Gee). Alias for one release (12" vinyl, "The Master Plan", 1993) on Bastard Loud Records, New York City;
5. Chicagoan death/thrash metal turned crossover trio, also known as Not Us;
6. German one-man black metal performer, later known as Kriegskarthaun;
7. Black Metal from west coast of Norway, Sunnfjord Natas, descending from the band Mara.

Detroit Acid Rap Trio Natas: Esham, TNT and Mastamind defined a dark style of hardcore rap characterized by decadent motifs and heavy metal-like aggression.

Taking considerable influence from Niggaz4life-era NWA, the Detroit, MI, trio came hard on their 1992 debut album, Life After Death, to the point where their anger-exuding music alienated all but a small cult audience fascinated with their anarchic disposition and their self-termed style of "Acid Rap." On this album they rapped about the most disturbing and shocking themes imaginable, capturing the darkest corners of their burnt-out city's most horrible ghettos with their lyrics in an attempt to be as hardcore as possible. To further the impact of these lyrics, Esham self-produced the album, laying down gritty beats and making effective use of rock samples to give the album a harsher tone.

Successive albums found the trio improving their rapping and their production, as they slowly matured, moving progressively away from mere exploitation. By the end of the '90s, their music had considerably evolved in terms of not only lyrical content and delivery but also in terms of production, resulting in an innovative realization of their original intent that finally blossomed on WWW.Com (Wicket World Wide).

Before forming NATAS, group leader Esham had already established himself as a solo artist, debuting at the end of the '80s with Boomin' Words From Hell, followed by a few EPs. At this time, Esham was a student at Osborne High School in Detroit, where he eventually crossed paths with Mastamind in the tenth grade. After listening to a three-song demo tape given to him by Mastamind, Esham decided to form a group with the promising rapper and TNT, a longtime friend. The three got together and decided to call themselves NATAS as a symbol of their anarchic, evil disposition at the time, being mere teenagers. In 1992, Esham released NATAS' debut album, Life After Death, on his REEL Life Productions label. Two years later he released a similar follow-up album, Blaz4me, an album nearly as twisted and disturbing as its predecessor. Then came the dark Doubelievengod album in 1995, which found the trio moving forward artistically as well as ideologically. When NATAS released Multikillionaire: The Devil's Contract in 1997, it became clear that the group had reached a turning point. Along with Esham's accompanying Bruce Wayne: Gotham City 1987 album from the same year, Multikillionaire broadened Natas' scope, aiming for conceptualism while abandoning the exploitative elements of previous works. NATAS resurfaced in 1999 with WWW.Com (Wicket World Wide), claiming that their name was an acronym for "Nation Ahead of Time And Space" rather than Satan spelled backwards in hopes of changing their image. The album improved upon Mulitkillionaire's flaws and represented a more mature representation of the group's ambitions. Featuring live instruments where Esham used to place samples, the album's production was considerably innovative for its time, marrying a rock attitude with a rap aesthetic and garnering considerable acclaim from the underground. Following this release, both Esham and Mastamind took time off to work on solo albums in the wake of the album's success and the Detroit rap scene's sudden evolution to a substantial hotspot for up-and-coming talent.

Thatz What
Natas Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What?
What?
What you say?
Now that's what
What?
What the fuck, what the fuck that nigga say?
(Chorus x4)
What kinda nigga is you?

I'm the shit that's what
Whatchu 'gon do?
Hit this bitch up, that's what
With the crew?
We stay clicked up
What has it come to?
Get out the way or get fucked up, that's what
What type of nigga am I? What type of nigga are you?
I'm true, while niggas be actin' brand new
I'm old school right down to my snub nosed tools
You lose, cause I got the Ill Street blues
Play by the street rules, I know my heat rules
Cause we eat fools and beat fools, it's how we greet fools
Peep fools on top of the game now
I'm so def, I talk loud with my hands anti blow
We sure firin, grill fire then
How you said hot to death? Dawg you dyin in
Close his casket, those that know, don't match it
Bitch, of course, I got that street game masta'd
Don't forget ya number when ya roll, I'm classic like 5.0s
10 summas ago
Keep ya foot on the bed, I was put on the set
To have all what them lil' niggas wish they could get
What hypa?
N-A-T-A-S
Nigga
Are you?
Are you?
The undaground pioneers
Been spittin' wicked shit for years
Come and tell me yo deepest fears
When the smoke clears, you'll see
Niggas is counterfeit, funny money ho, I'm wearin' fake jewlery
Steady bitin' my style, when they know I'm buck wild
My paper long like 7 mile
I whip up, whip out, and start bustin'
Fuckin' conversation, ain't no time for discussion
I'm plannin' for a murder so it's pre-meditated
I smoke the woopty woop, leave me heavily sedated
I'm on a crash party, fuck hoes at rock shows
With my double berol shawty, I cold blew off ya nose

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Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Natas's song "Thatz What" describe a confident and aggressive persona who is unafraid to assert their dominance on the streets. The opening lines ask for clarification, "What? What? What you say? Now that's what. What? What the fuck, what the fuck that nigga say?" The chorus repeatedly asks what kind of person they are, and the answer is consistently "the shit." The persona boasts about their skills, their crew, and their ability to intimidate others: "Get out the way or get fucked up, that's what."

