The cover of UNITYTX’s new EP, MADBOY, features a cartoon depiction of frontman Jay Webster shouldering a massive boulder, though from the illustration it’s hard to tell whether this represents the final step of a Herculean triumph or another entry in a Sisyphean sentence.
As it turns out, the Dallas-based hardcore/hip-hop band’s career has been both. Formed in 2014, the group has battled untold numbers of ups and downs, from numerous member changes to even more naysayers kicking back at their refusal to bow to genre norms — not to mention deep turmoil for Webster himself, including near homelessness and serious doubts about the viability of his musical dreams. Just when it seemed they were gaining traction, misfortune was always just around the corner looking to cut them down.
But now, with MADBOY set for release September 25 via Pure Noise Records, UNITYTX is living proof of the power of personal resilience and sheer will.
“Nothing ever made sense to me like music did,” Webster says. “The only shot I really had was to go for this. Coming from the mud, from nothing — the hard times motivate you to keep grinding.”
Mixing punishing hardcore breakdowns and razor-sharp riffs with the murky soul of grunge and hip-hop energy, UNITYTX — Webster, guitarists Alberto Vazquez and Ricky Cova, and drummer Jonathan Flores — bridge musical boundaries, spanning the gap between rap/rock’s forefathers and the new underground with a captivatingly rhythmic take on the heavy music genre. From the middle-finger salvo “Cross Me” (a shot at those who’ve doubted the band’s drive) to the resilient “Piece Of Mind,” the eight-song MADBOY is a battle-tested, unrelenting spin on a genre that’s stayed stagnant for far too long.
“A lot of people don’t understand you can listen to more than one genre,” the frontman says. “We sound like a thrash band? Cool. I’m still going to rap over it. I want fans to understand that there’s more out there than heavy breakdowns and screaming. This band does everything.”
As they break down barriers with not only their music but also their head-turning live show in massive settings like the So What?! Music Festival, Webster hopes he and his bandmates can someday become a guiding light for listeners with stories like his — just as artists like From First To Last’s Sonny Moore and countless others inspired him to chase his own dreams.
It’s certainly easier now, as modern-day playlist culture has broken down barriers that once seemed immovable — setting the stage for a new crop of artists who could care less about how things are supposed to be done. Because, at the end of the day, music isn’t about a specific sound; it’s not about where you came from or what you look like. It’s about the euphoria, the rage, the catharsis you feel when a song speaks to your soul like never before and opens your eyes to entirely new ways of thinking.
As far as UNITYTX have come over the past five years, both personally and as a band, they know there are still plenty of mountains ahead of them. With MADBOY and all it represents in tow, they’re finally ready to make the climb to continue transcending not just musical lines, but cultural, ethnic, and generational ones as well.
“I hope to create a culture for kids of all ethnicities,” Webster says. “I want kids in the black community who grew up like me — who want to get into punk or heavy music but don’t feel comfortable because they’re not being represented — to know it’s possible. I want every single person who comes to our shows to feel free. If we can do that, everything else will work itself out.”
Walk With Me
UnityTX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
IS GON FAIL TO PROSPER
I BEAT THE ODDS
ILL NEVER BITE THE BULLET
FUCK YOUR OFFER
YOU STEADY PREACH
BOUT KEEPIN THE PEACE
CAUSE AINT NO WAY THAT I CAN CHANGE THE FACT THAT IM A NIGGA
ITS LIKE IM ONLY TO
EXIST TO EXTENT
IM WORRIED WALKING OUT MY FRONT DOOR
CANT THINK RIGHT BOUT WHAT TO EXPECT
I FEEL THE COLD
WHEN I WALK IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH
LIKE A RED DOT PUT ON ME
AND LEFT A HOLE IN MY CHEST
I CAN FEEL IT
CREEPIN
UP
FEEL IT SEND CHILLS DOWN MY SPINE
STAY VIGILANT
WITH MURDER ON MY MIND
KEEP IT TUCKED
AS I MOVE WITH THE PACE
COME TAKE WALK WITH ME
AND LET ME SHOW YOU THE WAY
AINT ANOTHER NEED FOR AN INTRODUCTION
YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS
BEEN SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST MOTHAFUCKA
I DONT WASTE NO TIME
ITS EITHER
KILL OR BE KILLED
REALITY SET
THERE AINT NO RESPECT
THERES NO HOPE
AINT NO BETTER TIME TO SET IT OFF
IM THROUGH WITH THE PAIN
THERES NOTHING TO LOSE
SO FUCK IT
GIVE ME THE SEPARATION
CUT LIKE A RAZOR BLADE
IM SEARCHING FOR A REASON
ON MY MAMA
KNOW I GOTTA KEEP IT MAINTAINED
DONT NEED TO FUCK WITH THAT CROOKED SHIT
CAUSE IM ONLY UP IN MY LANE
WE NEVER KNOWN TO BE EQUAL
SO STOP ACTING LIKE WE THE SAME
(BITCH)
IM STEPPING OUT TO THE WARZONE
SO ITS FUCK YOU AND YA WHOLE CLIQUE
YOU PULLIN UP WITH THEM STRAPS
BUT I AINT GON FRET
CAUSE YOU AINT GON DO SHIT
AND I PUT THAT ON THE GANG
SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL WALK WITH ME
SO COME AND TAKE A WALK
AND LET ME SHOW YOU THE WAY
COME AND TAKE A WALK WITH ME
COME AND TAKE A WALK
AND LET ME SHOW YOU THE WAY
The lyrics of UnityTX's song "Walk with Me" convey a sense of resilience, defiance, and a determination to persevere in the face of adversity. The opening lines, "On God, a weapon aimed upon me is gon fail to prosper, I beat the odds, I'll never bite the bullet, fuck your offer," express a refusal to succumb to challenges or negative influences.
The following lines, "You steady preach 'bout keeping the peace, you need to shut the fuck up cause ain't no way that I can change the fact that I'm a nigga," highlight the frustration and anger towards societal expectations and discrimination. The artist acknowledges the unfairness of being judged solely based on their race and challenges the notion that peace can be achieved without addressing systemic issues.
The lyrics continue with a sense of vulnerability and unease, describing the feeling of walking out of their front door and not knowing what to expect. The line, "I feel the cold when I walk in the shadow of death, like a red dot put on me and left a hole in my chest," suggests a constant awareness of danger and the potential for violence.
The repetition of the phrase "I can feel it creeping up, feel it send chills down my spine, stay vigilant with murder on my mind, keep it tucked as I move with the pace," emphasizes the artist's constant state of alertness and the need to protect themselves. Despite this, they invite others to join them and experience their reality, challenging the listener to come "take a walk" and see the world from their perspective.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of defiance and an unwillingness to conform to societal expectations. UnityTX's words reflect their experiences of discrimination, danger, and the need for self-preservation. By inviting others to "walk with" them, the artist encourages empathy, understanding, and a shared struggle for justice and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
ON GOD A WEAPON AIMED UPON ME
Even if someone tries to harm me, they will not succeed, as I have divine protection.
IS GON FAIL TO PROSPER
Their attempts to harm me will ultimately be unsuccessful.
I BEAT THE ODDS
Despite facing adversity, I have overcome challenges and succeeded.
ILL NEVER BITE THE BULLET
I will never give in to self-destructive choices or accept an unfavorable outcome.
FUCK YOUR OFFER
I reject any proposition or deal that goes against my values or self-interest.
YOU STEADY PREACH
You constantly talk about promoting peace and harmony.
BOUT KEEPIN THE PEACE
Focused on maintaining peaceful interactions and avoiding conflicts.
YOU NEED TO SHUT THE FUCK UP
You should stop talking and interfering with my truth and experiences.
CAUSE AINT NO WAY THAT I CAN CHANGE THE FACT THAT IM A NIGGA
Because there is no way for me to alter my identity as a Black person.
ITS LIKE IM ONLY TO
It feels as though my purpose is limited to only
EXIST TO EXTENT
existing within certain boundaries or limitations.
IM WORRIED WALKING OUT MY FRONT DOOR
I feel anxious and cautious when leaving my house.
CANT THINK RIGHT BOUT WHAT TO EXPECT
I struggle to anticipate or predict what will happen accurately.
I FEEL THE COLD
I experience a chilling sensation.
WHEN I WALK IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH
When I face imminent danger or risk.
LIKE A RED DOT PUT ON ME
Like being targeted for harm or violence, symbolized by a red dot.
AND LEFT A HOLE IN MY CHEST
Causing emotional and psychological damage deep within me.
I CAN FEEL IT
I can sense its presence.
CREEPIN
Slowly and stealthily approaching or invading.
UP
Closer to me.
FEEL IT SEND CHILLS DOWN MY SPINE
Its presence evokes a strong feeling of fear or unease.
STAY VIGILANT
Remain alert and watchful.
WITH MURDER ON MY MIND
Constantly thinking about the possibility of violence or death.
KEEP IT TUCKED
Keep a weapon concealed and hidden.
AS I MOVE WITH THE PACE
While I navigate through life at my own speed.
COME TAKE WALK WITH ME
Join me on a journey, experience what I go through.
AND LET ME SHOW YOU THE WAY
Allow me to guide and enlighten you.
AINT ANOTHER NEED FOR AN INTRODUCTION
There is no requirement for a formal introduction.
YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS
You are fully aware of the situation and circumstances.
BEEN SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST MOTHAFUCKA
It has always been a matter of survival for the strongest individuals.
I DONT WASTE NO TIME
I don't spend my time frivolously.
ITS EITHER
It is a choice between
KILL OR BE KILLED
committing acts of violence or becoming a victim of violence.
REALITY SET
The harsh truth is established.
THERE AINT NO RESPECT
There is a lack of respect or consideration.
THERES NO HOPE
There is a sense of hopelessness or despair.
AINT NO BETTER TIME TO SET IT OFF
There is no opportune moment other than now to initiate action.
IM THROUGH WITH THE PAIN
I am done enduring emotional or physical suffering.
THERES NOTHING TO LOSE
There is nothing left to risk or sacrifice.
SO FUCK IT
In light of the circumstances, I don't care anymore.
GIVE ME THE SEPARATION
I desire distance or detachment from certain elements or individuals.
CUT LIKE A RAZOR BLADE
Something that causes deep emotional or psychological pain.
IM SEARCHING FOR A REASON
I am actively seeking justification or purpose.
ON MY MAMA
I swear upon my mother's honor.
KNOW I GOTTA KEEP IT MAINTAINED
I understand the importance of preserving and taking care of what I have.
DONT NEED TO FUCK WITH THAT CROOKED SHIT
I refrain from getting involved in dishonest or corrupted activities.
CAUSE IM ONLY UP IN MY LANE
Because I am focused on pursuing my own path and goals.
WE NEVER KNOWN TO BE EQUAL
There has never been a time of true equality for people like me.
SO STOP ACTING LIKE WE THE SAME
Therefore, cease pretending that we are alike or have the same experiences.
(BITCH)
An exclamation emphasizing the disdain or frustration towards the listener.
IM STEPPING OUT TO THE WARZONE
I am willingly entering a dangerous and hostile environment.
SO ITS FUCK YOU AND YA WHOLE CLIQUE
I have no respect or regard for you or your group.
YOU PULLIN UP WITH THEM STRAPS
You are coming prepared with weapons.
BUT I AINT GON FRET
However, I will not be worried or intimidated.
CAUSE YOU AINT GON DO SHIT
Because you are incapable or unwilling to take any significant action.
AND I PUT THAT ON THE GANG
I swear on the loyalty and strength of my group or community.
SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL WALK WITH ME
You might as well join me and face the challenges and dangers together.
SO COME AND TAKE A WALK
Therefore, I invite you to accompany me.
AND LET ME SHOW YOU THE WAY
Allow me to guide and educate you about the reality I face.
COME AND TAKE A WALK WITH ME
Join me on this journey and experience what I go through.
COME AND TAKE A WALK
Join me on a journey, experience what I go through.
AND LET ME SHOW YOU THE WAY
Allow me to guide and enlighten you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jelayne Webster, Jonathan Flores
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind