The Coup, part of the sub-genre of political hip hop, is politically radical and Marxist in their music, and align themselves with other radical hip-hop groups like Dead Prez. Their music is characterized by electronic sounds and bass-driven backbeats overlaid by humorous, cynical and sometimes violent lyrics criticizing capitalism, American politics, pimping as a form of patriarchal exploitation, and police brutality, among other things.
The Coup's debut album was 1993's Kill My Landlord. In 1994 they released their second album, Genocide and Juice. After a four-year recording hiatus, the group released the critically acclaimed Steal This Album in 1998, the title of which was reminiscent of lifestylist Abbie Hoffman's Steal this Book. The album featured the stand-out single "Me and Jesus the Pimp in a '79 Granada Last Night". The online magazine Dusted called Steal This Album "the best hip-hop album of the 1990s".
In 2001, The Coup released Party Music to widespread praise. However, in part due to distribution problems, sales of the album were low. The original album cover art depicted group members Pam the Funkstress and Riley standing in front of the twin towers of the World Trade Center as they are destroyed by huge explosions; Riley is pushing the button on a guitar tuner. The cover art was finished in June 2001, and was scheduled to be released just after the September 11, 2001 attacks. In response to the uncanny similarity of the artwork with the Sept. 11 attacks, the album release was held back until alternative cover art could be prepared.
The attention generated to the album's cover art generated some criticism of the group's lyrical content as well, particularly the Party Music track "5 Million Ways to Kill a CEO". The song's rap includes lines like, "You could throw a twenty in a vat of hot oil/When he jump in after it, watch him boil". Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin cited the song in calling The Coup's work a "stomach-turning example of anti-Americanism disguised as highbrow intellectual expression".
On November 15, 2005, Tarus Jackson (AKA Terrance), who had joined the group as a promoter, was fatally shot during a robbery at his home in Oakland.
December 2, 2006 saw another tragedy for The Coup: About two hours following a performance at the San Diego House of Blues, the tour bus in which they were riding drove off the road and flipped over before becoming engulfed in flames. All passengers managed to climb out alive, though some were badly injured. They did, however, lose all of their clothes, computers, cash, identification, house/car keys and cell phones as well as all of their instruments and sound equipment. Since an insurance settlement is potentially a year away, they were forced to cancel the rest of their tour.
Current line-up:
Boots Riley: Lyrics, Vocals, Production, Handclaps, Dancin and Keyboard tweeks.
Pam The Funkstress: Scratches and Poplocking
Silk-E: Vocals and gettin her muthafuckin gig on.
B'nai Rebelfront: Guitar and "not a damn thing else".
J.J. Jungle: Bass, Backflips, and Spins.
Hassan Hurd: Drums and football.
LJ Holoman: Organ and other keys.
Their songs "My Favorite Mutiny" and "Pork & Beef" were featured in the 2007 film Superbad, while "Ridin' The Fence" was featured in EA's 2007 skateboarding video game, Skate.
20000 Gun Salute
The Coup Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This slug's for Newt - shut your mouth, don't pollute
Army of down motherfuckers, shit we tryin' to recruit!
20,000 gun salute, get rowdy like you got a substitute
This slug's for Newt - shut your mouth, don't pollute
Army of down motherfuckers, shit we tryin' to recruit!
Chosen, representatives, from the ho's been known to act wit
pimp theatrics, a tactic necessary
In fact they wanna have us buyin' from the commissary
This commentary's for my folks under involuntary servitude
Cause bosses don't be servin' you your monetary
Pervin' you like rum'n'dairy pulsin' through your capillaries
Some inherit green, the rest just get our folks to bury
I'm abolitionary, wishin' the judiciary
say this year for merry merry, free the penitentiary!
Peoples gon' rumble as long as stomachs grumble
and crack pipes tumble over asphault that's crumbled
Hundreds come in bundles and, hop is mixed with funnels
Cause babies wit shoes too small gon' stumble
This composition is sedition, opposition to the rulin class
Wishi'n they could detonate us hooked to the ignition
Keep my slacks creased to punch the clock for the beast
As my rent don't cease, his pockets get obese
Can't have inner peace without havin' a piece
When the stepped on step up, we let the dragon release
20,000 gun salute, get rowdy like you got a substitute
This slug's for Newt - shut your mouth, don't pollute
Army of down motherfuckers, shit we tryin' to recruit!
20,000 gun salute, get rowdy like you got a substitute
This slug's for Newt - shut your mouth, don't pollute
Army of down motherfuckers, shit we tryin' to recruit!
Disaster! The filthy rich bastards wanna milk yo' ass
faster, ask fuh, no salvation comin' from the damn pastor
Old ladies play canasta, under roofs of cracker plaster
Little kids dive in the trash for discarded Dutchmasters
Dead potnahs on mural walls
Homeless kids takin' baths up in gas station urinals
Shit the system can't cure it all
If everybody had a job then stock value's sure to fall
Hundred million neck slashes, so these facists
can make sho' that they check cashes, let's get massive
Wage struggle as direct classes, on just how we gonna
overthrow they bitch asses, give whiplashes
from the force as we make it tight, and ignite
the flames of takin' over daily life, make it a right
to have food, threads and homestead
and Pac Bell won't ever cut your phone dead -- we own it!
But these business that love payin' minimum wage
ain't gon' let you take they shit unless you showin' the gauge
And if you do it by yourself they gon' put you in a cage
If you in a rage, please meet me on the same page, with a
20,000 gun salute, get rowdy like you got a substitute
This slug's for Newt - shut your mouth, don't pollute
Army of down motherfuckers, shit we tryin' to recruit!
20,000 gun salute, get rowdy like you got a substitute
This slug's for Newt - shut your mouth, don't pollute
Army of down motherfuckers, shit we tryin' to recruit!
The Coup's song "20000 Gun Salute" is a politically charged and insightful critique of systemic oppression and injustice in society. The lyrics highlight the systematic exploitation of the poor by the wealthy, and the effort to break free from this exploitation. The band uses the metaphor of a military salute to represent the struggle against the ruling class and their oppressive policies.
The chorus, "20,000 gun salute, get rowdy like you got a substitute, this slug's for Newt - shut your mouth, don't pollute, army of down motherfuckers, shit we tryin' to recruit," represents a call to arms for people to come together and challenge the system. The reference to Newt refers to Newt Gingrich, a former politician known for his conservative and controversial views, and the term "slug" refers to a bullet. The phrase "don't pollute" suggests that the band wants people to speak out freely without being silenced or suppressed.
The verse, "This composition is sedition, opposition to the rulin class, Wishi'n they could detonate us hooked to the ignition, Keep my slacks creased to punch the clock for the beast, As my rent don't cease, his pockets get obese," describes a sense of frustration with the status quo and the feeling of being trapped in a system that benefits the wealthy. The use of metaphorical language such as "sedition" and "detonate" highlights the intensity of the struggle against the ruling class. The line "his pockets get obese" refers to the wealth disparity between the rich and poor, with the rich getting richer while the poor struggle to make ends meet.
In summary, The Coup's "20000 Gun Salute" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that encourages people to join the fight against systemic oppression, exploitation, and injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
20,000 gun salute, get rowdy like you got a substitute
We need to make noise and be disruptive, like we have a replacement teacher in class.
This slug's for Newt - shut your mouth, don't pollute
We have a message for Newt (possibly Newt Gingrich), and he should stop talking and causing harm.
Army of down motherfuckers, shit we tryin' to recruit!
We are trying to build a group of committed people who will be able to fight this battle with us.
See now we're talkin' systematic, mack mechanics, decomposin'
We are looking at the bigger picture, and breaking down the systematic issues we face.
Chosen, representatives, from the ho's been known to act wit pimp theatrics, a tactic necessary
We need representatives who are skilled in persuasion and performance, who are willing to do whatever it takes to get people on board.
This commentary's for my folks under involuntary servitude
The message we're sharing is for those who are trapped in oppressive situations with no way out.
Cause bosses don't be servin' you your monetary
Employers are not providing their employees with the wages they deserve.
Can't have inner peace without havin' a piece
We cannot achieve inner peace without having the means to defend ourselves against those who would oppress us.
Disaster! The filthy rich bastards wanna milk yo' ass
The wealthy elite are exploiting working-class people for their own gain.
Hundred million neck slashes, so these facists can make sho' that they check cashes
The ruling class is willing to commit violent acts in order to protect their wealth and power.
Let's get massive, Wage struggle as direct classes, on just how we gonna overthrow they bitch asses
We need to organize a massive movement to take down the ruling class and their oppressive systems.
But these business that love payin' minimum wage ain't gon' let you take they shit unless you showin' the gauge
Businesses that rely on low-wage labor will not give up their profits without a fight, and we may need to use force to get what we're owed.
If you in a rage, please meet me on the same page, with a
If you're feeling angry and want to make a change, join us and let's work together to make it happen.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paddy O'Furniture
"Steal This Album" by The Coup is one of the greatest records of all time! #OAKLAND
kyösti kallio
Great quality,great song!
dannybboy
dope🔥🔥
Josh Dawson
Phat