Give the People
EPMD
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Got to give the people Give the people what they want Ladies and Gentlemen Got to give the people Give the people what they want Ladies and Gentlemen When I came out with my first rap jam I had no idea that the record would slam It did real good without radio play Maybe at night but no airplay in the day I couldn't understand why to be exact Our music was good and I was far from wack Then came the answer, commercial was the key To get airplay and a spot on TV Like Ed Lover and Doctor Dre from Yo! MTV Raps A show, mainly for the black And still we can't ill, cause to them that's wrong 'Cause like P.E. said, we're too black and too strong But hey, what can I say (Brothers and sisters) that's a price a rapper must pay Got to give the people Give the people what they want Ladies and Gentlemen Got to give the people Give the people what they want Ladies and Gentlemen As airwaves collapse rap shows at a standstill Some racial circuits the frequencies can't handle The funk tracks produced by EPMD But it's a fat jam, that will never win a grammy Unless we sellout and kill the black movement dead Which means swallow our pride and become flunkies instead And stop the rap about freedom, thoughts of a black president And rap about a black crack, the mayor in our residence Give me a break brothers, it's time to take a stand And kill that no sir, yes sir, and thank you ma'am 'Cause the word is a luxury a black man can't afford That's why poverty's on the rise and we still ignored And it's a setback and yet the clock still ticks And if we let it, rap would be run by politics I read it somewhere that every man's created equal But not in this day and age, maybe in the sequel Which means next time, so observe these rhymes And take a stand and go for yours 'cause I'm going for mine That's why I Got to give the people Give the people what they want Ladies and Gentlemen Got to give the people Give the people what they want Ladies and Gentlemen Why is that when wrong is done by the black It's blown out of proportion and immediately attacked By the press and yes, conflict is caused By the kids at concerts who bumrush the doors One child gets hurt, the press gets pesty But what about the Beatles, G, and Elvis Presley Same stuff was rough, rap does not cause violence So (Fight the Power) and make them understand But too much power and you might get banned So if you want airplay You can't be too black and hey, watch what you say, but ayo
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Written by: ERICK S SERMON, PARRISH JOSEFF SMITH
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Musical Style"Give The People" by EPMD is a classic example of the East Coast Hip-Hop scene. With its dense sampling and complex lyrical wordplay, it showcases the group's distinctive style.
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Released YearThe song was released in 1990 as part of their third studio album, "Business as Usual."
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Artistic BackgroundEPMD (an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars") is a highly influential American hip-hop group from Brentwood, New York. The duo comprises of Erick Sermon ("E") and Parrish Smith ("P").
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Achievements"Business As Usual" peaked at #36 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, indicating that "Give the People" was a significant part of a successful album.
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Lyrical ThemeThe song, like many of EPMD's tracks, features politically charged lyrics. It is a call to action about giving the people what they want - music that is real, raw, and speaks to their experiences.
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Unique Sounds"Give the People" uses an interpolation of Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie" and the drum break of Sly & the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song," showcasing EPMD's innovative approach to hip-hop production.
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Music VideoThe music video for "Give The People" showcases the socio-economic landscape of 1990's America. Throughout the video, EPMD raps in different locations, representing various slices of society.
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Legacy"Give The People" is regularly hailed by fans as an example of EPMD's best work due to its engaging lyrical content and dynamic beats.
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CollaborationsThe album "Business as Usual" featured many guest artists and marked the debut of future hip-hop star, Redman, highlighting the significance of the album and potential impact of the song "Give The People."
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Social Impact"Give The People" played an instrumental role in popularizing political hip-hop, encouraging listeners to critique and challenge societal norms and inequalities.
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