Their R&B/Hip-hop/Rap/soul music takes influences from their various backgrounds (Arab, Pakistani, and Latin music), and although their songs are primarily in English, they usually feature lyrics in Spanish, Urdu, Arabic, and Danish. All these influences make the music of Outlandish somewhat unique and this is easy to notice from the variety of genres covered in their albums. Outlandish often include themes about Islam and contemporary issues facing young Muslims in the west in their music, and sometimes their songs define a nasheed-like unique genre.
So far they have produced four albums: Outland's Official (2000), Bread & Barrels of Water (2003), Beats, Rhymes & Life (2004) and Closer Than Veins (2005).
Last November 2006 Outlandish won the MTV EMAs as a best danish act of the year, the same month as the creation of their new fan-site Elmoro4Life.com
El Moro
Outlandish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out to change the game - El Moro
Withstand the pain - El Moro
Knock them out' the frame - El Moro
If ya don't settle for less - El Moro
Always God bless - El Moro
Take out the best - El Moro
[Rap verse 1 (Majid)]
Face the fear
'Cause you will never make it here
I'm making it clear
You better disappear
Something rotten in Denmark
Like in Shakespeare
I suggest you hold tight
To the ones you hold dear
Damn I'm getting tired of
These motherfucking snakes
Who's really jealous who's
The ones that hates
Claiming the got backs but
They never share their cake
Talking 'bout sharing
But all they do is take
The ultimate the illest shit
Popping you any tournament
Take your rap and furnish it
Majid the name you heard of it
Calm your asses down
The general screams at ease
You practice no justice
I convert no peace
[Chorus]
[Rap verse 2 (Isam)]
Once 3 kings
Biggie, Pac and young Hov
9 out of 10 would put it 2 down and one to go
Hearts full of hatred when it comes to this rap
Got a classic? (Oh oh) ya best be strapped
Everyday the game is growing mo' money mo' problems
Mo' concern on pushing big units mo' violent
Hip hops changed, ain't a black thing anymore G
Young kids in Baghdad showing 2 on 3
Holla West coast?! Naah West bank for life
Upside down, holla for my moros aight
Spit rhymes in Arabic on the same level like Jada
You wouldn't know if you should head bang or belly dance playa
I'm that sand nigga type of Johnny Cochran yaw dig
World wide like H.C. Andersen, I won't quit
Don't depend on the rap game, I depend on my brain
Ya stereotype me; I knock you out like prince Naseem
[Rapverse3 (Lenny)]
Ya lo sabes......
Estan fuera de quicio
Ambicionando nuestro escano
Inalcanzable pretension
Es, pan o muerte en esta selva soy tacano
Somos los Quijotes
Frios cuando esto es necesario
Luz en lo oscuro que dicen que es mi barrio
Hemos inculcado sabor en concreto
Pintando mi sangre y mi suburbio por supuesto
Vieja foto de lo existente
Y si ha estado en la portada se me ha ido de la mente
Soy bohemia de las letras
Contemporaneo y sincero
Y dentro de mi casa soy todo un pionero
Asi que todos de aqui al horizonte
Alcen la M por El Moro
Anche no capisci niente
[Translation]
You know it....
They're out of line
Pursue our bench
Unattainable pretension
It's bread or dead and in this jungle
I'm niggardly
We're the Quixotes
Colds when we need to be it
Light in the dark they say me hometown is
We have inculcated flavour in the concrete
Painting my blood and my suburb of course
An old photo of the already existing
And if it had been in the cover
Then I overlooked it
I'm the bohemian of words
Contemporary and sincere
And inside my house I'm a pioneer
So everyone from here to the horizon
Raise the M for El Moro
Though you don't get this
[Chorus]
[Rap verse 4 (Waqas)]
I stay on target like a stinger
You call me Jinnah
Never lost focus still I came out a sinner
I'm not here to change the world
Just clean my house
And scoop up my mom in a coup 'cause
She needs a new couch
Its outlandmoro you can't run or hide
'Cause we come across like the truth
I tell you no lie
At first underrated these kids won't last
In no time they will be over as quick
As a finger snap
We beat the critics now look who run rap
It feels good even your sister
Be faking my autograph
At shows hugs and kisses
Afterwards you diss us
You can't give us scars
That we can't heal with stiches
Outlandish's song "El Moro" is a song about standing up for oneself, overcoming fear and pain, and striving to be the best. The chorus is a rallying cry for the "Moro's," or descendants of the Moors, who are urged to always aim high, never settling for less and trusting in God to bless them. The rap verses are filled with powerful lyrics, with each member of the group taking turns to deliver potent messages.
In verse 1, Majid warns against those who seek to bring others down, especially in the music industry, where jealousy and backstabbing are rampant. He speaks strongly against injustice and urges for peace to be obtained. Isam's verse talks about the changes in the rap game, with more focus on money and violent lyrics. He comments on the global reach of hip hop, mentioning young kids in Baghdad showing off their beats. He also notes the rise of hip hop in unexpected places, as shown by his own rhymes in Arabic. Lenny's verse is in Spanish and English, and he refers to those who seek to take what isn't theirs, including their "bench," or position in society. He talks about his own background and how he has brought flavor to his neighborhood, and even as an artist, he tries to be original and honest. Finally, Waqas talks about his own goals, making sure he takes care of his loved ones while still remaining true to what he believes. He talks about how his group was once underrated, but has since proven the critics wrong and become a force to be reckoned with.
