Formed in 1989, the group released an independent album for Calabash Records in 1992. The titled album, Really Livin', was recorded under the name of Ragga Muffin Rascals. The re-worked major label recording was released the following year in 1993 by Sony Music Canada. The album won for Best Rap Recording at the 1994 Juno Awards. The group moved to BMG Canada in 1997 to record Cash Crop, which also won a Juno Award. However, the Rascalz refused the Juno on grounds of alleged racism for relegating the best rap recording award to an off-the-air ceremony. The following year, the Juno Awards televised the Best Rap award. Global Warning was released in 1999 and their latest release, Reloaded, came out in 2002.
The group also tries to represent the four elements of hip-hop in their work. This includes the talent of Red and Fit as MCs, Kemo as the DJ, Dedos and Zebroc as the b-boys, and through grafitti in the group's album artwork and music videos.
One Shot
Rascalz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo
shit did they really and truly
ya, mc's can't fool we
ugh!
[k-os]
one shot
rappers who cannot sent back to the block
Why oh, mc are back again
yo one shot salute who's steppin' in
repping in the name of real mc's back again
smacking them on purpose
it ain't no accident
when we snap back the microphone
don't test this
mcs wont last
just don't know or afraid to ask
rhymes irrevelent
unintelligent
natural element
live on stage
my type don't stop killing it
are for the love the cats we just drilling it
all for the cash
nuff radio trash
im just not felling it
record company wheeling' and dealing it
pimping and concealing it
guilty
filthy rich from years of stealing it
hip hop we the one who originally make it
let em infiltrate that
not because fake cats
thats why we back again
we came take that
gun finger in the air and bust back
[k-os]
one shot
microphone gets rocked
rappers who cannot sent back to the block
Why oh, mc's are back again
say
one shot
break your whole crew
you're back on the microphone it's on you
mc's are back again
[k-os]
come on back like this
the sole survivor
I make the microphone liver then the
next mc caught up and not free
what you see in your mind's eye
defines I
the inter-galactical traveller the unraveller
of ancient mysteries and questions forever
tougher then leather like Run
so I praise the one
omnipotent most high omniscient
I pray every day to achieve the permission
so I speak the words
while the rest get ubsurb
rap nerds
talkin' this that and the 3rd
what ya heard on your radio
disregard
they don't know the time
they mentally scarred
so one shot
[k-os]
one shot
microphone gets rocked
rappers who cannot sent back to the block
Why oh, mc's are back again
say
one shot
break your whole crew
you're back on the microphone it's on you
mc's are back again
[misfit]
yo yo yo
in the dungeon
where mc's are made
before we ever get the chance
yo to rhyme on stage
where the dues are paid
any fools get slayed
tough and callous
learn the tools of the trade
see for now you's an undercard
word up the rank
no holds barred
we need another team real flowin'
show them not knowin'
how we get spit rounds with sounds
at the arms shelter
a brother like me
get your facts better
cop a feel you're flat chested
push the weight up son you're voice sounds restricted
that's the way we come through with it
we never quit
k-dash msifit red one
real mc's well telling you
whats happenin'
[k-os]
one shot
microphone gets rocked
rappers who cannot sent back to the block
Why oh, mc's are back again
say
one shot
break your whole crew
you're back on the microphone it's on you
mc's are back again
sorry that we've been away
but we are coming back to stay
sorry that we've been away
but we are coming back to stay
Rascalz's song "One Shot" sees three different MCs discussing the state of hip-hop and its commercialization. The first verse is rapped by Red 1, who begins by questioning if MCs are really genuine or if they are trying to fool people. K-Os takes over in the next verse and talks about real MCs taking over and pushing the fakes out. The chorus insists on the importance of the one shot that MCs get on the microphone and how important it is to make the most of it. Misfit comes in for the final verse and talks about the underground scene where real MCs are made.
The song's lyrics bring up a lot of points about the commercialization of rap music and how it has affected the art form. The idea of "real" MCs versus fake ones is explored, with the former being the ones who stay true to the underground roots of hip-hop. The importance of using one's one shot on the microphone to say something meaningful is also stressed, as opposed to creating radio-friendly trash for money. Misfit's verse also touches on the idea of paying dues and learning the tools of the trade before becoming a successful MC.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo
Hey
shit did they really and truly
Did they really do that?
ya, mc's can't fool we
They can't fool us
one shot
One chance
microphone gets rocked
We dominate the mic
rappers who cannot sent back to the block
Rappers who can't keep up are out
Why oh, mc are back again
We're back
yo one shot salute who's steppin' in
We pay homage to the new talent
repping in the name of real mc's back again
We represent real MC's
smacking them on purpose
We hit hard on purpose
it ain't no accident
We're not messing around
when we snap back the microphone
When we take control of the mic
don't test this
Don't challenge us
mcs wont last
Weak MCs won't survive
just don't know or afraid to ask
They don't know how to be real MCs
rhymes irrevelent
Their rhymes don't matter
unintelligent
They're not smart
natural element
Our talent comes naturally
live on stage
We thrive on stage performances
my type don't stop killing it
Our kind never stops delivering great performances
are for the love the cats we just drilling it
We love what we do and we excel at it
all for the cash
Some other people only care about money
nuff radio trash
Most of what's on the radio is garbage
im just not felling it
We don't like that kind of music
record company wheeling' and dealing it
Record companies manipulate the industry
pimping and concealing it
They exploit the artists and hide their actions
guilty
They're guilty of their actions
filthy rich from years of stealing it
They got rich from stealing from the artists
hip hop we the one who originally make it
We created Hip Hop
let em infiltrate that
They took it over
not because fake cats
Not because fake artists
thats why we back again
That's why we're here again
we came take that
We're taking back what's ours
gun finger in the air and bust back
We're taking action
come on back like this
We're back like this
the sole survivor
The only one left standing
I make the microphone liver then the
We make the microphone come alive
next mc caught up and not free
The next MC is stuck and not creative
what you see in your mind's eye
What you imagine
defines I
Defines who I am
the inter-galactical traveller the unraveller
We're cosmic and intelligent
of ancient mysteries and questions forever
We solve mysteries and explore the unknown
tougher then leather like Run
We're strong like Darrell McDaniel of Run DMC
so I praise the one
We give thanks to God
omnipotent most high omniscient
All-knowing and all-powerful
I pray every day to achieve the permission
We pray every day for inspiration
so I speak the words
We speak truth
while the rest get ubsurb
While others are silly and nonsense
rap nerds
Talentless wannabes
talkin' this that and the 3rd
Talking about meaningless things
what ya heard on your radio
What people listen to on the radio
disregard
Ignore it
they don't know the time
They don't understand Hip Hop
they mentally scarred
They're emotionally damaged
come on back like this
We're back like this
the dues are paid
We paid our dues
any fools get slayed
We fend off any nonsensical competition
tough and callous
We're strong and unyielding
learn the tools of the trade
We acquired skills over time
so one shot
Only one chance
sorry that we've been away
We apologize for not being around
but we are coming back to stay
We're coming back for good
Contributed by Gabriel I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.