This band of owls hover in cypher circles gripping microphones with their iron talons, leaving humans in the wake of their earthly knowledge. Led by the merciless Big Owl (Fliptrix), guided by the teachings of Bird T (Verb T), entertained by the do-or-die spirit of Rusty Take-Off (BVA MC) & inspired by the inventions of Deformed Wing (Leaf Dog), The Four Owls have played in the shadows for long enough. Backed entirely by High Focus artist Leaf Dog on the production The Four Owls maintain a sound that is true to hip-hop in its real form.
Nature’s Greatest Mystery is High Focus Records most ambitious release to date. The label has quickly gained a reputation for pushing boundaries in a scene that has grown desperate for a new type of binocular vision. The Four Owls are responsible for a modern day classic, fourteen tracks of straight up-and-down head banging rhythms, undiluted lyricism and conceptual brilliance. Who said UK hip hop was dead? Just look to the skies.
Original
The Four Owls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo!
Im on the search for knowledge.
They're lookin' at me like Earth to Thomas.
Bright star, each bar is like a burning comet.
Ex-herbaholic surfin' on a tidle wave.
damn I just overcooked your brain in a microwave
I'm sittin' wide awake, like the piper, play my tune
People follow, I'll take you miles away.
Yes I'm your highness for real 'cos my mind is
Lost in the clouds can't fully raise my eyelids.
Building an escape pod, tryin' to climb inside it.
Get away, lookin' for the stars shining vibrant.
Dynamite shit, short fuse temper temper.
Vent the tension and I would like to send a mention to
Your ego, pretentious fool you sound demented
Out the trenches, you ain't the trench coat Mafia.
And this ain't revenge of the nerds you fuckin' amateur.
That is fucked, wrap it up now man I've had enough.
Fliptrix
Find me where the bombs blow
Holes in my foes still smokin'
Killing enemies with choke holds
Leave 'em with their wounds open
Just to free their emotions.
Then I flee to my barracks
As the house of flying daggers,
Like Jackie Chan on tabs of acid, I kill a snake then I climb a ladder,
Trigger tounge is callous,
With charisma by the gallon, so were not balanced
I'm on point while you lack talent,
I practice black magic,
Plus im strapped with a bag full of gas and a packet of some matches,
Not the safety type, raise up the Farenheight,
You're goin' down like a motherfuckin' stalagtite,
Snap it then I stab your spine, in the black of the night,
Then turn your flesh back to life like I'm Frankenstein,
I'm bad for your health like a jam in formaldehyde?
Known as the medicine man, I kill the parasites.
Chorus x2 (BVA & Fliptrix)
Be original
Dont copy this material
Use your own voice and make sure its lyrical
You know you did it right if the kids like to mimic you
Brush to the wax
thats how we do/Thats how we bring the image through
Leaf Dog
Try'n to recite what I write
You might catch a ripped jaw.
Lines cut with precision just like a jigsaw.
Lyrics hidden like drugs shipped in to this shore
I keep the underground hot, like the Earth does with its core.
Attempts are poor, try'n stab me in the back
Its a fight you won't win like our troops in Iraq.
My crew's known to circle prey, like a wolf pack
Or a riot squad kickin' or screamin' move back.
Fuck these rich kids try'n rap
straight poor's how they act
but I've never heard a real word in a single track.
Deal with facts like I'm building a case
What I put in her mouth for the next week you'll taste this flow.
I can't wait so I choose to embrace
While you full of fake love, like you're chewing your face.
Confused in the race, try'n to make noise
But your playing days are over
Like an athlete when he takes 'roids.
BVA
Drop raps like a loose grip
Neck-in-the-noose shit.
They said that my style's a bit fruity so i juiced it
Do bondage with the track
And slap heads with the truth's whip.
Pay so much mind to the track you think I'm two kids.
From the year of the tiger, the mind rider
Penetrate the track so even your girl feels it inside her.
Out of place like cider in a posh bar
And kids are sellin' now
But they'll get toasted 'cos they're pop-tarts.
I'm off the chain like a broke bike
Spit shit you wont like
If you're hyped and you're beat, worn out
Screamin' I'm so tight.
'Cos me man I'm more chill
Follow this, more will.
I smoke the peace pipe, while I spit lyrical war skills.
Most rappers churn hard, like they took four pills
Chew face, lose place in the race 'cos they ain't ill.
They're sick if you mean dying and most of 'em keep tryin'
But they can't see me like they're in the room im gettin' high in.
Chorus x2 (BVA & Fliptrix)
In The Four Owls's song Original, the rappers use their verses to express their individuality and emphasize the importance of originality in their raps. The first rapper, Verb T, compares his raps to a bright star leaving an impact on his listeners' minds. He talks about building an escape pod and seeks to get away from the mundanity of life. He also vents his frustration towards pretentious and egotistical rappers who lack genuine talent. Fliptrix's verse focuses on his prowess as a rapper and his ability to kill off his enemies. He brags of his trigger tongue while warning his rivals of his black magic and his bag of matches. An instant death is guaranteed when he's around. Leaf Dog, in his verse, boasts the precision of his lyrics and the underground appeal of rap. He takes a jab at fake rappers who only rap for commercial success rather than true artistic expression. BVA is fiercely confident and dismisses any doubts about his skills as a rapper. He acknowledges the importance of staying true to one's unique style and voice while avoiding conformity to stereotypical tropes of rap.
The Four Owls, a UK-based hip hop group, consists of four members: Leaf Dog, Fliptrix, BVA, and Verb T.
Original is a track from their debut album Nature's Greatest Mystery released in 2011.
The Four Owls produced Original, a rap track with lyrics that talk about the importance of being original in one's raps.
Fliptrix's line - Like Jackie Chan on tabs of acid, I kill a snake then I climb a ladder - is a reference to the 1978 movie Snake in the Eagle's Shadow starring Jackie Chan.
The line from Leaf Dog's verse: "I keep the underground hot, like the Earth does with its core" is an analogy comparing the underground rap scene to the Earth's core, emphasising the importance of rap's foundation.
Nature's Greatest Mystery received critical acclaim and was rated highly by music publications such as Hip-Hop Connection and Clash Magazine.
The Four Owls have released three studio albums, Natural Order in 2015, Nocturnal Instinct in 2020, and a collaboration album with DJ Premier in 2021.
The group's name "The Four Owls" represents wisdom, knowledge and a call to rise above street ignorance.
Most of the Four Owls' songs have a message behind them that focuses on positivity, freedom of speech, and better lives.
There are no known guitar chords for Original, as it is a rap track.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo!
Introduction to the rapper's search for knowledge.
Im on the search for knowledge.
Stating that he is seeking knowledge.
They're lookin' at me like Earth to Thomas.
People are staring at him without understanding his quest.
Bright star, each bar is like a burning comet.
Every line he raps is powerful.
Ex-herbaholic surfin' on a tidle wave.
Former drug user surfing on the highs and lows of life.
damn I just overcooked your brain in a microwave My mistake.
Apologizing for causing confusion in his listeners.
I'm sittin' wide awake, like the piper, play my tune People follow, I'll take you miles away.
He is wide awake and ready to lead his listeners to new knowledge.
Yes I'm your highness for real 'cos my mind is Lost in the clouds can't fully raise my eyelids.
He is in an elevated state of mind and cannot be fully understood.
Building an escape pod, tryin' to climb inside it.
Creating something to help him escape his current state of mind.
Get away, lookin' for the stars shining vibrant.
Seeking knowledge and new experiences.
Dynamite shit, short fuse temper temper.
Acknowledging his explosive personality.
Vent the tension and I would like to send a mention to Your ego, pretentious fool you sound demented.
Pointing out the arrogance and misguided beliefs of his critics.
Out the trenches, you ain't the trench coat Mafia.
Calling out posers who claim to be something they are not.
And this ain't revenge of the nerds you fuckin' amateur.
Rejecting the idea that he is a nerd and dismissing those who lack talent.
That is fucked, wrap it up now man I've had enough.
Expressing frustration and ending his previous train of thought.
Find me where the bombs blow
Embarking on a violent mission.
Holes in my foes still smokin'
Leaving enemies wounded and defeated.
Killing enemies with choke holds Leave 'em with their wounds open Just to free their emotions.
Defeating enemies while also stirring up emotions in them.
Then I flee to my barracks As the house of flying daggers,Like Jackie Chan on tabs of acid, I kill a snake then I climb a ladder
Retreating to his safe space and imagining himself as a fearless fighter.
Trigger tounge is callous, With charisma by the gallon, so were not balanced I'm on point while you lack talent, I practice black magic, Plus im strapped with a bag full of gas and a packet of some matches
Describing his charisma and skill as a rapper and his readiness to engage in violence.
Not the safety type, raise up the Farenheight,You're goin' down like a motherfuckin' stalagtite,Snap it then I stab your spine, in the black of the night,Then turn your flesh back to life like I'm Frankenstein
Threatening his enemies with violent and supernatural acts.
I'm bad for your health like a jam in formaldehyde? Known as the medicine man, I kill the parasites.
Posing as a healer while actually causing harm to his enemies.
Be original Don't copy this material Use your own voice and make sure its lyrical You know you did it right if the kids like to mimic you Brush to the wax thats how we do/Thats how we bring the image through
Encouraging other rappers to be creative and find their own voice.
Try'n to recite what I write You might catch a ripped jaw. Lines cut with precision just like a jigsaw. Lyrics hidden like drugs shipped in to this shore
Warning others of the dangers of trying to copy his unique style.
I keep the underground hot, like the Earth does with its core. Attempts are poor, try'n stab me in the back Its a fight you won't win like our troops in Iraq.
Stating that he is the heart of the underground rap scene and predicting victory over his enemies.
My crew's known to circle prey, like a wolf pack Or a riot squad kickin' or screamin' move back.
Claiming that his group is strong and intimidating.
Fuck these rich kids try'n rap straight poor's how they act but I've never heard a real word in a single track.
Rejecting the idea that wealthy people can credibly rap and criticizing their lack of substance.
Deal with facts like I'm building a case What I put in her mouth for the next week you'll taste this flow.
Using facts in his lyrics and promising that his fans will enjoy his next project.
I can't wait so I choose to embrace While you full of fake love, like you're chewing your face.
Choosing to focus on his craft rather than dwelling on negative emotions.
Confused in the race, try'n to make noise But your playing days are over Like an athlete when he takes 'roids.
Criticizing those who are chasing clout and warning that their time is up.
Drop raps like a loose grip Neck-in-the-noose shit. They said that my style's a bit fruity so i juiced it Do bondage with the track And slap heads with the truth's whip.
Describing his unique style and using the track to spread truth.
Pay so much mind to the track you think I'm two kids. From the year of the tiger, the mind rider Penetrate the track so even your girl feels it inside her
Emphasizing the intensity of his raps and claiming to be in control of the listener's mind and body.
Out of place like cider in a posh bar And kids are sellin' now But they'll get toasted 'cos they're pop-tarts.
Feeling out of place in a culture where younger, less-talented rappers are gaining popularity.
I'm off the chain like a broke bike Spit shit you wont like If you're hyped and you're beat, worn out Screamin' I'm so tight.
Boasting about his talent and invoking strong reactions.
'Cos me man I'm more chill Follow this, more will. I smoke the peace pipe, while I spit lyrical war skills.
Stating that he is a peaceful person while also being a skilled rapper.
Most rappers churn hard, like they took four pills Chew face, lose place in the race 'cos they ain't ill. They're sick if you mean dying and most of 'em keep tryin' But they can't see me like they're in the room I'm gettin' high in.
Criticizing other rappers for their lack of authenticity and talent, and asserting his superiority as an artist.
Contributed by Tyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.