Staying busy, the Last Emperor released several singles to a loyal fan following who hung on to his every word. During this period, Last Emperor began to gain the respect of top notch producers like Prince Paul (De La Soul, Stetsasonic, & Gravediggaz), DJ Muggz (Cypress Hill & Soul Assassins), & Diamond D (D.I.T.C) - all of which he would come to recorded with. As a result, fans of hip-hop music were introduced to classics like "Secret Wars", "Monumental", "Animalistics", "Charlie", "Meditations", and "Do u Remember".
As his star began to shine brighter, Emp gained notice outside of the tri-state area and obtained his first deal, on a major label nonetheless, with Dr. Dre's (N.W.A & Death Row Records) Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope. Becoming a protégé of Dr. Dre., and recording an album for his Aftermath debut, the Last Emperor waited over 2 years for a release date that never materialized. After asking to be let go, the Last Emperor soon found himself in a bidding war that landed him on Rawkus Records. Being label mates with BlackStar (Mos Def & Talib Kweli), Pharaoh Monch (Organized Konfusion), Shabaam Saadiq & Company Flow, many considered the Rawkus Records situation to be a perfect fit for Emp's quick witted delivery and vivid story telling ability.
Now signed to Rawkus, the Last Emperor released a few singles including "the Umph" with Smif-n-Wesson (Boot Camp Clik) as the lead-up to his debut full length release. After being signed to Rawkus for about 6 months, unsuspectingly, the label closed its doors and stopped releasing any music. As a free agent again, the Last Emperor formed his own label, Red Planet Music, and inked a distribution deal with Raptivism Records. He released his debut full length "Music, Magic, Myth" on Red Planet Music and hasn't looked back since.
The Last Emperor has shared the stage with everyone from Redman, Common, Mos Def, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Murs, and KRS-1. He's toured domestically and outside the U.S. with Pharaoh Monch, Brother Ali, the Gorillaz, and (Wu-Tang Clan's) Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah and U-God. He has been produced by such greats as Dr. Dre, Diamond D, Prince Paul, DJ Muggz, Evil D & Mr. Walt (Blackmoon & Beatminerz) not to mention the countless collaborations with artists like Siagon, Masta Ace, DeLa Soul, M1 (Dead Prez), Rakaa Iriscience (Dilated Peoples), and Rza (Wu-Tang Clan).
Since "Music, Magic, Myth", Emp put out a mixtape called "Hidden Treasures". He has also released a vinyl only 12” single called “Black Apache/Gangsta Groove” and is currently preparing a free download title "Science Team.....GO!" All this music leads up to his next full length album scheduled to release this year on Red Planet Music tentatively titled; “Last Emperor: and the Wizards Wardrobe”.
The Last Emperor remains a relevant necessity in Hip-Hop music. His consciousness and love for the culture can only better an industry plagued by mediocrity and normalcy. Fortunately for all, the wait is over. Get ready world because this is the year of the Last Emperor.
Let's Ride
The Last Emperor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody come with me, lets take a ride
Turn the system up loud, let it amplify
Look around at the town and let the sounds lead you
Everywhere I see the remice of a proud people
Where little girls find their way in the world through mama
And little guys see the world through the eyes of fathers
Everybody wanna learn I to earn a dollar
Now, I don't need to take up ya time
But I just wanted to know what's on ya mind
Whether work is hard to find, unemployment line
Or got a job or ya blind doin' overtime
Don't be ashamed, you got ya pride
To maintain, after the rain, the sun will shine
There will be better whether for everyone
Though we all move to the beat of a different drum
Passin' the time in a popular way
Like Otis Redding sitting at the dock of the bay
I got a long way on this road but hey
I take pride in the fact that I'm alive today
[Chorus: The Last Emperor]
Everybody on the east side, c'mon, let me know that you got ya pride
Everybody on the west side, c'mon, let me know that you got ya pride
Everybody on the north side, c'mon y'all, show me you got ya pride
And everybody on the south side, c'mon, let me know that you got ya pride
[The Last Emperor]
Summertime the heat is hot, will I ever reach the top
Yo it's time to leave the block, finish my tequila shot
Mellow but sober when I'm in the car
So I can ride to the rhythm of the guitar
I hear the music I'm prepared to follow
The body overcomes the city of El Dorado
Mexican City that's paved of gold
Made sacred by the ancients in days of old
Brown pride, they got it down to a science
That's right, Old Metz, Aztecs and Rions
Combined with colours of a tapestry
Yeah I hear my brown brothers hollarin back of me
From freedom fighters, to the band deleroes
To the old man wearin' the tan sanbrero
From the food in the music that's la fiesta
To the afternoon nap thats la siesta
"Never venture out the hood" is what some people say
But I love it to much to ever keep away
Beautiful brown people in the streets today
Who show me love when I'm drivin' through Easter Lane
And they say..
[Chorus]
[The Last Emperor]
They got you to rock to a slower groove
I hope you like all the things that I'm showin' you
It's all good, every hood that I'm rollin' through
Ya might not notice me, but I notice you
Livin' your life through poverty, I see smiles for as long as the eye can see
I'm proud of y'all and I hope that your proud of me
God bless the child who runs wild and free
City to city and town to town
I can see alot of pride as I drive arouund
Hold ya heads up high when ya feelin' down
Remember y'all we gotta stand tall and proud
[Chorus]
The Last Emperor's song "Let's Ride" is a call for unity and pride among people from different parts of town. The singer invites us to join him on a ride where we can listen to music and look around the town, taking in the sights and sounds of the different neighborhoods. He notices that everywhere he goes, he sees evidence of a proud people, whether it's little girls learning about the world from their mothers, or young men looking up to their fathers.
The song is a message of hope and encouragement for those facing difficult times or struggling to make ends meet. The Last Emperor acknowledges that life can be tough, but he reminds us that we have our pride to maintain, and that the sun will shine after the rain. He recognizes that everyone moves to the beat of a different drum, but he still calls on all the people of the east, west, north, and south sides to show their pride and come together.
The song also celebrates the culture and history of the town, particularly the Mexican heritage that has left its mark on the city. The Last Emperor references the legend of El Dorado, the Aztecs and Rions, and the vibrant colors of a tapestry. He recognizes the contributions of freedom fighters and musicians, and the importance of traditional foods and practices like La Fiesta and La Siesta.
Overall, "Let's Ride" is a powerful and uplifting song that encourages us to celebrate our shared humanity and embrace our diversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody come with me, lets take a ride
Join me on a journey
Turn the system up loud, let it amplify
Listen to the world around us
Look around at the town and let the sounds lead you
Be guided by the energy of the community
Everywhere I see the remice of a proud people
I see remnants of a once proud people
Where little girls find their way in the world through mama
Girls learn from their mothers
And little guys see the world through the eyes of fathers
Boys learn from their fathers
Everybody wanna learn I to earn a dollar
Everyone wants to make money
We know there's more to the hood than urban squallor
There is more to our community than poverty
Now, I don't need to take up ya time
I won't take too much of your time
But I just wanted to know what's on ya mind
I am curious about your thoughts and feelings
Whether work is hard to find, unemployment line
Whether you are struggling to find work, or unemployed
Or got a job or ya blind doin' overtime
Whether you have a job or are working too much
Don't be ashamed, you got ya pride
Don't lose your pride
To maintain, after the rain, the sun will shine
Things will get better
There will be better whether for everyone
Everyone will experience better days
Though we all move to the beat of a different drum
Everyone has their own rhythm in life
Passin' the time in a popular way
Spending time in a common manner
Like Otis Redding sitting at the dock of the bay
Relaxing by the water like Otis Redding
I got a long way on this road but hey
I have a long journey ahead of me
I take pride in the fact that I'm alive today
I am proud to be alive today
Everybody on the east side, c'mon, let me know that you got ya pride
People on the east side, show me your pride
Everybody on the west side, c'mon, let me know that you got ya pride
People on the west side, show me your pride
Everybody on the north side, c'mon y'all, show me you got ya pride
People on the north side, show me your pride
And everybody on the south side, c'mon, let me know that you got ya pride
People on the south side, show me your pride
Summertime the heat is hot, will I ever reach the top
In the hot summer, wondering if I will ever reach success
Yo it's time to leave the block, finish my tequila shot
Leaving the neighborhood after finishing my drink
Mellow but sober when I'm in the car
Relaxed but still sober while driving
So I can ride to the rhythm of the guitar
Driving while listening to music
I hear the music I'm prepared to follow
I am ready to follow the music
The body overcomes the city of El Dorado
The music has the power to overcome anything
Mexican City that's paved of gold
Mexico City, a place of wealth and beauty
Made sacred by the ancients in days of old
Historically sacred
Brown pride, they got it down to a science
Pride in brown skin is well understood
That's right, Old Metz, Aztecs and Rions
Various indigenous groups
Combined with colours of a tapestry
A cultural tapestry with many diverse colors
Yeah I hear my brown brothers hollarin back of me
I hear others with brown skin cheering me on
From freedom fighters, to the band deleroes
From those fighting for freedom, to successful music bands
To the old man wearin' the tan sanbrero
Reference to an elderly man wearing a traditional hat
From the food in the music that's la fiesta
From the fun and music at a celebration
To the afternoon nap thats la siesta
To the peaceful afternoon nap
'Never venture out the hood' is what some people say
People say not to leave the neighborhood
But I love it to much to ever keep away
However, I can't stay away because I love it too much
Beautiful brown people in the streets today
People with brown skin are beautiful
Who show me love when I'm drivin' through Easter Lane
Those on Easter Lane show me love when I drive through
They got you to rock to a slower groove
The music has slowed down
I hope you like all the things that I'm showin' you
I hope you enjoy what I'm sharing with you
It's all good, every hood that I'm rollin' through
It's all good in every neighborhood I visit
Ya might not notice me, but I notice you
You may not notice me, but I see you
Livin' your life through poverty, I see smiles for as long as the eye can see
Despite poverty, people still smile
I'm proud of y'all and I hope that your proud of me
I am proud of you and hope you are proud of me
God bless the child who runs wild and free
God bless those who are free-spirited
City to city and town to town
Traveling from place to place
I can see alot of pride as I drive arouund
I see a lot of pride as I travel
Hold ya heads up high when ya feelin' down
Keep your head up when you feel down
Remember y'all we gotta stand tall and proud
We all need to stand tall and proud of our identity
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: GRAY, EWART DEWGARDE, WALTER DEWGARDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind