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]
Word Iz Life
Poor Righteous Teachers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo turn the mic down a little
Yo
Yeah
Word, haha
Poor Righteous Teachers y'all
Just like knowledge is infinite
I'm God and I'm living it
Giving it all that I've got
Shots lick and Bic lighters flick
I strike a pose, strike my mic with these flows
Am I nice? I suppose
Heaven knows I'm on some other shit
Sisters and shows call me boombastic
I feel I'm dime-blasted
Stamp on it girl, I'm telling you
For truly strong like that's the God that's in me
She was my agony, and no idea, see
I educate you through the teacher in me
There ain't no reefer in me
One swig of malt licquor end a nigga
I touch the mic and universally greet
Rising earths with peace
And you know how I'm like that
Do this for blacks stranded in projects
Cashing welfare checks, we gots to do what we gots to
My peoples flip for the slang I spit
Shots ring, I trip, grip this plastic
I gots to stay refined, body and mind
Poor Righteous Teachers, word is life
Stay refined, body and mind
Poor Righteous Teachers, word is life
Word is bond, (word) word is life
And word is life, (word) my word is life
(x3)
(Word is my life G)
I sip a bottle of tonic, strictly Zion root
Ginseng and juice, chew sticks I chew
We watch lecture spots, shake hands with the ock
Heads'll clap non-stop, dock and yes give props
Hip hop fly on top all blacks up on lock
P.R.T. crew drops life in your head-top
One hundred thirty seven one third miles per hour
I put your planet in continuous revolution
Penetrate, dry mist from a lake
Create rain, snow, sleet, hail and earthquakes
Snowflakes under the surface of the spot that you stand
See God is a man, and you can't deny that
I set it off, let it off it pops
Fuck track backdrops for fat raps I rock
Knoledge, me going deaf kiss the sky like Meth
Rise above earthly matters watch the truth undress
I saw the moon turn to blood, watch the sun go black
Sisters crying come back, cause now the whole world lacks science
Recognize the infinite size
Poor Righteous Teachers, word is life
Word is bond, (word) word is life
And word is life, (word) my word is life
(x3)
(Word is my life G)
Back in the day before the words became flesh
Poor Righteous Teachers ran shit in a triple stage of blackness
I spat the spit fact this chick gave birth
To black gods on earth, cause I be cream of the planet G
You notice me, freaking shit like Jodeci
Who the fuck you supposed to be? Siegfried and Wise
Love outburst mercy if my word ever fail
I accepted death I saw through my words being false
Splendid way of life, knowledge and wisdom complete
Understanding, over-standing on this Superman beat
Poor Righteous Teachers sat back
Saw what it was that y'all lack
Culture designed the attack
We got one Clark for the track
Set it off it's bond, true
Word is bond
I got my cellular phone cause the wisdom's calling
Keep 'em refined, body and mind
They'll forever love Wise, word is life
Word is bond, (word) word is life
And word is life, (word) my word is life
(x3)
(Word is my life G)
The song "Word Iz Life" by Poor Righteous Teachers is a powerful and complex expression of the group's views and values. In the song, lead rapper Wise Intelligent speaks on a range of topics, from his own identity as a divine being to the struggles of black Americans in poverty-stricken neighborhoods. Throughout the song, Wise Intelligent delivers complex rhyme patterns and wordplay, demonstrating his mastery of the art form and his commitment to spreading knowledge and understanding.
One of the most striking elements of the song is Wise Intelligent's use of religious imagery and language. He identifies himself as God, and speaks of his own divinity and power to create and destroy. This language is rooted in the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths, a religion that emerged in the black community in the 1960s and 70s. Wise Intelligent's use of this language is both a reflection of his personal beliefs and a way of connecting with his audience and making his message more accessible.
Another key theme in the song is the struggle of black people in America to survive and thrive in a system that is stacked against them. Wise Intelligent speaks directly to those living in poverty and struggling to get by, acknowledging their pain and frustration while also urging them to stay strong and keep fighting. He also critiques the government and the media for perpetuating stereotypes and lies about black people, and calls on his listeners to reject these lies and seek out the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
Just like knowledge is infinite
I have an infinite amount of knowledge and it is valuable.
I'm God and I'm living it
I am God and I am capable of living up to this title.
Giving it all that I've got
I am giving everything I have to offer.
Shots lick and Bic lighters flick
I am surrounded by people who are lighting up cigarettes.
I strike a pose, strike my mic with these flows
I am performing and capturing the audience's attention with my mic skills.
Am I nice? I suppose
I am a great rapper and entertain audience, but perfection is subjective.
Heaven knows I'm on some other shit
I am unique and unlike anything else.
Sisters and shows call me boombastic
I am energetic and amazing, and people recognize that.
