Above The Clouds by Gang Starr Featuring Inspectah Deck Lyrics Meaning – The Ascent of Hip Hop Consciousness
Lyrics
somewhere in outer space.”
“The mysteries of creation are there.”
“Up in the sky?”
“Up in the sky.”
“The moon and the planets are there.
And new hopes for knowledge and peace are there.
And therefore as we set sail; we ask God’s blessing —
on the most hazardous, and dangerous, and greatest adventure
of which man has ever embarked.”
“Prepared for liftoff.”
I self Lord and Master shall bring disaster to evil factors
Demonic chapters, shall be captured by Kings
Through the storms of days after
Unto the Earth from the Sun through triple darkness to blast ya
with a force that can’t be compared
to any firepower, for it’s mindpower shared
The brainwake, causes vessels to circulate
like constellations reflect at night off the lake
Word to the father, and Mother Earth
Seeking everlasting life through this Hell for what it’s worth
Look listen and observe
and watch another C-Cypher pullin my peeps to the curb
Heed the words; it’s like ghetto style proverbs
The righteous pay a sacrifice to get what they deserve
Cannot afford to be confined to a cell
Brainwaves swell, turnin a desert to a well
Experience the best teacher; thoughts will spray
like street sweepers Little Daddy street preacher
Illustrious feature, narrator you select
Accompanied by Deck plus the DJ you respect
The seven and a half combine, over the frontline
The ten percenters, promotin slander in the airtime
Bear in mind jewels be the tools of the trade
Sharp veins heavenly praise and dues are paid
Above the crowds, above the clouds where the sounds are original
Infinite skills create miracles
Warrior spiritual — above the clouds
reigning/raining down, holdin it down
Yeah; I leave scientists mentally scarred — triple extra large
Wild like rock stars who smash guitars
Poison bars from the Gods bust holes in your mirage
and catch a charge shake em down like the riot squad
And they deserve ruin like ancient Rome; I span the universe
and return to Earth to claim my throne
The maker, owner, plus soul controller
Ayatollah rest in the sky, the cloud’s my sofa
Stand like Collossus, regardless to whom or what
Numerous attempts at my life, so who to trust
Who but us, to supply you with the fire?
The burning truth, 150 Absolut proof
On the mic like Moses spoke in golden scribe
Survivor of the oldest tribe whose soldiers died
I notified families, we shed tears and more
but our hands are the ammo cause the battle’s still on
Sound the horn; we come rumblin through the function
Precise laser beam technique to touch somethin
When we die hard, to build the monument to honor us with
humungous effect in the world we could have conquered it
Above the crowds, above the clouds where the sounds are original
Infinite skills create miracles
Warrior spiritual — above the clouds
reigning/raining down, holdin it down
Above the crowds, above the clouds where the sounds are original
Infinite skills create miracles
Warrior spiritual — above the clouds
reigning/raining down, holdin it down
Gang Starr’s ‘Above The Clouds,’ featuring Inspectah Deck, is not just another track; it’s a soaring testament to hip hop’s ability to challenge our deepest ideologies. Guru’s velvet voice paired with Premier’s soul-infused beats, and Inspectah Deck’s lyricism, all serve as a vessel to transport listeners to a higher state of consciousness, far removed from the cacophony of street-level turmoil.
The track is a confluence of martial arts philosophies, astrophysics, and street-smart intellect – blending seamlessly to create a manifesto that transcends the earthly and touches the divine. It’s a profound odyssey through inner space, a journey to comprehend the incomprehensible, and a battle cry for knowledge, peace, and understanding in the face of adversity.
The Celestial Battlefield: Wisdom Over Warfare
Insight into ‘Above The Clouds’ reveals a war not of weapons, but of words and wisdom. The battle verses are meticulously crafted, juxtaposing spirituality against earthly confines, and presenting knowledge as the supreme power in life’s real battles. ‘I self Lord and Master shall bring disaster to evil factors’ not only personifies Guru’s own agency but also his celestial oversight to dictate the terms of engagement on Earth.
Every line in ‘Above The Clouds’ is a decisive strike against ignorance, a call to arms for those who seek truth and authentic existence. ‘Word to the father, and Mother Earth’ reinforces a connection to both divine and terrestrial wisdom, a dual homage to a higher power and the planet that nurtures us.
Navigating the Nebulas of the Mind
When examining the song’s cerebral depths, one emerges with an understanding of mental liberation against societal confinement. ‘Cannot afford to be confined to a cell / Brainwaves swell, turning a desert to a well’ is both a metaphor for the strength of the mind and a statement against the physical imprisonment that plagues many communities. Gang Starr and Inspectah Deck advocate for an intellectual awakening, a growth that breaks through the concrete of oppression.
This intellectual awakening is anchored by a respect for innate intelligence and the shared mindpower that fuels change. ‘The brainwake, causes vessels to circulate / like constellations reflect at night off the lake’ serves to reward the introspective and the seekers of enlightenment; an audience keen to connect the metaphysical dots that create personal and communal constellations.
Decoding the Song’s Hidden Meanings
‘Above The Clouds’ is layered with esoteric verses that operate on multiple levels of comprehension. ‘The seven and a half combine, over the frontline / The ten percenters, promoting slander in the airtime’ – these lines tap into the philosophies of The Nation of Gods and Earths, describing how a small percentage (the ten percent) hold knowledge but corrupt it for personal gain, while the true and living (the seven and a half) fight to spread truth.
The celestial references, interwoven with social commentary, suggest a hidden meaning that the true battle for supremacy isn’t on the streets or within boardrooms – it’s in the realms of the mental and spiritual, where ideas and beliefs shape reality. Our journey ‘above the clouds’ is towards a collective enlightenment, where wisdom rains down like a cleansing storm.
‘Warrior Spiritual’: The Confluence of Ancient and Urban Philosophies
The warrior spirit invoked is not one of bloodshed but of resilience and determination. ‘Warrior spiritual – above the clouds’ encapsulates the essence of the battle-ready mind, drawing from ancient principles and applying them to the strife of the modern world. The song stirs up an age-old warrior ethos redefined by the urban landscape, a guerrilla intellectuality rooted in Hip Hop culture.
The fusion of such disparate elements creates a blueprint for transcendence, suggesting that real power lies in our ability to bridge the gap between the practical knowledge of street survival and the introspective wisdom of ancient spiritual traditions. Gang Starr and Inspectah Deck become the sherpas of this journey, guiding us through introspective peaks with their lexicon of enlightenment.
Memorable Lines that Shape the Song’s Legacy
‘Above the crowds, above the clouds where the sounds are original / Infinite skills create miracles’ – those lines alone define the ethos of ‘Above The Clouds.’ They embody the core Gang Starr philosophy that stands out in a crowded industry, seeking to elevate the art form through skill and spirituality. Guru’s and Deck’s verses serve as a reminder that the artistry of Hip Hop is a force capable of inspiring some of life’s most profound miracles.
The song over the years has acquired a timeless patina, shaping its legacy through profound lyricism and beats that resonate with the soul. From the somberness of its opening sample to the last echo of the mic drop, ‘Above The Clouds’ remains an indelible watermark on Hip Hop’s tapestry, urging us ever upward in our own quest for knowledge and peace.
