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Beastie Boys, Ghostface Killah, Pitbull, and Rick Ross are among artists with songs featuring lyrics that reference cult leader David Koresh and Waco.

“If the Bible is true, then I’m Christ”. Those are the words of the infamous David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas.  The Branch Davidians ended up being the perfect example of ‘religion’ gone totally wrong – a full-fledged, apocalyptic cult. Koresh basically led his followers to their eventual death, though a poorly executed government siege may have literally added “fuel to the fire.” Popular in pop culture, here are 12 songs – mostly rap songs – with lyrics that reference Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and/or Waco.

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1. Pitbull, “So Sorry”

Gotti (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • Sony • 2018

“I’m here now, alive in the flesh / Burning shit down like David Koresh / Except I’mma walk out and wave bye to the press / Yes, you heard me correct.” 

The most popular way to reference to the Branch Davidians, their leader, David Koresh, and the city, Waco, is the burning (conflagration) of Mount Caramel Center.  Infamously, 76 people died, including Koresh. As touched upon in the introduction, there is a debate as to whether Koresh or The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms were ultimately responsible for the incident. Pitbull, who takes on a messianic role in the excerpted lyrics suggests he is immortal, walking out of the fire he started.

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2. Rick Ross, “Sanctified”

Ft. Big Sean & Kanye West

Mastermind • Def Jam • 2014

“Keys to my success, I get new keys and new address / Bitches that I date don’t get degrees but they can dress / Fellatio’s amazin’, make grilled cheese for you, the best / Major cult figure, I’m the fresh, David Koresh.” – Rick Ross

Rick Ross is cocky and confident on this excerpt from his verse on the song “Sanctified” (Mastermind). He likens himself to the infamous Koresh, who a messianic figure with the ability to control and influence his followers.  Ross asserts he has this same type of influence essentially.

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3. Ill Bill & Vinnie Paz, “Impaled Nazarene”

Heavy Metal Kings • Enemy Soil / Uncle Howie • 2011

“Front to back he recited the Bible, word for holy word / Passion of the Christ on arrival / The Branch Davidians took him in then he took ‘em over / Claiming the name of David from the book of Jehovah / You’d have thought that he’s from Brooklyn how he had it all sewn up / Till the ATF had him blown up out in Waco.” – Ill Bill

Ill Bill goes the deepest in biographing David Koresh on the thrilling “Impaled Nazarene.” Vernon Wayne Howell was indeed a Biblical fanatic, who eventually changed his name to David Koresh.  Ill Bill notably places blame on The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms for the tragic, deadly fire at the Mount Caramel Center. A sample of Koresh appears at the end of the record.

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4. Eminem, “Crack a Bottle”

Ft. Dr. Dre

Relapse • Aftermath • 2009

“Decisions, decisions, garage looks like Precision Collision / Or Maaco, beats quake like Waco / Just keep the bass low, speakers away from your face though.” 

Eminem seems to love referencing serial killers and cult leaders in his rhymes – he’s appeared on a couple of our true crime related playlists.  He does so again on “Crack a Bottle,” as he references the Waco Siege in passing.

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5. Nas, “Sly Fox”

Nas • Island Def Jam / Columbia • 2008

“The sly Fox, cyclops, we locked in an idiot box / The video slots broadcasting Waco Davidian plots / They own YouTube, MySpace / When this ignorant shit going to stop?”

Nas takes a more political view of the Waco Siege in the context of the song “Sly Fox.” “Sly Fox,” which appears on his 2008 self-titled album, points the finger at Fox News specifically for its biased, narrow-minded views (“They monopolizing news, your views”). Why Waco is relevant is because of the controversial handling of sieging the cult, as there are people who believe the government is responsible.  As Genius contributor BubbleMAMI (Jazz Johnson) successfully annotates, “Nas states that the television is a breeding ground for the government to pump out their lies as facts to their audience.”

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6. Ghostface Killah, “The Champ”

Fishscale • Island Def Jam • 2006

“Y’all staring at the angel of death / Liar, liar, pants on fire, you burning up like David Koresh.”

Ghostface Killer definitely debunks the notion that Koresh was Jesus Christ on “The Champ.” While Jesus did die on the cross, he ends up being resurrected.  As for Koresh, well, unless there’s something none of the rest of the world knows, he’s not been resurrected or reincarnated – as of publication, the man’s been dead for 25 years…

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7. T.I., “Bezzle”

Ft. 8Ball, MJG & Bun B

Trap Muzik • Grand Hustle • 2003

“Burning up just like in Waco, Texas / Heating up your necklace / Scorching up your afro the devil coming at your / Ass any hard one for n***s who really want it…” – MJG

MJG brings some serious fire on the classic T.I. banger, “Bezzle.” Like many of the artists who reference Waco, it’s the burning of the Mount Caramel Center that’s alluded to.

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8. Busta Rhymes, “Call the Ambulance”

Ft. Rampage

It Ain’t Safe No More… • J • 2002

“Now motherf**kin’ case closed / The shit blow your speaker, keep turnin’ your bass low / Spaz out because I motherf**kin’ say so / Before I blow this bitch like we down in Waco.” – Busta Rhymes

No further explanation needed.

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9. D12, “American Psycho”

Devil’s Night • Aftermath • 2001

“I’m living in Waco, Texas, me and my girl / F**k David Koresh, I’m starting my own world / It’s called Bizarre Cemetery, it’s scary / Eating a virgin’s cherry; they’re all gonna laugh at you, Carrie!” – Bizarre

Bizarre delivers some of the most intriguing lyrics referencing Waco and Koresh on the D12 song, “American Psycho.”  Not only does he incorporate Waco, but he also throws in Stephen King book/movie, Carrie, which has its own share of religious fanaticism.  Furthermore, he assumes the role of deadly cult leader who enjoys taking girls virginity… Wow. Clearly, Bizarre doesn’t buy into the idea that Koresh was God.

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10. Korn, “All in the Family”

Ft. Fred Durst

Follow the Leader • Epic • 1998

“Like them idiots in Waco, you’re burning up in Bako / Where your father had your mother, your mother had your brother…” – Fred Durst

Fred Durst definitely isn’t into religious fanaticism.  While it’s debatable where the guilt in the Waco Siege/aftermath lies in his eyes, clearly, he thinks the Branch Davidians were stupid.

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11. Beastie Boys, “The Scoop”

Ill Communication • Capitol • 1994

“Step into the party with the Fila fresh gear / People looking at me like I was David Koresh here.”

Beastie Boys were clearly looking for something clever to rhyme with fresh.  What better word than Koresh, because he thought he was God after all.  Not only that, so did his followers.

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12. Wu-Tang Clan, “Bring Da Ruckus”

Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers • Sony • 1993 

“P.L.O. style, hazardous ‘cause I wreck this / Dangerous, I blow sparks like Waco, Texas.” – Ghostface Killah

Long before “The Champ,” Ghostface Killer referenced the infamous conflagration in Waco.

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Photo Credits: Aftermath, Capitol, Charles Rivers / Charles Rivers Editors, Columbia, Def Jam, Enemy Soil, Epic, Grand Hustle, Interscope, Island Def Jam, J, Public Domain (David Koresh), Sony, Uncle Howie

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