Swollen Members was founded in the mid-1990s by Vancouverites Mad Child, Pr… Read Full Bio ↴Swollen Members was founded in the mid-1990s by Vancouverites Mad Child, Prevail and Moka Only. Having begun a solo career while living in San Francisco, California, Mad Child returned to Vancouver for some work. There he met Prevail and Moka Only, working as partners and making a name together on Canada's West coast hip hop community. The trio saw each other's abilities, thought they heard opportunity knocking, and joined together under the name Swollen Members. Soon after, however, Moka Only decided he wanted to pursue a solo career and left the group.

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.

Too Hot
Swollen Members Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus Cuts: DJ Babu:]
Just too hot to touch
Just too hot to touch I got what you want

[Madchild:]
Although I plan to go out with a bang not a whimper
I still gotta watch my temper
Watch over both shoulders cause of what I'm into

Sometimes I get emotional cause of what I've been through
It goes..
Anger, anger, that's one of my hangups
You don't wanna rock and roll kid, your head gets banged up
Feel tension, blood starts pumpin
My friends always win in the fights, I still jump in
And I don't have a drinking problem
I drink, talk shit, fall down no problem
When I drink its a problem, cause I cause problems
Cold hearted, man I'm so robotic
Not like you forgot but I'm slightly psychotic
I'm here to terrorize the world
And fuck the minds up of you boys and girls

[Chorus Cuts]

[Prevail:]
Complete sweep like a cluster bomb
Cold as death, hold your breath till the dust is gone
>From the lost angel city to the gotham skyline
We're still public access but watch us go primetime
I'm Cannonball Crush, not Cane or Able
I reign like Charlamain and just as fatal
Even worse, I'm not vain or narcissistic
Preach like an arch bishop from the darkest district
In the killing field planting seeds of dissent
Fast fascinating demons flashing dreams of contempt
Come on, self contained I'm my own metropolis
Go against the grain for the throne of the populace
Kingdoms I want em, hand em over, relinquish
Or I'll douse them in flames that you'll never extinguish
My right hand writes in sequential order
Eventually I'll make you lifespan potentially shorter

[Chorus Cuts]

[Madchild:]
I'm Fuckin with em....
Did so much dirt can't rinse the filth
Wealthy but concerned with my mental health
Hope to got to heaven but I've been through hell
Think I'm going crazy man please don't tell
Cops hate me they want to throw me in jail
Hate to think if they got me alone in a cell
I'm pretty sure it wouldn't go so well
Cause ain't nobody coming when you yell for help

[Prevail:]
We're the fast and elite
What else, the young and the vigorous
You should probably keep your distance
Cause my hunger is hideous
Tell affiliates and friends there's no need to defend
When the warriors descend is where the story will end
Were ageless and timeless, your faceless and spineless
So let us lead the way while they follow in blindness

[Chorus Cuts]

Overall Meaning

The Swollen Members song "Too Hot" is a hip-hop track that features intense lyrics from the rappers Madchild and Prevail. The chorus is a catchy hook that DJ Babu cuts on the turntables, repeating "Just too hot to touch I got what you want." Madchild opens the song with aggressive verses that detail his struggles with anger issues and alcohol. He raps about watching his temper and the dangers of being involved in the violent lifestyle, which leads to emotional turbulence. However, he is determined to dominate the world and mess with the minds of anyone who stands in his way. Prevail takes the second verse and builds upon the theme of dominance and hostility. He is confrontational and unafraid to let his inner demons take control. He describes himself as a leader that people should follow while warning his enemies that they will suffer at his hands. The lyrics of the song are full of rage and ego, an expression of the Swollen Members' persona.

The song was included in the Swollen Members' third album, "Bad Dreams," released in 2001. It was produced by Rob the Viking, who helped the group develop their signature sound of dark and moody beats, piano loops, and orchestral arrangements. "Too Hot" was one of the album's standout tracks, showcasing the rappers' lyrical dexterity and chemistry with each other. The song's structure features a traditional chorus-verse-chorus-verse-chorus format, with each rapper getting two verses. The chorus is the most infectious part, thanks to DJ Babu's scratching skills, and serves as the song's hook. The song's tempo is mid-paced, and the drums are prominent, giving it a dramatic feel. The Swollen Members are known for their cinematic and theatrical approach to hip-hop, and "Too Hot" is an excellent example of this.

Line by Line Meaning

Just too hot to touch
The persona is so intimidating and powerful that they are impossible to approach without getting burned.

Just too hot to touch I got what you want
Despite being unapproachable, the persona is aware of their appeal and knows that others desire what they possess.

Although I plan to go out with a bang not a whimper
The persona intends to leave a lasting legacy and exit from life in a grand manner rather than a weak, insignificant one.

I still gotta watch my temper
Despite their confidence, the persona acknowledges that they have a tendency to lose their cool and need to control their emotions.

Watch over both shoulders cause of what I'm into
The persona is involved in some dangerous activities that require them to be vigilant and cautious.

Sometimes I get emotional cause of what I've been through
The persona has endured hardships that have taken a toll on their mental health and can cause them to become sensitive at times.

Anger, anger, that's one of my hangups
The persona struggles with bouts of uncontrollable rage and aggression that they have difficulty managing.

You don't wanna rock and roll kid, your head gets banged up
The persona warns others not to mess with them as the consequences will be painful and potentially dangerous.

Feel tension, blood starts pumpin
The persona describes the physical sensations they experience when they become agitated or angry, including increased heart rate and adrenaline.

My friends always win in the fights, I still jump in
The persona is loyal to their friends and is willing to defend them even if they are at a disadvantage in a fight.

And I don't have a drinking problem
The persona does not view alcohol as a negative influence in their life.

I drink, talk shit, fall down no problem
The persona enjoys drinking and socializing but is not concerned about the consequences of alcohol consumption such as memory loss or physical harm.

When I drink its a problem, cause I cause problems
Although the persona does not think they have a drinking problem, they acknowledge that their behavior can become disruptive and damaging when under the influence.

Cold hearted, man I'm so robotic
The persona presents themselves as emotionally detached and unfeeling like a machine.

Not like you forgot but I'm slightly psychotic
The persona is aware that they have tendencies that are associated with mental illness such as abnormal thought patterns or behavior.

I'm here to terrorize the world
The persona intends to inspire fear and intimidate others with their power and influence.

And fuck the minds up of you boys and girls
The persona seeks to disrupt the beliefs and values of others to assert their dominance and control over them.

Complete sweep like a cluster bomb
The persona describes their destructive capabilities as being massive and widespread, like a powerful weapon.

Cold as death, hold your breath till the dust is gone
The persona's actions and consequences are so extreme that it is like facing death itself, and the effects are long-lasting.

From the lost angel city to the gotham skyline
The persona has a powerful and influential presence that extends over vast geographical regions, from Los Angeles to New York City.

We're still public access but watch us go primetime
The persona is currently accessible to the public but is on the verge of becoming mainstream and dominant in their field.

I'm Cannonball Crush, not Cane or Able
The persona presents themselves as a powerful, unstoppable force that cannot be controlled or tamed like lesser individuals.

I reign like Charlamain and just as fatal
The persona asserts their power and influence over others, likening themselves to the historical figure Charlemagne and implying that they are equally as destructive.

Even worse, I'm not vain or narcissistic
The persona is not concerned with their own appearance or self-image like some others who exercise power and dominance.

Preach like an arch bishop from the darkest district
The persona speaks with the authority and conviction of a religious leader, but from a place of darkness and danger.

In the killing field planting seeds of dissent
The persona seeks to sow discord and chaos in places of conflict or danger, creating difficulties for those who oppose them.

Fast fascinating demons flashing dreams of contempt
The persona describes the power of their influence as being akin to demonic possession, seducing and manipulating others into feeling hatred or disgust.

Come on, self-contained I'm my own metropolis
The persona describes themselves as self-sufficient and self-sustaining, like a city unto themselves.

Go against the grain for the throne of the populace
The persona intends to act against the status quo and follow their own path to achieve power and control over others.

Kingdoms I want em, hand em over, relinquish
The persona desires to take control of entire kingdoms and demands that others surrender their power and control willingly.

Or I'll douse them in flames that you'll never extinguish
The persona threatens to destroy everything in their path with a passion and intensity that cannot be stopped or controlled.

My right hand writes in sequential order
The persona asserts their authority and control over others, expressing that they have the power to dictate what happens next.

Eventually I'll make your lifespan potentially shorter
The persona implies that they are capable of causing harm and even death to those who oppose them, making them a danger to those around them.

Did so much dirt can't rinse the filth
The persona has engaged in so many morally questionable or illegal activities that they cannot escape the guilt and consequences of their actions.

Wealthy but concerned with my mental health
Despite their wealth and power, the persona values their mental and emotional wellbeing and recognizes the importance of maintaining balance and stability.

Hope to god to heaven but I've been through hell
The persona desires to achieve a positive outcome but has experienced hardship and adversity in their life that challenges their faith and optimism.

Think I'm going crazy man please don't tell
The persona is aware of their own emotional instability and fears that others may judge or reject them if they acknowledge this fragility.

Cops hate me they want to throw me in jail
The persona has a fraught relationship with law enforcement and is aware of the risk of getting arrested or punished.

Hate to think if they got me alone in a cell
The persona fears the consequences of being trapped or isolated in a jail cell and the danger that this represents for their own safety.

I'm pretty sure it wouldn't go so well
The persona is confident that the situation would not turn out well for them if they were to end up in a jail cell.

Cause ain't nobody coming when you yell for help
The persona recognizes that they are often alone in their struggles and that others may not be willing or able to help them in their time of need.

We're the fast and elite
The persona describes their group as being highly skilled and successful, with a fast-paced and competitive edge.

What else, the young and the vigorous
The persona further emphasizes their youth and vitality, underscoring their energy and enthusiasm for their pursuits.

You should probably keep your distance
The persona warns others to stay away from their group, as they are dangerous and difficult to approach.

Cause my hunger is hideous
The persona describes their desire for success and power as being intense and monstrous, driving them to take extreme measures to get what they want.

Tell affiliates and friends there's no need to defend
The persona reassures their associates that they do not need to protect or stand up for them, as they are capable of handling their own affairs.

When the warriors descend is where the story will end
The persona implies that their power and influence will have a dramatic effect on their surroundings, potentially ending the story of others.

Were ageless and timeless, your faceless and spineless
The persona emphasizes their own immortality and endurance, contrasting it with the perceived weakness and insignificance of others who oppose them.

So let us lead the way while they follow in blindness
The persona asserts that they are the rightful leaders and that others may need to follow them blindly, emphasizing their own confidence and superiority.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bosco Mann, Kenneth Gonzales, Kiley Hendriks, R Hooper, Shane Bunting

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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