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.
Treble and Bass
Aceyalone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It goes one for the treble, two for the bass
Brace, Brace
In your face
I said one for the treble, two for the bass
Brace, Brace
In your face
I said one for the treble, two for the bass
huh huh, huh
I said, I said, I said one for the treble, two for the bass
Come on Acey, let's rock this place
[Aceyalone:]
Now I am the man, yes I'm only the man
and when it's time expand
I'll chop my way to the center and I'll stand
feet first, me first
baby, bubba
let me show you what it all boils down to
I'll tap that ???? clown you
now you know the half
pullin' their wigs completly off they scalps
writin' and recitin' is the easy part
to have a little style is the hard part
I'm moving like an aardvark
screamin all your marks from the jump start
I'm ready after dark so spark
up an L, now what the hell?
you've been here before, you know how it goes
[Chorus]
Abstract Rude:
Actually, I've found the key to my survival
now I'm liable to do anything to come up up and about
well I can get in it and I can get wild
I can get up, I can get out, I can get around with style
Well, I've been rhyming since '84 when I was a child
I was good then, now I'm good, now I'm a be real good for a while (Abstract)
And Aceyalone on the microphone, service you constantly
[Acey:] I'm Aceyalone on the microphone I service you constantly (Abstract
Rude)
[Both:]
Yes Yes Y'all
I guess y'all
now what the fuck y'all
thought I had it bucked y'all
I didn't just touch y'all
all balls don't bounce
bounce, bounce
bounce, bounce (ooh give it to me)
[Chorus]
[Spoken]
In your face, big baby
In your face
Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Tribe Unique up in this open wide
Yeah we up in here wide open, fools
you just not knowin'
you just not knowin'
and you ain't gonna never know
that's the thing, you ain't gonna never know
all b-balls don't b-bounce, fool
yeah, service you constantly
all b-balls don't b-bounce, fool
bounce, bounce
bounce, bounce
bounce, bounce
bounce, bounce
you're not bouncing
yo they say how you doing
how you runnin' through
you runnin' through the maze
lost in the masquerade
lost, all these fools is lost
in a maaaasquerade
I went to the masquerade party
I pulls up
perfectly manicured head
yo, take that back
right to the top
[Chorus fades out]
In Aceyalone's song "Treble and Bass," the chorus repeats the titular line "one for the treble, two for the bass" followed by "brace, brace, in your face" in a rhythm that feels both confrontational and playful. The first verse follows suit, with Aceyalone declaring himself "the man" and promising to bring his unique style to the center of things. He describes himself as moving like an aardvark, which could be taken as a self-deprecating insult or an acknowledgment of his individuality. The second verse begins with Abstract Rude, who raps about his own experience as a skilled MC since his youth. The two rappers then trade lines about their talent and dedication to their craft, with the chorus repeated at intervals.
The song feels like a celebration of hip-hop culture, particularly the art of MCing, which is clear from the verses' focus on individual style and wordplay. The chorus's repetition of "brace, brace, in your face" also feels like a challenge to listeners, daring them to keep up with the fast-paced and intricate lyrics. Overall, "Treble and Bass" is a catchy and fun track that showcases two talented rappers at the top of their game.
Line by Line Meaning
It goes one for the treble, two for the bass
The music has one sound for the high notes and two sounds for the low notes
Brace, Brace
Get ready for the music
In your face
The music is boldly confronting you
Now I am the man, yes I'm only the man
I am confident and in charge
and when it's time expand
I can grow and evolve
I'll chop my way to the center and I'll stand
I will fight to reach the top and stay there
feet first, me first
I prioritize myself above others
baby, bubba
Friendly terms to address someone I'm talking to
let me show you what it all boils down to
Let me explain the underlying meaning
I'll tap that ???? clown you
I'll beat that unknown person
now you know the half
You have some understanding of the situation
pullin' their wigs completly off they scalps
I am completely defeating my opponents
writin' and recitin' is the easy part
I am skilled at the basic elements of music
to have a little style is the hard part
Being creative and unique takes more effort
I'm moving like an aardvark
I'm moving energetically and unpredictably
screamin all your marks from the jump start
Exceeding your expectations from the very beginning
I'm ready after dark so spark
I'm ready for action at night so let's get started
up an L, now what the hell?
Let's light a joint, why not?
you've been here before, you know how it goes
You've had this experience and are familiar with the process
Actually, I've found the key to my survival
I have discovered a way to succeed and thrive
now I'm liable to do anything to come up up and about
I will take any opportunity that arises to improve my situation
well I can get in it and I can get wild
I can add excitement and energy
I can get up, I can get out, I can get around with style
I can take action confidently and stylishly
Well, I've been rhyming since '84 when I was a child
I've been practicing music for a long time
I was good then, now I'm good, now I'm a be real good for a while (Abstract)
I've always been good, and I'll continue to get better
And Aceyalone on the microphone, service you constantly
This is Aceyalone constantly providing great music
Yes Yes Y'all
Affirmative, let's continue
I guess y'all
I assume that you all are enjoying the music
now what the fuck y'all
What's going on with you all?
thought I had it bucked y'all
You thought I was beaten, but I'm still going strong
I didn't just touch y'all
I didn't just make a small impact on you all
all balls don't bounce
Not every attempt will succeed
bounce, bounce
This is the sound of a ball bouncing
you're not bouncing
You're not succeeding
yo they say how you doing how you runnin' through
People are asking how I'm doing and what I'm up to
you runnin' through the maze lost in the masquerade
You're confused and lost in the complexity of things
lost, all these fools is lost in a maaaasquerade
Everyone is lost in the confusion and pretending
I went to the masquerade party I pulls up perfectly manicured head
I went to a party and arrived looking sharp
yo, take that back right to the top
Let's regain the top position
In your face, big baby
Assertive and confident, challenging you
Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Tribe Unique up in this open wide
These are the musicians involved in this music
Yeah we up in here wide open, fools
We're present and exposed, challenging you
you just not knowin'
You don't fully understand the situation
and you ain't gonna never know
You will never fully understand
that's the thing, you ain't gonna never know
The fact that you don't understand is the point
all b-balls don't b-bounce, fool
Not every attempt will succeed
bounce, bounce
This is the sound of a ball bouncing
you just not knowin'
You don't fully understand the situation
Contributed by Natalie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Věrka Soukupová
on Impact
:::::Soundtrack of ME https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cODJMg8skB0&list=RDMM&index=6