Yes, etched in the heart of down south hip hop is Mr. 704.
Born Dwayne Frazier in Charlotte, NC, Mr. 704 is truly a home grown act. The Queen City has served as not only the canvas, but the inspiration for much of his music. And as he’s worked to build his name in hip hop, he has stayed true to task; one requiring him to authentically share his story while emphatically representing Charlotte’s bubbling hip hop scene.
Immersed in the culture his whole life, it wasn’t until 2000 that Mr. 704 decided to fully dedicate himself to the game. He teamed up with a few friends and fellow artists to create the hip hop group, Fenced In. The name derived from the idea that the group would collectively “fence in” their ideas while pushing away naysayers and negativity. Yet after realizing his individual talent—first as a producer, then as an artist—he decided to pursue a solo career.
Under the imprint, Fenced In Entertainment—a nod to his former group—Mr. 704 has seen much success. Following some buzz on the underground circuit, he released his much anticipated debut album, Welcome To Charlotte, in 2009. The album featured several hit singles including a collaboration with Atlanta’s Pastor Troy. He continued on to link up with a number of the South’s notable artists including 8 Ball & MJG, Rocko, Sean Paul (Young Bloodz) and YG. In addition, he has performed on several major stages and his records have been heard across airwaves. In 2014, his single “Hustlin’,” received Record of the Year at the Queen City Music Awards.
But the highlight of his career? “Having 400+ paying fans come to my show to see me, show love and support the time and effort that I’ve put into my craft.”
Mr. 704 recently embarked on a national promo tour for his upcoming project titled, Gotta Stack B4 You Ball Vol. 2 (hosted by DJ Chuck T, DJ ESudd and DJ B Lord). Expected to drop August 2014, the mixtape will feature appearances by YG, Nipsey Hussle, Verse Simmonds, Lil KeKe, Cap1, 8 Ball & MJG and Big Krit.
Remaining true to his desire for feel-good up-tempo hip hop without compromising content, Mr. 704 hopes he can fill what he feels is a void in today’s hip hop. Aside from the music, he hopes to push Charlotte to the forefront. He recognizes the array of artists, but notes that it will take more overall support from promoters, fans, and DJs alike, to push to the next level. He hopes to make Fenced In Entertainment a profitable label in order to assist in that process.
Having worked to perfect his craft over time, Mr. 704 knows that the path to success is long and strenuous; one that requires much determination and heart. His advice is simple, yet real: “Stay focused and determined. Be willing to take criticism. Never get discouraged. Never quit.”
It's On
704 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you live your life like fuck it
When you down up in a bucket
Just a crab up in a bucket
Tryna make it out they love it
Want the hustle & they grind
What's been taking up your time
Every time
Kno I got it I'll be fine
They been hitting up my line
Kno I got it Give me dimes
Who the first to finish lines
In these troubled trying times
Save your money save your mind
Consciousness is not a crime
Be the lemon to my lime
Pray 2 god just need a sign
Know he taking his sweet time
Just the gold up in a mine
Keep that gold up in your teeth
End those troubles
End those beefs
People turning up deceased
All this greed is a disease
All this evil will it cease
Hella killing by police
In the end we need a change
Mfs act deranged
All I'm seeing is the pain
Is there sun behind the rain
Sixty minutes in the game
Never stopping, never quit
Never cheatin', never skip
Never leavin', never dip
Staying down just wit the ship
SE tryna get grip
Never lose it, never flip
Never bend and never fold
Always grinding for the gold
Know this world is hella cold
Always grinding for the gold
Can't take a step
Without the fear of death
It lingers on our breath
They wanna see us left
With nothing but
The ropes around are neck
I wanna see my people prosper
Like Titans
But what's the cost of a life
When it's lifeless
Where we created priceless
In the image of the mightiest
Confiding this
Sparks deep inside of us
Too busy hiding it
When we should be lighting it
Baby your skin African
Sun kissed
So beautiful they can't miss ite
No matter what you say
You must me proud
That you exist like
I love my brown skin
Baby when you feeling down
And you soul searching
Afro puffs in the wind
Like you soul surfing
I love it
The lyrics to 704's song "It's On" reflect themes of self-empowerment, resilience, and social awareness. The first verse highlights the idea of living life fearlessly, not allowing others to bring you down or hinder your progress. It speaks to the determination and drive to rise above difficult circumstances, alluding to the concept of crabs in a bucket, where people try to pull each other down instead of supporting one another. The lyrics convey the message that despite the challenges, the artist remains focused on their goals and refuses to waste time. They are confident in their ability to succeed and emphasize the importance of financial independence and personal growth.
The second verse delves into societal issues, addressing greed, violence, and inequality. It raises awareness of police brutality and the need for change. The lyrics suggest that the world is a harsh and cold place, but the artist remains unwavering in their pursuit of success and personal growth. The mention of African identity and appreciation for brown skin reflects a celebration of cultural heritage and pride, promoting self-love and acceptance.
Overall, "It's On" encourages listeners to stay true to themselves, overcome obstacles, and strive for a better future while addressing social issues and embracing individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
They just love it
They enjoy it
When you live your life like fuck it
When you live your life without caring about consequences
When you down up in a bucket
When you are in a difficult situation
Just a crab up in a bucket
Someone trying to bring you down
Tryna make it out they love it
They appreciate your efforts to succeed
Want the hustle & they grind
They admire hard work and determination
What's been taking up your time
What has been occupying your time
Every time
Consistently
No not wasting no more time
No more time is being wasted
Kno I got it I'll be fine
I know I can handle it, I will be okay
They been hitting up my line
They have been contacting me
Kno I got it Give me dimes
I know I can handle it, give me opportunities
Who the first to finish lines
Who is the first to complete tasks
In these troubled trying times
During difficult and challenging times
Save your money save your mind
Preserve your money and mental well-being
Consciousness is not a crime
Being aware is not a wrongdoing
Be the lemon to my lime
Be the perfect complement to me
Pray 2 god just need a sign
Praying to God, seeking guidance
Know he taking his sweet time
Aware that God is not responding quickly
Just the gold up in a mine
Only the valuable things in life
Keep that gold up in your teeth
Hold on to your valuables and protect yourself
End those troubles
Put an end to the difficulties
End those beefs
Resolve the conflicts
People turning up deceased
People are dying
All this greed is a disease
Greed is a harmful and contagious problem
All this evil will it cease
Will all the wickedness come to an end
Hella killing by police
Excessive killings by law enforcement
In the end we need a change
Ultimately, we require a transformation
Mfs act deranged
Many people behave in a disturbed manner
All I'm seeing is the pain
All I observe is suffering
Is there sun behind the rain
Is there something positive ahead despite the difficulties
Sixty minutes in the game
Each minute counts in this situation
Never stopping, never quit
Always persevering, never giving up
Never cheatin', never skip
Never engaging in dishonesty or taking shortcuts
Never leavin', never dip
Always staying and remaining committed
Staying down just wit the ship
Remaining loyal and dedicated to the cause
SE tryna get grip
Trying to gain control and stability
Never lose it, never flip
Never losing composure or getting upset
Never bend and never fold
Never compromising or yielding
Always grinding for the gold
Consistently working hard towards success
Know this world is hella cold
Aware that the world is harsh and unforgiving
Can't take a step
Unable to move forward
Without the fear of death
With the constant worry of dying
It lingers on our breath
The fear remains in our thoughts
They wanna see us left
They desire to witness our failure
With nothing but
With only
The ropes around are neck
The literal or metaphorical restraints on us
I wanna see my people prosper
I desire to witness the success of my community
Like Titans
In a grand and powerful manner
But what's the cost of a life
However, at what expense of a life
When it's lifeless
When it lacks energy or vitality
Where we created priceless
Where we were made invaluable
In the image of the mightiest
In the likeness of the most powerful
Confiding this
Sharing this information
Sparks deep inside of us
Ignites strong emotions within us
Too busy hiding it
Distracted with concealing it
When we should be lighting it
When we should be sharing and spreading it
Baby your skin African
Darling, your skin is of African descent
Sun kissed
Beautifully touched by the sun
So beautiful they can't miss it
So stunning that it cannot go unnoticed
No matter what you say
Regardless of what others say
You must be proud
You should feel a sense of pride
That you exist like
That you simply exist
I love my brown skin
I have deep affection for my skin color
Baby when you feeling down
Darling, when you are feeling low
And you soul searching
And you are exploring your inner self
Afro puffs in the wind
Your Afro hairstyle blowing in the wind
Like you soul surfing
As if your soul is riding the waves
I love it
I adore it
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Marquise Wallace, Sam Everett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind