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.
Kernramp
Osdorp Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
en komt vanzelf tot de vraag: 'Wie gaat dat uitbrengen dan?'
Nou, dan kan ik je vertellen dat wij ook een label hebben
met connecties ondergronds, een net vertakt als spinnewebben
Ik hoor je nu al denken: 'Dat is toch wel interessant!'
Want jij rapt nu op je kamertje, maar wil ook door het land
En je plaat in elke winkel zodat elke boerenkinkel
jou kan kopen en herkend zodat je kassa lekker rinkelt
die beland op de berg van 'Na h***n nooit meer spelen'
We zijn je heus wel dankbaar voor de moeite die je doet
Maar toch, we brengen jou niet uit want hé je klinkt gewoon niet goed!
Je vroeg me om m'n mening dus die krijg je nu bij deze
Ik zeg het je heel eerlijk, dus je moet niet kwaad gaan wezen
Ga lekker door met oefenen, want oefening baart kunst
En ooit bewijzen wij misschien wel jouw gewenste gunst
Maar ga niet lopen dissen als het jouw te lang duurt
want als je onze fan niet was had jij je demo nooit gestuurd!
We hebben slechts de beste rappers van het land getekend
dus je weet wat Ramp Records voor de Nederhop betekend!
Beschouw het dus als eer om ooit je plaat bij ons te droppen
want die s*** wordt altijd vet met Seda aan de knoppen!
Dus houd de moed erin en blijf ook naar perfectie strevend
want Ramp Records houdt die echte s*** levend!
Wij zijn de kern van Ramp, dus ook intern van Ramp
die met de kracht van een kernramp de sterren verdampt
Dus vergeet nou maar dat iemand dit als feit belet,
want als er Ramp op staat dan is het altijd vet! (2x)
Dit is een open advertentie voor het Nederhoptalent
maar wacht met demo¹s sturen tot jij denkt dat jij de vent bent!
Want de goeien eruit pikken doe ik haast op de tast
dus wie verbaast en verrast wordt niet gepaast maar gepast
Dus kick het overtuigend en niet voor de poen buigend
of zuigend, zodat ik eindelijk een keertje juichend
een demo kan waarderen zonder al het geslijm
Hoewel, een zakkie wiet erbij, dat vind ik altijd wel fijn!
Kom zeg! Voor velen blijft dit toch een schakeltje van pech
Maar als je goed bent ligt er zeker geen obstakel op je weg
tot het maken van je plaat, dus kom niet met je praat
dat er geen kansen zijn want Ramp haalt meer gasten van de straat
dan een Heilsoldaat. Alleen wij weigeren die wackerds!
Want alles draait om kwaliteit en skills bij Ramp Records
Jij leeft met de dag? Moet je zelf weten maat
Maar wij zijn klaar voor wat komen gaat!
Wij zijn de kern van Ramp, dus ook intern van Ramp
die met de kracht van een kernramp de sterren verdampt
Dus vergeet nou maar dat iemand dit als feit belet,
want als er Ramp op staat dan is het altijd vet! (2x)
Je denkt dat je het beter kunt?
Kom van je naat dan en maak een vette plaat dan punk! (4x)
The song "Kernramp" by Osdorp Posse addresses the overwhelming number of people who believe they can rap and send their demos to the record label with hopes of being signed. The song emphasizes the importance of skill and quality in rap music, stating that not everyone can make it in the industry despite their aspirations. The lyrics also give insight into the inner workings of the record industry, with the label having a network of connections and a process for identifying the best rappers to sign.
The chorus of the song references the power of a nuclear disaster and how Ramp Records uses that same power to make their music stand out. The lyrics suggest that if a song has a Ramp Records label, it is going to be great. The first verse admonishes the countless people who try to make it as rappers, warning them not to expect immediate success and to keep practicing their craft to improve their skills. The second verse gives advice on how to get noticed by the record label, namely by being honest, authentic, and not trying to impress with flash or extravagance.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the rap industry and how difficult it is to make it as a successful artist. It encourages aspiring rappers to keep practicing and to be genuine in their music, even if they do not immediately find success.
Line by Line Meaning
Iedereen denkt tegenwoordig dat ie rappen kan
Everyone these days thinks they can rap
en komt vanzelf tot de vraag: 'Wie gaat dat uitbrengen dan?'
And naturally comes to the question: 'Who is going to release it?'
Nou, dan kan ik je vertellen dat wij ook een label hebben
Well, I can tell you that we also have a label
met connecties ondergronds, een net vertakt als spinnewebben
With underground connections, a network as intricate as spider webs
Ik hoor je nu al denken: 'Dat is toch wel interessant!'
I can already hear you thinking: 'That is quite interesting!''
Want jij rapt nu op je kamertje, maar wil ook door het land
Because you are currently rapping in your room, but also want to tour the country
En je plaat in elke winkel zodat elke boerenkinkel
And have your album in every store, so that every small-town store
jou kan kopen en herkend zodat je kassa lekker rinkelt
Can buy it and recognize you, so that your cash register makes a nice sound
Je stuurt ons dus een demo, maar je bent één van de velen
So, you send us a demo, but you are one of many
die beland op de berg van 'Na h***n nooit meer spelen'
That ends up on the pile of 'Never Play Again'
We zijn je heus wel dankbaar voor de moeite die je doet
We are grateful for the effort you put in
Maar toch, we brengen jou niet uit want hé je klinkt gewoon niet goed!
But still, we won't release you because you just don't sound good!
Je vroeg me om m'n mening dus die krijg je nu bij deze
You asked for my opinion, so here it is
Ik zeg het je heel eerlijk, dus je moet niet kwaad gaan wezen
I'm telling you honestly, so don't get mad
Ga lekker door met oefenen, want oefening baart kunst
Just keep practicing, because practice makes perfect
En ooit bewijzen wij misschien wel jouw gewenste gunst
And maybe someday we will grant your wish
Maar ga niet lopen dissen als het jouw te lang duurt
But don't start dissing us if it takes too long
want als je onze fan niet was had jij je demo nooit gestuurd!
Because if you weren't our fan, you never would have sent your demo!
We hebben slechts de beste rappers van het land getekend
We have only signed the best rappers in the country
dus je weet wat Ramp Records voor de Nederhop betekend!
So, you know what Ramp Records means for Dutch hip hop!
Beschouw het dus als eer om ooit je plaat bij ons te droppen
Consider it an honor to release your album with us
want die s*** wordt altijd vet met Seda aan de knoppen!
Because that s*** always sounds great with Seda at the controls!
Dus houd de moed erin en blijf ook naar perfectie strevend
So, keep your spirits up and keep striving for perfection
want Ramp Records houdt die echte s*** levend!
Because Ramp Records keeps that real s*** alive!
Wij zijn de kern van Ramp, dus ook intern van Ramp
We are the core of Ramp, so also internally within Ramp
die met de kracht van een kernramp de sterren verdampt
We evaporate the stars with the power of a nuclear blast
Dus vergeet nou maar dat iemand dit als feit belet,
So just forget that anyone could stop this as a fact,
want als er Ramp op staat dan is het altijd vet! (2x)
Because if it says Ramp on it, it's always dope! (2x)
Dit is een open advertentie voor het Nederhoptalent
This is an open advertisement for Dutch hip hop talent
maar wacht met demo¹s sturen tot jij denkt dat jij de vent bent!
But wait to send demos until you think you're the man!
Want de goeien eruit pikken doe ik haast op de tast
Because picking out the good ones, I almost do by touch
dus wie verbaast en verrast wordt niet gepaast maar gepast
So, if you impress me, you won't be rejected but selected
Dus kick het overtuigend en niet voor de poen buigend
So, kick it convincingly and not pandering for money
of zuigend, zodat ik eindelijk een keertje juichend
Or sucking, so that I can finally cheer
een demo kan waarderen zonder al het geslijm
Appreciate a demo without all the flattery
Hoewel, een zakkie wiet erbij, dat vind ik altijd wel fijn!
Although, a bag of weed with it, I always enjoy that!
Kom zeg! Voor velen blijft dit toch een schakeltje van pech
Come on! For many, this still remains a link of bad luck
Maar als je goed bent ligt er zeker geen obstakel op je weg
But if you're good, there certainly won't be any obstacle on your way
tot het maken van je plaat, dus kom niet met je praat
Until the making of your album, so don't talk smack
dat er geen kansen zijn want Ramp haalt meer gasten van de straat
That there are no opportunities because Ramp pulls more people off the streets
dan een Heilsoldaat. Alleen wij weigeren die wackerds!
Than a Salvation Army soldier. We only refuse those slackers!
Want alles draait om kwaliteit en skills bij Ramp Records
Because everything revolves around quality and skills at Ramp Records
Jij leeft met de dag? Moet je zelf weten maat
You live day by day? That's up to you, buddy
Maar wij zijn klaar voor wat komen gaat!
But we are ready for what's to come!
Je denkt dat je het beter kunt?
You think you can do it better?
Kom van je naat dan en maak een vette plaat dan punk! (4x)
Then get off your ass and make a dope album, punk! (4x)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: D.J. Daan de Deegmeester, Def P, Seda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind