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.
First In Flight
Blackalicious Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First in flight (repeated 4X)
Gil Scott-Heron:
(Cause all we got is rhythm and timin'
We go beyond the edge of the sky)
[Gift of Gab]
Like a 747 to LA that's in flight
FREE! Like a garden flourishing in the wind
Like a student bout to do it when he's graduatin
FREE! From any of the energy perception
Can never be defined create the definition within
FREE! Just lovin life itself and never pretend to be
Anything other than the man I was meant to be
Travel through time and get a glimpse of the centuries
To come a better day is promised remember
FREE! Like my nephew in a few months about to be out the
penitentiary
Meditation(repeated 9X)
Chorus
[Gift of Gab]
UH! I never hesitate about a reluctant mind
Just put the peddle to the metal see what ya find
You back there slouchin over won't you pick up your spine?
Let's make it really really happen live up this time
Cause you can choose to say "Good morning God" or
"Good God, morning"
With black clouds storming
I walk without umbrellas into these woods
Don't need em cause the mighty trees will shelter me good
I'm eating berries from the bushes of the heavenly good
From the ?stakes/steaks? the power came to us whenever we stood
Reverberatin out we're reachin each and every hood
Whenver we could the spiritual anatomy fool
But never take the credit for it be cause that'd be rude
It's just the way in life we searchin for that had to be new
You gotta work it though cause everyday ain't Saturday fool
Evolve into a better life and be happy with you and me
Chorus
[Gil Scott-Heron]
The first to fly
The first to strive
The first to fight to stay alive
The first to win
The first to strike
The first to live
The first in flight
[Gift of Gab]
RISE! Like the sun up at the crack of the dawn
Like a wakin child in the morning stretchin and yawnin
RISE! Like an infant being held in the light
Like the smoke from an incense when it's ignited
RISE! If you're sleepin won't you open your eyes again
The greatest high be that natural high within
No need to force the progression just ride the wind
You'll know the answer to the where and why and when
If you keep workin for your search you will find the end
Though at the end you find it only begins again
See at the end you'll see it only begins again
And everything you learn you're only rememberin
Cause you're
Chorus (repeat 4X)
[Gift of Gab: repeat 2X]
It's me
Let your mind and your soul be free
Work to shine meet your goal believe
Spread that kind of L-O-V-E
Take some time off the lonely
[Gil Scott-Heron: repeat to end]
Cause all we got is rhythm and timin'
We go beyond the edge of the sky
The song "First in Flight" by Blackalicious is about freedom and self-discovery. The chorus repeats the phrase "First in flight" as a mantra of empowerment. The first verse by Gil Scott-Heron talks about how all we really have is our rhythm and timing - the beat of our own hearts, which we can use to go beyond the edge of the sky. Gift of Gab's verses describe what it means to be free - like a bird, a plane, a garden, or a student graduating, free from preconceptions and limits. He encourages listeners to take control of their lives, to be brave and adventurous, to embrace spirituality and self-improvement, and to spread love and positivity. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus by Gift of Gab, followed by a final line by Gil Scott-Heron, emphasizing the importance of rhythm and timing in our lives.
Overall, "First in Flight" is a powerful and uplifting song about breaking free from societal expectations and discovering one's own path in life. It reminds listeners that we can do anything we set our minds to, as long as we have the courage to take control and follow our hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
First in flight
A celebration of being the first to achieve greatness.
FREE! Like a bird out in the wind in the night
Feeling liberated and able to move freely without restraint, like a bird soaring in the night sky.
Like a 747 to LA that's in flight
Moving with speed and purpose, just like a plane en route to Los Angeles.
FREE! Like a garden flourishing in the wind
Growing and thriving, much like a garden being blown by the wind.
Like a student bout to do it when he's graduatin
The excitement and anticipation of a student about to graduate and embark on a new journey forward.
FREE! From any of the energy perception
Being free from any preconceived notions about oneself or others, allowing oneself to move forward more easily.
Can never be defined create the definition within
One's identity cannot be defined by external factors; it must be created from within.
FREE! Just lovin life itself and never pretend to be
Loving life for what it is, without pretending to be someone else or something else.
Anything other than the man I was meant to be
Being true to oneself and accepting the path in life that was meant to be taken.
Travel through time and get a glimpse of the centuries
Reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future, understanding that life is a continuum.
To come a better day is promised remember
Holding onto the hope that better days are ahead, and keeping that in mind for the future.
FREE! Like my nephew in a few months about to be out the penitentiary
Feeling free from constraints and limitations, like a loved one being released from prison.
Meditation(repeated 9X)
Encouraging the practice of meditation as a means of finding inner peace and clarity.
I never hesitate about a reluctant mind
Not shying away from challenges or difficult situations, even when one's mind may be hesitant.
Just put the peddle to the metal see what ya find
Embracing the unknown and diving straight into it to see what opportunities may arise.
You back there slouchin over won't you pick up your spine?
Encouraging others to be proactive and take control of their own lives.
Let's make it really really happen live up this time
Urging others to take advantage of the present moment and seize every opportunity that comes their way.
With black clouds storming
Describing a difficult situation or challenge.
I walk without umbrellas into these woods
Facing challenges head-on, without trying to avoid them or seeking unnecessary protection.
Don't need em cause the mighty trees will shelter me good
Having faith in oneself and being able to navigate through difficult times without external help.
I'm eating berries from the bushes of the heavenly good
Enjoying the fruits of one's labor and celebrating small successes along the way.
From the ?stakes/steaks? the power came to us whenever we stood
Taking pride in one's heritage and recognizing the power that comes from the sacrifices of those who came before us.
Reverberatin out we're reachin each and every hood
Spreading positivity and hope to all communities.
Whenver we could the spiritual anatomy fool
Seeking a deeper understanding of one's spirituality and questioning the norms and conventions that limit our growth.
But never take the credit for it be cause that'd be rude
Sharing credit and recognizing the contributions of others towards one's success.
It's just the way in life we searchin for that had to be new
Life is a journey of exploration and discovery, always seeking new things.
You gotta work it though cause everyday ain't Saturday fool
Acknowledging that success takes hard work and dedication, not always smooth sailing.
Evolve into a better life and be happy with you and me
Growing and evolving as a person, and being content with oneself.
The first to fly
The first to strive
The first to fight to stay alive
The first to win
The first to strike
The first to live
The first in flight
Reflecting on the journey to success, and the various 'firsts' that had to happen in order to get there.
RISE! Like the sun up at the crack of the dawn
Urging people to rise up and take action, like the sun rising in the morning to start a new day.
Like a wakin child in the morning stretchin and yawnin
Starting the day with energy and enthusiasm, like a child stretching and waking up.
RISE! Like an infant being held in the light
Being lifted up and held in a loving embrace, feeling safe and secure.
Like the smoke from an incense when it's ignited
Rising up and filling the air with fragrance and positivity, just like burning incense.
If you're sleepin won't you open your eyes again
Urging people to awaken to the possibilities that life has to offer, and not sleepwalk through it.
The greatest high be that natural high within
Acknowledging that true fulfillment and happiness come from within, not from external sources.
No need to force the progression just ride the wind
Allowing life to take its natural course, without trying to control or force things to happen.
You'll know the answer to the where and why and when
Trusting that the answers to life's questions will reveal themselves over time, without needing to rush or force them.
If you keep workin for your search you will find the end
Putting in the effort and dedication to find what one is truly seeking in life.
Though at the end you find it only begins again
See at the end you'll see it only begins again
Recognizing that the journey through life is never truly over, and that there is always more to discover and achieve.
And everything you learn you're only rememberin
Realizing that true knowledge and wisdom already exist within oneself, and that the journey of life is simply about uncovering and remembering them.
It's me
Let your mind and your soul be free
Work to shine meet your goal believe
Spread that kind of L-O-V-E
Take some time off the lonely
Encouraging people to be true to themselves, follow their passions, and find happiness through love and connection with others.
Cause all we got is rhythm and timin'
We go beyond the edge of the sky
Embracing the unpredictability of life and recognizing that the journey will take us to new heights and beyond our wildest imaginations.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TIMOTHY JEROME PARKER, XAVIER LORENZO MOSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind