Moore was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and grew up there before moving to Cleveland, Ohio and then Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he preached in churches as well as working as a nightclub dancer. He returned to Cleveland, working in clubs as a singer, dancer, and comedian, often appearing in character as Prince DuMarr. He joined the US Army and served in an entertainment unit in Germany, where he was nicknamed the Harlem Hillbilly for singing country songs in R&B style. He developed an interest in comedy in the Army after expanding on a singing performance for other servicemen.
After his discharge he lived in Seattle, Washington and then Los Angeles, California, where he continued to work in clubs and was discovered by record producer Dootsie Williams. He recorded rhythm and blues songs for the Federal, Cash, Ball, Kent and Imperial labels between 1955 and 1962, and released his first comedy albums, Below the Belt (1959), The Beatnik Scene (1962), and A Comedian Is Born (1964).
By his own account, he was working at a record store in Hollywood in 1970 when he began hearing obscene stories of "Dolemite" recounted by a local man named Rico. Moore began recording the stories, and assumed the role of "Dolemite" in his club act and on recordings. In 1970-71 he recorded three albums of material, Eat Out More Often, This Pussy Belongs To Me, and The Dirty Dozens, where "with jazz and R&B musicians playing in the background, Moore would recite raunchy, sexually explicit rhymes that often had to do with pimps, prostitutes, players, and hustlers."
Moore was influenced by more mainstream comedians as Red Foxx and Richard Pryor, as well as by traditions such as the Dozens. The recordings were usually made in Moore's own house, with friends in attendance to give a party atmosphere. The album covers and contents were often too racy to be put on display in record stores, but the records became popular through word of mouth and were highly successful in disadvantaged black American communities, where his "warped wit and anti-establishment outlook" were embraced.
Moore spent most of his earnings from the records to finance the movie Dolemite, which appeared in 1975 and has been described as "one of the great blaxploitation movies" of the 1970s. The character was "the ultimate ghetto hero: a bad dude, profane, skilled at kung-fu, dressed to kill and hell-bent on protecting the community from evil menaces. He was a pimp with a kung-fu-fighting clique of prostitutes and he was known for his sexual prowess."
The film was successful and was followed by sequels, The Human Tornado, The Monkey Hustle, and Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil's Son-in-Law. Moore continued to release albums that appealed to his enduring fanbase through the 1970s and 1980s, but little of his work reached the mainstream white audience. His "rapid-fire rhyming salaciousness exceeded the wildest excesses" of Foxx and Pryor, and his highly explicit style kept him off television and major films. At the same time, Moore often spoke in his church and regularly took his mother to the National Baptist Convention. He said that: "I wasn't saying dirty words just to say them... It was a form of art, sketches in which I developed ghetto characters who cursed. I don't want to be referred to as a dirty old man, rather a ghetto expressionist."
He came to be regarded as a major influence by many later rap stars. Snoop Dogg said: "Without Rudy Ray Moore, there would be no Snoop Dogg, and that's for real." Moore appeared on Big Daddy Kane's 1990 album Taste of Chocolate and 2 Live Crew's 1994 album Back at Your Ass for the Nine-4. On an episode of Martin titled "The Players Came Home," he appeared as himself in the Dolemite character. He also reprised his Dolemite character in an appearance on Snoop Dogg's 1999 album No Limit Top Dogg and Busta Rhymes' When Disaster Strikes... and Genesis.
In 2000, Moore starred in Big Money Hustlas, a movie created by and starring the hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, in which he played Dolemite for the first time in over 20 years. In 2006, Moore voice acted in the show Sons of Butcher, as Rudy in season 2. In 2008, he reprised the character Petey Wheatstraw on the song "I Live For The Funk," which featured Blowfly and Daniel Jordan. This marked the first time Blowfly and Rudy collaborated on the same record together—and the 30-year anniversary of the movie Petey Wheatstraw and was also the final recording Rudy made before his death.
On October 19, 2008, Moore died in Akron, Ohio, of complications from diabetes. He was never married; his mother, daughter and grandchildren survived him.
