After releasing a pair of albums with the Freestyle Fellowship, To Whom it May Concern... and Innercity Griots, Acey signed to Capitol Records and released his highly acclaimed solo debut, All Balls Don't Bounce, in 1995. He returned three years later with his second album, A Book of Human Language, a collaboration with producer Mumbles.
Acey returned solo again in 2001 with his third solo album, Accepted Eclectic. In 2002, the Freestyle Fellowship returned after 9 years for the release of their third group album, Shockadoom. 2002 and 2003 saw two more solo releases, Hip Hop and the World We Live In and Love & Hate and another A-Team album ('Lab Down Under'). In 2006, Aceyalone released two more solo projects, first, Magnificent City, a collaboration with producer RJD2, followed by Grand Imperial. 2007 sees Acey releasing the first in his planned explorations of world musics, Lightining Stikes.
Widely recognized as one of the more lyrically gifted in the history of emceeing, Aceyalone embodies the sophisticated west coast style that is showcased in other indie artists such as Blackalicious and Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.
Keep It True
Aceyalone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
keep it true
you know we keep it true - we got to keep it true we got to keep
it true
we got to keep it true - you know what we do you know what
we do
we got to keep it true
relax your mind w/the music - you know what we do you know what we do
this isn't really what you think it is
that is if you're even thinkin' in the first place
the first place isn't always the winner
and winnin' isn't everything
and this is not a race
i am not a android i am not a mongoloid
i am not annoyed by the void in your brain
this is not a trick son you are not a victim
you are just a man be -boyed out the game
let me explain
Abstract are you fresh?
ain't nobody fresher
but it's hard to get around w/out some clown tryin' to test ya
Acey are you dope?
dopest in the world
i give it to the moms and pops i give it to the boys and girls
oh so you a family man?
aren't we all aren't we all
yes we are
trying to make jams man and expand my repertoire
we got to keep it true we got to keep it true - relax your mind w/the music
you know what we do you know what we do - sit back and vibe w/this true shit
well i be arrangin' thoughts in my brain cell family
embarking on incredible creative routes
understanding me is truth shining like a lie
when i say break wide i mean take trips not just in your ride
in your mind
cause when you left you're right on time
the sun'll come out tomorrow and it'll set in the west
so i don't sweat the rest
who want to inhale stress
keep it true
you know we keep it true - we keep it true we keep it true we
keep it true
you know we keep it true - you know what we do you know what we
do
we got to keep it true - the W the W the W
we got to keep it true
relax your mind w/the music - and keep it true and keep it true
sit back and vibe w/this true shit
the world is full of bullshitters
liars and triers and quitters
could-a-beens want to be's thought-i-was isn't-i-is's
and everybody in your business
damn
now what is really your main aim
when you are just a blotch and a stain on the planetary plane
just another name in the phone book of fame
bustin' out the seams it seems you haven't gained enough
to be seen in the right scene
your thoughts they seem so convincing hmmm
but your actions don't follow through
remember
never say never because it never comes true
your thoughts they seem so convincing for instance
you told me that you're a level higher
liar
element of desire earth and the wind and the fire
not
you ain't even halfway hot
not lukewarm you don't got no form
you (...?...)
all caught up in bein' waterproof
when you shoulda been tryin' to catch up w/the truth
for all intent and purposes your life on earth ain't worth it's weight in
gold
that's probably why you get blowed
cause people tell people things and people sell people things
that are useless and irrelevant
and it stifles my intelligence
i stay true
you know we keep it true - and we keep on and keep on and keep on
you know we keep it true - we keep it true we keep it true
you can mumble jumble if you got somethin' to say
but i doubt it's gonna affect me i row my boat steady
everready is my battery description
meaning i'm equipped to take long trips
and my brain cells overload when i get blowed
gotta bring it down there's a point where the joint stops
being passed through the fingers of a rhyme (?singers?)
the smoke from my last hit still lingers
bring us your tired and your weary and your poor
i'm a take you higher while you're hearing metaphors
and similes
assimilation of new creation
mind emancipation
rhymes command the nation
and so on and therefor and such and such
dust to dust i thrust from the ground
w/no where else to go but up L.A. is where i'm found
throwin' up sets and blowin' up sets and goin' up Stepney
about to get a heavy track
(?or jimmy in the spot?)
or plenty of hip hop goin' round three
heavyweights it's your time so register
foundate your legacy we serve all them replicas
true style true style?
true style new style
you know we keep it true - we keep it true we keep it true we keep it true
you know we keep it true - the W and every crew we keep it true
we got to keep it true - from me to you do what you do just keep it
true
we got to keep it true - relax your mind w/the music
now i'm gonna take my last verse on a good note
you better prepare your footnotes
hold your wigs tight
open up the middle
(?center me in the more?)
