Not to be mistaken for your average every day producer, his love of hip hop spills over into every crevice of the scene – art, film and beyond. He’s loaned his music to produce soundtracks for short films including street artist Nick Walker's 'Le Corancan' and Eastpak's 'B-Boy Throwdown'. He’s also put pen to page interviewing highly acclaimed artists including new-age Soul singer Mayer Hawthorne and Rhymesayers' Brother Ali.
Also as a rep for independent label Tres Records, the versatile producer hopes to further cement himself as an up and coming producer to watch out for in 2012.
He's currently working on his debut production album titled 'Creative Medicine' to drop later this year. The project will feature Joe Scudda, Co$$, Sene, Denitia Odigie, Blame One, Koncept, J57, Sav Killz, Dynas, The Regiment, Cappo, Iron Braydz and more. Also expect more work with frequent west coast collaborator Co$$, and an array of album placements later on in 2012
Look out for a Kevin Nottingham presented Beat mix of brand new, unreleased and forthcoming tracks on various projects, in the coming weeks called '20 For 12'.
Be Free
BEATNICK DEE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you wanna feel like you could be
I could be me, people like us two
Wanna be free, we just wanna be free
Free, I wonder what Mandela felt
On the day he left his cell
Was it leaving hell?
Still broke, all they need to do is sell
Ain't a cure you could use to cure the wealth
On money's just a shell
Or watch the city free itself
'Cause when the sun sets
It's like the streets undress, I know it well
Like my favorite flick, tasting my favorite drink
Changed by my favorite links
Label just to say the shit, numb the thing
Cut the change, and let it sing
This time piece, first let us live
New proverb, the testament to measure in
How free am I? free as prisoners
Spielberg flip the script, frank everybody is the plot
Through the phrase, screaming in the rain, loving ever drop
Free bent, a free dog used to be a free palm
And never be where heaven is
There's the sun, welcome back, let me know
Don't you wanna feel like you could be
I could be me, people like us two
Wanna be free, we just wanna be free
It's getting better, I can see it
I want you too
It's getting better I can see the sun
Coming up on me
It's getting better, I can see it
I want you too
It's getting better I can see the sun
Coming up on me
More than just not think
Pain but I'm still free
Caged but I still see
Smoke but I still breathe
Change but I'm still me
Fame but I'm still where I started at
Fleece and a starter cap
G, till I smoke a blunt walking those drinks
And the cops they stay posted
And they can't say shit if we done black on posted
Found me in a sticky situation
Did on my probation, learning my vocation
Vocabularies build on ill
What's the difference if I think but there ain't no quill
Colder than the winter when it ain't no quilt
Just an inmate fronting like the shit's grey still
Keep some real shit to thinkers then he gives them chills
When they go and act on it, that's when the shit gets real
Cut the cuffs off, free it in the cell for a criminal dream
Then up to chanal freedom, you're living now
There's the sun, welcome back, let me know
Don't you wanna feel like you could be
I could be me, people like us two
Wanna be free, we just wanna be free
The song "Be Free" by BEATNICK DEE is a powerful and insightful commentary on the struggle for freedom, both personally and societally. The opening lines suggest a sense of hope and renewal as the sun rises, but this is quickly offset by the questions that follow: "Don't you wanna feel like you could be... free?" This theme of freedom is then explored through references to historic figures such as Nelson Mandela, who famously spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid activism before finally being released. The lyrics ask whether Mandela felt a sense of liberation upon leaving his cell, or whether the experience had destroyed and enslaved him.
The song then moves on to examine the concept of wealth and poverty, suggesting that even those who have material riches may still be held captive by their possessions. The idea that money is "just a shell" that does not truly offer freedom is reiterated throughout the song. The lyrics also touch on themes of social justice and police brutality, urging listeners to "cut the cuffs off" and free those who are imprisoned unjustly. Overall, "Be Free" is a stirring call for people to break free from the constraints that hold them back and strive for true liberation.
Line by Line Meaning
There's the sun, welcome back, let me know
The sun has risen, indicating the start of a new day. Let me know if this is also a welcoming sight for you.
Don't you wanna feel like you could be
Don't you want to feel empowered to be who you really are?
I could be me, people like us two
I can be my true self, just like you can. We are alike in this way.
Wanna be free, we just wanna be free
We both desire to be free to be ourselves and live our lives without restriction.
Free, I wonder what Mandela felt
I think about the freedom that Nelson Mandela must have felt after being released from prison.
On the day he left his cell
When he was finally able to leave the place where he was imprisoned.