Signifying Monkey
Rudy Ray Moore Lyrics
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Signifying Monkey
Rudy Ray Moore
This was an important record in the pre-history of hip hop. The first track on Rudy Ray Moore′s... read more
SIGNIFYING MONKEY LYRICS
Way down in the jungle deepThe badass lion stepped on the signifying monkey's feet
The monkey said, "Muthafucka, can′t you see?
Why, you standing on my goddamned feet."
The lion said, "I ain't heard a word you said."
Said, "If you say three more I'll be steppin′ on your muthafuckin′ head!"
Now the monkey lived in the jungle in an old oak tree
Bullshitting the lion every day of the week
Well every day before the sun go down
The lion would kick his ass all through the jungle town
But the monkey got wise and started using his wit
Said, "I'm going to put a stop to this ol′ ass kicking shit!"
So he ran up on the lion the very next day
Said, "Oh Mr. Lion there's a big, bad muthafucka coming your way
And when you meet, it′s gonna be a goddamn scene
And wherever you meet some ass is bound to bend."
Said, "he's somebody that you don′t know
He just broke loose from Ringling Brothers' show."
Said, "Baby, he talked about your people in a helluva way
He talked about your people 'til my hair turned gray
He said your daddy′s a freak and your momma′s a whore
Said he spotted you running through the jungle
Selling asshole from door to door!
Said your sister did the damndest trick
She got down so low and sucked an earthworm's dick
He said he spotted your niece behind the tree
Screwing a muthafuckin flea
He said he saw your aunt sitting on the fence
Giving a goddamn zebra a French
Then he talked about your mammy and your sister Lou
Then he started talking ′bout how good your grandma screw
Said your sister's a prostitute and your brother′s a punk
And said I'll be damned if you don′t eat all the pussy
You see every time you get drunk
He said he cornholed your uncle and fucked your aunty and your niece
And next time he see your grandma he gonna get him another good piece
He said your brother died with the whooping cough
And your uncle died with the measles
And your old grandpa died with a rag chunked up in his ass
Said he was going on home to Jesus
And you know your little sister that you love so dear
I fucked her all day for a bottle of beer
So Mr. Lion, you know that ain't right
So whenever you meet the elephant be ready to fight
So the lion jumped up in a helluva rage
Like a young cocksucker full of gage
He let out a roar, tail shot back like a .44
He went through the jungle knocking down trees
Kicking giraffes to their knees
Then he ran up on the elephant talking to the swine
Said, "All right you big, bad muthafucka, it's gonna be your ass or mine!"
The elephant looked at him outta the corner of his eye
Said, "Alright go ahead home you little funny-bunny muthafucka
And pick on somebody your own size."
The lion jumped up and made a fancy pass
The elephant side-stepped him and kicked him dead in his ass
He busted up his jaw, fucked up his face
Broke all four legs, snatched his ass outta place
He picked him up, slammed him to the tree
Nothin′ but lion shit as far as you could see
He pulled out his nuts, rolled ′em in the sand
And kicked his ass like a natural man
They fought all that night and all the next day
Somehow the lion managed to get away
But he drug his ass back to the jungle more dead than alive
Just to run into that little monkey with some more of his signifying jive
The monkey looked at 'em and said, "Goddamn! Ol′ partner
You don't look so swell." Said, "Look like to me you caught a whole lotta hell."
Said, "Your eyes is all red and your asshole is blue
I knew in the beginning it wasn′t shit to you
There's one thing you and me gotta get straight
Cause you one ugly cocksucker I sho′ do hate!"
"Now when you left, the jungle rung
Now you bring your dog ass back here damn near hung
Look muthafucka, ain't you a bitch
Your face look like you got the Seven Year Itch
I told my wife before you left
I should kicked your ass my muthafuckin' self!"
"Why I seen when he threw you into that tree
Cause some of that ol′ lion shit got on me
Why every night when me and my wife is trying to get a little bit
Here you come ′round here with some that old 'Aiee-yo′ shit
Shut up! Don't you roar!
Cause I′ll bail outta this tree and whoop your dog-ass some more!"
"And don't look up here with your sucka-paw case
Cause I′ll piss through the bark of this tree in your muthafuckin' face!"
