Directed, Filmed and Edited by Stan "Substantial" Robinson. Additional Filming by Gilbert "Bwette" Daniels & Rachelle Etienne-Robinson
Get all 58 Substantial releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Apeks (Maxi-Single), Adultish (Deluxe Edition), Salt N Pepa ft. Black Root & Marcus D (Maxi-Single), 1580 ft. DJ RBI & T.Lucas, You've Grown ft. MLLN, Reed Richards, No Per Diem 2.0 ft. Mega Ran, Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals), and 50 more.
Excludes supporter-only releases.
1. |
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(Substantial)
1-2-3-4
(Chuck D)
When you have your song selection, you deal with scientists
You know, Jadakiss is a scientist, you know
Buckshot, they're scientists, craftsmen, man
Substantial, they're scientists, man!
(Substantial)
Clap for me!
They say “Mr. Fantastic” can you rap for me?!
DJ bring it back for me!
Let me stretch, get loose ‘fore I black on it!
Turn me up some!
Triple R to ya’ll, rap Reed Richards
Stretch money instead of truth, bruh, I mean business
‘Nuff flow to fill a ravine, you should bring pitchers
When the beat got that swing, you gon’ NEED pitchers
On the mound, throwin’ it down, Stan delivers
All pro, I ain’t a Goddamn beginner
Pics after the show, now let a man eat dinner
Too focused on A to see what plan B git us
Nappy fade, with some grey on the sides
Omni Man Stan when that pen and paper collide
They lied and said you was the truth but now your status denied
This slap forever, die waiting for the pain to subside, ooohhh
Classic over trendy bruh I’m still here
Holla at me in a decade if they still care
When you fall and bounce back if they still cheer
Then you’re worthy to wield the mic like it’s Mjolnir
I’m still in here and still prepared to take what I’ve earned
Y’all some build-a-bears, I’m built to bear the weight of the world
I been the realest here, that’s on my soulmate and my girls
So who you feel compares to me that really ain’t my concern
Is he dope ain’t a debate ‘cause most will say he underrated
A couple takes that state that he a great or just the greatest
Some artists focus less on albums just on making playlists
I choose the former but I hope the latter choose my latest
Clap for me!
They say “Mr. Fantastic” could you rap for me?!
DJ bring it back for me!
Let me stretch, get loose ‘fore I black on it!
Turn me up!
For the poppers, lockers, God bodies, Rasta
Hip-Hoppers, not for… the imposters,
Nah bruh, recognize a spitter when you spot one
Learn from a showstopper, turn me up some!
Mr. Stantastic, party of four
Dope in audio form. What’s a God to a Gore?
Butcher beats like Benny on the stage with The Boys
You HOPE to have a good show bruh, I came to destroy up here
Giving out work like I came to employ
George Seurat on the mic when I making a point
Sorcerer in the stu when I conjure up joints
Come and fetch this blessing that I came to anoint
From where we rock New Balance but struggle with old vices
And high blood pressure be coming with low prices
‘Fore the virus we been dealing known crisis
Transformed from Ol’ Dog, to Osiris.
Now we came to flame these joints like arthritis
While God guide us, peacemakers, and born fighters
Got homies with more seeds than papayas
Trying to find peace while writing on papyrus
Denied of equal rights and living wages
And couldn’t see the Gods that we are ‘til hitting stages
Best kept secret like Bibles w/ hidden pages
Best source of raw Hip-Hop and edutainment
My life’s a Hip-Hop quotable they ain’t publish yet
Slept on by the masses til I left a few with rubbernecks
Took a swing at rapping and I sent it to the upper deck
Only other language that I’m fluent in is cut the check!
Clap for me!
They say “Mr. Fantastic” could you rap for me?!
DJ bring it back for me!
Let me stretch, get loose ‘fore I black on it!
Turn me up!
For the poppers, lockers, God bodies, Rasta
Hip-Hoppers, not for… the imposters,
Nah bruh, recognize a spitter when you spot one
Learn from a showstopper, turn me up some!
(Chuck D)
We get into the science of the fact.
That's the beauty of it.
And if the average person doesn't know that.
And treats it like, pop music... Top 40.
Shaking to the lights as I say...
I don't think we...
I don't think we can be in the same room talking about the same thing.
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2. |
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No crutch needed
Ya’ll better cool it now
So clutch, believe it
Ya’ll better cool it now
Ralph, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike say
Cool it now
And sometimes Johnny say Cool it now
Focused, so clutch, ya’ll better cool it now
Ya’ll better cool it now
Ralph, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike say
Cool it now
And sometimes Johnny say Cool it now
I don’t need anyone’s validation
Plain white tee, I don’t need any more affirmations
That’s right, see… I don’t need anyone but myself
I don’t need a man, raised all these kids without any help
I don’t need a plan, why would that matter if God got me
One man army. I never worry. Y’all can’t stop me
Long as I can stand on my own two, I don’t need much
I don’t need love or a “friend”. I don’t need trust.
Got a team but I don’t need them, they need me
Eating what I kill so I don’t need you to feed me
I don’t need a label or a producer I do it all
Cover art, mix and master the fuck I’ma do with y’all
I don’t need likes and I don’t need to be liked either
Don’t need to follow you. Who died and made you my leader?
Don’t need to diet and I don’t need you minding my health.
What I really don’t need is to keep lying to myself!
This your theme song…
If you don't need a crutch for you to lean on,
And your team's strong enough for you to stand with
They ain't in their feelings when you being candid
Grown woman and man shit, feel me?
Still your theme song
If you need a helping hand 'though you seem strong,
You could keep goin' but you need to be still
Strong friends need healing too to be real
You know how that heat feel, cool it now)
Shit… I can’t live without my supporters
Fam, friends, fans at home and those across borders
Dope boys with hearts of gold that kept me off corners
Need y’all like Jackson, Mississippi still need clean water
Like gettin’ blessed w/ cracked software, you couldn’t order,
Long, before you could afford it. To people who applauded
When I was finding my voice and my haters chose to ignore it
Need love like ladies love cool J. Moving forward…
I need every one of y’all! I’m lucky some of you check on me
Like Scantrons ‘cause Stan’s strong but life be testing me
‘Specially need my momma to ask her boy how he doin’
When I feel I’m on the edge and I’m heading toward my ruin
I need one mic like Nas to make Magic that’s Illmatic
I need sunlight to charge up my melanin, black magic
I need my wife to raise up these babies with me not for me
Need y’all to spread the word, cuz too many missin’ this story, man!
Vulnerability ain’t a lack of ability
Being honest about your need is act an of humility
Only a clown ain’t feeling me ‘cause I ain’t scared to get help
And face my inner demons because I ain’t scared of myself
I’m hard enough to walk in my truth and not bend to cowards
And tall enough to know why their reaching, and dream of power
Smart enough to focus on needs and move what I wanted out
Only thing I don’t need is all that bullshit they talkin’ bout
This your theme song…
If you don't need a crutch for you to lean on,
And your team's strong enough for you to stand with
They ain't in their feelings when you being candid
Grown woman and man shit, feel me?
Still your theme song
If you need a helping hand 'though you seem strong,
You could keep goin' but you need to be still
Strong friends need healing too to be real
You know how that heat feel (Cool it now)
Focused, so clutch, ya’ll better cool it now
Ya’ll better Cool it now
Ralph, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike say
Cool it now
And sometimes Johny say Cool it now
No crutch needed
Ya’ll better cool it now
So clutch believe it
Ya’ll better Cool it now
Ralph, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike say
Cool it now
And sometimes Johny say Cool it now
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3. |
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4. |
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We want change and we need it on the double. You know
But Tamara Dobson said, “Progress has to be a slow thing for it to be definite.”
That’s real
So I hit up Tamara Wellons and we decided to take the long route home
Let’s go
We rarely choose a path where success is all but secure
We test our limits daily, ensuring we’re built for more
They stepped over my body while washing up on the shore,
Ironically I wasn’t, self-doubters seldom endure
I’m no stranger to struggle I’ve become a connoisseur
No stand-in for experience, wisdom ain’t in brochures
But I find greatness synonymous with a journey that’s arduous
Surviving don’t always make you popular with the populace
Some would rather give posthumous recognition
Easier to miss than love you, cause love requires commitment
Back when I was a pauper but chose to offer enrichment
I named my nephew W3alth… long before we knew what rich meant
Not defined by my pigment but a proud descendant of men and women
Who knows what winning in our country in this skin meant
An independent family man with a penchant
For finding love without limits beyond the hate and resentment
We took the long route home
Going thru the unknown
Our yellow lights turned green
We hold on to our song
We took the long route home
Going thru the unknown
Our yellow lights turned green
We hold on to our song
You know the pressure we under is unrelenting
And it seems the distance we traveled is never-ending
Questioned our decisions when life is testing our gumption
And learned that goals ain’t really last stops, they’re more like junctions
Paths that lead to businesses, others that lead to babies
Some that lead to a classroom and others lead to stages
Some that lead you to prison and others, an early grave
But I found heaven on earth while searching the path I paved
But Sun ain’t take to time to chill, this took time to build
Finding each other’s easy, the hard part’s to find the will
To keep the ship afloat when others give up hope
Wind in each other's sails or an anchor when we need it most
So before the curtain call or they pound the gavel
I answered when my purpose called, we got ground to travel
Locale don’t matter when the tank’s full as your heart is
Seen the world but home is still where my heart and the art is
We took the long route home
Going thru the unknown
Our yellow lights turned green
We hold on to our song
We took the long route home
Going thru the unknown
Our yellow lights turned green
We hold on to our song
We took the long route home
Going thru the unknown
Our yellow lights turned green
We hold on to our song
I took the long route, no doubt, and went all out
And went… and went and went all out
I took the long route, no doubt, and went all out
And went… and went and went all out
I took the long route, no doubt, and went all out
And went… and went and went all out
I took the long route, no doubt, and went all out
And went… and went and went all out
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5. |
Your Man Tho
02:40
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Best kept secret but the fam know
Trying to save a little green like Mando
Many come and go but your man though…
Know my worth that’s why I’m substantial
This is the way you make a banger and you make a difference
This is the way you shhh a hater and make’em listen
This is the way you pay it forward and you pay with interest
Uh, trying to learn you youngin’, pay attention
I done failed more times than most have tried, traits of a winner
Since rocking temper tapers, been trying to taper my temper
A cooler head that’s prevailing but always ready to cook’em
From Maryland is where I’m hailing but I made my name in Brooklyn
A galaxy far away from Splash parties and cabarets
The home team colors are mustard and cabernet
Tagging up in alleyways unsure we’ll graduate
Memories feel like an infinite loop of Saturday
Cartoons and kung fu theatre, seemingly unrelated
Til you realize some of the shit we been kickin’ is animated
For your edutainment only get better and I'ma claim it
Reigning underground champ that's never had an arraignment
Wai' min't…
Black of All Trades, Renaissance Stan,
Modern-day Harlem Renaissance Man him and his fam
Some grown up’s that got more growing to do, 1-2-1-2
Living the life I worked toward but never thought that it carry through
So what do you do, when some of your dreams come true, people look up to you
They see that you grew, shit that was hard to see, clearly within your view
Walk in your truth, tap into God within you, nobody harder than you
Walk in the booth, do what I do, rhymes just flow from out of the blue
And turn into green, know what I mean, since a teen, been living my dream
Had to recharge but I’m back on the scene, I work harder than a machine
All apart of my daily routine, all or nothing no in between
Kinda extreme for you, but me… being great is kinda my thing
Walking the path we pathed ‘cause our ancestor left the light on
Wrote our stories on stars when they couldn’t find shit to write on
Krylon over Orion been chosen to get my shine on
Turn the mic on, watch me grip it with the strength of a python, I’m on…
My hero’s journey, I swear it’s the stuff of legend
That make men into Gods and my birthday is on the 7th
Of January, which makes me a goat, it must be destined
Been giving them what they needed and they ain’t even requested, I must be
The best kept secret but the fam know
Trying to save a little green like Mando
Many come and go but Stan though…
Know his worth that’s why I’m Substantial
This is the way you make a banger and you make a difference
This is the way you shhh a hater and make’em listen
This is the way you pay it forward and you pay with interest
Uh, trying to learn you youngin’, pay attention
Listen
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6. |
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7. |
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(Black Root)
Beard god status
Activate!
