ANTIHERO Lyrics – EPIK HIGH

[Intro: Tablo]
No more teachers, no more prophets, no more heroes
E-P-I-K
Cope harder, motherfu*kers
No more lessons, please, take me back to zero
No remorse
No more teachers, no more prophets, no more heroes
I’m a villain

[Verse 1: Tablo]
When I be on the microphone, 기립박수 짤 박아
지휘봉 대신 박규봉, 그게 우리다워

Y’all get lost in the sauce, fame is sweet and sour
세상의 입맛? 내게 맞춰, that’s my superpower
The label, OURS, 네 글자에 새긴 나의 마음
높게 올라서자마자 뺏긴 high ground
이 세상은 시간 내주면 손목을 탐내
맘을 열어주면 곧 내 심장이 타겟
Fu*k it, what’s a hero in a world full of villains, mama?
If karma doesn’t do its job, I’ma kill ’em
선과 악은 쉽게 뒤집히잖아 원래
왕좌에서 잠들어도 전기의자에서 깨

[Chorus: Tablo & Mithra Jin]
I’m the hero you deserve, I’m the hero you need
미쳐 돌아가는 지굴 짊어지고 있지
I’m an anti (Hero)
All the heroes that you serve look like villains to me
지구본을 손가락 위에 돌리고 있지
I’m their anti (Hero, yeah)

[Verse 2: Mithra Jin]
기적을 반복하지 매년 세월의 야속함을 베며
우린 각자 인당 100 해내, 소규모지만 대기업
집 앞 마트 가듯 산책하는 요단강 건너편
돗자리 깔고 관람 중이야 물먹은 래퍼들의 애원
딱히 내 편도 없던데? 세상이 나를 처바를 땐

달라진 것도 없는데, 20년 되니 떠받드네
어이없는 상황에 그저 웃지
내 팬들 나 대신 답해 올려 중지
난 누군가의 히어로, 다른 누군가의 빌런
여전히 품위 지켜 네 밥그릇 먹어치워
세기말 같은 세상이지만 니 자리 지켜
어차피 주인공 아니면 모두가 B 컷

[Interlude]
Dressed like a sociopath
Dancing like a psychopath

[Chorus: Tablo & Mithra Jin]
I’m the hero you deserve, I’m the hero you need
미쳐 돌아가는 지굴 짊어지고 있지
I’m an anti (Hero)
All the heroes that you serve look like villains to me
지구본을 손가락 위에 돌리고 있지
I’m their anti (Hero)

[Interlude: Tablo]
You don’t know anything about me, shut up!

[Verse 3: Tablo]
날 네임드롭 안 하면 관심밖인 놈들 wanna take shots
여긴 술자리가 아냐
새꺄 갱값 벌고 싶어 쎈척하냐
You ain’t Biggie, you ain’t Pac
Keep your motherfu*king music out my AirPods
여전히 힙합이나 하고 다녀
Raindrops falling on my head
They want me dead but I can’t stop
세대가 뒤집혀도 대세, legend ’til I’m 백세
Look at us dancing on your grave tops

[Verse 4: Mithra Jin]
위기는 곧 기회니 땅을 짚고서 기립
타인이 정한 한계는 거부해 가능성은 no limit
생사의 갈림길 죽지 않음 꽃길 위
너에겐 필요하겠지 내가 거부한 신의 손길이
영광을 쫓네 다 불발탄 쏠 때
내 과녁은 네 자만심 조준 중 방아쇠 손 떼
두 손 들어 환영해 주길 그래 이건 독재
21년째 침묵한 놈들에 의한 불가피한 독백

[Chorus: Tablo]
Uh, I’m an A-N-T-I
Stay on top, 내 심장은 여기 지하
I’m dancing on your grave, dancing on your grave
Hold my phone, this is me dancing on your grave, hater
What? I’m an A-N-T-I
Stay on top, 내 심장은 여기 지하
I’m dancing on your grave, dancing on your grave
For all the times, all of you were dancing on my grave

[Outro: Tablo]
Break!