The verses further exhibit this persona's aggression and bravado. They proclaim themselves to be "old school right down to my snub-nosed tools" and assert that they follow the "street rules." They are quick to violence and seem to enjoy it, planning for murder and describing themselves as "cold" and "bucking" off noses.

Overall, the lyrics to "Thatz What" paint a picture of a dangerous and unapologetic person who commands respect and fear from their peers. They are proud of their street knowledge and willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top.

Line by Line Meaning

What?
Expressing confusion or asking for clarification

What?
Repeating the confusion or request for clarification

What you say?
Asking the same question in a different way

Now that's what
Acknowledging understanding of previous statement

What?
Expressing confusion or asking for clarification

What the fuck, what the fuck that nigga say?
Expressing frustration with the previous statement and seeking clarification

What kinda nigga is you?
Asking about the nature or characteristics of the addressed individual

I'm the shit that's what
Asserting oneself as being of high quality or skill

Whatchu 'gon do?
Asking what actions will be taken

Hit this bitch up, that's what
Suggesting a course of action that involves aggression or violence

With the crew?
Asking about the presence of others in the course of action

We stay clicked up
Asserting the unity and loyalty of the group

What has it come to?
Expressing dissatisfaction with the current situation

Get out the way or get fucked up, that's what
Warning others of the consequences of interfering or opposing the group

What type of nigga am I? What type of nigga are you?
Asking about the nature or characteristics of both parties

I'm true, while niggas be actin' brand new
Asserting one's authenticity while criticizing others for pretending to be someone they're not

I'm old school right down to my snub nosed tools
Asserting one's adherence to traditional methods, even in violent situations

You lose, cause I got the Ill Street blues
Boasting about one's superior status on the streets

Play by the street rules, I know my heat rules
Asserting that one follows and understands the rules of the streets, including the use of firearms

Cause we eat fools and beat fools, it's how we greet fools
Describing the violent behavior that is typical when encountering others on the streets

Peep fools on top of the game now
Acknowledging the current status of others in the street game

I'm so def, I talk loud with my hands anti blow
Asserting one's confidence and skill, even in dangerous situations

We sure firin, grill fire then
Describing a violent encounter that is about to take place

How you said hot to death? Dawg you dyin in
Challenging the opposing party to keep up with the group's level of skill and violence

Close his casket, those that know, don't match it
Claiming that those who are familiar with the group's methods and abilities know that they cannot be matched

Bitch, of course, I got that street game masta'd
Asserting one's mastery of the street game and associated tactics

Don't forget ya number when ya roll, I'm classic like 5.0s
Reminding others to remember their place and to not underestimate the group's power

10 summas ago
Referencing a time in the past, possibly to highlight the group's longevity and experience

Keep ya foot on the bed, I was put on the set
Advising others to stay alert and maintain control, while also referencing the group's origins

To have all what them lil' niggas wish they could get
Asserting the group's success and possession of desirable items, mocking those who are less successful

What hypa?
Asking someone to repeat what they just said

N-A-T-A-S
Spelling out the name of the group

Nigga
Addressing someone in a familiar or confrontational way

The undaground pioneers
Asserting the group's status as innovators and leaders in the underground hip-hop scene

Been spittin' wicked shit for years
Boasting about the group's longevity and consistency in producing high-quality music

Come and tell me yo deepest fears
Challenging others to be honest and vulnerable with the group

When the smoke clears, you'll see
Promising that the group's power and success will be evident after violent encounters

Niggas is counterfeit, funny money ho, I'm wearin' fake jewlery
Mocking others for their lack of authenticity and their attempts to appear wealthy

Steady bitin' my style, when they know I'm buck wild
Criticizing others for copying the group's unique style and behavior, even though they know it to be dangerous and extreme

My paper long like 7 mile
Boasting about the group's wealth and success, specifically referencing the long road of 7 Mile, a major thoroughfare in Detroit

I whip up, whip out, and start bustin'
Describing the group's quick and violent reactions to perceived threats

Fuckin' conversation, ain't no time for discussion
Rejecting the idea of peaceful communication or negotiation, favoring violent action instead

I'm plannin' for a murder so it's pre-meditated
Admitting to planning and intending to commit murder in the future

I smoke the woopty woop, leave me heavily sedated
Referencing drug use for the purpose of relaxation or stress relief

I'm on a crash party, fuck hoes at rock shows
Describing a lifestyle that involves extreme partying and sexual encounters

With my double berol shawty, I cold blew off ya nose
Referencing the use of a firearm to injure or kill an opponent

Contributed by Samantha V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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