He is noted for an asthmatic whispering lyrical style that is half-rapped, half-sung. As a producer and a musician he is known for having an aversion to perfection preferring to build up a dark, rich and layered sound. Culturally, Tricky bridges white and black Britain particularly in his fusion of rock and hip-hop, high art and pop culture. He drew his influences from rap (Public Enemy) to post-punk (he covered a Siouxsie and the Banshees's song Tattoo).
Throughout his work, Tricky blurs the normally clear sexual definitions found within hip hop. Despite the heavy influence he drew from American hip hop in his debut album, Maxinquaye, he fights against typical sexual representations by, for example, dressing as a woman on the side sleeve of his album cover. Within many of his tracks he blends elements of varying types of music, and use his lyrics to create a much more ambiguous and blurry reality of sexuality.
Maxinquaye remains his most commercially and critically successful album to date. About it, Tricky originally said in an interview with Raygun in October 1996 that he wanted to make an 'out-an-out punk record' and that "I thought it was going be heavier. I thought it was just going to be an out-an-out punk record. But you end up straying. What I wanted to do was a total fast album. Some of the tracks are fast and hard, but they didn't come out like that." He also said that he hated being stuck with the trip-hop tag so "That's why I did Nearly God, and that's why I did Pre-Millennium Tension. You can't see them as trip-hop albums. So I just keep running away from it. But the farther you run, it's still there. They'll find you." Ever since, Tricky' style has evolved away from obscure, sample-based textures to a more contemporary, electronic sound.
Tricky was in Massive Attack and appeared in the movie The Fifth Element as well as the music video for Parabola by Tool. He has collaborated extensively with other artists on tracks on his various releases, including Bjork, Alanis Morissette, Cyndi Lauper, Anthony Kiedis , John Frusciante and Flea (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers), Martina Topley-Bird, and Alison Goldfrapp of Goldfrapp also many others.
After his initial success in the latter 1990's, he started his own label called Durban Poison. Currently he is heading a new imprint called Brown Punk.
I Be The Prophet
Tricky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I'll make 'em wait.
Yeah, I'll make 'em wait.
Time moves in numbers,
I count the summers, direct the drummers.
Tell me you don't feel nothing,
Would you like to ride on my train, or
Would you like to drink from my vein?
I see the ceiling.
And adjust to such a feeling.
I be the prophet, slay me then we'll cross it.
I'm already on the other side
The first line of the song, "I can't relax I need to meditate," sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics as a call for calmness and reflection. Tricky is expressing his need for stillness and silence in order to find meaning and inspiration. He goes on to say that he will make his audience wait, indicating that his message is one that takes time and patience to understand.
Tricky then contrasts the slowness of time with the quickness of his mind and direction. He counts the summers, directing the drummers and indicating that he is aware of the ebb and flow of time, while still being in control of his own direction. He then prompts his listeners to question whether they feel anything, offering them the choice to ride on his train or drink from his vein, referencing the intimacy and intensity of his message.
The chorus "I be the prophet, slay me then we'll cross it" suggests that Tricky himself is the message and that his prophetic vision is one that may come with a price. He acknowledges the danger inherent in his message but is willing to confront it, crossing whatever difficult path lies ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't relax I need to meditate.
I cannot calm down, I require some time to meditate and clear my mind.
Yeah, I'll make 'em wait.
I will make them wait for my arrival, as I need to sort out my thoughts and mental state.
Time moves in numbers,
Time is quantifiable and follows numerical patterns.
I count the summers, direct the drummers.
I keep track of the passage of time by counting the summers I've experienced, and I control the rhythm and beat of the drums.
Tell me you don't feel nothing,
Let me know if you are completely emotionless and devoid of feeling.
Would you like to ride on my train, or
Do you wish to join me on my journey of self-discovery and exploration?
Would you like to drink from my vein?
Metaphorically, do you desire to tap into my life force and energy?
My vibe's just a (fuckin') feeling.
My energy and aura are purely based on my emotions and mental state at any given moment.
I see the ceiling.
I am aware of my physical surroundings, specifically the ceiling above me.
And adjust to such a feeling.
I adapt my actions and mindset to match my current emotional state.
I be the prophet, slay me then we'll cross it.
I am confident in my abilities and status as a visionary, and even if persecuted for my beliefs, I will overcome any obstacles in my path.
I'm already on the other side
I have already transcended to a higher level of understanding and enlightenment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADRIAN NICHOLAS MATTHEW THAWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind