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.
Release
Blackalicious Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Gift of Gab]
Prevalent melanin elephant bailin'
And carrying sedatives that'll give average lettermen callouses
Wrecking with savageness, catalyst
battling rappers'll stagger right after the dagger is left in it
Cherish ? (Release) Attica
Damage your pattern I'm pounding you so fabulous (Give it up)
Enough is enough is enough and I'm busting up outta this shell
In eruption and rupture your structure the fuck with you (Release)
Up in you and cut you a costumer
Huffing and puffing, discussing absolutely nothing, disgusting
Plus I'm feeling me rushing up in your country percussion
No woman gets struck in the boundaries
Wake up if your lunging, I'm something, you're nothing (Release)
Now come see grunting, I'm hunting
For one emcees running
I'm stomping my foot through your army
They couldn't have stopped me with shotties
Oddity, why did he, why do these entire societies inside of societies
And survivors still remain alive (Release) emcees
Thriving to flow, opting to go
five hundred and fifty-five syllables to go
Split em' with subliminal intentional dentinal pro
Unlimited flow unriveted, inhibited, vindited
Now you can't get rid of it like (Release) business
Magnificent, intimate, in it with, in a minute, gonna be in a nicks
In it with a gig, big fat heads like eggs Benedict
Pigs lick shit, rip with words in abyssmal energy
It's time I society beats (Release)
[Saul Williams]
Inner breathlessness, outer restlessness
By the time I caught up to freedom I was out of breath
Grandma asked me what I'm running for
I guess I'm out for the same thing the sun is sunning for
What mothers birth their young 'uns for
And some say Jesus coming for
For all I know the Earth is spinning slow
Sun's at half mast 'cause masses ain't aglow
On bended knee, prostrate before an altered tree
I've made the forest suit me
Tables and chairs
Papers and prayers
Matter versus spirit
A metal ladder
A wooden cross
A plastic bottle of water
A mandala encased in glass
A spirit encased in flesh
Sound from shaped hollows
The thickest of mucus released from heightened passion
A man that cries in his sleep
A truth that has gone out of fashion
A mode of expression
A paint splattered wall
A carton of cigarettes
A bouquet of corpses
A dying forest
A nurtured garden
A privatized prison
A candle with a broken wick
A puddle that reflects the sun
A piece of paper with my name on it
I'm surrounded
I surrender
All
All that I am I have been
All I have been has been a long time coming
I am becoming all that I am
The spittle that surrounds the mouth-piece of the flute
Unheard, yet felt
A gathered wetness
A quiet moisture
Sound trapped in a bubble
Released into wind
Wind fellows and land merchants
We are history's detergent
Water soluble, light particles, articles of cleansing breath
Articles amending death
These words are not tools of communication
They are shards of metal
Dropped from eighth-story windows
They are waterfalls and gas leaks
Aged thoughts rolled in tobacco leaf
The tools of a trade
Barbers barred, barred of barters
Catch phrases and misunderstandings
But they are not what I feel when I am alone
Surrounded by everything and nothing
And there isn't a word or phrase to be caught
A verse to be recited
A mantra to fill my being in those moments
I am blankness, the contained center of an "O"
The pyramidic containment of an "A"
I stand in the middle of all that I have learned
All that I have memorized
All that I've known by heart
Unable to reach any of it
There is no sadness
There is no bliss
It is a forgotten memory
A memorable escape route that only is found by not looking
There, in the spine of the dictionary the words are worthless
They are a mere weight pressing against my thoughtlessness
But then, who else can speak of thoughtlessness with such confidence
Who else has learned to sling these ancient ideas
Like dead rats held by their tails
So as not to infect this newly oiled skin
I can think of nothing heavier than an airplane
I can think of no greater conglomerate of steel and metal
I can think of nothing less likely to fly
There are no wings more weighted
I too have felt a heaviness
The stare of man guessing at my being
Yes, I am homeless
A homeless man making offerings to the after-future
Sculpting rubber tree forests out of worn tires and shoe soles
A nation unified in exhale
A cloud of smoke
A native pipe ceremony
All the gathered cigarette butts piled in heaps
Snow covered mountains
Lipsticks smeared and shriveled
Offerings to an afterworld
Tattoo guns and plastic wrappers
Broken zippers and dead-eyed dolls
It's all overwhelming me, oak and elming me
I have seeded a forest of myself
Little books from tall trees
It matters not what this paper be made of
Give me notebooks made of human flesh
Dried on steel hooks and nooses
Make uses of use, uses of us
It's all overwhelming me, oak and elming me
I have seeded a forest of myself
Little books from tall trees
On bended knee
Prostrate before an altered tree
I've made the forest suit me
Tables and chairs
Papers and prayers
Matter versus spirit
Through meditation I program my heart to beat breakbeats and hum basslines on exhalation
(Release) [x3]
[Lyrics Born]
The heaven-sent benevolent medicine man reverend
Peddling deliverance that resemble amphetamines
To the residents in the meadow of pestilence
Who developed a chemical dependence on pessimism, now
Is he is, or is he ain't?
The most distinctive speaker seeping through your sleepy speakers
Yes he is, oh, yes indeed
So distinguished, so close some people think he's half (?)
Ain't no secret, people, trust me
It's mostly hustling
Moves me up strait
But just focus on the gun scene
Boasting and fussing
They both so unproductive
Suppose it go in my blood stream
Let me post this question
Ask anybody, just anybody
They'll tell you that the antibody to the petty
Potty mouth gots to be
Success at something
To be the best of something
And not to stress the dumb shit
Cause you ain't missing nothing
You got to
[Gift of Gab]
Motivate, accelerate, never wait, know your weight, throw away hate
Grow and make weight of your older dates
Elevate, concentrate, get your focus straight, and orchestrate fate
Just motivate, accelerate, never wait, show the way, no escape
Take hold and shift shape, live a longer day
Elevate, concentrate, get your focus straight, and orchestrate fate
Astrologist, colleges follow this through the metropolis
The dominant brown bomber, I'm in it, being prominent
Walking it, mean walking it, clean the scene, stalking it
Volcanic, got ya'll panicking, false canyon
And, awe wait, all day
Outlandish bandits be slandering what we mastering cause they can't catch us
They all pray for our downfall
Maybe one day, sike
You never get no balance if you're crooked so play right, snake
I'm mongoosing on you, stormtrooping through your form
Oncoming, enslaught, on one
Chopping you, I'll tomahawk, trauma hawk
On running (?), rocking shit 'till I was born
You're a Tom Thumb and I'm King Kong Bundy
Strong thunder, all summer long, keep on coming
Dawn, dusk, night, morning
I'll bust tight poems
Raw, just might (?) ya'll
With the white motive, motivation
Motivate, accelerate, never wait, know your weight, throw away hate
Grow and make weight of your older gates
Elevate, concentrate, get your focus straight, and orchestrate faith
Just motivate, accelerate, never wait, show the way, no escape
Take hold and shift shape, live a longer day
Elevate, concentrate, get your focus straight, and orchestrate faith
The lyrics of "Release" by Blackalicious, Saul Williams, and Lyrics Born are a unique combination of each artist's distinct style of rapping and spoken word. The song is essentially about finding release and breaking free from negative thoughts and feelings, both in oneself and in society at large. The artists cover multiple topics, including racism, societal constructs, and personal struggles, all while showcasing their exceptional lyrical abilities.
Gift of Gab's verses are filled with clever wordplay and metaphors, as he raps about his melanin, his battles with other rappers, and his own personal liberation. Saul Williams delivers spoken word passages that are deep and philosophical, touching on themes of humanity, nostalgia, and the search for meaning in life. Finally, Lyrics Born rounds out the song with his smooth flow and wise words, encouraging listeners to focus on their goals and let go of negativity.
