The incident was a major setback that suspended his dream of becoming a filmmaker. Although dismayed and discouraged, SLAINE was determined to prevail, and began a new pursuit towards his entertainment goal… Music.
His discovered his love for hip hop early in his life. "I started writing rhymes when I was nine years old, I use to record on my boom box with a pair of headphones plugged into the microphone jack. I felt they were just words on a page because I didn’t have an outlet to perform them.” Determined and focused, SLAINE spent his nights as a club promoter to survive in the hard lonely streets of New York City, while at the same time, recording and being managed by hip-hop legend MC Shan. While recording a demo in a studio operated by the Lordz of Brooklyn, SLAINE was introduced to Danny Boy O'Connor of House of Pain.
That introduction led to a production deal with DJ Lethal of House of Pain, which in turn led to the mix tape release ‘The White Man is the Devil: Volume 1’ and the formation of the group Special Teamz, with Boston rap legends Edo G and Jaysaun. Special Teamz dropped a self-titled street CD, which garnered critical acclaim and allowed the group to tour in Europe. In a very short time, SLAINE had gone from living in poverty with a drug habit to traveling the world and working with hip-hop icons such as DJ Premier, Ill Bill, House of Pain, Cypress Hill, The Alchemist, and a host of other talented artists. He also became part of the collective LA COKA NOSTRA, alongside Ill Bill and all three members of House of Pain - Everlast, DJ Lethal, and Danny Boy. La Coka Nostra’s debut album, "A Brand You Can Trust" debuted at #84 on the Billboard Top 200 and #6 on the Rap charts, sending a message to the masses that the group’s brand of gritty hip-hop was exactly what fans of the genre had been waiting for.
SLAINE's name continued to grow far past his hometown of Boston due to the exposure he has received in publications such as The Source, XXL, The New York Times, The Boston Herald, and his sold out performances across the globe. SLAINE has been nominated for a Boston Music Award and received 4 trophies at The Mass Industry Committee's hip-hop awards, including and award for Best Lyricist.
As his music career expanded, a personal battle with drugs became a focal point that reared its ugly head. After overdoses, hospital visits and a whirlwind of drugs and violence, SLAINE finally checked into rehab. Instantly, he found himself with homeless drug addicts and realized he was no different than any of them. "Everybody had a story to tell. That was where the idea and the hunger for "The White Man is the Devil" was born. "The White Man" is a cocaine reference, not a declaration of self hate."
Since conquering his addiction, SLAINE has been presented with many new and exciting possibilities… such as acting. A chance of a lifetime presented itself through an unexpected ally, hometown hero and Academy Award winner Ben Affleck. SLAINE made his acting debut with his portrayal of Bubba Rogowski in Affleck's return to screenwriting and directorial debut "Gone Baby Gone". The film was critically acclaimed and led to a larger role in the blockbuster “The Town” featuring Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), and Jon Hamm (Mad Men). He is also been in films, “The Crack Down” and “Bad Blood” and in the upcoming movie “Cogan’s Trade” with Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini.
While Slaine’s acting career has allowed him to blaze new paths, his venomous lyrical attack burns hotter than ever on his debut solo album, "A World With No Skies 2.0", which drops August 16th , 2011 through Suburban Noize Records. With hard-hitting lyrical content, and a vicious delivery, "A World with No Skies 2.0" instantly takes hip-hop back to its grimy roots on the streets. To execute his dark musical vision, Slaine enlisted the help of his La Coka Nostra brothers Everlast and ILL BILL, as well as Cypress Hill’s B-Real and Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks, to create a dark hip-hop album that hits squarely in the jaw. "Even though I started my career as a solo artist by hustling my ‘The White Man is the Devil’ mixtapes, I think people are more familiar with me from Special Teamz and La Coka Nostra,” commented Slaine. “With this album I set out to create a soundscape that brings you into my world as an individual which is a bad place to be. The record is hard, dark and aggressive, from the beats to the lyrics. It’s a deeply personal trip through my life and the things that made me who I am today. A ‘World with No Skies’ is a look into my psyche and a vision of my dreams, nightmares, and realities."
Despite ups and downs throughout his career, SLAINE is living his life to the fullest. "I love making music that means something to me, I am grateful for all the experiences that I have had—good and bad. I am lucky to be alive, but my past also made me who I am today.”
Back Against the Wall
Slaine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
More like the King James Bible the boy can write.
So publish it up, it'll be a best seller,
Trendsetter vendetta neva eva been betta.
Turn your white champion hoody into a red sweater
When I when i...chicken dinner when I, behead ya.
[Then I keep (?)] feelin real special of that letter E
Mentally give your girl [Hell and D (?)] heavenly.
Les be honest, my BM is lebanese.
You thought I would say lesbian.
Trippin on mescaline feelin like my skin is drippin off,
Ah nah look at this mess I'm in, nod off sawed off turn em to seven men, all, walls, covered in blood and excrement it's effortless
I throw words together like a perfectionist
I've been slept on all my life constantly
That's why I treat this situation like a robbery.
I got these ghosts in my past and they haunting me
But I try to play it off non chalantly B
Nobody move nobody get hurt (3x)
'Cause my backs against the wall and my dick is in the dirt
Welcome to my mad world, trapped in my laboratory
You've been a bad girl I bet you have a story
The way I stitch your fabric its erratic always
Its sorta twisted tragic fuck it I'm gifted at it
These kids are mad at Georgie they picture Pat and Pauly
Dont get me pissed bitch I'm in a different category
Ive been a misfit since I was this big with my kicks split
With a broken heart I had to fix with
Blue tapper nails toothpaste and rails chewing gum paper clips grey goose and ale
He plays to win the dude hates to fail currency stuffed in a suit case for reaaallll
All deals are off the table money is off the books so I'm stealing it off the labels
Running with the crooks I'm like a thief with the metal
Im like your worst nightmare never sleep on the rebel
I've been slept on all my life constantly
That's why I treat this situation like a robbery.
I got these ghosts in my past and they haunting me
But I try to play it off non chalantly B
Nobody move nobody get hurt (3x)
'Cause my backs against the wall and my dick is in the dirt
Hey I'm Terry from the Cemen-tary nice to meet you
Waving the semi at ya and it might just reach you, actually it will,
Definitley lightning sneakers is what you better have
Cause I'm gonna light the street up
I'm the no name grown man cause I chose to be the unknown [un(?)]
When I'm rolling into your domain
Looking for a roll of green from a fucking pocket
What else would I be doing?.
So hand it over bitch and hope.....
How many times do I gotta say it?
I don't even got time and I'm out of patience
Not a mind in my head for conversation just demands get the fuck down take this
I've been slept on all my life constantly
That's why I treat this situation like a robbery.
I got these ghosts in my past and they haunting me
But I try to play it off non chalantly B
Nobody move nobody get hurt (3x)
'Cause my backs against the wall and my dick is in the dirt
The song "Back Against the Wall" by Slaine is a rap track that describes the rapper's feelings of being overlooked and undervalued throughout his life. The opening lines reference his skills as a writer, comparing his collection of rhymes to a book of life or even the King James Bible. He proudly asserts his abilities as a "trendsetter" and states that he has never been better. The next lines are more violent, using slang to suggest that he will behead his opponents and turn their outfits a new color. Later, he mentions his ex-girlfriend, whom he identifies as Lebanese, not lesbian. The rap continues with Slaine describing a violent night and boasting about his adept wordplay.
In the second verse, Slaine talks about being locked up in his "mad world" and how he is struggling to deal with his past. He describes himself as a "misfit" and reveals that he has had to learn to overcome challenges from an early age, including a broken heart. He mentions the various vices he has relied on over the years to deal with the pain, including drugs and alcohol. The last verse is particularly violent and describes a robbery in which Slaine demands money and threatens violence. The song ends with a final reminder that he has always been put down and that his situation is desperate.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a book of rhymes, more like a book of life,
Slaine's collection of words and verses is not just limited to rapping, but it contains his personal experiences and emotions that reflect his life journey.
More like the King James Bible the boy can write.
The depth and quality of Slaine's writing is comparable to the Bible praised for its literary excellence, complexity and richness of language.
So publish it up, it'll be a best seller,
If Slaine's writing could get published commercially, it would receive much recognition, admiration and critical acclaim.
Trendsetter vendetta neva eva been betta.
Slaine is a pioneer of the new style of rap that is unmatched in terms of creativity, intensity and delivery.
Turn your white champion hoody into a red sweater
When Slaine confronts and challenges someone, they start shaking and their confidence and superiority turns into vulnerability and defeat, like a red garment that reveals weakness.
When I when i...chicken dinner when I, behead ya.
Slaine's skill and talent surpass his rivals as he succeeds in outsmarting them and celebrating his victory with a metaphor of a banquet.
[Then I keep (?)] feelin real special of that letter E
The euphoria and satisfaction that Slaine experiences while consuming drugs like ecstasy is uplifting and unbeatable.
Mentally give your girl [Hell and D (?)] heavenly.
Slaine is capable of satisfying a woman both emotionally and sexually through his certain talents and physical endowments.
A degenerate feelin generous like Ellen D.
Slaine's generosity and nobility contrasts with his impropriety and lewdness, like a similarity to Ellen DeGeneres' persona.
Les be honest, my BM is lebanese.
Slaine humorously corrects himself and walks back from implying his ex-girlfriend is lesbian and instead reveals her true identity as Lebanese.
You thought I would say lesbian.
Slaine predicts and counters the listener's expectation that he is about to make a crass, homophobic joke and plays with their assumptions and stereotypes for comic effect.
Trippin on mescaline feelin like my skin is drippin off,
The hallucinogenic effects of mescaline make Slaine feel like his physical and psychological boundaries are blurring and melting away.
Ah nah look at this mess I'm in, nod off sawed off turn em to seven men, all, walls, covered in blood and excrement it's effortless
The violent and gory imagery of a gruesome massacre suggests Slaine's willingness and ease to engage in brutal and bloody acts to protect himself.
I throw words together like a perfectionist
Slaine's verbal craft and finesse resemble that of a perfectionist, as he carefully selects and arranges words that match his rhythm, tone and message.
That's why I treat this situation like a robbery.
Slaine sees his life as if it were in a heist film, where he must act quickly, cleverly and efficiently to score his goal before it's too late.
I got these ghosts in my past and they haunting me
Slaine has unresolved issues and traumas from his past that still impact and haunt him even in his present life.
But I try to play it off non chalantly B
Slaine tries to hide and suppress his emotional turmoil and vulnerability by acting and speaking in a casual and indifferent way.
Nobody move nobody get hurt (3x)
'Cause my backs against the wall and my dick is in the dirt
Slaine warns others to not mess with him, as he is in a desperate and hopeless situation where he could die or suffer a great loss at any moment.
Welcome to my mad world, trapped in my laboratory
Slaine invites his listeners to enter the madness and chaos of his mind, where he concocts and experiments on his creative output.
The way I stitch your fabric its erratic always
Slaine's approach to manipulating his subjects' reality, identity or character is unpredictable, inconsistent and frenzied.
Its sorta twisted tragic fuck it I'm gifted at it
Slaine acknowledges the dark and tragic nature of his methods and actions, which he entertains and hones as his unique talent and skill.
These kids are mad at Georgie they picture Pat and Pauly
Slaine compares himself to Georgie, a fictional character from the movie IT, who lures kids into his trap, and the kids confuse him with two other villains from the same story, showing how misunderstood and complex he is as a person.
Dont get me pissed bitch I'm in a different category
Slaine warns people to not anger or provoke him, as he is a rare and exceptional person who cannot be categorized or labeled easily.