I feel I'm dime-blasted
I am feeling like I hit a jackpot.
Stamp on it girl, I'm telling you
I am committed to sharing my messages to others specifically women.
For truly strong like that's the God that's in me
I am truly strong and it is God who instills this strength within me.
She was my agony, and no idea, see
I teach people and this is my passion for my teachings cause me pain.
I educate you through the teacher in me
I believe that my teachings will educate you through me as a teacher.
There ain't no reefer in me
I don't use drugs and don't promote it.
One swig of malt licquor end a nigga
Excessive drinking can have serious consequences.
I touch the mic and universally greet
My mic skills have a global appeal that connects with people.
Rising earths with peace
I am able to bring peace to people by sharing my messages through my music.
And you know how I'm like that
You know who I am and how I operate.
Do this for blacks stranded in projects
I am committed to sharing my message and hope with people who feel helpless or trapped.
Cashing welfare checks, we gots to do what we gots to
Some people are struggling and must do what it takes to survive.
My peoples flip for the slang I spit
My people love and appreciate my unique style and the slang I use in my music.
Shots ring, I trip, grip this plastic
People are shooting and I must hold onto my gun for safety.
I gots to stay refined, body and mind
I must stay healthy and mentally focused to continue to produce great music.
Poor Righteous Teachers, word is life
Poor Righteous Teachers believe in their message and consider it an important aspect of their lives.
I sip a bottle of tonic, strictly Zion root
I am drinking a type of tonic that is good for my body.
Ginseng and juice, chew sticks I chew
I chew a type of stick and drink a type of juice that keeps me healthy and focused.
We watch lecture spots, shake hands with the ock
I attend meetings and shake hands with influential people.
Heads'll clap non-stop, dock and yes give props
The audience is enjoying my performance and people are giving me praise.
Hip hop fly on top all blacks up on lock
Hip hop is thriving and it's the norm for black people to rap.
One hundred thirty seven one third miles per hour
I am very fast and can move quickly.
I put your planet in continuous revolution
My music is powerful and can create an ongoing revolution on Earth.
Penetrate, dry mist from a lake
I use my music to penetrate people's thoughts and reach them deep within.
Create rain, snow, sleet, hail and earthquakes
My words and skills are powerful enough to control the weather and cause natural disasters.
Snowflakes under the surface of the spot that you stand
I am microscopic and can appear in unexpected places and forms.
See God is a man, and you can't deny that
God exists as a male figure. To deny this fact is to deny his existence.
I set it off, let it off it pops
I initiate and start things that are impactful.
Fuck track backdrops for fat raps I rock
I don't care about track backdrops. I care about and enjoy writing and performing fat raps.
Knoledge, me going deaf kiss the sky like Meth
I am a knowledgeable person and my music takes my audience to new heights.
Rise above earthly matters watch the truth undress
I want my audience to rise above the mundane and appreciate the truth in my music.
I saw the moon turn to blood, watch the sun go black
I experienced a moment of great hardship and pain.
Sisters crying come back, cause now the whole world lacks science
People are crying out for justice and for there to be more scientific facts available.
Recognize the infinite size
My music will make people realize the vastness of the infinite universe.
Back in the day before the words became flesh
Before my music existed in its tangible form, I was still teaching the truths in my music.
Poor Righteous Teachers ran shit in a triple stage of blackness
Poor Righteous Teachers were in charge in a three-stage event.
I spat the spit fact this chick gave birth
I was speaking the truth when a woman suddenly gave birth.
To black gods on earth, cause I be cream of the planet G
I am special and considered an elevated being on this planet.
You notice me, freaking shit like Jodeci
I am someone to be noticed and people find me fascinating.
Who the fuck you supposed to be? Siegfried and Wise
Who do you think you are? You are not in the same league as Siegfried and Wise.
Love outburst mercy if my word ever fail
My music is so powerful that it would be a merciful act if I ever stopped producing it.
I accepted death I saw through my words being false
I have faced death but I continue to believe in the truth in my music.
Splendid way of life, knowledge and wisdom complete
My way of life is splendid and involves having complete knowledge and wisdom.
Understanding, over-standing on this Superman beat
I am able to understand and overstand this beat easily, like Superman.
Poor Righteous Teachers sat back
Poor Righteous Teachers took a moment to relax and observe.
Saw what it was that y'all lack
I observed and realized what it is that people are lacking.
Culture designed the attack
The culture is responsible for the lack that I noticed.
We got one Clark for the track
We are capable of dominating every track we produce.
Set it off it's bond, true
When we initiate something, it is powerful and true to our beliefs.
I got my cellular phone cause the wisdom's calling
I carry a cell phone which represents the calling of wisdom to me.
They'll forever love Wise, word is life
People will always love me for who I am and my music is my life.
