In 2000, after living in New Hampshire, he moved back down to Massachusetts to enroll in the audio production program at Boston's New England Institute of the Arts. That same year, Selektah started putting out mixtapes, namely his Spell My Name Right series. With his mixtapes and DJ gigs, Selektah never passed up the opportunity to champion local hip-hop from Boston and the surrounding New England area. In particular, Selektah was responsible for introducing fellow Lawrence, MA, native Termanology to the world, helming his Hood Politics mixtapes in the mid- to late 2000s. Managing all of these tasks became much easier when he established in 2003 his own PR/marketing firm ShowOff.
In 2006, he turned ShowOff Records into an official record label, with Termanology & Producer DC's Out the Gate LP as its first release. By this time, though, Selektah's prestige had grown considerably. His radio shows were playing in several places, from London to Mobile, AL; he produced beats for many artists, including Foxy Brown, AZ, and Joell Ortiz; and most importantly, the DJ dished out tons of mixtapes with big name and up-and-coming artists, such as Nas, Q-Tip, John Legend, Royce da 5'9" (The Bar Exam, co-hosted with DJ Premier), and Saigon.
Statik dropped his first LP, Spell My Name Right in 2007, and his follow up Stick 2 the Script album in 2008. Other artists he has produced for following that include Talib Kweli, Bun B, Styles P, Consequence, Freeway, M.O.P., and Jadakiss. Rockstar games reached out for Statik in late 2008 to enlist him as DJ and producer of the Grand Theft Auto IV update "the Lost and Damned", as well as 2 songs for Midnight Club: Los Angeles.
In March 2008, Selektah and Saigon recorded All In A Day's Work in a 24 hour period, and was acclaimed by critics. He also DJed for Q-tip on his 2009 Renassaince World Tour. Statik just dropped his third studio album, 100 Proof: The Hangover on Showoff/Brick Records.
In 2010 Statik Selektah released his fourth album, Population Control, on Duck Down Records to critical acclaim boasting features from a mix of up and coming MC's and well established veterans.
Statik's fifth album, Extended Play, was released on June 18, 2013, and features Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Raekwon, Sean Price, Mac Miller, Black Thought, Noreaga, Lecrae, Lil' Fame, Styles P, Mike Posner, Termanology, Freddie Gibbs, Bun B, Joell Ortiz, Posdnuos of De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Troy Ave., Hit-Boy, Smif-N-Wessun, Flatbush Zombies, and many many more.
Bird's Eye View
Statik Selektah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We smoke big blunts, cigars, it's us
It's obvious, kids, we regulate up shit moving through brush
The beats is grim, the ambiance plush
The speaker won't bang, the sneaker won't lust
Snitches wish dead, the eagle gon' bust
Catch you in the wrong spot, you dust
Fake niggas flee out, fly out the mouth, I get you gatted
Sports cars, re endorsed yards
Everybody four stars, ray like forty jewelry gaudy
Your creature game corny, I eat your dame, you hop up on me
Head off the rip, grab the whip, rest maturely
Hanging around the vets in the sweats
Since '97 we was rolex-ing the extra
Fuck around a hundred texts
Flash flex, cash, drugs, money and sex
Dumb check smashing
Watching the game from a bird's eye view
They say it's hard to keep trust so my third eye grew
Chakras open, binocular scoping, sour smoking
Hoping my best buzz ain't only in it only for the tokens
Cause they say if who you joking with, chokin' potent with
Tag team the joker chicks, the ones who do some bogus should
Act cool on the strip, but want to put two on your hip
Macking jewels in your whips, booming your hits, screwing your bitch
Froze under my toes, bitches where my penis is
Kicking it since the womb, now you see what the fetus is
And what the fetus is? Would these niggas feed us shit?