The little monkey got happy, started to jump up and down
His feet missed the limb and his ass hit the ground
Like a streak of lighting and a ball of white heat
That lion was on his ass with all four feet
Dust rolled and tears came into the little monkey's eyes
The little monkey said, "Look Mr. Lion, I apologize!"
Said, "If you let me get my nuts out the sand
Why I′ll fight your ass like a natural man
Look muthafucka, ain′t you a bitch, you ain't raising no hell
Cause everybody saw you jump on me after I slipped and fell."
Said, "If you′ll fight like men should
I'd whoop yo′ ass all over these woods!"
This made the lion mad!
It was the boldest challenge he ever had
He squared off for the fight
But that little monkey jumped damn near outta sight
Landed way up in a banana tree and began to grin
Sayin', "Look here you big, bad muthafucka, you been bullshitted again!"
Said, "Why, I′ll take me one of these bananas
And whoop on your ass 'til it sings the Star-Spangled Banner!"
And said, "Now if you ever mess with me again
I'm gonna send you back to my elephant friend!"
Said, "The things I told you will never part
But what I′m gonna tell you now is gonna break your muthafuckin′ heart!"
Said, "Your mammy ain't no good and your sister′s been a whore."
Said, "I had that bitch on the corner for a year or more!"
But the lion looked up with a helluva frown
Roared so loud that little monkey fell back to the ground
The little monkey looked up and said "Please, Mr. Lion!
Please don't take my life ′cause I got 13 kids and a very sickly wife!"
Said, "All my money to you I'll give
Mr. Lion, please just let me live!"
But the lion kicked him in his ass and broke his neck
Left that little monkey in a helluva wreck
The monkey looked up to the sky with tears in his eyes
Nothin′ he could see or nothing he could hear
He knew that that was the end
Of his bulllshittin' and signifyin' career
Signifying career...
The Signifying Monkey by Rudy Ray Moore is a classic tale of a sly and cunning monkey who uses his wit and words to outsmart the much stronger lion. The story takes place in the jungle, where the arrogant lion steps on the monkey's feet. The monkey uses this as an opportunity to insult the lion's intelligence and strength, which infuriates the lion. The monkey then tells the lion that there is a stronger animal on the loose who has been talking bad about his family.
The monkey embellishes his story, telling the lion that this animal has insulted nearly everyone in their family, including their parents, siblings, and even their grandmother. The lion is unable to handle these insults and becomes fiercely angry, ready to face this unknown animal. The monkey tells the lion that the animal is larger than him and that he should stay alert.
The lion is fooled by the monkey and goes on a wild goose chase, unable to find the animal he was warned about. The monkey then taunts the lion again, provoking him to fight with him. In the end, the lion catches the monkey and kills him.
The lyrics of the Signifying Monkey may appear absurd and profane, but the song reflects the African-American tradition of "signifying" or "playing the dozens," where one person insults another with clever, witty, and sometimes raunchy humor. These lyrics also show how African-American culture has found ways to assert themselves against those in power despite often being marginalized in society.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down in the jungle deep
Deep within the heart of the jungle
The badass lion stepped on the signifying monkey's feet
The confident lion intentionally stepped on the monkey's feet, disrespecting him
The monkey said, 'Muthafucka, can′t you see?
The monkey angrily confronted the lion, questioning his lack of awareness
Why, you standing on my goddamned feet.'
Expressing frustration at the lion's disregard for personal space
The lion said, 'I ain't heard a word you said.'
The lion dismissively claimed to have not heard the monkey's complaint
Said, 'If you say three more I'll be steppin′ on your muthafuckin′ head!'
Threatening to escalate the physical confrontation if the monkey talks back
Now the monkey lived in the jungle in an old oak tree
The monkey resided in the jungle, specifically in an ancient oak tree
Bullshitting the lion every day of the week
Consistently deceiving and manipulating the lion
Well every day before the sun go down
Regularly, just before sunset
The lion would kick his ass all through the jungle town
The lion would physically beat up the monkey across the entire jungle town
But the monkey got wise and started using his wit
The monkey became smarter and began to employ cunning strategies
Said, 'I'm going to put a stop to this ol′ ass kicking shit!'
