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]
Shakiyla
Poor Righteous Teachers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes I come to pay tribute to Shakiyla because you're lovely
Word is bond, your sister loves me and I love her like no other before
Ayee
I say I spend a lot of time with the queen I protect
You're the sister close to me, he take her deeper into debt
Say sister, knowledge god that of queens your existence
You're the mother of civilization and I hate them snakes that disrespect
And they often disrespect ya when they find out that I sex ya
Wondering what are they trying with knowledge of themselves
Shakiyla's civilized, she despises the drug you sell
Shakiyla deep black woman she loves my light to death
These savages try sweating, tell culture I say this
Wake up from all those savage dreams
Thinking that she's yours, not mines
Those earrings and silly chains
It's really just a waste of time
The queen is mine
Wake up
The wise black queen is mine
She's mine
She's mine
(Ease up!)
This one that's [?] to Shakiyla
Word is bond, the sister needs me
And I need her like no other before
Ayee
I tell ya strong be the vibe that combines us together
Lots of love, trust, and truth, understanding that's forever
Not biting, no one shooting
[?] On my mind
Perfection rules the ignorance, loves not blind boy
I see clearly daily baby crazy I gotcha
She's all this, she's all that
And it gets greater by the hour
Without the acts of separation
Though that's one of woman's power
Black man's guide to understanding
The black woman's full flower
(?)
At least the cresses of her soul
Shakiyla deep black woman she loves my light to death
These savages try sweating, tell culture I say this
The song "Shakiyla" by Poor Righteous Teachers is a tribute to a strong, intelligent woman who is a symbol of the knowledge and power of black women. The lyrics describe the admiration and respect for this woman, who is called Shakiyla. The song teaches the listeners to wake up from their savage dreams and recognize the power of black women: "Wake up from all those savage dreams, thinking that she's yours, not mine...The wise black queen is mine." The lyrics go on to say that this woman is not a prostitute, not a slut, and not a bitch. She is the mother of civilization and deserves to be treated with respect.
The song also touches on the issue of drugs and the disrespect that drug dealers show towards black women. The lyrics condemn the drug trade, and by extension, those who are involved in it. Shakiyla is described as hating the drugs that are sold by these people. The song suggests that the drug problem is causing a lot of harm to black communities and that those who participate in it are doing a disservice to themselves and their people.
Overall, the song is about the importance of recognizing and respecting the power of black women. It encourages listeners to wake up and see the truth about the world around them, and to strive towards understanding and respecting black culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Ease up, cause this is not a love ballad
Let's calm down because this song is not about love
Yes I come to pay tribute to Shakiyla because you're lovely
I'm here to honor Shakiyla because she's great
Word is bond, your sister loves me and I love her like no other before
I promise you, Shakiyla's sister and I have a special bond
Ayee
An expression of excitement or encouragement
I say I spend a lot of time with the queen I protect
I proudly spend time with the amazing woman I guard
You're the sister close to me, he take her deeper into debt
You're my close friend, and he owes you for making his life better
Say sister, knowledge god that of queens your existence
My sister, your existence is divine like that of queens
You're no hooker, you're no slut, you're no bitch and she listens
You're not a prostitute or a promiscuous woman; you're respected
You're the mother of civilization and I hate them snakes that disrespect
You represent the foundation of civilization, and I despise those who disrespect you
And they often disrespect ya when they find out that I sex ya
Some people disrespect you when they find out that we're intimate
Wondering what are they trying with knowledge of themselves
Some people wonder why they bother seeking self-knowledge
Shakiyla's civilized, she despises the drug you sell
Shakiyla is cultured and hates the drugs you sell
Shakiyla deep black woman she loves my light to death
Shakiyla, a dark-skinned woman, loves me a lot
These savages try sweating, tell culture I say this
These uncivilized people try to intimidate us; let them know my thoughts
Wake up from all those savage dreams
Stop dreaming about owning Shakiyla
Thinking that she's yours, not mines
Believing that Shakiyla belongs to you and not me
Those earrings and silly chains
Those jewelry pieces are unnecessary
It's really just a waste of time
It's pointless to pursue material possessions
The queen is mine
Shakiyla belongs to me
The wise black queen is mine
I have the intelligent black queen with me
She's mine
I own her
I tell ya strong be the vibe that combines us together
The powerful connection we share unites us
Lots of love, trust, and truth, understanding that's forever
We share love, trust, truth, and everlasting understanding
Not biting, no one shooting
No one is trying to harm anyone
[?] On my mind
I'm thinking deeply
Perfection rules the ignorance, loves not blind boy
We know that perfection rules over ignorance, and love is not blind
I see clearly daily baby crazy I gotcha
I understand everything and always have your back
She's all this, she's all that
Shakiyla has all the qualities that make her great
And it gets greater by the hour
Shakiyla is getting better every day
Without the acts of separation
Without causing any division
Though that's one of woman's power
Even though causing division is one way women have power
Black man's guide to understanding
I'm the black man who understands
The black woman's full flower
Shakiyla represents the beauty and essence of black women
(?)
This line is unclear
At least the cresses of her soul
I know the depths of her being
These savages try sweating, tell culture I say this
These uncivilized people try to intimidate us; let them know my thoughts
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DjTIMEJD
Congrats to Wise Intelligent. He’s been married to his Shakiyla/Wife for 30 years, friends.
@johnjacobs4508
I'm sitting here tripping. Seriously; I named my daughter after this song. 89. She's having her first child. She asked me yesterday about names. Funny how life goes about music! Stay up people.
@OfficialDJNiteRain
Word
@451DOGG
You did the right thing brother
@MadKapNera
Feel that..peace n love to you and yours...
@unrhu
I hope you and your family are doing well. Blessings brother
@davejohnson3860
Black love my brother! We love it
@sidneyatkins6678
Wise Intelligent is a beast
@hiddenking4840
Sidney Atkins indeed and still is ....homie still droppin science
@xmulletxtb4148
@@hiddenking4840is a beast