Ive been a misfit since I was this big with my kicks split
Slaine's life began as an outsider and rebel who stood out and rejected conformity, even in his childhood where he wore broken shoes.
With a broken heart I had to fix with
Slaine suffered emotional pain and heartbreak in his life, but found ways to deal with and heal from it.
Blue tapper nails toothpaste and rails chewing gum paper clips grey goose and ale
Slaine lists various substances and objects that he uses or consumes as part of his self-expression, creativity or stress relief, alluding to his excess and indulgence.
He plays to win the dude hates to fail currency stuffed in a suit case for reaaallll
Slaine has a competitive and success-driven mentality that motivates him to strive for victory and wealth, which he keeps and carries with him at all times, visibly or not.
All deals are off the table money is off the books so I'm stealing it off the labels
Slaine implies that he cannot rely on honest or legal ways to make money or succeed in his industry, so he resorts to deceptive or illegal means to achieve his goals.
Running with the crooks I'm like a thief with the metal
Slaine associates himself with a criminal group or network that specializes in theft or robbery, and claims he is an expert in using guns or weapons for his gain.
Im like your worst nightmare never sleep on the rebel
Slaine is not to be underestimated or ignored, as he is a formidable foe who could strike at any moment and cause destruction or chaos.
Hey I'm Terry from the Cemen-tary nice to meet you
Waving the semi at ya and it might just reach you, actually it will,
Slaine playfully introduces himself as Terry from the Cemetery, a spooky and unsettling image, and acts as if he is threatening the listener with a semi-automatic weapon, which he describes as certain to hit them.
Definitley lightning sneakers is what you better have
Cause I'm gonna light the street up
Slaine demands that the listener be prepared and fast, as he intends to race and dominate them in a foot chase, showing his competitive and aggressive nature.
I'm the no name grown man cause I chose to be the unknown [un(?)]
When I'm rolling into your domain
Slaine chooses to remain anonymous and unrecognized by society, even though he is a mature adult, and when he enters someone else's territory, he asserts his dominance and authority over them.
Looking for a roll of green from a fucking pocket
What else would I be doing?
Slaine implies that he is searching for drugs, money or other valuables from someone's pocket, and sees that act as his primary or only purpose in life, hinting at his addiction or obsession.
So hand it over bitch and hope.....
Slaine commands the listener to give him what he wants, and suggests that the listeners may face bad consequences like physical harm or punishment if they do not comply.
How many times do I gotta say it?
I don't even got time and I'm out of patience
Not a mind in my head for conversation just demands get the fuck down take this
Slaine repeats his order for the listener to follow, and says that he is short on time and energy to engage in a dialogue or exchange with them, and that they must obey him without question or hesitation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SmokeSkreen Visuals
These 3 plus a Lu Balz/Louis Bell beat=unfuxwittable
d3athb3for3dishonor
Slaine kills it every time, I knew he'd be deliverin something dope on his new Ep, I FUCKING LOVE YOU SLAINE
Hiphop bray
goes hard that king james line was dope
buchajstos95
Slaine znowu masakruje! Jeden z lepszych w grze od ladnych paru lat. A jak zobaczyłem liste gości to już w ogóle doczekać się nie moge!!! Respect from Poland!
MAD NOMAD
@Vest781 A world with no skies moim zdaniem jeszcze lepsze, choć to indywidualna kwestia, bo nieco różnią się klimatem.
Happy
@Gibky Jr Dokładnie :P the king of everything else-najlepsza płyta zagraniczna jaką słyszałem, istne arcydzieło dla mnie
GiblyWeebly
Slaine, to istny kozak. Jaram się jego numerami niesamowicie, zwlaszcza z Boston Projec i każdym kolabo z MacChildem :D
AbstractProphet
yes it will definitely be a great album. this song shows already how good it will be. i love the bass. respect from germany
John Fetto
Gonna be another classic album. Cant wait
SulphuricAcid
This song sounds better than the whole of his last album already! Can't wait for August!