Hip Hop ain't dead, it's just bleeding in an ambulance Danimal Lector (Ft. Crooked I) – Fuck You
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Ever since Nas released his album, Hip Hop Is Dead, it has become increasingly common to hear that phrase used to describe hip-hop’s current state, mostly blaming the music in mainstream hip hop (for example).
If something is dead, then there’s no chance for it to come back. Crooked I’s view on the matter, however, is simply that it’s not dead yet… there’s still a chance for it to be saved!
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At the time of this verse being recorded, Danimal Lector was twenty seven years old (he’s twenty eight now).
He really has been doing this for quite a while now!
For the bulk of his career (2000-present), Danimal Lector went under the alias “Knowledge” (which you can see on his early collaborations with Chris Webby).
Two of his earliest mixtapes were under that name – The Haze and Deal Or No Deal.
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I don't give a shit, which is which
Cause either way, I'm infinite Danimal Lector – Something Strange
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The Notorious B.I.G is notorious for being a pretty big rapper. He’s a legend, and it’s not uncommon in rap for rappers to rap about aspiring to be like him. His impact on the game was tremendous – from his timeless classic of a debut album to his Earth shattering beef with Tupac Shakur, the B.I.G’s legacy has lived on despite his tragic death.
The Infamous is the infamous gritty sophomore effort from the rap duo, Mobb Deep. Infamous is also like, an advanced level of fame. Think like… Michael Jackson famous. It’s like famous, but…
Yes, another example is also that meme.
The reference is Lector’s way of declaring that before he dies, he will reach fame.
Infinite is the debut album of Eminem, a huge influence of Danimal’s. This is Lector’s way of proclaiming that no matter what – even if he doesn’t make it big – his music will always be timeless.
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Who would stand beside you now Counting Crows – Angels of the Silences
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Cause you'd take me to the bathroom and spank me till I knew how to behave
Taught me prayers at night and you'd tell me Bible stories
Taught me history, Crazy Horse and his tribal glories R.A. The Rugged Man – Legends Never Die (Daddy's Halo)
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When you have a Dad who spends his free time teaching you special Green Beret combat tactics, you best believe that disobeying him is definitely being brave.
But R.A has always been like that – like the time he fucked over his school talent show, explained in this interview.
His father helped raise him to grow up to uphold the belief’s he has today, and Crazy Horse is a famous Native American tribal leader with a monument dedicated to him.
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R.A The Rugged Man has always been proud of being broke – just listen to this lovely little diddy about it.
This is also a double entendre – the “gutter trash” is the underground rappers that are in his circle; such as legends like Havoc of Mobb Deep fame, Brother Ali, Vinnie Paz from Jedi Mind Tricks and Masta Ace.
The upper class would be the more mainstream artists – but interestingly, while he is opposed to such music as theirs, in an interview he defends Drake and Rick Ross.
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“Feathers in my hand” gives us a wonderful illustration of how the man feels – the woman who left him took everything: his dreams, his love. All that he has now is the memories of their time together, i.e the feathers.
It could also mean that while they were together, he felt like he could fly (maybe she was the wind beneath his wings? Wait, let me stop… Bette Midler brings out the emotional side in me), but when she left, he realized he didn’t really have wings… he was just desperately holding onto something he began depending on. It’s hard to fly when all you have is a handful of feathers.
Even though she left him with little to nothing, he still has the good memories – which brings up the question: was it easy to leave him, knowing that?
LET THE INTERROGATION… BEGIN!
Being left with feathers doesn’t necessarily mean being left with nothing. It could also be a reference to the myth of Pandora’s Box. After Pandora opened the box and saw all the sadness, fear, chaos, and pain of the world spill out, the only thing left in the box was a single white feather (or pile of feathers) representing hope and faith.