Overall, "Release" is a powerful and introspective piece of music that demonstrates the power of words and how they can be used to uplift and inspire. It encourages listeners to think deeply about the world around them and to strive for personal growth and self-improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
Prevalent melanin elephant bailin' And carrying sedatives that'll give average lettermen callouses
I am a powerful black person who is also calm and collected, carrying things that would hurt most people
Wrecking with savageness, catalyst battling rappers'll stagger right after the dagger is left in it
I am destroying other rappers with my incredible talent and cleverness
Cherish ? (Release) Attica
I am calling for freedom and release from oppressive systems, referencing the Attica prison uprising
Shatter your algebra with calculus (Give it up)
I am so intelligent that I can easily solve complex mathematical problems
Damage your pattern I'm pounding you so fabulous (Give it up)
I am breaking down your style and delivering amazing rhymes at the same time
Enough is enough is enough and I'm busting up outta this shell In eruption and rupture your structure the fuck with you (Release)
I am tired of being confined and restricted, and I am breaking free to destroy everything in my path
Up in you and cut you a costumer Huffing and puffing, discussing absolutely nothing, disgusting Plus I'm feeling me rushing up in your country percussion
I am attacking you verbally and physically with my music, taking over your space and making you feel uncomfortable
No woman gets struck in the boundaries Wake up if your lunging, I'm something, you're nothing (Release)
I am empowering women and calling out anyone who tries to limit them, asserting my own worth and superiority
Now come see grunting, I'm hunting For one emcees running I'm stomping my foot through your army They couldn't have stopped me with shotties
I am chasing after other rappers and confidently asserting my dominance, claiming that even a full army couldn't stop me
Oddity, why did he, why do these entire societies inside of societies And survivors still remain alive (Release) emcees
I am questioning the existence of oppressive systems within larger society and how they continue to persist, while also asserting my superiority over other rappers
Thriving to flow, opting to go five hundred and fifty-five syllables to go Split em' with subliminal intentional dentinal pro Unlimited flow unriveted, inhibited, vindited Now you can't get rid of it like (Release) business
I am showing off my impressive rapping skills and claiming that no one can match or even compete with me, comparing it to a successful business that cannot be stopped
Magnificent, intimate, in it with, in a minute, gonna be in a nicks In it with a gig, big fat heads like eggs Benedict Pigs lick shit, rip with words in abyssmal energy It's time I society beats (Release)
I am describing my own greatness, my involvement in the music world, and my disgust with anyone who tries to bring me down or imitate me, calling for a societal revolution
Inner breathlessness, outer restlessness By the time I caught up to freedom I was out of breath Grandma asked me what I'm running for I guess I'm out for the same thing the sun is sunning for
I am feeling both anxious and restless, trying to achieve freedom and feeling exhausted by it, referencing a conversation with my grandmother about my goals
What mothers birth their young 'uns for And some say Jesus coming for For all I know the Earth is spinning slow Sun's at half mast 'cause masses ain't aglow
I am questioning the purpose of birth and existence, wondering if there is a greater meaning or if we are simply spinning aimlessly, referencing the idea of Jesus' return and the darkness in the world caused by a lack of illumination
On bended knee, prostrate before an altered tree I've made the forest suit me Tables and chairs Papers and prayers Matter versus spirit
I am humbled before nature, but also able to use it to create and shape things like furniture and writings, exploring the contrast between physical matter and spiritual essence
Through meditation I program my heart to beat breakbeats and hum basslines on exhalation
I am using meditation as a tool to center myself and connect with music on a deep level, allowing it to become a part of my very essence
The heaven-sent benevolent medicine man reverend Peddling deliverance that resemble amphetamines To the residents in the meadow of pestilence Who developed a chemical dependence on pessimism, now
I am describing myself as a helpful and uplifting figure, like a religious leader or doctor, providing relief to people who are struggling and addicted to negative thinking
Is he is, or is he ain't? The most distinctive speaker seeping through your sleepy speakers Yes he is, oh, yes indeed So distinguished, so close some people think he's half (?) Ain't no secret, people, trust me It's mostly hustling
I am questioning whether people recognize my talent and uniqueness, but also asserting that I am truly one of a kind, and admitting that much of what I do is focused on self promotion
Moves me up strait But just focus on the gun scene Boasting and fussing They both so unproductive Suppose it go in my blood stream
I am making progress in my career, but cautioning against focusing too much on material things and aggressive behavior, warning that they are unhealthy and unproductive
Let me post this question Ask anybody, just anybody They'll tell you that the antibody to the petty Potty mouth gots to be Success at something
I am asking a rhetorical question and asserting that the key to overcoming negative behavior and language is to achieve success in something worthwhile
Motivate, accelerate, never wait, know your weight, throw away hate Grow and make weight of your older dates Elevate, concentrate, get your focus straight, and orchestrate fate Just motivate, accelerate, never wait, show the way, no escape Take hold and shift shape, live a longer day Elevate, concentrate, get your focus straight, and orchestrate faith
I am encouraging people to be proactive and self-motivated, to discard negative attitudes and goals, to elevate and concentrate on what matters most in life, and to take control of their own destiny
Contributed by Kaitlyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.