In 1996, Mad Child and Prevail went to the B-Boy Summit in San Diego, California, where Mad Child won several rap battles and was initiated into the Rock Steady Crew, legendary to the hip hop/b-boy scene. The Crew is held in great respect as hip hop's highest collective - to join one must win a contest of skill against one of the highest ranked members. Swollen Members is one of only three rap groups affiliated with Rock Steady.
That same year, the duo began recording their first tracks, with help from many of their friends from the scene - MCs, DJs, and producers, including Rob the Viking. Rob would continue to work with the group through the years, eventually joining them later. From the praise they were receiving, they decided it was time to release their material as a group. With the subsequent release of three 12" singles on Mad Child's record label Battleaxe Records, the group quickly established themselves in the scene and built a respectable following. The next logical step was to release an album, which was titled Balance and released in 1999.
Balance received wide critical acclaim and has been claimed by the band to have sold in excess of 50,000 copies. Featuring collaborations with artists such as Everlast, Divine Styler, and Dilated Peoples, the album also netted Swollen Members the 2001 Juno Award for Best Rap Recording.
Following Balance, Swollen Members recorded and released Bad Dreams, which successfully dodged the so-called "sophomore curse" many artists suffer upon their second release. Bad Dreams was released on November 13, 2001, featuring guests such as Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, Son Doobie, Joey Chavez, and former member Moka Only. Like their debut, Bad Dreams was surprisingly successful for an independent rap album and brought Swollen Members global acclaim. Surprisingly, it appealed to both underground and mainstream audiences, with several singles reaching platinum status in Canada.
The album also earned Swollen Members their second Juno Award, and four MuchMusic Video Awards. The group continues to tour, visiting every major market possible and performing hundreds of shows a year; some with nearly 15,000 audience members. The media continues to give their music and live shows excellent coverage around the globe, and both new and old singles receive solid airplay on college and commercial radio. Their tracks have also been featured in a multitude of films, television programs, extreme sports videos, commercials, video games (especially games produced by Electronic Arts, which has a studio in their hometown of Vancouver), and compilation albums, the sales of which total in the millions when combined.
Swollen Members have appeared on numerous television shows, in addition to having several of their live shows televised. Like their singles, their music videos have been heavily played on both the Canadian MuchMusic and the American MTV, as well as on many independent video shows.
2002's Monsters in the Closet, their third release, brought them greater fame than ever before. Where Moka Only and Rob the Viking had only peripherally assisted the duo before, they now became official members of the group. Monsters included several unreleased tracks and remixes, as well as collaborations from fellow British Columbian Nelly Furtado and Saukrates of Def Jam. Production credits included Evidence from Dilated Peoples.
2003 brought Heavy, released yet again to critical acclaim and powerful sales, despite dismal video play time on MuchMusic. The band considers it the bridge between their underground origins and their potential for fame. Unfortunately the album was controversial among Swollen Members' fanbase. Many fans claim that Swollen Members have removed many elements of their style which had awarded them in the past. The lines were drawn between fans who began to listen to Swollen Members when Monsters in the Closet came out and fans attracted by the earlier two albums (especially Balance). They continue to tour, playing both local and international shows to the delight of their hometown fans.
In 2005 Moka Only decided to break off from the group for a second time and continue work on his solo career.
In 2006 Swollen Members released their fifth full album, Black Magic. It is understood that Mad Child and Prevail made an attempt to return to their previously critically acclaimed style and method. Their previous album Heavy was seen by the band as a disappointment, and isn't listed on their official site discography.
In August 2006, Swollen Members released their new single "Put Me On - Feat. Everlast" off of their new album, "Black Magic".
Their next CD is scheduled to be released at the end of the summer of 2008. According to the band's website, Mad Child will soon release a solo album.
Juggernaut
Swollen Members Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know when it's mine, it's better than most
Still reppin' the coast, it's a sign of the times
Pull ahead of the pack, leave them all in the back
Nine times out of ten it's a real attack
One time out of that it's a practice drill
Don't relax, those still waters run deep
Come compete with the elite, I'm going in for the kill
I Robot, I'm a * android
You're a host to a comatose, pull the cord
Now it's time for you to meet the Lord, call the morgue
All aboard this train pulling out from the station
Hit like a bullet and I call it devastation
Look around, colorful rhyme animation
Animal instincts, that's dedication
I'm a fucking evil beast
Feel like my cerebral grease
Giving you the 'Heebie Jeebies' on CD or DVD
Monster on your TV screen
Opposite of beauty queen
Girl look like the Bride of Frankenstein, It's like a movie scene
Standing with the ghoulish grin
Me and Prev are foolish twins
Orphan morphing into something morbid it's your sewage bin
I know my future like I'm reading fucking tarot cards
Two thirteen, we're the next fucking terror squad
[Hook] x2
Punk rock 808's
Brass knuckle heavy weights
Hip hop heavy bass, heavy bass, heavy bass
I'm a dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus Rex, getting oral sex
More or less, from a Pterodactyl in an orange dress
You're impressed, I'm a foreign rapper with a storage chest
War in debt, you don't want to quarrel with tomorrow's best
Destiny is blood-drench, I am fucking out to lunch
Poison running through my veins while eating bowls of 'Captain Crunch'
Saturday, cartoons from the console of my spaceship
Going apeshit, I'm on some 1988 shit
[Hook] x2
Destroy, dismantle, disassemble, what does this resemble?
Advisory Parental, live like a TV show when I flow
My mental low's much higher than your highest heights, might flood like spice,
Still can't see, but you love your life
Kill MC's with a mic like a butcher knife
Then again, when I'm here in this time continuum
Blend chameleon, show true colours
Flee from my brothers, fuck all the others
Checking out power, what did I discover
Rhyme is ammo, time is ample
Black trap crow mac map the capo
Call the back up, tell them to back up
Before they get jacked up and attack the console
[Hook] x2
In "Juggernaut," Swollen Members' recites a combination of aggressive and witty rap lyrics, reflecting their cocky persona as a band. At the start of the verse, they demand recognition for their energetic flow that outperforms most others in the rap game, and they attribute their skill to the dedication they have for their craft. The lyrics mention their desire to rise above the competition and how they do so by being real and not just a "practice drill."
Swollen Members also like to show off their twisted sense of humor as seen in their reference to the singer getting oral sex from a Pterodactyl in an orange dress while being a dinosaur (Tyrannosaurus Rex). They further boast their genius talents by comparing themselves to "Orphan morphing into something morbid," suggesting that this is just the beginning of their rise to power. They proceed to rhyme about their obsession with power, weaponry, and violence while also expressing their dedication to their craft, akin to animal instincts.
Overall, "Juggernaut" symbolizes Swollen Members' determination to reach the top of the rap game, no matter who stands in their way. Their lyrics demonstrate their confidence and prowess and their willingness to do whatever it takes to get ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Gimme credit when the energetic flow is aligned
Recognize my talent when I'm in the zone
You know when it's mine, it's better than most
My music is superior
Still reppin' the coast, it's a sign of the times
I'm still representing my hometown despite changing times
Pull ahead of the pack, leave them all in the back
I'm leaving the competition behind
Nine times out of ten it's a real attack
My music is authentic and powerful
One time out of that it's a practice drill
Occasionally I experiment with my sound
Don't relax, those still waters run deep
Don't underestimate me
Come compete with the elite, I'm going in for the kill
Challenge me if you dare, I'm unstoppable
Build and destroy, fill the void
I create and destroy in order to progress
I Robot, I'm a * android
I'm a machine-like force in the music industry
You're a host to a comatose, pull the cord
You're in a coma and need to be disconnected
Now it's time for you to meet the Lord, call the morgue
You're going to die and be buried
All aboard this train pulling out from the station
Join me on a wild ride
Hit like a bullet and I call it devastation
My music hits hard and causes destruction
Look around, colorful rhyme animation
My lyrics are vivid and lively
Animal instincts, that's dedication
My passion for music is primal and unrelenting
I'm a fucking evil beast
I'm a ferocious and intense rapper
Feel like my cerebral grease
My thoughts are dark and dirty
Giving you the 'Heebie Jeebies' on CD or DVD
My music is haunting and creepy
Monster on your TV screen
I'm a menace to society
Opposite of beauty queen
I'm not conventionally attractive
Standing with the ghoulish grin
I'm grinning like an evil spirit
Me and Prev are foolish twins
My friend and I are equally wild
Orphan morphing into something morbid it's your sewage bin
I'm transforming into something disgusting
I know my future like I'm reading fucking tarot cards
I'm confident about where I'm headed
Two thirteen, we're the next fucking terror squad
My group is a force to be reckoned with
Punk rock 808's
My music combines punk and hip-hop elements
Brass knuckle heavy weights
My lyrics pack a powerful punch
Hip hop heavy bass, heavy bass, heavy bass
My music has a strong hip-hop beat
I'm a dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus Rex, getting oral sex
I'm a primal and dominant force in music, getting pleasure
More or less, from a Pterodactyl in an orange dress
It doesn't matter who it's from, as long as it feels good
You're impressed, I'm a foreign rapper with a storage chest
My talents come from outside the norm
War in debt, you don't want to quarrel with tomorrow's best
I'm destined for greatness and can't be stopped
Destiny is blood-drench, I am fucking out to lunch
My path is violent and unpredictable
Poison running through my veins while eating bowls of 'Captain Crunch'
I'm indulging in unhealthy habits while creating music
Saturday, cartoons from the console of my spaceship
I'm living a wild and imaginative life
Going apeshit, I'm on some 1988 shit
I'm going crazy and bringing back an old-school vibe
Destroy, dismantle, disassemble, what does this resemble?
I'm questioning the impact of my work
Advisory Parental, live like a TV show when I flow
My music has explicit content and feels like a TV drama
My mental low's much higher than your highest heights, might flood like spice,
My lows are still greater than most highs, and my talent is overwhelming
Still can't see, but you love your life
People are blind to their own struggles and enjoy life despite it all
Kill MC's with a mic like a butcher knife
My music is so powerful it destroys other rappers
Then again, when I'm here in this time continuum
I'm aware of the fleeting nature of my career
Blend chameleon, show true colours
I'm adaptable but still true to myself
Flee from my brothers, fuck all the others
I'm distancing myself from the competition
Checking out power, what did I discover
I'm exploring the limits of my own abilities
Rhyme is ammo, time is ample
My talent is my weapon, and I have plenty of time to use it
Black trap crow mac map the capo
My music is innovative and avant-garde
Call the back up, tell them to back up
I need help and support to succeed
Before they get jacked up and attack the console
Before they turn against me and try to sabotage my success
Contributed by Miles P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Frank morgan
its about time swollen goes to the roots of the style they used to have mad props Shane you made 2 sick albums and tours this year this song makes me proud to be a baxwar
AJ B
simply a work of art, fucking addicted to this album, especially this song, always bumpin it full blast in my ride.
Deva Gordon
Am I the only SM fan that actually liked this song? I know this song isnt their usual brand of sound, but im glad they went into new territory with this track. If they had made the whole album into dubstep-rap kind of music then that would be different, but as far as im concerned, it was their attempt to try something a little bit different for them, and it worked. The song is one of my favorite on the album, and it really is a testament to how versatile these artists are. So in my eyes, SM sho
DemonHunter Gaming
ive always found it funny how people listen to dubstep because of the bass but they dont realize that these guys have more bass then almost any dubstep band
josh jacobs
fuck i love this cd , i could care less what they rap to as long as there making songs im happy but def not disappointed at all..rob the viking deserves way more credit than he deserves hes been making killer beats for years no one can touch him
STU'S PLAYLISTS
U can argue over genre's and labels but the fact remains this beat is fucking SiCk...
Joe Neuhaus
Dubstep is ILL. Swollen Members are the best rap group. You can argue whether its dubstep or not. It's beyond a great song!
HairINK Ada
this is awesome!!! great track! :D
Jade McGarrigle
This song is so dope!!
Sarah Ann
To everyone who believes this is trash or doesn't approve of SM's new album then don't listen to it. No one is forcing you too. Leave the music to people who are true fans/part of the botherhood to enjoy it. We don't need to crap on here.