Break The Grip Of Shame
Paris Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Enter into a new realm, a new dimension
Pay close attention
And witness knowledge born on the microphone
for the people that I call my own
Remember back when good rap was just a cool dance hit
even though it wasn't saying (shit)
Well them days is gone I don't play that
Pick the punk and I'll say like wack
Stick with the sick style for the serious
Hip-Hop lovers can't get enough of this
Black tracks on wax are so smooth
You can't get help but the thought to move
This is a call and a plea for unity
Black is back uplift and be free
Keep pushin, our movement moves on.. so strong, now

With a raised fist I resist
I don't burn, so don't you dare riff
or step to me, I'm strong and black and proud
And for the (bullshit) I ain't down
Life in the city's already rough enough
without some young sucka runnin up
You don't know me, so don't step
I roll to the right and then bust your lip
Paris is my name, I don't sleep
I drop science, and keep the peace
Here to bust this for better justice
Another dope Scarface release
This is a serious style for the gifted
Pro-black radical rap's uplifting
Still growing, the power's so strong
You can't stop it, now

[Malcolm X speech]
"We declare our right on this Earth
to be a man, to be a human being,
to be respected as a human being,
to be given the rights of a human being,
in this society on this earth in this day,
which we intend to bring into existence,
by any means necessary!"

Alright, let's start some mo' (shit)
Straight up on the movement tip
with forces strong as Allah's my third eye
Black is back and P-Dog'll never die
Who said that you can't do this
Can't be wise or be for the movement
Games I won't have so don't you play none
You'll see why when I'm gone
Skinheads end up dead cause I don't play
Brothers swarm under the form of Scarface
Round up, roll out, we'll roll em up like Rolo's
I stomp sixteen solo
Straight for the jugular, hope that I don't
swarm and bust a cap by night so




you just keep your place cause I won't stop
I'll keep pushin that movement rock when I..

Overall Meaning

In the opening verse of Paris's song "Break The Grip Of Shame," he encourages listeners to pay close attention and witness knowledge born on the microphone, which he aims to share with his people. He reminisces on the days when good rap was solely popular for its dance beats rather than its message, but now he asserts that serious Hip-Hop lovers cannot get enough of his music. Paris calls and pleads for unity, encouraging Black people to embrace their identity and uplift themselves by breaking free from shame. He even mentions that he won't tolerate any disrespect or negativity thrown his way.


The second verse of the song is a declaration of Paris's principles of resistance and his fight to promote justice in his lyrics. He refuses to be silent about the hardships that African Americans face, and he tackles issues head-on in his music. Paris also warns listeners not to get too close to him, lest they become a victim of his forceful nature. He identifies himself as an unrelenting force who speaks truth to power, and he won't stop fighting for what he believes in.


The song concludes with a sample of Malcolm X's famous speech, where he passionately declares Black people's right to be respected and given equal rights. Paris's song is a call to action, encouraging listeners to join the movement and fight for justice.


Line by Line Meaning

Enter into a new realm, a new dimension
We are embarking on a new path, a fresh start


Pay close attention
Listen intently to what is about to be said


And witness knowledge born on the microphone
The lyrics that follow will contain insightful wisdom


for the people that I call my own
This message is specifically for my fellow African Americans


Remember back when good rap was just a cool dance hit
There was a time when popular rap music lacked substance


even though it wasn't saying (shit)
Despite the fact that the lyrics were lacking in meaning


Well them days is gone I don't play that
We've moved past that era and now demand more substance


Pick the punk and I'll say like wack
I reject superficial, shallow rap


Stick with the sick style for the serious
I only appreciate rap that has a purpose and a message


Hip-Hop lovers can't get enough of this
True fans of the genre crave meaningful, thought-provoking rap


Black tracks on wax are so smooth
Black musicians have a unique, stylish sound that appeals to many


You can't get help but the thought to move
Their music is so captivating it's hard not to dance to it


This is a call and a plea for unity
I'm asking my fellow African Americans to come together


Black is back uplift and be free
Black culture is something to be proud of


Keep pushin, our movement moves on.. so strong, now
We must continue to fight for our rights and culture


With a raised fist I resist
I stand up against oppression


I don't burn, so don't you dare riff
My message won't go up in flames or fade away


or step to me, I'm strong and black and proud
Don't come at me disrespectfully, as I'm confident in my identity


And for the (bullshit) I ain't down
I won't tolerate lies or inauthenticity


Life in the city's already rough enough
Being a black person in an urban environment is already difficult


without some young sucka runnin up
I won't let some young punk make it worse


You don't know me, so don't step
Don't try to approach me without a proper introduction


I roll to the right and then bust your lip
If you push me too far, I won't hesitate to lash out


Paris is my name, I don't sleep
I'm always alert, ready to advocate for my people


I drop science, and keep the peace
My message is powerful and enlightening, but I'm not advocating for violence


Here to bust this for better justice
I'm fighting for a more just, fair society


Another dope Scarface release
I'm putting out another great piece of art


This is a serious style for the gifted
My music is meant for those who appreciate insightful, meaningful rap


Pro-black radical rap's uplifting
My music is part of a movement to promote black empowerment


Still growing, the power's so strong
Our movement is picking up momentum and can't be stopped


You can't stop it, now
Our movement is too powerful to be halted


"We declare our right on this Earth
Malcolm X's famous speech begins


to be a man, to be a human being,
We demand to be treated as equals


to be respected as a human being,
We demand dignity and fairness


to be given the rights of a human being,
We demand equal rights and opportunities


in this society on this earth in this day,
We demand these things now, not later


which we intend to bring into existence,
Our generation is going to make this happen


by any means necessary!"
We will do whatever it takes to achieve our goals


Alright, let's start some mo' (shit)
Let's keep fighting for change


Straight up on the movement tip
I'm focused on pushing the black liberation movement forward


with forces strong as Allah's my third eye
My resolve is strong and unbreakable


Black is back and P-Dog'll never die
The black culture and liberation movement won't be erased


Who said that you can't do this
I won't let anyone discourage me from fighting for change


Can't be wise or be for the movement
I refuse to accept that one can't be both intelligent and a fighter for justice


Games I won't have so don't you play none
I won't be manipulated or disrespected by anyone


You'll see why when I'm gone
My actions and legacy will speak for themselves


Skinheads end up dead cause I don't play
I won't let those who seek to harm us succeed


Brothers swarm under the form of Scarface
I'm part of a larger movement for black liberation


Round up, roll out, we'll roll em up like Rolo's
We will overcome our oppressors


I stomp sixteen solo
I stand tall and independent


Straight for the jugular, hope that I don't
I'm going straight for the most powerful enemies of progress


swarm and bust a cap by night so
I won't rest until we achieve our goals


you just keep your place cause I won't stop
Those who oppose us will never succeed


I'll keep pushin that movement rock when I..
I'll continue fighting for equality and justice until the end




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: OSCAR PKA PARIS JACKSON, George Jr. Clinton, Oscar Jerome Jackson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@markhouston2255

Paris, like most true artists, was way ahead of his time. Dude was beyond amazing.

@raymondk6721

you dawg dup how you be?

@reggaefan2700

He was a Rakim wanna-be.

@reggienoble3195

A song I'll never forget....The imagery, the intent...Definitely sparked my mind back in the day....Album gotta be like top 25 of all Hiphop albums...

@jacknjill3000

Used to have the 12” and got when it was new, but traded in 91. Today I found the 12” at this new used record store in SF and it only was $7. bc the ship owner didn’t know how hard this was to get or that it was old school hip hop classic. So after 33 years, I got it again.

Oh and I used to work at Star Records when this came out in 1990 and everyone bought this record.

@harvichsambo723

Truth .all the way over to the caribbean!!💪🏾🙏🏽

@velocity313

Thanks Eminem for mentioning Paris during your Hall of Fame Induction speech and making me remember how Dope Paris was.

@royw-g3120

Is.

@Cas469

Still in my top 3 this album..

@jeffkameny3711

Still the best!!!!!

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