The number twelve - whether… Read Full Bio ↴The Beat Assailant - Hard Twelve History
The number twelve - whether its a money making lucky roll of the dice, the number of songs on his first album or simply the month he was born - is a number which has carried significance throughout the life path of Hip Hop artist BA "The Beat Assailant".
This is the story of an artist whose interesting life path has taken him from Miami to Atlanta to Paris. From a performing arts school to the gritty stages of the Atlanta underground Hip Hop scene to the eclectic Paris music community. From all of these experiences, influences and journeys, BA has created an eclectic 12 track album entitled Hard Twelve.
Like every true artist B.A. has lived his life with a need and vision to create enduring works. The 26 year old rapper was born in Miami in 1977 and moved quickly thereafter to Atlanta where he grew up and still resides today. At an early age BA was driven by the need to express himself through the creation of music and began his unique musical experience as a teenager at North Atlanta’s High School for the performing arts. His first step into hip hop’s Notoriety came when he was discovered at Rowdy Records' Open Mic Battles held in Atlanta. This led to his first recordings at Dallas Austin's famed DARP studios while working with producers like Sol Messiah of Zulu Nation and Tim & Ted of La Face records.
BA worked fast and furious as he continued to perfect his craft by hustling his way to the stage. While attending the University of Georgia, he plunged into the flourishing underground hip hop live scene, constantly performing on stage even opening up for legendary artists such as Outkast and Gza.
Then one day B.A. decided to visit a family friend in Paris: "When I first went to Paris I was taken aback, by how strong the vibe was, and even more so by the influence of music here." explains B.A. "Once I came and began to experience the culture, the nightlife, and some of the real artists there, I immedeately realised I had the potential to do great things there." It was then that B.A. decided to go back, live and create in Paris.
In 2001 he came back to Paris where he quickly began to understand and fit into the Paris music scene. He found himself in a world full of artists that have influenced his work today including artists such as MC Solaar and Blackjack. Then BA met Zash, a local artist known for his productions and compositions through labels like Jazznova Compost Records and Dreyfus Jazz Records. The two immediately started working together informally until B.A. decided to make it official, sign to Twin Fizz Records and begin
working on his debut album Hard Twelve.
Hard Twelve was recorded between February 2002 and december 2003 at Twin Fizz Records
Studios, based in Paris. The whole musical concept was conceived and directed by B.A and producer Zash. The album magically weaves a blend of pure Hip Hop roots with jazz, electro, afro and Brazilian musical textures. It is an eclectic mix of many musical influences and real life experiences.
B.A. and Zash have created a collection of 12 tracks that take the listener on a journey from the glory days of Hip Hop mic battles in "The Most Real" to the emotional tale of broken lovers in "The Break Up Song" to the ultimate relaxation treat with "Chronic Break". On "Secret Weapon", B.A. addresses societal problems such as violence and government intervention while offering a positive spritual way to deal with the complexities of human nature.
On the album B.A. chose to work with a wide selection of guests from all over the world. Special guests such as Tash (Alkaholics), J-Zone, Phil da Agony, Vanessa Jacquemin (Brooklyn Funk Essentials), and Danger Mouse (Warp / Lex Records) prove to be essential ingredients in making The Hard Twelve so musically original. When asked the driving force behind B.A.'s artistry as a musician he explains: "The prevailing message is to devote yourself to creating something that’s bigger than you. We as people are all mortal, but music, art, love, vibes, etc. live on forever. In the same way we still
revere great artists and musicians of the past, we all can create something that endures. This is the secret weapon that everyone possesses, if everyone works hard to make something constructive, rather than destructive, we all survive. This is the common thread woven throughout the album, that can’t die"
Official website: www.beatassailant.com
French fans forum: www.hardtwelve.fr
Hard Twelve
Beat Assailant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got tha guts of a nigga doin’ burglaries
Cool like I’m cuttin’ up a surgery
B.A. for tha niggaz that ain’t heard of me
Put the Henne up and put your money down
Scared money gets took there’s more to go around
Fools is shook from when they hear the bass pound
Didn’t know B.A. was gettin’ down with tha sound
I gotta keep it hot from tha intro
Shae came over and she brought tha indo
Plus two dutches she got from tha Citgo (hmmmm)
Y’all know what time it is
B.A. aint really on no violent shit
Just really wanna vibe and shit
Lay back listen to my rhyme and shit
Chorus 4x
Hard Twelve – hmmmm
We goin all out and we can’t fail
throw it out never be in doubt this is hard twelve
Hard twelve pay double when u off in tha field
Niggaz is mad cuz’ rap money’s buyin’ my meals
I aint gotta hate just statin’ how I feel
Y’all don’t understand tha work that it took to get tha deal
Betta ante up tha dice is finna roll
Blood flowin’ through my veins is ice cold
Bet tha motherload that ya CD’s whack
Took ya shit back showin disgust with each track
Niggaz make an album and hang on two songs
Two thats okay ten that’s so wrong
Rhymin’ off beat to tracks that’s too long
My dirty dozen they bang like king kong
This is hard twelve my ship is comin’ in
Punk money stay to tha side it can’t win
Put it all down on two dice to spin
When it looks like money I breaks out tha grin
Chorus 8x
Hard Twelve – hmmmm
We goin all out and we can’t fail
throw it out never be in doubt this is hard twelve
In Beat Assailant's "Hard Twelve," the rapper boasts about his fearless and cool demeanor as he navigates the rap game. He compares his courage to that of a burglar and his precision to a surgeon. He labels himself "B.A. for tha niggaz that ain’t heard of me," indicating that he may be an emerging artist who is gaining traction. He encourages listeners to put their money down and not be scared to take risks because there is more to go around. Beat Assailant showcases his love for music by saying he just wants to vibe and listen to his rhymes.
