Poor Righteous Teachers was a hip hop group from Trenton, New Jersey, found… Read Full Bio ↴Poor Righteous Teachers was a hip hop group from Trenton, New Jersey, founded in 1989.[1] Often referred to as PRT by its fans, Poor Righteous Teachers was known as a pro-Black conscious hip hop group, with musical content inspired by the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths. Wise Intelligent, as the lead MC, was the most visible and well known member of the group. Culture Freedom provided backing vocals and production, and Father Shaheed served as a DJ and producer. About.com ranked the group's lead MC, Wise Intelligent, number five on its list of the 10 Most Underrated Rappers, calling him "one of the most creative MCs of our time."[2]

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]

Strictly Ghetto
Poor Righteous Teachers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hodo namandokkon jolo tammat au
Sai nimmu do tu au
Hodo namandokkon jolo horja au
Sai nimmu do tu au
Hodo namandokkon ingkon sabar au
Sai nimmu do tu au
Sai tarpaima, sai tarpaima, sai hupaima

Molo dung hu sunkkun ho da hasian,
Parbogasontai
Sai tarilu ilu do ho da hasian
Lao mangalusi au
Hata naung ta puduni salelengon
Hutiop doi gomos
Sabar do au, sabar do au, paimahon ho

Unang gabusi au ito
Unang marsak di hilala ho
Molo solo ho tu au
Paboama aha Alana da

Unang, parmeam meam au
Unang, parmeam meam au

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Poor Righteous Teachers's song Strictly Ghetto embrace and celebrate the rawness and authenticity of the 'ghetto' or urban communities. The opening lines of the song in the Indonesian language of Batak, roughly translate to a call for perseverance, strength, and faith in the face of the harsh realities of the ghetto. The repetition of the phrase "Sai nimmu do tu au" reinforces the message of holding on to hope and continuing to fight for a better life, even in difficult circumstances.

The second verse shifts to English, addressing the struggles faced by those living in the inner city, with references to drugs and violence as well as a call for unity and support within the community. The use of the phrase "Strictly Ghetto" in the chorus serves to reframe the negative connotation attached to the term and instead embrace it as a source of pride and resilience. The lyrics throughout the song aim to highlight the strength and beauty in the experiences of those living in urban ghettos, rather than perpetuating negative stereotypes.

Line by Line Meaning

Hodo namandokkon jolo tammat au
I am going to express my thoughts through my words

Sai nimmu do tu au
And my words will spread like wildfire

Hodo namandokkon jolo horja au
I will remain true to my beliefs

Sai nimmu do tu au
And my beliefs will influence others around me

Hodo namandokkon ingkon sabar au
I have patience despite facing difficulties

Sai nimmu do tu au
And my patience will be my strength

Sai tarpaima, sai tarpaima, sai hupaima
I will always strive to improve myself and become better

Molo dung hu sunkkun ho da hasian,
Though I come from a poor environment,

Parbogasontai
I will rise above it

Sai tarilu ilu do ho da hasian
And my success will inspire others

Lao mangalusi au
To dream big and reach for their goals