Speaking in Tongues

2005 · SMC Recordings

Released September 27, 2005 on 845 Entertainment/SMC Recordings, Speaking in Tongues takes its title from one of hip-hop's more memorable public meltdowns. Earlier that year, Bizzy appeared on Houston's KPFT-FM where he preached scripture, spoke in strange voices, described sleeping at the bus station with calluses on his feet, and urged fans to bootleg his records. His label nearly walked. Bizzy later attributed the episode to a cocktail of Long Island iced teas, Valium, and genuine religious fervor. Over lo-fi beats from Eddie B, Quite Stankable, and Tightanniam Beats, the album channels that same unhinged spiritual energy into 13 tracks of confessional rap covering childhood trauma, homelessness, and anti-industry venting.

"For the rest of my life, the soul and spirit are priceless, I’d rather be iceless than to get played twice."

— Beauty (You Just A Rose)