Transplants is an American punk/hip hop band formed in 1999 when Tim Armstr… Read Full Bio ↴Transplants is an American punk/hip hop band formed in 1999 when Tim Armstrong of Rancid played his friend and roadie Rob Aston some beats he had made using Pro Tools and asked Rob if he would consider contributing lyrics. Initially, Tim played all the instruments, but as the project grew, he invited friends such as Matt Freeman (Rancid), Lars Frederiksen (Rancid), and Vic Ruggiero (The Slackers) to add to the sound. Before long, Tim and Rob decided to officially form a band, but to make things complete, they wanted a drummer, so Travis Barker from blink-182 was asked to join in 2002. Travis recorded all drums for the first album in about eight hours.

Tim first became inspired to work with loops and samples after being introduced to London's speed/garage scene by Kerrang! magazine writer Morat in the mid-90s.

The group's music is a combination of hip hop, reggae, drum n bass, dub, and punk, but not necessarily all at once. Although many are used sparingly throughout the album, punk and rap remain as the prominent styles. Lyrically, Rob Aston describes their songs as ranging from topics such as murder ("Quick Death") to the passing of a loved one ("Sad But True") to failed friendships ("We Trusted You").

After two years of recording, they released their debut album Transplants on Hellcat Records in October 2002. In the end, the album was recorded and mixed entirely in Tim's basement. Special guest vocalists included Eric Ozenne (Nerve Agents), Davey Havok (AFI), Danny Diablo, Lars Frederiksen (Rancid) and Brody Dalle (The Distillers, ex-wife of Tim). Brody sings on the track "Weigh On My Mind", which Tim then described as "their song".

The singles, "Diamonds and Guns" and "D.J. D.J.", quickly became MTV favorites and earned the band critical and commercial success. "Diamonds and Guns" featured unmistakable piano hook played by co-producer Dave Carlock. The band followed up the record's success by touring with the Foo Fighters.

After the 2005 blink-182 hiatus, Travis Barker said that he was returning to working with Transplants and Plus 44, a side project with Blink's Mark Hoppus. The Transplants' second album, titled Haunted Cities, was released in June 2005.

Barker announced on his twitter account that the transplants were recording new material in 2010.

D.R.E.A.M.
Transplants Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Repeat: x4]
Drugs rule everything around me,
Fiend
Get the powder,
Drink another beer y'all

I keep it underground, like showbiz and a.g
Like Neckro, cut you like Kid Capri

They call me Diablo let the gun smoke
Like Rakim say, kid I ain't no joke

I think when I'm not city scapin this
If it's a law kid, we be breakin' it
2001 we makin hits
So one for the treble

Two for the bass
Three for the nights that puts a lump in your face
The streets might said I could never do
Catchin motherfucking bullets for the crew

I ride for my niggas
Die for my niggas
Catch, abide, and get high on my niggas
The bitch back breaker rappin decapitant

Diablo, eagles, MC, eliminate
What up playa? MC, Slayer
Kill you in your dreams, muffle your screams
Put you in the earth, make you shake like a fiend

Reppin three letter which are D.M.S
Spit fire and burn the hairs off your chest

It's Mr. hard to get along with
You wanna write a song with
Any given time you can catch me with a bomb bitch
Think you catch me slippin?

I think you better stop bitch
I'll slip like Sugar Shane and leave your motherfuckin wig split
Step back before you get smacked, no runnin' from it
You too, I'll take you to school, you ain't above it

I stay raw, hardcore, have you screamin "no more"?
Bust you in the face, point and laugh while your blood pours

Mr. Bigshot, latino Gambino, rest in peace to my brother King Gino
You can catch me on the West Coast, with a fly-ass stripper tied to my bed-post
Lookin' like Alicia Keys on her knees, lickin' the bag, just for a freeze
Ya know it's me baby caught you scrapping like it's nessesar

Drinking, grab the coke, at the end of the bar
We thug-killers, Ice Grill-as, who already out like a pack of gorillas
You and your man get the fam, must be jokin'
Must be the dust you be smokin'

Call you straight up Cho Cha I gon ta heavy metal smoke-ya
Stomp your ass like a roach-a
Playing like ya moms, hit ya with the chancleta, Repa!
Leading your man down to the coffin

Trapped in a dazzel like Christopher Walken
Now look who's talkin', set me off
They're dumb like a fuck with a cool-aid smile danny diablo 'k, the devil's child

[Repeat: x4]
LA (rockin')
The Queens (keep rockin')
Transplants (rockin')
Diablo (keep rockin')

[Repeat: x8]
Drugs rule everything around me,
Fiend

Get the powder,
Drink another beer y'all

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Transplants' "D.R.E.A.M." talk about the rampant use of drugs and alcohol in the streets. The hook "Drugs rule everything around me, Fiend, Get the powder, Drink another beer y'all" is a reference to the famous Wu-Tang Clan song "C.R.E.A.M." which stands for "Cash Rules Everything Around Me." Here, the band substitutes the word "drugs" for "cash" and talks about how they have become an integral part of their daily life. The lyrics also talk about the underground rap scene of the 90s, where artists like Showbiz and A.G, Kid Capri, Neckro, and Rakim were highly influential.

The verses talk about the prowess of the band members, with the lead rapper Danny Diablo using puns, metaphors, and wordplay to showcase his talent. He talks about breaking the law, making hits, and riding and dying for his crew. The lyrics also become highly violent towards the end, with Danny Diablo talking about killing people and having sex with a stripper tied to his bedpost. The final lines of the song are about Los Angeles, Queens, Transplants, and Danny Diablo - who are all rocking the underground rap scene.

Line by Line Meaning

Drugs rule everything around me,
The power and influence of drugs is all-encompassing and dominant in my life.

Fiend
I am addicted to drugs and am a fiend for their effects on my body and mind.

Get the powder,
I am seeking drugs in powdered form to consume and get high from.

Drink another beer y'all
Along with drugs, I am also consuming alcohol to intensify the effects on my mind and body.

I keep it underground, like showbiz and a.g
I operate in secret and maintain a low profile, much like the underground hip hop duo Showbiz and A.G.

Like Neckro, cut you like Kid Capri
I am quick to cut and take down anyone who stands in my way, similar to Neckro and Kid Capri.

They call me Diablo let the gun smoke
My nickname is Diablo and I am not afraid to use my gun to eliminate any threats or obstacles.

Like Rakim say, kid I ain't no joke
I am serious and dangerous, much like the legendary rapper Rakim expressed in his song 'I Ain't No Joke'.

I think when I'm not city scapin this
When I am not actively engaged in activities related to drugs, violence, and music, I spend my time thinking and reflecting.

If it's a law kid, we be breakin' it
I have no regard for the law and am willing to break any laws that stand in the way of my goals.

2001 we makin hits
In the year 2001, I am creating successful music that resonates with my audience.

So one for the treble Two for the bass Three for the nights that puts a lump in your face
I am focusing on making great music that has a strong and impactful beat that resonates with listeners.

The streets might said I could never do
People on the street doubted my abilities to make it in the music industry.

Catchin motherfucking bullets for the crew
I am so loyal to my team that I am willing to take physical harm and bullets for them.

I ride for my niggas Die for my niggas Catch, abide, and get high on my niggas
I am fiercely loyal to my friends and am willing to put my life and well-being on the line for them.

The bitch back breaker rappin decapitant Diablo, eagles, MC, eliminate
I am an aggressive and violent rapper who is not afraid to use my words to harm and decapitate my opponents.

What up playa? MC, Slayer Kill you in your dreams, muffle your screams
As an MC and slayer in the rap game, I am able to threaten and intimidate my opponents even in their dreams.

Put you in the earth, make you shake like a fiend
I am capable of killing my enemies and making their dead bodies shake with a desire for drugs.

Reppin three letter which are D.M.S Spit fire and burn the hairs off your chest
I am representing and showcasing my affiliation with D.M.S, while also expressing my ability to deliver powerful and intense lyrics that can burn listeners' chests.

It's Mr. hard to get along with You wanna write a song with Any given time you can catch me with a bomb bitch
I am a difficult person to get along with, but that does not stop others from wanting to collaborate with me. My lifestyle also includes having women around me at all times, some of whom may be dangerous or risky.

Think you catch me slippin? I think you better stop bitch I'll slip like Sugar Shane and leave your motherfuckin wig split
Don't think you can catch me off-guard or vulnerable, because I will come back at you with full force and aggression, leaving you defeated and humiliated.

Step back before you get smacked, no runnin' from it You too, I'll take you to school, you ain't above it
If you try to take me on or disrespect me, you will not be able to escape my punishment, even if you think you are above it.

I stay raw, hardcore, have you screamin "no more"? Bust you in the face, point and laugh while your blood pours
I am a raw and hardcore rapper who is capable of making listeners scream for mercy. I am also capable of physically harming my opponents and laughing as they bleed.

Mr. Bigshot, latino Gambino, rest in peace to my brother King Gino
I am a big and important figure in my community, much like the Italian-American crime boss Gambino. I am also expressing my condolences for the loss of my close friend King Gino.

You can catch me on the West Coast, with a fly-ass stripper tied to my bed-post Lookin' like Alicia Keys on her knees, lickin' the bag, just for a freeze
I am spending time on the West Coast with a beautiful stripper who is willing to engage in sexual activities with me. I am also expressing my enjoyment of drug use and the pleasures it brings.

Ya know it's me baby caught you scrapping like it's nessesar Drinking, grab the coke, at the end of the bar
I am expressing that I am the one who caught someone in the act of fighting or competing, and that I am casually consuming drugs and alcohol at the bar.

We thug-killers, Ice Grill-as, who already out like a pack of gorillas You and your man get the fam, must be jokin' Must be the dust you be smokin'
My crew and I are aggressive and violent as we move through life. I am also mocking someone who thinks they can take on my crew and defending myself against any claims of being high on dust.

Call you straight up Cho Cha I gon ta heavy metal smoke-ya Stomp your ass like a roach-a Playing like ya moms, hit ya with the chancleta, Repa! Leading your man down to the coffin
I am calling someone a Cho Cha, a derogatory term, and threatening to stomp on them like a roach. I am also using a phrase in Spanish, hitting someone with a chancleta, which is a common form of punishment used by mothers. I am ultimately leading this person to their death by coffin.

Trapped in a dazzel like Christopher Walken Now look who's talkin', set me off They're dumb like a fuck with a cool-aid smile danny diablo 'k, the devil's child
I am skilled at trapping people and putting them in difficult situations, much like the actor Christopher Walken's characters. My actions are causing someone to speak out and potentially confront me. I am also calling myself the devil's child and indicating my dangerous nature.

LA (rockin') The Queens (keep rockin') Transplants (rockin') Diablo (keep rockin')
I am shouting out different locations and organizations that are 'rocking', or doing well and succeeding. I am also encouraging myself to keep going and keep pushing forward.

Drugs rule everything around me, Fiend Get the powder, Drink another beer y'all
Once again, I am acknowledging the dominant role that drugs have in my life and indicating that I am a fiend for them. I am also seeking more drugs in powdered form and consuming more alcohol.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG, DANNY SINGER, ROB ASTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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