2) 108 was a short lived jazzy hip-hop project from California, built around rappers Encore and Grand The Visitor (of Homeliss Derelix) and composer Sedric Edwards. They released one LP entitled "Mission Infinite" in 1996.
Mission Infinite Lp has been reissued on NBN Records, released December 6, 2019
Shun the Mask
108 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A screaming struggle
To shin the shallow me
The calculated "I"
Penetrate the pretense
Of this plastic life
Hard? Yes it's hard
(what did you expect?)
Crackerjack smile is cracked
I spy the lie decry the lie
Jack tragic trace:
Tear etching scars your caked
On clown face
I shun the mask
I'll never put it back
The song "Shun the Mask" by 108 is a powerful message about the struggle to be authentic and true to oneself in a world that values conformity and superficiality. The opening lines, "Tear tears through my eye, a screaming struggle to shun the shallow me," suggest a deep inner conflict and emotional turmoil. The singer is determined to reject the facade they've been putting on and confront their true self, even if it means facing the harsh realities of life.
The lyrics go on to describe the effort it takes to break down the walls of pretense and penetrate the plasticity of modern life. The line "hard? Yes, it's hard (what did you expect?), easy life – easy lie" suggests that living an authentic life requires effort and sacrifice, but it's ultimately worth it.
The second verse is a reflection on the ways in which we use masks to hide our true selves. The "crackerjack smile" is a metaphor for a false, surface-level expression, and the line "I spy the lie, decry the lie" indicates an awareness of the deception. The image of a tear etching scars on a clown face hints at the pain that comes from living a life that is not true to oneself.
The chorus, "I shun the mask, I'll never put it back," is a declaration of independence and a refusal to conform to societal expectations. The song is a powerful reminder that true freedom and self-acceptance comes from rejecting the masks we wear and embracing our authentic selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Tear tears through my eye
My eyes are filled with tears that are coming out non-stop.
A screaming struggle
I'm struggling to cope with this emotional pain and I'm screaming inside, but no one can hear me.
To shun the shallow me
I want to reject this superficial version of myself that I've been projecting to the world.
The calculated 'I'
I've been carefully crafting an image of myself, but it's not an accurate reflection of who I truly am.
Penetrate the pretense
I want to see beyond the facade and find the truth that's lurking underneath.
Of this plastic life
I'm living a fake, artificial life, and I want to break free from it.
Hard? Yes it's hard
I know the journey is going to be difficult, and I'm mentally preparing myself for the challenges ahead.
(what did you expect?)
I'm acknowledging that there are no shortcuts or easy solutions to my problems.
easy life – easy lie
I used to think that living an easy life would make me happy, but the reality is that it's just a lie I tell myself to avoid facing the truth.
Crackerjack smile is cracked
I used to have a perfect, flawless smile, but it's now starting to show signs of wear and tear.
I spy the lie decry the lie
I can see through the facade that I've built for myself, and I'm rejecting it outright because it's not the real me.
Jack tragic trace:
I'm leaving behind a legacy of sadness and despair, and it's something that I need to rectify.
Tear etching scars your caked
The tears that have been flowing down my face have been leaving permanent scars that are etched into my skin.
On clown face
I used to hide behind a clown mask to mask my emotions, but now that mask is starting to crack.
I shun the mask
I'm ready to let go of my false identity and be my true self, without any masks or pretense.
I'll never put it back
I've made a firm decision to never go back to living a fake, artificial life. I'm committed to living an authentic life from now on.
Contributed by Lauren F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.