HIP HOP
Static X/Dead Prez Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Uh, uh, uh, 1-2, 1-2
Uh, uh, 1-2, 1-2, uh, uh
All my dogs, 1-2, 1-2

It's bigger than hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop, hip
It's bigger than hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop, uh

One thing 'bout music when it hit you feel no pain
White folks say it controls your brain
I know better than that, that's game
Man, we ready for that
Two soldiers, head of the pack
Matter fact, who got the gat?
And where my army at?
Rather attack and not react
Back to beats, it don't reflect on how many records get sold
On sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll
Whether your project's put on hold
In the real world, these just people with ideas
They just like me and you when the smoke and cameras disappear
Again the real world, it's bigger than all these fake ass records
When poor folks got the millions and my woman's disrespected
If you check 1-2, my word of advice to you is just relax
Just do what you got to do, if that don't work then kick the facts
If you a fighter, rider, biter, flame-ignitor, crowd-exciter
Or you wanna just get high, then just say it
But then if you a liar-liar, pants on fire, wolf-crier, agent with a wire
I'm gon' know it when I play it

It's bigger than hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop, hip
It's bigger than hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop, uh

Who shot Biggie Smalls? If we don't get them, they gon' get us all
I'm down for runnin' up on them crackers in they city hall
We ride for y'all, all my dogs stay real
Nigga, don't think these record deals gon' feed your seeds
And pay your bills, because they not
MC's get a little bit of love and think they hot
Talkin' 'bout how much money they got
Nigga, all y'all records sound the same
I'm sick of that fake thug, R&B-rap scenario, all day on the radio
Same scenes in the video, monotonous material
Y'all don't here me though
These record labels slang our tapes like dope
You can be next in line and signed and still be writing rhymes and broke
You would rather have a Lexus or justice, a dream or some substance?
A Beamer, a necklace, or freedom
Still a nigga like me don't player-hate, I just stay awake
This real hip-hop and it don't stop
'Til we get the po-po off the block, they call it

Hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop, hip
It's bigger than hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop, hip
It's bigger than hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop, hip
It's bigger than hip-hop, hip-hop, hip-hop

DP's got that crazy shit, we keep it crunker
John Blaze-in' shit (what?)
DP's got that crazy shit, we keep it crunker
John Blaze-in' shit (what a nigga wanna do?)
DP's got that crazy shit, we keep it crunker
John Blaze-in' shit (1-2, 1-2)
DP's got that crazy shit, we keep it crunker
John Blaze-in' shit
DP's got that crazy shit, we keep it crunker




They call it
Fake (fake) records (records)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Static X/Dead Prez's song "Hip Hop" is a commentary on how music is more than just entertainment; it's about freedom, social issues, and art. The song critiques the commodification of hip hop and how record labels promote fake artists with no real message. The chorus, which repeats four times throughout the song, emphasizes how hip hop is more significant than just a genre of music; it's a movement.


The first verse of the song focuses on the power and influence of music. It states that when music hits you, you feel no pain, and white folks claim that it controls your mind. The real message of the song is that music can be used as a tool for social change, and it has the power to unite people. The second verse focuses on how music can be used to spread awareness of social issues like police brutality and corrupt governments. The song argues that real hip hop is not just about selling records but using the art to make a difference in society.


The song's title "Hip Hop" refers to the cultural movement that emerged in the Bronx in the '70s, where African American and Latino youth created a new culture and art form that became a voice for the oppressed. The song also alludes to various cultural references like smoking weed, Biggie Smalls's death, and various rap icons.


Line by Line Meaning

Fake Fake Records
This line criticizes the music industry for producing music that lacks authenticity and is manufactured to sell.


1 2 1 2
This is a reference to the microphone check, which is commonly done at the beginning of a performance to check if everything is working well.


All Ma Dawgs
This line is an affirmation of solidarity with the artist's friends, crew, or fan base.


(chorus)(x2) its bigger than hip hop hip hop hip hop hip hop
The chorus emphasizes that hip hop goes beyond just music, as it represents a cultural movement that has social and political implications.


One thing bout music when it hit you feel no pain
This line suggests that music has the power to heal, connect, and move people emotionally.


White folkes say it controls your brain
The artist is critiquing the racist stereotype that hip hop music negatively influences young people, particularly Black people, and arguing that it is not true.