In the chorus, he emphasizes the phrase "hard twelve," meaning a risky move when gambling. He is not afraid to make the risky move, and he encourages others to do the same. He says that hard twelve pays double when you are in the field and that others are mad because his rap money is buying his meals. Beat Assailant indicates that he is not a hater but is just stating how he feels. He encourages others to ante up and take risks because his ship is coming in, and he is willing to put it all down on two dice to spin.
Line by Line Meaning
This is how the game is supposed to be
I'm playing the game the way it's meant to be played
I got tha guts of a nigga doin’ burglaries
I have the courage of a burglar
Cool like I’m cuttin’ up a surgery
I'm calm and collected like a surgeon performing a procedure
B.A. for tha niggaz that ain’t heard of me
For those who don't know, I'm Beat Assailant
Put the Henne up and put your money down
Let's place our bets and get ready for the game
Scared money gets took there’s more to go around
Don't be afraid to bet, there's enough money for everyone
Fools is shook from when they hear the bass pound
Some people get scared when they hear my music
Didn’t know B.A. was gettin’ down with tha sound
People are surprised by how good I am
Money is somethin’ that I gotta get so
I need to make money
I gotta keep it hot from tha intro
I need to start strong and keep up the energy throughout the whole thing
Shae came over and she brought tha indo
My friend Shae brought some marijuana
Plus two dutches she got from tha Citgo (hmmmm)
She also brought some cigar papers
Y’all know what time it is
You all know what we are here to do
B.A. aint really on no violent shit
I'm not trying to be violent or aggressive
Just really wanna vibe and shit
I just want to have a good time and enjoy the music
Chorus 4x
Repeating chorus section
Hard Twelve – hmmmm
This is a game of dice called 'hard twelve'
We goin all out and we can’t fail
We're giving it our all and we won't fail
throw it out never be in doubt this is hard twelve
Let's bet without hesitation, this is hard twelve
Hard twelve pay double when u off in tha field
In the 'field' (where the game is played) a bet on hard twelve will pay double
Niggaz is mad cuz’ rap money’s buyin’ my meals
People are jealous because I'm making money from rap
I aint gotta hate just statin’ how I feel
I don't need to hate, I'm just saying what's on my mind
Y’all don’t understand tha work that it took to get tha deal
People don't realize the hard work I put in to get my success
Betta ante up tha dice is finna roll
Let's place our bets, the dice are about to be rolled
Blood flowin’ through my veins is ice cold
I'm calm and composed even under pressure
Bet tha motherload that ya CD’s whack
I bet that your CD is bad
Took ya shit back showin disgust with each track
I returned your CD because I didn't like any of the tracks
Niggaz make an album and hang on two songs
Some people only have two good songs on their album
Two thats okay ten that’s so wrong
Having only two good songs is fine, but ten is too many bad ones
Rhymin’ off beat to tracks that’s too long
Trying to rap to a beat that doesn't work, and the song goes on for too long
My dirty dozen they bang like king kong
My twelve tracks are powerful and impressive
This is hard twelve my ship is comin’ in
This game is hard twelve, and I'm about to win big
Punk money stay to tha side it can’t win
Weak bets won't win in this game
Put it all down on two dice to spin
Let's bet everything we have on two dice
When it looks like money I breaks out tha grin
When I see that I'm going to win, I can't help but smile
Chorus 8x
Repeating chorus section
Hard Twelve – hmmmm
This is a game of dice called 'hard twelve'
We goin all out and we can’t fail
We're giving it our all and we won't fail
throw it out never be in doubt this is hard twelve
Let's bet without hesitation, this is hard twelve
Lyrics © CHRYSALIS EDITION FRANCE, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adam TURNER, Maxime LEBIDOIS, Thibault RENARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind