He began his career DJing at MJQ, a small night club in Atlanta, and then began working in commercial studios but soon branched out into his own music. Herren's first major release was under the "Delarosa and Asora" moniker in 1997 with "Sleep Method Suite", with his latest work currently being the Prefuse 73 full-length album, "The Only She Chapters".
In 2000, Herren released a CD/LP on Hefty/Warp titled "Folk Songs For Trains, Trees, And Honey". This was followed by a 2001 exclusive limited pressing (700 copies) of "Immediate Action #1 LP" on Hefty.
Herren first released music under the "Prefuse 73" moniker with 2001's commercially and critically successful "Vocal Studies & Uprock Narratives". In 2002 the 4-track EP "The 92 Vs. 02 Collection" was released, but this merely bridged the gap between his debut and the 2003 release - another full-length album, "One Word Extinguisher". A collection of outtakes, "Extinguished" was released after "One Word Extinguisher" showing off some of the production that was omitted from the initial full-length. Some argue that it is an improvement on the original release. 2005 saw the release of "Surrounded By Silence", Herren's third album as "Prefuse 73". The album features more collaborations with a variety of musicians, including many rappers, both underground and mainstream. An out-takes album based upon "Surrounded By Silence" is expected to be released in the future. 2007 has brought 2 more releases under "Prefuse 73", one being a full length album, and the other a 4 track EP. "Preparations" and "The Class Of 73 Bells" are the titles respectively, and both were released under Warp Records.
Herren is particularly known for his unique take on the glitch style, which has attracted both a rock and hip-hop audience. He is frequently criticised by MC's for over-editing or abbreviating their additions, often to the point of incoherence.
Along with partners Peter Rentz, Carolina Chaves, Ben Loiz, Carlos Niño, and Paz Ochs, Herren has started the Eastern Development Music label. Which is descibed by Herren as,"less concerned with being on some next shit, blowing the fuck up, or changing the face of anything. We're more concerned with bringing you music we think you'll feel and understand in the same way we do."
Just the Thought
Prefuse 73 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shit is traveling, hehe, yeah
Uh, and you don't dare stop
Come alive party people give me what you got
Uh, yeah, hidden gun spot
[Masta Killa]
It don't take long to write a song, when the beat is strong
When I hold a microphone, you can't take it
When I start to spit the dart, you can't escape it
Trace it, and guide for you to write ya next shit
Supposed to be bitten, and sent three times a day
Fully automatic word spray, hold 'em at bay
Red dragon slay, turn M.C.'s to souffle
M.K. outta B.K., flight outta J.F.K., on his way to the U.K.
Heard the fans wanna see me and GZA perform
When Math throw the "Liquid Sword" on, we gettin' on
[GZA]
Check it, darts fly, through the air, hit the M.C.
I lay 'em all out, til my clip is empty
No one can take the hate, from the Clan
We execute, carry out the plan
My pen glides across the paper, like skates on ice
Makin' rappers think twice
You don't want to enter this deadly chamber
Even on the same track, you still a stranger
Just the thought, raise the hair on your skin
And once you step in, you feel the forceful winds
Prefuse 73, lace the track, and the DJ
Put many cuts on your back
Even in the foreign land, we still reign supreme
Whether solo, or the entire team
All over the globe, we represent the hip hop
Hoes and forces are bound to get dropped, what?
[Outro: GZA]
Wu World Wide, GZA, Masta Killa
Saga continues...
The lyrics to Prefuse 73's song "Just the Thought" are a collaboration between Wu-Tang Clan members Masta Killa and GZA. The song begins with Masta Killa introducing the track with a reference to the power of music and how it can take people on a journey. He then goes on to talk about his own strength as an emcee, describing how he flexes his bicep and tricep when he holds the microphone, making it impossible for anyone to take it away from him. He boasts about his word spray that can hold people at bay and slay any M.C. who dares to challenge him.
GZA takes over in the second verse and talks about the deadly force of his rap skills, likening his pen to skates on ice that can make other rappers think twice. He warns that even on the same track, other emcees are still strangers to him, and just the thought of his power can raise the hair on people's skin. The Wu-Tang Clan is represented all over the world, and they are bound to drop their foes and forces wherever they go.
The lyrics use clever wordplay and metaphors to describe the power and talent of Masta Killa and GZA as emcees. They boast about their skill, but they also warn that they are a force to be reckoned with. The collaboration between the two rappers is seamless, and their lyrics complement each other well.
Line by Line Meaning
Shit is traveling, hehe, yeah
The energy of the song is high and unstoppable.
Uh, and you don't dare stop
The momentum of the song is so powerful that it cannot be contained or slowed down.
Come alive party people give me what you got
The artists are energizing the crowd at a show, encouraging them to participate and join in on the music.
Uh, yeah, hidden gun spot
This line may be referring to the artists' ability to defend themselves from those who may try to attack them, or simply as a metaphor for being prepared and vigilant.
It don't take long to write a song, when the beat is strong
When the instrumental backing for a song is compelling and inspiring, the lyrics and melody may come to the artist easily and quickly.
Check the bicep, flex the tricep
This line may be describing the physical and emotional strength and confidence of the artist.
When I hold a microphone, you can't take it
The artist's grip on the microphone is a symbol of their dominance and control over the stage and the music itself.
When I start to spit the dart, you can't escape it
The artist's words are sharp and pointed like a dart, and once they begin rapping, the listener is fully engaged and unable to turn away.
Trace it, and guide for you to write ya next shit
The artist is advising others to study their technique in order to improve their own songwriting and performance.
Supposed to be bitten, and sent three times a day
The artist's lyrics are so addictively good that other rappers may be tempted to copy or steal them.
Fully automatic word spray, hold 'em at bay
The artist's words come easily and rapidly, like an automatic weapon firing on all cylinders, and can hold the listener's attention and intimidate other rappers.
Red dragon slay, turn M.C.'s to souffle
The artist and their collaborators are extremely skilled and can easily defeat other rappers in battles or on tracks, leaving them metaphorically 'cooked' like a souffle.
M.K. outta B.K., flight outta J.F.K., on his way to the U.K.
Masta Killa is traveling from Brooklyn to the United Kingdom for a show or tour.
Heard the fans wanna see me and GZA perform
The artists have a dedicated fan base and people are eager to see them perform live.
When Math throw the "Liquid Sword" on, we gettin' on
When the DJ plays the song 'Liquid Swords' by GZA, the artists will take the stage and perform.
Check it, darts fly, through the air, hit the M.C.
The artist's lyrics are like darts, sharply and accurately striking other rappers.
I lay 'em all out, til my clip is empty
The artist will continue rapping until they have no more lyrics or energy left to give.
No one can take the hate, from the Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is known for their aggressive and powerful lyrics, and nobody can disarm or take away that energy from them.
We execute, carry out the plan
The artists are focused and determined in their music making, and have a clear vision for what they want to create.
My pen glides across the paper, like skates on ice
The artist's lyrics flow smoothly and effortlessly like a skater gliding across ice.
Makin' rappers think twice
The artist's lyrics are so powerful and intimidating that other rappers must carefully consider whether to engage in a battle or not.
You don't want to enter this deadly chamber
The artist's music is a metaphorical chamber or arena where other rappers may face defeat or humiliation.
Even on the same track, you still a stranger
Even though other rappers may collaborate or perform with the artist on the same song, they will always be out of place or inferior.
Just the thought, raise the hair on your skin
The mere idea of the artist's music or reputation is enough to cause a visceral or emotional reaction in the listener.
And once you step in, you feel the forceful winds
Entering the artist's world or music is like being caught up in a powerful and unstoppable tornado, with no escape.
Prefuse 73, lace the track, and the DJ
The artist Prefuse 73 provided the instrumental backing for the song, and the DJ added their own styles and techniques to enhance the music further.
Put many cuts on your back
The DJ's scratching and mixing of the music created a complex and layered sound with numerous different sounds and textures.
Even in the foreign land, we still reign supreme
The artists' reputation and influence extends beyond their home country and is recognized and respected worldwide.
Whether solo, or the entire team
The artists can create music and perform either as individual rappers or as part of the larger Wu-Tang Clan group.
All over the globe, we represent the hip hop
The artists are ambassadors and representatives of the hip hop genre on a global scale.
Hoes and forces are bound to get dropped, what?
The artists are capable of taking down and defeating anyone who opposes them, whether in musical battles or in real life conflicts.
Wu World Wide, GZA, Masta Killa
The Wu-Tang Clan and its members have a broad and widespread influence and fan base around the world.
Saga continues...
The story and legacy of the Wu-Tang Clan and its individual members will continue to inspire and influence new generations of artists and listeners.
Contributed by Adalyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.