Baby J is a producer from the UK currently splitting his time between the U… Read Full Bio ↴Baby J is a producer from the UK currently splitting his time between the UK and NYC. An experienced producer he has worked internationally for the last eight years. He was first found back in 95 when an A&R at Wu-tang heard a demo he had produced and brought him in to work with up and coming acts.

His first release was a 12" with Shabazz the Disciple (Wu-tang, Penalty Records) and he later produced mixtape tracks for Brand Nubian, Dead Prez and Imam Thug.

In 98 he released 'The Birth' (Bomb Hip Hop) a solo album featuring US and UK emcees including Shabazz the Disciple, Freestyle (the Arsonists) and Poetic (The Gravediggaz). The album sold throughout the US and Europe and was supported with a European tour and two videos on MTV.

Baby J has gone on to do production work, including UK artists like MSI asylum (Gran Kru records) and Yogi (Ant records) with an LP and video 'Jamaica Child' placed on regular rotation on MTV and MTV Base. Production work on UK artists Moorish Delta 7 LP and classic 12" 'Silent Screams' and mixing and studio work including theme tunes for terrestrial TV.

He has worked with Dead Prez (Loud Records) on their debut LP and RnB acts including Mpho Skeef, Dwaine and Laurissa, a new UK artist whose Baby J produced track 'Shorty' won 3rd place in Trevor Nelsons (BBC Radio 1) search for an urban talent.

Baby J produced tracks for Skinnyman's 'Council Estate of Mind' album (Lowlife Records) including the singles 'I'll Be Surprised' (BBC Radio 1 record of the week) and 'No Big Ting', which was radio One C-listed, received regular daytime airplay as well as being playlisted for 1xtra and BBC Radio 6.

He produced UK Hip-Hop Yogi's 'Bear Necessities' LP which includes the Echoes single of the month 'Why Must U?'. The track received regular plays on BBC Radio 1 and was both Zane Lowe's and Colin & Edith's Single of the week. Zane also billed it as "The hottest track in the world right now". The track received regular rotation on 1xtra, MTV Base, KISS TV & Channel U.

In October 2005 Baby J released his album FTP (All City Records). The album featured the massive single 'Let It Go' (playlisted at Choice Fm, Galaxy, Kiss, 1xtra, Asian Network, MTV, Channel U etc) and a collection of the UK and USA's best hip hop artists including Skinnyman, TY, Blade, Rukus, Shystie, Mpho Skeef, Dead Prez and many more.

The second album FTP2 was released on OCT' 16th 2006, the first single 'Black Or White' currently receiving BBC Radio 1 spins from Zane Lowe, Ras Kwame, and the 2nd single being 'Young, Gifted & Black' featuring Blak Twang, Estelle & Dynamite MC was playlisted on 1XTRA, Choice Fm, MTV etc.

Fresh off the back of the massive Mark Ronson / Amy Winehouse 'Valerie' remix, Baby J has just signed a new recording deal to Abstract Urban.

Focus
Baby J Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(feat. Freestyle (Arsonists))

(Freestyle)
Freestyle from the Arsonists
Baby J

To all you MC's, who don't already know this
Here's my word of advice, so take it as no diss

For your information, until it's further notice
I hope somebody quote this, too many brothers lose..

Now what's the use of rhymin when you can't, do what you feel
You ready to sacrifice and sign your life just to get a deal
They got you by the strings, when there's no creative control
Dollars amount to nuttin when your body don't have a soul
It's like, livin with no skeletal frame, you'd rather
settle for fame, and play the game instead of critical acclaim
To floss, gettin this cheese it's understandble, to live, suitable
But y'all forget that these monies is still recoupable
I know you got enough sense, to pay attention
No need to be a scholar to comprehend the facts about the dollar
You follow trends, you drive a Benz and don't know how to make ends
merge, and power surges knockin off your icebergs
Submerge into a slow death, the realm where you have no breath
You find yourself, by yourself, with nothin left
Holdin a bad hand, and swimmin in a pool of card sharks
Losin your record deal in all your reels you didn't top charts

To all you MC's, who don't already know this (FOCUS)
Here's my word of advice, so take it as no diss (FOCUS)
For your information, until it's further notice
I hope somebody quote this, too many brothers lose.. (FOCUS)

To all you MC's, who don't already know this (FOCUS)
Here's my word of advice, so take it as no diss (FOCUS)
For your information, until it's further notice
I hope somebody quote this, too many brothers lose..

So catch my shutter speed, quick snapshot, my steadycam
get cheddar to make it better try to be a family man and
hold down the fort because they extort, before you know it
you in court, for takin this rap game as a sport (then play on)
So grab the joystick, and make sure that your voice thick
Be on point, it's not always the joint your boys pick so
later for the yes men, cause you the best man
Forget the world cause it be stressin, settle for nothin less than
Make sure you skills ain't nuttin to be tested in the pocket
Deep like Steve Young, don't let nobody intercept
or cockblock like contraceptives, industry STAY deceptive
Executive, decidin who they let live (so what gives?)
It's on you, the choice of who survivin
Cause once you sign, ain't no turnin back like skydivin
You live and you got clout, well here's a shout
Maintain balance with your talents
I take it pon myself to send this out

To all you MC's, who don't already know this (FOCUS)
Here's my word of advice, so take it as no diss (FOCUS)
For your information, until it's further notice
I hope somebody quote this, too many brothers lose.. (FOCUS)

To all you MC's, who don't already know this (FOCUS)
Here's my word of advice, so take it as no diss (FOCUS)
For your information, until it's further notice
I hope somebody quote this, too many brothers lose..

Yeah yeah, too many brothers lose
Yeah yeah, too many brothers lose
Too many brothers lose
So be careful how you choose
Too many brothers lose
Yeah yeah, too many brothers lose
Too many brothers lose
So be careful how you choose
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Hah, yeah yeah yeah

Uhh, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Uhh, uhh

Overall Meaning

The song "Focus" by Baby J is a warning to aspiring MCs about the pitfalls of the music industry. The song features a verse from Freestyle of the Arsonists who warns of the dangers of signing a deal that takes away creative control and leads to the loss of one's soul. The song advocates for artists to maintain balance in their talents and to focus on critical acclaim rather than fame and monetary gain.

Freestyle warns aspiring artists that signing their souls away just for the fame and fortune is not a sustainable goal. While it may be understandable to want to live a comfortable life, Freestyle believes that artists should focus on critical acclaim rather than monetary gain. He believes that creative control is crucial and a lack of it can lead to losing one's soul. The message of the song is to be cautious in the music industry and to focus on what is important.

The chorus encourages artists to focus on their goals and not to lose sight of what is important. There are too many brothers who have lost their way in the music industry and the song is a warning to aspiring artists to be careful how they choose to navigate their careers. It is a reminder to focus on what really matters and not to sell out for temporary gain.

Line by Line Meaning

To all you MC's, who don't already know this
Addressing all the MCs who may not be aware of the following advice

Here's my word of advice, so take it as no diss
Giving advice without any intention of disrespect

For your information, until it's further notice
Informing the MCs of some important information that still stands

I hope somebody quote this, too many brothers lose..
Expressing hope that this advice is shared to avoid too many losses

Now what's the use of rhymin when you can't, do what you feel
Asking what the point of rapping is, if you can't express who you truly are

You ready to sacrifice and sign your life just to get a deal
Warning about the dangers of compromising oneself just to get a record deal

It's like, livin with no skeletal frame, you'd rather settle for fame, and play the game instead of critical acclaim
Comparing giving up creative control to living without a frame, choosing fame over success

To floss, gettin this cheese it's understandble, to live, suitable But y'all forget that these monies is still recoupable
Acknowledging the appeal of money, but reminding that it is still owed back

I know you got enough sense, to pay attention
Assuming the MCs are intelligent enough to listen

You follow trends, you drive a Benz and don't know how to make ends merge, and power surges knockin off your icebergs
Commenting on how blindly following trends without considering finances can lead to financial instability

Submerge into a slow death, the realm where you have no breath You find yourself, by yourself, with nothin left
Describing the feeling of drowning in debt and having nothing left

Holdin a bad hand, and swimmin in a pool of card sharks Losin your record deal in all your reels you didn't top charts
Metaphor for trying to make it in the music industry and failing

So catch my shutter speed, quick snapshot, my steadycam get cheddar to make it better try to be a family man and hold down the fort because they extort, before you know it you in court, for takin this rap game as a sport (then play on)
Giving advice to get your money quickly, put your family first, but be aware that the industry can take advantage and land you in legal troubles

So grab the joystick, and make sure that your voice thick Be on point, it's not always the joint your boys pick so later for the yes men, cause you the best man Forget the world cause it be stressin, settle for nothin less than
Using gaming metaphors for taking control and responsibility for your voice, not relying on others, and aiming for the best

Make sure you skills ain't nuttin to be tested in the pocket Deep like Steve Young, don't let nobody intercept or cockblock like contraceptives, industry STAY deceptive Executive, decidin who they let live (so what gives?)
Encouraging MCs to be skilled enough to succeed financially and using football and sexual metaphors for the deceiving nature of the music industry

It's on you, the choice of who survivin Cause once you sign, ain't no turnin back like skydivin You live and you got clout, well here's a shout Maintain balance with your talents I take it pon myself to send this out
Recognizing that the ultimate decision for success lies with the MCs, and urging them to balance their talents with their finances and send this message out

Yeah yeah, too many brothers lose So be careful how you choose Yeah yeah yeah Yeah, yeah yeah yeah Hah, yeah yeah yeah Uhh, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Uhh, uhh
Reiterating the message of too many losses in the industry and cautioning MCs to be mindful of their choices

Contributed by Reagan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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