I know betta than that that's game
The artist rejects the claim made by some that hip hop is a bad influence and implies that there is a conspiracy to discredit the genre.


And we ready for dat two souldjas head of da pack
The artist suggests that hip hop artists are fighters and leaders who are committed to defending their culture and advocating for their community.


Madda a fack who got the gat
This line can be interpreted as a call for action against the oppressors of hip hop culture.


And where ma army at rather atact and not react
This line implies that the artist prefers to be proactive and take the initiative rather than merely react to problems after they arise.


Back the beats it don't reflect on how many records get sold
The artist suggests that the real value of hip hop should not be measured by commercial success or how many records are sold.


On sex drugs and rock and roll
This line is a critique of the entertainment industry's obsession with hedonistic and indulgent lifestyles that takes away from the artistic expression of hip hop music.


Whether your projects put on hold
The artist acknowledges that the production of music can be halted due to various reasons, but that does not diminish the importance of hip hop culture.


In the real world, these just people wit ideas
This line humanizes hip hop artists and reminds the audience that they are ordinary people with unique ideas.


They just like me and you when the smoke and camera disapear
The artist suggests that hip hop artists are no different from their listeners when the spotlight is off.


Again the real world
This line is a repetition of the previous line that emphasizes the point.


Is bigger than all these fake records
The artist suggests that hip hop culture is authentic and that it is more significant than the artificially produced music that dominates the industry.


Where po folks got the millions and my womans disrespected
This line highlights the socioeconomic inequality that exists within the music industry and how marginalized groups, particularly women, are often disrespected and neglected in this context.


If you check 1 2 my word of advise to you is just relax
This line is a friendly and colloquial address to the listener, offering advice and encouraging them to chill out.


Just do what you got to do if that don't work then kick the facks
The artist is advising the listener to follow their own path and, if necessary, confront those who try to block their progress.


If you a fighta rida bouta flaymadonna chronic sida
This line is a reference to the different styles and topics that hip hop can address.


Or you want to just get high then just say it
The artist acknowledges that hip hop music can also be used to address recreational drug use.


But then if you a lia lia pants on fia wolf cria agent wida
This line is a critique of those who pretend to be someone they are not and create inauthentic music for commercial purposes.


Why I'm goina know it when i play it
The artist suggests that true hip hop music is authentic and that it is easy to distinguish it from the imitations.


(chorus)(x2) its bigger than hip hop hip hop hip hop hip hop
The chorus emphasizes the idea that hip hop is a cultural movement that has social and political implications.


Who shot biggy smalls if we don't get them they gonna get us all
This line is a reference to the murder of the rapper Notorious B.I.G. and the suspicion of police involvement. It suggests that hip hop culture is under constant threat of violence and oppression.


I'm down for runnin on them (blured) in they city hall
This line is a call for direct action against those who oppress hip hop culture. The blurred part implies that the artist is advocating for violence.


We ride for y'all all ma dawgs stay real
The artist is declaring their commitment to their fans and colleagues and urging them to stay true to themselves.


don't thank these record deals goina feed your seeds and pay your bills
This line is a critique of the music industry and how it exploits artists. It suggests that signing a record deal does not guarantee financial stability and often leads to greater complications.


Because they not
This line implies that the artist is aware of the exploitation that is inherent in the music industry.


Mcs get a little bit of love and think they hot
This line is a critique of the inflated egos of some hip hop artists who think that success has gone to their heads.


Talkin bout how much money they got
The artist is criticizing the materialistic and consumerist mindset of some hip hop artists, who focus solely on their wealth and success.


All y'all recods sound the same
This line is a critique of the homogeneity of modern hip hop music, which perpetuates stereotypes and clichés without taking any risks.


I'm sick of that fake thug r&b rap scenerio all day on the radio
The artist is criticizing the commercialization of hip hop culture and how it has been watered down to appeal to mainstream audiences.


Same scenes in the video, manatamis material
This line is a critique of the music videos that often perpetuate the same clichés and stereotypes that the artist opposes.


y'all don't hear me tho
The artist is suggesting that their message is not being heard or respected by the wider society.


These record lables slang our tapes like dope
This line is a critique of how the music industry commodifies hip hop culture and exploits its artists for profit.