[Intro: Tablo]
The intro sets a rebellious tone, rejecting authority figures and societal idols. “No more teachers, no more prophets, no more heroes” expresses a desire to break free from influence and expectations. It introduces EPIK HIGH defiantly (“E-P-I-K”) and challenges conventional wisdom, declaring a shift towards a villainous identity.

[Verse 1: Tablo]
Tablo asserts his presence as a rapper (“When I’m on the microphone, I make them clap”), likening his influence to a conductor’s baton. He critiques fame (“Y’all get lost in the sauce, fame is sweet and sour”) and claims power over public tastes (“I cater to the world’s palate, that’s my superpower”). Tablo questions the dichotomy of good and evil, suggesting a willingness to take justice into his own hands if karma fails.

[Chorus: Tablo & Mithra Jin]
The chorus reflects on conflicting identities as heroes and antiheroes. Tablo claims to be both the hero people deserve and the antihero they need, rejecting traditional heroic ideals. It portrays a world where those idolized as heroes appear as villains to him, symbolizing disillusionment with societal norms and perceptions.

[Verse 2: Mithra Jin]
Mithra Jin reflects on perseverance in a harsh world, where achievements are personal victories despite being undervalued. He observes the hypocrisy of fame and the fleeting loyalty of fans. Despite the challenges, he maintains dignity while acknowledging the transient nature of fame in an uncertain world.

[Interlude]
The interlude evokes a provocative image, describing a disregard for societal norms with phrases like “Dressed like a sociopath, dancing like a psychopath.” It underscores a rebellious and unapologetic attitude, challenging perceptions and expectations.

[Chorus: Tablo & Mithra Jin]
Similar to the first chorus, it reaffirms the theme of being a contradictory figure—simultaneously a hero and an antihero. It emphasizes the rejection of conventional heroism and the perception that those idolized as heroes resemble villains from his perspective.

[Interlude: Tablo]
Tablo dismisses external judgment with defiance (“You don’t know anything about me, shut up!”). It reinforces a sense of independence and a refusal to conform to others’ expectations or criticisms.

[Verse 3: Tablo]
Tablo confronts detractors who seek attention through criticism (“If you don’t name-drop me, you’re irrelevant”). He dismisses superficial posturing in music and asserts his dedication to hip-hop despite challenges. Amid adversity, he remains resilient, likening criticism to raindrops while asserting his longevity in the industry.

[Verse 4: Mithra Jin]
Mithra Jin embraces adversity as opportunity, rejecting limitations imposed by others. He pursues his own path despite rejecting the influence of a higher power. He seeks glory in defiance, targeting arrogance and complacency as he confronts silence and inevitability.

[Chorus: Tablo]
The final chorus reinforces the identity of an antihero (“A-N-T-I”), celebrating defiance and perseverance. It defiantly dances on the metaphorical graves of detractors, symbolizing triumph over adversity and rejection of societal expectations.

[Outro: Tablo]
The outro punctuates the song with a brief break, symbolizing a pause before potentially continuing the fight or journey. It marks a moment of reflection or transition after asserting independence and defiance throughout the song.

1. No more teachers, no more prophets, no more heroes
Rejecting authority figures and societal idols, seeking liberation from influence and expectations, embracing individuality and defiance.

2. Cope harder, motherfu*kers
Encouraging resilience and determination in the face of adversity, challenging others to confront difficulties head-on with strength and perseverance.

3. No more lessons, please, take me back to zero
Desiring a fresh start or clean slate, rejecting past experiences or teachings that may constrain growth or creativity.

4. I’m a villain
Embracing a role outside traditional heroism, challenging perceptions of morality and embracing complexity in character.

5. When I be on the microphone, 기립박수 짤 박아
Receiving applause and recognition when performing, likening the impact to conducting a symphony of praise and acclaim.

6. Y’all get lost in the sauce, fame is sweet and sour
Highlighting the allure and pitfalls of fame, cautioning against becoming consumed by its superficial rewards and challenges.

7. The label, OURS, 네 글자에 새긴 나의 마음
Affirming personal dedication or attachment to a label or identity, symbolizing a deep emotional connection or commitment.

8. I’m an anti (Hero)
Identifying as a contradictory figure who challenges traditional heroic ideals, embodying defiance and independence in a world of conflicting values.