Band members Prince Po and Pharoahe Monch began their career as Simply 2 Positive and then signed to Hollywood Records for 1991's Organized Konfusion. The album was commercially unsuccessful but critically acclaimed, as was the follow-up, Stress: The Extinction Agenda (1994) and the duo moved to Priority Records for the concept album The Equinox in 1997.
Monch has also launched a successful solo career, highlighted by his album Internal Affairs. Prince Poetry released The Slickness in 2004. A reunion album remains a distinct possibility.
3-2-1
Organized Konfusion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know what I'm saying? Letting you know this is Organized
We got the crew in the house
And we definitely representin' for the masses
So my man Pharoahe Monch gon' step to mic
Let you know what time it is
We gon-na do it like this, check it out
To my peeps in Brooklyn, clap your hands
To my people in the Bronx, clap your hands
To my peeps uptown, clap your hands
It's three strikes, two tokes, one time for the mind
Three strikes, two tokes, one time for your mind
Three strikes, two tokes, and one time for the mind
Three strikes, two tokes, and one time
Surprise! Huh, open your eyes up, when I rise, huh
Pharoahe Monch I got skills for the wise!
Dumb, deaf, and blind you know it's time to organize
I'm flippin' and rippin' a style for the boys who wanna get wild
For the old and young, the Golden Child
I be the man with the gift of gab like Santa
Catchin' stacks of beats, from here to Atlanta
Ruah! What you say little weasel?
Can't block the foul if the style's cock diesel
I feel like busting loose
With the style that I produce to get juice for my troops
Black Kojack, better than Beretta
Any veteran knows the Medicine Man is better
Never sweat a girl that's inside of a Jetta
I just let her pass by with a wink to the eye
It's the M-O-N-C-H, I, G-A-I
The greatest rapper you ever heard please won't you relate my
Message to the critics, get it when you rewind
It's three strikes, two tokes, one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
Two tokes one time for the mind
Check who gets wreck, it's me, Prince Po
Old school flowing, rolling thick with the O
R-G-A-N-I-Z-E-D, peace to the pioneers that made a way for me
To MC, and tear the roof off the mother, brother
So back on the underground because we love you smother
Wack MC's, like gravy on chicken
Hope some of the homeless say that our jams is kickin'
Stickin' flavor, in your grill piece
Pickin' fat loops for troops to bop to, when time is ticking
Winding up, here comes the pitch
Prince Po throws strictly fast flows with no specific type of niche
But sometimes you gotta slow down the flow
Blow up the spot and let the whole world know
Here comes the Prince Po with another funky intro
Something to parlay with and ease the mental
Our instrumentals are too much for the average fan
So I bring the Jamaica funk (Uh!) That's what it is
I am too dope, too fat, Organized Konfusion is back
That's with a "K" black, get the fly exact stack
The money, start the party cause Organzied don't play that!
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes one time for the mind
It's three strikes, two tokes and one time
The lyrics of Organized Konfusion's song "3-2-1" are a celebration of hip hop culture and a call to unity among people from different areas of New York City. Pharoahe Monch takes the lead on the verses, delivering his signature rapid-fire flow and showcasing his lyrical skills. He encourages listeners to clap their hands for their respective boroughs, emphasizing the importance of community and pride in where one comes from.
The chorus of the song consists of the repeated phrase "three strikes, two tokes, one time for the mind." This can be interpreted in a few different ways. The phrase "three strikes" refers to the three strikes law in the United States criminal justice system, which imposes a life sentence on offenders convicted of three serious crimes. The lyrics suggest that hip hop culture provides an alternative to this harsh system, allowing people to unite and express themselves freely. The "two tokes" could be a reference to smoking marijuana, which is often associated with hip hop culture. The phrase "one time for the mind" suggests that this song and hip hop as a whole are meant to stimulate and expand the mind, providing an escape from the challenges of everyday life.
The verses of the song are filled with references to classic hip hop themes and icons. Pharoahe Monch describes himself as a "medicine man" and references Kojak, a popular police drama from the 1970s. He also boasts of his lyrical skills and addresses his critics directly, telling them to "get it when you rewind." Prince Po takes over on the second verse, rapping about his love for "funky intro[s]" and the ways in which hip hop has influenced his life. Together, Monch and Po deliver a powerful message of unity and resistance through their rapid-fire rhymes and aggressive delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo check it out, we gonna do it like this for the '93 flava
Introducing the song in a hip way, stating that this is a new, fresh song that represents the flavor of the year 1993.
We got the crew in the house
Announcing that the members of the band, Organized Konfusion, are here and ready to perform.
And we definitely representin' for the masses
Stating that the band is performing for the general public, not just a specific group of people.
So my man Pharoahe Monch gon' step to mic
Introducing one of the members of the band, Pharoahe Monch, who is going to perform and speak into the microphone.
Let you know what time it is
Informing the listener that Pharoahe Monch is going to share what is happening and what the song is about.
Help me out, to my peeps in Queens, clap your hands
Asking the crowd to participate and show support for the band by clapping hands, specifically targeting people from Queens.
It's three strikes, two tokes, one time for the mind
Referring to a phrase that associates with a maximum amount of tries, tokes, and moments to remember something, conveying that the band is all about being precise with their lyrics and music.
Surprise! Huh, open your eyes up, when I rise, huh
Exclaiming that the listener is in for a surprise, and that they should pay attention because something exciting is about to happen.
Dumb, deaf, and blind you know it's time to organize
Highlighting the importance of coming together as a group and being organized, even if you feel lost or left behind.
I'm flippin' and rippin' a style for the boys who wanna get wild
Expressing the band's playfulness and fun nature, providing a specific style for those who are ready to let loose and party.
It's the M-O-N-C-H, I, G-A-I
Spelling out the names of the band members, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po, giving them credit and attention.
The greatest rapper you ever heard please won't you relate my Message to the critics, get it when you rewind
Claiming that the band is amongst the best rappers of all time and asking the audience to share this message with the critics who may not understand their music initially.
Check who gets wreck, it's me, Prince Po
Drawing attention to the other band member, Prince Po, and highlighting his ability to dominate or 'wreck' any other performers, claiming he is the best.
So back on the underground because we love you smother
Referring to the band's preference for performing underground or independently, indicating their love for their dedicated fans who understand and appreciate their music style.
Our instrumentals are too much for the average fan
Admitting that the band's music and instrumentals are not for everyone and that they require a specific music taste or ear to fully appreciate it.
That's what it is
Summing up the overall vibe and energy of the song in a simple phrase.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LAWRENCE BASKERVILLE, MITCHELL BLUE, TROY JAMERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind