Willie Ninja (April 12, 1961 – September 2, 2006) was an American dancer an… Read Full Bio ↴Willie Ninja (April 12, 1961 – September 2, 2006) was an American dancer and choreographer best known for his appearance in the documentary film Paris is Burning.

Ninja, who was gay, was a fixture of ball culture at Harlem's drag balls who took inspiration from sources as far-flung as Fred Astaire and the world of haute couture to develop a unique style of dance and movement. He caught the attention of Paris is Burning director Jennie Livingston, who featured Ninja prominently in the film. The film, a critical and box office success, served as a springboard for Ninja. He parlayed his appearance into performances with a number of dance troupes and choreography gigs. His style served as an inspiration to Madonna, who immortalized it in her 1990 hit song and music video "Vogue." He also starred in the earlier music video for Malcolm McLaren's Deep In Vogue.

He participated in Harlem's drag balls with "children" from his House of Ninja. Like other ball "houses", HoN was sort of a combination of extended social family and dance troupe with Ninja as its Mother. Willi was a featured dancer in many music videos including Malcolm McLaren's "Deep In Vogue" and "I Can't Get No Sleep" by Masters At Work featuring India. In 1994, he released his single "Hot" (another Masters At Work production) on Nervous Records. Willi's later career included runway modeling for Jean-Paul Gaultier, performing with dance companies under Karole Armitage, providing instruction to Paris Hilton on perfecting her walk. He opened a modeling agency, Elements of Ninja, in 2004, and made an appearance on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. Willi was also prominently featured in the 2006 documentary release How Do I Look directed by Wolfgang Busch.

Ninja died of AIDS-related heart failure in New York City on September 2, 2006, aged 45.

Hot
Willie Ninja Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah
Who will be standing when the smoke clears?
(KRS-One) --> Redman
Word up!
What's up with this?
We're coming through
Boogie Down style, kid
What's up

This is KRS-One
The light at the end of the tunnel
Yo, they not HOT, all they do is talk a lot
That's not HOT, where's your respect on the block?
That's HOT, not cause you're friends with the cops
That's not HOT, a real MC you're not
I'm HOT, been hot, repeatedly heated
Don't call the teacher, hah, you best be seated
You got these kids gased up like you own the inventory
Fake muthafuckas ain't tellin the whole story
Tell em how you borrow from everyone you knew
And now that you're on top, they can't borrow from you
That's not hot, tell em how you love bein pop
Cause you was so broke before, sleepin cold on a cot
You don't rock, you grab money
Your crocks rock the spot and you grab them honeys
It's about to get ugly
I don't even go to these bullshit kiddie-ass clubs
You want to be a thug? Let's thug
First of all, soldiers speak to soldiers
Captains speak to captains
Lieutenant/lieutenant, cool?
But your first mistake is: he's steppin to me, rookie
Like you a O.G. and you just a run-up, fool
Who really got these streets on lock?
Whose name really holds high respect on the block?
Who opened up these clubs and taught you how to mix?
Who opened up these thugs from Compton to the Bricks?
I don't even sound like the rest of you kiddies
I study the ways of God, you studyin titties
And ass, I pity your class
Cause you come out with a blast
But you're trash, so you really don't last
They not HOT, all they do is talk a lot
That's not HOT, where's your respect on the block?
That's HOT, not cause you're friends with the cops
That's not HOT, a real MC you're not
They not HOT, all they do is talk a lot
That's not HOT, where's your respect on the block?
That's HOT, not cause you're friends with the cops
That's not HOT, a real MC you're not
This is hotter than heat, too deep, I'm on top of the streets
You weak, you ain't really rockin these beats
You ?????, you dress straight, eat straight
But you're a slave, and yo, you can't come up in a heat tank
G-o-d we thank, we watch what we sell
You better hope these Christians are wrong cause you goin to hell
Think about that when you're spittin your raps
And you call out KRS, I'll put you flat on your back
You're not HOT, all you do is talk a lot
That's not HOT, where's your respect on the block?
That's HOT, not cause you're friends with the cops
That's not HOT, a real MC you're not
What's HOT?
(KRS-One)
That's HOT!
What's HOT?
(KRS-One)
That's HOT!
Who's HOT?
(KRS-One)
That's HOT!
Where's your respect on the block?
[ *scratching of* ]

(KRS-One need to be runnin for office
So Butta-Pican Rican, tell em to get off it) --> Redman

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Willie Ninja’s song “Hot” are a critique on the state of the hip hop community and culture. The song is a call out to fake MCs who prioritize talk over actual substance and skill in their music. KRS-One, the artist featured on the track, speaks on his own experience and dedication to the genre, holding up a mirror to these false artists and challenging them to match his level of respect on the block. The song also touches on themes of authenticity, respect, and power dynamics within the hip hop community.

At the start of the song, KRS-One establishes his authority by referring to himself as “the light at the end of the tunnel.” He then calls out these fake MCs for their lack of authenticity, stating that talking a lot is not enough to make them “hot.” Instead, KRS-One believes genuine respect on the block is what truly makes an artist hot. He also criticizes those who borrow from others to get ahead, only to then refuse to lend a hand themselves.

Throughout the song, KRS-One presents himself as a true MC, with lines like “I’m HOT, been hot, repeatedly heated,” and contrasting himself with those who only care about money and popularity. The theme of authenticity is further emphasized in the lines “I study the ways of God, you’re studying titties / And ass, I pity your class.” KRS-One is mocking the rappers who prioritize materialism instead of meaningful content, and implying that they are not true MCs.

The song’s chorus repeats the phrase “that’s not hot / that’s hot,” as a way of distinguishing between real and fake talent. KRS-One is making it clear that just because someone has commercial success or a large following does not necessarily make them hot. Instead, it is their respect on the block and dedication to the culture that truly sets them apart.

Overall, Willie Ninja’s “Hot” serves as a commentary on what it means to be a real MC in the hip hop community. The song highlights the importance of authenticity, respect, and skill in the genre, and calls out those who prioritize commercial success over these values.

Line by Line Meaning

Who will be standing when the smoke clears?
Who will emerge successful after everything has been said and done?

Word up!
Listen up!

What's up with this?
What's going on?

We're coming through
We are making our presence known

Boogie Down style, kid
With the style of Boogie Down Bronx, young one

What's up
What's going on

This is KRS-One
Introducing oneself as KRS-One

The light at the end of the tunnel
A metaphor for hope or brighter things in the future

Yo, they not HOT, all they do is talk a lot
Other rappers are not impressive; they only talk a lot

That's not HOT, where's your respect on the block?
That's not impressive; what do people in the neighborhood think of you?

That's HOT, not cause you're friends with the cops
This is impressive, not because you are friends with the police

That's not HOT, a real MC you're not
That's not impressive, you are not a real MC

I'm HOT, been hot, repeatedly heated
KRS-One is impressive, has always been impressive, and will continue to be impressive

Don't call the teacher, hah, you best be seated
Don't ask for help; you better listen closely

You got these kids gased up like you own the inventory
You've convinced these children that you have everything under control

Fake muthafuckas ain't tellin the whole story
You're lying to these people

Tell em how you borrow from everyone you knew
Admit to borrowing from everyone you knew

And now that you're on top, they can't borrow from you
Now that you're in a superior position, they cannot borrow from you

That's not hot, tell em how you love bein pop
That's not impressive; tell them how you enjoy being famous

Cause you was so broke before, sleepin cold on a cot
Because you were poor before, sleeping on a cot in the cold

You don't rock, you grab money
You don't succeed based on your talent; you only care about the money

Your crocks rock the spot and you grab them honeys
Your shoes draw attention and you attract women

It's about to get ugly
Things are about to escalate negatively

I don't even go to these bullshit kiddie-ass clubs
KRS-One doesn't even bother with these silly clubs

You want to be a thug? Let's thug
You want to act tough? Let's do that

First of all, soldiers speak to soldiers
People of the same status or rank should communicate with each other

Captains speak to captains
Captains should communicate with other captains

Lieutenant/lieutenant, cool?
Lieutenants should communicate with other lieutenants, is that okay?

But your first mistake is: he's steppin to me, rookie
You messed up by challenging KRS-One because he is much more experienced than you

Like you a O.G. and you just a run-up, fool
You act as if you are an original gangster, but you are simply a wannabe

Who really got these streets on lock?
Who truly dominates this area?

Whose name really holds high respect on the block?
Who is really admired on this street/block?

Who opened up these clubs and taught you how to mix?
Who founded and instructed in these clubs?

Who opened up these thugs from Compton to the Bricks?
Who gave opportunities to these tough individuals from Compton all the way to the Bricks?

I don't even sound like the rest of you kiddies
KRS-One sets himself apart from other rappers and their style

I study the ways of God, you studyin titties
KRS-One studies the ways of God while you focus on women's breasts

And ass, I pity your class
And butts, I feel sorry for your (lack of) class

Cause you come out with a blast
You make a big introduction/splash

But you're trash, so you really don't last
But you are awful, so you won't be around for long

This is hotter than heat, too deep, I'm on top of the streets
This is better than anything else, deeply profound, and KRS-One is the leader/king of the streets

You ?????, you dress straight, eat straight
You [unknown], you dress appropriately and eat healthily

But you're a slave, and yo, you can't come up in a heat tank
But you are a slave and cannot handle the heat

G-o-d we thank, we watch what we sell
We thank God and are careful what we sell

You better hope these Christians are wrong cause you goin to hell
You should hope that Christians' beliefs are incorrect because you are going to hell

Think about that when you're spittin your raps
Keep that in mind when you are rapping

And you call out KRS, I'll put you flat on your back
If you challenge KRS-One, he will defeat you

What's HOT?
What is impressive?

That's HOT!
That is impressive!

Who's HOT?
Who is impressive?

Where's your respect on the block?
Do you have respect in your neighborhood?

KRS-One need to be runnin for office
KRS-One should run for office (political position)

So Butta-Pican Rican, tell em to get off it
So, Butta-Pican Rican, tell them to stop (whatever they are doing)

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GIBB, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB, LAWRENCE PARKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@t.o.o.smooth5870

24w↑1

Thanks for posting. Many of us have been looking for this mix!

@brianbeveney339

4y↑2

So dam FINE! Those beats and that clap. The vocals are a real showcase of some of the finest voices outta America. In fact the instrumentation is something else Lil Louie working his magic on the keyboards. A true jem of the 90's.