Rage Against the Machine released its eponymous debut album in 1992 to commercial and critical success, leading to a slot in the 1993 Lollapalooza festival. Their second album, Evil Empire, was released in 1996. Their third, The Battle of Los Angeles, followed in 1999, and in 2003, it was ranked number 426 on the same list. During their initial nine-year run, they became one of the most popular and influential bands in music history. They were also ranked No. 33 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
In 2000, Rage Against the Machine released the cover album Renegades and disbanded because of growing creative differences. Members formed the rock supergroup Audioslave with Chris Cornell, the former frontman of Soundgarden. The same year, Rage Against the Machine announced a reunion and performed together for the first time in seven years at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2007. Until 2011, the band continued to perform at more live venues and festivals around the world. In 2016, Morello, Commerford and Wilk formed a new band, Prophets of Rage, with B-Real, Chuck D, and DJ Lord. Rage Against the Machine were nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility in 2017 and 2018, although both bids failed. The band had a large influence on the nu metal genre which came to prominence during the second half of the 1990s. In 2003, their self-titled album was ranked number 368 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
At the start of 2024, Wilk confirmed that the group had permanently broken up.
I'm Housin'
Rage Against the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A brother got ill and tried to snatch a fat cable
I stepped back, like it wasn't no thing
I punched him in the jaw with the fat gold ring
I had an ace in the hole when it came to that
Yo Z you was packin'? You know I was strapped
Posse kept rollin' it was hard to get with 'em
So I stepped back, and unbuttoned my Lee denim
So I stepped back, and started sprayin' niggas
What a way to go out, out like a sucker
But I'm on track, like a Long Island train
That can head up your mission, suckers who be dissing
Always on my jock like a snake always hissing
Grabbing and tapping me like Luther Vandross
Take me to the bar for the drink and make a toast
Givin best wishes to the best MC
And when the spot is blown ayo you know it's me
Because I'm housin'
'Cause I'm housin'
Because I'm housin'
'Cause I'm housin'
Because I'm housin'
Because I'm housin'
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
'Cause I'm housin'
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
'Cause I'm housin'
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
'Cause I'm housin'
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
Coolin' at a party, no better yet disco
Head feelin' mellow from a bottle of Cisco
Move
To crush and fry a sucker MC like crisco
Gimme the cue, check one two
Don't try to come off on me, because you doo-doo
You treatin' me the Z to the D, like a stepchild
Let me tell you homeboy you're livin foul
MC's, you know who you are
On the bandwagon Why Z? 'Cause you a star
This is the year when the joker's are wild
When a fag can't hack it and try to bite your style
I get hip to the scheme, before it happens
If it gets wild, then I start cappin'
But for now, since everything's calm
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
Because I'm housin'
'Cause I'm housin'
Because I'm housin', 'cause I'm housin'
Because I'm housin'
Come on
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
'Cause I'm housin'
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
Because I'm housin'
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
Because I'm housin'
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
Relate to the matter, relate to the matter
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb ('cause I'm housin')
Relate to the matter, relate to the matter
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb ('cause I'm housin')
Relate to the matter, relate to the matter
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb ('cause I'm housin')
Relate to the matter, relate to the matter
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb ('cause I'm housin')
'Cause I'm housin'
In the song "I'm Housin' " by Rage Against the Machine, the lyrics tell a story of a physical altercation between the singer and another person. The singer is described as stepping back from the situation, but ultimately resorting to violence to protect himself. The lyrics also reference a party or disco scene where the singer feels comfortable and confident. The line "relate to the matter as I drop the bomb" suggests that the singer is dropping truth bombs about his experiences and views on the situation at hand.
The lyrics of the song also touch on themes of self-defense, survival, and asserting oneself in the face of aggression. The singer's use of violent force is not glorified, but presented as a necessary measure to protect himself. The line "I get hip to the scheme before it happens" suggests that the singer is always on guard and watching out for potential threats.
Line by Line Meaning
Coolin' on the scene like a horse in a stable
Acting calm and collected in my surroundings
A brother got ill and tried to snatch a fat cable
Someone tried to steal something valuable and got violent
I stepped back, like it wasn't no thing
Reacted calmly to the situation
I punched him in the jaw with the fat gold ring
Defended myself with physical force
I had an ace in the hole when it came to that
Had a backup plan for defending myself
Posse kept rollin' it was hard to get with 'em
My friends were moving on and it was difficult to catch up
So I stepped back, and unbuttoned my Lee denim
Took a moment to relax
They kept coming, just like I figured
My opponents were persistent
So I stepped back, and started sprayin' niggas
Began attacking them with weapons
What a way to go out, out like a sucker
It's a bad ending for them
But I'm on track, like a Long Island train
I'm focused and heading in the right direction
That can head up your mission, suckers who be dissing
My presence can derail someone's plan
Always on my jock like a snake always hissing
People are always trying to bring me down
Grabbing and tapping me like Luther Vandross
People are trying to get my attention
Take me to the bar for the drink and make a toast
My friends want to celebrate and honor me
Givin best wishes to the best MC
Recognizing me as the best rapper
And when the spot is blown ayo you know it's me
I stand out and am easily recognizable
Because I'm housin'
I'm dominating the scene
'Cause I'm housin'
I'm in control
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
I'm sharing important information
Coolin' at a party, no better yet disco
Relaxing and enjoying myself
Head feelin' mellow from a bottle of Cisco
Feeling relaxed from drinking alcohol
To crush and fry a sucker MC like crisco
To defeat and humiliate a bad rapper
Don't try to come off on me, because you doo-doo
Don't try to act tough, because you're not
You treatin' me the Z to the D, like a stepchild
You're disrespecting me
Let me tell you homeboy you're livin foul
You're acting inappropriately
MC's, you know who you are
Calling out other rappers
On the bandwagon Why Z? 'Cause you a star
People want to be associated with me because of my success
This is the year when the joker's are wild
A time of unpredictability and chaos
When a fag can't hack it and try to bite your style
When someone tries to steal my unique style
I get hip to the scheme, before it happens
I'm aware of people's plans before they execute them
If it gets wild, then I start cappin'
If things get out of hand, I get violent
Come on
Encouraging someone to follow along
Relate to the matter, relate to the matter
Listen closely to what I'm saying
'Cause I'm housin'
I'm dominating the scene
As I drop the bomb ('cause I'm housin')
Sharing important information and asserting my dominance
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ERICK S SERMON, PARRISH JOSEFF SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind