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.
Street Parables
Shabazz The Disciple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bear witness! as I exorcise my exorcism
Casting out these devils living in this ghetto prison
With heavy metal and ammunition, conditions are unbearable
You're listening to street parables!
(Verse One: Shabazz)
In 97 a.d., due to economy we living 22 deuteronomy
playing a game of street poker with a royal flush
a heart of lust, smoke inhalation from the burning bush
ghetto jerusalem, the streets paved with gold
but what profit a man if he shall lose his own soul
hustling with jewelry like solomon
in the crystal city
eluding the angel on the pale horse with hell following
sipping wine from a golden cup that runneth over
inscribing ghetto scriptures, inspired by jehovah
yay though I walk through the valley sober
bearing witness to the 7 plagues, standing in the pit of cobras
many disciples in my brigade who prayed, laid with jade
the harlots womb bares a plague
isaiah 3:16's, drowning in the heroin river
judas a hitman for 30 pieces of silver
the ghetto's the bible for the people of the spirit
interpret the parables, he who has ears let him hear it
the ghetto's the bible for the people of the spirit
interpret the parables, he who has ears let him hear it
(Chorus)
(Verse Two: Lord Jamar)
Forever valid being hunted by pontius pilate
confronted by the romans, when I'm blunted I see bad omens
gifts contained within a trojan horse
we following a chosen coarse
colossians 1:17, belief in one you never seen
I be the true and living supreme, trapped in this prison of fiends
what's written in the book of philippines
prophesied by ibrahim
black g-zus of nazarine, get ready for the second coming
caesar's issuing a summons for my arrest
convict me of a lesser charge, and sit me in the devil's nest
persecution of the gods, we never rest
a never ending battle
against the pagans, who idolize the golden cattle
we've been forsaken with lies, but now we making some strides
way past ecclesiastes, me and the god shabazz be
in the lab g, building on math scientifically
watching them die in their iniquity
(Chorus)
(Verse Three: Shabazz)
I get high off the most high, give masses a contact
smoke herbs in bible paper, keep the cap on ya cognac
I sip a fifth of juice and genesis, smoke a spliff of exodus
then sniff a kilo of leviticus
running a spot of numbers and buddha due to economy
crime due to poverty, shoot up a dime of deuteronomy
scramble with joshua, ghetto apostles packing epistles
some were unsettled by their nostrils,
during the plague of crystal
I stood before many judges in the courtroom
they hold black grudges and use bails to extort you
paroled like barabas, heist the finest fabrics
ruthless thieves in the night
who steal 6 days a week, then rest upon the sabbath
I drop a jewel like 1st and 2nd samuel
kings stalking through hell,
destined for treasures, I'ma do well
my ghetto chronicles are visual and mathematical
emphatical, when I speak in street parables
(Chorus)
The song "Street Parables" by Shabazz the Disciple explores the hardships and struggles faced by people living in poverty-stricken neighborhoods. The song begins with the chorus calling upon the listener to bear witness as the singer exorcises his exorcism and casts out the devils living in the ghetto. The use of heavy metal and ammunition signifies the fierceness of the struggle, and the singer declares that the conditions are unbearable. The listener is then introduced to the story of life in the ghetto, with the streets paved with gold but the residents losing their souls. They play street poker with a royal flush, indulge in lust and engage in robbery, drug use, and sodomy. The singer declares that many of his disciples are there with him, but the harlot's womb bears a plague. He quotes Isaiah 3:16, where people are seen drowning in the heroin river, and Judas is considered a hitman for 30 pieces of silver. The ghetto is the bible for people of the spirit, and they should interpret its parables.
In the second verse, Lord Jamar declares that even though he's hunted by Pontius Pilate and confronted by the Romans, when he's blunted, he sees bad omens. He talks about following a chosen course, and the gift contained within a Trojan horse. He speaks about Colossians 1:17 and belief in someone never seen. Lord Jamar considers himself the true and living supreme trapped in a prison of fiends. He talks about the book of Philippines, prophesied by Ibrahim, and looks forward to the second coming of Christ. Finally, in verse three, Shabazz describes his life, running a spot of numbers, and indulging in marijuana and alcohol. He talks about packing epistles and standing before many judges in the courtroom. He also describes his experience with parole and heist the finest fabrics. The ghetto chronicles are both visual and mathematical, and he speaks in street parables.
Line by Line Meaning
Bear witness! as I exorcise my exorcism
Pay attention as I expel the demons from this community
Casting out these devils living in this ghetto prison
Eliminating the negative influences that plague this poor neighborhood
With heavy metal and ammunition, conditions are unbearable
The living conditions here are so bad that we need weapons to protect ourselves
You're listening to street parables!
I'm sharing stories and lessons from the streets, pay attention and learn
In 97 a.d., due to economy we living 22 deuteronomy
Our current struggles are reminiscent of those described in a Bible passage
Submitting to robbery buddha and sodomy
We're forced to participate in illegal and immoral activity to survive
Playing a game of street poker with a royal flush
We're confident in our abilities to navigate the dangerous world we live in
A heart of lust, smoke inhalation from the burning bush
The desire for wealth and excitement cloud our judgment and damage our health
Ghetto jerusalem, the streets paved with gold
Our community has potential but is held back by external factors
But what profit a man if he shall lose his own soul
Success means nothing if it comes at the cost of your values and morals
Hustling with jewelry like solomon in the crystal city
We may have material possessions, but they don't solve our problems
Eluding the angel on the pale horse with hell following
We try to avoid danger and temptation, but it's always present
Sipping wine from a golden cup that runneth over
We indulge in excess and luxury to escape our reality
Inscribing ghetto scriptures, inspired by jehovah
We use our experiences and struggles to create our own version of religious teachings
Yay though I walk through the valley sober
We face difficult times without relying on drugs or alcohol
Bearing witness to the 7 plagues, standing in the pit of cobras
We acknowledge and experience the negative effects of our actions and environment
Many disciples in my brigade who prayed, laid with jade
We have a sense of community and support each other
The harlots womb bares a plague
The root of our problems often stems from immoral behavior
Isaiah 3:16's, drowning in the heroin river
Drug addiction is a major issue in our community
Judas a hitman for 30 pieces of silver
Some betray their own people for material gain
The ghetto's the bible for the people of the spirit
Our experiences and struggles shape our understanding of the world
Interpret the parables, he who has ears let him hear it
We must listen and learn from our experiences to avoid repeating mistakes
Forever valid being hunted by pontius pilate
Oppression has existed and continues to exist throughout history
Confronted by the romans, when I'm blunted I see bad omens
We often see danger and warning signs, but ignore them due to our vices
We following a chosen coarse
We strive to follow a path that aligns with our values and beliefs
Belief in one you never seen, I be the true and living supreme
We have faith in a higher power and believe in our own strength
Trapped in this prison of fiends
Our community is plagued by addiction
Prophesied by ibrahim, black g-zus of nazarine
We see ourselves as important and powerful figures in our own narrative
Caesar's issuing a summons for my arrest
The system is against us and works to silence us
Convict me of a lesser charge, and sit me in the devil's nest
We're punished unfairly and placed in unfavorable situations
Against the pagans, who idolize the golden cattle
We resist those who prioritize wealth and material possessions above all else
Way past ecclesiastes, me and the god shabazz be
Our knowledge and understanding goes beyond what's traditionally taught
In the lab g, building on math scientifically
We work to improve our situation and understand the world around us
Watching them die in their iniquity
We see those who engage in immoral behavior suffer the consequences
I get high off the most high, give masses a contact
We find inspiration and strength in our faith and share it with others
Smoke herbs in bible paper, keep the cap on ya cognac
We find creative ways to engage in vices while still maintaining our spiritual beliefs
I sip a fifth of juice and genesis, smoke a spliff of exodus
We mix religious teachings with our daily routines and activities
Running a spot of numbers and buddha due to economy
We engage in illegal activity to make ends meet
Shoot up a dime of deuteronomy
We use drugs to cope with the difficulties of our lives
Ghetto apostles packing epistles
We have our own version of religious teachings and share it with others
During the plague of crystal
We experience the devastating effects of drug addiction
They hold black grudges and use bails to extort you
We see the legal system as biased against us and often used to exploit us
Paroled like barabas, heist the finest fabrics
We're released from incarceration and continue to engage in illegal activity
Ruthless thieves in the night, who steal 6 days a week, then rest upon the sabbath
We're willing to do whatever it takes to survive and improve our situation
I drop a jewel like 1st and 2nd samuel
I share important lessons and insights with others
Kings stalking through hell, destined for treasures, I'ma do well
We see ourselves as powerful beings who will succeed in the face of adversity
My ghetto chronicles are visual and mathematical, emphatical, when I speak in street parables
My stories and teachings are based on our experiences and struggles, and I deliver them in a powerful manner
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
spearPYN
1997 classic...its been 20 years and still nothing can beat Wu-Tang artists...
Default Name
aint nothing to fuck with
Adam Gordon
Facts.. Killa Sin is personally one of my favorite emcees ever, shame he got incarcerated 😏 La The Darkman, Killah Priest, Shabazz, Myalansky all dope AF 🔥🔥
3rd Street Pictures
Raekwon and Shabazz and maybe HellRazah still on my top 10 list, 20 years later. RESPECT
deadlymellow ,
real talk my fellow wu warrior respect
Magikal-Hoz BoomBapMaker
one of the most incredible beat of all times! Classic...
Adam Gordon
magikal hoz : Classic 🔥🔥 the intro only gives me goosebumps damn... 💯
Steve Zion
How did this dude get overlooked!? This shit is raw 'n real! LOVE IT
alex lalchan
Been listening to this for years and still....WOW....peace to the God
🔹 Sinouhe 🔹
Surge Alvez this track is a gem.