Determined to end the cycle of getting beaten up
So he ran up on the lion the very next day
The monkey confronted the lion the following day
Said, 'Oh Mr. Lion there's a big, bad muthafucka coming your way
Trying to trick the lion by warning him of a formidable opponent
And when you meet, it′s gonna be a goddamn scene
Anticipating a chaotic encounter between them
And wherever you meet some ass is bound to bend.'
Implying that a fight between them will surely lead to someone's defeat
Said, 'he's somebody that you don′t know
Claiming that the upcoming adversary is unfamiliar to the lion
He just broke loose from Ringling Brothers' show.'
Fabricating a story about the opponent's escape from a circus
Said, 'Baby, he talked about your people in a helluva way
Alleging that the opponent made derogatory remarks about the lion's kin
He talked about your people 'til my hair turned gray
Claiming that the lion's people were insulted to the point of causing anxiety
He said your daddy′s a freak and your momma′s a whore
Accusing the opponent of disrespecting the lion's parents
Said he spotted you running through the jungle
Stating that the opponent witnessed the lion's embarrassing behavior in the jungle
Selling asshole from door to door!
Mocking the lion for engaging in shameful, degrading activities
Said your sister did the damndest trick
Alleging that the opponent witnessed the lion's sister engaging in a scandalous act
She got down so low and sucked an earthworm's dick
Describing the alleged shocking act committed by the lion's sister
He said he spotted your niece behind the tree
Claiming that the opponent observed the lion's niece involved in inappropriate behavior
Screwing a muthafuckin flea'
Asserting that the opponent saw the lion's niece engaged in a ridiculous, impossible act
He said he saw your aunt sitting on the fence
Stating that the opponent witnessed the lion's aunt in a compromising position
Giving a goddamn zebra a French'
Claiming that the lion's aunt was involved in a bizarre sexual encounter with a zebra
Then he talked about your mammy and your sister Lou
Referring to derogatory remarks made about the lion's mother and sister
Then he started talking ′bout how good your grandma screw
Sharing vulgar comments about the lion's grandmother's sexual activities
Said your sister's a prostitute and your brother′s a punk
Accusing the lion's sister of engaging in prostitution and insulting the lion's brother
And said I'll be damned if you don′t eat all the pussy
Claiming that the lion excessively engages in oral sex
You see every time you get drunk'
Noting that the lion's promiscuity occurs when he is intoxicated
He said he cornholed your uncle and fucked your aunty and your niece
Alleging that the opponent engaged in sexual acts with the lion's family members
And next time he see your grandma he gonna get him another good piece
Claiming that the opponent intends to have sexual relations with the lion's grandmother again
He said your brother died with the whooping cough
Mocking the lion by falsely stating that his brother died from an illness
And your uncle died with the measles
Similarly mocking the lion's uncle's cause of death
And your old grandpa died with a rag chunked up in his ass
Cruelly fabricating a humiliating cause of death for the lion's grandpa
Said he was going on home to Jesus
Suggesting that the opponent claimed the lion's deceased relatives went to heaven
And you know your little sister that you love so dear
Reminding the lion of his affectionate feelings towards his sister
I fucked her all day for a bottle of beer
Falsely claiming to have engaged in sexual activities with the lion's sister in exchange for alcohol
So Mr. Lion, you know that ain't right
Highlighting the unfairness and immorality of the opponent's false statements
So whenever you meet the elephant be ready to fight
Warning the lion to prepare for a fight if he encounters an elephant
So the lion jumped up in a helluva rage
Enraged, the lion impulsively jumped into action
Like a young cocksucker full of gage
Comparing the lion's aggressive behavior to that of an energetic, reckless young person
He let out a roar, tail shot back like a .44
Emphasizing the lion's fierce roar and the quick movement of his tail
He went through the jungle knocking down trees
Describing the lion's rampage through the jungle, toppling trees in his path
Kicking giraffes to their knees
Showing the lion's forcefulness as he knocks giraffes to the ground
Then he ran up on the elephant talking to the swine
The lion approached the elephant, interrupting its conversation with pigs
Said, 'All right you big, bad muthafucka, it's gonna be your ass or mine!'