Word is bond, (word) word is life
My word is powerful and it is my life's calling.
And word is life, (word) my word is life
My word is my life force and it is incredibly important to me and others who hear it.
(x3)
(Word is my life G)
My word is my life, gangster style.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EZO BROWN, TIMOTHY WADELL GRIMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katcankan7129
Lyrics
Yo turn the mic down a little
Yo, Yeah
Word, ha, Poor Righteous Teachers y'all
Just like knowledge is infinite
I'm God and I'm living it
Giving it all that I've got
Shots lick and Bic lighters flick
I strike a pose, strike my mic with these flows
Am I nice? I suppose
Heaven knows I'm on some other sh*t
Sisters and shows call me boombastic
I feel I'm dime-blasted
Stamp on it girl, I'm telling you
For truly strong like that's the God that's in me
She was my agony, and no idea, see
I educate you through the teacher in me
There ain't no re*fer in me
One swig of malt licquor end a n**ga
I touch the mic and universally greet
Rising earths with peace
And you know how I'm like that
Do this for blacks stranded in projects
Cashing welfare checks, we gots to do what we gots to
My peoples flip for the slang I spit
Shots ring, I trip, grip this plastic
I gots to stay refined, body and mind
Poor Righteous Teachers, word is life
Stay refined, body and mind
Poor Righteous Teachers, word is life
Word is bond, (word) word is life
And word is life, (word) my word is life
(x3)
(Word is my life G)
I sip a bottle of tonic, strictly Zion root
Ginseng and juice, chew sticks I chew
We watch lecture spots, shake hands with the ock
Heads'll clap non-stop, dock and yes give props
Hip hop fly on top all blacks up on lock
P.R.T. crew drops life in your head-top
One hundred thirty seven one third miles per hour
I put your planet in continuous revolution
Penetrate, dry mist from a lake
Create rain, snow, sleet, hail and earthquakes
Snowflakes under the surface of the spot that you stand
See God is a man, and you can't deny that
I set it off, let it off it pops
F*ck track backdrops for fat raps I rock
Knoledge, me going deaf kiss the sky like Meth
Rise above earthly matters watch the truth undress
I saw the moon turn to blood, watch the sun go black
Sisters crying come back, cause now the whole world lacks science
Recognize the infinite size
Poor Righteous Teachers, word is life
Word is bond, (word) word is life
And word is life, (word) my word is life
(x3)
(Word is my life G)
Back in the day before the words became flesh
Poor Righteous Teachers ran sh*t in a triple stage of blackness
I spat the spit fact this chick gave birth
To black gods on earth, cause I be cream of the planet G
You notice me, freaking shit like Jodeci
Who the f*ck you supposed to be? Siegfried and Wise
Love outburst mercy if my word ever fail
I accepted death I saw through my words being false
Splendid way of life, knowledge and wisdom complete
Understanding, over-standing on this Superman beat
Poor Righteous Teachers sat back
Saw what it was that y'all lack
Culture designed the attack
We got one Clark for the track
Set it off it's bond, true
Word is bond
I got my cellular phone cause the wisdom's calling
Keep 'em refined, body and mind
They'll forever love Wise, word is life
Word is bond, (word) word is life
And word is life, (word) my word is life
(x3)
(Word is my life G)
@wakejake433
These guys had to be purposely under marketed because their music is full of positive knowledge and subject matter. This came out around the time gangster rap was starting to be pushed. They are phenomenal!!!
@65xrtso
Underground. Stay Blessed!
@RapPhilosophy
One of the nicest flows in hip hip history. Perilous.
@kevskatesnm1828
The first two PRT albums were played at every single party and skateboarding mission I was a part of in the early 90s…I mean just ON all the time. I like this record just as much if not more than those first ones.
@holgerwacholder3581
The feeling that i cant grasp how insanely good this is just never wears off...every track on this album....
@M5S
I first heard this masterpiece 18-19 years old on a Swedish public radio show called “P3 Soul” and I was hooked AF! This was way back in the days long before Shazam, so I went to every record store in town trying to dig for the album, even tried to hum and rap the lyrics for the staff -laughing like hell. It took me 8 years to finally find Poor Righteous Teachers. Word is life -still one of illest beats and flows til this day!
Shoutout to Mats Nileskar at P3 (when the damn Swedish radio still got the vibe)
@DjTIMEJD
Hip Hop music is universally beautiful. Thanks for sharing your discovery of a Hip Hop Classic, friend.
@kevindunlop2167
I was about ten when this came out. I had this song on vhs tape. these dudes were way ahead of there time. in everything they did. plus a positive message in there music is awsome
@ernestiechevalierchildprod1586
wise is still doing it
@i_9_power_allah321
Our knowledge is infinite, its Supreme Mathematics