One of the group’s trademarks was the experimentation with Dutch lyrics, which resulted the (back then) four piece in being the first ever crew in The Netherlands to release a complete demo in their native language. This turned out to be the start of a new genre they still call ‘Nederhop’ to this day, a term consisting of the words “Nederlandse” (Dutch) and “Hip-Hop”.
The start of Osdorp Posse can be tracked back as far as 1986, when Def P (real name Pascal Griffioen) made his debut on the Dutch hip-hop scene with the group Funky Fresh Force, consisting of him and DJ Dov, who would later become a famous House DJ under the pseudonym DJ The Prophet.
In 1988 Griffioen started experimenting with Dutch lyrics as a joke (translating American rap lyrics from groups such as N.W.A.), and a creative exercise (writing a couple of ‘real’ songs). His nephew Marco (later on taking on the nickname IJsblock – a literal translation of N.W.A.’s infamous Ice Cube) joined in the musical tomfoolery, as they recorded raps on instrumental tracks from their record collection, using nothing but a tape deck and a microphone.
It wasn’t until Marco and Pascal met Robin (now known as Seda) and Arthur (King) that they got down to writing real material that they found suitable for recording. Even though their musical playground that they had by then labelled Osdorp Posse (named after the Amsterdam neighbourhood Osdorp, where they all lived) consisted of a large group of friends with a continuously changing line-up, the core of the Posse was the four guys, and would remain so until twelve years later. With a lot of the co-rappers leaving the group with no interest in taking Osdorp Posse to a next level, the group recorded an infamous demo as a fourpiece. The nameless cassette – which quickly became known as ‘De Rode Demo’ (The Red Demo) – was handed out to friends, and travelled the country, taking the underground alternative music scene by storm through the tape trading circuit.
One of the many people who got hands on De Rode Demo was Saskia Sleger, the owner of the underground dancelabel DJAX. Recognizing the originality as well as the obvious talent, Sleger decided to contact the group and offer them a contract. Hardly believing what just happened to them, the young rappers immediately signed with DJAX, without reading the fine print. Def P later described this move in the band’s biography ‘Tien Jaar OP’ as impulsive and a bit naïve, but it turned out to be a good thing: the start of legendary career.
Now having to actually release cds instead of fooling around with a tapedeck, Pascal, Marco, Robin and Arthur franticly started writing out the material that they had come with before heading to a local studio in 1992, recording the first ever ‘Nederhop’ cd: the poorly produced yet explosive, hardcore and edgy twenty three song classic ‘Osdorp Stijl’ (Osdorp Style).
With an official release in stores, the group started on a journey that moved their live-shows away from the squat- and fret houses, onto the ‘ real’ alternative music scene. The album was an instant underground classic, which not only spawned an entire generation of Dutch Hip-hop acts at the time, but also quickly finding a following within a diverse group of alternative music fans such as punkers, metalheads, rockers and many alike.
The following two releases were plagued by the same production problems as their infamous debut, but through their sheer determination, explosive live shows and hardcore, relentless lyrical attitude became underground hits nevertheless. It wasn’t until they were asked to play the warm-up show at the biggest festival in the Netherlands, Pinkpop, that they got recognition from a larger audience. Their fourth cd entitled ‘Afslag Osdorp’ (Osdorp Exit), was released soon after the legendary festival appearance, and was the groups largest commercial success to that date. Riding the wave of word-to-mouth advertising following Pinkpop and their years on end of touring and self promoting (being ignored by mainstream media and critics), Afslag Osdorp sold thousands of copies; an achievement that was until then unthinkable for a Dutch rap act.
Later that year, with their popularity growing to a new height, Osdorp Posse played one of the most legendary and afterwards most talked about performances on the Dutch alternative music scene at the Lowlands Festival. Something that was euphemistically called a programming mistake, the group was set to play the smallest tent (Charlie) in the afternoon. Even though the Amsterdam crew warned the festival organisation about the possible consequences, the foursome’s advice to move their show to a bigger tent fell was ignored, resulting in half the festival attendees trying to fit in the small, claustrophobic space in anticipation of what was then one of the biggest things in Dutch music: Osdorp Posse. After the first couple of notes were played, the frantic crowd started to mosh, pogo and crowdsurf with such an enthusiasm that they nearly destroyed the entire tent. Def P later explained he had no idea how dangerous the situation was, that eventually led to an early ending of the gig when the crowd rushed to the stage, crushing the structure. No one got seriously hurt, yet everyone had witnessed and taken part in a legendary festival moment, talked about to this day.
In 1996 the group received the prestigious ‘ Pop Prijs’ (Pop Prize), as a recognition of their pioneering role in the Dutch hip-hop scene. That year also marked another legendary festival performance; the Dynamo Open Air festival – at that time the most important Heavy Metal event in the world – playing as the first and only hip-hop crew ever in front of more then a 100.000 longhaired metalheads, a large portion of whom were stoned Germans (enjoying the music all the same). The following year, ‘ Osdorp’ returned to Pinkpop, this time playing not once but twice: first on the small stage, returning on the final day at the main stage in front of 60.000 people.
After the commercial and artistic successes of albums such as ‘Briljant, Hard en Geslepen’ (Brilliant, Hard and Polished) – recorded with death metal band Nembrionic, and the chart success ‘Geendagsvlieg’ (literally: No day fly, as a play on words to the term ‘one day fly’, emphasizing their timelessness) the Posse left their long time label Djax to start up their own label called RAMP Records (consisting of the first letters in their names: Robin, Arthur, Marco, Pascal). In 2000, the group’s first release on their own turf called ‘ Kernramp’ (Nuclear Disaster) became their biggest commercial success, and remains so to this day. For the first time in their 12 year long career, Osdorp Posse even landed on the Dutch TOP 40 charts with their single ‘ Origineel Amsterdams’, which eventually ploughed into the top 10.
The release of their eighth album also marked the first change in line-up the group had seen since the early demo days: DJ ‘Deegmeester’ Daan – who already joined the band on stage for quite a while – became the fifth member of Osdorp Posse. That year they returned to Lowlands Festival as a five-piece, this time on a bigger stage. Once again controversy was part of the group’s performance, with Def P openly protesting against the nationwide crowd surf ban (as a result to the Roskilde tragedy earlier that year).
Around that time the music industry started crashing down. With programmes such as Napster and Kazaa providing fans with free – yet illegal – music, Osdorp Posse’s new label had a hard time lifting off. Every release after ‘ Kernramp’, such as ‘ Tegenstrijd” (meaning both Counter Battle, and Contradiction in Dutch) and Hollandse Hardcore Hip-Hop Helden all saw decreasing sales figures. At the same time, the genre the group created – Nederhop – had become a mainstream phenomena with acts such as Extince, Def Rhymz, and new school artists and groups like Raymster and Opgezwolle taking over the Dutch hiphop scene. Osdorp Posse, never being a favourite of the mainstream media – could only witness their own decline.
Around 2004, the group had plummeted back into the underground scene, once again playing the smaller venues. The groups hardcore following had eye for their later releases with bands such as Laberinto and Blind Justice, but stayed true to their heroes all the same.
Near the end of 2008, the group has announced to call it quits. After a release party of their final effort entitled ‘2 Decennia’ (Two Decades), Osdorp Posse embarked on a farewell tour, taking them to all the places they played, rocked the mike at, and witnessed their fanatic following go crazy to their hardcore style of performing.
The group’s swansong took place on their own turf, in the Amsterdam club De Melkweg in September of 2009, leaving a legacy that can not be ignored or forgotten: the invention and perfection of Nederhop.
De alcohol-list
Osdorp Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
is onbetwist dat de alcohol beslist en jij gist.
Of jij de fles wil of de fles jou,
kijk zelf maar hoe gauw jij de fles wou.
Nou, we gaan de feiten op een rijtje zetten,
dus let op als je nog op kan letten.
De alcoholconsumptie is sterk gestegen,
in de laatste jaren, dus ook de gevaren kom je tegen.
een ieder heeft zo z'n eigen alcohol beleving.
We hebben de drinkers en de probleemdrinkers,
die maatschappelijk vaak ook extreem wegzinken.
Het verschil is nou nog moeilijk te zien,
maar jij bent niet meer zo clean
en dagelijks meer als tien,
Acht glazen per dag betekend leverschade
en als je zo drie tot vijf jaar door blijft laden.
Maar bij twaalf of meer dan stop de beschaving,
dan leidt je hele lichaam aan alcoholverslaving.
Als dan de alcohol jouw bloed verlaat,
dan voel je dat het mis gaat,
dat jij weer aan het drinken slaat.
Gewenning, dat is hoe verslaving ontstaat,
je gaat steeds meer drinken voor het zelfde resultaat.
Bekende situatie? Besef dan goed,
dat je het niet meer voor de smaak maar voor de alcohol doet.
De alcohol-list van de alcoholist,
hij komt heel langzaam en onverwacht.
De alcohol-list van de alcoholist,
de alcoholduivel heeft jou in z'n macht.
Elke keer dan denk ik weer,
ik drink niet meer,
ik doe het niet meer.
En de volgende keer,
f**k daar ga ik weer,
en drink nog meer dan de vorige keer.
Het kost je je hersencellen en je lever,
om nou nog maar te zwijgen over geld uitgeven.
Maar ik ben geen type om mezelf te foppen,
dus ik denk maar dat ik ga stoppen met stoppen.
Maar hoewel, ik was nog niet eens begonnen,
want zelfs dit was onder invloed verzonnen.
Je kan op alcohol een hele hoop kritiek geven,
maar d'r ook een heleboel plezier van beleven.
Als een ware duivel wacht de alcohol
op jou in een fles, aantrekkelijk vol.
Je maakt hem open en schenkt hem in een glas,
en zet hem op je lippen, dan begint het pas.
De listige alcohol-list glijdt naar binnen
door je slokdarm en zijn werk kan beginnen.
Van je maagdarmkanaal in jouw bloedbaan,
zuip je radicaal dan ga je er goed aan.
Dus let op je lever want ongemerkt,
wordt hier die negentig procent van de alcohol verwerkt.
De eerste plek waar je dus de schade oploopt,
en dat is waar de alcoholduivel op hoopt.
Borrel, borrel, borrel in je kop,
een dronken gevoel neemt je mee naar de top.
Maar stop je niet op tijd en ga je te ver,
dan pleur jij nu naar beneden als een vallende ster.
Je hoofd gaat draaien, je buik gaat klotsen,
je benen zwaaien, je darmen kotsen.
Je hebt je weer een keer te veel uitgesloofd
en wordt de volgende dag wakker met een houten hoofd.
Elke keer dan denk ik weer,
ik drink niet meer,
ik doe het niet meer.
En de volgende keer,
f**k daar ga ik weer,
en drink nog meer dan de volgende (<- foutje?) keer.
Het kost je je hersencellen en je lever,
om nou nog maar te zwijgen over geld uitgeven.
Maar ik ben geen type om mezelf te foppen,
dus ik denk maar dat ik ga stoppen met stoppen.
GGGGBWAH UUGH UUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHH (volgens mij)
BLEGH! Bah...... ;-( (volgens Sander)
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The song "De alcohol-list" by Osdorp Posse speaks to the dangerous nature of alcohol and how it can take over one's life. The lyrics describe how the personification of alcohol, referred to as the alcoholduivel (alcohol devil), waits in a bottle and can easily become a person's master if they are not careful. The song warns about the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption and how quickly it can lead to addiction and damage to one's body and mind. It also touches upon the struggle of quitting, as the lure of alcohol can be overwhelming and difficult to resist.
The song is filled with vivid imagery and powerful lyrics that showcase the dangers of alcoholism. It speaks to the topical issue of alcohol consumption and its effects on individuals and society as a whole. The message is clear - alcohol can be fun in moderation, but it can quickly become a destructive force if not approached responsibly.
Line by Line Meaning
De alcohol-list van de alcoholist,
The plan of the alcoholic,
is onbetwist dat de alcohol beslist en jij gist.
It is undeniable that alcohol decides, and you ferment.
Of jij de fles wil of de fles jou,
Whether you want the bottle, or the bottle wants you,
kijk zelf maar hoe gauw jij de fles wou.
Just look at how quickly you wanted the bottle to find out.
Nou, we gaan de feiten op een rijtje zetten,
Now we're going to list the facts,
dus let op als je nog op kan letten.
So pay attention if you still can.
De alcoholconsumptie is sterk gestegen,
Alcohol consumption has significantly increased,
in de laatste jaren, dus ook de gevaren kom je tegen.
In recent years, the dangers of alcohol have become more prevalent.
In het dagelijks leven in je eigen omgeving,
In your daily life and surroundings,
een ieder heeft zo z'n eigen alcohol beleving.
Everyone has their own experience with alcohol.
We hebben de drinkers en de probleemdrinkers,
We have drinkers and problem drinkers,
die maatschappelijk vaak ook extreem wegzinken.
Who often sink to extremes in society.
Het verschil is nou nog moeilijk te zien,
It's still difficult to see the difference,
maar jij bent niet meer zo clean
But you're not clean anymore,
en dagelijks meer als tien,
And more than ten drinks a day,
Acht glazen per dag betekend leverschade
Eight glasses a day means liver damage,
en als je zo drie tot vijf jaar door blijft laden.
And if you keep it up for three to five years,
Maar bij twaalf of meer dan stop de beschaving,
But at twelve or more, civilization stops,
dan leidt je hele lichaam aan alcoholverslaving.
And your entire body suffers from alcohol addiction.
Als dan de alcohol jouw bloed verlaat,
When the alcohol leaves your blood,
dan voel je dat het mis gaat,
You feel that something's wrong,
dat jij weer aan het drinken slaat.
And that you start drinking again.
Gewenning, dat is hoe verslaving ontstaat,
Habituation is how addiction starts,
je gaat steeds meer drinken voor het zelfde resultaat.
You drink more and more for the same result.
Bekende situatie? Besef dan goed,
Familiar situation? Realize,
dat je het niet meer voor de smaak maar voor de alcohol doet.
That you're drinking for the alcohol, not for the taste.
De alcohol-list van de alcoholist,
The plan of the alcoholic,
hij komt heel langzaam en onverwacht.
It comes slowly and unexpectedly.
De alcohol-list van de alcoholist,
The plan of the alcoholic,
de alcoholduivel heeft jou in z'n macht.
The alcohol devil has you in its grasp.
Elke keer dan denk ik weer,
Every time I think again,
ik drink niet meer,
I won't drink anymore,
ik doe het niet meer.
I won't do it anymore.
En de volgende keer,
And the next time,
f**k daar ga ik weer,
F**k, there I go again,
en drink nog meer dan de vorige keer.
And drink even more than the last time.
Het kost je je hersencellen en je lever,
It costs you your brain cells and your liver,
om nou nog maar te zwijgen over geld uitgeven.
Not to mention the money spent.
Maar ik ben geen type om mezelf te foppen,
But I'm not the type to fool myself,
dus ik denk maar dat ik ga stoppen met stoppen.
So I think I'll stop stopping.
Maar hoewel, ik was nog niet eens begonnen,
But then again, I hadn't even started yet,
want zelfs dit was onder invloed verzonnen.
Because even this was conceived under the influence.
Je kan op alcohol een hele hoop kritiek geven,
You can criticize alcohol a lot,
maar d'r ook een heleboel plezier van beleven.
But you can also have a lot of fun with it.
Als een ware duivel wacht de alcohol
Like a true devil, alcohol awaits,
op jou in een fles, aantrekkelijk vol.
In a bottle, full and alluring.
Je maakt hem open en schenkt hem in een glas,
You open it and pour it into a glass,
en zet hem op je lippen, dan begint het pas.
And put it to your lips, then it begins.
De listige alcohol-list glijdt naar binnen
The cunning plan of alcohol slips within,
door je slokdarm en zijn werk kan beginnen.
Through your esophagus, and its work begins.
Van je maagdarmkanaal in jouw bloedbaan,
From your digestive system to your bloodstream,
zuip je radicaal dan ga je er goed aan.
If you drink excessively, it will do you in.
Dus let op je lever want ongemerkt,
So take care of your liver, because unnoticed,
wordt hier die negentig procent van de alcohol verwerkt.
Ninety percent of the alcohol is processed here.
De eerste plek waar je dus de schade oploopt,
The first place where the damage occurs,
en dat is waar de alcoholduivel op hoopt.
And that's what the alcohol devil is hoping for.
Borrel, borrel, borrel in je kop,
Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles in your head,
een dronken gevoel neemt je mee naar de top.
A feeling of drunkenness takes you to the top.
Maar stop je niet op tijd en ga je te ver,
But if you don't stop in time and go too far,
dan pleur jij nu naar beneden als een vallende ster.
You'll fall down like a shooting star.
Je hoofd gaat draaien, je buik gaat klotsen,
Your head spins, your stomach churns,
je benen zwaaien, je darmen kotsen.
Your legs swing, your stomach heaves.
Je hebt je weer een keer te veel uitgesloofd
Once again, you've overworked yourself,
en wordt de volgende dag wakker met een houten hoofd.
And wake up the next day with a wooden head.
Elke keer dan denk ik weer,
Every time I think again,
ik drink niet meer,
I won't drink anymore,
ik doe het niet meer.
I won't do it anymore.
En de volgende keer,
And the next time,
f**k daar ga ik weer,
F**k, there I go again,
en drink nog meer dan de volgende (<- foutje?) keer.
And drink even more than the next time.
Het kost je je hersencellen en je lever,
It costs you your brain cells and your liver,
om nou nog maar te zwijgen over geld uitgeven.
Not to mention the money spent.
Maar ik ben geen type om mezelf te foppen,
But I'm not the type to fool myself,
dus ik denk maar dat ik ga stoppen met stoppen.
So I think I'll stop stopping.
GGGGBWAH UUGH UUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHH (volgens mij)
GGGGBWAH UUGH UUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHH (I think)
BLEGH! Bah...... ;-( (volgens Sander)
BLEGH! Yuck...... ;-( (according to Sander)
Contributed by Liam E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.