Challenging the elephant to a fight, asserting that one of them will suffer defeat
The elephant looked at him outta the corner of his eye
The elephant glanced at the lion with skepticism and wariness
Said, 'Alright go ahead home you little funny-bunny muthafucka
The elephant dismissively refers to the lion as a comical, insignificant person
And pick on somebody your own size.'
Advising the lion to choose an opponent of similar stature and strength
The lion jumped up and made a fancy pass
The lion leaped and attempted a showy attack
The elephant side-stepped him and kicked him dead in his ass
The elephant skillfully avoided the lion's attack and countered by delivering a powerful kick
He busted up his jaw, fucked up his face
Causing significant damage to the lion's jaw and face
Broke all four legs, snatched his ass outta place
Breaking all four of the lion's legs and dislocating his rear end
He picked him up, slammed him to the tree
The elephant lifted the lion and forcefully slammed him into a tree
Nothin′ but lion shit as far as you could see
Resulting in a messy scene of scattered lion excrement
He pulled out his nuts, rolled ′em in the sand
The lion exposed his testicles and rolled them in the sand
And kicked his ass like a natural man
Demonstrating the elephant's ability to defeat the lion with ease
They fought all that night and all the next day
Engaging in an intense, prolonged battle throughout the night and the following day
Somehow the lion managed to get away
By some fortunate circumstance, the lion successfully escaped
But he drug his ass back to the jungle more dead than alive
Returning to the jungle severely injured and barely clinging to life
Just to run into that little monkey with some more of his signifying jive
Coincidentally encountering the monkey again, who continues to provoke and taunt him
The monkey looked at 'em and said, 'Goddamn! Ol′ partner
Expressing surprise upon seeing the lion's battered state
You don't look so swell.' Said, 'Look like to me you caught a whole lotta hell.'
Mocking the lion's appearance and suggesting that he experienced significant suffering
Said, 'Your eyes is all red and your asshole is blue
Insulting the lion's bruised and discolored physical attributes
I knew in the beginning it wasn′t shit to you
Asserting that the monkey always knew the lion was not as tough as he pretended to be
There's one thing you and me gotta get straight
Declaring the need for a clear understanding between the two of them
Cause you one ugly cocksucker I sho′ do hate!'
Expressing strong disdain and hatred towards the lion due to his unattractive appearance
'Now when you left, the jungle rung
Describing the impact the lion's departure had on the jungle
Now you bring your dog ass back here damn near hung
Criticizing the lion for returning to the jungle looking exhausted
Look muthafucka, ain't you a bitch
Insulting the lion, questioning his courage and masculinity
Your face look like you got the Seven Year Itch
Mocking the lion's facial expression, comparing it to the discomfort caused by a skin disease
I told my wife before you left
Narrating a conversation the monkey had with his wife prior to the lion's departure
I should kicked your ass my muthafuckin' self!'
Expressing regret for not physically attacking the lion earlier
'Why I seen when he threw you into that tree
Claiming to have witnessed the lion being thrown into a tree
Cause some of that ol′ lion shit got on me
Explaining that the monkey was indirectly affected by the lion's earlier defeat
Why every night when me and my wife is trying to get a little bit
Sharing a personal detail about his intimate moments with his wife
Here you come ′round here with some that old 'Aiee-yo′ shit
Complaining about the lion's recurring disruptive behavior during his private moments
Shut up! Don't you roar!
Demanding that the lion remain quiet and refrain from roaring
Cause I′ll bail outta this tree and whoop your dog-ass some more!'
Threatening to physically attack the lion again if he continues to make noise
'And don't look up here with your sucka-paw case
Advising the lion against giving a pitiful look
Cause I′ll piss through the bark of this tree in your muthafuckin' face!'
Explaining that he will urinate on the lion's face if provoked
The little monkey got happy, started to jump up and down
The monkey became elated and began celebrating by jumping around
His feet missed the limb and his ass hit the ground
In his excitement, the monkey miscalculated and fell to the ground
Like a streak of lighting and a ball of white heat
Comparing the lion's swift and intense movement to lightning and hot energy
That lion was on his ass with all four feet
The lion immediately pounced on the monkey, attacking with all four feet
Dust rolled and tears came into the little monkey's eyes
As the fight ensued, dust and tears filled the monkey's eyes
The little monkey said, 'Look Mr. Lion, I apologize!'
The monkey, realizing his mistake, apologized to the lion
Said, 'If you let me get my nuts out the sand
Proposing a truce and requesting the lion's permission to retrieve his belongings
Why I′ll fight your ass like a natural man
Promising to engage in a fair and equal fight if given the chance
Look muthafucka, ain′t you a bitch, you ain't raising no hell
Insulting the lion again, mocking his lack of fierceness and impact
Cause everybody saw you jump on me after I slipped and fell.'
Recalling that the lion attacked him when he was already vulnerable
Said, 'If you′ll fight like men should
Proposing that they fight according to fair and honorable standards
I'd whoop yo′ ass all over these woods!'
Asserting his confidence in defeating the lion and claiming dominance over the jungle
This made the lion mad!
Triggering the lion's anger and frustration
It was the boldest challenge he ever had
Viewing the monkey's challenge as the most audacious he had ever faced
He squared off for the fight
Preparing himself mentally and physically for the upcoming battle
But that little monkey jumped damn near outta sight
Surprisingly, the monkey evaded the fight by leaping far out of reach
Landed way up in a banana tree and began to grin
Finding safety in a banana tree and expressing amusement at his successful escape
Sayin', 'Look here you big, bad muthafucka, you been bullshitted again!'
Taunting the lion, asserting that he has once again been deceived and faced humiliation
Said, 'Why, I′ll take me one of these bananas
Threatening the lion with the use of a banana as a weapon
And whoop on your ass 'til it sings the Star-Spangled Banner!'
Claiming that he would physically beat the lion until he surrenders or begs for mercy
And said, 'Now if you ever mess with me again
Warning the lion to never provoke or challenge him in the future
I'm gonna send you back to my elephant friend!'
Threatening to bring the elephant, who had previously defeated the lion, into the next confrontation
Said, 'The things I told you will never part
Emphasizing that the false and insulting statements made about the lion's family will always stay with him
But what I′m gonna tell you now is gonna break your muthafuckin′ heart!'
Expressing that the forthcoming information will deeply upset and hurt the lion
Said, 'Your mammy ain't no good and your sister′s been a whore.'
Continuing to insult the lion's mother and sister, highlighting their immoral behavior
Said, 'I had that bitch on the corner for a year or more!'
Claiming to have exploited and prostituted the lion's sister
But the lion looked up with a helluva frown
The lion glared angrily at the monkey in response to the derogatory statements
Roared so loud that little monkey fell back to the ground
The lion's powerful roar caused the monkey to lose his balance and fall to the ground
The little monkey looked up and said 'Please, Mr. Lion!
Pleading with the lion for mercy and begging him not to end his life
Please don't take my life ′cause I got 13 kids and a very sickly wife!'
Appealing to the lion's compassion and highlighting his responsibilities as a family man
Said, 'All my money to you I'll give
Offering the lion all of his money as a bribe to spare his life
Mr. Lion, please just let me live!'
Begging the lion for mercy and pleading to be allowed to continue living
But the lion kicked him in his ass and broke his neck
Ignoring the monkey's pleas, the lion delivered a fatal blow by breaking his neck
Left that little monkey in a helluva wreck
Leaving the monkey severely damaged and in a disastrous state
The monkey looked up to the sky with tears in his eyes
Gazing upwards with tear-filled eyes, feeling overwhelmed by his impending demise
Nothin′ he could see or nothing he could hear
Unable to perceive or hear anything around him
He knew that that was the end
Realizing that his life was coming to an end
Of his bulllshittin' and signifyin' career
Recognizing that his days of deceiving and taunting others were over
Writer(s): WILLIE DIXON
Contributed by Dominic A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.