Shout out to all my bearded bredren
From that young stubble to that strong black on black
To that wisdom and experience that you get with that…
Salt and pepper beard! Salt, salt, salt...
(Substantial)
Living legend ain't gotta die
Grey and flexin' ain't gotta dye
Truth is free, I ain't gotta lie
Come get this wisdom, I gotta lot
Salt and pepper old boy is seasoned
Fresh for nothing, don't need a reason
She seasoned too. My old bae
Cool and sweet, she sorbet
Always, all day. Been in good hands, all state
Should’ve been knew my forte
Old boy ain’t come to play games with it
From the era they use to slap plagiarists
Too great to hate, too authentic to fake
Trailblazing, made my own lane with it
It’s Sifu Sub the most dangerous
Y’all seafood subs with a drink and chips
I’m a full-course meal stamped with a goldenseal
With no tour or deal, I make bank with it
Come bang with it. Y’all show yall ass
But ain’t saying shit. I’m way different
Got room to grow, I’m still learning
Ya’ll cash is ash, I’m still earning
It’s all love and I’m serving
Two decades of drive without swerving
Enjoy your moment
I’m built to last, my folks have spoken
Old man Logan, Sub the ronin
No masters, ‘cept the ones I’m owning
Grown man flowin’ let me learn ya
Focus. You too concerned with the
(Black Root)
Salt and pepper beard! Salt and Salt and
Salt and pepper beard! Salt, salt, salt, salt!
Salt and pepper beard! Salt and Salt and
Salt and pepper beard! Salt, salt, salt...
(Substantial)
Look at all that wisdom. Yeah. Look at all that wisdom
Uh, look at all that wisdom. Oh you like that, come get some
Look at all that wisdom. Yeah. Look at all that wisdom
Look at all that wisdom. Oh you like that...
(Black Root)
Salt and pepper beard. Salt, salt, salt...
(Substantial)
No fear did it my way
Flick my beard like Pai Mei
Went from no one knowing my name
To soldout shows in Taipai
From up-and-coming to classic status
AI precise with this apparatus
Stay ready, game steady, you talkin’ practice?
Carry that weight like Spike and Atlas
Came up with assassins on mics
Hats off to Vice, I blackout tonight let me
Get down. Better take notes
Forever get better, I’m dope. Ya’ll do the most
While I get paid in my sleep
Ironically I’m still woke, whoa
I learn from young and old, oh
A master at matchin’ up flows, yo
Building these bridges while sharing my vision
If you wasn’t hip now you know! Bo
Banned all the fiction and handled my business
Your man’s only mission is growth
(Black Root) Salt and pepper beard! Salt and Salt and
Salt and pepper beard! Salt, salt, salt, salt!
Salt and pepper beard! Salt and Salt and
Salt and pepper beard! Salt, salt, salt...
(Substantial) Uh, look at all that wisdom. Look at all that wisdom!
(Black Root) Salt and pepper beard! Salt and Salt and
Salt and pepper beard! Salt, salt, salt, salt!
Salt and pepper beard! Salt and Salt and
Salt and pepper beard! Salt, salt, salt...
(Substantial) Look at all that wisdom. Look at all that wisdom
Look at all that wisdom. Oh you, oh you like that
(Black Root) Salt and pepper beard!
(Substantial) Look at all that wisdom. Look at all that wisdom
Look at all that wisdom. Oh you, oh you like that
(Black Root) Salt and pepper beard!
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8. |
Play Money (Interlude)
00:52
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9. |
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(Substantial)
Lost touch when we locked down
Thankful that I got up after the knockdown
Lost touch with some old friends
Try to enjoy the ride until the road ends
Lost sight of the mission
Treating your community like competition
What was once lost can be found
Chin high, 10 toes down, let’s go now
Hip-Hop’s 50, I’m doing my best to double that
Loss legends, they say the culture is where the trouble’s at
Lost our way and it might be too late to double back
Chop it up but I’m more John Henry than Lumberjack
Lay tracks til I die, fighting the machine off
Trying to catch an angel that’s about to burn their wings off
Editing the bucket list of things you can leave off
Tiptoeing on the edge of faith ‘bout to leap off
(Javier Starks)
Cause we harbor the darkest fears its as if our visions
Are the tallest, see-sawing and the ceilings are falling
Law of the strongest, despite all the odds it's
Got me ready to go all in... but why am I Stalin I know
Loud haters in the crowd be the nazis
Destroy but claim to be building like rowdy Itachis
So proudly you watch me, in the studio cooking up miracles
Like young black Hiyao Miyazaki
(Shing02)
How can I lose touch if I had it in the firm grip of my hand
Like a handle of a bike when I was a little tyke
Palm dirty held tight then eventually it transformed to the old mic
Crown rusty from the spit, signal only from the right
But the first time I heard my own voice in the monitors
Out of mind simulation watch me body the beat
My alias, the birth of a moniker
(Substantial)
Lost touch when we locked down
Thankful that I got up after the knockdown
Lost touch with some old friends
Try to enjoy the ride until the road ends
Lost sight of the mission
Treating your community like competition
What was once lost can be found
Chin high, 10 toes down, let’s go now
(Javier Starks)
I never thought friends in the past would leave
Or pass, R.I.P. some flee after massive schemes
Ghosted. The heartbreak is ferocious
Ain't no doctor and a cast for these
Masses looking down at their phone or their tablet
As time flies by at even faster speeds
Where functionality and community clash it seems
We lost touch like we cracked the screen
(Shing02)
It's pretty obvious to us, having been in the scene
Feeling old like a vet but curious like a teen
Had poets gunned down, prophets sold out
Rebels silenced, the schools no alliance
Venues shut down, stations paid off
High hopes for the internet, its intent malice
I see the talent in the stars but the mind so numb
Does it sell 'cause it's dumb and we talk with our thumbs
(Substantial)
Made to be greater, lost touch with the creator
The alpha and omega mistaken to be a beta
Artist or an artisan, creator or curator
Collapsing under baggage that could fit inside a freighter
The body is a temple and the mind is a fortress
Since health is wealth I’d mind if I lost it
Trying to make a living hope they dying to support it
If we dying in the streets, is me rhyming as important, guess we
Lost touch when we locked down
Thankful that I got up after the knockdown
Lost touch with some old friends
Try to enjoy the ride until the road ends
Lost sight of the mission
Treating your community like competition
What was once lost can be found
Chin high, 10 toes down, let’s go now
Lost touch when we locked down
Thankful that I got up after the knockdown
Lost touch with some old friends
Try to enjoy the ride until the road ends
Lost sight of the mission
Treating your community like competition
What was once lost can be found
Chin high, 10 toes down, let’s go now
Chin high, 10 toes down, let’s go now
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10. |
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(Substantial)
I remember doing shows with no per diem
Shit on by promoters but the fans hope to see him
Some hope to be him, went from dive bars and clubs
To shows in museums. No cap, no DMs
But "Come On"
The message is direct
Everything you put in ain’t exactly what you get
"Come On" One more thing don’t forget
A check never outweighs integrity or respect
They told me everything that I couldn’t do
Told me everything that I should’ve done
Showed me everything that I shouldn’t choose
Then showed me everything that I could’ve won
Told me everything that I should be
And it’s everything that they ain’t
On God, from what I can see…
You ain’t qualified to tell me what I can or can’t
Do... if you never tried, never failed
Can you truly recognize if I ever will
Fall then I’ll rise to be better still
Get by, ‘til we make more paper than Hammermill
...Turn a skeptic to a zealot
‘Cause I’ll die working toward it, ‘fore I live to regret it
Whether lost in the forest, off course in the dessert
I’ma forge what we got into lil slice of heaven.
I remember doing shows with no per diem
Shit on by promoters but the fans hope to see him
Some hope to be him, went from dive bars and clubs
To shows in museums. No cap, no DMs
But "Come On"
The message is direct
Everything you put in ain’t exactly what you get
"Come On" One more thing don’t forget
A check never outweighs integrity or respect
(Mega Ran)
Uh huh, It’s always been clear who I been rocking for
Doing what’s right, ain’t what’s easy or popular
Ice cold, you might need to rock a fur
Since my first concert in the nosebleeds with binoculars
I think it was Sesame Street Live,
Wrote a paper about it, everything expertly described
Since the day I first, (first) switched gears and hit the go
Proudly doing it wrong 15 years in a row
Still… (Still) Never straying from the path
Knew if I could make ‘em cry, then I could make em laugh
I was doing the knowledge and they was doing the math
It was long overdue like a Ran and Stan collab (Haha)
Tax man, saying I ain’t gone see a return,
That ain’t nothing new, I just need to keep what I earn
Looking back with no regrets about anything that we did (Uh huh)
Make a living with creations
Make life with what we give
(Substantial)
I remember doing shows with no per diem
Shit on by promoters but the fans hope to see him
Some hope to be him, went from dive bars and clubs
To shows in museums. No cap, no DMs
But "Come On"
The message is direct
Everything you put in ain’t exactly what you get
"Come On" One more thing don’t forget
A check never outweighs integrity or respect
I’mma put in more where it really counts
And never sell my soul for any amount
Never stress what people consider less
Got everything I need that’s what it means to be blessed (Uh)
…I was undervalued by the overrated
Gave me the wrong directions now they’re all surprised I made it
Created my own lane, found the strength to pave it
And "where I’m s’posed to be" is now where I’m situated
They told me everything that I couldn’t do
Told me everything that I should’ve done
Showed me everything that I shouldn’t choose
Then showed me everything that I could’ve won
"Come on" Told me everything that I should be
And it’s everything that they ain’t
"Come on" On God, from what I can see…
You ain’t qualified to tell me what I can or can’t do
(Mega Ran) Who?
(Substantial) You ain’t qualified to tell me what I can or can’t do
(Mega Ran) Who? You? Nah!
(Substantial) You ain’t qualified to tell me what I can or can’t do
(Mega Ran) Never that. Mega Ran. Substantial.
(Substantial) You ain’t qualified to tell me what I can or can’t do
(Mega Ran) We continue to break barriers. Tare down expectations. Let's go!
"Come on"
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11. |
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12. |
You've Grown ft. MLLN
03:30
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How much you’ve grown
How much you’ve grown
So proud
Look how
Much you
Have grown
So proud
Look how
Much you
Have grown
So proud
Look how
Much you
Have grown
So proud.
Keep going
So proud
Keep growing
Time slippin thru our hands like the hourglass as it trickles sand
Struggling to meet all of life’s demands. Ain’t no guarantees. Still make time to plan
‘Member I would dream you birth a little Stan, better yet, God gave me 3 of you
Traveled way beyond where it all began, never let distance get between us too
Grew from a black sheep to a black queen, black excellence looking good on you
From Black Dress to directing, doing things, you were scared you’d never do
Relay the message like a track team, you reflect who you’re attracting
Watched you rise up like Maxine, strange how things like struggle make a better you
I salute you… you put in work and never put your worth in how another person views you
You put your heart in every work of art and keep the fam a part of what you do
A queen born in Queens like Akeem’s but in real life, y’all. Who knew?
Glad I shot my shot like thoo thoo, now we paired up like Bluetooth
I’m so amazed at who you are
Who would have seen us come this far
You really made this life your own
How much you’ve grown
How much you’ve grown
So proud
Look how
Much you
Have grown
So proud
Look how
Much you
Have grown
So proud
Look how
Much you
Have grown
So proud.