words are the foundation action is the building and unity
and the concept to result in logic and the use of logic
now the object to be neutral partial to a judgement
and the subject's concentration here is the pop quiz
what hip hop is
you know we keep it true - relax your mind w/the music
we got to keep it true - sit back and vibe to this true shit
the wrong thing to do is stop
The song "Keep It True" by Aceyalone is a commentary on the importance of maintaining authenticity in a society that is full of deception and false representation. The opening lyrics set the tone for the song and repeat the message that Aceyalone and those like him remain true to themselves and their artistry. The song encourages listeners to relax and escape the stresses of life by listening to true music that reflects their real experiences.
The rest of the song addresses the societal issues that create a culture of dishonesty and falsehood. Aceyalone acknowledges the prevalence of bullshitters, liars, and quitters in the world, and urges listeners to stay true to themselves despite these pressures. He points out that people often tell and sell things that are useless and irrelevant, stifling intelligence and creativity. Aceyalone stresses that true originality is valuable and should be sought after, rather than conformity with societal norms that ultimately lead to meaningless lives. The closing lyrics encourage listeners to continue forward and not give up, facing the world with authenticity and a commitment to the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
you know we keep it true
Our dedication to honesty and authenticity is unwavering and consistent
we got to keep it true
It is essential for us to remain true to ourselves and our values
relax your mind w/the music
Allow the music to soothe your mind and body
sit back and vibe w/this true shit
Relax and enjoy the authentic and truthful content of our music
this isn't really what you think it is
Our music is unique and cannot be fully comprehended without experiencing it
that is if you're even thinkin' in the first place
Some people may not be open-minded enough to appreciate our music
the first place isn't always the winner
Being first doesn't necessarily equate to being the best or most successful
and winnin' isn't everything
Success and victory should not be the sole focus in life
and this is not a race
Life should not be viewed as a competition
i am not a android i am not a mongoloid
I am a human being, not a robot or a person with Down Syndrome
i am not annoyed by the void in your brain
I am not bothered by the lack of intellectual depth in others
this is not a trick son you are not a victim
Our music is genuine and truthful, and listeners are not being manipulated or taken advantage of
you are just a man be-boyed out the game
You are simply a person entrenched in the hip-hop culture
let me explain
Allow me to provide more clarity and insight
ain't nobody fresher
There is no one in the world more fresh or original
dopest in the world
We are the best and most talented in the world
aren't we all
We are all human and desire similar things
trying to make jams man and expand my repertoire
We are working hard to produce great music and broaden our musical range
the world is full of bullshitters
There are many people who are dishonest and deceitful
liars and triers and quitters
There are people who lie, attempt and give up easily
just another name in the phone book of fame
Some people are merely trying to become famous rather than staying true to themselves
people tell people things and people sell people things that are useless and irrelevant
Society is rife with goods and ideas that add no real value or meaning to our lives
dust to dust i thrust from the ground
Life follows a natural cycle, with every living thing eventually returning to dust
you know we keep it true
Our commitment to honesty and authenticity is unshakable
the W and every crew we keep it true
We, along with our fellow artists, remain authentic and truthful
from me to you do what you do just keep it true
We urge you to remain authentic and true to yourself
now i'm gonna take my last verse on a good note
I will end on a positive message
you better prepare your footnotes
Be ready to take note of the important message I am about to deliver
hold your wigs tight
Prepare yourself for something epic and unforgettable
words are the foundation action is the building and unity
Words provide the foundation for action, which, when united with others, has tremendous power
what hip hop is
The essence and true meaning of hip-hop
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWIN M. JR. HAYES, JAMES D. CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Griffin Kay
Honestly Abstract Rude has one of the greatest rap voices of all time. It’s mesmerizing every time. They two deserve more recognition.
KatalistProductions-Kozzy-Sasha
Book Of Human Language is amazing, prolly one of the most slept on hiphop masterpeices.
EFH
Agreed
iam333
Knownots!
Unconscious Prophet
TRUUUUUUUE
Gzus 213
been bumping this since 99 and still dope
Emari Carter
Aight
Jesse Lazcano
This is the greatest hip artist to ever-exist..... His wordplay, eloquence, rhythmic ambitiousness is above anything I have ever heard in years. All Balls and Book of Human language are masterpieces to me. FREESTYLE FELLOWSIP, PROJECT BLOWED, MIKAH 9, ABSTRACT, ACEY FOR LIFE......
Garrett Jackson
much respect to both these individuals
hurryup slowdown
Acey, Del and KoolKeith are my top 3, no specific order...