Opio has appeared on all four Souls of Mischief albums, [all three] Hieroglyphics studio albums, and released his solo debut, Triangulation Station, in February, 2005 on the Hieroglyphics' own independent label, Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings.One of his songs was on a heirocast episode called "Grassy Knoll" where he raps along with Planet Asia. - Wikipedia
Puppet On A String
Opio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Opio]
Interplanetary verses unsanitary
Just hurry in my Amazon from Panama to Paraguay
Dare I say my words is a jungle
Where the air you breathe is thick with humidity (Can't you see?)
Sweatin out your inner demons in my vicinity
In the industry, end up in the jaws of death
Clutch his fuck up the set like a heart attack
Hard to react, I'm pimpin Todd Shaw "Mack"
That's why all y'all lack the fundamentals essential
To black market idealogy, don't try and follow me
I wiffle and dodge 'em then I shuffle off to Buffalo
Never know, where Op'll hop up in the truck and go
Puffin Golden State bombada from Arcada
Alligator green, salamander sticky
She tried to plant a hickie on Pretty Tony
Only if she knew the repercussions
I tried to lend her some enlighenment (but)
She was frightened by it
More inspired by desire and Myer's rum (hmm)
Firewater consumption got her mind numb
5 months, time's up, now she back to square one
Still goin in circles, it's a miracle
To some others it's a shame why they suffocate to strain
I'm not a puppet on a string..
[ad lib convo]
[sample scratched: "Once again in your dimension"]
The song "Puppet On A String" by Opio is a commentary on the state of the music industry and the struggles of an artist to maintain their artistic integrity while being controlled by outside forces. Opio uses a clever play on words, describing his verses as "interplanetary" and "unsanitary" to illustrate the vastness and dirtiness of the industry. He contrasts this with the lush jungle imagery of Panama and Paraguay, showing the natural beauty that is being corrupted by the industry.
Opio then goes on to describe the pressure that artists face to conform to certain standards and how those who don't end up "in the jaws of death." He references Todd Shaw, known as Too Short, one of the pioneers of West Coast hip hop, and how he "pimped" his image to be successful. Despite this pressure, Opio maintains his independence, saying he's not a "puppet on a string."
Throughout the song, Opio weaves in and out of different topics, from his struggles with addiction to the challenges of navigating the music industry, all while maintaining his signature witty wordplay and clever rhymes.
Line by Line Meaning
Interplanetary verses unsanitary
My lyrics are otherworldly, but gritty and raw
Just hurry in my Amazon from Panama to Paraguay
I move fast and far, delivering my message to distant locations
Dare I say my words is a jungle
My rhymes are wild and untamed, like a dense forest
Where the air you breathe is thick with humidity (Can't you see?)
My music is muggy and oppressive, overwhelming your senses
Sweatin out your inner demons in my vicinity
My art forces you to confront your personal demons and insecurities
The he, myth-defyin giant, sleep with the enemy
I challenge societal norms and expectations, even if it means collaborating with those who oppose me
In the industry, end up in the jaws of death
The music industry can be a treacherous and unforgiving place
Clutch his fuck up the set like a heart attack
I dominate the stage with an intense, urgent energy
Hard to react, I'm pimpin Todd Shaw "Mack"
It's difficult to keep up with my lyrical flow and style
That's why all y'all lack the fundamentals essential
Other rappers don't grasp the basic skills necessary to keep up with me
To black market idealogy, don't try and follow me
I promote controversial and unconventional ideas that aren't for everyone
I wiffle and dodge 'em then I shuffle off to Buffalo
I evade those who try to copy or emulate me, and move on to the next city or project
Never know, where Op'll hop up in the truck and go
I'm unpredictable and always on the move, never staying in one place for too long
Puffin Golden State bombada from Arcada
I'm smoking high-quality, potent marijuana from California
Alligator green, salamander sticky
The weed I smoke is a vibrant color and has a strong, sticky texture
She tried to plant a hickie on Pretty Tony
A woman tried to make a move on me, using a physical gesture as a sign of affection
Only if she knew the repercussions
She wasn't aware of the potential consequences of trying to get with me
I tried to lend her some enlighenment (but)
I attempted to educate her on important ideas and concepts, but
She was frightened by it
She was scared by what I had to say
More inspired by desire and Myer's rum (hmm)
Her motivations were driven by lust and alcohol
Firewater consumption got her mind numb
The alcohol she drank impaired her judgement and senses
5 months, time's up, now she back to square one
Her time with me was temporary, and now she's starting over again
Still goin in circles, it's a miracle
She's still struggling in life and hasn't made much progress
To some others it's a shame why they suffocate to strain
Other people's failures are a source of pity and frustration for me
I'm not a puppet on a string..
I'm in control of my art and my life, refusing to be manipulated by others
Contributed by Blake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.