Rob a nigga for his number 2's to put my feet in, shit
Flow slippery, rise to the tippity top
I'mma make hot drops, make snakes history
Dreams of living civilly in Sicily
Laughing with a fan like
It's the elephant in the room
Created by a collision of the sun and the moon
My sonogram was an image of a gun in the womb
That was soon to be doper than heroin in a spoon
I'm astonishing, honestly my future looking promising
As my skin tone and a crystal clean onyx is
Darker thoughts let the beats break like a Amish's
I'm a stroke of genius like Mickalene Thomas is
Hip-hop and body rocking and doing it dude
I am the living definition of improving the groove
I use the same tools to shoot that Kubrick used
Take your hero to the river, give them two b-rick shoes
Who lose? If you really ain't nobody till somebody love you
I say you ain't nobody til they speaking highly of you
And what I'm sure you wouldn't want is any kind of trouble
Unless you got a crash dummy or a body double
You got a couple homies down to catch a homi- for you
Well I'mma fold niggas into origami for you
The most notorious, Poet Laureate
Whole story is glorious, stoic warriors
And I got my eyes wide open on you quasi-
Haters still smirking like the gators on an Izod
Lacoste, y'all tomato head niggas are
Imposters, long drawn out process
Triple OG's got a worn out conscience
Reminiscing to when we was all out monsters, on
Our Sierra Leone reigning tyranny
I strike fear in their hearts, rappers stear clear of me
Black Sankofa, Ayatollah, Range Rover, games over
Bill folder, give niggas that Ebola virus
Huh? You got me chopped like Miley Cyrus
Naw, I'm on your block with Somali pirates
The lyrics of Statik Selektah ft. Raekwon Joey Bada$$ & Black Thought's song Bird's Eye View describe the lifestyle and mindset of the rappers, who are at the top of their game in the hip-hop industry. They smoke big blunts and regulate the moves of the industry. The ambiance is plush and the beats are grim, representing the toughness and glamour of their lifestyle. They disregard snitches and are always prepared to go to any length to protect their positions. Statik Selektah's beats are magic and can make fake people flee out, exposing their true selves. The rappers are always surrounded by sports cars, re-endorsed yards, and forty jewelry gaudy, typical of the luxurious lifestyle of successful hip-hop artists. The lyrics suggest that the rappers have been around for a long time, hanging around the vets and rolex-ing the extra since 1997.
The chorus is about watching the game from a bird's eye view, which symbolizes a detached and objective perspective of the rappers' lives. They acknowledge that trust is hard to keep, hence they keep their third eye open. They are always hoping that their success is not only for the tokens, but also for their personal development. Black Thought's verse is about his superiority in the hip-hop industry, which he compares to the collision of the sun and the moon. He was born to be a dope artist and his future is looking promising. He uses his talent and tools to improve the groove, and is always ready to take on any trouble as long as he has his homies. He is the most notorious poet laureate of the hip-hop industry and he strikes fear into the hearts of rappers.
Overall, the lyrics of Bird's Eye View describe the luxurious, tough, and detached lifestyle of successful hip-hop artists, who are always prepared to protect their positions and rise to the top of the industry. The rappers acknowledge the importance of trust, but also understand that it is hard to keep. They are always hoping to use their success for their personal growth and development.
Line by Line Meaning
We smoke big blunts, cigars, it's us
We enjoy smoking large cigars and marijuana blunts, it's our group's preference
It's obvious, kids, we regulate up shit moving through brush
It's evident that we are in control of our surroundings, even when navigating through obstacles
The beats is grim, the ambiance plush
The instrumental tracks sound dark and heavy, but are played in a luxurious setting.
The speaker won't bang, the sneaker won't lust
The sound system isn't powerful, but the performer's footwear is not flashy
Snitches wish dead, the eagle gon' bust
Informants and betrayers are hoping for fatal consequences from us, but they will be met with swift retaliation
Catch you in the wrong spot, you dust
If we catch someone in the wrong location, they'll be eliminated without hesitation
Statik ill, bring the havoc, this is magic
The producer is creatively skilled, and this track is mesmerizing
Fake niggas flee out, fly out the mouth, I get you gatted
Phony individuals make quick exits or speak recklessly, and will be met with gunfire
Sports cars, re endorsed yards
Luxury cars and real estate are always being upgraded
Everybody four stars, ray like forty jewelry gaudy
Everyone is highly regarded, with excessive and flashy jewelry
Your creature game corny, I eat your dame, you hop up on me
Your efforts to attract a partner are weak, so I'll take your significant other and you can try to move on
Head off the rip, grab the whip, rest maturely
We move quickly and efficiently, but also know when to relax
Hanging around the vets in the sweats
We have a close relationship with experienced individuals, even when unwinding in casual clothing
Since '97 we was rolex-ing the extra
We have been flaunting our wealth with Rolex watches since 1997
Fuck around a hundred texts
We receive so many text messages that we don't have time for games or nonsense
Flash flex, cash, drugs, money and sex
We quickly show off our wealth, drugs, and sexual partners
Dumb check smashing
We are reckless with our spending and check cashing
Watching the game from a bird's eye view
We are observing people from a higher and wider vantage point
They say it's hard to keep trust so my third eye grew
It's difficult to trust others, so we've learned to rely on intuition and instincts
Chakras open, binocular scoping, sour smoking
We are in tune with our spiritual energy, using binoculars to observe and smoking potent marijuana
Hoping my best buzz ain't only in it only for the tokens
We hope that the positive feelings we experience aren't just temporary and for show
Cause they say if who you joking with, chokin' potent with
It's said that the people you surround yourself with can have a negative influence on you
Tag team the joker chicks, the ones who do some bogus should
We target and eliminate people who are deceitful or disloyal
Act cool on the strip, but want to put two on your hip
Individuals may act calm in public, but are secretly hiding weapons or dangerous intentions
Macking jewels in your whips, booming your hits, screwing your bitch
We enjoy displaying expensive jewelry in our cars while blaring our music and sleeping with someone's significant other
Froze under my toes, bitches where my penis is
Women are obsessed with my wealth and genitals, hoping to profit from them
Kicking it since the womb, now you see what the fetus is
My talents and personality have been present since birth
And what the fetus is? Would these niggas feed us shit?
And if we had not realized our potential, would these people have treated us poorly and given us low-quality products?
Rob a nigga for his number 2's to put my feet in, shit
I have become so successful that I can steal another person's footwear
Flow slippery, rise to the tippity top
My rapping style is smooth and confident, leading me to the highest levels of success
I'mma make hot drops, make snakes history
I will create popular and catchy music while eliminating backstabbers
Dreams of living civilly in Sicily
I dream of living peaceably in Italy's Sicily region
Laughing with a fan like
I will joyfully interact with my supporters and audience
It's the elephant in the room
This conversation topic is being avoided, but is nonetheless present
Created by a collision of the sun and the moon
This situation was caused by the coming together of opposing forces
My sonogram was an image of a gun in the womb
Even before birth, I was destined to be a powerful and influential person
That was soon to be doper than heroin in a spoon
My talents and personality would be more addicting and impactful than a dangerous drug
I'm astonishing, honestly my future looking promising
I am impressive and will enjoy a bright future
As my skin tone and a crystal clean onyx is
My dark complexion and my valuable Onyx jewelry make me stand out
Darker thoughts let the beats break like a Amish's
My deeper and sometimes-dark thoughts come out in the instrumental breaks in the track
I'm a stroke of genius like Mickalene Thomas is
I am a unique and impressive force in my field of work, much like this talented artist
Hip-hop and body rocking and doing it dude
We are creating and performing hip-hop music while dancing and having fun