Was it leaving hell?
Did he feel like he was leaving a place of terrible suffering and torment?
Leaving as himself, I know rich folks still broke, all they need to do is sell
Mandela was finally able to leave prison as his true self, while some wealthy people are still unhappy despite having money. They could change their situation by selling their possessions.
Ain't a cure you could use to cure the wealth
There is no remedy that can fix the problem of wealth and the emptiness it can bring.
On money's just a shell
Money is like an outer layer, hiding what's truly underneath.
Or watch the city free itself
Witnessing a city or community breaking free from oppression and finding its own liberation.
'Cause when the sun sets
When the day turns to night
It's like the streets undress, I know it well
The city seems to reveal more of itself in the darkness, a phenomenon with which I am familiar.
Like my favorite flick, tasting my favorite drink
This feeling is reminiscent of enjoying my favorite movie or beverage.
Changed by my favorite links
The people and experiences that have influenced me and helped shape who I am.
Label just to say the shit, numb the thing
Sometimes we use labels to describe ourselves or others, but this can dull our true identities.
Cut the change, and let it sing
Rejecting restrictive norms and being true to oneself can allow us to soar and flourish.
This time piece, first let us live
We should focus on experiencing life in the present moment, rather than being enslaved by time.
New proverb, the testament to measure in
A new way of thinking, which will be the standard for how we evaluate our lives.
How free am I? free as prisoners
I question just how free I truly am, even as someone who is not currently in prison.
Spielberg flip the script, frank everybody is the plot
A reference to filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who can subvert expectations in his movies. In this case, everyone is playing a role in the bigger story of life.
Through the phrase, screaming in the rain, loving every drop
Even when things get tough, we should embrace the experience and find beauty in it.
Free bent, a free dog used to be a free palm
This line is unclear in meaning and can potentially have multiple interpretations, such as a reference to past times of slavery or oppression.
And never be where heaven is
A statement of not wanting to be in a place that is supposedly ideal or perfect for everyone, as true freedom comes from being your own person.
It's getting better, I can see it
Things are starting to improve, and I can perceive it.
I want you too
I want you to also see and feel the positivity around us.
It's getting better I can see the sun
The sun is a symbol of hope and renewal, and it is becoming more apparent to me.
Coming up on me
It feels like the sun is shining down and impacting me personally.
More than just not think
It's not just about ceasing to think or feel, but truly breaking free from mental and emotional shackles.
Pain but I'm still free
Although I may be in pain or suffering, I am still not restricted in who I am or what I can do.
Caged but I still see
Even when I feel trapped or powerless, I can still perceive the world around me.
Smoke but I still breathe
I may be surrounded by harm or pollution, but I am still able to breathe and live.
Change but I'm still me
Despite the many changes that occur in the world or in my life, I remain true to myself.
Fame but I'm still where I started at
Even when I experience fame or success, I still feel the same as I did at the beginning of my journey. I am still myself.
Fleece and a starter cap
Possibly a reference to being dressed in warm, comfortable clothing while also displaying a lower-class status symbol.
G, till I smoke a blunt walking those drinks
A reference to smoking marijuana while out walking in public.
And the cops they stay posted
Police officers are watching closely, in an attempt to maintain public order.
And they can't say shit if we done black on posted
A reference to not giving the police any reason to interfere, possibly by maintaining a low profile or avoiding trouble.
Found me in a sticky situation
I ended up in a difficult, possibly dangerous situation.
Did on my probation, learning my vocation
I was fulfilling my obligations while under probation, and also exploring what my true calling might be.
Vocabularies build on ill
The way we describe things can be influenced by negative experiences or emotions.
What's the difference if I think but there ain't no quill
Even if I have thoughts or ideas, they are useless if I don't have a means to express or communicate them.
Colder than the winter when it ain't no quilt
A metaphor for feeling exposed and vulnerable when you lack the necessary tools or resources to protect yourself.
Just an inmate fronting like the shit's grey still
Acting tough, even though one is trapped in an undesirable situation.
Keep some real shit to thinkers then he gives them chills
When someone speaks truthfully and honestly, it can resonate deeply within the listener.
When they go and act on it, that's when the shit gets real
When people take action based on those honest thoughts, it can lead to real change and transformation.
Cut the cuffs off, free it in the cell for a criminal dream
Removing the symbolic or literal constraints that hold people back, even when they are imprisoned or seen as criminals.
Then up to chanal freedom, you're living now
Ascending to a higher level of freedom, and living in that moment to its fullest.
Contributed by Eliana O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.