Inspired by the hundreds of youth I’ve been impacted by, this is my street symphony. My opportunity to combine boom bap with classical music. Almost every element of this song is played with live instruments. This was important to me because it adds so much to the emotion of the song as well as the story being told, because there are so many other “authors”. For the Streets not only speaks to the walk alongside the incarcerated youth that I’ve served over the past 5 years, but also the bridges that can be built across lives. The things we've experienced, the places we've been, all are avenues to who we really are. They are “streets” in our lives and opportunities to connect around change. I’m committed way past an album. These kids have my personal cell phone number and can call me when they need me. This is not music for me… this is a lifelong commitment.
1 Peter 5:8-11: our brothers and sisters all over the world are suffering just like we are. In Biblical times, people walked everywhere. On these walks people shared life. They talked, learned and grew. These walks could last months. Walking alongside people in life requires time, commitment and transparency. I may not be the most well known artist, but I have poured my life into hundreds of young people and that’s what matters to me. They may not change today, but I’m committed to them for as long as it takes, just like our savior is committed to us.
lyrics
Verse 1:
Let's take it back to the street knocka,- head rocka – kick/clap,- 808,
Lyricist who do it for the sake - not just the cake,
And no I never ever hate - I simply elevate,
Make you wanna push way back your next release date,
Now let me set the stage,- before you flip the page - follow my motorcade,- see why I walk this way,
Life is a melody - song written beautifully - each part is harmony - strike up a symphony,
Nonfiction out my notebook - foreal in my free verse - In and out of jail cells - residential treatment - making friends with enemies - pull 'em out the cement - music is the crumb trail - follow me where we've been.
Chorus A:
Them no feelin’ – full time villains…
I do it for the streets!
Them little children bein’ raised by wild women…
I do it for the streets!
Ad-hook:
Dance if you want to dance,
Move if you want to move,
Change if you know the name,
Do what you came to do,
(Go head – go head go on!
Go head – go head go!
Go head – go head go on!
Go head – go head go!)
(Repeat 1x)
Turn-a-round (Box Boy):
Military mind frame – standing on battle fields of them lost souls,
Project hallways incorporating them death tolls,
As they fold multiple stacks – packin’ the mac 10’s,
A revolutions coming – before the end begins.
Verse 2:
Every angle - every tough situation,- addiction and affliction, trauma - family drama - personal prison... is highway,
To get these young guns going my way, so climb inside - catch a ride and let the beat play,
Now watch the street sway,- these rappers gettin pretty, tell you they from the block - but they don't love the city,
Curse it to go to hell - over them hot beats – dull drums and melodies put us all to sleep,
But then it’s in the wind – because it’s for the birds,
Rather a firm shake,- up nod – bond word,
Credentials on the block – know they can count on me,- hit me on my cellphone straight up out if county,- that's for real.
Chorus B:
Behind bars and scars spiritual – literal,
I do it for the streets!!
The lied to – deceived bout who they are,
I do it for the streets!!
It’s for the streets!!
It’s for the streets!!
Turn-a-round (Box Boy):
Generational death traps incasing the wombs of the diseased mothers,
Birthdates open the realm to these deceived brothers,
Three time felons – locked behind federal funds,
A revolution came – before the end begun.
International genocide conforming the planet into a fascist state,
They create a new institution to breed a new race,
Society is left in a world spin trying to find their own,
The revolutions here – but they had never known.
Verse 3:
And I'm in it for the long term - day one dash ellipsis, point A to point "a brother finally get it " – that committed,
Whether it's on my life soundtrack in which you invested, or a real relationship man it's all consistent,
So let's live it and walk it out to our destination,
Every victory and mistake man - lots of patience,
We've got time and you've got me, so – let's chop it up while we’re walking down these streets.
Chorus C:
Been told and sold that they'll never win,
I do it for the streets!
Because the way out's the only way in,
I do it for the streets!
It’s for the streets!
credits
from MAGNIFICENT,
track released September 10, 2013
For the Streets ft. Box Boy
L. Brown, C. Florence
Steady Pro Music (ASCAP), Box Boy Music (BMI)
Prod. Decap (Decap Music 101) and Proxy (Steady Pro Music)
Ad Vocals: Pastor David Washington
Bass: Brady Watt, Harp: Rachel Ellins Iozzia, Strings: Kailin Yong, Timpani and Percussion: Mark Foster, Classical Piano: Matt Weesner
Box Boy appears courtesy of Box Boy Music, LLC
Vigilant Studios, Derry Berry Audio and Epicenter Studios
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