I am the living definition of improving the groove
I am the perfect example of creating better and catchier music
I use the same tools to shoot that Kubrick used
I am using the same techniques in filmmaking as the legendary Stanley Kubrick
Take your hero to the river, give them two b-rick shoes
I am superior to my competitors and will humiliate them
Who lose? If you really ain't nobody till somebody love you
It's difficult to be respected and worthy of attention if you don't have anyone who loves you
I say you ain't nobody til they speaking highly of you
People must praise you and speak well of you before you can truly be seen as somebody
And what I'm sure you wouldn't want is any kind of trouble
You don't want to be involved in any kind of conflict or danger that could ruin your reputation or lifestyle
Unless you got a crash dummy or a body double
Unless you have someone who is willing to take the fall for you or impersonate you
You got a couple homies down to catch a homi- for you
You have friends who are willing to kill for you
Well I'mma fold niggas into origami for you
I will eliminate your adversaries in a creative and unique way
The most notorious, Poet Laureate
I am the most well-known and celebrated writer or performer
Whole story is glorious, stoic warriors
Our entire life stories are impressive, and we are strong and resolute fighters
And I got my eyes wide open on you quasi-
I am carefully watching and observing people who are almost like me
Haters still smirking like the gators on an Izod
People who dislike me are still visible, like the small alligators on a clothing brand's logo
Lacoste, y'all tomato head niggas are
Like the crocodile on the Lacoste brand, you are seen as foolish or unimpressive
Imposters, long drawn out process
Fake people are easily identified and a waste of time to interact with
Triple OG's got a worn out conscience
Older and respected gang members have become desensitized and less ethical
Reminiscing to when we was all out monsters, on
We remember when we were all wild and aggressive fighters
Our Sierra Leone reigning tyranny
Our group is dominant and controlling, much like a powerful ruler in West Africa's Sierra Leone region
I strike fear in their hearts, rappers stear clear of me
I am intimidating and even other rappers avoid engaging with me
Black Sankofa, Ayatollah, Range Rover, games over
I am a powerful and respected figure, driving a luxurious car and signaling the end of any competition
Bill folder, give niggas that Ebola virus
I am handing out large amounts of money, spreading it around like a contagious virus
Huh? You got me chopped like Miley Cyrus
You have me confused or mistaken for someone else
Naw, I'm on your block with Somali pirates
I am in control of my surroundings with a group of dangerous and unpredictable individuals
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: COREY TODD WOODS, JO VAUGHN VIRGINIE, PATRICK OWEN BARIL, TARIK L. COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@waltbcouncil4786
"The most notorious poet laureate." - Black Thought
"You got me chopped like Miley Cyrus, nah I'm on your block with Somali pirates" - Black Thought
I literally said "whew" like I sprinted the 100 meter and got hit in the gut at the finish line.
What's crazy is everyone knows how sharp Rae is with his lyrics, but Black Thought's raspy voice and precision lyrics leave you floored. Any rapper that can hang or outshine the best of the Wu is a rapper I support and props too, which is why I've bought the Roots albums since the 90s.
More Wu and Roots collabos.
@chosendrawz
Black Thought does not get enough respect as one of the greatest MCs to ever touch the mic. His verse was pure venom.
@shortie9103
One of the greatest writers to touch a pen
@vusimthalane9299
Black Thought's verse is some goosebump inducing shit
@itschamesbitch
+MV Doldrums Every. Fucking. Time.
@joepdl88
I got that feeling too. Reminded me when i first heard Canibus -"get retarded" .
@combomamba
"The most notorious, poet laureate, whole story is, glorious, stoic warriors" 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@xoxoleonoeloxox
He's stupid good. That whole set from there is just nuts.
@saveriopersichilli1129
That's the bar
@shawnl.8854
that one bar is better than most careers
@Nhilzer
God I just have to say Black Thought's verse is one of those things that make remember you love life. This is art, one of those moments like when you see a comet passing by, rare and precious, when you really love something it could make you cry. I love music so much, Hip-Hop above all styles even if I love other ones like metal, rap is special to me, it's something very personal, there are no words to thank enough people like you guys for giving moments like these.