After hooking up with the Wu-Tang, Shabazz made two guest appearances on the first Gravediggaz album 6 Feet Deep in 1994, and then he signed to the GZA Entertainment management agency. He remained an official member of Sunz Of Man until just before the group released its debut LP The Last Shall Be First; his best-known solo track "Death be the Penalty" was originally intended to be a Sunz of Man track on the B-side to their single "Soldiers of Darkness," but the other members were so impressed with his contribution he was given the track for himself. This track was met with mixed emotions mainly because many felt it was extremely self righteous and incredibly hypocritical.
In the mid-90s Shabazz released a handful of singles, such as "Death be the Penalty", "Crime Saga", "The Lamb's Blood" and "Street Parables", in anticipation of his planned 1998 debut LP which was scrapped after GZA/Genius' GZA Entertainment label folded. Due to that deal folding, Shabazz's Wu affiliation (along with the affiliation of his close friend Killah Priest, also a GZA Entertainment refugee) began to wane. Around this 1996/1997 period, Priest and Shabazz both began to clash with RZA, and both had since all but cut their Wu-Tang ties. After unsuccessful attempts by the pair to create new post-Wu Tang crews (Priest proposed a crew called the Maccabeez which would include himself, Shabazz and Timbo King among others, while Shabazz proposed a group including himself and Priest called the Sunz Of Thunder) they both effectively went their separate ways, recording solo projects and in Shabazz's case recording as Celestial Souljaz with his cousin Freestyle (of non-Wu Tang crew The Arsonists). Shabazz is also known for being an influence on the late Big Pun.
In recent years, Shabazz has began to rediscover his Wu-Tang roots and performed on a Killa Beez tour as well as doing shows in Europe with Killah Priest (who has also recently been repairing his links with the Wu-Tang). After the death of Poetic, he has been rumored to be part of a new incarnation of Gravediggaz though Prince Paul has stated that a revival of the group is unlikely. He also announced in early 2003 that he has returned to Sunz Of Man as an official member.
In 2003, Shabazz finally released his solo debut "The Book of Shabazz (Hidden Scrollz)", the album featured his past singles "The Lamb's Blood," "Crime Saga," "Street Parables," and "Organized Rime Part 2," as well as the single "Red Hook Day" b/w "Thieves in da Nite (Heist)." Two years later he returned with The Passion of the Hood Christ in mid-2006.
In 2008, Shabazz formed the group T.H.U.G. Angels with fellow Sunz of Man member Hell Razah and producer Ayatollah. The group's debut, Welcome to Red Hook Houses, was released July 8, 2008, on Babygrande Records.
Blasphemy
Shabazz The Disciple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blasphemy they whisper in the dark of blasting me
Let he who has no sin bust the 1st shot after me
Blasphemy they whisper in the dark of blasting me
Let he who has no sin bust the 1st shot after me
Blasphemy they whisper in the dark of blasting me
Let he who has no sin bust the 1st shot after me
Blasphemy they whisper in the dark of blasting me
[Verse One]
Yo, if there's a heaven in the afterlife, it's crowded in the cosmos
Only God knows, in my physical dwells Allah's ghost
Many mortals embody the spirit of diablo's
Of all the plagues in the ghetto
We're either dead or behind bars most
Unlike them lost souls, I chose the right path at my crossroad
My life is like the scripture that was foretold
As days pass I uphold the faith
Praying God don't close the gate
This life is deep, but I could hold the weight
March in my Jehovah souljah state
Where shaytan waits pon'
God's path wanting my soul as he lie in wait
Control the population with guns, drugs, diseases
Got my people acting evil, strung out on needles waiting for Jesus
Once made in the image of God who turned savages
Get murdered by the government gang with silver badges
I feel them assembling in the dark plotting to assail
I hear the banging, from them fastening my cross to the ground with nails
[Chorus]
[Verse Two]
I seek refuge from Allah from the one who is ecursive
If the devil didn't exist, then I wouldn't have a purpose
The prophecy must be fulfilled
See I already died my first death
Just cause a man is breathing, doesn't mean he has the breath
The angel of death be calling spirits out the physical
Take a look through the eyes of a disciple, shit is visual
Allah sharpened my peripheral
Blessed me with the gift of prophecy
So I can see the wickedness you hid in you
Raised amongst murderers and criminals, once a master crook
I already know what you thinking
I used to give victims the same look
Let he who has no sin cast the first stone
Cause when my peoples send you to me
You'll be my slave in the kingdom
Death is only but a breath away
I pray I don't get left astray
Many are they who seek to slay me like prey
I hear them whispering in the dark, plotting to assail
I hear them fastening my cross to the ground with nails
The chorus of Shabazz the Disciple's song Blasphemy repeats the accusation of blasphemy, a crime of insulting or showing disrespect to a religion or a religious figure. The accusation comes from those who do not share Shabazz's beliefs and view him as a sinner. However, Shabazz challenges them to step up and shoot the first shot if they have no sin. The verse one describes the environment of the ghetto, where people commit sins and lose faith under the influence of drugs, guns, and diseases. Shabazz chooses the right path and upholds his faith, yet he remains aware of the danger of being misled by Shaytan, the Islamic name for Satan. Shabazz feels the dark forces plotting to kill him, and he compares his fate to Jesus's crucifixion.
Verse two presents Shabazz's perspective on his mission as a disciple of Allah. He seeks refuge from Allah and acknowledges the existence of the devil, which gives him a purpose to fight against it. Shabazz sees beyond the physical world and knows that death is imminent, and every breath could be his last. He has the gift of prophecy and can see through people's wickedness. Shabazz's past as a criminal has taught him that everyone has sinned, and he leaves the judgment to Allah. Shabazz hears the enemies whispering in the dark, planning to crucify him as they did to Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
Blasphemy they whisper in the dark of blasting me
People talk behind my back and spread lies about me, attacking my faith and character.
Let he who has no sin bust the 1st shot after me
If anyone is without sin, they are free to criticize me, but until then, they should refrain.
Yo, if there's a heaven in the afterlife, it's crowded in the cosmos
If there is a paradise, many people already reside there.
Only God knows, in my physical dwells Allah's ghost
Only God knows the true nature of my spirit, which I believe embodies the essence of Allah.
Many mortals embody the spirit of diablo's
Many people are corrupted and influenced by evil.
Of all the plagues in the ghetto, We're either dead or behind bars most
In the poverty-stricken communities I'm from, most people either die young or end up in prison.
Unlike them lost souls, I chose the right path at my crossroad
Instead of succumbing to a life of crime and depravity like many others, I chose the path of righteousness.
My life is like the scripture that was foretold
My life is following a blueprint that was predetermined by a higher power.
As days pass I uphold the faith
I remain committed to my religious beliefs every day.
Praying God don't close the gate
I hope to be accepted into heaven when I pass away.
This life is deep, but I could hold the weight
Life is challenging, but I am strong enough to endure it.
March in my Jehovah souljah state
I am a soldier in the army of God.
Where shaytan waits pon' God's path wanting my soul as he lie in wait
The devil is waiting for me to slip up so he can claim my soul.
Control the population with guns, drugs, diseases
The government and other powers try to keep people oppressed and under their control.
Got my people acting evil, strung out on needles waiting for Jesus
They have driven people to desperation and addiction, hoping they will turn to religion for salvation.
Once made in the image of God who turned savages
People who were once created to be godly turned towards wickedness.
Get murdered by the government gang with silver badges
The authorities exploit and abuse their power, causing harm and death to innocent people.
I feel them assembling in the dark plotting to assail
I sense danger from those who wish to harm me.
I hear the banging, from them fastening my cross to the ground with nails
I am being oppressed and persecuted for my beliefs, similar to how Jesus was crucified.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID COLLINS, MARTIN WELZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LAVALLEE1991
man thank god for Wu Tang Clan as a organization, I dont know what my mind state would be like if I havent heard Wu and all there Affiliates like, Killah Priest , Shabazz, killarmy etc.......Wu Tang Clan as a whole have always spit that real knowledge rap!!!!!!!!!!1
@JamesWeh
I play this daily without fail!!
@1armedghostsamurai
tthis song just gets better with years guess that coz its so ahead of its time/past history elohim rightious baz rteacher king David moses let m
@NappiMusic
look at all of the comments! a song of God and it has all of the ppl commenting speaking and talking righteously among each other. How awesome!!! most of the comments on youtube are hateful but this song has all of us discussing. It is ok if we do not agree with each other but discussions like those on this page are ways we can all connect and live harmoniously.
@dionmatson8148
LEGENDARY TRACK SON!!!
@bombcaryah
yo bazz we need that CELESTIAL SOULJAHZ album.. shabazz and freestyle is sick!
@bettermedicine0244
Respect to Shabazz The Disciple
@metsfanatic6270
Gggrrrrrrr 💪
@ameerabdullahmuslimveteran4155
La illaha ill Allah
@Maxmus050
Ye indeed his album wasnt the best but it had some real hard bangers on it like this one.