Keep going
So proud
Keep growing
Hey Lee
Wish I had a time machine to show the younger you what you’re accomplishing daily
In spite of what the cost is, all your losses: Second grandchild, second baby
You prove to be the Queen of second chances and advancin’ no matter what they see
No buts, or no if, and or maybes. Surviving from things that would break me
…Went from GED to burning through your third degree
A lot of what I mastered in my own relationship I learned from watching you and D
Went from dropout to a drop-top, had to drop the tomfoolery
Went from no lights to lighting up the path for you and yours quite beautifully
This for you from me… some words of affirmation from your baby brother
Thanks for all the inspiration and support when I was fronted on by many others
Many of us don’t make it as far as we have and I cherish the joy that’s among us
Every blessing you’re getting is well-earned. Take a look at how far that you’ve brung us.
You know I love ya!
I’m so amazed at who you are
Who would have seen us come this far
You really made this life your own
How much you’ve grown
How much you’ve grown
So proud
Look how
Much you
Have grown
So proud
Look how
Much you
Have grown
So proud
Look how
Much you
Have grown
So proud.
Keep going
So proud
Keep growing
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13. |
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My gallery is haunted by these ghosts in my cell
They live on in memories but it’s no citadel
I’m scared they’ll disappear every time my screen blackens
I hope they're in the cloud and they repented for their actions
But I know you’re still here, I feel you with me
My cup runneth over with spirits until it’s empty
The body is a host and a host is a shell
But now you’re suited for glory. Adios and farewell
Wish you were here to hear what I’m writing now
Last time, it was your brother that I was writing bout
You was in the stu with me, sat in the chair I’m sitting in
Leaning toward the monitor, eyes closed while you listened in
To how I missed your brother, my father. Your eyes were glistening
Never seen either one of you cry. Now I was witnessing
Glitches in the matrix, breaking thru your conditioning
Thickened skin from life on the streets and years of imprisonment
Isn’t crazy how once you come home you’re never fully present
It’s like a part of you’s trapped in that cell and never left it
Upon your exit got locked in another cell it seems
Eternal life in these photos that’s on my celly screen
You might’ve escaped the pain and your worldly limits
But it’s ironic we use a cell to capture an image
So we latch to our village, every phone that we can pillage
With tangible memories, we can circle back and revisit
My gallery is haunted by these ghosts in my cell
They live on in memories but it’s no citadel
I’m scared they’ll disappear every time my screen blackens
I hope they're in the cloud and they repented for their actions
But I know you’re still here, I feel you with me
My cup runneth over with spirits until it’s empty
The body is a host and a host is a shell
But now you’re suited for glory. Adios and farewell
To my Uncle George, we wish you were here
Aunt Acelilia we wish you were here
Trugoy, Nujabes, J Dilla we wish you were here
To my father, I wish you were here
PH, Deckstream, Vice Verses… wish you were here
Young Gabriel wish you were here
Laline, Franky, my brother Junior wish you were here
Too many names but I wish you were here
Can’t let you go if I wanted to, I refuse to release you
Can’t text or call if I need you but at least I can still see you
So many numbers and faces, can’t bring myself to erase them
Voids that can’t be filled and no perfect fit to replace them
… Time done turned your iPhone to a mobile mausoleum
Or an android filled with memories of human beings
Like Motoko Kusanagi, show is over and I’m sorry
Life was the main event, hope we link at the after party
Scroll thru pics and videos of fam and friends, I’ll never see again
Music I’ve been consuming from legends since the age of 10
Songs I did with the homies that difficult to play again
All of them at their peak before their health began wavering
Why does the caged bird sing? So we remember them?
Scared to death to free’em ‘cause how else would we revisit them
Loads of content about you, still hard to be content
Wish you were physically here, so this is my lament
My gallery is haunted by these ghosts in my cell
They live on in memories but it’s no citadel
I’m scared they’ll disappear every time my screen blackens
I hope they're in the cloud and they repented for their actions
But I know you’re still here, I feel you with me
My cup runneth over with spirits until it’s empty
The body is a host and a host is a shell
But now you’re suited for glory. Adios and farewell
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I remember way back in the day
I remember way back in the day
Do you remember
Taking y’all back way before this all happened
Do you remember
Let's take a trip way back in the day
Never aimed to be a caricature
Always working on my character, bruh
People say they want the real and I’m here still but where is the love?
Put on for P.G. 'fore I heard somebody rep where I'm from
Worldwide I… get it done but I don’t overdo it
Share my soul but I don’t want to lose it
Wasn’t put here for your amusement
You gon’ respect the man more than you respect the music
From where your safety is determined by your address
Some live long enough to be legends and gain some assets
Though it’s rugged where we struggled through the madness
Always knew we had more to offer although we had less
Through it all, it was always me and my mother
My sisters 'fore they moved out and occasionally my brother
The homies and a radio that stayed on 1580
TV on The Box, locked, hoping one day that they'd play me
Nonstop sun… back when me rappin’ wasn’t as lucrative
And hot ones wasn’t a show that they interview you in
Hostile. No poetic justice only punitive
Cops was… f**kin’ with us daily, we weren’t doing s**t
Regardless, the Godless, treat you like a felon though
Try’na to sell my demo so I kinda was selling dope
What’s more addictive than the music? Acceptance
So we learned to turn our curses into blessins
It’s funny how souls are fed by starving artists
No matter the road ahead, we make progress
If you know, you know, you know?
A lil’ flava for your soul, your soul, your soul! Keep on
I write like it won’t be read, to be honest
Live it up ‘fore I rest my head ‘cause nothing’s promised
If you know, you know, you know?
A lil’ flava for your soul, your soul, your soul! Enjoy
A little kid from Fort Washington was always of Iverson
Mall playing basketball in my David Robinsons
I moved to PG County when I was five or somethin’
Was rhyming some but wasn’t that biggie like Bedford Stuyvesant
I had the butter timbs but Rick had the double souls
We was like brothers so we would borrow each other's clothes
Get the most girls numbers was our summer goals
And when she looked down at my feet, she’d be like what are thoOooose?
Jonin’ was our favorite past time
You better not be outside if it was past nine
Dancing at the house party. Now you’re trying to smash huh?
I was playing video games, Sega, and Capcom
Fashion’s RP55
And ain’t they play work the walls like 50 times?
Paget’s corner pool parties it was really live
With your peach rock Creek and some chili fries… uh
Suitland High’s my alma mater I was brought up
‘Round a lot of different problem starters thought about just how to solve them
Calm, and never sort of bothered even when in hotter water
Taught to keep it cooler than when you’re wearing and Eddie Bauer Parker
We would park up at the park and just spark up
Wasn’t really long before a Freestyle would start up
Run back and do my homework. Think of how my day be
Turn on the radio and just vibe to 1580
It’s funny how souls are fed by starving artists
No matter the road ahead, we make progress
If you know, you know, you know?
A lil’ flava for your soul, your soul, your soul! Keep on
I write like it won’t be read, to be honest
Live it up ‘fore I rest my head ‘cause nothing’s promised
If you know, you know, you know?
A lil’ flava for your soul, your soul, your soul! Enjoy
Flavaaaaa!!! On the mix
Take you back to 1580
You heard it on the radio
Taking y’all back when before this all happened
Radio! Flava 1580
Take you back to 1580
Back when before this all happened
Do you remember
Back when before this all happened
Flava 1580, the assault on commercial rap radio continues on y’all
Keep on
Always first with the phat new beats, it’s flava 1580
Keep on
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25. |
1580 - Instrumental
03:57
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Substantial Alexandria, Virginia
Virginia based International Hip Hop Recording Artist from Maryland.
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Only a few words... Soul Food! You made my day... again and again and again... thx!!!
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Holy crap this is such a nice chill beat. get that bass thumping with surround sound speakers. and my God. your whole neighborhood will be chilling to this beat.
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featured on Bandcamp Radio Jul 28, 2023
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