PRT debuted in 1989 with the release of the single "Time to Say Peace" b/w "Butt Naked Booty Bless." The trio released its first album, Holy Intellect, in 1990,[3] amid a number of similarly pro-Black albums such as Public Enemy's Fear of a Black Planet, X-Clan's To the East, Blackwards, and Brand Nubian's One for All. While not as commercially successful as these albums, Holy Intellect received critical acclaim and spawned the group's only major radio hit, "Rock Dis Funky Joint." PRT returned in 1991 with its second album, Pure Poverty.[3] The album was not as commercially successful as its debut, and was not as acclaimed. The lead single "Shakiyla (JRH)", became a minor rap hit that year. The group's third, and possibly most successful release to date, Black Business, was released in 1993.[3] Sales were once again limited, but the album was a critical success. The album's lead single, "Nobody Move", received little radio airplay. After a three-year hiatus, PRT returned as a group in 1996 with its fourth album, The New World Order.[3] Released in a new Hip Hop era, the album received little attention, failing to reach the Billboard 200 album chart. The album's lead single, "Word Iz Life", was barely able to reach the Hot Rap Singles chart, peaking at the chart's lowest position, #50. Despite the lack of significant attention, the album, like its past releases, received significant acclaim.
In 2001, Poor Righteous Teachers dropped the rare underground release Declaration of Independence.[3] In 2006, Cha-Ching Records released Rare & Unreleased, a compilation of rare Poor Righteous Teachers songs and remixes.[4][5]
PRT had a short feud with rapper YZ over reels of tapes that YZ would not give back to its owner, PRT.[6]
Father Shaheed died on May 26, 2014, from a motorcycle accident.[7]
Conscious style
Poor Righteous Teachers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dealing in levels of astronomy, numerology, geometry, sociology, physiology
Psychology and of course philosophy
Music-ology
B.D.P.R.T
(It's nothing but conscious style)
(It's nothing but conscious style)
Wise Intelligent:
Where the teachers went, with all that pro-black shit?
Where all the conscious niggas, who used to chat like this?
See, I remember yesterday when y'all was Gods and Earths
Egyptians and metaphysicists on the verge of giving birth
To understanding, and planting seeds that grow
Now everybody's on that bullshit about killing and so
Eat my pussy, suck my dick, well that's the size of the shit
So in the head of ignorance, I rip some conscious clip
Niggas is small, my task is educate y'all
Can you stop selling crack 'cause negro that takes balls
I'm on that road called freedom, seldom traveled by the multitude
I bring gifts of life, light, and some conscious food
God degree, 'cause see God's the size of me
And yeah, what's the difference with the west and the east
I feel there ain't no difference, so spread the news I spit
And since I got you listening, I guess I'll prove the shit
There's niggas is lacking over there, niggas is lacking over here
Some niggas is dying over here, and niggas is dying over there
Black youth don't follow them, because they don't know shit
They selling you death on that pursuit for Benz and Lexus
We gots to talk about, 'cause I'll reveal your ass
You can't shield your dirty thoughts with no five percent fact
Peep the jewels that I craft, see the fools that I class
I be schooling your ass, 'cause being truth is a task
And I am nothing but, I'm God-blessed nigga, what?
Take your hands off your nuts and your lips off that blunt
Stand for something, stand erect, stand for this
You'll fall for anything because you don't stand for shit
I murder slime, come wicked every time
And fill your mind with conscious rhyme
(It's nothing but conscious style)
KRS-One:
You ever wonder why you ain't living how you should be living
Could it be your mentality you're giving off?
North, south, west, east, like an unchained beast
Your thoughts bringing you to deceased
A release a little piece with speed
Before the savage emcee proceeds to feed
Upon the minds of the minor, I find the antidote
To the empty emcee that thinks they dope
We ain't got too far to go
Opportunities are shutting down faster than this rhyme flow
One day you're in your sauna, next day a goner
You can sit and play games like Bugs Bunny if you wanna
Real bad boys used to move in silence, peep it
But now real bad boys seem to move in secret societies, a trip
Don't slip with your lip talking shit with your clip
Showing your ass as I blast into it
With a clip of conscious lyrical wit
KRS-One comes well equipped
You can follow me in a mass of one follow me in a mass of two turntables
You're listening to the sound now of the Profile label
With B.D.P.R.T.
Yo Wise, tell 'em just what you see
Wise Intelligent:
Niggas is talented, but they let it go to waste
I'm came to smack that ign'ant smile off your face
You're lacking knowledge of self and what I'm talking about
You niggas laughing but that's something you should cry out
Right now you're finding out is God is back up in the house
My weapon's in my mouth and watch how I can take you out
Intelligent, represent
Ignorance, slaughter it
Slangspit Entertainment
Run shit, on the planet
B.D.P., up on the mix
P.R.T., conscious lyrics
You're suffering
Niggas is sick, where's the Bufferin?
I hear that gangsta shit but let some conscious brothers hit
You know the type that fight, live and die for truthful rights
Not only that, we will kill for this righteous life
I'm on the mic for the purpose of shedding light
You take my life? Go fly a fucking kite
I'm infinite, I'm yesterday, today, tonight
Tomorrow morning, you see this is your future talking
Babylon is fallen, poor people of the world are ballin'
Black people calling for P.R.T. and what we talkin'
Black facts and shit like that
Dress and lack, get your head cracked
Rip tracks and refuse to come wack
(Yo P.R.T. them niggas' lyrics, you notice that?)
I learned this line, come wicked every time
And fill your mind with a conscious rhyme
KRS-One: Yeah, check it out one check it out
(It's nothing but conscious style)
Wise Intelligent: Roll up your arms if you love the new fisherman stylee, hear me now
(It's nothing but conscious style)
KRS-One: B.D.P. coming through
(It's nothing but conscious style)
KRS-One: Knowledge reigns supreme
(It's nothing but conscious style)
The song "Conscious Style" by Poor Righteous Teachers features KRS-One and Wise Intelligent, and the two rappers take turns to discuss various topics that all relate to the importance of consciousness.
KRS-One starts the song with a lyrical style that's rooted in different academic disciplines, such as numerology, sociology, and philosophy. He talks about the need for conscious thought and attributes the reason for people not living up to their potential as due to their mentality. He warns that one's thoughts can lead to death or a lack of true fulfillment in life.
Wise Intelligent then picks up the baton and says that the conscious community has dwindled in recent times. He reminisces on the ancient knowledge that African Americans once possessed, such as their understanding of metaphysics, and their connection to ancient Egypt. He questions black people who have lost pride in their history and who follow distorted ideas such as having bling culture and being tough gangsters. Instead, Wise Intelligent offers sound advice on that the path of consciousness entails taking risks, becoming educated, being truthful, and standing by principles.
The song provides an insight into the need for people to have an awareness of their actions and connections with those around them. It highlights the importance of focusing on knowledge, truth, and positivity in a world that is often overrun by ignorance and negativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Dealing in levels of astronomy, numerology, geometry, sociology, physiology
Psychology and of course philosophy
Music-ology
B.D.P.R.T
KRS-One is a lyricist who explores various subjects in his songs with an emphasis on philosophy, mathematics, sociology, and psychology.
Where the teachers went, with all that pro-black shit?
Wise Intelligent questions the whereabouts of the pro-black individuals who used to have meaningful conversations about conscious topics.
See, I remember yesterday when y'all was Gods and Earths
Egyptians and metaphysicists on the verge of giving birth
To understanding, and planting seeds that grow
Now everybody's on that bullshit about killing and so
Wise Intelligent reminisces about a time when people talked about the importance of consciousness and spirituality, and he criticizes the current generation for glorifying violence instead.
Niggas is small, my task is educate y'all
Can you stop selling crack 'cause negro that takes balls
Wise Intelligent wants to educate people, and he challenges them to stop selling drugs as it takes courage to do so.
Real bad boys used to move in silence, peep it
But now real bad boys seem to move in secret societies, a trip
KRS-One contrasts the old-school way of being tough, where people did not brag about their exploits, with the modern phenomenon of secret societies.
Niggas is talented, but they let it go to waste
I'm came to smack that ign'ant smile off your face
Wise Intelligent believes that many talented people waste their potential, and he wants to wake them up.
Black people calling for P.R.T. and what we talkin'
Black facts and shit like that
Dress and lack, get your head cracked
Rip tracks and refuse to come wack
Wise Intelligent states that people want to hear the truth that P.R.T. delivers and he advocates for expressing oneself creatively without compromising integrity.
Knowledge reigns supreme
KRS-One believes that knowledge is the most powerful thing one can possess.
Roll up your arms if you love the new fisherman stylee, hear me now
Wise Intelligent calls for listeners to embrace the conscious style of music.
B.D.P. coming through
KRS-One introduces his group, Boogie Down Productions.
It's nothing but conscious style
Both KRS-One and Wise Intelligent assert that they only make conscious music.
Contributed by London J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
UltimateMoralizer
This is when hip-hop was actually in its purest form! Nothing beats old school hip-hop like this!
Crown Jewelz
@Trent Yates only add to it..as we try to do..#nowplaying Couldn't by BigBob & Crown Jewelz feat. Mar$ & Hook Raida via @audiomack https://audiomack.com/bigbob/song/couldnt
Trent Yates
Can nothing beat the old skool golden rap! Fuck this mumble BS!
Crown Jewelz
This aint old skool..this is golden era
danynumero6
This track is dope as hell. I've never heard so much truth being spoken in one song.
François Reme
how is it possible 27 people in this world don't love this track ?
Sapphire McKenzie
Build your mind with conscious Rhyme! 💯💯💯 Yess I love Poor Righteous Teachers!
Boczono
THIS IS REAL SHIT! So sick!!!!! For me, one of best rap songs ever! This beat, this flow MUAH, GOTTA CLEAN MY PANTS NOW big props
Odlum
p.s. it's a dope song, I can't believe I didn't discover PRT sooner! Seriously underplayed.
Andrew61291
awesome track, timeless!