Overall, "El Moro" is a powerful and inspiring song that celebrates the resilience and tenacity of the "Moro" people, who refuse to be beaten down by fear and pain, but instead choose to rise up and change the game.
Line by Line Meaning
Out to change the game - El Moro
We intend to revolutionize the industry - we are El Moro
Withstand the pain - El Moro
We continue despite the difficulties - we are El Moro
Knock them out' the frame - El Moro
We will defeat our opponents with style - we are El Moro
If ya don't settle for less - El Moro
Always strive for excellence - we are El Moro
Always God bless - El Moro
Grateful for our achievements - we are El Moro
Take out the best - El Moro
We eliminate our competition - we are El Moro
We are Moro's - Outland Moro's
We are the elite group known as Outland Moro's
Face the fear
Confront what scares you
'Cause you will never make it here
If you are not brave, you will fail
I'm making it clear
I am being honest
You better disappear
Go away if you can't handle this
Something rotten in Denmark
Something is not right here
Like in Shakespeare
Similar to what was written by Shakespeare
I suggest you hold tight
I recommend you stay close to your loved ones
To the ones you hold dear
To the people you care about
Damn I'm getting tired of
I am becoming annoyed with
These motherfucking snakes
These devious people
Who's really jealous who's
Who is truly envious of whom
The ones that hates
Those who dislike
Claiming the got backs but
Saying they have our support but
They never share their cake
They don't share their success
Talking 'bout sharing
Talking about giving
But all they do is take
But they only take
The ultimate the illest shit
The most impressive and amazing stuff
Popping you any tournament
We are winning competitions constantly
Take your rap and furnish it
Make your rap outstanding
Majid the name you heard of it
You know the name Majid
Calm your asses down
Relax and calm down
The general screams at ease
The leader says to relax
You practice no justice
You are not fair
I convert no peace
I don't promote peace
Once 3 kings
There were three leaders
Biggie, Pac and young Hov
Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur and Jay-Z
9 out of 10 would put it 2 down and one to go
Most people would choose two out of these three
Hearts full of hatred when it comes to this rap
There are many people who hate this genre of music
Got a classic? (Oh oh) ya best be strapped
If you have made a great album, be prepared
Everyday the game is growing mo' money mo' problems
As the industry grows, so do the issues
Mo' concern on pushing big units mo' violent
More focus on selling lots of albums, more aggression
Hip hops changed, ain't a black thing anymore G
Hip hop has evolved and is not only for black people anymore
Young kids in Baghdad showing 2 on 3
Youth in Baghdad are connecting with hip hop culture
Holla West coast?! Naah West bank for life
I'm not from the West Coast, I'm committed to the West Bank
Upside down, holla for my moros aight
Showing love to my fellow Moros
Spit rhymes in Arabic on the same level like Jada
Rapping in Arabic as well as Jadakiss
You wouldn't know if you should head bang or belly dance playa
Our music has a multicultural influence
I'm that sand nigga type of Johnny Cochran yaw dig
I am like Johnny Cochran, but from a different culture
World wide like H.C. Andersen, I won't quit
I'm known all over the world, and I won't give up
Don't depend on the rap game, I depend on my brain
I rely on my intelligence, not on the music business
Ya stereotype me; I knock you out like prince Naseem
Don't judge me based on your preconceived notions; I will prove you wrong
Ya lo sabes......
You know it...
Estan fuera de quicio
They're out of line
Ambicionando nuestro escano
Trying to take our position
Inalcanzable pretension
An unattainable goal
Es, pan o muerte en esta selva soy tacano
It's a matter of life and death in this competitive world
Somos los Quijotes
We are like Don Quixote
Frios cuando esto es necesario
We are cold when we need to be
Luz en lo oscuro que dicen que es mi barrio
We bring light to the darkness of our neighborhood
Hemos inculcado sabor en concreto
We have added flavor to our concrete surroundings
Pintando mi sangre y mi suburbio por supuesto
Representing my blood and my neighborhood of course
Vieja foto de lo existente
An old picture of what exists
Y si ha estado en la portada se me ha ido de la mente
If it's been on the cover, I forgot
Soy bohemia de las letras
I am a free spirit with words
Contemporaneo y sincero
Modern and genuine
Y dentro de mi casa soy todo un pionero
I am an innovator in my own home
Asi que todos de aqui al horizonte
So everyone from here to the horizon
Alcen la M por El Moro
Raise the M for El Moro
Anche no capisci niente
You still don't understand anything (in Italian)
I stay on target like a stinger
I am focused on my goals
You call me Jinnah
Some people call me Jinnah
Never lost focus still I came out a sinner
I never lost sight of my goals, but I did make mistakes
I'm not here to change the world
I don't have grandiose aspirations
Just clean my house
I just take care of my own business
And scoop up my mom in a coup 'cause
And take my mom on a shopping spree because
She needs a new couch
She wants to buy a new couch
Its outlandmoro you can't run or hide
It's Outlandmoro - you can't escape us
'Cause we come across like the truth
We appear to be authentic
I tell you no lie
I am being truthful
At first underrated these kids won't last
At first, people didn't think we would succeed
In no time they will be over as quick
They will fail quickly
As a finger snap
Very quickly
We beat the critics now look who run rap
We proved the critics wrong and now we dominate the genre
It feels good even your sister
Even your sister likes us
Be faking my autograph
She may even copy my signature
At shows hugs and kisses
People show us affection at our performances
Afterwards you diss us
But then you criticize us
You can't give us scars
You can't hurt us
That we can't heal with stiches
That can't be repaired with medicine
Contributed by Riley T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.