You could be next in line to sign and still be writin rymes and broke
This line is a reference to the exploitation of hip hop artists, who despite signing record deals, are still struggling financially and creatively.


you'd rather have a lexus or justice
This line is a reference to the different values that guide people's lives. It asks if people would rather have material possessions or social justice.


A dream or some substance
This line extends the previous question, and asks if people would rather pursue their dreams or depend on drugs as an escape or pleasure.


A beemer or neclace or freedom
This line extends the previous question, and asks if people would rather own a fancy car or jewelry or have the freedom to pursue their passions and goals.


Niggaz like me don't playa hate i just stay awake
The artist is suggesting that they do not have malicious intentions towards others but that they are aware of the realities of the world.


Its real hip hop, and it don't stop till we get the po po off the block
The artist is affirming that their version of hip hop is authentic, and that they will not stop advocating for justice until the police violence and oppression against their community ends.


(chorus)(x2) its bigger than hip hop hip hop hip hop hip hop
The chorus emphasizes the overarching nature of hip hop culture and how it extends beyond just music.


(x5)dps got that crazy shit we keep it crunk hu john blaze and shit
This line refers to the hip hop duo Dead Prez and their style, which is characterized by its political and militant themes.




Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: Andrew Mair, Gavin Clayton, Lavonne Alford, Vonkelli Williams, Clayton Angelo Gavin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@FatherThyme.

[Intro: M1]
Uh, yeah, yeah DP's an' Static X, Bigger than Hip-Hop
What you thought we just all 'bout music

[Hook: Static X]
hip..hop..hip..hop..hip..hop..hip..
hip..hop..hip..hop..hip..hop..hip..hop

[M1]
Uh, one thing 'bout music when it hit you feel no pain
White folks say it controls yo' brain
I know better than that, that's game
And we ready for that - two soldiers head of the pack
Matter of fact, who got the gat?
And where my army at? Rather attack and not react
Back to beats, it don't reflect on how many records get sold
On sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll
Whether your project's put on hold
In the real world; these just people with ideas
They just like me and you when the smoke and camera disappear
Against the real world [echoes]
It's bigger than all these fake-ass records
When po' folks got the millions and my woman's disrespected
If you check 1-2, my word of advice to you is just relax
Just do what you got to do; if that don't work, then kick the facts
If you a fighter, rider, biter, flame-ignitor, crowd-exciter
Or you wanna jus' get high, then just say it
But then if you a liar-liar, pants on fire, wolf-crier, agent wit' a wire
I'm gon' know it when I play it

[Hook: M1 Ad-Libs]

[stic.man]
Uh, who shot Biggie Smalls?
If we don't get them, they gon' get us all
I'm down for runnin' up on them crackers in they city hall
We ride for y'all - all my dogs stay real
Nigga, don't think these record deals gon' feed your seeds
And pay your bills, because they not
MCs get a little bit of love and think they hot
Talkin' 'bout how much money they got; all y'all records sound the same
I'm sick of that fake thug, R&B-rap scenario, all day on the radio
Same scenes in the video, monotonous material
Y'all don't here me though
These record labels slang our tapes like dope
You can be next in line and signed; and still be writing rhymes and broke
You would rather have a Lexus? or justice? a dream? or some substance?
A Beamer? a necklace? or freedom?
Still a nigga like me don't playa-hate, I just stay awake
This real hip-hop; and it don't stop 'til we get the po-lice off the block
They call it...

[Hook x2]

Uh
Ro-Ro-Ro-Rock and Roll



All comments from YouTube:

@abedean8980

One of my favorite collaborations ever.

@patrickowens4294

Same here.

@cptdekker

RIP Wayne Static :( A true pioneer in Rock/Metal....

@nowalternottoday3809

Ron Cazzato hell yeah🤘🤘🤘

@korndud

He didn't pioneer shit lmao

@clydestryde6027

Missing his soul yah

@35milesoflead

A true pioneer if you forget that Coal Chamber, Korn, Sepultura, Pantera, Mettalica, Rob Zombie and Nine Inch Nails exist.

2 More Replies...

@Sookieball

Such. A. GEM. so much love for this mix.

@jmpgaming89

I'm not a hip hop fan but this is aweosme, sure takes me back to the ps1 Matt Hoffman pro BMX days!

@matthewfox7007

Oh ma gaaaaaawd that's what I know this from

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