In late 1997, Solesides became Quannum Projects and in 1999 Blackalicious released the A2G EP, which served as a precursor to their debut full length album, Nia, which was released the following year. This was followed by a major label contract with MCA Records and the release of the critically acclaimed album Blazing Arrow in 2002.
In May 2004 Gift of Gab released his first solo album, 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, but he assured fans that Blackalicious was alive and well.
A third full length, entitled The Craft, was released on Epitaph Records imprint ANTI- on September 27, 2005.
A To G
Blackalicious Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
sound....Listen with care
[Gift of Gab]
I be the analog arsonist, aimin at your arteries
All-seeing abstract, analyze everything
Adding on, absolutely abolishing
Average amateur's arsenal just astonishing
--Next, we'll learn words that begin with letter "B"
I be the big, bad body rockin Bombay to boulevard bully BACK
Better bring a bomb to the battlefield
Bloody black beats bringing bottoms that boom
Basically build barriers bewilder buffoons
--Listen now to words that begin with letter "C"
Crazy character, constantly creating concontions
Catalyst, a cannabalistic rhymes conqueror
Correctly connecting, craniums crumble down
Consistent capacity
--Next we'll hear words that start with letter "D"
Done did that done did this diddle don
Domination don't dignify diction
Doin' it deep down dialect daring
Doomsday dut devastate during the duration
--Listen to our song for vowel "E"
Extraterrestrial electrical, effortless
Eons of energy, everyone affected
Efficiently epitomize excellent
Extravagant elevate where the essence is
--"F" is the letter with which these words begin
Blackalicious got funk for the future filling up fiends finally
Fabulous, furious, fatness, follow me
Niggers fall frequently, fact
Verbal felon fired up federally foundation fadin' all of this wack shit
-- You will listen carefully again to words with sounds for letter "G"
[scratched]
-I be the Gift of Gab
-The man with the given gift of gab man with the gift of gab
-I possess the gift of gab
-Gift of gab, gab
-I use my gift of gab to boast and brag in every rhyme I
-Got the gift of gab
-When I shoot the gift, I shoot
-I use the gift of gab like a harpoon
-On the serious tip, I'm equipped with a gift
-The gift of gab, it don't waiver
-Yo man you gotta -- Grab the mic to show you got the gift of gab
--These are the letters B, C, D, and F, and then comes the letter G.
The song "A to G" by Blackalicious is a lesson in wordplay as rapper Gift of Gab takes the listener through the alphabet, highlighting words that start with each letter. The first verse focuses on "A" sounds and Gab establishes his prowess as an "analog arsonist" before moving on to the letter "B" and boasting about his skills as a "big, bad body rockin" rapper. He continues through the alphabet, hitting each letter with a barrage of alliterative phrases and clever wordplay. By the verse for letter "G," Gab is scratching himself and others declaring their mastery of the "gift of gab."
Beyond the cleverness of tying clever rhymes to each letter of the alphabet, the structure of "A to G" also serves as a showcase for Gab's verbal dexterity. He bounces from dense alliteration to rapid-fire internal rhyme schemes with remarkable ease, keeping the beat while throwing out layers upon layers of wordplay.
Overall, "A to G" serves as a masterclass in lyrical technique and verbal gymnastics, all while offering a playful and engaging lesson in language and alliteration.
Line by Line Meaning
I be the analog arsonist, aimin at your arteries
I am the master at using analogies to set fire to your words and cut off the flow of your speech
All-seeing abstract, analyze everything
I see the big picture, breaking down all details into something meaningful
Adding on, absolutely abolishing
Incrementally building and eventually annihilating everything in sight
Average amateur's arsenal just astonishing
Most people's skills are no match for my abilities
I be the big, bad body rockin Bombay to boulevard bully BACK
I am the tough person that can take on anything from Bombay to the boulevard
Better bring a bomb to the battlefield
You better come prepared to battle me with everything you got
Bloody black beats bringing bottoms that boom
My music is intense and powerful, with heavy bass and melodies that move the soul
Basically build barriers bewilder buffoons
I construct mental walls that confuse and disorient those who lack intelligence
Crazy character, constantly creating concontions
I am an oddball that is always inventing something new and exciting
Catalyst, a cannabalistic rhymes conqueror
I am the person who triggers change, and I destroy all rhymes that oppose me
Correctly connecting, craniums crumble down
I make accurate connections which smash down mental walls
Consistent capacity
I am reliable and never waiver in my skills
Done did that done did this diddle don
I have completed everything and anything, and I'm not stopping yet
Domination don't dignify diction
I don't need to dominate the conversation, my words do that for me
Doin' it deep down dialect daring
I am boldly using different languages and dialects to express myself
Doomsday dut devastate during the duration
I cause destruction and devastation that lasts for a long time
Extraterrestrial electrical, effortless
My words flow out of me effortlessly, like an alien force
Eons of energy, everyone affected
My energy has been building up for lifetimes, and everyone can feel it
Efficiently epitomize excellent
I express excellence in a precise and perfect way
Extravagant elevate where the essence is
I bring my all to elevate the most important and meaningful things in life
Blackalicious got funk for the future filling up fiends finally
My music is the future, filling up the enthusiastic listeners who eagerly await it
Fabulous, furious, fatness, follow me
I am fabulous, angry, and have a big presence that people want to follow
Niggers fall frequently, fact
Those who oppose me often fail
Verbal felon fired up federally foundation fadin' all of this wack shit
I am the professional wordsmith, supported by the government and ridiculing all inferior work
I be the Gift of Gab
I am the one who is truly gifted at speaking
The man with the given gift of gab man with the gift of gab
I am the person with an innate, natural talent for speaking
I possess the gift of gab
I have the inherent ability to communicate effectively
Gift of gab, gab
Speaking skill is my greatest asset
I use my gift of gab to boast and brag in every rhyme I
I use my speaking ability to express myself with confidence and pride
Got the gift of gab
I have the natural talent for speaking that sets me apart
When I shoot the gift, I shoot
When I express myself, I do it with precision and power
I use the gift of gab like a harpoon
I use my speaking ability as a weapon to capture my opponent's attention
On the serious tip, I'm equipped with a gift
I am seriously talented when it comes to effective communication
The gift of gab, it don't waiver
My ability to effectively communicate never falters
Yo man you gotta -- Grab the mic to show you got the gift of gab
You have to speak up to display your talent for effective communication
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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